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Asheya Kassner

Pronouns: She/They
Location: Vancouver & Lower Mainland
Birth Doula
Families Served: 20+
Years of Experience: 15+
Birth Package: $1,975 - $1,400 + Agency Fee & Taxes
Experienced Supporting: 2SLGBTQIA+ Families, Parenting and/or Caregiving, BIPGM Families, Immigrant and/or Refugee Families, Low-Income Families, Single Parenthood, Neurodivergent Persons, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Rural Living

About

What languages do you speak?

English

What is your personal definition of “doula”?

A doula is a caregiver during birth and postpartum who provides practical care and tunes to the birthing person’s emotional and physical experience to support their agency during the birth process. Birth is a time of transition for a family, and is a learning process with each baby! Doulas support the birthing person and the parent-child bonds to help prevent trauma and give the family the best chance of wellness and an optimal environment for a child to grow.

What brought you to birth and postpartum work?

When I was pregnant with my first child I found I had a passion for learning about physiological birth. My experiences with hospital and home birth and the medical system when birthing my children led me into relationships with other moms and we formed a maternity care advocacy group in my community (Yukoners for Funded Midwifery) and later a national advocacy group (Mothers of Change for Maternity Care). My relationships with midwives in the community inspired me to follow my passion for supporting natural birth as a birth worker. I had the privilege of attending home births in the Yukon with Christina Kaiser, a German-trained midwife who was my mentor (and she was also my midwife for the home births of two of my babies!) I also worked as a maternity care researcher and educator for seven years through the Child and Family Research Institute/UBC with Dr. Michael Klein and Dr. Patti Janssen.

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

I’m thankful to have many resources and support as I do this work! My family and community hold me – literally, lots of hugs. Connecting with nature nourishes my spirit, from regular walks in the sun and rain, tending to plants, or just sitting with a wildflower watching the bees. Work-life balance is something I’ve learned a lot about over the years…gauging my capacity and setting healthy boundaries for myself. I am journeying towards regular strength training. Baths are important too! Journalling, singing/songwriting, and my cat…did I forget anything? Tea! Lots of tea.

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

 

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:

Create the space for your best chance of a natural birth! My passion is supporting physiological birth, centering the birthing person for the best chance of gentle birth. Every birth follows a similar pattern of progression, but the journey is unique for each baby. I’m your birth care partner and ally in the birth space. Mentored by homebirth midwives (Yukon) & medical/research doctors (Child and Family Research Institute/UBC). 7 yrs research manager in maternity care. Mom of 3. You can’t plan birth, you CAN create space.

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

I support both planned home births and planned hospital births at BC Women’s Hospital, staying with you throughout your labor to provide continuous support and advocacy. My role is to create space for a natural birth, centering your autonomy and connection to your body and baby.

I am deeply passionate about home birth, where the process can unfold naturally in a familiar and uninterrupted environment. This setting often reduces unnecessary medical interventions and fosters a healthy, empowered experience for both the birthing person and their baby.

For those choosing a hospital birth, I serve as your birth care partner and ally, helping you navigate the medical system while maintaining your sense of agency. I support you in staying home as long as possible and in creating a calm, undisturbed space for a natural birth within the hospital. Birth care is solidarity—I witness, amplify, and advocate, asking evidence-based questions to support your informed choices.

 

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!
  • Two In-Person Prenatal Sessions → We’ll meet at your home at least twice before 37 weeks to build a connection and help you prepare for the birthing experience. We’ll discuss what you are hoping for during the birth and how to create an optimal environment for an undisturbed birth, whether at home or in the hospital.
  • Education and Planning → I’ll provide tailored information on preparing for homebirth or labouring at home as long as possible. We’ll also discuss how to navigate a hospital transfer, whether planned or unplanned, and I’ll inform you about common interventions, including their risks, benefits, and appropriate uses.
  • Attendance at Prenatal Medical Appointments → I’m available to attend prenatal medical appointments (including care provider appointments, ultrasounds etc) with you from 37 weeks on. I am there to support you in navigating the medical system and informed consent/denial to any procedures, such as pelvic exams and membrane sweeps.
  • Ongoing Text and Phone Support → From the time you hire me until six weeks postpartum, I’m just a text or call away for support with medical decision-making. Whether you need evidence-based information about induction, breech positions, antibiotics, etc, I’m here to support your informed choices about your care.
  • Curated Evidence-Based Resources → You’ll receive a digital Birthing Resource Packet filled with trauma-informed resources, ensuring you have the information you need at your fingertips.
  • Personalized Community Referrals → I’ll connect you with additional support providers in your area to enhance your pregnancy and birth experience.
  • 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
  • Home or Hospital Birth Support → Available for planned home births or planned hospital births at BC Women’s. I provide support to stay home as long as possible before transferring to the hospital for planned hospital birth, providing continuous advocacy for your bodily autonomy and your connection to your body and baby.
  • 24/7 Early Labor Support → On-call starting at 37 weeks for early labour questions or support. I will visit your home multiple times if needed, staying by your side throughout the process.
  • Continuous One-on-One Care → From early labour until your family is settled after birth, I provide dedicated, continuous support.
  • Information and Advocacy → Guidance on normal labour, informed consent, and advocating for your voice with medical providers.
  • Holistic Pain Management Techniques → Guided breathing and vocalizing, movement, baby tuning, singing, basic massage, acupressure, water therapy, and essential oils!
  • Baby-Led First Feed and Newborn Care Support → Assistance with your baby’s first feed and latching, plus general newborn care.
Postpartum Support
  • Two In-Person Postpartum Visits → I will visit you twice after the birth—once within the first few days and again within a few weeks.
  • Discussion of Your Birth Experience → We will take time to process your birth story and discuss how to navigate this significant transition.
  • Newborn Care and Lactation Support → I provide guidance on newborn care, nursing, baby wearing, and cloth diapering to help you feel confident as a new parent.
  • Text and Phone Support → I am available for text and phone support in navigating physical/emotional changes, supporting informed choice for medical decision-making, and processing birth experience to 6 weeks postpartum
  • Resource Assistance → I offer personalized referrals to community and family support services, ensuring you have access to essential postpartum resources.
  • Commitment to Your Well-Being → I am dedicated to supporting you in taking care of yourself and your newborn. Together, we’ll cover everything related to your birth and parenting journey, helping you feel empowered and well-supported during this important time.

 

Training + Education

BIRTH & POSTPARTUM
  • Birth Doula Training, Birthing From Within
  • Birth Doula Training and Certification, Wise Woman Way of Birth
  • Apprenticeship & Homebirth Attendance, with a German-trained midwife in Yukon
  • The Spinning Babies® Workshop
  • Perinatal Patient Advocacy Training, Intentional Birth
POST-SECONDARY
  • Bachelor of Education in Biology and English, TWU
  • BC Teachers Certificate
  • Graduate courses in Population and Public Health, UBC
OTHER
  • Level 1 INFACT / IBFAM Canada Lactation Course
  • Cultural Safety Training, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
  • Research Manager for Maternity Care projects, UBC with Dr Michael Klein and Dr Patti Janssen
  • Healthcare Provider CPR-C with AED
  • Certified Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening
WORKSHOPS
FOR YOUR PERSONAL LEARNING, WHAT IS THE WORKSHOP/TRAINING ON YOUR RADAR?
  • Acupressure techniques for labour!

 

Testimonials

Asheya has the approach I needed for my home birth after a traumatic emergency c-section. She supported me body and mind throughout this process, empowering me to listen to what I wanted without pressuring me into anything that wasn’t necessary for my baby and me. She is calm, benevolent and generous with her time and her knowledge and she helped me stay patient and read my body’s signs past my due date. She will offer emotional and logistical support, backed by scientific data and also work experience. Her presence during birth helped me to stay focused and centered and she stayed with us until we were totally settled with baby. Her presence during postpartum was gentle and gave me the space I needed to reflect on my birth experience and to process it — Rindala S

Asheya is such a talented and natural doula, I’ll never forget the support given during Juniper’s birth — it meant everything to me. All mamas-to-be will be so lucky to have you on their team. — Hayley

Asheya’s knowledge and support held me throughout pregnancy & birth. — Ella

Asheya was one of my biggest supporters. She has been a shining light in my life. She is an extremely wise, intelligent, thoughtful, passionate, and compassionate person. — Jasmine

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