Meet Ashley Benitez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Benitez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My journey into motherhood was nothing short of life-changing, a shift that reshaped my perspective and purpose in profound ways. As I navigated the terrain of new parenthood, I was acutely aware of the complexities and challenges that accompany this transformative experience.

Becoming a new parent was both extraordinarily magical as well as extraordinarily challenging. I struggled with my sense of self as I tried to understand my new identity as a mother and how that fit into the construct of who I already was. Along with my emotional struggles, I also had a difficult physical recovery from a long and strenuous labor. To add to the already present uncertainties of motherhood, my first child was born during quarantine and the height of Covid, further contributing to the stress of new parenthood. The lack of physical support due to the circumstances surrounding Covid magnified the reality that many women do this completely on their own.

In the difficult moments, I found solace in the unwavering support of my village – a network of loved ones who offered guidance, empathy, and a shoulder to lean on. It was amidst this backdrop of personal growth and discovery that I realized my calling lay in providing the same invaluable support to other women embarking on their own journey into motherhood. My experiences illuminated the stark reality of the support gap that exists for new mothers in our society, fueling my determination to bridge this gap and empower women during this pivotal transition. Thus, my path as a postpartum doula was born from a deep-seated conviction that every woman deserves to be supported, nurtured, and honor as she embarks on the extraordinary adventure of motherhood.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Historically, across diverse cultures around the world, the transition into motherhood has been recognized as a critical period requiring dedicated support and care. In many traditions, new mothers are surrounded by a close-knit community of family and friends who provide essential physical, emotional, and practical assistance. This support highlights the understanding that the postpartum period is not just a time of recovery but also one of profound transformation and adjustment. Women are cared for and nurtured by their communities, acknowledging the significant physical and emotional changes they experience. This support system helps to alleviate the pressures of new parenthood, enabling mothers to focus on their health and their baby’s well-being. As this commonly exists around the world, it is unfortunately not common practice within American culture.

At the heart of Your Devoted Doula lies a profound belief in the transformative power of support during one of life’s most intimate and vulnerable moments – the transition into parenthood. Founded on the principle that emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual guidance is essential for a successful journey into parenthood, I am dedicated to providing unwavering support to families during this pivotal time.

As a postpartum doula, my role is multifaceted, encompassing a range of services designed to ease the transition into parenthood and empower parents to care for their newborns with confidence. The vast range of experiences and emotions we face as parents is what makes every journey different. Not only are we learning to navigate the logistics and uncertainties of newbornhood/parenthood, we are also learning to navigate new self-identity shifts, family dynamics, and relationship changes that come with it as well.

From offering guidance on postpartum care and recovery to providing education on newborn care, breastfeeding, baby-soothing techniques, and sleep support, I strive to create supportive and safe spaces where families can navigate the complexities of parenthood with grace and resilience. I understand that every family’s journey is unique and I am committed to tailoring my support to meet their exact needs.

My mission is simple: to make your job as a new parent easier so that you can focus on recovering, bonding with your baby, and navigating your role with confidence. Inspired by the families I serve, I am deeply aligned with my purpose and passionate about advocating for maternal health, empowering women, and fostering a more inclusive and supportive narrative around motherhood.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey as a postpartum doula, three qualities stand out as particularly impactful: adaptability, intuitiveness, and empathy. In a role where every family, situation, and dynamic is unique, the ability to adapt quickly and effectively is paramount. Being able to tailor my support and care to meet the specific needs of each family ensures a more meaningful and supportive experience for everyone involved. Additionally, intuitiveness plays a crucial role in anticipating the needs of new parents before they even articulate them, fostering a sense of trust and comfort during an inherently vulnerable time. However, perhaps the most significant quality is empathy. Parenthood is hard. It is beautiful and draining and exhausting and scary and miraculous all at the same time. We have hard days and we have good days. We struggle with breastfeeding or sleep or hormonal fluctuations. We want to be there for everything and sometimes just need to get away from it all. Our relationship with ourselves, our partners, friends, children, family all shift. We discover emotions that we didn’t even know we had and emotions we sometimes feel we can’t handle. Having a support person who can empathize with all the feels during one of the most transformational and vulnerable times of your life can be the difference between feeling seen and feeling alone.⁣⁣

For those who are early in their journey as a postpartum doula or parent educator, my advice is this: cultivate adaptability, nurture your intuition, and practice empathy always. These qualities will not only enhance your effectiveness as a support person but also deepen the connection and trust you share with the families you serve. Parenthood is extremely complex- learn to read between the lines and find the key to what type of support is needed in that moment.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Identifying just one individual who has played a pivotal role in my journey of overcoming challenges and cultivating the skills needed for success is a difficult task, for the simple reason that there have been countless individuals who have been instrumental in my growth and development. From mentors within the parent support community to fellow doulas who have generously shared their wisdom and guidance, the support network I have been fortunate to have extends far beyond professional circles. My husband, friends, and family have been unwavering in their encouragement and support, serving as my biggest cheerleaders through my journey as a mother and business owner. My children have also played an integral role In my success. They have truly been my greatest teachers and inspirations, guiding me on a path of purpose and passion. Their presence in my life has deepened my understanding of the complexities of parenthood and fueled my commitment to supporting others on their journey. In essence, my success is a testament to the collective support and guidance of the countless individuals who have touched my life, each contributing in their own unique way to my growth, development, and fulfillment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yourdevoteddoula.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mama.you.can/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourdevoteddoula/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/your-devoted-doula-long-beach