NPI verified
Responds within a day
Taking new clients · due Oct 2026 – Sep 2027
$1,800flat rate · Personalized Birth Doula Support — $1,800–$2,500 package
About Tayna
Hi, I’m Tayna Chessman, founder of SoCal Doulas. We help Southern California families find personal birth and postpartum doula support. Our approach starts with listening to your preferences, respecting your choices, and helping you feel prepared and supported as your family grows.
We offer birth preparation, labor comfort and partner support, daytime postpartum care, and overnight newborn support. We serve Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties, with provider availability and care arrangements confirmed before booking. Insurance and employer doula benefits may be available; we review your individual benefits, any authorizations, and possible costs first.
As a birth and postpartum doula, educator, and ProDoula trainer, I bring practical experience and a personal approach to supporting families. SoCal Doulas provides nonmedical emotional, informational, and practical support. Your medical team remains responsible for clinical care. Tell us your city, due date or baby’s age, and the support you’re looking for—we’d love to help you explore your options.
Virtual birth education and birth-and-baby classes are available to families anywhere in California. Eligible clients may use approved insurance or doula education benefits; we verify the selected class, benefits, required authorization, and any costs before booking.
Insurance-Covered Doula Care — Free Benefits Review
Start with a free benefits review. The displayed $0 applies only to that review. Many eligible clients receive approved doula care with no out-of-pocket expense; we confirm services, provider participation, authorizations, and costs before booking. Active Orka contracts include Alameda Alliance, Contra Costa Health Plan, Health Net, Kaiser Northern California, Partnership HealthPlan of California, and California Medi-Cal fee-for-service. Medi-Cal-only Orka contracts include Anthem, CalViva Health, Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, Health Plan of San Joaquin, San Francisco Health Plan, and Santa Clara Family Health Plan. Molina Healthcare is also listed for benefits review; its Orka contract is currently pending, as are CalOptima, IEHP, and Kaiser Southern California. Other previously listed plan and employer-benefit options, including UnitedHealthcare for virtual support/education and Carrot, are checked individually. Contract status does not guarantee coverage for every visit or class. Virtual birth education is available throughout California. No client supplies required. Start here: https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/
$0USD · Flat rate
Insurance-Covered Birth & Baby Classes — $0 with Approved Benefits
Available virtually throughout California. Use your approved insurance or doula education benefits for birth and baby preparation classes with SoCal Doulas. Eligible clients whose verified benefits cover the selected class in full pay $0 out of pocket. Topics include birth planning, postpartum preparation, infant feeding, and newborn care. This option is for insurance-covered registration; cash-pay class options are listed separately. Before booking, we verify your plan, selected class, provider requirements, any authorization, and whether any costs apply. Please wait for your approval email and booking instructions before scheduling. The displayed $0 applies to fully approved coverage and is not a guarantee for every plan or class. Request verification and select Classes: https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/ . Explore classes: https://socaldoulas.com/class-inquiry/
$0USD · Flat rate
Personalized Birth Doula Support — $1,800–$2,500
Prepare for birth with personal doula support shaped around your preferences. Discuss birth preparation, comfort measures, partner involvement, hospital labor support, and the transition home. Self-pay options range from $1,800 to $2,500 depending on the prenatal education and postpartum support selected. The displayed $1,800 is the starting fee; your included services, provider, availability, and final price are agreed before enrollment. No supplies are required from clients. Share your due date, city, planned hospital, and the support you want most.
$1,800USD · Flat rate
Postpartum & Overnight Care — Free Planning Chat
Discuss daytime postpartum or Night Owls overnight doula support and build a care plan around your family. Options may include newborn care, feeding encouragement, practical baby-related help, partner support, and time for rest. The $0 price applies only to the planning chat. Care is quoted separately after we review your location, preferred schedule, support needs, provider availability, and any insurance or employer benefits. We confirm the services, hours, responsibilities, and final cost before care begins. No supplies are required from clients. Start at https://socaldoulas.com/book-consultation/
$0USD · Flat rate
Know Your Options — Private Birth Plan Workshop
A private 2.5-hour Zoom workshop for one family. Explore your options, practice sharing your preferences, and create a visual birth plan together. Includes Motherboard Birth app access. Flexible weekday appointments are booked through our class page: https://socaldoulas.com/class-inquiry/ . Self-pay fee: $275. Insurance options for birth education are available subject to review of your specific benefits and any authorization before booking. Clients do not need to bring supplies. Insurance option: $0 out of pocket when your verified benefits cover this class in full. Choose our Insurance-Covered Birth & Baby Classes option and wait for approval before booking.
$275USD · Flat rate
Postpartum Preparation — Virtual Class
Prepare a practical plan for recovery, rest, household help, and family routines after birth. This live 90-minute Zoom class includes a book and guided activities. Self-pay price: $200 for this class. View dates and registration at https://socaldoulas.com/class-inquiry/ . Insurance options are available for birth and family education; confirm your selected class, benefits, and required approval before booking. Clients do not need to bring supplies. Insurance option: $0 out of pocket when your verified benefits cover this class in full. Choose our Insurance-Covered Birth & Baby Classes option and wait for approval before booking.
$200USD · Flat rate
Infant Feeding — Virtual Class
A live 90-minute Zoom class to help you prepare for feeding your baby. Bring questions about breast, bottle, formula, feeding cues, and finding individual support. Includes a book and guided activities. Self-pay price: $200 for this class. View dates and registration at https://socaldoulas.com/class-inquiry/ . Ask us to verify insurance benefits and any required authorization before booking. Clients do not need to bring supplies. Insurance option: $0 out of pocket when your verified benefits cover this class in full. Choose our Insurance-Covered Birth & Baby Classes option and wait for approval before booking.
$200USD · Flat rate
Newborn Care — Virtual Class
Build confidence with everyday baby care in a live 90-minute Zoom class. Explore handling, diapering, bathing, soothing, sleep-space preparation, and questions for your baby’s care team. Includes a book and guided activities. Self-pay price: $200 for this class. View dates and registration at https://socaldoulas.com/class-inquiry/ . Ask us to verify insurance benefits and any required authorization before booking. Clients do not need to bring supplies. Insurance option: $0 out of pocket when your verified benefits cover this class in full. Choose our Insurance-Covered Birth & Baby Classes option and wait for approval before booking.
$200USD · Flat rate
Accepted insurance
Community Health Group
Health Net
Inland Empire Health Plan
Kaiser Permanente
CalOptima
Carrot
Medi-Cal
Molina HealthcareUnitedHealthcare
Alameda Alliance for Health
Anthem Blue Cross
CalViva Health
Contra Costa Health Plan
Health Plan of San Joaquin
Partnership HealthPlan of California
San Francisco Health Plan
Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Message Tayna to confirm coverage for your plan.
What to expect
Birth and postpartum doula care, plus virtual birth education and baby classes throughout California. Local support includes birth preparation, hospital labor and partner support, daytime postpartum care, and overnight newborn care. Insurance and Carrot benefits are verified before booking. Self-pay birth doula options: $1,800–$2,500. Approved class benefits may cover the full fee. No client supplies required. https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/
Upcoming classes
Postpartum Recovery and Planning
Online event
Your baby is coming. You deserve a recovery plan, too.
Join this live, 90-minute Google Meet class to prepare for the weeks after birth with practical guidance, conversation, and planning activities. Expectant parents, partners, and support people are welcome.
WHAT WE WILL COVER
• Recovery after vaginal or cesarean birth: common body changes, comfort supplies, rest, and everyday needs.
• Emotional adjustment, baby blues, mental well-being, and finding support.
• Planning meals, protecting rest, setting visitor boundaries, and sharing household responsibilities.
• Postpartum warning signs and preparing questions for your healthcare team.
• Changes in movement and intimacy as you recover.
CREATE YOUR SUPPORT PLAN
Identify who can help, what you need, and how to ask for it. Guided activities help you begin a realistic plan for your own household. Bring your questions and something for notes.
INCLUDED
Live instruction, planning activities, and a companion book to revisit at home. Small group: up to 10 registrations.
Live online via Google Meet. Self-pay: $200. Insurance coverage may be available depending on your plan and authorization. Request benefits verification and wait for approval and booking instructions before registering with insurance.
This class centers on the recovering parent. Separate Infant Feeding and Newborn Care classes explore feeding and baby-care skills in greater depth.
CHOOSE SELF-PAY OR INSURANCE
Self-pay registration: $200.
Using Health Net, Kaiser, or IEHP? Start at https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/ and wait for our team to confirm coverage and provide booking instructions and your insurance code. Coverage is subject to your plan and authorization.
Register through our existing class calendar: https://calendly.com/birthstone-midwifery/socal-doulas-postpartum-preparation
Your feeding goals deserve practical, judgment-free support.
Join Tayna of SoCal Doulas for a live, 90-minute infant feeding class on Google Meet. Expectant parents, new parents, partners, and support people throughout California are welcome.
WHAT WE WILL EXPLORE
- Breastfeeding basics and finding a comfortable feeding position.
- Reading your baby's feeding cues.
- Bottles, pacifiers, and formula feeding.
- Hand expression and breast pumps.
- Common feeding challenges and when to seek individual support.
PRACTICE WITH US
Use a doll or pillow to try feeding positions and explore ways a partner can help. If you already have bottles, pacifiers, or a pump, keep them nearby. You do not need to buy equipment to attend.
INCLUDED
Live instruction, guided practice, time for questions, and a companion book to revisit after class. Up to 10 registrations.
SELF-PAY OR INSURANCE
Self-pay: $200. The Bornbir checkout is for self-pay registration.
Using Health Net, Kaiser, or IEHP? Request verification at https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/ before paying. Wait for our team to confirm benefits and provide insurance booking instructions. Coverage depends on your plan and authorization; registration does not confirm coverage.
Explore the class topics and book previews: https://socaldoulas.com/infant-feeding-class/
This is group education. Individual feeding concerns may need a separate appointment.
You do not have to know everything before your baby arrives.
Join Tayna of SoCal Doulas for a live, 90-minute newborn care class on Google Meet. Practice everyday skills, ask questions, and prepare for the little routines that help your family settle into life with a newborn. Expectant parents, new parents, partners, and support people throughout California are welcome.
WHAT WE WILL COVER
- Getting to know newborn appearance, behavior, and everyday needs.
- The first hours and newborn health checks.
- Swaddling, soothing, and responding to crying.
- Newborn sleep patterns and preparing a safe sleep space.
- Diapering, bathing, handling, and daily care.
- Feeding basics and knowing when to ask your baby's healthcare team for help.
PRACTICE WITH US
Have a doll or stuffed toy and a swaddle blanket nearby if available. Follow guided activities and talk through the care routines you want to practice. Your partner or support person is welcome to learn alongside you.
INCLUDED
Live instruction, guided practice, time for questions, and a companion book to keep as a reference. Up to 10 registrations.
SELF-PAY OR INSURANCE
Self-pay: $200. The Bornbir checkout is for self-pay registration.
Using Health Net, Kaiser, or IEHP? Request verification at https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/ before paying. Wait for our team to confirm benefits and provide insurance booking instructions. Coverage depends on your plan and authorization; registration does not confirm coverage.
Explore class topics and book previews: https://socaldoulas.com/newborn-care-class/
For a deeper look at breastfeeding, bottles, and formula, join our separate Infant Feeding class. Group education does not replace your baby's individual healthcare.
Tayna was an incredible doula for our new family of three. From the very beginning, she centered everything around education-based choices, which was so important to me. She didn’t just offer support, but also equipped both me and my husband with the knowledge and confidence to navigate every decision we faced.
During labor and delivery, she was a steady, grounding presence. In a space that can feel overwhelming and unpredictable, Tayna was the calm in the storm. She supported us in advocating for our wants and needs while also helping us stay flexible and informed in the moment.
Because of her, my birth experience felt empowering, supported, and truly beautiful. She held space for us in a way that made us feel seen, heard, and completely cared for.
We are so grateful for Tayna and feel truly lucky to have had her as part of this experience.
— Sallie Griffin
5.0
I cannot say enough amazing things about Tayna. She was truly incredible from start to finish. She was always so responsive to any question or concern I had during pregnancy and made me feel so supported every step of the way. She followed my lead with what I wanted for my birth, and always gave her honest opinion when I asked for it, which I really appreciated.
When she came into my delivery room, she immediately started massaging my legs after my epidural, which helped so much with comfort and relaxation. She also took a video on my phone right after my daughter was born, and it is one of my most cherished memories — one of my favorite videos ever.
Tayna also took my placenta and umbilical cord and made placenta capsules and a beautiful umbilical cord keepsake, which meant so much to me.
I would never have another birth without a doula. Unfortunately, I moved to Arizona and I am so bummed I won’t be able to have Tayna at my next birth. Thank you so much for everything you did for me and my family. You made not only my birth experience perfect, but my entire pregnancy experience as well. Having someone to talk through concerns with was invaluable.
If you are considering a doula, Tayna is absolutely the one. 🩷
— Cara Landen
5.0
Working with Tayna made such a meaningful difference in my birth experience. I felt supported, calm, empowered, heard, and reassured every step of the way. She was incredibly intentional and took the time to listen to every question, concern, or request I had. Tayna has so much knowledge and experience to share, and she made sure that I knew what to expect every step of my pregnancy journey in an informed and warm way. Because of her, my second labor and delivery was everything I could’ve hoped it to be.
— Corynne Marquez
5.0
Tayna is wonderful! She is full of so much information! She has a very calming presence and is very empathetic. I recommend her to everyone! I learned so much from her. You won't regret having her as your doula.
— Crystal Hutto
5.0
I am beyond grateful to have found Tayna! As a first time mother I struggled breastfeeding I was almost ready to give up but then Tayna offered me her support. She showed me various positions and more here I am successfully breastfeeding. Tayna is now assisting me with the tools to monitor my baby's weight gain. I highly recommend Inland Empire Doulas. Thank you Tayna for your support.
— Sonia C
5.0
We truly cannot imagine going through this journey without Tayna. From pregnancy through birth and into postpartum, including an overnight visit, Tayna has been an unwavering source of support for both me and my partner.
Her presence during labor made the entire experience so much less stressful. She has a special ability to anticipate exactly what’s needed in the moment—whether it was communicating with the nurses, suggesting different positions to keep our baby safe and labor progressing, or simply being a calming presence. She supported my partner just as much, answering his questions and helping him learn how to support me more confidently.
Even now, in the postpartum phase, Tayna continues to help me find my footing as a first-time mom. She makes me feel seen, heard, and more confident each time we connect. We feel incredibly privileged to have her by our side and cannot recommend her highly enough.
— Rachel Altman
5.0
Taking Tayna virtual doula training was honestly a game changer for me. Before the training, I kept hearing from others that I needed to offer free births or charge super low to “get experience.” Tayna shut that down real quick and I’m so glad she did. She told me from the start, “You’re going to charge what you’re worth,” and then she actually gave me the tools and confidence to do it.
Her training wasn’t just about birth. It was about how to support clients in real-life situations, how to handle tough conversations, and how to really stand in your role as a professional. I felt so supported and so educated coming out of her training. Within two weeks I booked my first three clients and earned thousands more than I would have if I’d listened to the “do it for free” crowd.
I’m so grateful I found Tayna. She helped me learn how to support families, how to set boundaries, and how to actually run a business, not just wing it. If you’re thinking about becoming a doula, don’t wait. This training is the real deal.
— Jessica Miller
Ready to talk with Tayna?
Free to send. Tayna usually responds within a day.
Certifications, training, and specialties
Trust & safety
NPI verifiedNPI 1689453987 · Doula · Checked against NPPES
Tayna's National Provider Identifier (NPI 1689453987) is registered on the federal NPPES registry as Doula (374J00000X). Bornbir matched the number and name against it on Oct 19, 2026.
Birth and Lactation Birth DoulaBreastfeeding Assistance and SupportBreastfeeding SupportDoula TrainerLabor DoulaLatch IssuesMultiplesNatural BirthNatural ChildbirthNewborn CareNewborn PrepPostpartum CarePregnancy LossHospital BirthInfant CareOvernight Newborn CarePostpartum Doula CareSupport during Labor, Birth, and PostpartumVaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Frequently asked questions
How do I get started?
Message us with your city, due date or baby’s age, and whether you want birth, daytime postpartum, overnight, or virtual support. We discuss your preferences, provider availability, services, and costs before you book. You can also start at https://socaldoulas.com/book-consultation/ .
Can I use insurance for doula support and birth education?
We work with Medi-Cal, Kaiser Permanente, IEHP, Health Net, Blue Shield Promise, Molina Healthcare, CalOptima, and Community Health Group, plus Carrot employer benefits. For virtual doula support and birth education, we also accept UnitedHealthcare and the other plans listed by Doulas of California. Acceptance for virtual support or education does not establish coverage for in-person birth attendance. We verify your specific service, provider, benefits, authorizations, and costs before booking. Start at https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/ . Carrot members should confirm provider and payment arrangements with Carrot.
What are your self-pay fees, and do I need supplies?
Self-pay birth doula support ranges from $1,800 to $2,500 depending on the prenatal education and postpartum support selected. Your included services and final price are agreed before enrollment. Daytime and overnight postpartum care are quoted after we discuss your schedule and needs. Clients do not need to bring supplies.
Do you provide medical care, and where do you offer support?
SoCal Doulas provides nonmedical birth and postpartum doula support. Your obstetrician, midwife, and other clinicians manage medical care. We review in-person options in Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties and offer virtual doula support and birth education. Matching, travel, scheduling, and the care arrangement are confirmed before booking. All months are open for inquiries; individual provider availability must still be confirmed.
Which plans are currently contracted through Orka?
Our current Orka contracts include Alameda Alliance, Contra Costa Health Plan, Health Net, Kaiser Northern California, and Partnership HealthPlan of California for the client categories shown by those contracts. Medi-Cal-only contracts include Anthem, CalViva Health, Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, Health Plan of San Joaquin, San Francisco Health Plan, and Santa Clara Family Health Plan. California Medi-Cal fee-for-service is also contracted. These are contract statuses, not a guarantee of coverage for every visit or class. We verify your exact plan, selected service, billing route, authorizations, and costs before booking. Virtual birth education and classes are available throughout California.
Can I ask about Molina or a plan with a pending contract?
Yes. Molina Healthcare is included among the plans we review. Molina, CalOptima, IEHP, and Kaiser Southern California are currently shown as pending through our Orka contracting route. A pending contract is not an active in-network agreement through that route. We confirm any available provider or billing arrangement, your specific service benefits, and possible costs before booking. Please request a benefits review rather than assuming a plan listing guarantees coverage: https://socaldoulas.com/insurance-verification/
How much does Tayna charge?
Tayna's Personalized Birth Doula Support — $1,800–$2,500 package is $1,800 USD, flat rate. Tayna lists 8 packages in all.
Is Tayna taking new clients?
Taking new clients. Due Oct 2026 – Sep 2027. Availability was confirmed 2 days ago.
Does Tayna accept insurance?
Tayna lists Community Health Group, Health Net, Inland Empire Health Plan, Kaiser Permanente, CalOptima, Carrot, Medi-Cal, Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, Alameda Alliance for Health, Anthem Blue Cross, CalViva Health, Contra Costa Health Plan, Health Plan of San Joaquin, Partnership HealthPlan of California, San Francisco Health Plan, and Santa Clara Family Health Plan as accepted insurance. Message Tayna to confirm coverage for your plan.
