About Kristina

When I was pregnant with my daughter I knew I wanted a homebirth, attended by midwives. As the pregnancy was moving forward I started to feel that a doula would be a great addition to the birthing team. I wanted a woman with experience and whose sole purpose was to focus on me. My husband and I hired a doula and I immediately felt relieved — I knew I could do this. After a few meetings, discussion of my wants and fears and lots of tears, I felt ready. When I went into labour everything fell into place and I found a beautiful labour rhythm. My daughter was in my arms after six hours of labour and 40 minutes of pushing. We named her Claire Sophia.

In the days following, my doula was an amazing support during my breastfeeding challenges. We worked together and she sat with me helping with positioning and latch. She recommended books, techniques and breastfeeding clinics but most importantly she never gave up on me. After many weeks of struggles my daughter and I found a rhythm and continued to breastfeed for over two years.

The weeks following the birth, solidified my desire to work as a doula supporting women through this amazing and empowering time in their lives. Thus began my journey as a doula. I began the certification process through Doulas of North America (DONA), and I am now a DONA Certified Birth Doula.

In November 2007 I had my second daughter, Norah Marie. She was also born at home, with midwives, a doula, my husband and daughter. Norah's birth was very different from Claire's. It lasted three hours from the first twinge to the birth. It was intense and fast, but with the support I had, I managed and now feel very proud of my accomplishments with both my labours. They truly were life changing and spiritual experiences.

I share my story not to convince you to have the same birth but to share that your birth desires can be achieved. My birth preferences were actualized due to the support I put in place for myself. I do not believe women should have the same experiences as me, rather, I believe that women should give birth where they feel most comfortable, where they can let go and feel unhindered. Whether that's at home, in the hospital or in water.

I see pregnancy and birth as a natural event, not an illness or surgical procedure. I don't advocate that all women have a homebirth or go "au natural" but rather have an informed birth: to recognize the kind of birth they want, and have support in fulfilling that. To walk away from it and feel proud.

I want for all mothers to have a powerful experience surrounding childbirth, to be in touch with their wants, wishes and their bodies and know that inside of them is the power to move a baby.