I’m Kristina Hansard, but most people call me Kicki. I was born in Åsele, Swedish Lapland, where the midnight sun and Northern Lights were part of daily life. My Sámi ancestry and family history are deeply rooted in the land and shaped who I am today. My great-grandmother was a jordemor—a traditional midwife—who helped women in her small village give birth. Her work inspired generations of care and resilience, which I carry with me as a doula and educator.

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In 1990, I moved to England, trading snow-covered forests for the rolling hills of Hertfordshire, and became a mother to two daughters, born in 1998 and 2000. Their births at Watford General Hospital were transformative experiences that deepened my connection to the power and vulnerability of childbirth.

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Motherhood shifted everything. Before my daughters were born, I worked in the IT industry after training as a Legal Secretary. But one Sunday, I came across a magazine article about doulas, and something clicked. It was like discovering a piece of myself I hadn’t realised was missing. A few months later, in July 2002, I trained as a doula in London with Kassandra Clements and Ingrid Lewis. From that moment, I knew my work was to guide women and their families through one of the most transformative journeys of their lives.

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A Blend of Learning, Experience, and Advocacy

My doula journey hasn’t just been about my intuition or personal experiences—I’ve built it on a foundation of learning and expertise. Over the years, I’ve earned qualifications like a BSc Open, a Diploma in Professional Relaxation Therapy, and a City & Guilds Level 3 in Education and Training.

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But some of my most meaningful learning came from the giants of the birth world. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and learning from Ina May Gaskin, Michel Odent, Sheila Kitzinger, and the incredible Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus, who have profoundly shaped my perspective. I even had the honour of inviting Penny Simkin to lead workshops in the UK, which remains a career highlight.

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Beyond supporting birthing families, I’ve put pen to paper. I wrote The Secrets of Birth and contributed to The Roar Behind the Silence. My most recent book, published in 2020, is a guide for healthcare professionals supporting survivors of sexual abuse through pregnancy and childbirth—a subject close to my heart.

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Doula UK and Beyond

As one of the founding members of Doula UK, I’ve spent years advocating for doulas and women. Over more than a decade, I volunteered in roles from chairing the organisation to launching the first Doula UK conference. I also initiated Doula UK’s meetings with the Royal College of Midwives and worked to secure its membership in the Maternal Mental Health Alliance and the 1001 Critical Days campaign. These were efforts to create lasting change in how birth and postnatal care are seen and valued.

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Since 2005, I’ve trained over 1,000 doulas, many of whom now lead courses and workshops themselves. Knowing I’ve been part of their journey fills me with quiet pride. I’ve also taken my workshops far beyond the UK, sharing this work with people in Australia and China.

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My Path, My Legacy

This work isn’t just my job; it’s my calling. I’m still a doula at heart, but these days, I focus on mentoring, teaching, and creating spaces for new doulas to flourish. I believe in holding on to the traditions of supporting women and their families while always being open to learning something new.

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From the snowy forests of Swedish Lapland to birthing rooms and classrooms around the world, this journey has been extraordinary. And I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.