meet kristen
meet kristen
Get to know your doula
Get to know your doula
Get to know your doula
meet kristen
meet kristen
About Me
About Me
My journey to birth work began long before I became a mother myself. At 18, sitting in my first college anthropology class, I watched a film about birth and felt something click into place—a calling that would shape the rest of my life. I spent years immersed in studying mothering, childbirth, and the reproductive stages of life, fascinated by how human evolution continues to influence how we give birth today. It was during this time that I discovered the term matrescence—the transformation into motherhood—and realized this was the thread connecting all my work: what makes us a mother, and how do we get there?
My journey to birth work began long before I became a mother myself. At 18, sitting in my first college anthropology class, I watched a film about birth and felt something click into place—a calling that would shape the rest of my life. I spent years immersed in studying mothering, childbirth, and the reproductive stages of life, fascinated by how human evolution continues to influence how we give birth today. It was during this time that I discovered the term matrescence—the transformation into motherhood—and realized this was the thread connecting all my work: what makes us a mother, and how do we get there?
I pursued this calling through a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology, conducting my dissertation research in Tanzania, East Africa, alongside the Indigenous Hadzabe community. My research focused on healthcare policy and access, postpartum maternal health outcomes, and birth experience narratives. While earning my degree, I also became a certified full-spectrum doula and had the privilege of supporting mothers giving birth at a public hospital in Tanzania before returning to work full-time here in the greater Las Vegas Valley.
I pursued this calling through a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology, conducting my dissertation research in Tanzania, East Africa, alongside the Indigenous Hadzabe community. My research focused on healthcare policy and access, postpartum maternal health outcomes, and birth experience narratives. While earning my degree, I also became a certified full-spectrum doula and had the privilege of supporting mothers giving birth at a public hospital in Tanzania before returning to work full-time here in the greater Las Vegas Valley.
After completing my Ph.D., I served as a postdoctoral researcher for the Early Responsive Nurturing Care for Food Security (EARN-FS) intervention at the UNLV School of Public Health, implementing nutrition and maternal health interventions for at-risk families in our community.
After completing my Ph.D., I served as a postdoctoral researcher for the Early Responsive Nurturing Care for Food Security (EARN-FS) intervention at the UNLV School of Public Health, implementing nutrition and maternal health interventions for at-risk families in our community.
But it was my own entrance into mothering that truly shaped who I am as a birth worker. At 24 weeks pregnant with naturally conceived fraternal twins—my first pregnancy—I went into preterm labor. Within two days, I birthed my son and daughter at a hospital that failed to properly monitor my labor. My babies died after 10 painful days in the NICU. This experience fundamentally changed me as a human, a mother, and a doula. No one expects to navigate pregnancy and postpartum without their babies.
But it was my own entrance into mothering that truly shaped who I am as a birth worker. At 24 weeks pregnant with naturally conceived fraternal twins—my first pregnancy—I went into preterm labor. Within two days, I birthed my son and daughter at a hospital that failed to properly monitor my labor. My babies died after 10 painful days in the NICU. This experience fundamentally changed me as a human, a mother, and a doula. No one expects to navigate pregnancy and postpartum without their babies.
Following a miscarriage, I eventually carried my next baby to full term. I now have two living children, both born at home in redemptive birth experiences. Having lived through loss, hospital birth, three high-risk pregnancies, and two home births, I've been pulled in every direction imaginable. Each of these journeys has defined my own matrescence and deepened my commitment to this work.
Following a miscarriage, I eventually carried my next baby to full term. I now have two living children, both born at home in redemptive birth experiences. Having lived through loss, hospital birth, three high-risk pregnancies, and two home births, I've been pulled in every direction imaginable. Each of these journeys has defined my own matrescence and deepened my commitment to this work.
Whether you choose to birth at a hospital, at home, in a birth center, or need support navigating high-risk complications, I will be there for you every step of the way. Doulas are an essential part of your village into matrescence—and I would be honored to be part of yours.
Whether you choose to birth at a hospital, at home, in a birth center, or need support navigating high-risk complications, I will be there for you every step of the way. Doulas are an essential part of your village into matrescence—and I would be honored to be part of yours.
what i bring
what i bring
Qualifications
Qualifications
A list of degrees, trainings, and certifications
A list of degrees, trainings, and certifications
education
education
Masters and PhD Medical Anthropology
Masters and PhD Medical Anthropology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
education
education
Postdoctoral Researcher
Postdoctoral Researcher
Social Behavioral Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Social Behavioral Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
certification
certification
Certified Full-Spectrum Doula
Certified Full-Spectrum Doula
Doula Trainings International
Doula Trainings International
ebb®
ebb®
Evidence Based Birth® Instructor
Evidence Based Birth® Instructor
Certification
Certification
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate
QUILT
QUILT
Member
Member
Active Member and Research Scientist
Active Member and Research Scientist
Doula CO-OP of Nevada
Doula CO-OP of Nevada
Certification
Certification
Human Centered Design Facilitator
Human Centered Design Facilitator
LUMA Institute
LUMA Institute
Certifications
Certifications
CPR Certified
CPR Certified
Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas
A life in the desert
A life in the desert
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and while I once dreamed of building a life elsewhere, my love for the desert and my community have kept me here. I've built a meaningful career, a loving home, and raised my family right here in the Las Vegas Valley—and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and while I once dreamed of building a life elsewhere, my love for the desert and my community have kept me here. I've built a meaningful career, a loving home, and raised my family right here in the Las Vegas Valley—and I wouldn't have it any other way.
My work as a Las Vegas doula and childbirth educator flows from a simple but profound belief: every family deserves compassionate, culturally responsive, evidence-based support that honors who they are and what they need. My deep Vegas roots have been beautifully enriched by domestic and international professional travel. The friendships I've formed, the research collaborations I've been part of, and the global perspectives I've gained all find their way back into the care I offer my clients. It's a gift to bring the world home to our community.
My work as a Las Vegas doula and childbirth educator flows from a simple but profound belief: every family deserves compassionate, culturally responsive, evidence-based support that honors who they are and what they need. My deep Vegas roots have been beautifully enriched by domestic and international professional travel. The friendships I've formed, the research collaborations I've been part of, and the global perspectives I've gained all find their way back into the care I offer my clients. It's a gift to bring the world home to our community.
Serving families throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and the greater Clark County area as a certified full-spectrum doula, researcher, and professor has only deepened my love for this desert southwest community we share. Whether you're seeking a birth doula in Las Vegas, postpartum support, or compassionate bereavement doula services during an unimaginable loss, I'm truly honored to walk alongside you during life's most sacred and transformative moments.
Serving families throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and the greater Clark County area as a certified full-spectrum doula, researcher, and professor has only deepened my love for this desert southwest community we share. Whether you're seeking a birth doula in Las Vegas, postpartum support, or compassionate bereavement doula services during an unimaginable loss, I'm truly honored to walk alongside you during life's most sacred and transformative moments.
Support without boundaries
Support without boundaries
Las Vegas and Beyond
Las Vegas and Beyond
Whether you're in Las Vegas or across the country, I'd love to support you
Whether you're in Las Vegas or across the country,
I'd love to support you
in-person support
in-person support
Local Services
Local Services
I serve families throughout the greater Las Vegas Valley. Wherever you are, wherever you're giving birth, and however you need support, I I host childbirth education classes and professional workshops across all suburbs and city limits, and as a full-spectrum doula, I've had the privilege of supporting births at every valley hospital, in homes, and at local birth centers. Your birth, your choice, your village, and I'm honored to be part of it.
I serve families throughout the greater Las Vegas Valley. Wherever you are, wherever you're giving birth, and however you need support, I I host childbirth education classes and professional workshops across all suburbs and city limits, and as a full-spectrum doula, I've had the privilege of supporting births at every valley hospital, in homes, and at local birth centers. Your birth, your choice, your village, and I'm honored to be part of it.
virtual support
virtual support
Virtual Support & Beyond
Virtual Support & Beyond
I also offer virtual education and doula services. Doula support isn't limited by time zones or state lines, especially in the post-covid virtual world. I frequently travel for research and maternal health conferences, which has allowed me to work with families across the country. If you're located outside Las Vegas and would like to work with me, please reach out. I'm committed to ensuring you receive respectful, evidence-based care and education throughout your reproductive journey, regardless of where you are.
I also offer virtual education and doula services. Doula support isn't limited by time zones or state lines, especially in the post-covid virtual world. I frequently travel for research and maternal health conferences, which has allowed me to work with families across the country. If you're located outside Las Vegas and would like to work with me, please reach out. I'm committed to ensuring you receive respectful, evidence-based care and education throughout your reproductive journey, regardless of where you are.
thank you to everyone
thank you to everyone
Local resources featured on the Mojave Matrescence website:
Local resources featured on the
Mojave Matrescence website:
Local resources featured on
the Mojave Matrescence website:
Local resources featured on the Mojave Matrescence website:
All belly, pregnancy, maternity, and desert photography is by my dear friend Loren Jobe, who also photographed my branding session featured on this site. Loren has been capturing families across the Las Vegas valley since the early 2010s and is an excellent choice for maternity, pregnancy, and family photography.
All belly, pregnancy, maternity, and desert photography is by my dear friend Loren Jobe, who also photographed my branding session featured on this site. Loren has been capturing families across the Las Vegas valley since the early 2010s and is an excellent choice for maternity, pregnancy, and family photography.
The home birth photographs throughout the site are taken during a birth where I served as doula — feature pelvic floor therapist Tina Bhakta. That beautiful documentation is the work of Lisa at Little Loo Photography. If you're looking for a birth photographer, she's the one to call.
The home birth photographs throughout the site are taken during a birth where I served as doula — feature pelvic floor therapist Tina Bhakta. That beautiful documentation is the work of Lisa at Little Loo Photography. If you're looking for a birth photographer, she's the one to call.
testimonials from clients
testimonials from clients
Love notes from clients
Love notes from clients
“My gratitude, respect and appreciation for Kristen goes far beyond any review and will last forever. I was so incredibly lucky to have her by my side during my hospital birth. She advocated for my husband & I and worked hand in hand with our care team. When I didn’t think I’d have the strength to go any further it was Kristen who coached me and helped me realize that incredible inner strength all us mothers possess. She brought a sense of calm and incredible knowledge to every moment of my labor (especially when things got scary) and my pregnancy in general. She played such an integral role in bringing my son earth side that I can truly say couldn’t have done it without her.’
“My gratitude, respect and appreciation for Kristen goes far beyond any review and will last forever. I was so incredibly lucky to have her by my side during my hospital birth. She advocated for my husband & I and worked hand in hand with our care team. When I didn’t think I’d have the strength to go any further it was Kristen who coached me and helped me realize that incredible inner strength all us mothers possess. She brought a sense of calm and incredible knowledge to every moment of my labor (especially when things got scary) and my pregnancy in general. She played such an integral role in bringing my son earth side that I can truly say couldn’t have done it without her.’
— g.k. Birth Doula client
— g.k. Birth Doula client
get support
get support
Have additional questions?
Have additional questions?
Every journey into matrescence is different. Reach out and Kristen will
help you find the right support and guidance for wherever you are.
Every journey into matrescence is different. Reach out and Kristen will help you find the right support and guidance for wherever you are.
An anthropological exploration of mothering and reproduction. Full-spectrum doula services, childbirth education, and research.
© 2025 Mojave Matrescene. All rights reserved.
An anthropological exploration of mothering and reproduction. Full-spectrum doula services, childbirth education, and research.
© 2025 Mojave Matrescene. All rights reserved.
An anthropological exploration of mothering and reproduction. Full-spectrum doula services, childbirth education, and research.
© 2025 Mojave Matrescene. All rights reserved.