At its simplest, a doula is a trained birth support professional. A doula is trained to understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor, and provides continuous individualized support to achieve the best birth outcomes possible for mothers, babies and their families.

The benefits of having a doula attend your birth are ample and evidence-based. Doulas add a necessary layer of care currently missing from the status quo birth experience. Studies show that having a doula present at birth results in improved birth outcomes, improved newborn health and improved satisfaction ratings including:

-shorter labors with fewer complications

-decreased risk of Cesarean, forceps/vacuum extractions

-decreased use of medications for pain relief

-decreased use of Pitocin

-decreased risk of NICU

-higher APGAR scores

-greater satisfaction of overall birth experience

-greater success in breastfeeding

-reduced risk of postpartum depression & anxiety

Furthermore, mothers who receive support during labor report feeling more secure and self-confident, no matter the circumstances of their birth.

I am not a medical professional. I will not give medical advice. I don’t do things that your midwife or OB will do, such as prescribe a treatment or medication, conduct cervical checks and/or other procedures. They are responsible for assessing the physical health of you or your baby, I am not. I also do not make decisions for you. This is YOUR birth.

Folks often think that doulas are only for first time birthers who want unmedicated vaginal births. However, I believe all families deserve to have a doula supporting their birth, regardless of how and where they plan to birth. The proven benefits of having a doula should be available for everyone - whether you are seeking a spontaneous vaginal birth, an Epidural, a VBAC, or a planned induction or Cesarean. I especially love working with homebirth clients, and those pregnant after loss.

I believe that physiologic birth is a natural, normal, bodily function, and is not inherently a medical emergency. Birth does not have to be traumatic or urgent. Birth can be joyful, un-rushed, restorative, peaceful. I believe that birth belongs to birthers, not the hospital we birth in, or our care providers, and it is my job to protect this process. I believe that the way our society treats birth is both limiting and harmful. “Healthy mom, healthy baby” is the bare minimum -- HOW we birth matters. Bodies are wise and know how to birth. Babies are wise and know how to be born. I believe birth is a sacred rite of passage, a portal with the ultimate opportunity to discover untapped inner resources of strength and power.

Physiologic birth is the innate capacity of a woman’s body to birth her baby without disruption, intervention or medical interference. Most of the time, birth will happen just as it is biologically designed to, with the exception of a true medical emergency. Birth research shows us that the safest and best outcomes come from protecting physiologic birth, letting labor begin spontaneously and progress in its own meandering way without being rushed. Babies know how to be born!

Think of me as your new late night Google. Say goodbye to combing through 7 year old Reddit posts to find answers that you likely won’t get from the 6 minutes your OB gives you for questions. Welcome to my resource library of unbiased evidence-based knowledge. Let’s talk about your fears! Is pain management big on your mind? Want to explore the myriad ways to thrive during labor with or without an Epidural? Want to feel prepared for whatever unfolds?

I prioritize movement, positioning and strategic counterpressure to not only keep you comfortable and calm, but also to create more space for your baby as they descend and rotate through your pelvis, landing earthside.

I’ve got a bag full of goodies to invigorate the senses and disrupt that pesky fear-tension-pain cycle and get your oxytocin flowing! Most of all I have my hands, my voice and my heart. Whether you need loving affirmations or a container for deep inward focus- I’m here. Together, we will do what intuitively feels right for YOU.

During labor I will protect your birth preferences so that you don’t have to remember during the throes of pushing that you want to hear a specific song, or wait to cut baby’s cord. I will also hold space for you to process changes in birth plan, or consider an intervention. When all the best planning goes out the window I’ll be there to remind you of what you told me matters most to you. Ultimately I’m there to make sure your voice is heard loudest in the room, not the nurse’s or OB’s. Remember, your instincts, inner knowing and belief in yourself are just as important as a birth plan.

As soon as your baby is born, it will be my duty to make sure that nothing interferes with the golden immediate postpartum bonding. I can take photos, text immediate family members who are awaiting the news, make sure new parents are well-nourished, assist with breastfeeding, keep your placenta safe until you know what you want to do with it, and get you all tucked in and ready to recover.

I honor and respect that all birth matters, but for me, HOW you birth matters most. “Healthy mom, healthy baby” is the bare minimum around here.

This is a peak life experience that will change you forever. I can promise you that your birth will make you realize that you are so much more capable, powerful and commanding than you previously knew.

I will sit in silence with you, roar with you, whisper affirmations, be a loving witness to YOUR process. I will remind you to eat, drink, rest, pee, laugh, cry, sing, dance, kiss your partner, channel joy, gather up your strength and give thanks because YOU WILL BE MEETING YOUR BABY SO SOON! You will have everything you need, I promise…

I could never replace the value and necessity of a committed and involved birth partner! I know BIRTH but your partner knows YOU! Your partner loves you more than anyone else in the world, and that’s your super power. However, birth partners are also having their own special experience during birth. I'll be there alongside your partner, as an objective 3rd party. I can also provide coaching and support for the birth partner who wants it!

I am based in Oakland. I attend births and tend to families postpartum in the East Bay and San Francisco. My exact service area is here. I charge an extra travel fee for bridge tolls/parking for clients in SF.