There are not enough good things I can say about Ashley. Our experience was better than I could have hoped for. She was professional and yet personal. She was kind and non judgmental of any questions I asked. She encouraged me so well through the whole experience of pregnancy and labor and I’m positive my experience would not have come close to as amazing as it was if she hadn’t been our doula. Not only was she supportive of me but also my husband. She supported and encouraged us both. She prayed with us and for us. She was truly a God send. If you are looking for a doula for your pregnancy and birthing journey, I strongly encourage you to meet with Ashley. She wasn’t just our doula, she’s a friend now too. And we are forever grateful for her.
- Lilly Kraemer-Book
There aren’t enough stars to rate how wonderfully well Ashley Surber serves her birth clients. When I initially met with Ashley to see if she would be a match for me and my upcoming birth, I knew almost immediately that she was my gal! Her warmth and ability to connect with me put me at ease as I explained some difficult things I was going through. I felt so reassured that she was not only knowledgeable enough to handle any birth situation, but that she also had the ability to tenderly handle my heart as well. This is exactly what she did. I don’t know that this is the actual role of a doula, but she certainly filled her role and so much more. She spoke life into me where there was brokenness, and she spoke courage where there was apprehension. She was exactly who I needed to complete my birth team! She was available, reachable and professional. And this was all before labor! When I went into labor, she was able to give me great advice for laboring at home. She is not only experienced, but intuitive as well, which I find to have just as much value. She had a she sense for where I was in the labor process and encouraged me to rest and stay put at a time when I was eager to go to the birth center. She was totally right which allowed me to spend more time at home getting in some much needed, valuable rest. Once we made it to the birth center, Ashley met us there and helped us through a fairly fast active labor into delivery. Her knowledge of birthing positions, pain management techniques, focus and calming strategies, etc were so helpful. She was quick to act when I needed assistance or to change things up while also being discerning about when to simply give me space and let the process unfold. Ashley is the definition of a great doula! Soon after my daughter was born, she got sick and spent several weeks in the hospital. Ashley was a steady source of encouragement, prayer and support to our family during that challenging time. I am forever thankful for her! I think we are done having babies, but if that changes I wouldn’t want to do it without Ashley. She gets my highest recommendation!
-Ashley Freeman
Ashley was a key factor in me being able to have the birth I wanted. Fairly late into my pregnancy my husband and I discussed the prospect of me laboring without another woman present, because of the COVID pandemic restrictions on support at the hospital. I was dead set on a natural birth with no pain medicine or intervention. My chiropractor suggested Ashley to me and I reached out. At our first meeting I knew it was a good fit. My husband and I were able to open up and let Ashley know what we were wanting from our birth experience (no medical intervention) and by the end we’re having a good laugh.
I went past my due date and despite our best efforts had to be admitted for an induction. Ashley was very reassuring and together with my doctor we had a plan. After the first night in the hospital I had progressed enough that the doctor was happy to let me progress naturally. However, my labor stalled a couple hours later, but I asked my medical team to allow me to wait on any intervention until Ashley arrived, just to see if we could get things going.
We jumped into action, Ashley help changed the feel of the room and with the use of oils, movement and massage my labor progressed at an astonishing rate - and my surprise son was born less than 4 hours later. Ashley was able to balance helping me and guiding my husband to help me, it was incredible. One of them had their hand on me the entire time. I felt safe and supported.
Ashley is kind, personable and extremely knowledgeable. Very responsive. After meetings, she is prompt to follow up with resources and recommendations. After my experience I felt like I’d met a new friend. Best decision EVER.
Highly recommend.
-Kathryn Martin (repeat client)
When my husband and I found out we were pregnant with our first baby we were absolutely over the moon with excitement! I knew I wanted to try to have our baby as natural as possible and with both of us being first time parents and completely clueless about everything we decided to get a doula to help us through this amazing chapter of our lives! I spent over a month looking and searching the internet for the perfect doula along with hours of chatting with different doulas and finally met Ashley! I chatted with her back and forth and then decided to schedule an in person interview with her & I thank God everyday that I did! Immediately after leaving the interview my husband and I just knew and had an instinctive feeling that Ashley was the perfect doula for us! She is beyond amazing and has the best and sweetest personality!! She is such a wealth of knowledge and so willing to help and do everything she possibly can for you! We decided to sign up for her 6 week childbirth education class as well as hire her as our doula. Meeting with her for the childbirth classes once a week for 6 weeks prior to the birth of our son let us build an amazing relationship with Ashley on top of all of the wonderful information she shared and taught us! (I would hands down recommend taking the 6 week childbirth education course to every new parent!!) As my due date grew closer Ashley was constantly there for me to answer and guide me with any question and/or concern I had! When I finally went into labor it was unexpected and did not go as I had meticulously planned out in my mind! (Imagine that! LOL) Even though almost nothing went as planned Ashley was there for me every step of the way!! From the time my water broke until we finally got to hold our handsome boy in our arms for the first time! My goal was to have an unmedicated birth and Ashley was my God sent when it came to walking me through and holding my hand during each and every contraction!! Unfortunately I did have to eventually get an epidural, however I would have never made it even remotely close to 8cm unmedicated with out her!! Even after the epidural Ashley helped me into multiple positions to help me keep progressing as we waited for our baby’s arrival! I truly believe Ashley is the only reason I did not end up having to have a c-section! She had absolutely every trick in her bag ready to go and helped me through every stage of labor! If she wouldn’t have kept me moving (prior to the epidural) and in multiple different positions I don’t believe I would have been able to progress and dilate to have a natural birth! Without a doubt in my mind Ashley was put into mine and my husbands lives by God to help us bring our child into this world safely and naturally! I can honestly say I would never want to deliver another child without my husband and Ashley by my side!! For anyone considering hiring a doula, my personal opinion is 100% absolutely do it!! And if you want the BEST doula who absolutely LOVES every part of her job, you want Ashley!
-Chelsea King (repeat client)
Ashley was an amazing God send!! I could not have asked for a more professional and caring doula to assist me in my first birth! Not only was she a huge encouragement and blessing to me but also to my husband and family! She is super respectful and extremely wise when it comes to discerning what you need during each phase of the birthing process! If the Lord allows us to have another baby in the future, Ashley will definitely be the first on my go to list!! She truly cares and makes it her goal to make each birth as special as possible! I thank the Lord for her and for the friend that she has become to me!! I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone and everyone! She is, no doubt, the best!!
-Danni Karnes
Highly recommended!! We had such a positive birth experience and am so thankful for Ashley’s guidance and support. My husband and I live in Houston, so Ashley scheduled remote sessions prior to our August delivery. She was respectful of our birthing decisions while still providing great resources, videos, and local contacts/referrals. Postpartum she also provided lactation guidance and support. Her enthusiastic and encouraging personality is exactly what this first time mom needed!
- Amber Bearb
Ashley was SO AMAZING! I was able to give birth naturally even after receiving almost every induction method. She knew the stages of labor and helped me work through them, making it so much easier than I'm sure it would have been without the proper support. There aren't enough words to express how truly grateful I am that Ashley was there to help me through my birth. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Woman of Valor birth Services for pregnant or postpartum moms and moms-to-be!
- Taylor Qualls
The Covid-19 situation has given me a major amount of anxiety when it comes to my birthing experience. Ashley helped me to navigate the hospital procedures and policies and give me information that I am so so thankful for!.
- Larissa Oestreich