Krystal Vélez-Gómez-Edwards

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Birth & Postpartum Doula
Oakland, California
5.0
About me

My name is Krystal Brisette Vélez-Gómez-Edwards and I am of Indigenous-Mexicana and Nicaragüense descent. I am open to supporting all births of all beliefs and practices. I am passionate about my own cultural work and practicing as a traditional, Mexican doula, acknowledging birth as ceremony. My first career path was in nursing until I discovered my dismay with Western medicine and healthcare. Years later I experienced the birth of my son, Michael, who is now 16. I was 21 and had no support outside of my marriage, I had no clue what I was doing and I didn't know what I didn't know. I ate awfully and gained at least 70 pounds. When my water broke and I was admitted to the hospital, I was soon told I would need a cesarean due to my son going into "distress." I planned to have a natural birth, but here I was receiving an epidural (fentanyl!) and being cut open and tugged at from within. I was so detached from my own body. My baby was taken from the room and I didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and pleasure of skin-to-skin bonding, our 'golden hour' to breastfeed peacefully. I suffered from postpartum depression and learned to bury and forget the experience because I figured that's just how it was. It wasn't until years later that it came up for me and was a catalyst for many positive changes in my life. I was a few years into healing work with indigenous medicines and in one of my own ceremonies, I received a calling to bring ceremony back to birth, along with visions of burying a placenta at a sacred tree. I began researching traditional Mexican birth work to discover that this was in fact an indigenous tradition. I dedicated myself to the journey of birth work. I obtained training in many facets of holistic birth work and traditional, Mexican birth work, including herbalism to support birth and postpartum, womb healing, rebozo work, techniques for comfort and pain management as well as repositioning breech babies, lactation support, craniosacral therapy, cerrada de caderas (traditional closing ceremony), and the list continues to grow. I have been studying safe use of psychedelics during pregnancy and birth. As a traditional, certified holistic birth and postpartum doula, my primary role is to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to you during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and beyond. I believe birth work is sacred and magical. Most importantly, I'm passionate about incorporating traditional practices into my work, which means I can also draw on indigenous knowledge and rituals to enhance and support your desired birthing experience. Together, we'll navigate this journey, ensuring you feel empowered and well-supported throughout.

Education

Associate of Science in Psychology (2021)

Certification and training

Full Spectrum Doula Certification, SisterWeb (2023)

First Aid & CPR, The American Red Cross (2024)

Specialties
Birth and Lactation Birth Assistant Birth Doula Birth Support Birth Trauma Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Consultation Breastfeeding Support Breech Birth Evidence-Based Care Freebirth Healthy Eating Herbal Postpartum Care Home Birth Hypnobirthing Method Infant Care Labor Doula Lactation Consultation Latch Issues Natural Birth Natural Childbirth Newborn Care Placenta Encapsulation Postpartum Care Postpartum Doula Care Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Vaginal Steam Water birth
Languages

English, Spanish

Accepted insurances
Medicaid Medi-Cal
Service introduction

Ancestral treatments to help you heal your mind, body [womb], and spirit through divine intervention, self-(re)discovery, and development so you can live as your highest self, in your full potential, with absolute purpose and intention. We grow the most in the darkness and discomfort of our lives. Live life as A ceremony. Be love, BE LIGHT. birth is a form of resistance and healing and is sacred and magical, and I pride myself in traditional birth work that empowers you and honors your ancestral wisdom and the innate knowledge of your baby. Bringing ceremony back to birth.

Ratings and reviews
Average
5.0
# of Reviews
4
5.0

Cristal was absolutely essential to my uncomplicated delivery of my child. Her warmth and knowledge gave me the confidence and peace to go within myself and have an unmedicated delivery in the hospital. Being able to text her with any questions during and before early labor was incredibly comforting and helpful. Cristal was also a tremendous support for my mom and husband in the hospital, making the whole experience more personalized and less stressful. She provided them with the confidence and reassurance they needed, creating a calm and supportive environment for all of us. At the end of my quarentena, Cristal performed my cerada de caderas ceremony, which was beautiful and just the pampering I needed. This ceremony helped me reconnect with my roots and heal from my previous two birthing experiences. Cristal's support, both during and after delivery, was invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for her presence during this important time in my life. Thank you, Cristal, for everything you've done for me and my family!

- Rocío G.

5.0

Where do I even begin on how amazing Krystal is. As a first time mother, Krystal has helped in so many ways to make this journey beautiful. With so much knowledge and such a beautiful caring heart, I could not have asked for a better doula! From helping me prepare for birth with much needed information, truly amazing support during delivery, to beyond belief of help during postpartum. I highly recommend her to anyone who is expecting!

- Jessica K.

5.0

Mi experiencia con krystal fue muy bonita porque es una persona que ama su trabajo , ama ayudar a sus pacientes , en mi caso como Duola me ayudó mucho porque soy mami primeriza y no tengo el conocimiento en muchas cosas pero con la ayuda de esta profesional me sentí más cómoda , ella estuvo en mi parto cuido de mí bebe y de mi 💗

- Lina Maria L.

5.0

Krystal is so amazing! We loved having her as our doula. She answered every question we had, and made us feel comfortable in doing so. First time mom here so I had no idea what to expect. She was able to help us figure out our ideal birth plan beforehand, and even offered other resources if we needed further understanding. During labor we couldn’t have asked for a better person to be there with us. She supported me mentally, physically, and emotionally. Throughout my labor she was able to offer help in different positions, and techniques that made my labor as smooth as it could be. She helped me feel confident in asking for what I wanted and standing firm in what I believed in. Couldn’t recommend her enough! I will be telling all my friends about her. We love her! Please hire her for your labor, I promise you won’t regret it.

- Vanessa C.

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