Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Brichter.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been drawn to education and caregiving. I started creating the bones for what became Birthsmarter back in 2011 when I did my first doula training program after graduating from Haverford College in 2010 with a degree in Education. From 2011 to 2019 (when Birthsmarter launched), I collected certifications and experience as a doula, lactation counselor, and birth educator. Armed with knowledge and experience, I went into my first labor, in 2014, confident in my birth plan. Internal bleeding and three blood transfusions later, I realized that how we plan for the unexpected and uncontrollable is so much more important than setting out to plan and control the experience. After a second, wild birth experience in 2017, I dusted off my education degree and committed to “rebranding childbirth education.” I began iterating on the standard childbirth education curriculum while teaching childbirth education classes as an (underpaid) independent contractor in hospital systems and small agencies in New York City until I created the Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat of Birth Education. Instead of following recipe books filled with step-by-step directions, we can now discuss birth as a series of building blocks and principles that could apply, flexibly, to any body and any birth. I asked for a raise and an ownership stake where I was teaching in exchange for me sharing my new IP but was denied. Birthsmarter is truly the result of wanting to improve birth for families as much as I wanted to improve the birth industry for birth workers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I built Birthsmarter while raising two small children and acting as their primary caregiver, which meant juggling nap schedules, curriculum development, and business growth all at once. Like so many others, we also had to navigate the uncertainty and upheaval of the COVID pandemic — taking in-person classes online overnight and supporting families through an incredibly stressful time.
In the midst of all that, I moved from New York City to Salt Lake City, which meant starting over in a new place, rebuilding a professional and personal community from the ground up. I also made the early (and very human) mistake of working with friends without contracts and received costly, misguided advice from legal and financial professionals. I’ve lost thousands of dollars along the way — not to mention countless hours of sleep.
Being an entrepreneur can be deeply rewarding, but it’s also relentless. You trade the “chains” of a 9-to-5 job for the reality of working 24/7 — especially when you care deeply about what you’re building. There have been moments of burnout and doubt, but I’ve kept going because the mission matters and the impact is real.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Birthsmarter?
Birthsmarter was born in 2019 with a single class in Brooklyn, NY, and has since grown into a nationally recognized organization offering inclusive, nonjudgmental, and accessible childbirth education to expectant parents and the professionals who support them.
What sets us apart is our radically redesigned curriculum — inspired by classic programs like Lamaze and Hypnobirthing, but updated for today’s millennial and Gen-Z families. Our classes are approved by OB-GYNs, midwives, and pediatricians, and go beyond the outdated, fear-based “what to expect” model. We teach parents how to interpret expert advice, navigate complex systems, and confidently find their right way.
We’re proud to offer a full suite of in-person, virtual, and on-demand classes, including Comfort + Coping, Push Prep, Newborn Care, Postpartum Planning, Infant CPR, and more. We’re also known for being a safe space for all parents — queer, single, adoptive, neurodivergent, birth after loss, and beyond — and integrate Fair Play principles to support equitable parenting from day one.
With our Alternative Pricing Policy and trauma-informed approach, we’re reimagining not just childbirth education but the entire industry. Birthsmarter has been honored by Healthline Parenthood, City Weekly, and Elle Magazine — and we’re just getting started.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was often described as “a good kid” and “wise beyond my years.” I loved being around adults and always wanted to feel mature and important. While I was active, I wasn’t particularly sporty — I preferred play that felt realistic or important, especially when it involved organizing, helping, or pretending to be a teacher. Playing school, cooking, and taking care of others were my favorite pastimes. I often gravitated toward boys as playmates but felt most at home with my family.
I grew up in New York City, which gave me a deep love for multiculturalism and independence. Central Park was my playground. I was creative, thoughtful, and always eager to contribute — a mix of responsibility and curiosity that, in many ways, still defines me today.
Pricing:
- $10 to $450 for Birthsmarter Classes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.birthsmarter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthsmarter
