Today we’d like to introduce you to I’Yonna Crisler.
Hi I’Yonna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey actually started with photography. My mom had gifted me a camera before the COVID-19 pandemic, but honestly, it sat untouched for quite a while. When the world shut down in 2020 and suddenly we all had more time on our hands, I finally picked it up. What started as me learning how to use a camera and exploring something new quickly became something I genuinely loved. Over time, I began capturing families, milestones, and meaningful moments for others.
Becoming a mother changed a lot for me. After the birth of my first son, I walked away from my birth experience feeling like there were moments when I wasn’t fully heard or supported. As I learned more about birth, advocacy, and the role of a doula, I began to realize just how important it is for mothers to have someone in the room who is there specifically to support them emotionally, physically, and informationally.
After having my second son, that desire became even stronger. I knew I wanted to turn what I had learned through my own experiences into something that could help other mothers feel more informed, supported, and confident going into birth. That eventually led me to pursue my birth doula certification and create Doula Yonna.
Today, I provide birth doula support while also incorporating my background in photography through birth photography. I love that the two things can work together. I can be present to support a mother through one of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of her life while also preserving pieces of her birth story that she may not get to see for herself.
Doula Yonna is still growing, but the heart behind it has been clear from the beginning: I want mothers to know they deserve to feel seen, heard, informed, and supported throughout their birth experience. That’s where my message, “You don’t have to birth alone,” comes from.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to build something of my own while also balancing motherhood, marriage, a full-time career, and everyday life. There are days when I have so many ideas for Doula Yonna and not nearly enough hours in the day to bring all of them to life.
Another challenge has been simply learning the business side of something that started from the heart. Becoming a doula was about supporting mothers, but building Doula Yonna has required me to learn so much beyond birth work. Branding, creating a website, marketing, contracts, consultations, pricing, networking, and figuring out how to reach the women who need this kind of support has not been easy.
I’ve also had to push through moments of doubt. Starting something new can make you question whether people will see the value in what you’re offering or whether you’re really ready. I’ve had to remind myself that I don’t have to know everything or have everything perfectly figured out before I begin. I can continue learning and growing while still serving people well.
I think one of the biggest lessons for me has been learning not to despise small beginnings. Doula Yonna is still in its early stages, but every inquiry, every conversation, every mother I’m able to support, and every opportunity to share what I’m building reminds me why I started.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Doula Yonna is a birth support and birth photography business centered around helping mothers feel informed, supported, and confident throughout pregnancy, labor, and birth. As a Certified Birth Doula, I provide emotional, physical, and informational support before and during labor, while also helping mothers understand their options, communicate their preferences, and feel more prepared for their birth experience.
My birth doula support begins during pregnancy because I believe the relationship between a mother and her doula should be built before labor ever begins. Through prenatal visits and ongoing support, I take time to learn what matters to each mother, talk through her birth preferences and concerns, prepare her for what she may encounter during labor, and help her feel comfortable asking questions and making informed decisions about her care. During labor, I provide continuous support through comfort measures, encouragement, position changes, partner support, and guidance as birth unfolds.
One thing that makes Doula Yonna unique is the way I’m able to combine birth support with my background in photography. Birth photography is available as an additional service for families who want their story documented. There are so many moments happening during birth that a mother may never get to see. The way her partner supported her, the emotions in the room, or those first moments after meeting her baby should all be documented. I love being able to preserve those memories while still keeping my role as her doula and her support at the center.
More than anything, I want Doula Yonna to feel personal. I never want a mother to feel like she is simply another client on my calendar. Every mother, every pregnancy, and every birth is different, so the support I provide should reflect that. I’m not there to make decisions for her or tell her how she should give birth. I’m there to help her feel informed, remind her that her voice matters, support the choices she makes, and make sure she knows she doesn’t have to navigate the experience alone.
That is what I’m most proud of as I build this brand. Doula Yonna isn’t about creating one definition of a “perfect” birth. It’s about helping mothers walk into their birth experience knowing they deserve to be seen, heard, respected, and supported no matter how their birth story unfolds.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I’m still in the beginning stages myself, so I’m learning a lot of these lessons in real time. But one thing I’ve already learned is that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you start.
I think it’s easy to look at people who are further along and feel like you need the perfect website, perfect branding, a large following, or years of experience before you’re ready to put yourself out there. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to start with what you have, continue educating yourself, and allow yourself to grow along the way.
I’d also say don’t underestimate the importance of simply letting people know what you do. Talk about it, share it, build relationships, and don’t be afraid to tell people that you’re new. Being new doesn’t mean you have nothing valuable to offer. You can be honest about where you are while still being confident in what you’ve worked and trained to do.
And finally, give yourself grace. Building something while still managing the rest of your life can be challenging, and everything doesn’t have to happen at once. I’m learning that consistency doesn’t always mean doing everything. Consistency means continuing to show up, even if the steps are small.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://doulayonna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallyyonna
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gz9HM9kXS/
