Post Archive by Month

Below you'll find a list of all posts from November, 2015

Resources & Referrals for Oregon Mothers in Crisis

AE Johnsdottir November 18, 2015 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Information for Oregon mothers in crisis- abuse, addictions, suicide, eating disorders, alcohol and tobacco. Information for uninsured mothers. Download the free PDF referral list for Oregon Mothers in Crisis

Simple Statements to Help You Cope with Anxiety During Pregnancy or Other Times

AE Johnsdottir November 13, 2015 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Many women deal with anxiety, but it can be more common in pregnancy & postpartum due to hormonal changes. It’s definitely something that I’ve seen women struggle with in my work as a midwife. A tricky part about anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum is that some women who have used medicine to help cope with anxiety may need to stop …

Ash is the best! She was extremely informative, caring, professional, and organized. Knowing our child would be born into her hands, provided our family with the confidence necessary to have a successful, life-changing at-home birth. Thanks Ash!!!

Joseph Maurer
5/13/2022
From the birthing person: Ash was such a wonderful choice for our family. All throughout my pregnancy I felt so safe in her hands and she had ready answers for any questions I might have - always asking permission before touching my belly or taking any vitals. During labor & delivery she was respectful of giving me space, but was there as soon as I needed her - which left me feeling empowered but also so cared for. She is deeply knowledgeable and I so appreciated her holistic approach with herbal & nutritional support. During the postpartum period, she was deeply caring and solution oriented, she made us feel so taken care of. Thank you Ash, from our whole family!

From the birthing partner: As a first-time father, I was of course very nervous going into the whole thing, and unsure of where to put myself and how to support in the best way. I found Ash to be so, so calming. she has such strength and confidence in the way that she directed the whole thing, and in the last hours of labor, she was an impressive force, gently and firmly carrying us over the edge and into parenthood.
10/10 would ask for her in the future, when we are blessed with more children.

Abigail Reno
6/08/2021
I originally planned to have a regular hospital birth with my first daughter since I couldn’t find a midwife in my area that I was excited about, who would also accept my insurance.
I resigned myself to the whole hospital experience but could not shake the discouraging feeling I had before and after every OB visit. I had imagined pregnancy to be a special time in my life but left all my appointments feeling like I was being treated for just another medical condition.

Halfway through my pregnancy, I decided to scrap my hospital birth and search for a midwife and by some luck found Ash! And she accepted my insurance! Switching to Ash was the best thing I could have done for my daughter and I.

Ash was very accommodating and had no problem taking me on halfway through my pregnancy. She was exactly what I was looking for: extremely knowledgeable regarding the medical side of pregnancy and childbirth but also very in touch with her intuition. Many of the midwives I had looked at initially seemed to lean too far to the woo woo side for me personally. Ash is the perfect blend of everything, down to earth, spiritual, with heavy emphasis on medical practice, while also being very well versed in holistic care.

During my appointments with Ash, she thoroughly explained all the medical tests and procedures in a way that was easy to understand. She never jumped to worst case scenario, but instead outlined all the possible outcomes, how likely they were to occur, and what could be done to have a healthier pregnancy.
She always took my questions and concerns into consideration so I never felt silly asking her about anything, although she honestly does such a good job explaining everything that I rarely had many questions!

Ash’s home office is a breath of fresh air! Clean, comfortable and nicely decorated with soft lighting. Appointments with Ash always felt more like visiting a friend who also happens to be extremely knowledgeable in all things pre and postnatal. I really appreciated her attention to detail about what might make a pregnant woman more comfortable such as little pillows for lower back support, beverage offerings, as well as the light but not overpowering scent of citrus to calm a nauseous stomach.

During labor, I could not have asked for better support. Ash gave me plenty of space to labor alone with my partner during the early phase, as I had requested. When I went into active labor she never left my side and was the best cheerleader! She was gentle yet firm in her encouragement and never ran out of new positions or techniques to try if one wasn’t working for me.
All of her encouragement was true and genuine. I never felt like she was trying to give me false confidence or say something just to make me feel better.

Ash is not only stellar during pregnancy and birth, but exceptional during post delivery and the weeks after. I always felt like my babies were in good hands during post birth checkups. I was so impressed with the level of care I received postnatal, as it consisted of multiple visits instead of the single visit checkup so common with an OB. Even months after my care with Ash had ended, I always felt that she was available to address any questions or concerns that I might have, as well as fawn over cute baby pictures!

I’ve had Ash as my midwife for two pregnancies and couldn’t be happier. Her level of pre and postnatal care is outstanding! She is so knowledgeable, experienced and such a genuinely sweet and down to earth person.
I can’t think of a better woman to guide a child into this world than Ash ?

Amanda Bristow
8/20/2021
We received excellent, individualized care from Ash Johnsdottir. She is an incredibly intelligent person, as well as a very kind soul. I especially love how she bridges the gap between the medical and midwifery realm--taking the best of both worlds to provide the best care for her clients. Her in-home office and patient library is very cozy and welcoming, and she is always sure to ask consent before doing any procedures (even one as simple as touching the baby belly). She answers all questions as thoroughly as possible within the realm of her knowledge, and goes out of her way to research further if necessary. She was always a phone call or a text away, I felt like I could ask her anything at any time and receive her full attention. She treated my family and my unborn baby with the utmost respect, and when my daughter was born successfully at home she provided us with incredibly efficient medical care, as well as genuine warmth and affection, at the birth and in the 6 weeks following. So grateful for Ash and highly recommend her!

Britta Hough
11/07/2016
Ash saved my baby's life. His was a complicated birth, shoulder dystocia, military presentation, resuscitation... Ash let me take the lead when I could and at the critical moment when we needed her help, she got my baby safely into my arms. During my pregnancy, Ash answered all my questions and connected me and my partner with all the information we needed to make informed choices throughout the process. She's the kind of midwife who makes your birth YOUR birth, your own choose-your-own adventure, while always prioritizing your and your child's safety. Even with all that craziness, my birth was an empowering experience. I feel like there is nothing I can't do. Thank you, Ash, for all that you did to help bring my son into this world. We'll be forever grateful.

Zoe M Navas
10/12/2022

Willamette Birth Ash Johnsdottir, MIDWIFE Serving the greater Willamette Valley.

Call 541.908.9188 to talk about midwifery care or submit this form to ask a question or request a consultation with midwife Ash Johnsdottir, BSM CPM LDM.