Maria Marli Martins

Richmond, California

5.0 (2 reviews)

Maria Marli Martins

11 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello! My name is Marli Martins, and I’m a Certified Postpartum Doula with over 15 years of experience in childcare, massage therapy, and nursing. I hold multiple degrees in Early Childhood Education, Nursing, and Massage Therapy, and I’m passionate about helping families feel supported and confident during the postpartum journey. I specialize in emotional and physical support, breastfeeding and lactation care, and newborn care education. I believe that with the right guidance and gentle encouragement, the early days with a new baby can be peaceful and empowering for every family. I speak Portuguese and English (and some Spanish), and I strive to create a warm, organized, and judgment-free space for every parent I work with.

Recent review

Marli is an exceptional postpartum doula. Her calm presence, extensive knowledge, and nurturing care make a real difference in the lives of the families she supports. I’ve witnessed her offer thoughtful, respectful, and personalized support, always prioritizing the baby’s wellbeing and the parents’ comfort. I trust her work deeply and highly recommend her. — Joseane de Jesus Ferreira Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula (HFD) | Newborn Specialist (CU) | CPR & First Aid (Menlo Park FD) | Lactation Education (UCSD) | Child Development (Abilene)

- Joseane D.

Joanne Gomez BSN, RN, CD, CCE, CLE

San Francisco, California

5.0 (4 reviews)

Joanne Gomez BSN, RN, CD, CCE, CLE

27 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello! I am the owner and nursing director of Peaceful Passages Birthing Support Center. I am an experienced Labor and Delivery RN and Certified Doula of 25 years. Our office serves both Northern and Southern CA. We offer a vast array of services, including, maternity concierge services , birth and postpartum doula services, Montrice services, Lamaze classes, Lactation support, placenta encapsulation, 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.

Sabrina Martinez

San Francisco, California

5.0 (1 review)

Sabrina Martinez

5 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hey there! I’m Sabrina, owner of Little Sprout Doula and I’m thrilled to connect with you! I’m a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula based in San Francisco, California. My journey in the birthing world started as a volunteer with the San Francisco General Hospital Birth doula program. It was such a rewarding experience, and I learned so much about how to support expectant moms and their families. After that, I had the opportunity to work at San Francisco's very first postpartum retreat center. There, I gained valuable insights into the postpartum period. Last year alone, I’ve had the joy of helping over 50 families through their postpartum journeys, and it’s been incredibly rewarding! I also participated in Sutter Hospital's Birth Doula Pilot program, where I got to dive even deeper into this work. Plus, I’ve taken a UC San Diego Lactation Educator course and completed a Spinning Babies workshop because I’m passionate about empowering expectant individuals and their families on this wonderful journey. My focus is now in birth doula support. I can't wait to share my knowledge and support with you. Let’s connect and start this amazing adventure together!

Recent review

Sabrina is a star. She took just thoughtful, empathetic care of our little one and we still appreciate it immensely. She was also a helpful resource and emotional support during some breastfeeding troubles. Our guy was also born a few weeks early underweight, and we trusted Sabrina fully to give him the care he needed. We are forever grateful, and you can be too! Book Sabrina!

- Hamed F.

Ke'xia Draper

San Francisco, California

4.0 (4 reviews)

Ke'xia Draper

6 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hi there! My name is Ke'xia (kuh see ya) and I am a certified lactation specialist, birth and postpartum doula that is passionate about birth work! I would love to serve families that are open to all possibilities that birth may unexpectedly happen. Whether vaginal or a scheduled belly birth, I hope to help families feel empowered, safe, and equipped with evidence based information. I hope to exceed your expectations of what a doula is capable of!

Recent review

Ke’xia is an exceptional night doula, who provided outstanding care for our newborn baby and made delicious lactation cookies that helped with my milk production. From the very first night, her calming presence and professional demeanor put us at ease. She was incredibly attentive to our baby's needs, ensuring a smooth and restful night for both the baby and us. Her expertise in newborn care was evident, and she shared valuable tips that made a significant difference in our daily routine. I highly recommend her services to any new parent looking for compassionate and knowledgeable support during those critical early days.

- Laura G.

Alla Irwin

San Francisco, California

Alla Irwin

9 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I am a mother of 2, birth and Postpartum doula and a photographer leaving in San Francisco. I am observant, thoughtful person with a good sense of humor who enjoyed walks, books, tea, plants and good conversations.

Kim Knapp

San Francisco, California

5.0 (4 reviews)

Kim Knapp

7 years of experience
Accepts insurances

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 have also supported many births on the Peninsula at Mills, Sequoia, Kaiser RWC and Stanford.

Recent review

My partner and I loved working with Kim! Our sessions with her pre-birth were very valuable and informative. Even though we originally prepared for a vaginal birth, I ended up with a scheduled c-section due to the positioning of my twins. Kim helped us navigate the conversations with my doctor so that we were asking the right questions and felt comfortable with our decision. During the operation, she provided much needed emotional support and afterwards, made sure my partner also had skin to skin with both babies. I ended up with a very positive birth experience even though it didn’t go as originally planned. I would highly recommend having Kim as your doula!

- J L.

Shakila Marando

San Francisco, California

5.0 (6 reviews)

Shakila Marando

17 years of experience
Accepts insurances

My name is Shakila Marando, and I am the founder of DOULAS by the BAY. I am a mother of two children, and I have worked with children and families for over 25 years. For the last 16 years, I have dedicated my life to serving families as a doula, offering support through pregnancy, birth, and the early newborn days. My work comes from a deep love for caring for others, and my goal is always to help parents feel seen, supported, and confident during this special time. My professional background includes Certified Birth Doula, Certified Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), Doula Educational Institute Doula Educator, New Parent Educator, Trained Infant Massage Educator, and Infant Sleep Consultant. These combined skills allow me to guide families with compassion, evidence-based care, and hands-on experience. Alongside my work, I lead a caring and trusted team of doulas who share the same passion for helping families. Together, we have supported over 3,000 families. Every doula on our team is Birth/Postpartum Certified and Perinatal Mood Disorders Certified, fully vetted, professionally assessed, and background screened for safety. Our doulas are CPR trained, follow safety standards and best practices, and are HIPAA certified to protect your privacy. They are also covered by Workers’ Compensation and backed by comprehensive company liability insurance. With ongoing mentorship and professional development, our team offers safe, reliable, and heart-centered support to every family we serve. I created DOULAS by the BAY to build a supportive space where parents feel seen, understood, and empowered. I’m deeply grateful for the trust families place in me, and I remain committed to making a positive difference—one family at a time.

Recent review

Shakila is the best there is. We did not have a night doula for our first child. For our second, we needed one because I had to go back to work right away. I was very nervous about leaving my baby with someone else during the night hours, particularly at just two weeks. Shakila let me control as much of the process as I wanted to so I always felt like she was doing what I wanted. She has a magical touch with babies and had our daughter sleeping through the night by two months old. She would not even leave in the morning until the baby was back to sleep, which allowed us an extra hour of sleep on top of the time she was with us. She was worth every penny and then some. THANK YOU SHAKILA! We miss you.

- Gabriella Rosen Kellerman

Jem G

Daly City, California

5.0 (4 reviews)

Jem G

2 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Jem is a full-spectrum doula/birthworker who specializes in care for mamas and babies. She majored in Early Childhood Education and has had over 10 years of experience in the Childcare/Education Realm. Roles she's held include: daycare attendant, teacher's assistant, teacher, babysitter, nanny, and mother's helper. Each one has taught her how to continue providing compassionate care for children and how to be an effective member of the family's village (care team). Jem is a certified Mental Health First Aider and her work focuses in supporting Maternal Mental Health. The postpartum support Jem provides in her work includes wraparound wellness services for physical and emotional support anchored in celebrating mamas in their new role. Helping mamas in their period of transition-be it to new life with baby, back to work, or simply to their routines. Jem strives to honor the wants and needs of the families she works with.

Recent review

We hired Jeremy Anne to help care for our daughter back when she was 9 months. She was with us for about 5 months. She helped with feeding, play, naps, walking development, baby sign, minor housekeeping items and offered advice with caring for a baby. She has a wonderful holistic approach with her support. She cares about ALL family members - humans and pets alike! We loved that she wasn’t a “transactional” kind of person, she really took the time to get to know us, ask good questions and offer personal care support when needed. She also went out of her way for many things. I will always remember how she helped develop healthy boundaries with our dog as we were adjusting to our daughter’s needs. The boundaries helped build a healthy relationship with our baby and fur baby! Our daughter enjoyed being around Jeremy and she misses her I think sometimes. Jeremy was very helpful with helping our baby walk! We keep in touch and recently shared how our little one is walking all over the place now! I wish we could have had more time with Jeremy. She is a blessing, she is so peaceful and calm.

- Jayson A.

Gabriela Tripp

Vallejo, California

Gabriela Tripp

2 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hi, my name is Gabriela. I’m a certified birth and postpartum doula, and newborn sleep specialist. Based in Vallejo Ca, and serving most of the Bay Area. As your doula I will share information, experiences, get to know your, provide emotional support so you can feel secure during pregnancy and postpartum. I help you understand a little more about what childbirth, giving you information that will help you make the best choices for you and your baby. Newborn care, and breastfeeding is also part of the things we will practice and talk about during our pre natal visits. I’d love to share more about my experiences with you, so please feel free to message me here or over email. Let’s make your birth and postpartum experience more positive together.

Tiffany Murphy

Vallejo, California

Tiffany Murphy

12 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Supporting birthing people realize their ability to achieve their desired and safe birth outcomes. I intend to educate and encourage you and your community mentally, physically, financially, and emotionally.

Mayara Beers

Vallejo, California

Mayara Beers

2 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello, my name is Mayara, originally from Brazil, I have over 6 years of experience in child care. I began my career as a nanny and have since grown into a dedicated Postpartum Doula and Newborn Care Specialist. My mission is to provide families with the care, guidance, and reassurance they need during this precious time. I offer personalized support for new moms and their babies, ensuring you feel rested, confident, and cared for. With a calm, nurturing approach and expert knowledge of newborn needs, I’m here to guide you through this beautiful transition. Whether you’re seeking newborn care advice or simply need time to rest, I’m committed to making your experience smooth and joyful

Kristin Guess

Half Moon Bay, California

Kristin Guess

8 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hi, I'm Kristin Guess! My journey into birth work began when I attended a DONA International workshop in 2018. After supporting my first birth, I knew that doula work was exactly where I belonged. I remember driving home with a huge smile, filled with a sense of joy and awe—as if I had witnessed one of life’s greatest secrets: the arrival of a new being, full of possibility. No matter how unique each experience is, that feeling of wonder never fades. It is truly an honor and privilege to be present for such a profound moment in people’s lives. ​ I was born and raised just outside of Sacramento and spent 2 years after high school living in Germany before making my way to the Bay Area for college. During the pandemic years, I moved to Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Northwest is beautiful, but California is where my heart is. I’m now excited to get to call Half Moon Bay home. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to support Bay Area families once again. ​ As a DONA-certified, evidence-based doula, my role is to help you feel informed, empowered, and at ease throughout your birthing journey. I love working with birthing people and becoming a team to create an environment that feels safe and one where you feel heard and respected. I believe deeply in individualized support and the importance of continuing education.  ​ In my free time you can find me biking or walking the HMB Coastal Trail, listening to a podcast, gardening, watercoloring or baking some sourdough. 

Imani Lopez

Vallejo, California

Imani Lopez

3 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello Everyone! My name is Imani Lopez (They/Them). I am a full spectrum doula and childbirth educator serving Solano and surrounding counties. I have been a birthworker for two years now and serve clients multiple capacities. I can support with education and planning, labor and birth, and postpartum. I believe everyone deserves support during such big life transitions and I would be honored to be called in to support you.

Briahna Baskett

Vallejo, California

Briahna Baskett

8 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello! My name is Briahna and I am a full spectrum doula and lactation counselor. As a mother of 3, I have experienced all the joys of motherhood and the challenges that come with it. After birthing my son in 2016, I knew I wanted to support other birthing people. I believe child birth to be a transformative and rewarding experience while understanding how difficult it can be. My hope as a doula is that I can help other mamas navigate the complexities of child birth and mothering through education, holistic practices and tradition.

Kurita Powell

Suisun City, California

5.0 (1 review)

Kurita Powell

14 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I believe every birthing person should have the right to a trauma free birth experience, where their beliefs, values and goals are heard and respected. Birthing bodies are powerful. My goal as a doula is to remind you of the power you hold. I have worked in the medical field for 13 years as a Certified Medical Assistant, Lead Medical Assistant Instructor, recently completed my Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and gained Certification as a Birth and Postpartum Doula. I am a very motivated and determined person. As a dedicated mother and proud African American woman, my heart is deeply rooted in the wellbeing of our community. The glaring disparities in maternal health that disproportionately affect women of color are not just statistics to me; they are urgent calls to action that resonate with my own experiences and those of my loved ones. I am committed to leveraging my knowledge, resources, and voice to initiate and support sustainable changes within the healthcare system. My goal is to ensure that equitable, high-quality maternal care is not a privilege, but a standard afforded to all mothers, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Through community outreach, advocacy, and education, I strive to contribute to a world where maternal mortality in underserved communities is not a grim expectation but a rare exception. My mission is to fight for a future where every mother’s life is given the value it unequivocally deserves.

Recent review

Kurita is a very knowledgeable and passionate doula . I had a very challenging delivery and Kurita advocated for me and my baby through out my delivery . She made sure I was comfortable and made sure my voice was being heard and my needs were being met . Thank you :-)

- Larressha C.

Michaela Hughes

Suisun City, California

Michaela Hughes

12 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I experienced my first birth at 12 years old and knew from then on that I wanted to be involved in birth work and babies. After reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth during my first pregnancy, I was introduced to the term “doula” and knew that I wanted to be one. With the birth of my second child and having a doula, I KNEW that this was my calling. I am especially passionate about working with families of color and other marginalized communities that need support during pregnancy and beyond. I believe that everyone and anyone should have access to doula support. I am excited about the opportunity to support families in their birth and post-partum journey! Random facts about me: I have a daughter and a son. I think that dogs are a gift to humans. I am an avid reader- I can usually be found listening to an audio book throughout the day. I am currently a pre-counseling student with an end goal of earning my Doctorates degree to be a therapist. I am as passionate about mental health as I am about birth work. I look forward to supporting you and your family!

Valerie Claxton

Lodi, California

5.0 (2 reviews)

Valerie Claxton

16 years of experience

Blessings to you. Thank you for jumping in profile. My name is Valerie Claxton, and I am an IBCLC, a certified childbirth educator, doula certified, and a registered nurse specializing in labor and delivery living northern California. I have been on both sides of the labor and delivery journey as a nurse, I see mothers choosing what is best for them and advocating for them, whether going fully natural to using medicinal means to deliver. I know that with teamwork, belief, trust, releasing all fears, and encompassing a peaceful space that birthing your beautiful bundle will come easy. Yes, there are the unknowns but with constant communication and reassurance our relationship will be unbreakable. I enjoy teaching Zumba, serving in our children's ministry, and showing off my green thumb.

Recent review

I tell everybody I know to get a lactation consultant BEFORE they give birth as I truly believe breastfeeding would be a lot easier if women had more access to more help. I highly recommend Valerie specifically because I did work with another consultant beforehand and while she was lovely, she wasn't quite able to help us the way we needed. Valerie noticed tiny but important details of our lives and provided much needed insight and advice on how to get through the hard times.

- Alana S.

Crystal Franco

Fairfield, California

Crystal Franco

5 years of experience

Hi! I’m Crystal! I am a birth and postpartum doula in Solano County. I’m the eldest daughter of Mexican Immigrant parents. My birthwork practice is rooted in remembering and reclaiming ancestral wisdom and indigenous traditions. My parenthood journey opened my eyes to the ways our society has failed mothers and birthers which lead me to this work! I believe birthwork is revolutionary and my role is to show radical love and support for birthing people. I believe in informed consent and I do not shy away from advocacy! I support birthing people and their choices and I see it as my job to ensure you have the education, resources , as well as the empowerment to advocate for yourself and your baby. Birth and postpartum are team sports! Along with supporting the birthing person I also specialize in facilitating support from partners, families, and friends. Please check out my website for all of my offerings! Hola, soy Crystal! Soy una comadrona en el Condado de Solano. Soy la hija mayor de padres inmigrantes mexicanos. Mi práctica de parto se basa en recordar y reclamar la sabiduría ancestral y las tradiciones indígenas. Mi experiencia como madre me abrió los ojos a las formas en que nuestra sociedad les ha fallado a las madres y a quienes dan a luz, ¡lo que me llevó a este trabajo! Creo que el parto es revolucionario y mi trabajo es mostrar amor y apoyo radicales a las personas que dan a luz. Creo en el consentimiento informado y no rehúyo la defensa. Apoyo a las personas que dan a luz y sus decisiones, y considero que es mi trabajo asegurar que tengas la educación, los recursos y el empoderamiento para defenderte a ti misma y a tu bebé. ¡El parto y el posparto son deportes de equipo! Además de apoyar a la persona que da a luz, también me especializo en facilitar el apoyo de parejas, familias y amigos. ¡Visita mi sitio web para ver todas mis ofertas!

Arica Nears Taylor

Fairfield, California

Arica Nears Taylor

52 years of experience
Accepts insurances

MA’s Helping Hands provides you with a mother/daughter doula team that has a combined total of over 50 years experience working with women, their babies and their families during pregnancy, labor/delivery and through the postpartum period.

CARA GUYOT

Mill Valley, California

CARA GUYOT

7 years of experience

I am a Postpartum Doula. I mostly work 1:1 with clients, but am open to remote work as well. I teach infant massage either in person or remotely. I love helping with siblings and pets and getting partners more involved with helping out. As a new mom, or a mom for the 10th time, those first few months with baby are a time for you to recover and get to know your little one. But it is not something that you need to do alone, I can help you.