Trained Doula. Advocate. Educator.
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Ashley Weyers (she/her)
I am an academic turned birthworker. I spent years researching and teaching about the state of perinatal healthcare in the United States as a PhD student in sociology, but it wasn’t until I worked as a homebirth assistant for 18 months for a research project that I realized what was at the heart of my academic work: a passion to do better by birthing people and families.
I feel strongly that the institutional greed, racism, and lack of informed consent in our healthcare system today can be slowly undone by impactful research, but that doulas are an immediate solution to providing better care. That is why I made the decision to resign from my PhD program and jump wholeheartedly into doula work. As a doula, I take an evidence-based and trauma-informed approach to perinatal support. I believe that birthing people are the authority figures of their birth, and that with informational and emotional support they can enter confidently into their birth and postpartum experiences. My favorite part of this work is supporting people exactly as they are: complex, perfectly imperfect, and deserving of someone to witness and embrace them for it all. I especially enjoy educating families on their care options, planning for a nourished postpartum, and supporting lactation and feeding. Outside of doula work, I love spending time outdoors with my dog Brody and partner Ben, relaxing on the couch watching TV (my latest favorite is Stranger Things, season 4), reading memoirs, and trying out a new recipe or restaurant. You can learn more about me on my Instagram account. |
Formal Education, Doula Trainings, and Certification
Certified Birth Doula, Pacific Association for Labor Support/PALS (2021)
Birth Doula Training, Simkin Center/DONA International (2021)
Postpartum Doula Training, DONA International (2020)
Master of Arts, Sociology, University of Arizona (2018)
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Western Washington University (2015)
Continuing Education
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Perinatal Support Washington (2021)
Acupressure for Labor Prep, Labor and Postpartum, Acupuncture Northwest (2021)
Abortion Doula Training, Birthing Advocacy Doula Training (2021)
Crisis Response for Birthworkers, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (2021)
Spinning Babies® Workshop, Spinning Babies® (2021)
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss, Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death (2021)
*Fully vaccinated. Infant CPR/First Aid certified. Current food handler permit.*
Certified Birth Doula, Pacific Association for Labor Support/PALS (2021)
Birth Doula Training, Simkin Center/DONA International (2021)
Postpartum Doula Training, DONA International (2020)
Master of Arts, Sociology, University of Arizona (2018)
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Western Washington University (2015)
Continuing Education
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Perinatal Support Washington (2021)
Acupressure for Labor Prep, Labor and Postpartum, Acupuncture Northwest (2021)
Abortion Doula Training, Birthing Advocacy Doula Training (2021)
Crisis Response for Birthworkers, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (2021)
Spinning Babies® Workshop, Spinning Babies® (2021)
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss, Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death (2021)
*Fully vaccinated. Infant CPR/First Aid certified. Current food handler permit.*