Birthsmarter

Nonjudgemental, inclusive, and accessible Childbirth Education. Midwife + OBGYN Approved!

Healthcare Latina-owned New York 2023 Fellow

About the Business

Rooted in education theory, mindful pedagogy, and the belief that having a baby can be awesome, we go beyond the “what to expect when you’re expecting” model. Our physiology-based, partner-centered classes help expectant parents think critically, work together, and make confident decisions that reflect their values and circumstances.

Through in-person, virtual, and on-demand education, we serve families preparing for birth and early parenthood. We bridge the gap between clinical information and the practical, personal work of becoming a parent, while building a more accessible model for this essential education. With alternative pricing and a commitment to never turning anyone away for lack of funds, we’re working to make high-quality childbirth education available to more families.

Ashley Brichter

I'm Ashley Brichter, founder and CEO of Birthsmarter, educator, entrepreneur, and Fair Play facilitator. My work is centered around giving people the knowledge, tools, and support to think critically and make confident decisions during life's biggest transitions.

When I gave birth in 2014, I was already a trained birth and postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and childbirth educator. Even with all that training, I saw how much was missing from prenatal education. Drawing on my degree in education and my belief that there's no one right way to have a baby, I set out to reimagine what childbirth education could be. I founded Birthsmarter in 2019 to build a company that takes this work seriously and better serves families and perinatal professionals.

Since then, Birthsmarter has educated more than 10,000 families and grown into a multi-market business with a national vision, all without outside investment. I'm currently building our next chapter: The Loft, our new Manhattan home for classes and community.

Beyond Birthsmarter, I'm a speaker, facilitator, and sounding board for fellow founders. I'm a mom of two and split my time between the Hudson Valley and NYC.