Jess Ford

Los Angeles, California

Jess Ford

9 years of experience

Born and raised in the Detroit Metro area, I graduated from The University of Michigan where I received my BFA. I began my birth and postpartum doula career in 2017, expanded into full spectrum care, and am now pursuing a masters degree in clinical psychology in order to focus in maternal mental health. I am currently based on Tongva Land / Los Angeles, CA, serving people virtually as well.

Mercedes Polanco

Inglewood, California

Mercedes Polanco

27 years of experience
Accepts insurances

My name is Mercedes Polanco, I’m a newborn care specialist and Doula, I provide Support and Assistance to Families who are in need of guidance and care for their Newborn, specially through out these first weeks that you trying to figure and are adjusting to that lovely new member at home. As part of service, I’m there there to support through every process of parenthood and give you the best of my knowledge, so that transition can be more smooth

Donna Iskander

Redondo Beach, California

Donna Iskander

16 years of experience

I am a dedicated lactation consultant with 14 years of experience in women's health. My passion lies in supporting new moms and their babies, offering guidance that is both nurturing and evidence-based. I take a holistic approach to care, understanding that every family’s journey is unique, and I am committed to providing compassionate, personalized support to help mothers and babies thrive. In my free time, I love exploring the world through travel with my best friend and our two little fiercely independent girls!

Charlyne Alvarado

Los Angeles, California

Charlyne Alvarado

17 years of experience
Accepts insurances

I am certified by DONA International and have worked with many families using carrot benefits so I’m familiar with the process. Aside from being a birth and postpartum doula I am also a lactation and parent educator. I can provide guidance and help with breastfeeding, pumping, storing milk and if needed supplementing with formula. My approach is to meet each family needs, to offer the education and provide different options and let family decide what works best and go from there. There’s no right or wrong way to do things.

Juli Anderson

Redondo Beach, California

Juli Anderson

16 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Juli's unique background combines the intuition of traditional midwifery and a strong sense of the spiritual side of the childbearing transition. Juli is fully supportive and embraces all families of every shape, size, color, creed, background, belief, sexual or gender identity. You will find love and caring at Open Heart Midwifery. Upon availability, you may hire the midwife to support you overnight during the postpartum period. Juli brings a wealth of experience with both singletons and multiples and can help families get a good night's sleep. She can also assist with feeding/nursing and newborn care skills. If you are feeling tired and alone, please reach out. If the midwife isn't available, she can help you find someone who is so you can access the support you need.

Nellie Johnson

Redondo Beach, California

Nellie Johnson

22 years of experience

As a compassionate and experienced maternal health nurse, I bring a strong foundation of clinical knowledge along with a nurturing, intuitive approach that makes me a natural fit for postpartum doula work. I’ve spent years supporting new mothers and families through the delicate transition of the fourth trimester, offering not just medical insight but emotional reassurance, practical education, and culturally sensitive care. My background includes virtual and in home visits, helping families feel safe, seen, and empowered from the comfort of their own space. My philosophy is rooted in a holistic view of healing by honoring the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the mother and family. I believe in creating a calm, supportive environment where new parents can rest, bond, and recover while receiving personalized guidance on infant care, feeding, and postpartum wellness. I value intuitive listening, evidence informed practices, and community connection, and I’m deeply committed to walking alongside families with warmth, respect, and nonjudgmental support.

Margot Beal

Redondo Beach, California

5.0 (4 reviews)

Margot Beal

16 years of experience

Hello! I’m Margot, a certified postpartum doula with nearly 15 years of experience in childcare. I bring over 8 years of professional nanny and infant care experience to my role, having cared for children from newborns to 11 years old in both formal and informal settings. I hold a degree in Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Development, which has guided me towards my current role as a postpartum doula. I received my certification from BADT in 2023 and have maintained a CPR/First Aid certification for over a decade. My background equips me to support families through various developmental stages, including those with disabilities, and I am committed to offering personalized care and respite during the postpartum period. My goal is to ease the transition for families, ensuring they receive the support and understanding they need.

Recent review

Margot is a gifted caregiver. The joy she gets from being around children and the love she shows them is so real. I would wholeheartedly recommend her (and have) to my closest friends and family. She is competent, trustworthy, highly attuned to children, sensitive, funny, special. My children adore her and so do I.

- Shannon E.

Donna Iskander

Redondo Beach, California

Donna Iskander

16 years of experience

Hello! I'm Donna and I am a Mother-Baby Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I am excited you’re here! I have worked with new moms and babies for the fourteen years and I am also a mother myself. I use my expertise, knowledge and passion to provide a holistic and professional service where you and your baby can gain the tools you need to connect in a calm and relaxed environment. I look forward to meeting you and your little one!

Kimberly Gorskie Garcia

Redondo Beach, California

Kimberly Gorskie Garcia

14 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hi there :) Welcome to y’all I’m Kimberly , I’m French I worked for 10 years as a nurse pediatric assistant / midwife assistant in France. Worked in the NICU, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum floor, Pediatric Oncology, Neuropediatry. When I moved to redondo beach I trained myself to be a doula and I’m now fully trained and certified by Cornerstone. I’m a doula for all and I believe trust is the key to build our relationship. Let’s talk :)

Leslie Simonds

La Crescenta Montrose, California

Leslie Simonds

7 years of experience

I am dedicated to supporting families during the early stages of parenthood. I have a deep understanding of the physical, emotional, and logistical challenges that new parents face. My passion lies in ensuring a smooth transition into parenthood, and firmly believe that every family deserves compassionate and non-judgmental support during this transformative time.

Antoinette Hudson

Los Angeles, California

Antoinette Hudson

12 years of experience

Hello, my name is Antoinette Hudson. I am a Certified Christian Doula, who is excited to be able to help families have a calm, relaxing and Faith-Based Labor experience. Providing informational, physical, and emotional support; each visit is tailored to your family.

Jalyn Taylor

Los Angeles, California

Jalyn Taylor

3 years of experience

My name is Jalyn and I am a holistically trained full-spectrum doula, placenta encapsulation specialist, and Certified Lactation Education Specialist! My contribution to birth-work is an extension of my spiritual practice that creates a sacred and safe space for truth, radically honest storytelling, generational karmic clearing, sovereign decision making, incorporating forgotten herbal and ancestral practices, reinforcing the importance of community support, and my capacity to support parents in a way that encompasses their holistic wellbeing-- and that of course includes plenty of recalibration and restoration during such a major lifestyle transformation. My hands-on support is an intersection of evidence-based practices with individualized approaches to care. I inform families of ALL of their options before, during, and after pregnancy — advocating for and supporting them in WHATEVER decisions they feel suit them best! I currently support families choosing home birth, birth center or hospital. I am proudly born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and my journey has been inspired by the stories of beautiful Black families in my community, both tragic and revolutionary! Alongside having a background in spiritual and shamanic facilitation , I also have 1+ years of experience with child care/live-in full time nannying, light tutoring, family centered wellness. In my personal time I love to create art through various mediums of expression (painting, crochet, herbal medicine making), create short films documenting my journey of evolution, and uplift the vibration of the collective around me by sharing wisdom based upon my personal experiences as a 26 year old! I intend to give women and families a safe space to express and embody their truths-- no matter how raw or unconventional.

JULIE OTTE

Redondo Beach, California

5.0 (2 reviews)

JULIE OTTE

12 years of experience

I'm a mom, wife and masters educated health educator. I am trained as a labor and deliver doula as well postpartum caretaker. I taught childbirth education for 7+ years. I now own and operate and emotional health therapy practice and also do wholistic counseling. I adore mamas, babies and the birth and parenting journey. Providing excellent wholistic support both physically and emotionally is my sweet spot.

Recent review

I have known and worked with Julie for over 20 years. Her knowledge, professionalism, experience, and level of compassion make her ideal choice for any support needs an expectant or new family may need. I spent many years working as a childbirth educator, doula, and L&D nurse. I have both referred my clients and used her services personally. I am very confident telling anyone they would be fortunate and grateful to have her as part of their support network.

- Karlye M.

Morgan Owens

Redondo Beach, California

Morgan Owens

10 years of experience

Morgan is passionate about utilizing evidence-based practice to grow an individuals communication skills as well as their confidence. Morgan provides individualized treatment plans and works in a collaborated environment with the family and other professionals to provide the best possible treatment outcome.

Tracie Kesatie

Los Angeles, California

Tracie Kesatie

13 years of experience

I am a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach & an experienced mother of four well-rested children. As a trusted expert in the field of pediatric sleep I work with clients all over the world. I specialize in supportive sleep solutions & educational sleep support. I work with families that have little ones 0-10 years of age. I have appeared as a special guest on the Home & Family TV show giving host and mom Debbie Matenopoulos some gentle sleep tips. I have also been a honored guest on the podcast Is It Bedtime Yet? talking about pediatric sleep with Dr. Jenn and Dr. Sarine. I am a featured sleep expert on Momipedia.com, Romper.com, Healthline.com & Slumbr.com. In addition, I periodically lead sleep workshops and sleep support groups at A Mother's Haven in Encino, CA as well as at Mama Needs A Drink in West Los Angeles, CA.

Sharon Curtin-Bottomley

Los Angeles, California

Sharon Curtin-Bottomley

41 years of experience

I have been a registered nurse in various specialties for over 35 years, including labor and delivery. I became a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, then completed my HypnoBirthing educator training to broaden my scope of knowledge. I am proud to have recently been accepted and trained as an Evidence Based Birth instructor, which allows me to bring a wealth of important, up to date and well-researched resources to couples. Currently, in addition to my private practice I provide hospital based prenatal classes and assist new families as a Board Certified Lactation Consultant. My mission is to help you discover your untapped strengths and to prepare you physically, mentally, and emotionally for birth and parenthood.

Kristina Benane

Los Angeles, California

Kristina Benane

19 years of experience

Hi, my name is Kristina and I have worked with babies, kids and their families for over 15 years. I have been a camp counselor, babysitter, nanny, mother's helper, assistant teacher at a Waldorf school, and now a postpartum doula. I help families in the postpartum period WITHOUT judgment and WITH kindness. I can help you with newborn care, setting up snacks, cleaning bottles or pump parts, holding the baby while you take a nap or a shower, and be a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on.

Kendra  Greenberg

Los Angeles, California

Kendra Greenberg

25 years of experience

I’m a wife and mom and I’ve been a photographer for 20+ years. Photographing newborns and families as they grow is truly my happy place. I feel that all my life experience has led me to this work and it’s incredibly satisfying. I am passionate about capturing those moments before they fly by. Because they go by so quickly! As a mother of 3 I totally get it. Family life is busy and we need things to be as low key and efficient as possible. I try to make your time in front of my camera LOW STRESS - and hopefully we can have some fun along the way! I like to let the siblings enjoy themselves and feel included in this special time. I like to get the newbies all milk drunk and sleepy so we can stare at them in awe. Mostly, I like to get everyone - young and old - to connect and laugh and remember the real reasons we get up and do this thing called life. I have photographed hundreds of growing families and it never once gets old. I’ll never lose the awe and the wonder at this beautiful... and sometimes difficult... and definitely transformational journey of self discovery that is parenthood.

Mikaela Johnson Vaal

Los Angeles, California

Mikaela Johnson Vaal

15 years of experience

I am a Perinatal Care Specialist — my job is to hold space for people as they navigate reproductive health and perinatal care by providing emotional support, physical comfort, practical assistance, and non-medical care. What that may look like depends on each client's individual needs and situation. I am passionate about education and love to not only learn new things myself, but also pass on my accumulated knowledge to others. I strongly believe that knowledge is power, and support my clients in navigating the healthcare field knowing their options and alternatives so they are better able to advocate for themselves, their bodies, their families, and their choices. I started my journey in the healthcare field in 2010 when I began training as a Massage Therapist in NYC. Since then I have become a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and since moving to LA in 2017, I have turned my focus more specifically to equity for marginalized people in health and wellness. I am now a DONA International Certified Doula, California Certified Massage Therapist, a Reiki Master, Yoga Instructor, trained in the use of Essential Oils for Birth and Postpartum, and most recently became a Certified Facilitator of The Resilience Toolkit.

Natalie Baumann

Los Angeles, California

Natalie Baumann

5 years of experience

I’m a mom and bonus mom who is passionate about sleep! I know firsthand the impact that sleep deprivation can have on your mental health, so I work to help parents feel empowered and joyful in new parenthood. There’s no one size fits all when it comes to getting your baby to sleep well - so let’s work together to find a solution that works for you!