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Growing a Human - Corvallis Oregon Midwife

How to build a human

AE Johnsdottir July 23, 2015 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

How to build a human.

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
Ash gave me the empowering prenatal and home birthing experience I have always wanted. From my very first appointment, Ash was compassionate and respectful of each choice I made. If I was unsure about a decision, she was there to provide objective and thorough information to help me. Her philosophy is a perfect blend of medical and midwifery practices, and she was readily available by call or text the entire pregnancy. I brought my 6-year-old son to most of my prenatal appointments and Ash was so great with him! He learned a lot through the experience and she was sure to always include him. When it came time for delivery, our in-home care was exactly as I had imagined. The experience was filled with warmth, peace and extraordinary care. I’d return as a patient of Ash’s without hesitation!

Elizabeth Martinez
1/27/2020
Amazing! That's the words I would use!! I had two previous births, both in a hospital. I was looking for something different, something personal and unique. Ash was just that. She was thoughtful, caring, reliable, and really listened to my concerns and worries. She was always prompt in getting back to me when needed. As far as birthing, she came when I called no questions asked. I really couldn't have asked for better care for my in home birth. I highly recommend Ash!!

Katelyn Bobeda
8/16/2018
I've had two homebirths now with Ash as my midwife. They were both wonderful experiences.

Ash is a very knowledgeable, skilled and respectful midwife. She always laid out all the information for me and then respected my decisions.

With Ash I always felt like a person first, an individual, as opposed to my previous OB experiences where to them I'm just another patient.

I really appreciated how she took the time at each appointment to not only answer my questions, but also teach me how to do certain things myself like feel for my baby's position and use the fetoscope to listen to my baby's heart beat.

She was amazing and so kind with my two littles and made sure to include them when they attended appointments with me. She even let my 5 year old use the Doppler and blood pressure cuff!

Between appointments if any questions or concerns arose Ash was available via phone call, text, or through the patient portal and was always very prompt, (most of the time immediate) with a reply.

If you're looking to step away from a hospital birth and step into the midwifery model of care I highly recommend Ash and Willamette Birth.

Elissa Carver
4/07/2022
Both of my children were welcomed to the world by Ash, and I would choose her again in a heartbeat.

She gave me tough love when I needed to do my part in setting up for the easiest birth experience possible, she stayed cool headed yet compassionate when issues came up, and was consistently respectful of my physical being and my choices for my child. (The latter of which is especially important to me and rather hard to find in a health care provider.)

Ash is incredibly skilled and knowledgeable, and was an invaluable guide through both of my pregnancies and into motherhood. I couldn't be more grateful to have found her.

nashira bohlman
5/15/2022

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.