We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley C. N. Hartwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley C. N., how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I am a mother of 5. 4 babies I conceived in my womb and 1 child I conceived in my heart and became his mother through adoption. I am a registered nurse and for as long as I can remember have been passionate about the sacredness of birth. Always being invited to support laboring women in my life. Long before I knew the role of “doula” was an occupation, or as I have come to understand, a calling. I worked in mother/baby in the beginning of my RN career and loved it. Being able to be apart of families transition into parenthood or taking exceptional care of these mommies as they cared for their babies was my passion. I birth four babies of my own and each experience was different. I realized each birth approaching my fourth, that I was longing for more in my experiences. Each of the three births had unnecessary interventions. I was able to support my sister in law, after she gave birth to her first child as a post partum doula. She had the most incredible experience in her birth using tools she’d learn in her HypnoBirthing childbirth education class. Being a RN, working in mother/baby, I thought she was delusional about what she was pursuing in her birth experience. But when I saw her experience I became very intrigued. After leaving her to return home, I learned I was pregnant with our last child. I was set on having a similar birth experience to my sister in laws. I searched out HypnoBirthing classes in my area, and there were none. Between reading the book, my husband and sister in laws encouragement, we had our last child with no interventions. As I held her in my arms I remember having the thought “I am going to help as many families have access to this as I can”. I went on to get the training and certification to become a HypnoBirthing practitioner and doula. I have been helping mothers and their birth companions ever since! Divine Moments HypnoBirthing and Doula services was birthed along with my last child Divine. Yes, my business is named after my baby girl Divine Destiny Hartwell.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets me apart from other childbirth educators and doulas is my approach is a combination of my personal experience as a mother, my 13 + years as a Registered Nurse and my experience in teaching has made me very intuitive to the needs of my families. Also as a black woman in the birth world, I have seen the disparities in harm to minority woman and their babies, and have been able to effectively support and combat against these disparities one family at a time. I aid mothers in connecting to their baby and body through education. I have been educating for over 10 years in the understanding of the pregnant body, mind and soul. I am passionate about empowering my families to understand how to advocate for their safety and having the elevated experience they desire. My families are confident, excited to greet their birthing experience without fear.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love the DFW area! When friends come to visit, we always take them looking at open houses because everything in Texas is bigger including our Texas homes! We are sure to hit up Deep Ellum and enjoy some great foods, drinks and music! We tend to follow Matthew Banks (musician) around to the spots in DFW he performs at. His schedule is usually found on his Facebook page. He’s our favorite live music ( brass instruments player) artist in the area. We have to experience the speak easys, “slutty vegan”, Habachio sushi in Midlothian and we enjoy Tricky fish happy hour in Fort Worth. We are always exploring new and interesting happenings in the D-F-Dub. And I am sure to encourage an early morning hike in Cedar Hills to take in the out door beauty.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Deunta Hartwell has been my anchor! Holding down our family as I go, sometimes in the middle of the night to support a laboring mother and her birth partner. He went with me to south Florida to support me when I got my certification. Encouraging me every step of the way. I also have to shout out my sister in law, Ebony Banks for introducing me to HypnoBirthing. We collaborate on many items in the birthing world, as she has become a practitioner and doula also. My children Khavory, Ne’kera, Keunte’, A’nya and Divine are the catalyst and motivation of my creativity and are huge supporters. I have a strong support system on my side, the faithful four (my best friend group) celebrate, promote, share me with so many and have been recipients of my services. My mother who always believes in me and the community of mothers and fathers who have trusted me to partner with them in their birth experiences. We become family and lets just say, I have a big family!

Website: www.divinemomentshypnobirthing.com

Instagram: a_hartwell637

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hartwell-7b6791a0

Facebook: Divine Moments HypnoBirthing and Doula Services

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hartwellness637

Image Credits
Ebony Banks Tierra Palmer Brandy Huckaby

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