Ashley Skiffer-Thompson is the Program Coordinator for the AAIMM Doula Program and is committed to giving back to her community. She has spent the majority of her career in the non-profit sector within the home visitation field, gaining experiences in breastfeeding, bonding/attachment, and other maternal and child health topics. 

She believes there is empowerment through advocacy and education. By providing empathetic support and encouraging medical advocacy, her hope is that families feel empowered, grounded, and valued throughout their birth journey. Driven by one of her favorite quotes, “Let the beauty we love be what we do,” Ashley Skiffer-Thompson aims to be the change she hopes to see.

What does being a Doula mean to you?

Entering the space of birthwork has been impactful to both my personal and professional life. If I could describe what being a doula means to me in one word, it would be transformative. As I reflect on my perspective of birthwork, healing and empowerment are at the center. It is my belief that you have to be able to take care of yourself to show up as your full self for others. As I show up as my full self, I am able to reflect, model and encourage families to heal and care for themselves.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

I value empowerment through advocacy and education. Within my doula work, I provide education to ensure that my families are informed and empowered by centering their voices, wants and needs.  By providing empathetic support and encouraging self/medical advocacy, my hope is that my families feel empowered, grounded and valued throughout their birth journey.

What does being a Doula mean to you?

Being a doula means that I am here to provide support emotionally, physically, and informationally in every step of birth or bereavement. As a full spectrum doula, I'm here to make sure the birthing person knows all of their options and rights as a patient. I come prepared with non-medicinal comfort measures and get in touch with the birthing person's wishes, needs, and what makes them feel good. I believe doulas are here to humanize, empower, and comfort the birthing process from prenatal to postpartum.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

I think everyone should have a doula because there's one more person on your care team that's there entirely for your comfort, encouragement, and well-being. Doulas are here for the emotional side of childbirth and listen to your needs and desires. The prenatal to postpartum period can be stressful, and it's normal to have questions. A doula can help you understand what's going on, what your options are, and make you feel confident in your birth journey, while relieving some of that stress.

 What does being a Doula mean to you?

Beyond hands-on labor support, a doula is someone who provides unwavering emotional support during one of the most transformative periods of your life. A doula educates and informs, but also guides you towards your own innate knowing as you approach your birth. A doula holds a space to work through your fears and cultivate trust in your own abilities. A doula helps you prepare for your birth and navigate life on the other side of childbirth.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

To learn about all of your options and receive non-biased, evidenced-based information to make the best decisions for your prenatal care, your birth, and your newborn, and to learn how to advocate for what you want and don't want.

What does being a doula mean to you?

Being a doula means being a part of the support team for the birthing person and their family.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

If you and your family are seeking someone who can make prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum care clear and supportive, a doula is an amazing resource.

 What does being a Doula mean to you?

Being a doula is a calling. It is a calling and passion that inspires me to serve my community. I am a doula and a resource. I bring my life experiences and knowledge about topics like childbirth education, fetal development, and the postpartum period to the table. This field demands doulas to be constant learners. Doulas are compassionate. They support, empathize, and identify with clients.  It’s simply divine.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

Having a doula as your advocate, ally, or listening partner improves the pregnancy outcomes for African-American women. When a doula shows up, those who are serving the client see a relationship born out of trust and self-advocacy. The client is more confident and empowered. The client feels heard which in turn significantly improves the outcome of the pregnancy..

 What does being a Doula mean to you?

Being a doula is a blessed opportunity to show love to families in some of the most vulnerable and exciting moments of life. It means supporting, informing, encouraging, empowering, reaffirming, loving, and nurturing. It is attached to my purpose and calling.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

Every family has the right to feel and be safe, supported, and heard throughout their pregnancy and birth experience.

What does being a doula mean to you? 

To me, being a doula means being of service to birthing people. (It means) making sure all birthing people are (aware) of their rights.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

Families should consider having a doula to support them when trying to figure out pregnancy and childbirth. Doulas walk families through the tough and confusing stuff, and let them know that everything they may be feeling is valid.

What does being a doula mean to you? 

(To me), being a doula means: honor, support, education, sacredness, dedication, listening, affirming, reiterating forgotten thoughts, building community, joy, resiliency, being a voice for the voiceless, and much more.

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

A family should consider having a doula to assist with coping techniques, (provide) support for the supporting partner, lessen medical interventions, (create) positive birthing outcomes, shorten labor, and last but certainly not least: to help the woman/birthing person with SELF-confidence.

 What does being a Doula mean to you?

Being a doula means I have the opportunity and privilege to shape the way birthing persons experience their labor, delivery, and beyond. It’s continual support throughout the labor process, but it doesn’t stop and end there. It means I can help you find your bearings after birth as well. 

One reason a family should consider having a doula:

A family should consider having a doula, because they will be provided with a dedicated person to support them in a way that’s unmatched. A doula’s role is to provide you with all the tools you need to have an empowered and safe experience while bringing your baby earth-side. 

About Shana:

Shana Spinks holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with families for over 10 years. Her passion grew out of her desire to change the birthing narrative. She believes birthing is one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. It’s imperative that the birthing experience consists of the individual feeling like they are listened to, validated, and genuinely supported. 

As she began to explore her passion for this experience and reflect on her own birthing experience, she became aware of the lack of education parents received when making decisions regarding birth.