Guides
My name is Kristen Gaither and I'm a certified birth doula. I trained in 2021 with Jamaa Birth Village in Ferguson and again in 2024 with Childbirth International. My passion for supporting birth came after the birth of my second daughter, when I experienced an overwhelmingly peaceful and powerful birth. Though my own experience led me to this work, my goal isn't to recreate an experience, but to help you discover the information and desires that bring you empowerment and peace throughout the process. Outside of doula work, my background is in social work, college ministry, and non-profit work. When I'm not supporting families, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three kids, seeing live music, and deep conversations over good coffee.
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This includes all the above services: prenatal care, labor & birth attendance, and postpartum. If you decide to hire us, you'll pay $300 of the fee as a deposit at the time of signing our contract and the remainder by 37 weeks gestation.
This includes an orientation and two prenatal care sessions to prepare your birth & postpartum plans, receive birth education resources, and practice with your team. If you decide to hire us, you'll pay $100 of the fee as a deposit at the time of signing our contract and the remainder by your second prenatal appointment.
Prenatal Care: Three prenatal visits to discover preferences, build trust, and prepare for birth. We cover emotional/physical/spiritual check-ins, create your birth and postpartum plans, provide evidence-based information on childbirth and interventions, prepare your birth team, and offer ongoing phone/text support throughout pregnancy. Labor & Birth Support: On call from 37 weeks, providing continuous support during labor with comfort measures, advocacy, prayer, and partnering with your birth team. We help keep your environment calm and aligned with your preferences, stay 1-2 hours postpartum, then check in a few days later to process the birth and provide postpartum resources.
The Nesting Collective set me up for success my entire pregnancy. Kristen worked closely with both my husband and me to prepare us for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Her knowledge, experience, and passion for this work was inspiring and made us feel confident in becoming parents. She got us through the toughest parts of labor and lended support when we needed it. We are so grateful for her services and recommend her for all your doula and birthing needs!
— Elyse Webb
Kristen was everything I could have asked for in a doula plus more. It can be scary walking into birth for the first time, but both my husband and I felt so educated and empowered because of Kristen’s services leading up to and during my birth. She was always available to answer any questions with evidence-based answers, as well as helping me process some of my fears and anxieties prior. Her services felt both extremely professional as well as personal. She was such a calming and encouraging presence during my entire labor, I don’t know that I could have gotten through it without her. We couldn’t recommend her enough.
— Natalie McGee
I gave birth in a hospital setting back in November & had a midwife + nurse deliver my first baby. They were wonderful, but I honestly don't know where both my husband and I would be without Kristen!!!! If you're considering a doula, HIRE KRISTEN IMMEDIATELY. She cares so genuinely about your overall health and wellbeing. She sees to it that you are as prepared for birth and postpartum as possible, meeting with you throughout your pregnancy and attending the birth. Even without the prenatal meetings and booklet of thorough & helpful information... She is more than worth her fee in just the birth attendance. I was induced, so the contractions were horrible... Kristen was so intuitive about giving my husband and I space, all the while being there for me with heating pads during the worst contractions. She helped me relax and refocus/ground myself by massaging my frown lines during contractions. This was so memorable. She genuinely made my birth experience the best is possibly could have been, and my husband said he would be LOST without her guidance and reassurance. 1000/10. Perfect in every way. Lol.
— Kristin Campbell
Kristen was exactly the labor support that I needed for my home birth. She was my third doula (3rd baby), so I had learned what I was looking for in a doula. Kristen was exactly the doula that I needed! She was so kind, thoughtful, and respectful in her approach. The prep she included before birth was more thorough than I had experienced, and it really prepared her for how to best support me before and during labor. At the end of my pregnancy, Kristen shared a birth prayer guide that she created, which helped me work through anxiety and prepare spiritually for birth. Kristen was the strong, calming support that I needed during labor. While it wasn't my easiest labor, she helped it be my favorite birth experience of the three. I would absolutely hire Kristien again and have already recommended her to friends.
— Jenna Bautista
Kristen was our doula for the birth of our second child, and it was such a game changer having her there! The birth of our first son was pretty traumatic, and we knew we wanted a doula for extra support with our second. We were so glad we chose Kristen. She is very resourceful, assuring, has a calm demeanor, and helps to create a peaceful atmosphere With her input and support, I felt confident and empowered in decision-making. Kristen helped my husband know how to best support me and be included in the birth. I had to be induced 5 days early. Kristen helped put my mind at ease about that, and with her help, I was able to give birth without pain medication of any kind. We especially liked that she shares our Christian faith and that, when we asked, she included prayer into the process when difficult or concerning situations came about.
— Annie Riegel
Working with Kristen as a doula was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Throughout the entire process Kristen was available to answer any questions that my husband and I had. She made sure to explain things in a way that we both understood, and made sure we actually understood them before moving on to something else. Throughout my entire pregnancy I felt that I had much less anxiety than I would have otherwise if I hadn't been working with and relying on Kristen. Scott and I can't recommend Kristen and her doula services enough for expectant mothers.
— Sadie Bone
I had an amazing experience with Kristen as my doula, both in prenatal care and during labor, delivery, and postpartum. During my pregnancy, Kristen provided helpful resources for my husband and me, and helped educate us about our options in preparing for birth. She went above and beyond providing support and materials with some small complications that I had, and was frequently checking in to address questions or provide research on situations as they arose. During my labor, she was a crucial asset to help me achieve goals that I had set, providing amazing physical and emotional support to help me cope with pain. She is incredibly attentive, but knows how to read the room and give space when needed. We loved our experience with Kristen, and would be happy to use her again for any future pregnancies in a heartbeat!
— Justine Carlson
I would 110% recommend Kristen as a birth doula for any expecting momma! What was most important to me was she sees pregnancy and birth through the lense of Scripture and God's perfect design. During our prenatal visits, she was very professional, thorough, and knowledgeable about all things birth related: pregnancy exercises, birthing/laboring positions, natural pain management techniques, evidence-based care, etc. She was available via email and phone to answer any questions or concerns I had, often sending me relevant research articles and materials to guide me in decision-making. During labor, she was very calm and encouraging, reminding me of my birth goals, providing needed hydration/support/comfort/reminders during each contraction. Thanks to her skillful and compassionate coaching, and God's provision, I was able to complete a natural labor and delivery in 6-7 hours, delivering a 9lb baby with no tears!! I am forever grateful for her guidance through this pregnancy and birth.
— Hannah Fullerton
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Kristen is based in Alton, Illinois.
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