My name is Ashley Maas, and I am a doula, childbirth educator, placenta specialist, as well as a devoted wife and mother. For 24 wonderful years, I have been married to my husband, my hero, and my best friend, Chris. Together, we are raising our two teenage boys, Jordan and Peyton, who fill our lives with laughter, joy, and the occasional dose of chaos! It brings me immense joy to reside in my hometown of Reno, NV, where I support new families in embracing parenthood with confidence and happiness. I offer my services to families in the Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and Truckee areas. I’ve been practicing as a doula for almost 14 years and I have had the privilege of attending almost 600 births, both in hospitals and at home.
During my pregnancy with my first son, my husband and I enrolled in the Bradley Method® classes for natural childbirth. These classes profoundly transformed my views on pregnancy and birthing—I gained the confidence to educate myself. I explored my options, thoroughly researched the associated risks and benefits, and ultimately felt assured that the decisions I was making were in the best interest of myself, my baby, and our family. I took great pride and comfort in knowing that my birthing experience would not merely be another instance on the hospital’s production line. I opted for midwives to assist in my deliveries, recognizing that the midwifery model of care aligned with my values. Both Jordan and Peyton were welcomed into the world in water, and their births remain among the most beautiful days of my life.
My births were completely pivotal and transformative experiences that deeply contributed to the person I am today. It’s become my passion to help empower couples to experience what I did—not just the birth of a baby, but a true sensory experience of the power and beauty of childbirth without unnecessary interventions. I believe this gives both babies and families the best possible start in life.
I wholeheartedly believe that birth is a normal, powerful, physical and spiritual experience for which women’s bodies are uniquely and wonderfully created. The process of labor is much more than simply a means to that much-wanted end of holding your baby in arms. Labor is something to be experienced, rather than endured. It can be heroic and empowering, something you remember with great joy and pride in yourself and what you accomplished.
Birth matters! It matters to women, to partners, to babies, and to families. Giving birth is a profound opportunity to work with your body, your partner, and your baby in a way that is unlike any other life event you’ll experience.
As a doula, I’m there with you every step of the way. I’ll be by your side, no matter what direction your birth might take. I’m dedicated to making your baby’s birth day the best it can be for both you and your partner, supporting you in your own intimate and unique birth experience. It is truly humbling to have the privilege of sharing in the incredible experiences of pregnancy and birth alongside my clients.
I look forward to meeting you and hearing more about your hopes for your own birth story.
Birth Related Experience
- Completed doula training through Doula’s of North America (DONA) in March 2011.
- Labor Doula since April 2011. I’ve attended close to 600 births and counting.
- WINNER of Best Doula in “Reno News and Review” – 2016
- Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth educator since January 2012. I’ve educated 500+ Bradley couples.
- Assistant Midwife to Lenny Sue Tinseth, CPM of Alpine Midwifery: January 2015-2016
- Placenta Encapsulator since July 2012. I’ve encapsulated 450+ placentas and counting.
- Certified Sacred Pregnancy Instructor – February 2014
- Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) training through CAAPA – May 2014
- Completed a “Midwife Assistant Workshop” in August 2014 at “The Farm” in Tennessee.
- I was nominated by my midwife, Melissa Hasler, CNM in 2010 to participate in a newspaper article for the Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN). The newspaper reporter attended Peyton’s birth.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University – 2001