Ashlee Byrd

Ashlee has been passionate about supporting mothers and new families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum since she became a mother herself over 9 years ago.

In her 8+ years of being a doula, she has had the privilege of serving over 170 families through their birth stories.

Ashlee believes birth is one of the most transformative experiences someone can go through in their lifetime. Her own births shaped her in deep and powerful ways that have greatly impacted the way she navigates the world around her today.

Ashlee now serves as the founder of Expectant LLC, a birth doula, doula mentor, certified lactation counselor, and childbirth educator. She is wife to a pastor, a mother to two elementary aged kids, and serves as a deacon at her local church. Ashlee finds a lot of joy in the simple and small things in life, looking for beauty in everything. She aims to see the world through a lens of gratitude, wonder, and curiosity.

LOVES: Jesus, long walks, a hot cup of coffee, reading (poetry, historical fiction, non-fiction, and with her kids), painting, writing, baking sourdough bread, book stores, bodies of water, mountains, deep conversations with people, antique stores, & fall.

Ashlee’s Services

Level III Birth Doula
Certified Lactation Counselor

Education and Training

  • Words cannot properly express what Ashlee provides. It is so much more than just care to the physical or the emotional side of birth, but the spiritual side of it as well. With the support of Ashlee, my husband and I were able to adapt, stay true to ourselves, come closer to God, and truly surrender to the process. I now have a one year old and the roots of surrendering that Ashlee helped me establish have translated so beautifully into motherhood itself.
    -E.M

  • Working with Ashlee was the best experience we could have imagined. She helped me work through some very big fears from previous birth experiences, and allowed us to focus on the joy to come. She prayed over us and with us, and my husband said he’s never felt so involved or connected in any of our births.
    -K.M

  • When it came towards the end of my pregnancy, Ashlee was the biggest blessing. I had been contracting for about two weeks until I actually went into labor. She would encourage and remind me that my body was preparing and doing everything it needed. It was a long 40 hours of labor and pushing. Ashlee was there for me every bit of it. She was able to help me through every contraction whether it was putting me in different positions, getting me water/ food, or praying over me. She was a big help in making the decision to get an epidural after 30+ hours to help my body relax. Her constant prayers and encouragement were something I didn't know I needed but could not imagine not having her there. I could not have had a successful VBAC without her and I'm so thankful that she was with us through the birth of my third son.
    -A.M

  • To us, the thought of developing a birthing plan was overwhelming to say the least, but Ashlee helped ease our minds tremendously and asked us so many thought provoking questions along the way that led us to finalize exactly what we wanted and why. Throughout the months of working with her, Ashlee was extremely knowledgeable and helped shed light on all questions and concerns I had, and the way she cared for my family was selfless and kind. From preparing us mentally for what was to come, to advocating for me in the hospital when I was not able to think clearly, she made my very difficult 36 hour labor the most amazing birthing experience I could have ever prayed for. Ashlee was the biggest blessing to my family during a very monumental season and we would highly recommend her, or anyone who trains under her guidance, to any family who is looking for a trusted doula.
    -H.M.

  • Ultimately, the thing that made all of the difference in my labor experience was the idea of surrendering that Ashlee reminded me of- to give myself and my baby and our story to God and to hold that with open hands. This enabled me to have a peaceful heart and wonderful, natural VBAC. When we found out two years later that I was pregnant with our third, I texted Ashlee right away. If we are blessed with another baby, I will do the same thing! I'm so grateful for her confident, peaceful presence at my births and count her as a friend.
    -N.B.

  • Working with Ashlee was an answer to my prayers!! When I thought about giving birth I was filled with fear. I didn’t know what to expect and was afraid to commit to a natural birth and then “fail”. Ashlee helped me get past the fear of the unknown by providing us with a ton of non biased information. She also helped me realize that there is no such thing as failing when at the end of the day you get to hold your sweet baby in your arms! I was very surprised with how comfortable both my husband and I became with Ashlee in such a short amount of time. Being able to bring our son into the world naturally was such an amazing experience. It is the most empowered I have ever felt! I don’t know if I would have had the courage without Ashlee and my husband by my side! Not only did she help me but she helped my husband know how to help me. I will be forever grateful for Ashlee and the calm she brought to our labor experience!
    -S.T.

  • When we met Ashlee, we immediately felt that she was the right doula for us because of how comfortable we were with her, how kind she is, and her emphasis on including dad in the delivery. My husband was nervous that he wouldn’t feel included during labor and that he might hang back, but Ashlee assured us that wouldn’t happen. I had a lot of fears and Ashlee was so reassuring. She kept reminding me that I could do it at every step of the way. When Ashlee arrived at the hospital, my husband and I both felt so much relief! She showed my husband how to relieve my pressure during contractions, and was so encouraging to me as I got closer to delivery. Then she celebrated with us when our son was born!Ashlee was taking notes and pictures all throughout my labor which was such a blessing to have afterwards! Now we have a clear record of what happened that day instead of relying on my hazy memory.We love Ashlee and would recommend her to anyone!
    -S.H.

  • Ashlee was an amazing and invaluable help to my husband and I during the delivery of our son. She is one of the sweetest, most positive, and encouraging people I have ever met. She really encouraged me in the moments I wanted to give up, and I will forever be grateful that we chose her to be a part of such a special time in our lives. She is so down to earth and easy to talk to, so it was very easy for us to get comfortable with her.
    -K.W.

  • My first delivery was an epidural-related disaster. My baby was born with a birth injury, and my delivery caused real problems for my body as well. After that, I hired Ashlee and tried to do a natural birth for my second child. I didn’t know if I could handle the pain and anxiety of it all, but Ashlee (and God) made it possible. I have never felt stronger or more fierce than after the natural delivery of my second baby. The moment she was born, I could’ve done cartwheels down the hospital hallway if I had wanted to. I also now have the benefit of knowing I can do anything—which is a pretty powerful feeling to live with! I delivered my third baby with her and it was the same but even better. Ashlee’s loving care is exceptional to experience. To this day, she’s my go-to for “baby problems.” Ashlee is honest, hardworking, smart, and wise beyond her years. Hire her and don’t look back.