What's the Cost of Hiring a Doula in San Rafael, CA?

Ladjane Sampaio

8 years of experience

Hello! My name is Ladjane Sampaio and I am a Certified Postpartum Doula and experienced Nanny based in the Bay Area. I am also a proud Brazilian mother of five, and it’s from this deep well of personal experience and love that I draw my strength and purpose as a caregiver. Supporting families through the delicate postpartum period is not just my profession—it’s my calling. I bring a calm, compassionate, and culturally sensitive presence to every home I serve, helping parents feel empowered, seen, and truly supported as they adjust to life with a new baby. I offer hands-on newborn care, breastfeeding support, postpartum recovery assistance, light housekeeping, and home organization to ensure a peaceful and well-supported transition into parenthood. I am CPR and First Aid certified, and I have excellent references that reflect my professionalism, reliability, and loving care. While English is not my first language, I communicate clearly and warmly—and most importantly, I know how to care for babies with confidence, love, and great attention to detail. Families often tell me how reassured and cared for they feel with me by their side. I speak Portuguese fluently and am happy to support multilingual families with empathy and understanding. I would be honored to support your postpartum journey with heart, skill, and experience.

She’s such a wonderful doula — caring, dedicated, and truly passionate about what she does. She supports both mom and baby with so much love and calm energy, and always offers helpful guidance to the whole family. Her presence brings peace and confidence. I couldn’t recommend her more!”

- Maria M.

Larkspur, California

Laila Silva

5 years of experience

Hello! My name is Laila, and I am a postpartum doula serving the Bay Area, California. I have a deep passion for supporting families during the postpartum period, offering emotional support, practical guidance, and attentive care tailored to the needs of both mother and baby. I believe in respectful, empathetic, and personalized support, helping families feel safe, confident, and well cared for during this important transition. In my free time, I enjoy exploring California’s nature by going hiking with my husband, which helps me recharge and maintain balance so I can provide even more present and compassionate care to the families I support. It would be a pleasure to be part of the Bornbir community and to contribute with love, responsibility, and dedication.

Mill Valley, California

Gena Perdue

23 years of experience

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.

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.

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.

Sausalito, California

Ana Clara Duarte Xavier de Mello

Hello everyone, my name is Ana Clara and I am a Postpartum Doula located in Marin County, California. I am originally from Brazil and I have 13 years of experience in childcare. I began my career as a nanny and have since grown into a dedicated Postpartum Doula. My mission is to provide families with the care, guidance and reassurance they need during this precious time.

Richmond, California

Manuella Orsi

6 years of experience

My path to becoming a doula comes from both my clinical background and my lived experience caring for families. I am a registered nurse by training, and after moving to the U.S., I spent years supporting families as a nanny, building deep trust in their most intimate routines. Becoming a doula allowed me to reconnect with my nursing roots while offering something deeply human: calm, presence, and informed support during one of the most transformative moments of life.

Richmond, California

Maria Calderon

3 years of experience

Hello and welcome! My name is Maria, and I am a postpartum night doula with a background in emergency medicine. With over 10 years of nanny experience and the last two years focused exclusively on overnight postpartum care, my primary goal is to help families thrive rather than just survive this period. I specialize in establishing baby schedules, sleep training, and supporting families through the initial transition home. My background includes extensive experience with twins and various feeding methods, and I am a certified infant feeding educator. Prior to my work as a doula, I served for six years as an EMT in San Francisco, which included conducting NICU transports for premature babies. This experience allows me to remain calm and effective under pressure. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am dedicated to providing unbiased, compassionate, and inclusive care to every kind of family. I hold certifications in Postpartum Infant Care, Infant Feeding Education, CPR, and First Aid. When I am not working, I enjoy powerlifting, singing, and working on jigsaw puzzles. I truly love the work I do and look forward to the possibility of supporting your family.

El Cerrito, California

Katie Sullivan

20 years of experience

I'm Katie Sullivan, M.Ed, CPPD, a parenting and sleep consultant, an early childhood professional, a certified postpartum doula, a Montessori educator, and a mother of two. I have studied and worked with young children and families for nearly 20 years, with a special love and appreciation for the infant and toddler stages. My area of expertise is providing families with individualized practical recommendations and sleep/parenting plans. I am passionate about setting up good sleep habits from birth, serving as a resource for new parents, and troubleshooting tricky situations from zero to three.

Wouldn't have survived the first year of parenthood without Katie. Her expertise is only matched by her sense of calm. She got my baby sleeping through the night faster than I could have imagined and 2 years later we haven't had a single regression. She walked us through potty training – one of the more stressful parenting situations I've encountered – and helped us cross every potty milestone. Couldn't recommend her more.

- R E.

El Cerrito, California

Samantha Saephan

4 years of experience

I'm a certified overnight postpartum doula and lactation educator counselor. Prior, I was a career nanny of the past 10+ years working with children of all ages. Am located in the East Bay and am open to travel for work. I am a non-smoker, have up-to-date vaccines, and CPR certified. I accept Carrot. Currently on maternity leave until November 2026 :)

Richmond, California

5.0 (7 reviews)

Josy Ferreira

9 years of experience

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.

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.

El Sobrante, California

Ana De Castro

22 years of experience

I am a Postpartum Certified Night Doula, Newborn Care Specialist, Sleeping Training, I have over 11 years of experience in infant care. I specialize in night support for 18 years,giving that extra set of hands so you can have an easier night with a newborn at home. I also help with guidance of breastfeeding, sleep training, and of course postpartum support. I am Doula Certified, specializing and in-depth trained!

Private Postpartum Doula/ Sleeping Training D.S. October 2024 - The first two years I worked full time taking care of the twins. Provided postpartum infant care by supporting mother with newborn babies - assisted with feeding, diaper changing, bathing, dressing, sleep training, setting up babies' schedule as children grew. Additional house support included laundry, cooking and light cleaning. As they grew, the following two years I worked part-time, transporting them to and from school, helping with homework and projects, preparing healthy meals, taking care of their laundry. Nowadays I am still their nanny when the family needs something extra. Private

- Rachael S.

San Francisco, California

5.0 (6 reviews)

Shakila Marando

17 years of experience

My name is Shakila Marando, and I am the founder of DOULAS by the BAY. I am a mother of two and have spent over 25 years working with children and families, including the last 16 years supporting families as a doula through pregnancy, birth, and the early newborn days. This work comes from a deep belief that no family should ever feel alone during this journey. I work closely alongside our team of doulas, sharing the same commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care. Together, we have supported thousands of families across Northern and Southern California, providing steady guidance, reassurance, and hands-on support when it matters most. Our doulas are carefully selected, certified, and deeply cared for. Every team member is Birth and Postpartum Certified, Perinatal Mood Disorders Certified, CPR trained, HIPAA compliant, fully vetted, and insured. With ongoing mentorship and professional development, we ensure families receive safe, reliable, and heart-centered care in their homes. I created DOULAS by the BAY to build a trusted, supportive space where families feel seen, informed, and confident—while expanding access to doula care and strengthening our community, one family at a time.

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

Richmond, California

5.0 (2 reviews)

Maria Marli Martins

11 years of experience

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.

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.

San Francisco, California

5.0 (4 reviews)

Joanne Gomez BSN, RN, CD, CCE, CLE

27 years of experience

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!

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.

San Francisco, California

TAMMY CASTELLANOS

31 years of experience

I have over 30 years experience including many sets of twins and a set of newborn triplets. My experience includes children from birth to 18 years. I grew up in a large, close-knit family and I am the oldest of five girls. I am also a mother to 4 grown children and a grandma to 2 amazing granddaughters, ages 7 years and 3 years. I have worked in an in-home daycare setting, as well as working as a paraeducator in special education classrooms. I have 17+ years experience as an overnight newborn care specialist & sleep-trained many infants to sleep through the night. I am honest, reliable, flexible, organized, loving, caring, nurturing, and have an abundance of patience. I am dual certified as a newborn care specialist and postpartum doula. I am Trustline cleared, CPR certified, First Aid trained, have a negative TB test, have had my flu shot and whooping cough vaccinations. I have had the COVID vaccination & am current with other vaccinations. I am a non-smoker, have LiveScan and DOJ background clearance, and insured with a clean DMV record. Preventative Health and Safety Certified, ROP Careers with Children Courses.

Tammy worked with us at least 5 nights a week for about 4 months caring for our newborn during the pandemic. Tammy was absolutely AMAZING!! I cannot say enough wonderful things about her. She was way better with our little Lexi than I was (I think Lexi could sense my nervous energy) and I used to joke that having her stay with us every night was like going on vacation. Sleep is everything! Tammy would come over every night and Lexi would just melt into her arms. Tammy just has a way with children, especially babies and Lexi was immediately comfortable with her. She is also the consummate professional. She is exceedingly clean, well organized and you feel VERY comfortable with her in the house. In fact, we also had her travel with us to Tahoe and we had so much fun! In such a short time, she became like family and I relied on her so much. She also went WAY above and beyond. Our little Lexi became sick one night and I ended up dragging Tammy to the ER during the height of the pandemic. She kept our little Lexi calm and I cried like a baby in her arms while we were at the hospital. It was such a blessing to have Tammy as an integral part of our family during that time and I miss her!

- Juliette D.

San Francisco, California

Julia Frederick

32 years of experience

I have been a career nanny in San Francisco for 13 years , I have worked steadily for two families that entire time. Since all 4 kids I have helped raise ( two sets of twins) are all now in school, Doula work seemed like a perfect transition. Last year I got my Postpartum Doula license and this year I have been working on my Lactation Consult Certificate. I try very hard to stay current on all pediatric reccomendations for infant care, I am fully vaccinated , current on infant CPR training and I have pristine reccomendations. I feel as if I have been taking care of babies my whole life first, as an aunt, then mama and now I am loving life as a young and energetic Grammy. I get so much satisfaction helping new parents transition succesfully into their new roles as parents. I have had the privilege of helping my daughter for a month postpartum with both of her births, as my mom helped me. It is an honor when I get to step into that role for parents without access to family. Thank you for your consideration, Julia

Julia was INVALUABLE as a doula for our first child! We worked with her for about 3 months after his birth as both a night nurse and a daytime nanny. My husband and I felt very overwhelmed at first and it was incredible to come home from the hospital and have Julia orienting us at home. She has a ton of expertise from her own experience with her family as well as her doula studies, and is great at balancing that experience with a respect for your own wishes & goals. She taught us a ton of soothing techniques, new ways to hold the baby, and ways to help his digestion with massages (which was crucial in the early weeks when he was dealing with a lot of GI issues!). She's also incredibly flexible, & easy to schedule & coordinate with, which was great for taking away stress during a busy time. The best part though is that Julia truly cares about the children she works with - she is very warm & we felt like she truly formed a connection with our baby and wanted the best for him, which as a parent is the most important thing. We continue to stay in touch. Highly recommend working with Julia!

- Samantha W.

San Francisco, California

Sharonda Oldham

17 years of experience

Hello I’m Sharonda Oldham and I am a certified postpartum doula in the San Francisco California area and I’m also trust-line certified as well. I have over 15 years of experience and a love for families that are entering into a whole new world with a newborn. I love to listen and see what the family’s needs are and then assist with a care plan not just walk in and take over. I pride myself on providing unbiased care. I am knowledgeable, dependable, loyal, punctual, loving and kind.

Sharonda looked after my grandson from birth til about 18 months old. She is a very experienced and knowledgeable baby whisperer. She helped guide the new mom and dad in the ways of babydom and she was sweet and loving to my grandson. She has the confidence and knowledge born of years of experience that together spell kind reassurance and wisdom.

- Elena E.

San Francisco, California

Liz Ramstad

2 years of experience

I am a CAPPA-trained Postpartum Doula serving families in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am passionate about women’s health, the postpartum period, and helping new parents navigate the transformative journey of welcoming a newborn. My approach is grounded in empathy, warmth, and respect for every family’s unique journey. I strive to provide personalized care, offering evidence-based guidance, hands-on support, and a calm presence when needed. Using intuition, clear communication, and active listening, I balance taking the initiative with stepping back and following your lead. My goal is to help you feel confident, cared for, and empowered as you navigate early parenthood.

I hired Liz to care for my toddler and newborn (prenatally, birth, and postpartum). Needless to say, I couldn’t have done it without her. She is an excellent communicator, very flexible, and approaches this sacred work with warmth and intuition. She always informed me of the details of my baby’s temperament, reactions, feeds, sleep etc, allowing for a smooth handoff. She also provided me with emotional and domestic support - whatever I needed most in that moment. This ability is adapt, along with her knowledge (maternal health, newborn care, toddler development) were evident during every shift. I’m so grateful for the loving connection she’s built with my son—he never wants her to leave! My 9 month old is also getting attached :) 5 stars indeed.

- Bridget C.

San Francisco, California

Sochild Robles

21 years of experience

I have been working with newborn babies and families for over 20 years. My vast experience has given me the knowledge to understand newborns’ physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs while providing parents with the necessary tools to develop their abilities and skills. I believe that pregnancy, birth, and the transition to parenthood are the most important and transformative times in a person’s life. I am honored to help families make the transition into parenthood as smooth as possible.

Sochild started working with my family almost ten years ago when my daughter, Samantha, was 6 months old. As a first time mom, Sochild was extremely helpful with, well honestly, everything! Although my daughter refused to take a bottle, Sochild was patient and resourceful in making sure she had what she needed to be healthy and safe. And, most importantly, she gave Samantha endless love and gave us endless support. Around the time Samantha was starting preschool, I had a second baby. Sochild stayed with Samantha while I was in the hospital and brought Samantha to meet her baby brother, Julian, for the first time. Sochild helped me take care of Julian from the day he was born until the day he started preschool over two years later. As she did with Samantha, Sochild took amazing care of Julian. We always knew the children would be happy and safe when they were with her. Although Sochild stopped working for us when Julian started pre-school, she would visit with us and our children regularly, so when the pandemic hit, she came back to help us more frequently. In the early days of the pandemic, Sochild worked for us a few hours a day to help keep our stir-crazy kids from going completely insane! And when Samantha started kindergarten remotely, Sochild ran a “pod” for her and three other children. Sochild had all four children all day. She would help them with their virtual school and then have other activities prepared for them – she made her own worksheets and art projects and threw parties for holidays and birthdays. Once school resumed, Sochild once again stopped working for us on a full time basis, but she remained in our lives. She helps out with my children on evening and weekends and holidays – and was particularly helpful during some recent medical issues and surgeries I had. As cliché as it sounds, we consider Sochild part of our family. My children love her to pieces and we know she loves them right back. Nothing makes them happier than when I tell them they get to spend the day with her. She is a dear friend, a wonderful person, and an amazing caregiver. We feel so lucky that we have had her in our lives for the last decade and truly believe that any family would be lucky to work with her.

- Sara E.

Berkeley, California

Sabreen Ali

5 years of experience