๐คฐHelping soon-to-be parents gain confidence by providing valuable education and guidance!
Our passion is to help others build confidence, openly communicate, and achieve their goals. We strive to provide evidence based knowledge, effective techniques, and other tools and resources for our clients to make informed decisions best for their family.
07/16/2025
Birth is powerful.
Itโs even more powerful when you feel confident and supported.
Iโm currently offering in-person birth doula support for families planning home birth, hospital birth, or low-intervention birth.
Availability update:
August โ Limited
September โ 1 birth spot open
October - Full
November โ 1 birth spot open
DecemberโJanuary โ Full
2026 โ Now booking
If youโre wondering if doula support is the right fit, Iโd love to chat. ๐๏ธ
06/13/2025
Have you EVER wondered what a mucus plug is โ or what it means when you lose it?
Hereโs a raw, real glimpse from my own birth journey: the literal barrier that kept my cervix closed during pregnancy.
The mucus plug is thick cervical fluid that seals your cervix, protecting your baby by blocking bacteria and infections throughout pregnancy.
๐น Its appearance, color, and texture can vary โ from clear to yellowish, or even bloody.
๐น Losing it may mean your body is preparing for birth, but labor could still be days or weeks away.
๐น Sometimes, your body regenerates it if it comes away early โ itโs just one part of a much bigger picture.
The mucus plug is a small โ yet powerful โ sign that your body and baby are progressing in their own perfect time.
What questions do you have about signs of labor? Drop them below or DM me anytime โ Iโm here to help!
If you found this helpful, save this post, share with a friend, and follow for more pregnancy and birth education. ๐
06/12/2025
Today is my husbandโs birthday โ a quiet, powerful presence in the story Iโm about to share.
Birth is often seen as a motherโs journey. And while it is deeply personal, itโs rarely done alone. Behind every mama is a village โ sometimes made of many, sometimes just one.
His hands held steady. His words were few, but grounding. His presence? Everything.
There was a hopeful thought that he might get a birthday buddy โ but our son had his own timing (and agenda).
Tomorrow, Iโll begin sharing the story of our son's birth โ piece by piece โ leading up to his first birthday.
But tonight, Iโm pausing to honor the man who stood beside me through it all โ who believed in me, held space without needing to fix anything, and reminded me I can do hard things.
Happy birthday, my love. I'm grateful for you today, and every day.
๐ธ:
06/10/2025
๐ชปBirth is sacred. Birth is primal.
One year ago this week, my body was stirring with ancient wisdom โ and I didnโt fully realize it yet.
โ
As a doula, Iโve stood beside families through over 200 births.
But nothing prepared me for what it would feel like in my own body, my own home, my own bones.
โ
Birth isnโt something to manage. Itโs something to witness, to move through, to be forever changed by.
And it doesnโt have to be feared. When weโre informed, supported, and trustedโฆ
Birth can be empowering, even when itโs unscripted.
โ
Starting June 12, Iโll begin sharing my birth story โ piece by piece โ leading up to my sonโs first birthday.
โจ Follow along if you want real, raw, grounded birth stories โ from someone whoโs both a doula and a mama.
๐ Iโd love to know โ whatโs a word you use to describe birth?
โ
๐ธ
05/12/2025
Before my son was born, this closet was ready.
Every size, set, and swaddle had its place.
โฃ
Now? Itโs a mix of too-small clothes I havenโt sorted, drawers I barely open, and a basket on the floor that I keep stepping over.
โฃ
I didnโt expect to keep it perfect, but stillโฆ this felt like a little reality check.
โฃ
Motherhood has reorganized my life in more ways than one.
โฃ
And instead of seeing this space as chaotic, Iโm learning to see it as lived in. Full of growth, change, and the reminder that not everything has to be folded and finished to be full of love.
โฃ
If your once-organized world has shifted too โ youโre in good company. ๐
โฃ
Whatโs one area of life thatโs felt the biggest shift since baby? Iโd love to hear.
05/07/2025
It doesnโt always feel like enough. The dishes pile up, the to-do list waits, and yetโyouโre here. Holding. Healing. Becoming.
Contact naps might look still, but so much is unfolding beneath the surface.
This isnโt wasted time. Itโs exactly what this season calls for.
11/29/2024
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Save 30% in BRMยฎ's biggest sale:
โจ Prenatal Program โจ Birth Program โจ Postpartum Program
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Sale ends December 1st at midnight PST!
Link in bio to transform your birth journey
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At ๐ญ๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐๐บ, we were living on one level in a sea of boxes, just days away from moving, and my husband had just gone back to work. My family helped when they could, but it still felt like I was juggling everythingโ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฝ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐บ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐๐, ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ผ, ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ฎ ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐บ๐ถ๐น๐ธ, and trying to feel like ๐ฎ๐บ๐ด๐ฆ๐ญ๐ง again.
I felt ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐น๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ, ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป, and completely unsure of how I was going to get it all doneโespecially my desperate need for a shower. ๐ฟ Finding some kind of routine or balance felt impossible.
This photo captures that ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐, overwhelming moment. Itโs a snapshot of a time that has passed, but I still have days when I feel like a ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ (honestly, who doesnโt?). And Iโve learned that those days are fewer now.
Postpartum is ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐๐, chaotic, unpredictableโand thatโs okay. Itโs all part of this beautiful, real journey. ๐
How did you navigate the chaos of your postpartum days? Any tips for embracing the mess?
Letโs support each other. ๐ฌ๐
11/18/2024
๐ฆโจ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ that throughout your pregnancy, amniotic fluid isn't just a one-time fill-up but a constantly renewing source of nourishment and protection for your little one. ๐คฏ๐ถ
Picture this: inside your womb, your baby floats and plays in their very own oasis, surrounded by amniotic fluid. This miraculous fluid isn't just "there" โ it's actively replenishing itself, much like the ebb and flow of the tides! ๐๐ซ
๐๐๐ซ๐'๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ: your baby swallows and breathes in this fluid, and then their tiny kidneys and lungs work their magic, filtering and recycling it back into the womb ensuring that your baby always has a pristine environment to grow and thrive in. ๐ฑ๐
But ๐ช๐๐๐ง, there's more! Amniotic fluid isn't just about hydration โ it also cushions your baby against bumps and jostles, helps regulate their temperature, and even aids in the development of their muscles and limbs as they float and wiggle around. Isnโt that miraculous?! ๐ช๐ฆธโโ๏ธ
And let's not forget the role YOU play in replenishing this magical elixir! Your own hydration, whether through sipping water or indulging in a soothing bath, contributes to the health and abundance of amniotic fluid. So go ahead, and treat yourself to some hydration and relaxation โ you're nurturing both yourself and your little one! ๐ฆ๐
So, the next time you feel those gentle kicks and flutters, remember the incredible liquid world your little one is swimming in โ and marvel at the wonder of nature's self-renewing gift, the amazing amniotic fluid! ๐๐ง
10/30/2024
๐ง๐ซWhen Your Water Breaks ๐ซ๐ง
Let's talk about a moment that can catch expectant parents off guard: the rupture of membrane, also known as when your water breaks! ๐ฆ It's not always like the movies! ๐ฌ Sometimes it's a subtle trickle, other times a dramatic gush โ but regardless, it's a sign that your little one is on their way!
๐ BUT WAITโฆ just because your water breaks doesnโt mean you need to rush anything. There's no need to speed to your birth location or expect an immediate arrival of your baby.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ:
โก๏ธ Your water can break at any stage of labor, but it's often a sign that labor is starting or progressing.
โก๏ธ There's typically no need to put a time restriction on your labor. However, it's essential to monitor for signs of infection if your water breaks and labor doesn't begin within 24 hours.
โก๏ธ It's normal for contractions to start within a few hours after your water breaks, but they might not start immediately. If contractions don't begin within 24 hours, your healthcare provider may recommend induction to reduce the risk of infection.
โก๏ธ Your water will continue to leak until you give birth!
No matter how your birth starts and unfolds every birth story is uniquely beautiful. ๐ It's a reminder that life's greatest moments often come with a splash of spontaneity! ๐โจ Welcome the unexpected moments of birth with open arms. Instead of panicking, cherish the magic of the moment, lean on your support system, and get ready to welcome your little one with open arms! ๐ค๐ถ
10/19/2024
โจ The finale is here! โจ
In the last chapter of my birth story, ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฆ๐: ๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ป๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐, I share the intense and unforgettable moments leading up to my babyโs arrival. Join me as I explore the power of pushing, the beauty of meeting my little one, and the emotions that shaped this incredible journey. ๐ Dive into Part 3 for the emotional conclusion to my transition from doula to mama!
๐ [Link in bio] to read the full story!
๐ธ
10/17/2024
๐ฉบ Cervical Exams in Pregnancy ๐คฐ
Around 36 weeks into your pregnancy, your healthcare provider might recommend a cervical exam. Understanding this procedure, including its potential benefits and risks, is crucial. It's worth noting that routine cervical exams before labor have limited supporting evidence.
During a cervical exam, your healthcare provider will gently insert two fingers into your va**na to evaluate the dilation (opening) and effacement (thinning) of your cervix. Additionally, they may check the position of the baby's head and the softness of the cervix.
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐:
๐ Decision-Making for Induction: Cervical exams can assist in deciding the best route, based on the cervix's readiness and other factors.
๐ Assessment of Labor Progress: They can aid in assessing how labor is progressing, helping healthcare providers determine if interventions or adjustments to the birth plan would be appropriate.
๐ซ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ธ๐:
๐ Discomfort: Cervical exams can cause discomfort or mild pain for some individuals.
๐ Risk of Infection: There's a risk of introducing bacteria into the va**na during a cervical exam, potentially leading to infection.
๐ Accidental Rupture of Membranes: During a cervical exam, there's a small chance of accidentally rupturing the amniotic sac surrounding the baby, leading to premature breaking of the water. This may increase the risk of complications and necessitate further medical intervention.
๐ Psychological Impact: Frequent cervical exams may induce anxiety or stress for some expectant parents, particularly if the results do not align with their expectations or birth plans.
๐คฐ Feel free to discuss any concerns or questions with your healthcare provider without hesitation. Your health and the well-being of your baby are top priorities, but your input in making the best decisions for yourself is equally important! ๐
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Samantha Ashley, Doula Mae Birth Services:
Hello! Thank you for visiting Doula Mae to learn more about the founder and services we offer. We are located in Big Lake, Minnesota and happily serve the surrounding 50 miles which include all major hospitals and birth centers in central Minnesota and the Twin Cities.
Samanthaโs passion for childbirth started when she was 14 after witnessing the miraculous birth of her second brother via cesarean section. It was then, she decided to focus her energy on empowering families to have a positive birth experience. In 2012, Samantha became a Certified Nursing Assistant specializing in postpartum and pediatric care. She started her doula journey in April 2016, and has enjoyed learning about the birth community and continues to educate herself to better serve those in seek of support. Only a short while later she created Doula Mae and began taking doula clients.
In her personal time Samantha enjoys spending time with her family. As the oldest of six children, the youngest being only five, she is a role model for her younger siblings which has encouraged her to pursue her dreams of helping families blossom. She also loves hanging out with her pit bull mix Sadie who is a big lap dog full of love for others, especially children.
Samantha has been blessed with many opportunities to explore the world and a variety of cultures. She hopes to one day have a family of her own to encourage, support, and share experiences with. In the meantime Samantha strives to encourage, support and empower you and your family during one of life's most cherished events.
To learn more about Samanthaโs certifications and training's please visit doulamae.com.
