Behind The Print: The Pregnant Opportunity
Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we bring you the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Brichter, founder of Birthsmarter, to discuss how innovative, evidence-based childbirth education is transforming the way parents prepare for birth. We’ll explore Ashley’s passion for reshaping traditional prenatal learning, her experience in the industry, and how print materials play a crucial role in educating expectant parents. From informative workbooks to essential resource guides, Birthsmarter is using print to create tangible, trusted tools that support parents every step of the way.
Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached below.
8-minute read
“I hate Instagram. I want to hold this magazine, this little booklet in my hands and know that these are other vetted practitioners in the community.” Ashley Brichter, Founder & CEO
Transcripts from Behind The Print with Ashley Brichter, Founder & CEO of Birthsmarter
Welcome back to Behind The Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.
Today’s episode is The Pregnant Opportunity, where we explore how reimagined childbirth education is shaping the next generation of parents and birth professionals. Our guest is a birth worker, educator, speaker, and consultant. She’s also the founder and CEO of Birthsmarter. Joining us today is Ashley Brichter.
Ashley Brichter: Hi!
Zoe Fisher: Hey, Ashley. How’s it going?
Ashley Brichter: It’s going great. Thanks so much for having me.
Zoe Fisher: I’m so glad to have you on the show.
Ashley Brichter: Yeah, it’s a pleasure to be here.
“We don’t want there to be garbage. We only work with people who we really trust to be delivering the best in class. And we don’t want anything wasteful, so print has to be intentional.” Ashley Brichter, Founder & CEO
Ashley Brichter: I don’t know if we talked about this in our exchange, but my uncle was in the printing business for years and years, and it’s actually very thrilling for me to step into the print space in addition to the totally separate work we do with childbirth education and supporting new parents. I actually really love printing as an industry.
Zoe Fisher: That’s awesome! So, you’re passing the family baton down in printing?
Ashley Brichter: Absolutely. I called my cousin right away, who inherited the business, and I was like, “The printing company wants to have me on their podcast.” And he was like, “That’s so cool!” Yeah, we’re all very giddy about it.
Zoe Fisher: That’s awesome. We’re so excited to have you here. But I just have to know—what inspired you to start Birthsmarter?
Ashley Brichter: So many things! Starting Birthsmarter really feels like a crystallization of the work I was doing in many different areas of my life. I’ve known for a very long time, since I was, like, three, four, five years old—that I was going to be a teacher in some capacity. I love the world of education. Thinking about how people learn and remember things is fascinating to me.
I have always had a way with words, and I’m dynamic in front of a room. I really thought I was going to be in an elementary school or middle school classroom. I went to school and got a degree in secondary social studies education. Then, as luck would have it, I went on this journey that so many people do in their young adulthood. I couldn’t get a job at a school I was passionate about, budget cuts, hiring freezes, and so I pivoted.
“We have really awesome workbooks that we print. And we, again, printed material, right? People get a pencil. There are colored pencils in our classes. They’re coloring in little coloring pages. And it’s like super, super tangible.” Ashley Brichter, Founder & CEO
I come from an entrepreneurial family. My uncle owned a printing business, my mom and aunt ran various businesses. So I started nannying and catering, and that turned into working as a personal assistant. Eventually, I branded my work as Managing Overwhelming Moments, helping high-impact women in New York City during major life transitions. Moving, divorce, renovations, new jobs, you name it. That role eventually brought me into homes where people were having babies.
Zoe Fisher: So you got pulled into the birth world?
Ashley Brichter: Exactly! I was around new parents and wanted to be more helpful, so I did a postpartum doula training, a three-day course, and honestly, I think everyone should take it. It’s about supporting your community and learning how to show up for new parents. I left that training realizing I knew nothing about breastfeeding, so I became a lactation counselor. Then I realized I knew nothing about birth, so I became a birth doula.
One thing led to another, and I took a continuing education class to become a better birth doula. That was when I found out people could teach childbirth education as a profession. I sat in that class and thought, Wait a minute, this is what I know how to do! Teaching groups? Breaking down complex information? That’s my thing! And from there, I dove headfirst into rethinking how birth education is taught.
Zoe Fisher: That’s an incredible journey. So who is Birthsmarter designed to serve?
Ashley Brichter: Our core audience is expectant parents, primarily in their third trimester. We mostly teach people having their first baby, but over the last few years, more parents expecting their second or third baby are coming to us, realizing they want to try again with a different approach.
We welcome all types of families from single parents to LGBTQ+ parents, surrogates, and even adoptive parents. One thing that really sets us apart is that we’re just as engaging for the birth partner as we are for the birthing parent. I’m actually best at teaching expectant dads! We also have queer educators on our team, so we’re able to create spaces that feel safe and inclusive for all types of families.
“We created the Birthsmarter resource guide. It’s all things you need to know from pregnancy to parenting. It’s essentially like a Yellow Pages for all the resources in a local community.” Ashley Brichter, Founder & CEO
Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing. And what makes Birthsmarter different from other childbirth education providers?
Ashley Brichter: We embrace the nuance of birth. A lot of childbirth education operates in black and white thinking, natural vs. medicated birth, hospital vs. home birth. It creates judgment and unrealistic expectations.
We say, Hey, birth is unpredictable. Here’s how to prepare for different scenarios while staying empowered. You can have an amazing, transformative birth experience whether it’s unmedicated, with an epidural, an induction, or a C-section. Our goal is to educate without judgment so people feel prepared no matter what unfolds.
Zoe Fisher: That’s such a refreshing approach. Can you tell me about how Birthsmarter incorporates print marketing?
Ashley Brichter: Print is huge for us. Pregnancy and parenting can be overwhelming, and we want to provide physical resources parents can reference without doom-scrolling at 2 AM.
We print:
✅ Flyers & rack cards for birth professionals to share with clients
✅ Workbooks & hospital packing lists parents can hold onto
✅ A resource guide that acts like a local “Yellow Pages” for pregnancy & parenting services
It’s intentional, we want our materials to be useful and long-lasting, not just tossed in the trash. We believe print marketing builds trust in a way digital ads simply can’t.
Zoe Fisher: That’s such a smart strategy. So what’s next for Birthsmarter?
Ashley Brichter: We have big goals! Our biggest push right now is to become the first and only childbirth education class covered by major insurance providers. Right now, childbirth education is NOT covered by insurance in the U.S., and that needs to change.
We also want to expand our in-person classes nationwide while maintaining our high-quality instruction. It’s an exciting time for us!
Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing! Where can listeners connect with Birthsmarter?
Ashley Brichter: Visit BirthSmarter.com or follow us on Instagram @BirthSmarter. We’re a small team, so if you reach out, you’ll hear from a real person!
Zoe Fisher: Perfect! Listeners, be sure to check out Birthsmarter and explore their evidence-based, judgment-free childbirth education.
That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.
Bringing Knowledge to Life!
From evidence-based education to innovative support, Ashley Brichter from Birthsmarter is revolutionizing childbirth preparation with inclusive, judgment-free resources for growing families. Her approach blends science, real-world experience, and compassionate teaching to help expectant parents feel confident and informed. For Ashley, we have been a trusted partner in crafting high-quality printed materials that support her mission. Whether it’s educational guides, resource booklets, or custom marketing materials, you can elevate your brand with professional printing. Order today!
