Willow & Sage Midwifery & Women's Health

03/03/2026

February kept us on our toes in the very best way 🤍

We welcomed six beautiful babies into the world this month — four sweet boys and two precious girls. What a full, sacred, life-giving season it has been.

It was a busy month for Willow & Sage, filled with late-night drives, birth pools filling, quiet encouragement, strong mamas, steady partners, and those first unforgettable cries. Each birth so different. Each story so powerful. Each family forever changed.

To the six families who trusted us with your care — thank you. It is never lost on us what an honor it is to be invited into such an intimate and transformative space. Watching you step into parenthood (or grow your families again) is why we do this work.

February, you were beautiful… and we are so grateful. ✨

02/27/2026

Yesterday was a bittersweet day at Willow & Sage Midwifery 🤍

It was Sage’s last day with us before she heads to Missoula to continue her midwifery clinical education. Watching students grow into confident, capable providers is one of the greatest honors of this profession. Midwifery is built on mentorship, hands-on learning, and walking alongside experienced midwives as you step into your own rhythm — and Sage has done that beautifully.

Sage, thank you for your calm presence, your willingness to learn, your thoughtful questions, and the genuine care you showed our clients. You have been such a gift to this practice.

To our clients — if you allowed Sage to be part of your prenatal visits, births, or postpartum care, thank you. Thank you for welcoming a student into your space. Thank you for trusting the educational process. Because of you, the next generation of midwives gains the experience and confidence they need to care for families safely and compassionately. Your generosity truly matters.

02/16/2026

This may be hard to read for some, but it's also very important and necessary. My job isn't always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, not often, I have to make the hard decision to transfer a client out of my care due to complications in pregnancy that make out of hospital birth unsafe.

Sometimes in pregnancy, things happen.

Sometimes in labor, something shifts.

And most of the time… those things are completely out of anyone’s control, including mine as the care provider.

A transfer to the hospital was likely never part of your plan. It wasn’t the vision you held. It wasn’t the birth you imagined. And it can feel disappointing, overwhelming, and emotional.

But please hear this...

When something arises that makes home birth no longer the safest option, the transfer is not a failure. It is not your fault. And it is not the fault of the midwife who recognized the need to change course.

You hire a midwife for many reasons — but first and foremost, you hire her to keep you and your baby safe. You hire her to recognize when something is outside the realm of normal. You hire her to make clinical decisions that prioritize safety over preference. And sometimes, that means transferring care.
Once a transfer occurs, the hospital assumes management of your pregnancy and labor. That shift can feel abrupt. It can feel like loss of control. It can feel heavy.

But what is within our control?
• Making sure you are supported during labor — often with a doula by your side. Not every midwife does this. Often times they don't sit with you in the hospital or hire a doula for you, but if they did, then consider that going above and beyond.
• Continuing constant postpartum support. If your midwife was constantly checking in with you, traveled to see you, etc, she did her job. If you declined care, that is not on her.
• Creating space for you to process your birth experience.
• Offering follow-up care, referrals when needed, and showing up for you long after the birth. Again, if you declined or canceled appointments, this is not on her.

If your midwife advocated for you (which includes recommending the transfer of care when it was no longer safe for you to birth out of the hospital), supported you, traveled to you, followed up postpartum, and ensured you had continuity of care — she did her job.

It’s easy to look for someone to blame when plans change. I understand that. Birth is emotional and sacred. But some complications are simply outside of anyone’s control — even the most experienced midwives.

Safety is never a failure.

Transfer is not a betrayal.

And no one is to blame for things no one could control.

You deserved safety and support. If you feel like your experience lacked support, then I encourage you to reach out to your midwife and tell her this directly. Have the conversation with her.

I will never guarantee you a particular birth experience. I will do everything in my power to help give you the experience you want, but I will never put those desires above you or the safety of your baby, ever.

Grateful always,

Ashley

02/11/2026

December and January were intentionally quiet for us at Willow & Sage. 🤍

We took some much needed time to rest, to be present with family, to reset after a full and beautiful year of catching babies. Midwifery is heart work — and in order to continue showing up fully for the families we serve, we also have to honor seasons of pause.

But… even in a season of rest, birth has its own timing.

At the very end of January, we welcomed one sweet baby earthside. There is something so special about a January baby — fresh beginnings, quiet strength, and so much hope.

Thank you to our community for always supporting us in both the busy seasons and the restful ones. We are so grateful to serve you.

Here’s to new life, new seasons, and continuing to hold space for the miracle of birth. 🤍✨

— Ashley and the Willow & Sage Midwifery team

01/28/2026

✨ Planning an out-of-hospital birth? Childbirth education matters—deeply. ✨

Whether you’re a first-time parent or planning your first home or birth-center birth, a quality childbirth education class is one of the most powerful ways to prepare.

Out-of-hospital birth is rooted in physiology, trust, and informed choice—and education helps you:
• Understand what normal labor truly looks and feels like
• Learn coping tools and comfort measures that support physiologic birth
• Build confidence in your body and the birth process
• Know when something is normal… and when it’s time to ask questions
• Feel like an active, informed participant—not a bystander

For families new to out-of-hospital birth, education bridges the gap between wanting this experience and feeling ready for it.
Knowledge doesn’t create fear—it creates confidence, calm, and clarity. Birth works best when you understand it. Prepare your mind as intentionally as you prepare your space.

There are two local birth classes that I would like to share with you. Connected Birth Services and Arrow Pelvic Physical Therapy both hold local birth classes that are wonderful! I recommend all of my clients attend one of their birth classes, especially if you are a first time mom or are planning your first out of hospital birth. See details below for both of their classes🤍

arrowpelvic.myflodesk.com/marchbirthclass
arrowpelvic.myflodesk.com/waitlist (for July and November classes)

01/28/2026

01/28/2026

✨ Time for another birth class ✨

🩷🩵If you are expecting this spring, there’s room for you and your partner to come learn all the things you should know before you start your labor journey.

10 years of birth experience in and out of hospital. Whether your goals are unmedicated birth or just empowered to make choices based on research instead of the status quo, this is the place to learn.

📝A 1 day format with resources to take home and more in your inbox.

Reach out to the number or email on the flyer or message me here to get signed up.

12/16/2025

Arrow Pelvic Physical Therapy is hosting another birth class on January 31st from 10a-12p. If you are a first time mom, or, maybe you want to approach labor different this time around, attend this class!

2-hour, expert led birth prep class.

12/04/2025

November brought three beautiful baby boys into the world.

Each birth was its own gentle reminder of why I love this work so deeply.

Feeling grateful for the families who invited me into their sacred moments this last month. Here’s to healthy mamas, thriving babies, and the slow magic of the season.

💙💙💙💙

12/01/2025

Only 2 more days to sign up!

Event Timing: January 2nd-3rd (with optional 5 hour doula photography session on January 4th - additional $150) Event Address: 414 Grand Avenue, Billings MT 59105 Contact us at willowandsagemidwifery@gmail.com

11/13/2025

🌿 It Takes a Village — Midwives Supporting Midwives 🌿

Midwifery truly is a small world — one filled with collaboration, trust, and heart. 💜

While each of us runs our own practice and cares deeply for our individual clients, we also lean on one another. Behind every midwife is a network of other skilled midwives who step in when someone needs to rest, attend a birth, or simply take a moment to breathe.

Sometimes that means covering call for one another, assisting at births, or offering an extra set of hands and heart when things get busy. We share wisdom, experience, and friendship — all in the name of safe, supported, family-centered care.

I’m so grateful for the amazing midwives in our community who make this work sustainable and joyful. These women are not just colleagues — they’re sisters in this sacred calling. 🌸

Swipe to meet a few of the incredible midwives who make up our local village. Each one brings her own unique gifts, and together we create a web of care that serves families across our region.

11/12/2025

🌿 Six Weeks Earthside 🌿

Last week, I saw one of my sweet clients for her 6-week postpartum visit. The baby who was once nestled safely inside her is now smiling, stretching, and starting to discover the world — and she’s doing beautifully.

There’s something so special about this visit. It’s not just a check on healing or vitals — it’s a moment to pause and honor the journey. To look back on birth, to talk about the transition into motherhood (this was this sweet mamas third baby), to celebrate strength, and to hold space for all the emotions that come with these tender weeks.

By six weeks, so much has changed — yet the connection between midwife, mama, and baby remains strong. 💜

I always leave these visits filled with gratitude — for the trust, for the courage, and for the privilege of walking alongside families through such sacred beginnings.

Here’s to healing, growing, and finding your rhythm together. 🌸