Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Cronister.
Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to doula work really began back when I was a little girl. Since the time I can remember, I’ve been fascinated and drawn to pregnancy, birth and babies. When I was newly married and in nursing school to become, what I hoped, a labor and delivery nurse, we sadly lost our first baby shortly after he was born. That rocked our world and changed the course of my career. At that time I was too raw from my own recent loss to care for moms and babies in the hospital and long story short, I ended up working as an ER nurse and loving it. I worked in the ER for almost 15 years and learned so much but always remained drawn to care for pregnant moms and babies. Over that time I gave birth to three healthy babies of my own and had two other early miscarriages. The care I received, both positive and negative, impacted me greatly and shaped the care I knew I still wanted to give moms as they walk the incredibly difficult and amazing road through pregnancy and birth. I felt the call to be home full time with my kids in 2021, our family grew two more times through the incredible gift of adoption and a few years later I couldn’t ignore the draw to care for moms and their babies. I knew that I wanted to provide individualized, educated, empowering, dignified care to moms and their entire families as they welcome new life and realized that doula work was an amazing avenue to be able to give this care and so desperately needed. Just a couple of months after becoming certified as a doula in birth, bereavement and adoption, my calendar was completely full! I couldn’t believe it! In speaking with moms, I know the need for advocacy, education and compassion was so great and I feel as though I’m barely scratching the surface. Within this realm there is also the tender road of walking alongside some families as they grieve the loss of their babies and/or navigate pregnancy after loss, which brings it’s own uncertainties and heartache. Navigating the system during pregnancy and new parenthood can be so hard and having support and advocacy is so crucial. My business has now grown to two doulas and will likely grow even more this next year – I’m so honored to be invited into these intimate times with families and provide support in such a unique way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While, of course, there are some challenges in starting and growing my own business and overcoming some of the “I can’t believe I’m the one people trust to walk this road with” moments, many of the challenges have been in my own personal, emotional, journey. After losing our first child right after he was born, my (perhaps naive) optimism about pregnancy and birth in general, was shaken. Some of the ways that my husband and I were spoken to and treated throughout that experience as a young family made me realize how impactful people’s words and attitudes are in a time like that. Many people don’t know what to say or how to approach you in such a tender time and I learned a lot about what NOT to do. I don’t know how we would have made it through that awful, heartbreaking time, without our faith. I’ve had to grow a lot in trust and surrender to the Lord’s goodness to receive what He has had in store for us and that’s an ever evolving journey. Looking back thus far, it’s so beautiful to see the call He gave me all those years ago and how He has been there along side me all these years guiding the journey and giving me these beautiful gifts… children of our own and now these amazing clients who entrust the experience of supporting them through the sacred journey of pregnancy and birth to me. There were many many years where it was difficult to see where the path was leading but I feel like the last few years have been such an incredible gift of seeing some of those early callings play out.
We’ve been impressed with The Well Doula Service, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Well Doula Service, LLC provides primarily birth doula services in the Kansas City area. We provide pro bono bereavement services to families experiencing perinatal or post birth loss, virtual doula support and limited postpartum support as well. A birth doula is a non-medical role, a support person who provides physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and advocacy support through your pregnancy, labor and delivery. Studies show incredible outcomes for those who use trained doulas, including a 39% decrease in c-section rates, higher rates of breastfeeding, shorter labors, decreased need for pain medications and Pitocin and other benefits. Our company specifically provides services from Christian and Catholic doulas, always promising not just competent care but compassionate and dignified care for all members of the family.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is that every woman feels seen, empowered and is treated with dignity throughout the vulnerable time of pregnancy, birth and postpartum because it will be one of the most memorable and impactful days of her life and I want her to look back on it in a positive light.
Pricing:
- Basic Birth Package $1250
- Beyond Birth Package $1550
- Hourly Postpartum Care (limited) $45/hr
- Virtual Doula Services
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thewelldoulaservice.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_well_doula
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566579863822
