Ashley Meissner

I love to help the people around me to feel safe and supported. My passion is supporting families during the arrival of their baby, no matter the route, with the birthing person and their support team’s intentions at the forefront.  I support my families through encouragement, position changes, calming touch, breathing techniques, advocating and forming a bond with the birthing person and their family to help develop a comforting environment to birth in. Birth is an experience that can foster growth, strength and passion and I feel my purpose is to help every expectant parent I interact with to have a positive and empowering transition into parenthood. Labor is transformational!

My passion for birth began during my pregnancy with my firstborn where I could not get enough information about the process of pregnancy and birth. The compassionate and skilled care I received from my healthcare team during both of my births to my children inspired me to become a birth worker.  I developed my knowledge of the birthing process by learning about friends’ experiences and searching for labor documentaries, which only fueled my purpose to create a positive birth experience and help my clients feel supported throughout their pregnancy, labor and the first few weeks of parenthood.


Before I became a Doula, I worked with children - teaching surfing, swimming and working as a nanny for children on the autism spectrum.  I graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Deaf Education which focused my skills in American Sign Language and learning about being a part of the Deaf community.  This work helped me grow in my ability to be patient, flexible, organized and advocate for others.  

I was born and raised in southern California and now live in the Portland “burbs” with my subtly funny husband, two very girly but also outdoorsy daughters and a snuggly dog. These days I enjoy going to local farmer’s markets with my family, exploring parks, watching an eclectic mix of “guilty pleasure” TV shows or serious documentaries to relax, cooking yummy vegetarian meals and going to see live music.

Certification

  • Traditional Healthcare Worker - Birth Doula

Training, & Education 

  • DONA International Birth Doula Training, Wendy Scharp, CD(DONA)

  • Intro to Childbirth Training, Wendy Scharp, CD(DONA)

  • Foundation of Lactation 101 Training, Krystal Key, IBCLC

  • 6-month intensive Birth Doula mentorship, Doula Love

  • Spinning Babies Workshop, Kelly Duncan, RN, CPM, LM

  • Becoming a Confident Advocate Doula, Meredith Nelson & Alicia Fishbein

  • Working with Multiples, Kimberly Bepler, IBCLC, CPD, CLE, CNPE

  • Cultural Sensitivity Training Competency for Doulas THW Training, MotherTree Doula Services

  • Inter-professional Collaborative Practice & HIPAA and Trauma Informed Care, MotherTree Doula Services

  • Trauma Informed Care for Birthworkers, MotherTree Doula Services

  • Oral Health for Peers, MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals

  • Basic Life Support (CPR and AED), American Heart Association

  • Childbirth Educator Workshop, ICEA

  • BS in Deaf Education, SDSU