Haven Doula Spotlight: Kristina MacDonald

In this spotlight, we feature Haven Doula, Kristina MacDonald, who serves clients in person in the Research Triangle Area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) and serves clients virtually anywhere in North Carolina, USA.

Why did you decide to become a bereavement doula?

My own loss fueled my journey in becoming a bereavement doula; my daughter was born still at 34 weeks of gestation, followed by multiple miscarriages. In my grief, I realized how deeply our culture struggles to show up for perinatal loss. People often turn away out of fear or discomfort, leaving families isolated in their pain. I became a bereavement doula because I want families to know that they are not alone and that there are resources that can help them through their bereavement process. One thing that I love about becoming a bereavement doula is the ability just to show up and be present during an extremely difficult period in their lives, so they know that they are not alone. 

Why did you decide to take a Haven Bereavement Doula training? 

After experiencing the loss of my daughter, I shifted my focus to supporting families navigating perinatal and early infant loss. Earning a BA in psychology with a minor in sociology gave me a foundational understanding of the social dimensions of healthcare and ways that we can provide grief support.

While I had hired a doula in the past, I only discovered the existence of bereavement doulas while actively researching ways to support grieving families. Finding Abby Jorgensen's program was a turning point because I was able to find a program that incorporates culturally competent grief support, which is something I hope to provide for my clients.

I chose the Haven certification because it is a deeply inclusive, research-based course that thoughtfully incorporates cultural competency regarding race and spirituality. I was specifically looking for a training program that understands how systemic inequalities impact pregnancy loss, and one that respects the diverse religious and spiritual frameworks people rely on while grieving.

What does serving as a bereavement doula look like for you right now?

Right now, I am fully focused on completing my Haven Bereavement certification. Once certified, I plan to launch my business, Anna's Hummingbird - Perinatal Loss Doula. My mission is to provide immediate support, resources, and a comforting presence to families right after the birth of their baby. The post-birth period involves so many overwhelming choices, and my goal is to restore a sense of control for the mother and her family. Practically, this looks like coordinating infant photography, navigating burial or cremation options, and helping them create lasting memories. Ultimately, I am there to act as a quiet, comforting anchor and a fierce advocate for their wishes. To support this community fully, it is incredibly important to me to offer free online resources and commit to lifelong education so I can always bring the most up-to-date, compassionate care to these families.

How else do you serve your community? 

Community connection is at the heart of everything I do. I am currently training as a chapter leader for the Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss organization, where I will facilitate weekly support groups for families in the Triangle area. I'm also a passionate advocate for menstrual equity, having previously volunteered with Period Kits in Denver—a nonprofit that assembles and distributes menstrual supplies. As a homeschool teacher, I love fostering growth in kids, whether that's through coaching soccer, hosting a business fair, or using my upcoming Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction certification to help struggling readers find their confidence. 

What is one thing that you like to do to take care of yourself?

I love being out in nature, whether that is hiking, walking on a nature trail, birdwatching, photography, or kayaking. I try to incorporate this into my life as much as possible. There is something deeply grounding about being out in nature and watching wildlife. It shifts my focus away from daily worries and leaves me feeling rejuvenated.

Do you have any advice for anyone who is considering becoming a bereavement doula? 

When I first wanted to become a bereavement doula, the most intimidating aspect of the field was the heavy loads of grief work, and I worried that I might not have the mental capacity to take on such a heavy emotional load. I am deeply passionate about bereavement work and want to help others, and the more I learned about ways I can support families during and after loss, it helped ease my fears and encouraged me to proceed down this career path. Remembering that bereavement doula work looks different for everyone is one of the most important aspects I would want a future bereavement doula to understand. Advocacy work is deeply needed to reach out to loss families and educate others on pregnancy and early infant loss. Being a bereavement doula doesn't have to mean being on-call for births; it can also mean macro-level advocacy, sharing resources, writing, and community support.

We thank and honor Kristina for her beautiful work!

You can learn more about Kristina at her website, Hummingbirdlossdoula.com.