https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/home daily 1.0 2024-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/8c718278-7ccd-417e-9ead-d4c2748fbc13/family2.jpg Home - About Ashley Hi! I’m Ashley - a birth doula, lactation counselor, childbirth educator, and placenta encapsulator. I live in Fairfax County VA with my husband and my 3 daughters. I believe that pregnancy and childbirth is a transformational experience for women, and one that we will carry with us forever. I believe all moms hold power in their birth; but, unfortunately the modern medical birth world can sometimes strip moms of that power. When a mom is educated and supported successfully, she stays empowered during her birth. Whether that experience is an un-medicated water birth, a birth with an epidural, or a cesarean section- research shows us that the most important thing a mom needs to be happy with her birth outcome is the right support and to feel as though the decisions made were HERS. I am certified through ‘A Woman Who Serves’- a Christian doula training organization. I believe childbirth and motherhood are spiritual and sacred experiences in a woman’s life. It is always an honor to witness a woman come into her motherhood with strength and power from her birth experience. “Childbirth is an experience in a woman’s life that holds the power to transform her forever. Passing through these powerful gates- in her own way- remembering all the generations of women who walk with her…She is never alone.” Suzanne Arms https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/connect daily 0.75 2023-01-13 https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/take-action daily 0.75 2021-05-06 https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/birth-doula-services daily 0.75 2024-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/1634501446731-Q6T4OH5O8NOR0O0QHKA3/unsplash-image-WvVyudMd1Es.jpg Birth Doula Support - I work for YOU. My job as your doula is to learn what is important to you in this birth experience. I believe knowledge is power. When you work with me, I will walk you through the risks and benefits of each decision you might have to make in labor, so you can go into your birth feeling empowered. It is crucial for a mom to know she played an active role in her birth. As your doula, I advocate for your decision to be heard. However your birth unfolds, you will not be alone. I promise to create the space for your feelings and desires to be known. And what about the partner? I work for (and with) him too! Many times a spouse or partner is unsure whether to hire a doula because they don’t want to feel replaced. Your partner is the one who knows you best, and we will work together as a team to support you during your labor and birth. When you hire me, we have one or two prenatal meetings, and I encourage the partner to attend these as well so we can learn how to best work with each other. I teach hands-on techniques that the partner and I can both use to provide comfort during labor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/1691074581239-2QJ8OQPRB0CKASX8VEVV/image-asset.jpeg Birth Doula Support https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/1691074768990-TZ8P1FL8MQ1WOBUI5VA8/image-asset.jpeg Birth Doula Support https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/0420ab7d-5934-4b0a-b54b-f26ec09d1c4b/image-asset.jpg Birth Doula Support https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/placenta-encapsulation daily 0.75 2024-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/3824aefb-bcbc-440a-ab1b-708373499036/placenta+pills+image.jpg Placenta Encapsulation - Placenta Pills Placenta encapsulation is the process of steaming and dehydrating the placenta, then turning it into a powder form. This powder is placed in capsules for you take postpartum. Many mothers have said that their placenta pills helped immensely with their postpartum moods, breastmilk supply, postpartum bleeding, and the overall feeling of calm during the first postpartum weeks. This is very beneficial for moms with a personal or family history of depression. Guaranteed turnaround time of 48 hours, unless the placenta has been frozen. Cord keepsake included. Price for this service: $350 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/1634498960621-EY3RJ9OSIUIDPGJDN186/unsplash-image-HvC6jKUtWgU.jpg Placenta Encapsulation - Placenta Tinctures A placenta tincture is made with a piece of dehydrated placenta placed inside of a bottle filled with 90 proof or higher alcohol. The bottle can be re-filled indefinitely for continued hormonal support, as long as the placenta is not exposed to air. Placenta pills last about 5-6 weeks. Tinctures require about 6 weeks for processing. You could begin using your placenta tincture as soon as your placenta pills are finished! The tincture is sort of an “insurance policy” to have for future hormonal imbalances. Some women actually save their placenta tinctures for use during menopause. Add on 4oz placenta tincture: $25 https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/childbirth-education daily 0.75 2023-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/f34cc247-6a8f-4d22-bf96-00d81b0684bf/bump.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/d9e839e8-ccfb-4665-a54e-95ccc836b6cf/preparingforbirth3.jpg Childbirth Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608b77e34163ff3d597f6d57/fa57ec68-4eec-4dec-af4b-f2a2c4f4b743/preparing+for+birth+pic1.jpg Childbirth Education https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/testimonials daily 0.75 2024-08-10 https://www.sweetbeginningsbirth.com/store daily 0.75 2023-08-03