Chrys balduf (she/they) Mshs, CLC, Postpartum Doula

Chrys is a queer neurodivergent mother who raised her children in a non-traditional family. She believes parenthood is an exercise in deep self discovery and attunement to relationships is the vehicle of that transformation. The mystical aspects of the modern concept of “the village” fascinate her. Her own experience forming a chosen family to find her anchor as a new parent was life saving as she navigated trauma healing and the challenges of single parenthood. 

She was born and raised in rural East Texas, attending University of Texas at Tyler for her Master in Health Sciences. She has extensive healthcare systems experience and taught post secondary health courses for over 10 years. She came to birthwork serendipitously as she navigated an unexpected pregnancy during her graduate career eventually leading her into the role of an infant and young child feeding specialist. She has organized parenting peer support groups, conducted breast/chest feeding research activities, and taught family cooking and nutrition classes in community settings. 

Due to her personal experiences with grief, loss and neurodivergence her doula work is rooted in trauma informed gender affirming community care. She navigates her role as postpartum doula with loving compassion and respect for personal autonomy. Her desire is to provide mentorship and support to those in the postpartum transitional space as they grow into a new family unit. Outside of birthwork she is a movement instructor, kitchen witch, lazy hiking enthusiast, and burlesque dancer.  With the intention to role model gender expansive caretaker self care, she hopes to embody the diversity and resilience that exist in the ever evolving stages of parenting in our society.