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Finding Purpose in Birth Work: An Interview with Nia Ashay
When we sat down with Nia Ashay, one of our Maternal Support Practitioner (MSP) program alumni, it was clear that birth work is much more than a career path for her. It’s a calling, a healing practice, and a form of activism. Nia’s journey into becoming a doula is rooted in deep personal experiences and a lifelong pull toward caring for others. This was such a wonderful interview for the season 6 kick off of the Hot+Brave Podcast.
“I’ve always loved babies,” Nia told us, laughing softly as she reflected on her childhood. “When I was younger, I thought I would be a pediatric nurse. I just wanted to be around babies and take care of them.”
But Nia’s path shifted dramatically after her family endured a devastating loss. In 2006, her mother experienced a stillbirth due to medical negligence. That experience left a lasting mark on Nia, shaping how she viewed both the healthcare system and the importance of compassionate support. “I thought all hope was lost,” she shared. “It changed everything for me. It made me see how badly families need someone by their side in those moments when systems fail.”
Several years later, during the 2013 trial surrounding Trayvon Martin’s murder, Nia found herself wrestling with the realities of being Black in America. That grief, combined with her family’s earlier loss, shifted her trajectory away from nursing and toward a different kind of care. “I realized I couldn’t separate my identity and my purpose from the work I wanted to do,” she said. “I needed to find a path where I could honor both.”
That path led her to birth work.
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Purpose and Identity
For Nia, becoming a doula isn’t just a professional choice, it’s woven into who she is. “My first name, Nia, means purpose. My middle name, Ashay, is an affirmation of what’s been said,” she explained. “So for me, it’s not random that I ended up here. This work feels like something I was meant to do.”
In our conversation, it was clear that Nia approaches birth work with reverence. She sees her role as both a companion to families and an advocate for justice. “Being a doula is about supporting people, but it’s also about standing up against the systems that have failed Black families, Indigenous families, and so many others. It’s about making sure people feel seen, heard, and safe.”
Doula Training as Healing
Nia found her way to bebo mia’s Maternal Support Practitioner training at a time when she needed both knowledge and healing. “What I loved most about the program was that it wasn’t just about learning the skills,” she said. “Yes, I learned how to support clients, but I also learned how to unpack my own experiences. I felt like I could ask questions, share my story, and be part of a community that actually cared about each other.”
She emphasized the importance of the peer support that developed during training. “I wasn’t just sitting in a class taking notes. I was part of conversations that changed me. I supported my peers, and they supported me. That kind of connection makes all the difference.”
Birth Work as Activism
For Nia, being a doula is a form of activism and resistance. “Every time I support a parent, I’m pushing back against a system that wasn’t built for them,” she explained. “It’s about equity, safety, and dignity. It’s about reclaiming birth as something sacred instead of something managed and controlled.”
She sees doulas as part of a broader movement for justice. “We’re not just there to hold a hand. We’re there to change the culture around birth.”
Carrying Purpose Forward as a Doula
Nia’s story is a reminder of how powerful it is to step into birth work with your whole heart. From personal tragedy to systemic injustice, she has taken her lived experiences and transformed them into a purposeful, healing path.
“I’m humbled and excited to carry out a purpose-filled career as a birth worker,” she said. “This isn’t just my job. It’s who I am.”
At bebo mia, we are so honored to walk alongside doulas like Nia, who bring courage, wisdom, and a deep sense of purpose into their work. Her story is proof that when we combine healing with action, we not only change our own lives, we change the world of birth for generations to come.
Nia is such a wonderful ball of love and positivity and power and we highly recommend you check out her channel and reach out to her if you are looking for doula support. She was a stand out student in her class and we are so excited to see all the ways she will support families and the reproductive justice movement.
Check out her YouTube Channel here.
Doula podcast
Online Doula Training Registration is Open
The community here believes that becoming a doula is more than a certification, it’s a transformation. That’s why our Maternal Support Practitioner (MSP) program is designed to be full-spectrum, covering birth, postpartum, fertility, and loss. Families don’t fit neatly into silos, and your training shouldn’t either. Inside the MSP program, you’ll not only gain the practical skills to serve your community, you’ll also find a peer group that supports you, challenges you, and grows alongside you. It’s training that prepares you for the emotional reality of this work, not just textbook scenarios.
Like Nia, many of our students have shared how profound their doula education journey is, and the incredible impact on their personal lives. Here is another great blog if you want to know more.
Registration is now open for the next cohort of our MSP program, our full spectrum Online Doula Training. If Nia’s story inspired you and you’ve been wondering how to turn your passion into purpose, this is your moment. Join us and become part of a global community of doulas who are committed to justice, care, and healing. You can find all the details and secure your spot today at bebomia.com/doulatraining.
