Meet Birth Savvy

Two women smiling outdoors, taking a selfie with a river and flowering trees in the background.

Our Story

Anna and Ashley bonded over similar nursing styles while working on a busy Boston labor and delivery unit. While welcoming new babies into this world, they spent many sleepless nights helping each other, laughing at each other, and brainstorming ways to improve their patient’s experiences.

Anna and Ashley often worried that their patients arrived to L&D unsure of what to expect—or with expectations different from the options available—leaving their patients vulnerable to feeling overwhelmed and scared. When their careers transitioned to outpatient Maternal Fetal Medicine, it became clear why. Visits with your OB provider are fast and there is A LOT to cover, especially if you are experiencing any unique or high-risk conditions. There is simply not enough time for detailed birth and postpartum planning leading up to delivery.

Group childbirth classes available to fill this gap are an amazing option for many people. They cannot address the nuances of each pregnancy, however, and may not be a comfortable place to discuss past experiences impacting your current pregnancy.

Birth Savvy was founded to offer an option for private, individualized birth preparation and postpartum support. Our range of services combine clinical expertise with individualized education to help every parent feel uniquely prepared from pregnancy through postpartum.

A smiling woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a black sleeveless top and teal pants, sits on a beige sofa in a well-lit living room with large windows, a staircase, and a hanging light fixture.

Meet Anna

Anna grew up listening to stories of childbirth around the dinner table from her namesake and inspiration: her grandmother. Since graduating nursing school, Anna knew OB was her passion and for 13 years and counting she has worked in various areas of obstetric care including: labor and delivery, postpartum, antepartum, abortion care, and Maternal Fetal Medicine. In addition to hospital based-care, Anna received her Masters in Public Health and worked for a non-profit family planning program that offered free and low-cost sexual health and contraceptive services. Anna is a calm communicator who uses empathy and encouragement to develop a strong rapport with her clients. She is passionate about reproductive autonomy and supporting women to make empowered decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.  Anna was inspired to create Birth Savvy because the greatest joy of her nursing career was helping patients realize an empowered birth experience regardless of their sometimes complex situations. In her free time Anna loves cooking, re-learning to play the piano, traveling, and working on her never ending home improvement projects.

Certifications:

Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner, American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid instructor, Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN), Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C)

A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a green top, smiling with arms crossed, standing in front of stained glass windows and a potted plant.

Meet Ashley

Hailing from a family of registered nurses and midwives, Ashley grew up with insight into and pride for the nursing profession. She began her career in pediatric primary care and adult community health nursing, and achieved her goal of becoming a Labor and Delivery nurse in 2015. To enhance her knowledge of the high-risk perinatal population, Ashley transitioned to Maternal Fetal Medicine in 2021. While navigating the healthcare system personally through her own pregnancy and birth, Ashley had an Aha! moment that solidified her passion and inspired her to create Birth Savvy. She realized knowledge is power and high quality perinatal education is crucial to preserving autonomy and promoting a dauntless pregnancy, birth, and recovery. Ashley uses humor and encouragement to build rapport with her clients. She aims to foster a connection between mind and body and fuel inner strength. She provides holistic, culturally competent, and compassionate care for all birthing bodies. In her free time Ashley loves to travel, watch action movies, eat great food, listen to music, and Mom!

Certifications & Training:

Perinatal Mental Health, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner, American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid instructor, Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC)

Areas of Expertise

Birth Savvy will collaborate with you to provide an individualized education plan that best supports your goals. Topics could include any of the following and any others you request!

Silhouette of a pregnant woman holding her belly, depicted in white against a dark circular background.

Pregnancy Support

  • Progression of pregnancy

  • Managing pregnancy symptoms

  • Nutrition in pregnancy

  • Exercise in pregnancy

  • Anticipatory guidance (what to expect at your OB visits)

  • Variations in care with high-risk pregnancy

  • Navigating pregnancy after loss

  • Navigating pregnancy after a traumatic birth 

  • Managing expectations 

  • Understanding perinatal mood disorders

Silhouette of a fetus inside a yellow circle with a black background, representing pregnancy or prenatal health.

Birth planning for labor and delivery

  • Preparing for your hospital stay

  • Spontaneous labor

  • Induction of labor

  • Positions for labor and pushing

  • Vaginal birth

  • Planned and unplanned cesarean section 

  • Preparing for birth after birth trauma 

  • Preparing for birth after pregnancy loss 

  • Medical and maternity leave paperwork 

  • Self-advocacy in a healthcare setting 

  • Partner support

  • Frequently used medications

  • Pain management options

  • Planning for a baby with medical needs 

  • Complications of labor and birth

Water droplet icon on a teal circular background

Lactation/ Infant feeding

  • Positions for breastfeeding 

  • Ensuring a good latch 

  • Supporting milk supply 

  • Pumping

  • Bottle feeding

  • Weaning 

  • Breastcare

Footprint footprints icon on an orange circular background.

Newborn Care Education

  • Infant CPR/AED

  • Normal infant behavior 

  • Basic care: diaper changing, swaddling, burping, bathing

  • Safe sleep

  • Planning for baby: essential items

Silhouette of a woman holding a baby inside a teal circle.

Postpartum

  • Sharing your birth story

  • Vaginal birth recovery

  • Cesarean section recovery

  • Sleep hygiene

  • Nutrition

  • Exercise

  • Postpartum mood disorders

  • Wellness and balancing

  • Using your support system

  • Identifying your needs 

  • Intimacy postpartum 

  • Birth control

Icon of a female reproductive system with uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries inside a dark teal circle.

Abortion Information

  • If abortion care is part of your pregnancy experience we can provide education about options, what to expect, and ways to support your recovery.