Kristina Kruzan Doula Profile

Let me start off by saying that I believe Kristina was born to help bring children into this world! I was impressed from the moment I met Kristina for so many reasons. Her vast knowledge about pregnancy and birth was just astounding and incredibly helpful in making me feel prepared and calm as a first time mother. I went through a very unusual and difficult labor comfortably all due to her mentally preparing me for the glorious event. Her loving demeanor and genuine joy for bringing a child into the world took away any fears I originally had in the beginning. In the hospital, she knew all of the right questions to ask the nurses and doctors and would relay the messages to me in a way where my husband and I could understand and not feel pressured to make any hasty decisions uneducated. I knew how blessed I was so have Kristina as my doula when multiple nurses commented on how grateful they were to have a doula present who actually knew what she was doing, was respectful to hospital staff and who took their job seriously and from the heart. From my husband’s perspective, after our first meeting with Kristina he said that all of his fears and worries were gone and he felt 100% confident that we had all of the support and care we needed from her and he was right! Kristina will always have a very special place in our heart and we know that the next time we get pregnant, we will have her there with us again!

I was privileged to know Kristina as a friend first before hiring her as my doula and I could not imagine anyone else I wanted other than her and my husband to be there with me during my daughter's birth.

My fluid was low and my father unexpectedly passed away as I was leaving for the hospital to be induced to give birth. Kristina showed up and was a calm in the middle of an unsure storm. She was a breath of fresh air and stayed up for hours all night letting me talk about my Dad and my memories of him before my birth the next morning.  I was afraid that being induced was going to lead to a similar experience with my other induced births and she had the right words that helped me make a decision that I was comfortable with and felt good about. I was not pressured into anything I didn't want and I know that Kristina's presence made all the difference. I felt safe with her and trusted her.

Kristina has doula'd me through other births, though long distance, and also through a recent surrogacy experience. I would not THINK of having any other doula but her at my birth. Ever.

She has words that give comfort and wisdom and I know that I can turn to her for the support I need. She serves women in every way that she truly can, meeting each woman where she is at regardless of where that place is. She rises to the occassion each time and goes above and beyond what you expect for a doula.  As a doula and a friend, she is priceless.

Love,
Stephanie Coleman

Kristina is a one of a kind woman! She has been there for my family since the birth of our 2nd child, through the birth of our 3rd child, and soon to be 4th child in May. Kristina offers much more than support to the "Mother", she works at supporting the "whole family" per their unique needs. She is prompt and attentive- professional yet warm and caring. Kristina has a way of bringing out the best in me and helping me see the strength I didnt know was there. We have laughed together, cried together and there isnt another person who my husband and I would rather have cheering us on. Kristina has been with us through a medical geared medicated birth, as well as our natural more hands off birth! That is what sets Kristina apart in my opinion- her diversity! She will go the extra mile to provide families the resources they need/desire- she has for us time and time again. I simply adore Kristina Kruzan and will not birth without her by my side and husband on the other- she is more than our doula, she is a part of my family!

I absolutely recommend Kristina Kruzan as a birth doula. After a difficult birth with my first son, I knew I wanted the support of a doula for my second birth. This desire was amplified by my husband's deployment overseas at the end of my pregnancy. When searching for a doula, I wanted someone who would support my desire for a natural birth and not cast judgment if I decided to use pain relief medications. I also wanted to find someone who I could trust and with whom I felt entirely comfortable, especially because I would be going through the process alone. Kristina fit the bill exactly.

From the start, I was impressed with Kristina's even-handed and realistic approach to the birthing process. Kristina explained that she was to be my guide through the birthing process, to present me with options and suggestions, and to support me in my decision making, but that I was always to be the ultimate decision maker. She was also non-judgmental about my birth plan. 

When I went into labor, Kristina supported me by phone and came to my house immediately upon request. Upon arriving, she provided mental and physical support that helped me through my contractions. She transported me to the hospital, providing support and advice from the driver's seat the whole way. My labor was fast and intense, but Kristina's demeanor was calm. At the hospital, she helped me to navigate the choices available to me (pushing position etc.) while I was in pain. By luck, my husband was available by phone during the birth, and Kristina acted as his guide as well. After the birth, Kristina stayed with me until I was ready for her to leave, she returned the next day to address any concerns I might have, and she visited our home a few weeks later to check in. I could not have had a better experience with a doula than I did with Kristina.  I only wish I had had her support, knowledge and experience on my side during my first son's birth.

Kristina Kruzan was an excellent doula.  She came at a moments notice and was available every step of the way.  She improved the entire birthing experience.  Making suggestions, giving tips, words of comfort, massages... I would have been absolutely lost without her and I am grateful that she was their to share in the birth of our son.

Kristina was amazingly supportive and stayed with me throughout my entire labor and delivery, which became complicated and required transfer.  She effectively communicated my wishes and needs with hospital staff and was wonderfully supportive and caring.

Kristina was simply amazing. She helped us have an amazing birth experience. I was to be induced but my water broke the morning before the scheduled induction. This presented a complicated scenario involving the convincing of the doctor to try to let things proceed naturally first. A number of monitoring tests were conducted the first day - the results of which could have resulted in unnecessary medical intervention. Kristina was the voice of reason with an over-reactive doctor and saved me from the use of an uncomfortable drug - magnesium sulfate. The next morning when labor still didn't happen on its own I was ready to go with the pitocin. I was in the right place mentally and physically and the hospital melted away. I felt empowered like a warrior, ready to bring the pain! With Kristina's coaching I stayed focused and worked through each contraction perfectly - making them productive. I hadn't taken any classes before the birth but never did I feel the need for any kind of pain killer. Sure I was all over the room and in funky positions that freaked out some of the nurses and doctors but I didn't care. We all made it work OUR way. Kristina also did a great job of bringing my husband into the team effort, making his experience just as fulfilling as mine. I cannot even imagine how different our birth would have looked if Kristina hadn't been a part of it. 

Kristina was everything I wanted and needed in a doula.  She is a professional and dedicated doula, a wonderful communicator and incredibly passionate about what she does.  Kristina is one of those rare, truly genuine people that are able to touch your life deeply and immediately.  Her ability to be in the present moment is contagious (a good tool for pregnancy and childbirth!).  I wanted a doula because I wanted to feel supported.  I wanted someone with me who wouldn't be afraid, who could encourage me and "bring me back" if I became overwhelmed.  I most certainly received all that from Kristina, and so much more.  My planned homebirth took an interesting turn when labor began suddenly and progressed quickly and my midwife was unable to reach us in time.  Kristina arrived at a moments notice, she was able to assess my situation, communicate with my midwife, paramedics and hospital personnel, and all the while stayed connected with me.  I was able to trust Kristina so much that all of the crazy things that happened so quickly and unexpectedly didn't matter at all -- I got to focus completely on staying present in my experience, breathing, just doing the work of having a baby.  I felt so taken care of.  I had the best birthing experience.  I will treasure it always, and a HUGE part of what allowed me to have this great experience was Kristina. 

Comfortable. She helped birth my first baby.  While I didn't really know what was going on, she was extremely calming, and at the same time exceptionally alert to every step of the process.  She made me feel like I was the most important person in the entire hospital, and kept me aware of everything that was going on.

If I have any other children, there's no question I will use her again.

 I highly recommend Kristina.  She is personable, caring, attentive and whole-hearted in her work.  She coached me through our first birth and my husband and I both agree that we would not have known what to do without her.  Her commitment to us throughout the pregnancy, birth and then post-delivery was amazing.  She never sugar-coated the process of natural childbirth and she normalized many of the challenging and unexpected moments and emotions that can accompany pregnancy and birth.  She is an incredible birth coach and she is amazing a helping with pain-management.  She turned a hospital room into a very nurturing environment for me as a new mother giving birth.  Thank you, Kristina!      

I moved to Bremerton already six months pregnant with my daughter (four now!!). We had a hard time finding a doctor on the same page as us. Because I had two hernias and varicose veins, one gynecologist actually recommended a scheduled cesarean. I found Kristina and cannot begin to tell the comfort and relief she was for us. She was an amazing resource fully on the same page as us. She encouraged us to write out a birthing plan for any situation that may occur. She was not put off by the hernias. Kristina was totally supportive and informative not to mention genuine and empowering. She met us at a birthing center in Tacoma and assisted in making our every wish a reality. When in pain, I like to be alone as in not touched but not left alone. She completely read me and gently supported me through an amazing, painful and beautiful labor. My husband felt not so alone and supported as well as me. Kristina was amazing and I would highly recommend her for anyone looking for someone to support them along their birthing journey. And the pictures were amazing! ?

Kristina was my pre-natal support and main cheerleader on my journey toward VBAC.  She worked hard to help me navigate my personal labyrinth, which included overcoming my fear of being abandoned in labor, as I was by the last Doula I worked with.  She was there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on, a question that I needed to work out, when we found out VBAC wasn't an option at 39 weeks, and most importantly, she was there when I had my cesarean, even though it was her wedding aniversary.  She stayed with my family, supporting my husband after he left my side to go with the baby to the NICU for observation.

She made a difference.

Kristina Kruzan was my doula at the birth of my 5th child, Scarlett. I have had all 5 of my children at home, with my beloved midwife, Peggy Thurston. It was wonderful and very helpful to have Kristina there. She came as soon as I called her and told her that I was in labor. We spent awhile walking around my neighborhood, to get my contractions going, during my early labor, she gave me the support I needed while my partner was taking care of our other kids. When I decided that I wanted to spend time with my partner, she was more than willing and ready to step in and help care for my children. It was nice to have someone there to assure that everything was taken care of, to aid my partner in comforting me, and to assure that I wasn't bothered or stressed out while I was in "labor land"! Kristina always showed complete awareness and respect for the sanctity of the labor and birth, and played a big part in facilitating an incredibly beautiful, and 100% positive birth experience for me, my baby, my partner, and the whole rest of our family!

Before becoming pregnant I could never imagine needing or wanting a doula, but after getting to know Kristina through her childbirth classes both my husband and I couldn’t imagine Evan’s birth without her there. Kristina’s support, encouragement, and teachings were of incredible value during our pregnancy and the birth of our son. She was flexible, patient, understanding, and so genuinely kind. Any worries, concerns and questions we had were addressed passionately and with great enthusiasm. For the duration of our classes, we formed a relationship with Kristina that carried over into the birth and recovery, and she will hold a special place in our hearts for it and for so many other reasons. Her compassion and whole-hearted eagerness to help us with whatever we needed, whenever we needed it, was so greatly appreciated during the pregnancy and especially postpardum. She addressed our struggles with confidence and wisdom, introducing us to even more invaluable resources along the way. We are forever grateful for what Kristina has given us and feel incredibly blessed that she is part of our life, and of our son’s.
Christina, Aaron, & Evan Kallio