Marina Sebright

9/26/2024

We worked with Kristina Nielsen as our birth doula and it was the very best investment in my mental and physical health leading up to and through the delivery of our son.

Kristina has my highest recommendation - what an all-around quality person. She deeply listens to understand and I never felt any sense of agenda, bias, or judgment on her part. From the very first meet and greet, she was invested in my input, preferences, and well-being. She is knowledgeable and practical - which has her always organized, professional, and reliable.

During our check-ins leading up to the birth, she provided wonderful resources, exercises, recommendations, and information that were responsive to my questions and requests. I can speak to Kristina's strengths in active listening, empathy, and problem solving skill across a broad spectrum of peri and post natal topics and concepts. 

These competencies combined with an approachable, humorous, and authentic personality made even the tougher moments of childbirth more manageable. Kristina expertly assisted me in navigating hospital staff and decision points, and helped me advocate for myself throughout the birth process. Her presence in the hospital room walked the perfect line of respecting the staff and processes while providing assistance, encouragement, and looking out for my comfort and needs. I have no doubt she is an invaluable presence regardless of where you choose to give birth. She was a wonderful support to my more reserved partner and looked out for his needs as well.

It was a joy to work with Kristina; I am grateful she was a part of our child's birth. 

Paul Kohan

9/26/2024

My wife and I had Kristina help us with our firstborn son, Isaac. Overall we had such a positive experience with her: she was very attentive to both of our needs, coached us through the birth, made sure we came prepared, and overall brought a calming energy throughout the entire process. We're so happy we worked with her and would highly recommend her to anyone who is a bit nervous about giving birth!

As the non-birthing parent, I appreciated how Kristina gave me lots of tips on how I could be helpful to my wife as the birthing parent: she gave me tips not only during the birth itself, but also before and after the birth. During the birth, she was very knowledgeable about the questions we should ask the nurses and doctors, and gave us confidence in asserting our needs. She also helped my wife with various activities to help move along through labor: exercises, positions, activities, etc. All of this helped us have an excellent birthing experience.

Alex

8/15/2024

I can’t imagine having gone through the childbirth experience without a doula, and I am so glad ours was Kristina! She stuck by our side for over 24 hours in a physically/emotionally taxing and complicated labor/delivery. Whenever my brain was stuck in “what I’m doing isn’t working” and couldn’t move into troubleshooting and solutioning, Kristina was especially helpful with 1) recognizing this and 2) prompting a plethora of things to do. We did a bath, TENS, rebozo, massage, countless position changes with various equipment (pre- and in bed with an epidural), and more! We wouldn’t have done a fraction of these things without Kristina (and my partner realistically wouldn’t have had the stamina to massage and use a massage gun on me for as long as Kristina did!). I’m confident that some of my experiences could have easily been traumatic, and I thank Kristina for helping to prevent that and actually allow me to walk away with a positive outlook on my labor and delivery. That in itself is worth everything when looking back at my childbirth experience… Along with the photos I never knew I wanted but will now cherish forever!! I am beyond grateful for Kristina’s compassion, knowledge, and physical/emotional strength.

Cathy

7/5/2024

Kristina is awesome!!! If we have a second kid we're absolutely working with her again! I had a long labor and it was so incredible to have her be a constant support for my husband and me as the hospital staff swapped shifts multiple times. She knew how to count me in for pushing, how to collaborate with the hospital staff, and how to be a calming presence in the room. It really stood out to me that she adjusted to my needs throughout the day. She massaged my neck when it hurt from pushing, she figured out the optimal angle for me to push from, and kept me hydrated and cool. She is such a fun and easy person to be around that made her such a welcomed and supportive person during such a chaotic and tender time. I felt totally comfortable with her each time we chatted and have already sent other expecting parents her way! Thank you Kristina!

Kendra Unger

5/28/2024

Kristina was absolutely wonderful! We were initially on the fence about hiring a doula and are so very glad not only that we did, but that we happened across Kristina. Her support made the end of my pregnancy, birth experience, and post-partum time much smoother. She brought a calm, experienced, caring presence to the room every time and we looked forward to having her there. My partner and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula. Thanks so much, Kristina! 

Jess S.

5/25/2024

Kristina is one of the best people you will ever meet and an absolute gem of a doula! Her calming presence, expert advice, and genuine care made all the difference during my pregnancy journey. She provided me and my husband with unwavering support and guidance, ensuring a positive birth experience despite many challenges. She is also an amazing photographer and we will cherish the photos she captured during labor and delivery forever. We can't thank Kristina enough and highly recommend her to any expecting parent seeking an exceptional birth doula!

Monica ODell

4/3/2024

Kristina was such a wonderful addition and asset to our birth team. We engaged with Kristina fairly late in our pregnancy journey when things really seemed to get overwhelming quickly. Kristina served as the best sounding board, listening to our concerns, helping us understand and organize our choices and questions and providing guidance and support as we put together our birth plan. My birth did not go as planned and took many twists and turns unexpectedly. Kristina was our calm in the storm--making sure we were informed and listened to every step of the way. We are so grateful to have had her support through our journey and cannot recommend her more highly! 

Crystal Wade

12/14/2023

I cannot say enough good things about Kristina! This was my first experience with a birth doula and she surpassed all my expectations. She was fantastic with communication (very important to me) and preparing us for our daughter's birth. She was incredible during my induction at the hospital not only setting the right atmosphere but also coaching me, my family and even some of the nurses as we were in labor. She is a wonderful combination of the technical but also the personal skills--that was such a gift to me and my family during birth. I could tell even the hospital staff liked having her there. She also has given me so many valuable referrals and resources. She is a wonderful person you'd want as your friend, I highly recommend her! 

Tara Ellis

4/11/2023

There are some things that cannot be taught regardless of the amount of experience you have. Your presence and grace -- the healing energy you share, are gifts that come naturally.

From the moment Kristina arrived, where I was doing my best to stay calm while my daughter endured illness on top of labor, the atmosphere changed. Kristina exudes a confidence and gentleness that was obvious not only to me and my daughter, but also the nurses. They immediately stepped aside and agreed with all of her wonderful suggestions and the way in which she executed them.

From the candles for the bath to the fan, music, and other things I wouldn't have thought of, it all transformed the fear and sterility into something more akin to a peaceful, natural experience. 

Kristina's practical techniques to aid in the labor not only helped relieve the pain, but also sped up the labor, making my daughter's preference for a drug-free and nautrual delivery possible.

I can't express my gratitude enough for what Kristina did. I would absolutely recommend her as a doula and her approach has changed my whole perspective on labor and delivery after birthing two of my own children. 

Thank you, Kristina!!!

Megan pless

2/7/2023

Kristina was truly a blessing to have during my birthing experience. This was my second pregnancy and I knew more of what I wanted going into the delivery room. I wanted to try a natural birth with as little intervention as possible. I also remembered how hard it can be to advocate for yourself when you are experiencing such intense pain. Kristina helped make my ideal birth possible by advocating for me to use things like the birthing tub, using a fan, trying out different positions and having an overall supportive environment. This was a beautiful experience that I will never forget and it wouldn't have been possible without her by my side.