Hello, I'm Ashley Gates

Postpartum Doula, Le Cordon Bleu Chef & Somatica® Trained Intimacy Coach

I guide others to nourish themselves & each other. 

For the past decade, I’ve had the honor and delight of serving as a postpartum doula.

Postpartum is a tender threshold—a time of profound transformation—and I’m devoted to making this passage as soft, sweet, and nourishing as possible.

I was called to this work after hearing too many stories from friends and loved ones who white-knuckled their way through those early weeks, surviving on snacks, adrenaline, and oxytocin. They poured so much love and attention into the baby that they ended up feeling drained, depleted, and disconnected. It doesn’t have to be that way. With the right support, this chapter can be joyful and restorative. (I know because I’ve seen it time and again with my clients.)

My practice is built on five pillars: nourishment, rest and recovery, support, connection, and warmth. I cook with intention, creating simple, restorative meals that promote healing from the inside out. Guided by traditional postpartum wisdom and the principles found in The First Forty Days, each meal is designed to replenish the body, support lactation, and comfort the soul—always warm, nutrient-dense, and rooted in care. 

Support also extends beyond the kitchen. With training in communication and relational awareness, I bring gentle insight to the emotional landscape of new parenthood. I’m attuned not only to the birthing person and baby, but also to partners, who sometimes struggle to find their footing in this new landscape. I help families navigate shifting rhythms of connection so everyone feels seen, supported, and resourced.

My approach is grounded, inclusive, and deeply human. I don’t see care and nourishment as luxuries; I see them as essentials for lifelong wellbeing.

It’s an incredible privilege to walk beside families during this chapter—to witness their resilience, their courage, and the quiet love that grows in those first weeks together. I’m always honored to be part of that story, and I hope to be part of yours.

What matters to me 

HOLISTIC SUPPORT

My unique approach combines nutrition, rituals, movement, and emotional guidance to support every layer of your being (mind, body, heart & spirit), creating sustainable transformation and deeper connection to yourself and those around you.

AUTHENTICITY

Life is richest when we live and work from a place of truth. I value authenticity because it creates trust, deepens relationships, and fosters meaningful growth. Being authentic, both with myself and with the people I support, allows for vulnerability, courage, and the kind of transformation that lasts.

INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

Every person’s journey is unique, and I am committed to honoring all identities, backgrounds, and experiences. Everyone deserves access to care, nourishment, and support without judgment or barriers. By creating a space where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued, we can cultivate empowerment for all.

I believe in making a real difference.

Nurture supports Every Mother Counts, an organization that works to make childbirth safe for everyone, everywhere. I make a donation on behalf of all paying doula clients.

 

 SUPPORT EVERY MOTHER COUNTS

I believe in making a real difference.

Nurture supports Every Mother Counts, an organization that works to make childbirth safe for everyone, everywhere. I offer a discount on my packages to those who donate to their mission.

 

 SUPPORT EVERY MOTHER COUNTS