Krysta Sutterfield, doula candidate
 

I grew up in central Ohio in a nuclear family (1 mom, 1 dad, 1 brother, 1 dog, 1 cat, and an assortment of fish & gerbils in 1 house) & earned my first two degrees there.  I was in Girl Scouts throughout school, earned the Silver and Gold Awards, and am now a Life Member.  One degree is for interpreting between ASL and English, though I haven't used those skills for a while. 

 After unexpectedly becoming pregnant, I posted to a hobby list that I was looking for adoptive parents and got an email from Char. She and a friend were with me for Neill's birth.  We joke that he was an email-order baby. 

 Knowing what we know now, Char says they would have hired a doula for me.  Even though I had a CNM (Master's degreed nurse midwife), I ended up with a fairly interventive (is that a word?  it is now) birth.  She and the staff nurses didn't listen to me, and neither Char nor my friend felt comfortable speaking up on my behalf. 

 I moved to Wisconsin in late 1999 at the urging of Char & Tim.  They had adopted Neill and wanted us all to have a closer relationship.  Open adoption is the loving option, especially for the child.  Having more people to love a child is always a good thing. 

 After being downsized in 2002, I returned to college yet again.  I'd intended on picking up another bachelor's, this one in nursing, but with so many applicants my mid-3 GPA didn't stand a chance, so I went to grad school.  Surfacing into the real world again, I discovered that finding a job was more difficult than expected. 

 Char & I went through DONA-sponsored doula training in spring 2007.  Even before the start of training, I'd decided that if I could keep one woman from feeling as alone & ignored as I had during my pregnancy & labor I'd be a success.  

 I'm currently owned by two cats and engaged to a wonderful man.  When I have spare time (& sometimes if I don't) I like logic puzzles, reading, cooking, kayaking, SCUBA, and volunteering with the Coast Guard. 

Phone: 414-699-5726 (cell)
E-mail: krysta@1000praisesdoulas.com
Website: http://www.1000praisesdoulas.com