Ashley was a gift from God to us during the most wonderful and sorrowful days of our lives. Our baby girl was stillborn just an hour past her due date. Ashley was intricately woven into our story. She became not just our doula, but our friend, and now more like family. Throughout my pregnancy, she was there to text over every question. I treasure my pregnancy so very much, and Ashley was there during every excited moment. She was an amazing resource - from her beautifully designed birth plans to her labor booklets and postpartum worksheets - and you should ask her about what she brings to births in her doula bag! All of that may seem silly for me to care about now, considering the circumstances surrounding my birth. But I love looking back at my pregnancy, knowing that I experienced unbridled joy while I had my baby with me. Ashley gave me a gorgeous muslin blanket, embroidered with my daughter’s name. It was a keepsake then, but even more so now. She did a maternity shoot with my husband and I and gifted us the priceless treasure of photos of my baby bump. When we found out that we had lost our daughter, Ashley headed to the hospital without hesitation. She was by my side every second of the next 36 hours. When my birth plan flew out the window, she supported whatever decisions we made. Whenever I slept, I always opened my eyes to see Ashley sitting right next to me. As my baby was born, she took photos for us that serve as the only reminders we'll ever have of what our beautiful baby looked like. Before she left, Ashley reminded me to spend time with my baby, making memories. In that time of shock, I’m not sure I would have known to do that if Ashley had not gently led me to do so. Even now, she still surprises me with sweet keepsakes and texts to check in. She has shown immeasurable strength in walking alongside us, even when that strength looks like shedding tears. I never have and never will question that our baby truly is loved by her doula.
-Kenzie Brooks
January 21, 2024
Thrive Birth Co.
Birth Fee: $1250 to $2050