Christa Joy Kirtland CD(DONA), C-CBE
Certified Birth Doula & Childbirth Educator
Supporting families in Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Middlesex Counties, and surrounding areas.
I live in Branchburg, NJ with my husband Andrew and our 9 year old son, Luke and our 6 year old daughter, Hope. I have my Masters in Counseling and in the past I worked with young adults in the university setting with anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD, grief, adjustment disorders, and more. I love reading, trying new recipes, coloring, puzzles, and dark chocolate (especially with sea salt!)
When my husband and I got pregnant with our son, we asked my sister, a certified childbirth educator, to do our birth classes. She lived in Brazil, so we met weekly on Facetime the weeks leading up to Luke’s birth. The more I learned about childbirth, the more I wanted to learn. I was fascinated by the idea of a natural unmedicated birth experience. The more I learned about natural pain management techniques, I realized how similar the techniques were to relaxation techniques I used to use with clients struggling with various mental illness. I knew I had firsthand seen results come from them in the counseling world, it only made sense to me how effective it would be in childbirth. It was then I started to become more interested in becoming a birth doula. I had an incredible first time birth experience in the hospital setting with my son. I look back at that day and remember feeling so personally empowered and in awe of the human birth pregnancy and birth process- and after that I was hooked! Childbirth is one of the most amazing, beautiful, and life changing experiences. Everyone is different and we bring different desires and hopes to pregnancy and birth. I deeply desire to come alongside of others to help them achieve the birth experience they are hoping for. While there are certainly no guarantees in birth, I do believe with the right support you it can be a positive and empowering birth day for you AND your baby.
I took my doula training course in February of 2017 and in December of 2018 I became a certified birth doula with DONA International. In 2024, I became certified childbirth educator with ProDoula.
In 2024, I attended a 7-hour Spinning Babies workshop to learn to better facilitate baby’s position in pregnancy and birth. Additionally, I have received a certification with Austin Childbirth Courses on utilizing a tens unit in labor. I love learning and growing and am regularly taking continuing education classes to expand my knowledge and skills.
Recent Continuing Education
February 2026
Navigating the NICU: A Self-Guided Course for Birth and Postpartum Professionals with Mary Farrelly, RN, BSN, RNC-NIC
June 2025
Birth Trauma and the Law — with Marlie Willer, J.D.
May 2025
Equipping Doulas for Powerful Client Advocacy — with Victoria Wilson, CD(DONA)
April 2025
Maternal Mental Health: Using Listening Ear — with Maggie Klotz, PhD
Empowered Care in GDM: Overcoming Bias and Supporting High-Risk Populations During Pregnancy — by American Diabetes Association
January 2025
What to Do When Labor Doesn’t — with Emily Wannenburg, DNDM, CLC, HBCE, AdvCD(DONA)
December 2024
7 Hours Continuing Education — Spinning Babies® Workshop
November 2024
Nutrient Needs by Trimester — with Alex Gardner, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC, CHES
October 2024
From Crisis to Comfort: How Doulas Can Make a Difference in the NICU Experience — with Mary Farrelly, RN, BSN, RNC-NIC