I’m Kalina, Owner & Certified Doula — and I’m so glad you’re here!

Becoming a doula stemmed from a deeply personal journey for me. As a mother of five, I’ve walked through the joys of birth, the heartbreak of miscarriages, and pregnancy complications that left me feeling vulnerable and alone.

Those experiences lit a calling in me to stand beside other mothers in their most transformative moments. I saw the need for compassionate advocates who could offer guidance, emotional support, and a steady presence when women need it most. That calling became my purpose: to serve mothers with empathy, grace, and unwavering support.

My work is supported by comprehensive training through Childbirth International as a Certified Birth Doula, with a strong focus on physiological birth, trauma-informed care, emotional support, and client-centered communication. I have also completed advanced training as a Certified High-Risk Doula through Megi Health, including high-risk pregnancy, VBAC, and trauma-informed support in complex birth situations.

My additional certifications include Certified Placenta Specialist through Woman’s Choice Perinatal Services and Medicaid competency verification through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Together, these experiences allow me to support families through a wide variety of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys while keeping care accessible and evidence-based.

As my work grew, so did my vision. I realized that no single doula could meet the vast and diverse needs of every family. That’s why I created Graceful Mama Doula Network, a growing community of doulas and birth professionals who share the same heart:

✨ Mothers are our mission. Doulas are our method. Grace is our foundation. ✨

Our mission goes beyond serving families. We also strive to bridge the gap between doulas and medical professionals. I believe the best outcomes happen when trust, respect, and collaboration exist between everyone on the birth team. Through this network, I hope to cultivate strong relationships with providers so that together we can create safer, more empowering birth experiences.

Just as importantly, I am committed to building a network of birthworkers who are truly in this for the right reasons, those called to serve mothers with compassion, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

My dream is to make support accessible to all mothers, regardless of their background or circumstances, and to bring together like-minded doulas who embody these values. Together, we are building a network rooted in compassion, collaboration, and faith so that no mother has to walk this journey alone.

I’d love to connect with you and share how our team can walk beside you in your birth story. 🩷

Meet LaCrisha, Certified Lead Birth Doula!

LaCrisha — lovingly known as Mama Crisha — brings a steady, nurturing presence to every mother she supports. Her heart for women and her lived experience make her an invaluable part of our team and a comfort to the families she serves.

Her passion for labor support began long before she ever became a certified doula. People often encouraged her to pursue nursing, but her calling was always more personal. She wanted to walk with one mother at a time, through her entire journey, offering the kind of support that makes a woman feel seen, heard, and never alone.

Becoming a mother at 15 shaped her deeply. Today, she is a proud mom of four, a grandmother, and a caregiver to many children who still call her Mama Crisha. Nurturing is simply part of who she is — it’s the way she shows up in every space.

Before she ever held a certification, she was already attending births, holding hands, breathing with mothers, and offering grounded, compassionate support. She has witnessed firsthand how empowering it is when a woman feels supported and informed.

Now, as a certified doula, she brings that same heart, wisdom, and steadiness into her work. Her approach aligns beautifully with our values: she doesn’t give medical advice or tell mothers what to do — that’s for their provider. She is there to mother them. To help them understand their options. To walk with them. To breathe with them. To comfort them. To ensure they feel safe, supported, and confident throughout pregnancy and birth.

Her presence is warm, dependable, and deeply caring — the kind of support every mother deserves.

We are honored to have Mama Crisha on our team, serving families with such devotion and love.

Meet Irina- Postpartum Care Coordinator! 

Irina is a certified postpartum doula, placenta specialist, and the driving force behind our Nest & Nurture postpartum program. As our Postpartum Care Coordinator, she oversees all postpartum services, leads and supports our postpartum doulas, and ensures families receive compassionate, high-quality care during the transition into parenthood.

Her passion lies in helping families feel supported, rested, and confident throughout the postpartum journey. From postpartum doula support and placenta services to feeding guidance, newborn care, and family adjustment, Irina is dedicated to creating a nurturing experience that allows parents to heal, bond, and thrive.

In addition to serving families, Irina plays a vital role in developing and growing our postpartum programs, helping expand access to the support families deserve after birth. She is also currently pursuing her nursing degree with the goal of becoming a postpartum nurse, furthering her ability to serve mothers and babies with both compassion and expertise.

We are incredibly grateful for Irina's leadership, dedication, and heart for postpartum care. Through Nest & Nurture, she is helping ensure that no family has to navigate the postpartum season alone. 

Meet Briana - Certified Full Spectrum Doula 

Briana is such a gift to the families she serves and to our birth community. As a wife, mama to two beautiful kiddos, and a devoted follower of Jesus, she brings a depth of compassion and steadiness that is felt the moment you meet her. She is the heart behind Anchored Birth LLC, and her love for this work shines through everything she does.

She is a certified full‑spectrum doula through DONA International, along with specialized certification in trauma‑informed care and VBAC support. Her passion for supporting families runs deep—Briana truly believes that every mother deserves to feel encouraged, uplifted, and cared for throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum season. Whether someone is welcoming their first baby or their fifth, she offers faith‑filled, Christ‑centered support that honors each family’s unique journey.

When she’s not walking alongside families, you’ll likely find her outside soaking up the sunshine with her husband and children, serving joyfully in her church’s kids ministry, or cheering on other moms as they navigate the beautiful, stretching path of motherhood.

For Briana, this work is far more than a profession—it’s a calling. 

We are beyond thrilled for her to join us as a certified network doula and cannot wait to start supporting families alongside her!  

Meet Ashton - Certified Doula and Licensed Practical Nurse

Ashton is a trained doula, Licensed Practical Nurse, and mother who is passionate about supporting women and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She believes birth is one of the most powerful and transformative experiences a person can have, and that every family deserves to feel supported, respected, and genuinely cared for throughout their journey.

Her approach is rooted in connection, advocacy, and creating a safe space where families feel comfortable asking questions, exploring their options, and making informed decisions that align with their values. Whether supporting a first-time parent or a growing family, Ashton strives to provide steady, compassionate, and nonjudgmental support every step of the way.

Ashton is especially passionate about supporting families in the homebirth setting and values the intimacy, autonomy, and personalized care that homebirth can provide. While she supports families across a variety of birth settings, her goal is always to help parents create a birth experience that feels safe, informed, and uniquely their own.

Her support extends beyond birth and into the postpartum period, where she helps families navigate the transition into life with a newborn. From emotional encouragement and practical support to newborn care education and confidence-building, Ashton is dedicated to helping families feel nurtured and supported during those early weeks.

Ashton's background as a Licensed Practical Nurse has further strengthened her passion for compassionate, evidence-based care. While she values her nursing experience, her heart is in walking alongside families as a doula—offering education, encouragement, emotional support, and a reassuring presence throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.

When she's not supporting families, Ashton enjoys spending time with her toddler, being outdoors, and learning something new. She considers it a privilege to be invited into such a meaningful season of life and is honored to support families as they welcome their babies and navigate the early days of parenthood.

Meet Amanda - Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor  

Amanda is the heart behind Mothering the Mother, and it is such a gift to have her as part of our team. She brings a depth of wisdom, compassion, and lived experience that beautifully complements the care we offer to every family we serve.

As a mom of four and a proud grandma, Amanda carries a nurturing presence that instantly puts people at ease. She loves Jesus, oat milk lattes, and empowering women to trust their bodies, their instincts, and their stories.

Her journey into birth work began long before her certifications. As a teen mom, Amanda experienced firsthand how deeply birth shapes motherhood — and how painful it can be to feel dismissed or unsupported. That season planted a calling in her: to ensure no woman walks through pregnancy, birth, or postpartum feeling alone. Her heart for advocacy and compassionate care is woven into everything she does.

Amanda holds a Master’s degree in mental health counseling, which enriches her trauma‑informed, emotionally attuned approach to doula work. As a certified birth and postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor, she offers families a blend of physical support, emotional steadiness, evidence‑based education, and unwavering respect. She meets each mother exactly where she is, honoring her needs, her voice, and her unique journey. She is also working on her IBCLC! 

Whether someone is preparing for their first baby or growing their family, Amanda’s goal is simple: to help them feel informed, supported, and confident in their decisions. She believes deeply that this is their birth and their story — and she is honored to walk beside them every step of the way.

When she’s not supporting families, you’ll likely find Amanda hiking with her husband, traveling the world, or searching for the best gluten‑free treats around the St. Louis area.

We are so grateful to have Amanda on our team, serving families with such heart, humility, and devotion.

Meet Haley, Apprentice Doula! 

Haley is a young mom of three who knows firsthand the joys and challenges of parenting. Excited to begin her certification with Childbirth International, she brings a relatable, supportive presence for other young moms. Haley is passionate about walking alongside families, offering guidance, encouragement, and understanding as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life. 

We are so excited that Haley is joining us, and can't wait to support and witness her growth! 

Meet Deja, Apprentice Postpartum Doula! 

Deja is a compassionate apprentice postpartum doula dedicated to supporting families as they transition into parenthood. As a mother herself, she understands the unique joys and challenges that come with welcoming a new baby and is passionate about helping families feel confident, supported, and cared for during the postpartum period.

Her approach is rooted in empathy, encouragement, and meeting families where they are. Deja provides personalized, nonjudgmental support while helping parents navigate the early days of postpartum life with greater confidence and peace of mind.

In addition to her work as a postpartum doula, Deja is a Certified Medical Assistant with experience caring for high-risk pregnancies. She is also pursuing a degree in Behavioral Health to further expand her ability to support and advocate for mothers experiencing mental health challenges during the postpartum period. Her commitment to continued education reflects her passion for caring for the whole family, both physically and emotionally.

As she continues to grow in her role as a postpartum doula, Deja remains committed to expanding her knowledge and serving families with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based support. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside parents as they recover, bond, and find their footing in the postpartum season. We are honored to have Deja as part of the Graceful Mama Doula Network team and look forward to the care, encouragement, and support she will bring to the families we serve. 

Meet Hanna, Apprentice Doula!

Hi! I am Hanna - doula in training through Bebomia and the face behind Ground & Gather Birth Work! 

I believe that each and every birth experience is deeply personal, and every birthing person deserves to feel grounded, safe, and genuinely cared for through the entire process. My work is about providing evidence-based education and support to each family, and gathering my past and present clients into a community of support for one another long after your baby is born.

I try to bring a gentle and encouraging presence to each birth I attend. My job is to hold space for the birthing person and family and remind you that you have everything you need within you to make the right decision for yourself and your baby. I am also a massage therapy student with future plans to offer prenatal and postnatal massage to elevate my client experience and provide more ease and comfort on your journey!

When I am not attending births or studying massage therapy, you can find me tending to my houseplants, reading the newest thriller book, or soaking in little moments with my family and pets.

We are so happy to have Hanna join our team, and cannot wait to see where this journey takes her! 

Meet Annalise - Postpartum Doula & Newborn Care Specialist

Annalise is a postpartum doula and newborn care specialist who brings a gentle sense of peace into every home she enters. Her calm, steady presence helps both babies and parents feel supported during those tender first days and sleepless nights.

She provides both daytime and overnight care and loves building long-term relationships with the families she serves. Annalise has experience with single babies, multiples, travel care, and NICU graduates who need extra attention. She also offers guidance with sleep training and breastfeeding, helping parents find confidence and rest during the newborn stage.

What truly sets Annalise apart is the care she brings to every family. She doesn’t just show up to help; she shows up to love and support deeply, often building bonds that last well beyond the newborn phase.

As the eldest of five children and with years of nannying experience, nurturing little ones has always been part of her life. When she’s not caring for families, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, spending time with her dog, and serving at church. Her faith and heart for service shine through in everything she does.

For the families she serves, Annalise is more than a caregiver. She’s a calming, reassuring presence during one of life’s most meaningful transitions. 

We are so excited to have her on our team!