Kjersten Gurda, DONA-Trained Birth Doula
Birth Journey Doula Services

I have had a deep reverence for and fascination with pregnancy and birth for as long as I can remember. I fell in love with birth work while doing an academic project on doulas, and felt called to join the countless numbers of women who support, educate, and encourage women and their partners through pregnancy and birth. I attended my first births in '03 while studying in western Africa.

I took a DONA doula training in '05 and became a member of the doula community in Minnesota's Twin Cities by participating in weekly childbirth education meetings. I was able to very work part time as a doula from '05-7. I have also had the great opportunity to participate in a seminar on herbs for the childbearing year, and to attend a few conferences with well-known leaders in the birth world. Recently, I attended another DONA doula training in order to complete my doula certification in the coming months. This means that I will be offering my services for free or reduced price in January, February, and March. Each birth I have been to has been a privilege and a great learning opportunity. It is a blessing to watch the strength and power of a woman and a family unfold through this transformative event! After traveling abroad for much of the last year with my husband, we have settled in Milwaukee and I am eager to begin assisting laboring women and their partners here!

As a birth doula, I offer: 

~1 hour long free interview 
~Two or three prenatal visits, to get to know one another, talk through questions, preferences, and your birth plan, and to practice relaxation, positions, and comfort measures.
~Possible attendance as requested with you at childbirth education class or a doctor's visit
~On-call availability starting two weeks before the due date
~Meet you at home when you want more support, and travel with you to the hospital
~Continuous labor support through your labor and delivery and for a few hours after the baby is born 
~Two postpartum visits to check in, field questions, and re-tell and/or process the birth story.   
~Written up birth notes or story for you at a postpartum visit   

I am happy to serve laboring women both at homebirths and hospital births.  In addition, I would be happy to assist in facilitating a blessingway or bellycasting before the birth.   

If you'd like to meet or talk with me, please contact me at the following:

414-305-9745
kjaerra@yahoo.com