I’m Cristina Evans—wife/partner/bestie, and mom to three amazing kids (and one cat). I have two wonderful adult children—one married, the other in college—and a younger one who’s still in primary school. She’s an energetic, curious bundle of joy with an imagination that knows no bounds. Honestly, she’s the little gift the universe sent to complete our family.

We recently made the move from Richmond, VA, to the Farmington Valley area of Connecticut. My journey into the maternal health field began with my own experiences as a mother. When I gave birth, I felt confident and empowered, which I knew was a gift. Many new parents I met around that time didn’t have the same experience. I learned that many people felt unheard, and far too often, they went home feeling deflated after having their babies. I knew this wasn’t acceptable, so I decided to do something about it.

In my search for information on how to better support families during this transformative time, I found Doulas of North America (DONA). Something clicked as I read about the work doulas do, and I knew that supporting families in their journey into parenthood was the path I wanted to walk. Supporting a friend through her birth solidified that decision, and in 2012 attended a DONA birth doula training. From there, I began attending births, and in 2019, I became a community doula with Urban Baby Beginnings.

Being a doula is about more than the birth itself; it’s about the journey. It’s about supporting the people who will care for the new life, nurturing them, and strengthening their bond. This connection can increase their confidence as new parents and set the foundation for a healthy, loving family. I believe that every person, every family, no matter their background or circumstances, deserves access to compassionate, non-judgmental care. Supporting families of all kinds and honoring their unique needs is at the heart of what I do.

For the past 12 years, I’ve worked in maternal health, starting as a doula supporting clients through labor, which I absolutely loved. A few years ago, I shifted my focus to pregnancy and postpartum care, which has since become my heart’s work. These days, my work is virtual, allowing me to support families across the country, not just locally. While I’ll always cherish my time in the birth room, I’m currently loving the balance of offering “everything but the birth,” enabling me to stay connected to my passion while being more present for my family—a true win-win for all of us.

No matter where you are in your pregnancy or what kind of birth you envision, now is the perfect time to build the support network that will carry you through this transformative time in your life.