Knowledge Experience Wisdom
A positive birth experience starts with knowing your options and being empowered by knowledge. Birth Help has been a steady source of this empowerment through childbirth education and doula support for 40 years to families in the Baton Rouge area.
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves". Today’s definition has expanded to include “a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period (DONA International).”
René Johnson
I’m a doula, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. As a young woman, I became fascinated with pregnant women and childbirth. Later, as an educator, I taught elementary school full-time, but felt pulled toward working with pregnant women.
Fast forward through time and today I’m regularly invited to witness one of the most sacred, intimate, life-changing events in any family. For a few hours, or a few days, I share their vulnerabilities, their fears, and desires as they work to complete something incredibly difficult and beautiful. And I’m blessed to say that I’ve worked as a doula for over 40 years, supporting families at more than 1000 births, which means I’ve helped “birth” babies who are now my clients having babies of their own.
The quality of emotional care and support women receive during labor and birth is vital to the emotional ties and connections made with both the mother and her support team to baby after birth. Because every case is unique, I help navigate discussions and decisions around setting up the right environment, positions for comfortable labor, rest and care for mother and partner based on resources, information and experience.
Childbirth impacts a woman for the remainder of her life. Therefore, how she’s treated and cared for before and during labor is crucial, and part of my role is to be a loving presence during the entire process. Doula support has been referred to as “mothering the mother”.
When I leave a birth, it’s often after being awake for many hours. But there is an indescribable, lasting impact my presence makes on a family, and it's always worth the time investment.
Being a doula is what I’m meant to do in this lifetime. Someone once asked me, “What do you get from being a doula?” It’s simple. I'm invited to witness miracles.
Ashton Reed
Ashton is a DONA-Certified doula who completed an extensive apprenticeship program with Birth Help doulas. She has attended more than 70 births as a doula.
For Ashton, the first time any career path felt right was when she decided to become a doula. She has been fascinated by birth her entire life, but after the birth of her daughter in September of 2021, birth became her passion.
Having a doula for support during her birth showed her the tremendous impact having that kind of encouragement and wisdom can have on a birth experience. She is passionate about helping other moms experience feeling empowered and supported, no matter what type of birth they wish to have or what challenges arise.
When Ashton is not attending a birth or spending time with expectant mamas, you will find her with her daughter and Austin, her husband. They enjoy traveling and spending time outside as a family.
Claire Ross
Claire is a BEST-Certified Birth Doula who completed certification in 2019. Giving birth to her first child ignited a passion to help other women during childbirth. She enjoys helping parents navigate the journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. “I recognize that each birth experience is unique and deserves individual attention.” This enables Claire to personalize her support for each couple she serves.
Claire’s process working with clients is developing connection, facilitating an understanding about options, helping them connect with the right providers, and feel confident in advocating for themselves. Her goal is to empower clients to make informed decisions, feel supported, and have a positive birth experience.
Claire has experience with vaginal and cesarean births, working alongside OBs and midwives at Ochsner, Woman’s Hospital, and Birth Center of Baton Rouge. She’s worked with low-risk clients and those with medical challenges. Additionally, her experience includes clients with prodromal labor, those with labor/birth challenges, and women who’ve previously experienced traumatic birth.