LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas in San Jose, CA

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

44 LGBTQ+ Affirming Doulas near San Jose, CA

Josy Ferreira

Richmond, California

5.0 (7 reviews)

Josy Ferreira

9 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Responds within a day

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.

Gena Perdue

Mill Valley, California

5.0 (3 reviews)

Gena Perdue

23 years of experience
Accepts insurance
Responds within a day

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m Gena Perdue, a certified birth and postpartum doula serving families across the Bay Area. I specialize in advocacy for better birth outcomes, overnight postpartum care and recovery, newborn care, and pediatric sleep hygiene. My practice is client-led, evidence-based, unconditional, and free of agenda. Your family deserves care that meets you exactly where you are. I believe that when new parents feel supported, informed, and well-rested, the entire family thrives. I bring a background in community and organizational leadership, having spent years helping families and professionals build systems of care that strengthen both individuals and communities. I’m certified, CPR and Standard First Aid certified, trained in emergency preparedness, insured, background-checked, and have current vaccinations. I'm calm, capable, and ready to help so you can feel supported, confident, and well-rested during your transition to parenthood.

Recent review

Gena was an absolute gift as we navigated the first few weeks of our son’s life. Having had a very difficult postpartum period with my first son, I did all I could to prepare for the birth of my second son which is how I met Gena. She was able to immediately put me at ease when my anxiety was front and center and helped me get centered when things felt extra difficult. She had faith in me when I wasn’t so sure and we talked about life and newborns striking a perfect balance of knowledge and friendliness that is hard to find. If you get the chance to work with Gena you will be all the better for it. I highly recommend her.

- Phyllis S.

Jay Menelik

Oakland, California

5.0 (2 reviews)

Jay Menelik

7 years of experience
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.

Leila Mottley

Oakland, California

5.0 (2 reviews)

Leila Mottley

5 years of experience
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.

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