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Ash Hayestevens

Pronouns: They/Them
Location: Vancouver & Lower Mainland
Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
Families Served: 50+
Years of Experience: 16+
Birth Package: $1,900 - $1,600 + Agency Fee & Taxes
Experienced Supporting: 2SLGBTQIA+ Families, Parenting and/or Caregiving, BIPGM Families, Low-Income Families, Single Parenthood, Neurodivergent Persons, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Multiples (Twins +), High Risk Pregnancy Care, Pet Care, Adoption and/or Surrogacy

About

What languages do you speak?

English

What is your personal definition of “doula”?

To me, being a doula means providing support. It means showing up for your family during the most vulnerable and joyous moments with compassion, trust, and care.

What brought you to birth and postpartum work?

My journey into birth and postpartum work started when I became a live-in nanny for a little boy. From 7 weeks to 5 years old, I had the privilege of caring for him, which connected me to the ups and downs of early childhood. My passion for this work truly solidified when I witnessed my wife give birth to our son. Our birth team constantly checked base with my wife during her labor and made sure she was always informed to decide for her birth every step of the way. It was a profound experience that made me realize just how vital compassionate care is, and how important it is to help people maintain their autonomy during such a pivotal moment in their lives.

As a trans-nonbinary queer person navigating the healthcare system with my family, I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges that diverse families face. This inspired me to dedicate myself to supporting others within my community, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and supported.

In a climate of caregiver burnout, how are you caring for yourself?

I care for myself by rock climbing, early morning coffee walks with my dog and baby, and kitchen dance parties where I bust out my questionable moves. Potluck dinners with sweet pals keep me fed & laughing, and quality time with my wife and son is where I recharge the most.

What is a standout book, movie/tv, etc about the childbearing/parenting journey that you return to?
TV
PODCASTS

 

Birth Care Package

To better understand Brood’s birth package pricing model, read on → Making Birth Doula Care Accessible: The Green Bottle Sliding Scale Method

Tell us more about the ethos in your birth doula practice:

I’m here for you and your birth wishes, ensuring you feel prepared, informed, and confident. My approach is rooted in inclusivity, empowerment, and unwavering support. Advocacy is key—I’ll help you articulate your desires, navigate challenges, and ensure your voice is heard throughout your journey. I also believe in the power of community. Birth and parenthood are not meant to be experienced in isolation, so I’m here to connect you with resources, support networks, and other families who share your values and experiences. Together, we’ll build a foundation of support that extends well beyond the birthing room.

Do you have a preferred location where you typically support births?

My preference for birthplace is wherever the birthing person feels safest and most comfortable, whether that’s at home, or in a hospital. I find supporting families most meaningful in environments where they feel empowered, safe and in control of their birth experience.

 

Prenatal Care
  • Free In-Person Foundations Visit → Once your contract is signed and your first-choice doula has been confirmed, your doula will visit your home for around 1+ hour so you can chat, connect, and ensure the fit feels right—for both of you!
  • Each prenatal support package is tailored to you—your story, your needs, and your way of moving through the world. I bring my background as a student midwife, yoga teacher, former patternmaker (I love planning and creative problem-solving), and a warm, grounded presence to help you feel truly seen and supported. Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, our time together will be spacious, collaborative, and nourishing.
  • Personalized Prenatal Sessions → Enjoy 2 to 3 prenatal visits, available in-person or virtually. We’ll check in on your pregnancy, address any concerns, and prepare you for labor and postpartum.
  • Birth & Postpartum Planning → We’ll discuss your birth and postpartum plans, including meal trains and communicating your preferences with your care team.
  • Community Referrals → Access valuable local resources like prenatal classes, lactation consultants, and mental health support.
  • Brood’s Family Membership → Gain exclusive access to five online courses covering prenatal and newborn care, plus join our virtual private clubhouse and member area for downloadable resources.
  • Postpartum Product Guide → A curated list of our top postpartum must-haves, based on what we see support families again and again.
Birth Attendance
  • Continuous Care → I’ll be with you throughout early labor and delivery, providing support and comfort. I tend to stay for up to two hours after birth, or until your family feels ready for private time.
  • Pain Relief Techniques → Experience soothing massages, guided meditation, calming music, gentle movement, and counter-pressure techniques to help manage pain and stress.
  • Support for Birth Preferences → I’ll ensure your birth preferences are communicated clearly to the hospital staff or your home birth team and remind you of your options as decisions arise.
  • Newborn Care Assistance → After birth, I’ll help with the first feed, supporting you and your baby in establishing a good latch or bottle technique to ensure a smooth start to newborn care.
  • Birth Photography → Capture special moments with tailored birth photography, whether you want the entire process documented or just the first hours with your baby.
Postpartum Support
  • Two In-Person Visits → Focus on newborn care, easing your transition into parenthood, and connecting you with essential support services.
  • Debriefing Opportunity → Take the time to discuss your birth experience and address any questions or concerns you may have.
  • Ongoing Support → Enjoy unlimited text, phone, and email support for up to 6 weeks postpartum. I’m here for you whenever you need reassurance or guidance.
  • Baby-Wearing Resources → Get tips and guidance on baby-wearing techniques to help you and your baby bond safely and comfortably.

 

Training + Education

BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
  • Labour and Birth Birthworker (Doula) Training, Cornerstone Doula Training
  • Postpartum Birthworker (Doula) Training, Cornerstone Doula Training
OTHER
WORKSHOPS & ROUNDTABLES
FOR YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING, WHAT IS THE WORKSHOP/TRAINING ON YOUR RADAR?
  • Homebirth for Birthworkers, Cornerstone Doula Training
  • Cesarean Birth: A Compassionate Approach for Birth Workers, Birthing From Within
  • Taming Fear: Supporting Parents in Pregnancy and Birth, Birthing From Within

 

Testimonials

We had the privilege of working with Ash as our postpartum doula for just over 4 months following the birth of our first child. Ash’s support made an immeasurable difference in our lives. I was navigating postpartum health complications, and my husband had recently returned to work. Before Ash started with us, we were overwhelmed, exhausted, and simply trying to get through each day. Ash brought a sense of calm, steadiness, and confidence into our home that transformed the atmosphere and allowed us to focus on healing, bonding with our baby, and finding our footing as new parents. Ash’s greatest strength is their exceptional emotional intelligence and intuition. They have an incredible ability to understand what is needed in any situation and offer exactly the right kind of support. They are especially skilled at providing practical and emotional support together with a calming presence. During a time when I was physically and emotionally exhausted, that level of intuition and initiative was invaluable. Additionally, Ash’s quiet confidence and competence with our baby was remarkable. Our baby was instantly comfortable with Ash, and Ash was able to feed and put our baby to sleep at a time when no one else could (apart from me and my husband). Perhaps more importantly, Ash played a huge role in building my confidence as a new mother. Whether it was with feeding, bedtime, babywearing, or bath time, Ash’s gentle guidance and encouragement helped me feel more capable, more relaxed, and better able to enjoy parenting. Ash even helped me get our baby’s passport photo taken—a task that I had been dreading! With Ash’s help, it was a smooth, successful, and perhaps even fun experience. My husband and I will always be grateful for the care and support Ash provided during such an intense and often overwhelming period of our lives. Ash is an exceptional doula, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone without reservation. — Mel Bittman

It’s hard to put into words just how much Ash meant to me throughout my pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postpartum journey. I was navigating a high-risk pregnancy and carrying a lot of anxiety, but from the moment I met them, I knew I was in good hands. Ash has an incredible ability to create a safe, supportive space where I felt comfortable being vulnerable, while also providing straightforward, evidence-based guidance when I needed it most. They struck the perfect balance of compassion and honesty. At every stage, Ash empowered me to make informed decisions and ensured I always felt like I was the one in the driver’s seat. Because of their support, I felt confident advocating for myself and communicating my needs throughout my birth experience. I am deeply grateful for Ash’s unwavering care, encouragement, and expertise. I truly can’t imagine going through this journey without them, and I would recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and empowering doula. — Sydney Thomas

We reached out to Brood to coordinate last-minute postpartum support after some exceptional circumstances in our son’s delivery. From the moment we contacted this team, we were met with unbelievable kindness and support – truly, we felt like we were immediately given a village when we had none. We aren’t sure how to put into words how grateful we are for the care we’ve received from our doulas. Unbelievable at their job, they are warm, responsive, knowledgeable, and immediately made us and our baby feel so cared for and comfortable. They’ve truly been an integral part of our transition to parenthood, and we aren’t sure how we would’ve done this without her. Thank you to this team for all that you do. We will forever remember you as part of this precious time of our lives. To other families considering doula care, you truly cannot go wrong with this lovely group of people. — Nica L

Our experience working with Brood was absolutely amazing from start to finish. We worked primarily with Ash and Nikia, both of whom were reliable, professional, kind, and everything you would want in someone you trust to look after your child. In addition to the wonderful improvement to our sleep, they were also invaluable sources of information on all things newborn, giving us helpful advice on bedtime routines, breastfeeding/pumping, diapering, and more. They both became a part of our family, helping us to problem solve and feel more confident through this challenging transition in our lives. It’s not an exaggeration to say that working with Brood transformed our experience of parenting, helped us bond with our daughter, and turned anxiety into hope + joy. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Brood’s team to anyone with a young baby – and what an amazing gift it would make for anyone in your life struggling in the postpartum phase! — Devyn Parsons

We truly cannot recommend Brood enough for postpartum support. Bringing a new baby home is such a vulnerable, emotional time, and having the right support can make all the difference. Ash was our postpartum doula and supported us during the nights, and from the very beginning, they brought such a calm, steady, and reassuring presence into our home. They were incredibly knowledgeable, intuitive, and compassionate. It’s not easy to trust someone with your newborn, especially in those early days when everything feels so new and fragile. But Ash quickly earned our complete trust. They created a space where we felt safe, cared for, and truly supported. Knowing our baby was in such capable hands allowed me to finally rest. With our first child, we didn’t have any postpartum support, and looking back, the difference is night and day. The experience of those early weeks with our second baby felt so much better. Having Ash there gave us the ability to be more present as parents. The impact on my recovery and overall health was profound. Being able to get more consistent rest and knowing I wasn’t alone in the process made such a difference physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are so deeply grateful for the care we received. It’s hard to put into words just how meaningful that support was for our family. If you’re considering postpartum care, we wholeheartedly recommend Brood. — Kaitlyn Hill

I just want to start by saying Brood is hands down the most caring, knowledgeable, responsive, and trusting care agency that we have ever encountered. Ash, in particular, brought such warmth, expertise, and presence to our experience. The personalized service they gave us—from in-person birth support to postpartum doula care—made every day of this process an absolute joy. Their knowledge and attention to every detail ensured our newborn was healthy, happy, and set up for the critical first few months of her life. We cannot say enough good things about the Brood staff. There is nothing more important than making sure a child is brought into this world safely and receives the best care for the gentle beginning of their life. We absolutely love the Brood family and are so very thankful that we found them and had the joyful experience they brought to this already joyful part of our lives. They enter your life seamlessly and curate each experience with your goals and well-being at the top of their list. Thank you, Brood—and thank you Ash—for everything. You simply are the best. We take a bow to you — From everyone: Presthaya, Conrad, Baby Freya (& Mary).

We had the support of Brood for their postpartum services, and I couldn’t recommend them enough. From the initial intake through the birth of our premature twins, the team was an incredible source of both emotional and physical support. Their care and empathy during such a vulnerable time meant so much to us. All of the doulas we worked with were wonderful, helping us rest without worry while also sharing thoughtful tips from their experience. I especially want to thank Ash, who is absolutely incredible. They are kind, calming, deeply knowledgeable, and professional. Ash supported us in showing up as our best selves and was always there to talk through challenges with patience and care. I’d recommend Brood to anyone! Their support truly makes a difference. — Tonya L

We had the most wonderful experience working with Brood Care’s Postpartum Doulas. As first-time parents, bringing our little one home felt overwhelming, the days and particularly nights when we had care made all the difference to our strong start. I enjoyed the process of meeting our Doulas in advancing and sharing what was most important to us, and our style. We found a wonderful nighttime routine with Ash, and highly recommend them. I learned so much in the early days from late-night chats we had while I was feeding our baby. As someone who was concerned about my mental health after giving birth, it felt like Brood was an extension of my team/community, making sure I was looked after in such a vulnerable time. — Michelle Morin

The Brood team has provided us with excellent care throughout our birth and postpartum journey with our first. We had Saphren help us in preparing for and provide knowledge of labour and delivery, and Ash supported us as Saphren’s backup during our labour and delivery- and both were absolutely fantastic in their roles, and Ash had such a calm presence throughout my labour, and knew exactly when to step and in and provide support to us. We have been very happy with the decision to have a birth doula, and 10/10 would recommend Brood! We are continuing with Brood through postpartum, and have so far had a wonderful experience with Roberta, who has helped us catch up on some much-needed sleep throughout her night shifts and has been a wonderful baby ‘tutor’ during our day shift. We’re looking forward to her and the Brood team’s continued support! — Jessica H

Ash was my doula for the home birth of my son Rory, as well as for our first week postpartum. When Ash arrived at our home birth, they brought with them a feeling of sincere presence, like a warm hug. I felt myself surrender to the surges of my labour knowing that they were there to hold me, both physically when I asked for it, but more so emotionally. With Ash, I felt few words were needed to tell them how I was doing and what I needed. They were always ready – with water, the incredible baked goods they brought with them, a comforting touch, or words of encouragement. I truly trusted Ash when they told me I was doing amazing, and that was invaluable. Ash not only supported me in labour but also supported my husband and my mother – always allowing them to support me first rather than stepping in for them. This empowered them to be involved in the birth in ways they may not have been without Ash there. Ash was not only supporting the birther but also supporting the whole birth team. The days following the birth of my son were a blur – but I do remember clearly how often Ash checked in, showed up with snacks, and came to support me through the sleepless nights. Ash continued to show up with a calm demeanour and was ready to support us in any way, often without needing to be told what was needed but just doing it. As I write this I am seven weeks postpartum and not a day has passed that I haven’t felt thankful for Ash. The work they do is hard to put into words, but it was truly priceless for our family. Choosing Ash as our doula was the best decision we made for our birth plan and we are so thankful for them! —  Nora, Patrick, and baby Rory

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