Harriet Fraser
About me
I have always been fascinated and humbled by the birthing process since working at a Maternity Hospital in Nepal many years ago, when I was a medical student in the UK. It revealed to me how essential compassionate support is during this rite of passage. My passion for women's health and childbirth has never waned, and I come with a deep knowledge of the process from working as a family doctor in the UK, then birthing and bringing up my own three children here in the US. I am privileged to work as a birth doula, an advocate in this space, supporting with empathy and calm, helping women to trust their bodies and to achieve a positive birth experience. I help women to know their own body and its amazing capabilities, to trust it, and, in doing so, to own their birth.
Education
Bachelor of Surgery Bachelor of Medicine (1994)
Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2000)
Certification and training
Birth Doula Training with Bini Birth (2025)
Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas (2025)
Memberships and affiliations
DONA
DASC
Credentials
Specialties
Languages
English
Service introduction
I am passionate about women's health and women envisioning and realizing the birth they want, through compassionate support and gentle advocacy, so that women are heard and empowered at every stage of care. I offer in home prenatal visits, at least 2, before your due date, support during active labor and delivery from an agreed upon time, until baby is born. We will then meet for a debriefing post-natal visit within 2 weeks of the birth of your baby.
Packages
Ratings and reviews
Harriet is a wonderful doula and an amazing person. She saved me in so many ways and gave me the exact birth plan I imagined. I only found her a month before my due date and she was able to step in and give me proper guidance. She talked me through all the options on the birth plan. She sent me materials and ideas to deal with pain and anxiety. She has a medical background as well as extensive experience In the field and is constantly keeping up with new technologies. My support person was out of town when I went into labor and Harriet was with me the whole time. She asked questions of the doctors and made sure I got the best care. She voiced my concerns when I couldn't. During active labor she was so soothing and knew tricks to ease the pain - thanks to her I gave birth without an epidural. She followed up with me after and baked delicious cookies! I honestly can't thank her enough. She is a pillar of strength and knowledge and source of calm in the storm.
- Becky Murray
Harriet has been by far the best and most honest doula we could have hoped for. From our very first interaction, she was kind, transparent and incredibly reasonable. Her knowledge, experience and genuine care have been worth their weight in gold. No matter how much you prepare for birth, things don’t always go exactly as planned. That’s when having someone like Harriet in your corner makes all the difference. She brings a calm confidence, a wealth of experience and the reassurance that you are supported every step of the way. Throughout the pregnancy, Harriet was always there for my wife, answering questions, offering guidance and supporting both of us through the process. On the big day, she came in the middle of the night to help my wife labor at home for as long as possible. We had an unusually long labor but our daughter was born perfectly healthy, and Harriet was such an instrumental part of that journey. We are incredibly grateful for her calm resolve, her medical experience from the UK, her empathy and the way she made us feel cared for during one of the most important moments of our lives. We could not recommend her services more highly. We will absolutely use Harriet again for our next newborn and feel so lucky to have had her by our side.
- James Cosmin
Harriet was an absolutely fabulous doula and such a great professional. She was attentive with superb communications so that we were never left waiting or wondering. She visited before and after the baby was born and she was present at the birth, monitoring the whole process. She had great advice and her experience was invaluable. Night time help was no problem for her!! I would highly recommend Harriet for her knowledge, her support and kindness.
- Liz Murray
Harriet was an absolutely fabulous doula and such a great professional. She was attentive with superb communications so that we were never left waiting or wondering. She visited before and after the baby was born and she was present at the birth, monitoring the whole process. She had great advice and her experience was invaluable. Night time help was no problem for her!! I would highly recommend Harriet for her knowledge, her support and kindness
- Liz Murray
Our experience with Harriet was incredible, she was amazing all the way and during labour and at the hospital we felt she was a member of our family. We really suggest to work with Harriet to all the couples that want help and good energy during the pregnancy journey.
- Angelo D'Alessandro
Thank you, Harriet, for guiding us throughout my pregnancy, always taking the time to answer our questions and offering reassurance whenever we needed it. You constantly reminded me that our bodies are designed to give birth and encouraged me to trust myself and the process, which gave me so much confidence.
- Chloe
Dr. Harriet was wonderful. I wasn't fully sure how a doula would help initially but I wanted to try getting help with my second pregnancy and was aiming for a VBAC. When I knew she is a doctor I felt confident to start with her, but once I gave birth I knew this was much much more important than a title like doula or doctor for her and I was lucky to have her presence prior to the birth and during the birth. My early labor to birth process took 53 hours and she patiently helped me through three days of going to hospital , returning, and through every choice in pain management and every centimeter of dilation. Her backup doula was also incredibly helpful. They both were available at odd hours of the night, helping me take choices, helping me exercise and breathe, giving me counter pressure. I just could not have done it without her. My husband was also coached by her on how to give counter pressure. As much as my husband helped me, I would not have been able to go through the process without Harriet by my side. Her knowledge, assurance, encouragement was very important to have. Knowing she knew what was happening made me feel like I was in control and can face the pain. She was part of my team at the hospital caring for me and I'm touched by her care - it is amazing to have someone care for me and be present for me that way. I knew her only starting third trimester but her care transcended all that - she was someone I could fully trust and be comfortable with very quickly. I am so thankful to have met her and have her help at my birth. Anyone who gets to have her time and presence is lucky and can be well prepared before and supported through birth. Her book was straightforward , simple to understand and have me a wealth of understanding prior to birth.
- Ananya
Dr. Harriet was wonderful. I wasn't fully sure how a doula would help initially but I wanted to try getting help with my second pregnancy and was aiming for a VBAC. When I knew she is a doctor I felt confident to start with her, but once I gave birth I knew this was much much more important than a title like doula or doctor for her and I was lucky to have her presence prior to the birth and during the birth. My early labor to birth process took 53 hours and she patiently helped me through three days of going to hospital, returning, and through every choice in pain management and every centimeter of dilation. Her backup doula was also incredibly helpful. They both were available at odd hours of the night, helping me take choices, helping me exercise and breathe, giving me counter pressure. I just could not have done it without her. My husband was also coached by her on how to give counter pressure. As much as my husband helped me, I would not have been able to go through the process without Harriet by my side. Her knowledge, assurance, encouragement was very important to have. Knowing she knew what was happening made me feel like I was in control and can face the pain. She was part of my team at the hospital caring for me and I'm touched by her care - it is amazing to have someone care for me and be present for me that way. I knew her only starting third trimester but her care transcended all that - she was someone I could fully trust and be comfortable with very quickly. I am so thankful to have met her and have her help at my birth. Anyone who gets to have her time and presence is lucky and can be well prepared before and supported through birth. Her book was straightforward, simple to understand and gave me a wealth of understanding prior to birth.
- Ananya
Dr. Harriet was wonderful. I wasn't fully sure how a doula would help initially but I wanted to try getting help with my second pregnancy and was aiming for a VBAC. When I knew she is a doctor I felt confident to start with her, but once I gave birth I knew this was much much more important than a title like doula or doctor for her and I was lucky to have her presence prior to the birth and during the birth. My early labor to birth process took 53 hours and she patiently helped me through three days of going to hospital, returning, and through every choice in pain management and every centimeter of dilation. Her backup doula was also incredibly helpful. They both were available at odd hours of the night, helping me take choices, helping me exercise and breathe, giving me counter pressure. I just could not have done it without her. My husband was also coached by her on how to give counter pressure. As much as my husband helped me, I would not have been able to go through the process without Harriet by my side. Her knowledge, assurance, encouragement was very important to have. Knowing she knew what was happening made me feel like I was in control and can face the pain. She was part of my team at the hospital caring for me and I'm touched by her care - it is amazing to have someone care for me and be present for me that way. I knew her only starting third trimester but her care transcended all that - she was someone I could fully trust and be comfortable with very quickly. I am so thankful to have met her and have her help at my birth. Anyone who gets to have her time and presence is lucky and can be well prepared before and supported through birth. Her book was straightforward, simple to understand and have me a wealth of understanding prior to birth.
- Ananya
Dr.Harriet was wonderful. I wasn't fully sure how a doula would help initially but I wanted to try getting help with my second pregnancy and was aiming for a VBAC. When I knew she is a doctor I felt confident to start with her, but once I gave birth I knew this was much much more important than a title like doula or doctor for her and I was lucky to have her presence prior to the birth and during the birth. My early labor to birth process took 53 hours and she patiently helped me through three days of going to hospital, returning, and through every choice in pain management and every centimeter of dilation. Her backup doula was also incredibly helpful. They both were available at odd hours of the night, helping me take choices, helping me exercise and breathe, giving me counter pressure. I just could not have done it without her. My husband was also coached by her on how to give counter pressure. As much as my husband helped me, I would not have been able to go through the process without Harriet by my side. Her knowledge, assurance, encouragement was very important to have. Knowing she knew what was happening made me feel like I was in control and can face the pain. She was part of my team at the hospital caring for me and I'm touched by her care - it is amazing to have someone care for me and be present for me that way. I knew her only starting third trimester but her care transcended all that - she was someone I could fully trust and be comfortable with very quickly. I am so thankful to have met her and have her help at my birth. Anyone who gets to have her time and presence is lucky and can be well prepared before and supported through birth. Her book was straightforward, simple to understand and have me a wealth of understanding prior to birth.
- Ananya
We cannot recommend Harriet highly enough as a doula. From the very beginning, she went above and beyond — visiting our home multiple times before my due date to teach us contraction techniques and make sure we felt prepared. When early labor began, Harriet was an incredible calming presence over the phone, talking me through my initial contractions and wisely advising us to stay home much longer than we would have on our own. At the hospital, Harriet created a soothing environment (complete with candles!), kept me focused and breathing through contractions before my epidural, and made sure my husband felt involved and useful every step of the way. When I hit a wall during pushing, Harriet kept me grounded and calm — I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through that stretch without her. Harriet visited us at home afterward to debrief the birth, process the experience together, and answer all the questions that come flooding in once you're home with a newborn. Harriet is knowledgeable, warm, intuitive, and dedicated to her clients. We are so grateful she was part of welcoming our baby into the world.
- Hannah H.
We cannot recommend Harriet highly enough as a doula. From the very beginning, she went above and beyond — visiting our home multiple times before my due date to teach us contraction techniques and make sure we felt truly prepared. When early labor began, Harriet was an incredible calming presence over the phone, talking me through my initial contractions and wisely advising us to stay home much longer than we would have on our own. At the hospital, Harriet created a soothing environment (complete with candles!), kept me focused and breathing through contractions before my epidural, and made sure my husband felt involved and useful every step of the way. When I hit a wall during pushing, Harriet kept me grounded and calm — I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through that stretch without her. Harriet visited us at home afterward to debrief the birth, process the experience together, and answer all the questions that come flooding in once you're home with a newborn. That postpartum visit meant more than I expected. Harriet is knowledgeable, warm, intuitive, and dedicated to her clients. We are so grateful she was part of welcoming our baby into the world.
- Hannah Hutchison
Having known and worked with Harriet for 30 years I have seen firsthand how calm, patient, and dedicated she is. That, combined with a wealth of experience and knowledge, shape her into an invaluable support to have by your side. She’s always completely committed to the people she supports and cares for and I would have no hesitation in having her as my doula. I wish I had.
- Nicola B.
Harriet is not only a trained doula, but an MD. She has attended many births as a doctor in the UK. She is passionate about helping expectant mothers learn to trust their own bodies during the birth process. Harriet delivered her third child here in Los Angeles and understands how to advocate for a woman's birth plan. I have no reservations recommending her as a birth doula!
- Stella G.
Harriet will take you through your pregnancy & delivery with so much wisdom and experience. Her wealth of experience over 30 years means she comes to this with a sense of knowledge and calm which will support you and your birth partner to achieve a wonderful birth experience.
- Alice H.
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