Alexis Smith

9/29/2024

Man, where do I begin? 

From validating my previously awful birth experience, to encouraging me to have the VBAC I so desperatly wanted, to comforting me through the decision to have a repeat C section, I couldnt have asked for a better doula. 

Ashley is kind, compassionate, fierce, and loving. She will advocate for you. She will comfort you (with amazing massage therapy!!!) and she will mourn with you. I may not have ended up with the birth I wanted but having her with me made having another C section so redeeming. I can't express enough how calming  and reassuring her presence in the room is. 

I, myself, am a fellow doula & I throughly enjoyed Ashleys care. I have even personally recommended her to my friends and family. Do not second guess booking Ashley, especially if you are a woman of faith. 

Ashley, THANK YOU, I will see you with baby #3 

Cory

6/9/2024

My experience with Ashley Read was such a good one. She has a positive attitude and outlook, and an exceptionally radiant personality. She really knows her stuff. Ashley sent me a lot of material for both me and my husband to read. She sent over a packet of material on how my husband could support me during the birth. It was so helpful for him, since we were delivering at home, to have this material printed and posted on the wall. He was able to refer back to it several times and know where I was in the delivery. He was able to use the material to fully support me, offering helpful affirmations of encouragement and sips of water. Because it was a home birth I needed a birth kit. Ashley sent over a list of things I would like/need to have on hand. I was able to purchase the necessary supplies and even had some things on hand I didn't end up needing. Ashley helped me develop a birth plan including how I wanted it to go at home, but also how I wanted it to go if we should end up at the hospital. I provided a copy to my midwife and also directly to the hospital for the 'what if' situation. We didn't end up at the hospital thankfully, but the doctor who would be at the hospital should we have ended up there, saw the plan was able to quickly look it over and tell me it made sense and was a valid birth plan. That felt good to have Ashley's expertise to create a good birth plan that was accepted so highly by the midwife and doctor. I highly recommend Ashley as she is organized, professional and caring. She also became my friend. After going through the birth experience with her I can say that she is someone I completely trust and would hire her again should I decide to have more children. Thank you so much, Ashley! 

Andrea

6/7/2023

What an amazing experience we had with Ashley! After 2 years of PTSD and postpartum anxiety due to a traumatic c-section exprience with my first child, we decided to hire her for support during labor of my second child. When I met with her the first time, she inmediately understood my situation and made me feel safe and secure. She was kind, compassionate and very knowledgeable! Her words of encouragement and dedication towards me helped me build the courage of having a successful VBAC. She really persuade me into thinking I can do it, and I did. 
Thank you Ashley for everything you did for us. You were really an answered prayer! 

Chelsea

6/5/2023

What an amazing birth experience I had with Ashley! She was so supportive and helped so much with pain management. I knew I could count on her the entire time. My husband who was originally on the fence about hiring a doula said “Wow she was perfect. I am so glad she was there. I wish she was there for your other two births.” At a follow up with my midwife she complimented her about how phenomenal of a job she did. 

Darlene Fernandez-White

4/19/2023

We strongly recommend Ashley Read for anyone looking for a birth doula. Having our second child was going to be a memorable experience no matter what, but the best decision we made as we prepared to become a family of four was hiring Ashley. Upon hiring her, it was evident to see her deep appreciation and respect for our differences and similarities, and she made us feel comfortable to let her know exactly how we wanted our birth plan to play out.  Once Ashley arrived at the hospital she went  right to work.  She provided relaxing  and calming music, essential  oils,  exercises to help me dilate, instruments to help manage pain during contractions and many other very useful resources.  We absolutely loved the hospital we chose, and the nurses and midwives were great. But it was Ashley who had me resting, got me moving, talked to me and my husband, sat with us,  held my hand, assured my partner and helped him by suggesting different ways in which he could help me get through my contractions. My husband really appreciated feeling like he was more involved in this experience with me, and learn how to provide the support I needed through Ashelys guidance.  Ashley also knew when my contractions were coming and would also help provide pain relief by massaging my back or applying pressure. Birth is such a beautiful and vulnerable time in a woman's life, and by having Ashely there, she just enhanced the moment so that it's not as scary as people make labor and birth seem. I could write a million reasons why having Ashley as your doula during your birth would be the best decision you ever make, but this box only holds so many words. Every woman deserves to have a birth experience that is beautiful, memorable and empowering, and by hiring Ashley as your doula that is exactly what she will make sure you have.