VBAC Doulas in Emeryville, CA

Planning a vaginal birth after cesarean? These providers list VBAC support as a specialty, from preparing for labor to helping you talk through your options with your care team.

34 VBAC Doulas near Emeryville, CA

Shelby Stewart

Oakland, California 26 years of experience

5.0 (3 reviews)

Shelby Stewart

Accepts insurance

As a full spectrum birth-keeper, sexual/reproductive & lactation educator, and womb-space ceremonialist, I hold space for you to have continuous, high quality support that is infused with culturally responsive care, and embedded within a framework of advocacy. As such, I provide physical, emotional, and educational support and guidance to all birthing people, their partners, their families, and communities across the lifespan, reproductive landscape, and for all reproductive circumstances and outcomes. Earthseed Birthwork praxis is steeped in the belief that within the hallowed grounds of your wholeness – your lived experiences and unique socio-cultural contexts, your dreams, and your life journey, there is an opportunity for YOUR divinely aligned birth journey to come forth. I specialize in serving as guide, helping you investigate and get curious about, cultivate, and then traverse your own birth ceremony, the complex and oftentimes daunting medical system's model of care, and matrescence – the wholeness (physically, psychologically, and socially) of becoming a mother/parent…all while centering the sacred and traditional practices that have safely held birthing people for time immemorial. Bearing witness to, being deeply present for, and reflecting your own innate power to call forth and touch into the dance of your intuition, are my gifts. Working with me is intended to be more than a mere hand-holding, it is meant to be a full person witnessing, and the sanctuary of safe space to support the expansion of your capacity to be present with all that arises on your journey. I believe all births are immeasurably transformative...birth shape- shifts us into whatever next iteration this life is calling forth for us. When allowed, birth may expose you to rapturous wonder, deep discomfort, indescribable joy, and the instinctive knowing that you will forever physically, emotionally, and spiritually be changed. Care Setting I meet people where they are, and not where I may perceive they ‘should’ be…literally and figuratively. I hold and offer care within in-person spaces, homes, virtually, office, and outside underneath the sky’s blanket.

Recent review

We give Shelby the highest recommendation. She supported our birth journey in so many critical ways, through her presence, knowledge and constant encouragement. She is very personable and answered all of our questions. We especially appreciated the way she could explain why the clinical setting would prefer or encourage particular interventions, while also letting us know about all of the options available and helping us to make informed decisions along the way. She empowered us. When it mattered most, during labor and delivery, Shelby was there, with the right presence, words and encouragement. She helped our baby come into the world. We hope other parents have this positive experience of a doula, like Shelby gave us.

- Heidi and Luke H.

Krystal Vélez-Gómez-Edwards

Oakland, California 4 years of experience

5.0 (4 reviews)

Krystal Vélez-Gómez-Edwards Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in California, last 60 days

Accepts insurance

My name is Krystal Brisette Vélez-Gómez-Edwards and I am of Indigenous-Mexicana and Nicaragüense descent. I am open to supporting all births of all beliefs and practices. I am passionate about my own cultural work and practicing as a traditional, Mexican doula, acknowledging birth as ceremony. My first career path was in nursing until I discovered my dismay with Western medicine and healthcare. Years later I experienced the birth of my son, Michael, who is now 16. I was 21 and had no support outside of my marriage, I had no clue what I was doing and I didn't know what I didn't know. I ate awfully and gained at least 70 pounds. When my water broke and I was admitted to the hospital, I was soon told I would need a cesarean due to my son going into "distress." I planned to have a natural birth, but here I was receiving an epidural (fentanyl!) and being cut open and tugged at from within. I was so detached from my own body. My baby was taken from the room and I didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and pleasure of skin-to-skin bonding, our 'golden hour' to breastfeed peacefully. I suffered from postpartum depression and learned to bury and forget the experience because I figured that's just how it was. It wasn't until years later that it came up for me and was a catalyst for many positive changes in my life. I was a few years into healing work with indigenous medicines and in one of my own ceremonies, I received a calling to bring ceremony back to birth, along with visions of burying a placenta at a sacred tree. I began researching traditional Mexican birth work to discover that this was in fact an indigenous tradition. I dedicated myself to the journey of birth work. I obtained training in many facets of holistic birth work and traditional, Mexican birth work, including herbalism to support birth and postpartum, womb healing, rebozo work, techniques for comfort and pain management as well as repositioning breech babies, lactation support, craniosacral therapy, cerrada de caderas (traditional closing ceremony), and the list continues to grow. I have been studying safe use of psychedelics during pregnancy and birth. As a traditional, certified holistic birth and postpartum doula, my primary role is to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to you during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and beyond. I believe birth work is sacred and magical. Most importantly, I'm passionate about incorporating traditional practices into my work, which means I can also draw on indigenous knowledge and rituals to enhance and support your desired birthing experience. Together, we'll navigate this journey, ensuring you feel empowered and well-supported throughout.

Recent review

Cristal was absolutely essential to my uncomplicated delivery of my child. Her warmth and knowledge gave me the confidence and peace to go within myself and have an unmedicated delivery in the hospital. Being able to text her with any questions during and before early labor was incredibly comforting and helpful. Cristal was also a tremendous support for my mom and husband in the hospital, making the whole experience more personalized and less stressful. She provided them with the confidence and reassurance they needed, creating a calm and supportive environment for all of us. At the end of my quarentena, Cristal performed my cerada de caderas ceremony, which was beautiful and just the pampering I needed. This ceremony helped me reconnect with my roots and heal from my previous two birthing experiences. Cristal's support, both during and after delivery, was invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for her presence during this important time in my life. Thank you, Cristal, for everything you've done for me and my family!

- Rocío G.

Maya Jones

Oakland, California 7 years of experience

Maya Jones

Responds within an hour Accepts insurance

Hi, I’m Maya Jones a Certified Full Spectrum Doula and Placenta Care Specialist dedicated to supporting you through every stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My mission is to create safe, empowering experiences for all birthing people—honoring your unique birth preferences, whether natural, medicated, cesarean, or VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Growing up in East Palo Alto, I was inspired by the strength of my community and the compassion of my grandmother and mother, who were community leaders and nurturers. Their example taught me to lead with advocacy, care, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others. With over a decade of childcare experience and a passion for birth work sparked in 2017, I founded All Hues LLC in 2023 to provide holistic, personalized care. My comprehensive training in Birth, Loss, and Postpartum Care, alongside certifications in Placenta Encapsulation and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Safety, equips me to meet your needs with evidence-based knowledge, practical tools, and emotional reassurance. I am committed to addressing inequities in perinatal care and providing inclusive, affirming support to all families, especially Black families, families of color, LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and surrogates. Through compassionate guidance, I help you navigate the challenges and joys of parenthood with confidence and ease. Whether you’re looking for birth planning, hands-on labor support, lactation guidance, postpartum recovery care, or placenta encapsulation, my goal is to ensure you feel seen, respected, and cared for every step of the way. Let’s create a birth and postpartum experience that empowers you to not just survive but thrive!

Julie Taylor

Oakland, California 5 years of experience

Julie Taylor

NPI verified Accepts insurance

I support individuals and families through every stage of the reproductive experience: preconception, pregnancy, birth, loss, and postpartum, with care that’s holistic, culturally sensitive, and rooted in real life, not just the birth plan on paper. As a certified Full Spectrum Doula, Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), and Child Passenger Safety Technician, I bring a full care to every experience I join, so you’re not juggling five different providers for the pieces that matter most. Lactation support is close to my heart. Feeding is one of the areas where folks get the least real preparation and the most pressure. I’m here to make sure you have grounded, judgment~ free support from day one, whether that’s latch troubleshooting, pumping logistics, or just someone reminding you that “enough” looks different for everyone and every baby. With over ten years of experience and maternal, paternal & child care, I’ve learned that the best support isn’t performative. It’s steady. I show up prepared, I listen first, and I meet you where you actually are, not where a checklist says you should be. My approach draws on trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice, and I welcome everyone, however your household looks, whatever your experience has brought you. If you’re looking for a doula who treats your experience as sacred and specific to you, I’d love to be part of your life

Talia Schultz-Alarcon

San Francisco, California 5 years of experience

5.0 (2 reviews)

Talia Schultz-Alarcon

Accepts insurance

https://www.doulatalia.com/ Hello and Welcome! My name is Doula Talia, providing birth and postpartum services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. I transitioned away from a delightful 20+ year profession in healthcare management and chose to train as a doula, a career where I can nurture my path of service to others. I believe how we give and show up in the world is how we receive. My natural desire to build community and connect with others brings me here today. Part of my role as a doula is empowering families by listening to their birth goals and holding space for them to make informed decisions. My goal is that the birthing person and team feel confident and grounded. Everyone has an inner self-power that can ignite in all situations! I am the friend one calls when they need a calm, centering voice of reassurance. My greatest joy is that I am a mother to my favorite human beings. My experience of motherhood and being an aunt of 10 adds another essential layer of depth to my work as a birth and postpartum care doula. Please contact me directly at “doulatalia.sf@gmail.com” Looking forward to connecting with you soon!

Recent review

I worked with Talia through out my pregnancy, birth and postpartum period, and I am so grateful for her support. She truly works from the hear, which is something you don't come across often. Talia consistently went above and beyond her role, always making sure I felt comfortable, informed and supported. Her presence during such an important time felt more like having a sister by my side than just a professional. I would absolutely recommend Talia to anyone looking for a caring, dedicated and compassionate doula.

- Dolma C.

Joanne Gomez BSN, RN, CD, CCE, CLE

Serves San Francisco, California 27 years of experience

4.2 (5 reviews)

Joanne Gomez BSN, RN, CD, CCE, CLE Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in California, last 60 days

Responds within an hour Accepts insurance

Hello! I am the Founder and Nursing Director of Peaceful Passages Birthing Support Center. I am an experienced Labor and Delivery RN and Certified Doula of 25 years. We serve CA and FL, with multiple office locations . We offer a vast array of services, including, maternity concierge services , birth and postpartum doula services, Montrice services, Lamaze classes, Lactation support, placenta encapsulation, postpartum meal service, belly casting, mother blessing ceremonies, and cord burning ceremonies. We accept most insurance plans, including Medi Cal and Kaiser. We look forward to being a part of your empowering birth experience and journey!

Recent review

Hiring an overnight doula from Peaceful Passages was one of the best decisions I made for my postpartum recovery. Not only did my doula lovingly care for me and my newborn, she went above and beyond—prepping nourishing meals, providing breastfeeding support, organizing the baby’s nursery, and even helping with my twin toddlers so I could rest. Her calm, professional presence made my healing after a c-section so much easier. I was especially impressed by how seamless everything was—she was professionally dressed, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. On top of that, Peaceful Passages accepted my Carrot insurance and handled all the billing with ease, which lifted such a burden off my shoulders. This service was truly a lifesaver for me and my family. I felt cared for, supported, and able to focus on bonding with my baby. I can’t recommend their overnight doula services enough!

- Bri L.

Kim Knapp

San Francisco, California 7 years of experience

5.0 (39 reviews)

Kim Knapp

NPI verified Responds within a few hours Accepts insurance

Hello! I'm Kim I am a full service birth and postpartum Doula and a member of DONA. I recognize the magical, miraculous wonders of pregnancy and childbirth and offer unconditional, judgement free support for all families. I love to share my knowledge and passionate enthusiasm with expectant families and offer confident, continuity of care to ensure you have a positive birth experience, in alignment with your birth preferences. I live in San Francisco and have a lot of experience at UCSF, CPMC and the Kaiser Network. I also support births on the Peninsula at Mills.

Recent review

Kim is great! We hired Kim as our birth doula and had a wonderful experience. - She's super knowledgeable & experienced-- with her prep sessions, I didn't feel the need to do any additional birth prep classes and I felt informed & empowered going into my birth. - I really trusted her to help us navigate choice and make good decisions that were medically safe & aligned with our preferences. This was a huge stress reliever for me-- it let me avoid sifting through endless info on the internet. - She helped bring my partner in to the birth experience and supported both of us throughout. - She worked flawlessly with the staff at UCSF. Kim felt like a trusted member of our medical team. This was especially nice when hospital shifts changed or when we needed help weighing options. - Her support during the birth itself was exactly what I needed, from physical comfort measures to brainstorming options to emotional support. We had a wonderful birth and Kim's support was a big part of that. Can't recommend her highly enough.

- Sarah Jundt

La Rae Banks, DrPH, MBA-HM, CD (DONA)

California 2 years of experience

5.0 (5 reviews)

La Rae Banks, DrPH, MBA-HM, CD (DONA) Background checked · Sep 2026 Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in California, last 60 days

NPI verified Responds within a day Accepts insurance

Personalized Doula Care — Covered by Medi-Cal (and sometimes through your employer). **You deserve to feel prepared, supported, and genuinely cared for throughout your birth journey.** As an in-network doula provider, I offer personalized prenatal education, continuous labor support, and postpartum care to eligible members. Together, we'll prepare for your baby's arrival, explore your birth preferences, and discuss important decisions before labor begins. When your big day arrives, I'll be right beside you, providing encouragement, physical comfort, and the reassurance of having someone focused on your well-being. **And here's the wonderful part: Eligible Medi-Cal members can receive these covered doula services at no out-of-pocket cost.** The same is possible through your employer-sponsored plan. I work with Kaiser Permanente, Contra Costa Health Plan, and Partnership HealthPlan of California. I also accept employer group coverage through Kaiser and Anthem Blue Cross. **Let's get ready for your baby's big day!** Send me a message to introduce yourself, share your due date, and tell me which l health plan you have. I look forward to being part of your birth journey! - Dr. Rae 💜

Recent review

YOU NEED A DOULA!!! If you're on the fence about whether or not you should get a doula, I'll save you the time of reading the rest of this review. The answer is YES! And Dr Rae is 1000000/10! Having a doula should be a requirement to give birth. I really would not have made it through my birth without Dr Rae. I had a traumatic birth with my first so going into my second pregnancy/birth I knew I wanted extra support. Dr Rae has a really strong medical background so not only did she provide incredible emotional support but I felt really confident having her on my support team because I knew she could help calm my anxiety and reassure me everything was ok or what signs to look out for if it wasn't. During labor she provided coping tools (god bless that TENS machine and massage gun!!) and position changes. She was right there with me rubbing my back through contractions and coaching me through pushing. She helped my baby latch right after birth and made sure I was settled in the postpartum unit before leaving. My husband was great and all but I truly couldn't have done it without Dr Rae to provide all the experience and knowledge (even he said he wouldn't have known what to do and was so thankful for Dr Rae)! I had such a positive birth and Dr Rae will always hold a special place in my heart because of it.

- Tanya S.

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