LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas in Oakland, CA

These providers list LGBTQ+ families as a specialty. Read their profiles and reviews, and message the ones who feel right for your family.

49 LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas near Oakland, CA

Jay Menelik

Oakland, California 7 years of experience

5.0 (2 reviews)

Jay Menelik

Accepts insurance

N/A

Recent review

My experience was working with Jay as my postpartum doula after the birth of my third baby. I had never worked with a doula before, and after my previous postpartum experiences, I now know how invaluable that kind of support truly is. After my third child was born, I thought I had everything under control, but the postpartum period still brought challenges I wasn’t fully prepared for. She provided such a calm, knowledgeable presence that made all the difference. From helping me establish a breastfeeding routine to offering emotional support when I felt overwhelmed, she was the anchor I didn’t realize I needed. Unlike my previous postpartum experiences, this time I didn’t feel isolated or unsure. She checked in on me regularly, made sure I was taking care of myself, and offered practical tips for balancing my recovery while caring for my newborn and older children. What really stood out was her genuine care for me as a whole person, not just as a mother or caregiver. She ensured I had moments to rest and recharge, which was something I struggled with before. Her support was more than just physical help i was emotional, mental, and holistic. I felt heard, cared for, and reassured every step of the way. I can honestly say that having her as part of my postpartum journey made this time completely different from my past experiences, and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.

- Semaj’Ay T.

Lacie Tupper

Oakland, California 2 years of experience

Lacie Tupper

Accepts insurance

Hello and welcome! My name is Lace and I am a certified birth doula. I believe that every birthing person deserves to feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. My role is to provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support so that you can navigate this transformative time with confidence and care. My approach is rooted in compassion, advocacy, and evidence-based practices. I draw from my background in Global and Community Health, where I’ve studied reproductive justice, maternal health equity, and inclusive care models. I’ve also received yoga certification in Mallorca, Spain, which informs my grounding techniques and mindfulness-based comfort strategies during labor. Whether you are seeking support with birth planning, comfort measures, advocacy during labor, or gentle guidance in the early postpartum days, I am here to walk alongside you and your family. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and am especially passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ families, first-time parents, and those interested in holistic or low-intervention birth experiences. I continue to expand my knowledge through trainings in trauma-informed care, lactation support, and culturally responsive perinatal work. I believe that every birth matters and that your story deserves to be honored with presence, respect, and grace. Let’s connect—I’d be honored to support you in this sacred transition.

Leila Mottley

Oakland, California 5 years of experience

5.0 (2 reviews)

Leila Mottley

Accepts insurance

I'm a queer, Black birth worker offering sliding scale doula care in the East Bay. I was born and raised in Oakland and I only take on a handful of clients at a time so that I can give you as much individualized attention as possible. I trained as a full-spectrum doula in 2021 with Sumi's Touch and have been actively supporting clients in the transformative process of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for over a year. Before that, I worked as an infant-toddler teacher for years and I incorporate education on newborn care in my work as a doula. I believe that education and information is critical to you being able to make choices that work best for you and go into birth with confidence and grounding in your abilities and understanding of your own body and baby. The goal of every birth is to create an environment and process that is uniquely comfortable and grounding for the person giving birth and so I provide a number of prenatal sessions to prepare parents with the knowledge and tools to make their own informed decisions while also being ready to step in and advocate on behalf of the parents' needs at any point. I am particularly interested in mindful birthing and finding the methods of pain reduction that work for each person, building a birth environment that feels as familiar and homey as possible (music, lighting, calming scents, etc), and being anything and everything you may need from home to the hospital, whether that be a coach, cook, massage therapist, fierce advocate, or photographer. I also have an affinity for postpartum care that encompasses lactation support, postpartum healing, herbal remedies, baby care, or just doing your dishes so you don’t have to worry about that too.

Recent review

I was in labor for three days, and I can’t imagine how I would’ve managed without Leila. She is the support every person deserves during this process. She listened to my needs and helped me create a birth plan that reflected my personality. At the hospital, she advocated for me fiercely, pushing for alternatives that aligned with my wishes, even when the medical team repeatedly fear-mongered. Postpartum, she offered invaluable advice that helped me process my labor experience and navigate lactation. I am incredibly grateful that I had her by my side.

- Hafeezah A.

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!

Nathalia Ramos

Oakland, California 2 years of experience

5.0 (3 reviews)

Nathalia Ramos

Accepts insurance

I am a certified postpartum doula with +6y of hands-on experience supporting families and caring for newborns and children. My approach is grounded in respect, emotional safety, and evidence-based care. I believe the postpartum period is a sacred transition—one that deserves patience, gentleness, and knowledgeable support. My role is to help families feel confident, informed, and truly supported as they recover, bond, and find their own rhythm at home. My philosophy centers on meeting each family where they are. I do not believe in one-size-fits-all parenting; instead, I honor each family’s values, culture, and instincts while offering practical guidance and calm reassurance. I focus on nurturing both the baby and the parents—supporting feeding, sleep, recovery, and emotional wellbeing—so families can feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. My goal is always to create a peaceful, judgment-free environment where parents feel seen, heard, and capable during one of the most important chapters of their lives.

Recent review

Nathalia is the best! She has a sweet and gentle demeanor which puts babies and parents at ease. She is incredibly thoughtful and insightful, and made several recommendations to help us sleep longer (our main priority), which really helped. She also immediately identified a deeper issue I’d been having related to milk supply and raised it incredibly tactfully and helped me move past it. If you’re looking for someone who will truly take care of you and your family, look no further!

- Emily M.

Josy Ferreira

Oakland, California 9 years of experience

5.0 (7 reviews)

Josy Ferreira Background checked · Nov 2026

Accepts insurance

From the moment I stepped into the world of birth and postpartum work, I knew this was my calling. I’m a Birth & Postpartum Doula and Newborn & Infant Care Specialist serving families across the Bay Area and East Bay, with a background grounded in evidence-based care, cultural sensitivity, and a genuine passion for supporting parents during one of the most transformative seasons of their lives. My training includes Cross-Certification through ProDoula as a Certified Postpartum & Infant Care Doula, Hospital Friendly Doula (HFD) Certification as a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist certification through the University of Colorado, CPR & First Aid through the Menlo Park Fire Department, CERT Member through the Menlo Park Fire Department, Child Development through Abilene, continuing education in Lactation (UCSD), Infant Massage, and professional development in Sleep Shaping/Sleep Training through Summer Sleep Secrets. I am also an active volunteer doula at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, supporting birthing people and families from diverse backgrounds. Families often describe my approach as a blend of warmth, intuition, and grounded professionalism. I deeply believe in meeting each family where they are — without judgment, without pressure, and with a plan that reflects their unique rhythms, identities, and goals. I proudly support LGBTQ+ families, offering fully inclusive, gender-affirming care and language so every parent feels safe, welcomed, and respected. My philosophy is rooted in gentle structure and the Montessori method, encouraging independence for both parents and babies through simple, responsive routines. I specialize in newborn behavior, feeding, sleep foundations, and emotional support — helping families understand their baby’s cues and build healthy rhythms from the very beginning. One of my strongest areas of expertise is sleep shaping, using age-appropriate techniques that allow many babies to sleep through the night by 4–5 months, always with a respectful, attachment-minded approach. Clients often share that I have an effortless way of integrating into the home, anticipating needs before they are spoken, and creating an environment of peace, order, and emotional safety. Whether supporting breastfeeding, troubleshooting sleep, soothing a fussy newborn, guiding siblings, or caring for a recovering parent, my goal is always the same: to bring calm, clarity, and confidence to the postpartum experience. For me, being a doula is more than a profession — it’s a devotion to nurturing, empowering, and walking alongside families during a beautiful and vulnerable chapter. Every home I enter becomes part of my heart, and it is an honor to support parents as they grow into their new roles with confidence, joy, and rest. If you’re looking for someone who will care for your baby with tenderness, support your recovery with evidence-based expertise, honor your family’s identity, and guide you with compassion every step of the way, I would be honored to walk this journey with you.

Recent review

I had the pleasure of working with Josy as my postpartum doula, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From day one, she was incredibly respectful of our family's needs and preferences, always communicating clearly and checking in to make sure we felt supported. Josy's knowledge of infant care is exceptional. She guided us through everything from feeding and sleep routines to soothing techniques with confidence and expertise. She supported me on my nursing journey and with infant massage, especially tummy massage in the early weeks. What truly impressed me was her commitment to continuously learning and deepening her skills—she stayed current with the latest research and best practices, which gave me tremendous peace of mind during those early weeks. Her calm and joyful presence and genuine care made such a difference during a vulnerable time. If you're looking for a postpartum doula who is professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to her craft, Josy is an outstanding choice. Beyond her technical expertise, what truly set Josy apart was her extraordinary kindness and emotional intelligence. She understood that welcoming a newborn into the family is about so much more than feeding schedules and sleep—it's about navigating a profound life transition with all its joys and challenges. Josy met us exactly where we were, without judgment, and created a safe space for us to ask questions, express concerns, and adjust to our new reality. Her deep understanding of the needs of families with newborns was evident in countless small but meaningful ways. She anticipated our needs before we even voiced them, whether it was preparing a nourishing snack, tidying up the kitchen so we could rest, or simply sitting with me during a difficult moment and offering reassurance. She recognized when I needed encouragement and when I just needed someone to listen. Josy also showed remarkable sensitivity to the dynamics of our whole family. She understood that postpartum support isn't just about the baby—it's about caring for parents as they adjust to their new roles, managing recovery, sleep deprivation, and the emotional roller coaster of those first weeks. Her presence brought a sense of calm and competence that allowed us to feel more confident as parents. What I valued most was her genuine warmth and the way she made us feel seen and supported as individuals, not just clients. Josy truly cares about the families she works with, and that compassion shines through in everything she does. Having her by our side during those precious early weeks was an invaluable gift.

- S M.

Leah (Ginger) Johnson

Serves San Francisco, California 3 years of experience

5.0 (3 reviews)

Leah (Ginger) Johnson Background checked · Sep 2026 Popular: among the most-viewed doulas in California, last 60 days

Responds within a day Accepts insurance

I am passionate about nurturing and supporting families through the transformative experiences of birth and postpartum periods. I have practiced body work and energy healing for over 20 years additionally for the last 2 years i have been practicing NLP and Doula work. I have worked with children and families for over 25 years in homes and school settings from zero to 18. I have experience in assisting natural labor Inductions, assisting in reducing anxiety, fears around birth, and preparing for birth with NLP and meditation practices. As a spiritually mindful doula, I blend my background as a massage therapist, Laughter yoga & yoga instructor, meditation teacher, and certified Master NLP practitioner, into a holistic, compassionate approach to birth, energy and intuitive work. With a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and fluency in American Sign Language, I connect with diverse families, offering inclusive and empathetic care. My work is grounded in humor, active listening, and deep respect for each unique journey. I specialize in prenatal and postnatal massage, creating space for relaxation, healing, and connection. My NLP Skills help parents release old fears, limiting beliefs around their pregnancy, parenting, and birthing journey. Fostering a new way of being through empowerment and calm inner-presence. My goal is to provide physical, spiritual, emotional, and energetic support so families feel confident, cared for, and prepared for the beautiful path ahead.

Recent review

Finding Ginger less than a month before my due date felt like pure fate—she literally approached us as we were walking out the door at a Meet the Doulas event, and we felt instantly warm, comfortable, and at ease with her. My labor didn't exactly go on schedule (he arrived almost two weeks late and required an induction!), but Ginger was our absolute anchor through every single moment of it. She is such a nurturing, loving, and caring maternal soul—so much so that we affectionately call her "Aunt Ginger." Leading up to and during the induction, she gave us incredible guidance, helping us try to get things moving naturally with advice on pressure points and keeping us grounded. Throughout the hospital stay, whenever the medical staff left the room, Ginger would quietly review everything with us, help us process what the doctors had said, and make sure we remembered the questions we wanted to ask. When the medical team brought up using a vacuum during delivery, Ginger gently encouraged us to pause, push back, and ask for time to discuss our options. Having her there to prep, advocate, and vouch for us meant everything—we ended up having a completely intervention-free birth and welcomed a perfectly healthy, beautiful 10-pound baby. Ginger was truly an angel during one of the most intense experiences of my life, and she is someone we will remember and cherish forever. If you are looking for a doula who will treat you like family, protect your birth experience, and pour her whole heart into supporting you, hire Ginger immediately!

- Katie K.

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

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