Word on the Street
Caring for people during this season of life looks different for each client. Below you will see that a Doula or Educator can be helpful under many circumstances.
★★★★★ 5/5
I met Krystal at her Grand Opening event, and she is so amazing. I wish she would have been in the area during my pregnancy! She is extremely educated - from trying to conceive to breastfeeding, and everything in between! Her space is beautiful and very welcoming, with tons of special touches including doula & pregnancy dolls to help educate little ones. As someone in the holistic health field myself, I believe Krystal was truly meant to help guide women through this special journey. She is an amazing addition to the area and a great resource for women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, and/or for postpartum / breastfeeding support.

Tawni S.
Local Professional
★★★★★ 5/5
Krystal is attentive, informative and empathetic to the fullest. From the very first moment I contacted her she was helpful, knowledgeable and ready to be there for me. She listens and responds very quickly and was always there to talk me through everything. She's very personable and professional in the best ways. I unfortunately miscarried and she was there every, single step of the way. She checked in with me daily and made sure I was ok physically and mentally. I truly don't know what I would have done without her. She really cares about helping expecting families make sure they are well informed and getting whatever they need. I'm so glad I reached out to her to help me through everything.

Leslie S.
Doula Client
★★★★★ 5/5
Krystal’s knowledge and passion for this business is apparent immediately when corresponding with her. I am so excited to have her in Northern Michigan! This business is so unique and she is doing an incredible job filling our communities with new experiences, opportunities and information regarding birth, breastfeeding, and pre and postnatal care! Not only is she a knowledgeable and experienced businesswoman, but she is kind and friendly as well. Being personable and trustworthy in this line of work is a huge factor, and Krystal has that trait tenfold! It is such an awesome experience being in her environment and hearing all she has to offer! I am looking forward to working with her in the future and can’t wait to see what she brings to the table in the coming months.

Maggie V.
Local Mom
★★★★★ 5/5
My husband and I came to Krystal kind of late in the game. I was probably around 20 weeks give or take by the time we met with her. I already had one child and had some what of a traumatic birth experience with her so I wanted to do as much as possible to prevent that. I can’t say this enough. You couldn’t find someone more support to be in your corner when it comes to pregnancy, birthing, and post postpartum care. She’s attentive, takes advice well, and really focuses on your wants and needs. She’s the best advocate you could have. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable, supported, and happy with my birth experience. Thank you again Krystal. ❤️ Baby born 5/29/21

Adessa L.
Doula Client
★★★★★ 5/5
Just finished up my four week Lamaze class with Krystal...and I HIGHLY recommend for any first time moms! Not only was Krystal clearly knowledgeable in her field, but her enthusiasm helps to build confidence within your own pregnancy. She gives you the information and sources to help advocate for yourself in what may be an unsure time at both hospital birth or home birth atmospheres. It is a huge comfort to be able to have her as my doula when it comes time birth of our baby.

Rose B.
Lamaze Student & Doula Client
★★★★★ 5/5
When my wife suggested finding a doula to guide us through pregnancy and the birth of our first child, I didn't even know what that was. We sure are thankful we found Krystal when we did! If everyone cared for others the way she cared about us and our journey, the world would be a much better place. You won't regret investing in the services Northern Sun has to offer.

Josh B.
Lamaze Student & Doula Care- Dad
★★★★★ 5/5
I can't believe that families go through labor and birth alone! Having Krystal there with the knowledge of labor and delivery, not only supported me but my husband.
Krystal was able to tailor our Lamaze classes to fit our schedule and we felt that we were able take away a lot of helpful information from pregnancy to childcare.

Alisha G.
Lamaze Student & Doula Client
★★★★★ 5/5
Northern Sun Birth is a wonderful service! She was so kind and helpful getting us the donor milk we needed for our preemie baby! 10 out of 10 would recommend going through her for your needs!

Paige L.
Breastmilk Recipient - Community milk-sharing freezer at NSBS
★★★★★ 5/5
I'm not even sure how to begin to convey the value of Krystal's services.
I never considered hiring a doula, until my partner and I began discussing a home birth. In trying to navigate that option in Northern Michigan, our search for birth workers led us to Krystal. I had always thought that I didn't need anyone besides my partner as emotional support during labor, so a doula seemed unnecessary to me, but I decided, almost on a whim, to reach out to her. I didn't expect anything to come out of our conversation, honestly.
After speaking to Krystal on the phone for maybe 10 minutes, I was convinced she had to be present at our birth. You cannot have a conversation with Krystal without being immediately assured of her serving spirit. The genuine love and care she gives to her clients, even before they're clients, is unmatched. I had not felt that level of sincere connection with any other birth worker.
Initially, my partner seemed unsure about the role a doula would play for us. I think he also thought that he was all the emotional support I would need! But his official position was, "whatever you want, we'll do." After the first meeting with Krystal, he was sold. It was clear that she would provide education, assistance, and support to BOTH of us. The childbirth classes were invaluable, so fun, and such a great bonding experience for my partner and I. She made them something to look forward to, and her material is comprehensive and interesting.
Communication was always amazing with Krystal, and we never felt afraid or silly to reach out to her with questions or information on how the pregnancy was progressing. I don't know how she does it, but Krystal makes you feel like her only client. You feel heard, valued, important, and cared for. You feel like your pregnancy and baby matter so much to her, it's an amazing and affirming feeling that really makes a difference.
On the day of our birth, I ended up being induced in the hospital. Krystal is a huge part of the reason that I love our birth story instead of mourn the home birth I wanted but didn't get. Krystal held space for all our feelings, she was there to advocate for us and help us to get the experience we wanted. She got amazing photos of the labor and birth, she made our room feel homey and comfortable, she brought chocolate!
When I was convinced I couldn't keep going, while my partner provided hip squeezes to keep me sane, Krystal was the one I was leaning on, moaning into her shoulder, "I can't, I can't!"
Krystal told me, "You can. The hardest part is the shortest part; you're nearly there." At that point in labor, I was in my own head and barely hearing anything anyone was saying, but I heard that. That pulled me out of my pain spiral enough, it gave me something to hold onto. I kept repeating it in my head, "the hardest part is the shortest part, the hardest part is the shortest part..."
Krystal is, without a doubt, the person you want at your birth. You should have someone who is going to exude so much genuine, undiluted love and support that it fills the room your baby is born in. She made me and my partner feel strong, sure, and supported so we could be there for each other while we brought our baby into the world.
20/10, would recommend. Krystal will be the first phone call I make for any future pregnancies. She's worth every penny and more!

Michele H.
Lamaze Student & Doula Client
★★★★★ 5/5
As a guy, we never need to ask for help, read the instructions or, ever ever ask for directions, right? Right, for everything but the birth of your child. Which was exactly why it took all of 3.1 seconds for me to agree to take a Lamaze class to begin with, and even less time to do Krystal's class.
Krystal is one of the most dedicated to someone else people that you'll ever meet. She is so extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and seems like she's not happy unless she goes above and beyond to 1)make sure you have the courage and confidence in yourself as a parent and 2) the knowledge and tips/tricks to fill in the gaps to give you that confidence. The best part of taking Krystals class is Krystal herself. I'm sure there are lots of other perfectly fine Lamaze classes and teachers that are just as dedicated, however there is only one Krystal Barnhart.
Ask for the help, ask for the directions. You don't know, what you don't know; and Krystal is there as a guide to not just tell you, but more importantly, show you.

Chris G.
Lamaze Dad