Ashley N. | Positive pregnancy, hospital birth with an epidural, and the road to becoming a postpartum doula.

We’re joined by Ashley from Saskatoon as she shares the story of her daughter, Isabella. Ashley opens up about her year-long journey to conception, her positive pregnancy experience, and the emotions she felt leading up to labour. She also reflects on the challenges she faced during birth and in the early days of postpartum.

Through her own recovery and growth, Ashley found a new calling: supporting other parents. Her postpartum experience inspired her to become a postpartum doula, and she now looks forward to offering families in Saskatoon the care and guidance she once needed herself.

Find Ashley on Instagram @lovepostpartum 

Find us on Instagram @moonybirthstoriespodcast

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Transcript

 On today's episode, I sat down with Ashley from Saskatoon as she shared the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum story of her daughter Isabella. Ashley had a very positive pregnancy experience, and then she goes on to share how her own postpartum journey led to becoming a postpartum doula. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ashley.

Hey, Ashley, welcome to the podcast. Hi, how are you? I'm good. How are you? I am good. I'm excited. Nervous at the same time? Yes, absolutely. Okay. Can you start by telling the listeners a little bit about yourself? Okay. So I am, I'm Ashley. I am a wife, a mother, a dog mom. I'm an auntie. I am a lover of the Outdoors movies Fall.

I am a youth worker by. Not trade, by career or schooling. I love, to help people and I always have, I've always worked at, the hospital when my mom worked there and, helped the seniors there. I just have a passion for, giving back to people who I. I don't wanna say less unfortunate, but the people that I guess deserve it more in depth, if that makes sense.

so that's what led me to, I guess also my doula work too. And I guess we'll get into that a little bit later. But, yeah, I don't, I am an open book. I'm outgoing. I. Very loud and always talking, and I just love to have a good time. Yes, I love that. Okay. Tell us about the road to getting pregnant.

Okay, so I actually was, not on any sort of birth control for seven years before we got pregnant with Isabella. I had. I was on two different kinds of birth control and it just did not do well for my mental health. I had gained a lot of water weight. I had scars in my body from getting that water weight, so stretch marks.

it took a huge toll on my. Relationship with my family and, my now husband. So I decided that, yeah, no, I'm going to go off birth control. And I don't think we struggled with fertility for seven years. I just think that's just how long I was, off. And then after we got married a year, we tried for a year.

and it was lots of tracking and, actually learning through that year about my cycle, about ovation, about how the percentages work for even becoming pregnant. I think that's so common is that we, aren't taught so much about our cycles and then it's not until we start trying that we have to do all this research, and learn for ourselves like what our body does.

Absolutely. Yeah. I had no idea like the different phases that our cycle has. I had no idea. like the. The times that you ovulate and then you know how much time the egg has, stayed into your, and it's just, it's unbelievable. It really is. Like the whole human body is just insane.

Yes. Women are absolutely incredible. Yeah. We truly are. Yeah. So who is the first person you told when you found out? So I, called my husband right away and he was actually away at work and I was like. Okay, so I, and I guess so I actually had my period for a week and I was like, this is the lightest period of my life.

had I had cramps, I, got my acne. I was, Just very lightly bleeding. And I was like, just for giggles, I am gonna just take a test. this is super weird. I have no idea why I want to take a test, but something's telling me to do it. And honestly, as soon as I seen on that stick, it didn't even take the time it tells you to wait, it just immediately lit up.

And, so I called my husband and I was like, Hey, so there's two lines on this test. And he's what does that mean? Because I was always taking the test for optimization. And those were always two lines, right? And so I was like, I think this means I'm pregnant. And he's but I thought you were on your period.

I was like, me too. I took about five more. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. And then I went to Shoppers and got. But probably about three different kinds. The one that were digital, the one that took, like five minutes. They were, the one that told you how many weeks. Like I, I went and got all of them and, yeah.

And they all came back positive. And then I even think for three or four days after that, I still kept taking tests. Because I was just, I think in, I was in shock. I was like, oh my gosh, this. Actually is happening when least expected it, to happen for sure. Especially, just everything that was happening with some family and some work stuff.

It just came at a time that I was like, oh my gosh, I needed, I guess some positivity and that's exactly what it was. Yeah. Oh, that's nice. How did pregnancy go for You I had the perfect pregnancy, I did spot through the whole pregnancy, I will say that. So there was a lot of anxiety towards that.

and I definitely called 8 1 1 probably about once a week. but no morning sickness. My skin was great. I had no food aversions. yeah, it was. It was really good pregnancy. I, if, that's how every pregnancy was, I'd be pregnant forever. Yeah. No, it was really good that way for sure.

Yeah. And who was your care provider throughout your pregnancy? so I had Dr. Peyton down, downtown in Pacific, and she was my ob and she was really good. Yeah. What was your mindset going into labor like? How were you preparing, how were you feeling? What was your thought process throughout your pregnancy about labor and birth?

honestly, I felt like I knew quite a bit about it because I had lots of friends that already had babies and I was doing my research and I had all the apps and everything. And then it wasn't until about, I wanna say the week that I like that it was leading up to having Isabella, that I just went blank to be honest.

Like I was like, I actually have no idea. And I was a little bit nervous and I was trying to plan and prep everything. But there was always a, still a little bit of a, I wouldn't say void, but a little bit of like a blank space in my head that I was like, I, feel like I know what I'm doing, but I'm also so confused.

And I felt like out of the loop, I guess I could say. Okay. So it was weird. It shifted for me the last week for sure. Yeah. yeah, you didn't really go in with any kind of plan or hopes? I, went in with, I went in with, I knew I wanted an epidural or I knew that I wanted to two.

Not go with the flow, but I wanted to listen to my body and I told, I, have them on my notes and I'm sad that I deleted them actually. but I would say that I did go in with some little rules or expectations or, because I didn't want to breastfeed, so I had that on there and I said, please do not ask me again.

I had that my husband was going to, cut the cord or tell us the, the gender of our baby 'cause we didn't know. And so I had little things like that, but I think that's where I was a little bit lost at knowing like I didn't know certain positions to do or to try or, I guess because I didn't know all in depth of what I could ask for or do during my labor that I didn't go in with a super hard like list, or birth plan, if that makes sense.

Yeah, for sure. That makes sense. Okay, so let's move right on to your birth story then. How did labor start for you? So Labor, was funny. We went for our, I told my husband, I don't think you should go in tonight's, shift. 'cause he was gonna go into one last night shift. And I was like, yeah, I'm just feeling off.

I don't think you should go in. And he's oh, okay. And where, how many weeks were you at this point? I was right on a due date. Okay. at 40 weeks. Yeah. So it was about two in the afternoon and I was like, yeah, no, I don't think you should be going in. And he, so that's right, the 23rd. And he was like, okay, alright, for sure. So we went for a supper and I did three curb blocks and I'm like, oh, this is gonna put me into labor. And we got home at eight o'clock after supper and around 10 o'clock I was like, oh, that's tight. Oh, okay. That kind of feels weird. and then it was around 11 where I was like, oh, okay.

Yeah, something's off like this. Something's happening. Yeah. So up until this point, you hadn't felt any signs of labor? No. No, nothing. I had lots, sorry. I guess I had honestly like weeks before, I had lots of Brax and hicks. Okay. Like tons. It was almost all day every day for, I wanna say two, two and a half weeks.

And then, but then there was something about these contractions that felt different than the Braxton Hicks. Yeah. They just, yeah, it was, more towards my back. And so I was like, oh, okay. that's weird. And and then I just it was just like painful. Like I couldn't get comfortable, couldn't get comfortable.

And I'm like, you know what? let's just go, let's just go in, let's just go see. So that was January 24th, at 12:00 AM I went in and she's okay, you're just starting. You are at, like three centimeter dilated. Okay. Were you timing your contractions at this point? So I wasn't before I went in.

When I went home, they sent me home and they said, it was like the, if it's every. I can't remember what she said. It was every three minutes or five minutes for like however many seconds or 30 seconds or whatever it was. So when I got home at midnight was the five one run rule. Does that sound familiar?

Yeah. Yeah. So five minutes apart, lasting a minute, and that pattern's been happening for an hour. So I went, Yeah, went in at 12 to the hospital and and then I got sent home like 45 minutes later and they were like, yeah, you're just gonna have to like labor at home. We have no beds. And I was like, okay.

Yeah, for sure. And honestly, as soon as I got home and tried to relax, it was go time like it was. Every five minutes. It was like I, I tried bouncing on the ball. I tried leaning against our island, and it was just excruciating pain through my back. So I didn't go back into the hospital until about three 30, I say in the morning.

Okay. And then when I went back, then I was, four. Four and a half they say, or whatever kind of thing, centimeter dilated. So they kept me. Okay. Were you planning to only have your husband in the room with you? yeah, I wanted my, yes, just my husband in the room, but I wanted my mom there, but unfortunately she lives three and a half hours away, so she wasn't there until kinda like the next day around like noon.

Okay. Okay. So just you and your husband? Yeah, and I, tried to get into the shower at home and I just wasn't working and sometimes I think back like I should have, I. Maybe tried a little bit harder Yeah. To, like maybe fight through the pain or sit in the shower a little bit longer. But the back labor, just like I, I didn't sit down from like midnight when I went to the hospital.

And then when I came home until, 10:00 AM the next morning. Yeah. Wow. Like I just, I couldn't sit down, I couldn't relax and it was just, it really hurt. Yeah, absolutely. It really hurt. Yeah. What happened next? Yeah, so I honestly labored into, 3:30 AM like when we got back there. until about 9 45 and I then asked for morphine and you went to the hospital.

Were you hoping to get any pain meds right away or were you able to I was just, I asked for just anything at that time and I wasn't sure if I could like. Do Tylenol or I wasn't sure like what I could or couldn't do. they tried to put some pressure on my back, but again, that just hurt really bad.

So I wasn't opposed to, like pain medication, but I wasn't hopping on it right away, Okay, for sure. If that makes sense. yep. Yeah. but then just after, like I hadn't slept, I was on my feet like I was swollen, everything, it was just, I needed something to calm myself. so I did ask for morphine like at five in the morning, and I didn't get it until 10 in the morning.

Oh my gosh. yeah, it, and it only lasted for about two hours. Did you find that it helped? it helped that I could, I still felt the contractions, but they definitely were less that I could say, like I could lay down while they were happening. Okay. And I laid on my side and I just, Damon, held my hand and whatever else.

so it helped, but honestly, not long enough. I got a room at 1245 in the afternoon. Okay, so this was all in the assessment room? Yes. Everything. Oh my gosh. That's you can't even get comfortable. Nothing. Yeah, it was, really crappy. and then even when I would go out and ask some of the nurses, Hey, what should I be doing?

they, said that, we've already given you options and you're not taking any of them. Okay. I'm like, But I feel like we could keep trying or maybe that's where someone needed to tell me, Hey, I know you don't wanna try this, but let's try it. Me being in a state of almost like a fight or flight.

Yeah. maybe that I, am that person that someone needs to say, I know you don't wanna do this, but let's try one more time. Yeah. And maybe, it would've helped a little bit differently. So I'm not like, I'm not too sure. that's a, tough one for me to think back about too.

For sure. Yeah, for sure. it's so easy to say oh, I should have done this, or in the moment I could have done this, but Right. When you're in that state, like you, yeah. You don't think clearly, you can't make those decisions for yourself. It's really hard. It totally is. Yeah. So yeah, I didn't, so that was all in the observation room.

I didn't get a, an actual room until 1245. And then I finally got an epidural at 4:00 PM and it helped until, 10 45 and then it stopped. Oh my gosh. From there around one 15. I was like, I need to push. And they're like, no. that's you don't, you're not in like, you're not ready.

You're eight. You're eight centimeter silent. And I was like, I need to push, like I feel pressure. So at what point did you get checked before you had started to feel this pressure? Do you remember? I wanna say. I wanna say it was maybe an hour or something before that, or maybe two hours before that.

Okay. Yeah. So then they, again, they did check me, and I was still only at eight centimeters dilated, but I, I was already trying to push. And they were like, you need to stop pushing. And so when they checked and fell. They told me that like her head was pushed down, but not like far enough into the birth canal just yet.

Okay. So I had to like literally push her like. Okay, so yeah, she was just still so high up. She was, yes. Yeah. Yeah. She was still high up. So I tried to go on my hands and knees and that just hurt so much more. but that's like the feeling. Then again, when I had to push, so I pushed for about an hour.

And then finally they were like, okay, now we can see the head. And how was that hour of pushing? Like, how were you feeling? I, it was, I was exhausted. Yeah. It was because when I felt like I had to push, they'd look at the monitor and say, no, that's not the peak of the contraction. And so that kind of got me a little bit confused as to like when to push, when not to push.

and they also, like while I was doing that, they were telling me like not to breathe through my pushing. Okay. because when I started, when I would push, I would breathe out my nose, or out my mouth, and then I would, breathe through my nose. And then when I push again and I, got into a routine a bit.

Yeah. but then they said you need to hold your breath in while you're pushing. and that's where from holding all that in, that's where my eyes went all bloodshot. Okay. So it sounds like you were trying to listen to your body and you, your body was telling when it needed to push and what you needed to do, but yeah, they were telling you other things.

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it was, pretty frustrating, because then once, like I was pushing after that and everything, but just before, like she was, because her, so her head. Was out and then I was pushing again, and then her shoulders got stuck. Oh, okay. So then that's when they had to have the vacuum.

So then I was pushing again for another like hour, just, and this kind of goes back to like I was pushing for an hour to get her, like descended into more of the pelvic or the birth canal. And then it was like an hour of actual pushing to get like her head out. And then it was about half an hour after that, like with the vacuum and everything and.

even my husband, he is I'll never forget this, but having their arms. Yeah. Pretty much like halfway into me. Oh my gosh. Gosh. Yeah. So it was a lot. 'cause I also had to be on one part of the, or I had to be on an angle because if I laid on the one side, like her heart was going down.

Oh, okay. They had to use a vacuum and I was also like on an angle and it was just, we also had the bar, right? And so I was holding onto the sheet, pulling myself. 'cause I couldn't hold my legs back anymore. Yeah, no kidding. After so many hours of labor and then so many hours of pushing, like you were just exhausted.

Yeah. And then like my husband's helping with a cold cloth and then he's trying to help like my leg, but he's almost pushing my legs, like my one leg. Like too far back. Like too, like he was too hard. Yeah. and when I asked them to help. They said that they can't stand there and hold their legs back for that long and help, they're not strong enough for that.

Okay. So then they, that's when they brought in the bar. They brought in the sheet and I was pull, like my feet were on the bar. I was pulling with the sheet. and finally when they needed the vacuum and heard, that's when like her heart was going down. That's when they jumped up onto the sides and they helped with my legs pushing back.

Okay. So did, was there so many nurses now in, in the room? Yeah. So there was a little bit of a form that came in. there was like my one-to-one like was getting like the epidural. Yeah. And there was another older lady on the other side, and then there was three doctors like. On the bottom of me there.

Okay. So it was a lot. Yeah, that sounds like a lot. yeah. And then, yeah, she finally arrived at 3 0 6, and I had a third degree chair. Okay. It was scary in the beginning because she was just looking around, but she wasn't crying. So then right away they took her to like the back, like her bed or, like where they do all the testing and stuff.

The warmer, yeah. Yeah. And I just said for my husband to go with her and he's she's okay. And I said, just I wanna hear her cry. that's what I. Needed or whatever. And then finally, she, did cry and stuff, but That's stressful. It was pretty stressful. Yeah. And like I was getting stitched up for about, like 30 minutes.

I don't actually remember, like delivering the placenta. I remember them saying, okay, now we have to deliver the placenta. but I also, the last like 45 minutes of everything, I honestly was blacking in and out so many times. Yeah, I can still vision back, like I'd see the lights and then I'd go in, I'd see Damon, then I'd go in and out, and then they'd say push again.

Then I'd push, and then I'd, go out again and just kinda lay there for a minute or two and. So it was, yeah, it was a lot. It was like one thing after another. Yeah. If that makes sense. Yeah, for sure. Like it sounds yeah, with her heart rate and then with using the vacuum and then the third degree tear and then her not crying like that is a lot to go through.

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. It was just, like I say that stuff that you, have a thought process towards it and then, you know, that you might have to get stitches. Yeah. But you don't know the extent of it or that, you might have to use Yeah, say a sheet or a bar, but still. You don't know how you're going to use it, right?

Yeah, for sure. yeah. So how long was it until Isabella was okay and brought back to you? I would say five or seven minutes. Okay. So not super long. Yeah. And then how were the first few days postpartum with her? it was, I was pretty emotional. I had my parents here with us, which was great, and Damon, was home from work and I would say being at like, sorry, I guess I should backtrack in the hospital postpartum or like at home?

Postpartum, in, the hospital. Okay. So yeah, in the hospital postpartum, it was, I felt very like alone. Like my husband went back and, got stuff for the baby, took stuff for our dog to smell. My mom was in and out too. I just felt like I didn't really get to connect with her in the hospital.

Yeah. And I felt like I was just like still numb. I was just like, okay, I just gave birth. Okay. Like my baby's laying there. you know now what? Yeah. There's so much to process. Yeah, it is. it actually wasn't until one of the hospital, postpartum doulas came by that I actually felt like I mom.

Oh. Like I, and I actually, sat there, And took a picture of me and my baby. Yeah. I had pictures of her, or I had, like the picture that we take, when you have your baby, but she actually took a photo of, Isabella looking like at me and me looking at her. Yeah, that's actually, I guess connecting, like connecting and looking at each other and saying okay, this is. My baby, and I'm your mom. Yeah. So I, yeah, I just would say the first few days in the hospital was just lonely. Like I just, it was just so much go, that there was no time to, I guess be like, oh my gosh, we're in the hospital with her baby and like it.

Not at all what they say in the movies, right? oh, joyful bringing in flowers, blah, blah, blah. Yeah. Yeah. yeah, you hear about this very joyful moment of meeting your baby, and by the sounds of it, it doesn't sound like that was your experience. Yeah. Yeah. I also didn't want anyone to come in because of how I looked like I was swollen, I had bloodshot eyes.

Yeah. I couldn't even, my eyes were slit because of how swollen they were. So I didn't want people to also see me. Yeah. and like I also had a nurse that was with me through the whole observation and then came in after to do like a, I don't know, maybe she was on a different part for that day or something, and she's oh, who are you?

And I was Like Ashley and she didn't recognize me. Oh, okay. Yeah. So and then that was really tough. Yeah, for sure. So yeah, I just think, I think it was a little bit like numb for me the first few days in the hospital postpartum. Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry that was your experience. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. Yeah.

How was recovering from the third degree tear? That was actually quite, quite good. I, my husband was a rock star. He helped me like in the shower. He helped me like, set up the couch because I could only sit on the one part of the couch or the one couch we have. I just took it very slow and I think it helped that the, like the one home care nurse that I had was very knowledgeable.

And, told me all the things that I, needed to do and the ice packs or anything like that. so honestly healing from that was, I honestly think the least of my worries at that time.

Okay. that's good. It's nice that we have those nurses that come and check up on you. Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. It does. Yeah. And then how, I know you're like, Isabel is what, a year and a half now? Almost. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, 19. So how has postpartum been this last year and a half? Oh, it was wild. Yeah. I felt like it was hard to navigate.

I going in postpartum, I was like, I am gonna go for walks every day and I'm going to have the house clean and oh my gosh, she's gonna just nap and I get to do all these things, right? Yeah. And it was like it shot me right back down to my feet. It was absolutely the opposite. you try to do something and then the baby needs something or you, you go to get groceries and you're constantly thinking if they're okay.

Yeah. So I think it just came with a lot of, so much processing time. For sure. Did you do anything to prepare for postpartum? no, I didn't actually. I think I just knew and I was completely blindsided. Yeah. Yeah. I really think it was, Something that, you know, like again, like all the little things that you see or the reels and you're like, oh, okay, I can do that.

And it's Nope. Because everyone's reality is so different. yeah. Yeah. The expectation is very different from reality for sure. Yeah. Yeah. and again, trying to find who I am as a wife, a mother, but then also just who I am as Ashley. Yeah. And I feel like. I'm just still, sometimes I wake up and I'm like, oh my God, like a reality kicks in or something sets in.

But I'm like, I don't wanna be friends with this person anymore because they don't give me, positivity or they don't bring me joy. Yeah. Like it's, but I also feel like my postpartum was. I like, or not maternity labor postpartum, but just the time was just me and Isabella was like a blessing in disguise for me to realize what I want in life, what I don't want in life.

the people that I want around us. Yeah. How I dictate my days. So it was, it's been neat to see how I've. I guess change that view on what I was doing beforehand, Yeah, for sure. Yeah. And I guess that leads into you wanting to become a postpartum doula yourself. So can you, tell us more about why you wanted to do that?

Or how it's been. Yeah. Yeah. honestly, it's been such a cool journey. I met two, so it just again, how we were talking about how the universe tries to, to tell you things or how it aligns. Yeah. I met a postpartum doula standing in the hospital, and my grandpa wasn't doing well, and I was just chatting with her.

Wow. And I was like, how is that, like, I was just standing in the elevator and then we got talking about work or something and she's a, traveling postpartum doula. And I was like, what? Okay. And. Then, before I had my daughter, I actually was in two late, two births, two of my sister-in-laws, and I was with them through it all.

And then postpartum wise, another friend gave birth and she asked me to take her to the hospital. Do all that. And I just felt and Isabel at that time was six months old and I was like, I need to be here with you. Like my daughter is teething, she's six months old. Like I left her with my husband, but I just feel like I need to be with you because you need support.

Yeah. And then I went to the mother May I gala and I met another, doula and we were chit-chatting. We hit it off. I went and had a play date with her one day and I'm like, I just really wanna be something else. I wanna have something else. My back pocket. I wanna help mom, postpartum because of what I went through.

I just, I wanna turn my story into something positive. I can turn it around. And she's the chorus is this or this, do it. Let's sign up. And I was like. That was the first thing ever in my life that I just said, okay, I'm doing it. Yeah. Just something for you. Yeah. Yeah. It's, like even if I buy a shirt or what I'm making for supper or what schooling I wanted to go through, it's always like a, you weigh your pros and cons, you weigh the money, you raise the, what will this look like in a few years.

you're always Thinking about it, right? Yeah. What shirt will this outfit go with? Whatever it is. And this was just like, I'm doing it and I went home and my husband's reaction was the same as mine. usually he is Hey, does this fit okay? does this work the way that we should right now?

Okay. Is this in our budget? there's always those things. And he was like, do it. Aw, it's so nice to, get that support and to get that validation that, okay, this, is where the direction that I'm supposed to be going in and this is the right fit for me. Yeah. Yeah. And so it just, and then when I had the comments flooding in and people saying that, it's just, my calling and everything, I was like, it totally is.

And we like, so the girl that told me like, yeah, sign up, do with us. We have so much that we wanna bring to the community in Saskatoon, and I just, I can't wait to bring it to life. We have so much in the talk and we have so many cool ideas. but right now, even if I don't have like postpartum clients right now, doing our like events or workshops or anything like that is just so fulfilling and rewarding either way.

Yeah, for sure. And the most important thing is getting your name out there and being in the community. And just as this story goes is people will come to you and people will find you when they need you. Absolutely, And if we can give back by an Instagram tip or story or having a, like we hosted the bargain out in the park, little events or markets that we go to.

there's so many other ways that we can give back than what we think, I guess I could say. Yeah. So yeah, I'm super excited to see where it goes and, And if it has, its up and downs. everything has ups and downs. okay. We're going to end with two final questions. so what is a piece of advice you would give to someone heading toward their labor?

when I read those questions earlier and I was like, what would I say? I guess you could def I would definitely say expect the unexpected for sure. Just so you can adapt to what needs to be done, but to also have a voice if what needs to be done isn't in your birth plan, or if you're not ready for it, or you have the ability to take.

Can I talk this over with someone else? Now looking back, I think honestly having a doula, having another support person, just even if they're not, telling you everything you wanna hear or need at that moment, that extra body or the soft hand on the shoulder, can go a long way too.

Yeah, for sure. Especially if there's, a husband that doesn't know what to do or if they're also busy with something else like the, other, maybe their first child or anything like that. having that person there for you, I think is, really good too. Yeah, that's really good advice.

I love that. And what surprised you the most about postpartum? Is it too much to say Everything that is, fair, but can you be more specific? The hidden things that, happen with your spouse. Okay. Yeah, that's a good one. Because I feel postpartum wise for myself, like I'm in charge of me.

I can figure out me or I'm in, I can figure out baby or they're growing, they don't know what's going on. We can figure that out, right? There's always something else. But I think what's hidden lots about postpartum is your partner doesn't go through all the things that you're going through. So he is going through it or they're going through it on a different level?

Yeah. Maybe next time, postpartum wise, if we decide to have a second one is. I guess checking in on my husband's partum. Yeah, for sure. If that makes sense. Yeah, that open communication too, so that you can both see each other's perspectives and Yeah. We don't expect, like we, we think that, okay, I gave birth, I'm going through this.

The baby is usually more reliant on mom, but sometimes we can forget about our partners. Yeah. Like us needing to explain a little bit more. once I started to explain to him, this is why I am doing this or that, or sometimes I just, I have to show him. Yeah. okay, this is what's happening right now in my body.

It's oh, okay. I think that's the biggest thing that shocks me postpartum is how much, I guess my postpartum. My feelings and emotions. Not conflicted, but I guess went on to him that I wasn't aware of. Yeah. Ashley, thank you so much for being on the podcast and sharing your story. And thank you for everything that you share on Instagram.

So you can find Ashley at Love Postpartum on Instagram. she is super open about her birth story and. Her postpartum experience and then as well as her postpartum doula training. So thank you, Ashley. I know that so many people will find your story helpful. Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it.

Thank you so much for listening to another incredible birth story. If you're interested in sharing your own story on the podcast, head down to the link in the show notes to complete the form.