Support that lets you exhale.

Guiding families through the childbearing year in Canandaigua, NY and the Finger Lakes.

Hello, I’m so glad you’re here!

My name is Cris. I’m a birth doula, photographer, and Birthing from Within mentor based in Canandaigua, NY.

My practice is grounded in curiosity and co-creating space with you to explore your ways of knowing about birth: your intuitive knowing, personal knowing, and modern evidence-based knowing.

Whether you’re looking for a conversation about local resources or are drawn to birth classes and community gatherings, I’d love to connect.

How can I support you?

PRENATAL CHILDBIRTH ED SESSIONS

Prenatal support is available to help you prepare for the childbearing year with curiosity and creativity. Sessions are tailored to you and can explore childbirth education topics, practice coping skills, uncover feelings with birth art, and build personal maps with your birth and postpartum wishes.

Each session is 1.5 hours long, online or in person
$199 (sliding scale).

BIRTH DOULA SUPPORT & FILM PHOTOGRAPHY

I came to this work after the birth of my first son, when I found myself wondering if other new parents were struggling (like me) and if they had people to talk to about the realities of birth and postpartum. That questioning led me to train as a doula in 2018, and I’ve been supporting families through birth and early parenthood ever since.

I am currently booking repeat clients and new birth clients by referral only.

My rate for on-call birth support & photography is $2,000. Payment plans, HSA, NYS Medicaid, and some Excellus BCBC insurance plans are accepted.

What is included?

Once hired as your doula, I am available to you through pregnancy, labor, and into the postpartum days that follow.

During pregnancy, we will meet multiple times to discuss your birth preferences and create maps for birth and the postpartum period. Between our meetings we will keep in touch by text and calls as needed. Then, when you go into labor, I will be there in person to support you.

During labor, I flow with your needs until you birth your baby. I provide hands-on support with comfort and positioning, take candid 35mm film photographs, and collaborate with your care team to facilitate your birth wishes.

After birth, I stay with you to support your first hours postpartum and help you get settled into recovery.

Postpartum, I will visit you within a week of your birth to discuss your birth experience, support your early postpartum adjustment, and then keep checking in through six weeks postpartum. When your photographs are ready from the film lab, I’ll send those along to you. And when our time together “officially” closes, I remain a resource whenever you need one.

Email hello@birthwithcove.com to check availability.

  • “We felt truly supported by Cristina throughout our birth experience. She met every unexpected moment with grace and adaptability, always keeping the energy calm and grounded.”

    — Birth Doula Client

  • "I have cried no less than 3 times today just thinking about how supported and held I felt by you during birth."

    — Birth Doula Client

  • “Cris has a remarkable ability to gently steady you when emotions start to spiral, bringing a sense of calm and reassurance back into the room. We genuinely can’t imagine having anyone else by our side during such an important moment.”

    — Birth Doula Client

  • “One of the things we appreciated most was how Cris instinctively stepped in to give my partner a break when he needed it, without prompting.”

    — Birth Doula Client

Trainings & Credentials

Birth Doula Training
Carriage House Birth

Postpartum Doula Mentorship
Birdsong Brooklyn

Childbirth Educator Training
Birthing from Within

Breastfeeding for Doulas
Beautiful Birth Choices

Pediatric & Adult CPR Certified
American Red Cross

Foundational Workshop
Spinning Babies®

Medicaid Enrolled Doula Provider
New York State