03/09/2026
To be a student midwife in the United States is to walk down a path of continually being misunderstood, of going against the cultural current in order to respond to a deep calling from within that will not be silenced - to honor and support families in birth the way we know they deserve to be supported. It’s a radical act of hope and resistance. It’s hard to explain just how much of ourselves, how fully surrendering this work asks of us. Our time, our energy, our resources, our heart. It demands it all. Ashley is one of the most generous humans you’ll ever meet. Generous in her kindness, her laughter, her trust, and her courage. As her preceptor I have had the honor of watching her grow in confidence and skill over the years. She is close to the end of her student career, entering the hardest phase. The phase of putting all her experiences and knowledge as a student into practice and acting as primary midwife under supervision. This time is a catch 22 for students because, well, they’re not making a living wage and yet must make themselves available to attend births. It’s not a very conducive environment for holding an outside job, because of that, it can be hard to financially support oneself. To know Ashley is to love Ashley, and she more than anyone deserves the support of her community during this time. If you believe in the work of the midwife, please join me in sustaining this rising midwife through her final stretch. We believe in you Ashley, you’ve got this!! ✨ You can find the GoFundMe link in my bio or hers! ✨Photos shared with permission.