Meet Crys Melton of Crys the Doula in Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crys Melton.

Crys, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I became a doula after my son was born. That lead me down a path to becoming both a childbirth educator and a placenta encapsulator. Along the way, I started learning about donor breast milk and the benefits it has. There is tremendous need but very little education or resources. I have been matching moms with donor milk to babies in need of about ten years.

Has it been a smooth road?
It is not smooth. There are always more babies needing milk than moms donating. It is also typical that when moms are ready to donate, they want the milk gone NOW. If you don’t arrange to pick it up quickly, they move on to another family in need. I have driven 45 minutes one way to pick up milk. I know families that have driven from Arizona to California for milk. It takes gas, time, wears on the vehicle, plus having storage space for the milk. I also contend with what diet and medications donors are on and what the recipient family is willing and/or able to accept. Matching those criteria with age and medical status of the baby in need is a complicated task.

Please tell us more about your business.
I am primarily a Birth Doula. That is, I provide physical, emotional, and informational support as well as advocacy and resources to families during pregnancy, labor, birth and immediate postpartum. I also teach childbirth education classes. Placenta encapsulation was my next learned skill and I enjoy it. The donor milk matching started over ten years ago and was purely an act of God.

I think my tenure as a doula has provided me with such diverse experiences that set me apart from many others. I have worked in so many environments and with all kinds of desires and outcomes. This experience allows me to help my clients navigate their path with as much information as possible. I feel confident in checking my bias and my ability to support families in what is best for them. My daughter, now 11, often accompanies me to births to assist me, my clients, and to help with children that plan to be present at birth. It is an awesome thing to share with her.

My childbirth education classes are tailored to my students based on their backgrounds and desired birth. I have a quick turn around for placenta encapsulation and reasonable rates. My work with donor milk is one thing for which I am known. No other single individual does quite what I do. I have made lifelong friends through what I call “The White Market.” I even have families with deep freezers throughout the valley ready to store milk for me when needed.

I am most proud of my networking and resources within the birth community. I have a tremendous support network and it is relied upon. If I weren’t doing things the right way, I know that wouldn’t be the case.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the diversity of the Phoenix metro area. I have lived in many areas, and The Valley has something for everyone. I wish the environmental standards were high and mass transit was better. Living in Gilbert is lovely and I have access to many resources that people in other areas might not. We have a huge community of natural minded families in the East Valley and businesses to support us.

Pricing:

• Birth doula fee $900
• Placenta encapsulation $150-$225
• Childbirth Education $150-$300

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CrysTheDoula.com
• Phone: 480-215-0018
• Email: crysthedoula@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoulaCrys/

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