Clara went beyond our expectations of support as a doula. She became part of the family while still giving us space when needed. She helped us navigate a complicated labor like a pro, facilitating an incredible experience. She took lots of time to support us in the weeks leading up to birth and answered any questions we had. We highly recommend Clara as a doula who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about taking care of the family while bringing baby earthside and honoring birth preferences along the way! read more

Finding Clara was probably the best thing I did when I first got pregnant. I could tell immediately that she would be a calming, patient, positive force through pregnancy and delivery. When I lost my first pregnancy and then had to go through multiple IVF retrievals and transfers, I was so happy that Clara was available once I had a pregnancy that stuck, and she did a wonderful job helping me prepare practically, mentally, and emotionally for the transformative process of becoming a mother. She offered a wealth of helpful information and was a fantastic resource through her network. It's clear how much she cares about what she does because I always felt she went out of her way to be supportive in a way that fit me and what I needed, going above and beyond the basic doula contract. For example, when I was admitted to the hospital in my 36th week with my partner out of town, she brought me lunch and then stayed with me the whole afternoon to help keep me company and continued to check in through the anxiety-filled waiting periods to find out what was happening. I ended up needing a c-section, and her caring, smiling, reassuring face was just what I needed in the OR to make it through. She supported us in a great start to our breastfeeding journey by helping him latch in those early moments and then stayed with me until I was settled out of recovery. Even though my birth didn't happen the way I had hoped, I feel good about the journey and have no regrets. After hearing about some of the other experiences of women in my prenatal group, all I could think was I wish they would have had someone like Clara to have helped them because I know she would have made a world of difference. Can't recommend her enough! read more

From our first call with Clara, my husband and I knew she was the perfect fit as our doula. This was our first pregnancy and Clara helped me to feel calm, confident, and empowered to know what is best for myself and my baby during this transformative journey into motherhood. Part way through my second trimester, we faced some unexpected hurdles with genetic testing and had to endure a several week wait for results. Clara was a shoulder to lean on during a time of great uncertainty. We are forever grateful for her support as we navigated the highs and lows of pregnancy. Each birth is unique and although not everything went exactly as we envisioned, Clara was instrumental in helping me have a beautiful experience as we welcomed our son into the world. I ended up having a very last-minute induction that led to about 28 hours of labor. Clara was there throughout the entire process, helping us make decisions, working with my care team to respect my birth preferences (unless medically necessary), and above all, adding a calmness to the room. She created a zen atmosphere in our hospital room, complete with twinkling lights, flowers, and our favorite music. She was also there for our family as I navigated a scary postpartum preeclampsia diagnosis and resulting mental health challenges. Knowing Clara was a text or phone call away during this time was incredibly comforting. A million thank-yous for your support, Clara! We're so lucky to have worked with her, and to now call her a friend. We will absolutely give her a call when we decide to expand our family in the future. If you're considering Clara for birth or postpartum support, I could not recommend anyone more capable and compassionate! read more

We could not give a higher recommendation to our doula and new friend, Clara Love! From the start of our pregnancy journey, my husband and I knew we wanted to work with a doula. Prior to finding Clara I met with 3 other doulas - but from the moment I met Clara I could tell she was special, and I could not be more grateful our paths crossed and she was available! Clara's presence alone impacts the atmosphere of any room she enters. She brings the most warm and loving energy to all interactions and situations. This was invaluable throughout our pregnancy and in particular during our son's birth. The notes, photos, and birth story she thoughtfully captured have enabled us to relive this incredibly special moment again and again. In addition to her aura of warmth and kindness, Clara is incredibly knowledgeable. One of the distinctive elements of Clara's doula package is the 1:1 breastfeeding session and lactation resources she offers in the final stages of pregnancy. With this in hand and with Clara by our side, our first experience breastfeeding immediately following our son's birth was so beautiful. With Clara's help our son latched well and quickly at the outset, which I believe was an integral part of us having such a positive postpartum experience. Clara genuinely cares about the women and families she supports. She was so thoughtful and conscientious about checking in with my husband and me in the weeks following our son's birth and provided some invaluable guidance when my milk came in and with other helpful tips for first time parents. Again, we could not be more grateful to have found Clara! Her support and care helped instill us with confidence that has made our journey into parenthood as smooth and joyful as possible. A thousand thank yous, Clara! read more

For many different reasons, I was terrified of the entire pregnancy / birthing process, so I knew I wanted--no, needed--doula support. And Clara's thoughtful guidance before, during and after the entire labor & delivery experience went above and beyond anything I could've ever imagined! To begin, she has the calmest, warmest, most kind demeanor -- a demeanor that most certainly comes in handy during the chaos / uncertainty / wildness that birthing can bring. Our pre-birth meetings always felt more like conversations with a friend and during labor, she was like a calm guide during the storm. She has the perfect balance of proactively offering suggestions and also letting us as parents take the lead. Leading up to birth, whenever I had a question, Clara provided very detailed, evidence-based answers, oftentimes with links to articles or more information. If she didn't immediately know the answer, she always followed up with finding it out. I always felt incredibly well-informed. She also has so many different resources, from podcasts and book recommendations, to meditations and fantastic local vendors (such as acupuncturists and physical therapists). Most importantly, Clara was an integral part during the birth process. While we had expected her to arrive during the "active" part of our labor, we ended up getting nervous and asked her to come quite a bit earlier to the hospital after I had gotten induced. She arrived with no hesitations and stayed the majority of our very long labor (38 hours and 38 minutes!). She walked us through a variety of different strategies that I'm 100% sure helped me hold off on medications for so long. She was also a great sounding board to help us navigate how we wanted the birth to be, especially when we had to drastically deviate from our birth plan. We'd have "team huddles" with her, my partner and me after the doctor or nurses made recommendations, coming up with on-the-spot solutions based not just on emotion, but on evidence and our previously discussed preferences. Yet one of the most delightful surprises Clara gave us was a minute-by-minute breakdown of our entire two-day birth. It's true that many details become hazy pretty quickly, so it meant the world for us to have such a precious record. Our relationship with Clara didn't stop after our baby was born; she has continued to check in with us, share postnatal resources and be an incredible sounding board as we adjust to parenthood. I am beyond impressed by Clara's commitment to us as her clients, attention to detail, and willingness to go above and beyond. I'd highly recommend her for anyone looking for support through the unique journey of pregnancy and beyond! read more

I have written and rewritten this review a couple of times because finding the words to describe how truly amazing Clara is, is difficult. From the moment I met her, I knew I needed her as a part of my birthing team and in my life. It felt like a kismet connection and I knew I had found the doula for us. I'm not sure if it was her calming presence, her expertise, or her caring nature, perhaps all of those things combined, I just knew it was meant to be. Throughout my pregnancy, I relied on her for all things pregnancy and baby, and it was so assuring to have her as a wealth of knowledge and guidance. She brought a lot of relief to my husband and me as first-time parents. When the big day finally came, I knew I had someone to advocate for me, explain things, and be there for my husband and me as we approached this very exciting, but scary moment. I don't know how I would have gotten through my birth without her. The scariest part about leaving the hospital was the fact that Clara wasn't coming home with us. Clara is such a supportive, loving person who genuinely cares for the people that are around her. Following the birth of our daughter, she was constantly checking in on me, my husband, and the baby. She gave a lot of guidance and advice for nursing, as she is a lactation consultant as well. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with Clara and have her support. She gave us so much confidence stepping into this new chapter of parenthood. It is her commitment to her clients and her love of what she does that shines through. We will be continuously grateful to Clara for being a part of our journey! read more

Clara was a godsend for our growing family as she supported us as a postpartum doula after the birth of our first child! In those immediate postpartum days, Clara would bring groceries, often make a meal (she is a fabulous cook) and supported our breastfeeding journey. Breastfeeding was rough to get started, and Clara helped me navigate the many bumps along the way with evidence based tips, a large dose of empathy and encouragement, and frequent checking in even when she was not at our home. In those early days when everything is hard, Clara made it possible for me to continue my breastfeeding journey - and for this I am forever grateful. I so looked forward to the days Clara came over, those days just felt "lighter". Her presence was critical as we do not have family in the area. During each visit I chatted with her about all things baby and the transition to motherhood, and I now consider her a friend. My husband really enjoyed connecting with her as well. Clara was integral in setting us up for success in the postpartum period - she's a gem! read more

We cannot say enough wonderful things about Clara - she is the absolute best!! I admittedly was skeptical about hiring a doula and felt that way as we met with several other potential doulas. After meeting with Clara, we felt that there was something special about her. We decided on the spot to work with her and are so glad we did. She is experienced, warm, patient and empathetic. She was incredibly important to our safe and healthy pregnancy, delivery and post-partum. We had several unexpected surprises at the hospital. I am convinced the only reason we were able to have a safe delivery was because of Clara's support, coaching and advocacy. If you are even thinking about getting a doula, you should work with Clara. You will be so happy that you did! read more

We are beyond grateful that we chose Clara to be our doula for the birth of our first child in October 2020.  Clara is so thoughtful, easygoing, and sensitive.  It is obvious that this is not just a job for her; she truly loves what she does! We met several times before I gave birth (mostly virtually due to COVID). I always felt like a friend rather than a client; she never rushed through meetings, and we got along great! As my due date approached, Clara checked-in regularly and sent me many great resources to prepare for my birth. She stopped by for one in-person visit before I delivered with a yoga ball and a bag full of goodies for my labor. Since the delivery, Clara has stayed in touch and checked in on us along our journey as new parents. Giving birth has become more complicated these days because of COVID, and we are so thankful we had Clara's support while navigating these challenges. We gave birth at UCSF, during the short window of time that they were allowing in-person doula support. It was particularly helpful working with Clara because she often assists with births at UCSF, and had just had another birth there the same week as ours, so she was familiar with the changing policies and procedures there due to COVID. My 24-hour labor did not go according to my birth plan, but Clara was calmly reassuring during the whole difficult experience. Talking through my birth experience with her helped me process everything that happened and feel at peace with all of the challenges. She also took great pictures and videos of our delivery without us even noticing! All in all, Clara is an amazing doula and person.  My only regret is that after everything that we went through together, I haven't been able to give her a hug due to the pandemic. I highly recommend her to anyone giving birth - and especially to first-time parents like ourselves. read more

I am long overdue for this review because I have had just so many wonderful things to say about Clara, it's been difficult to put into words. The short story: I have had two positive, beautiful births where I felt so confident and prepared and I owe most of it to the education and support I got from Clara. We will forever have a special connection with Clara because she actually delivered my second daughter when we had an accidental home birth outside on my deck. The long story: When I was pregnant with my first baby, we were immediately drawn to Clara's gentle and nurturing demeanor. I was overwhelmed with the options available to me thinking about my birth preferences and I knew I could put my trust in Clara to guide me in finding a path that felt right for me and my baby. Along the way - she introduced me to Hypnobirthing which empowered me to have the birth that I wanted. I was pregnant in the height of the pandemic in 2020 and she was instrumental in helping me find the care providers that would support my birth preferences to have the most positive birth experience possible. She ended up not being able to attend my birth because of the covid restrictions at the time but my husband and I felt so set up for success with the toolkit she provided us that I still felt like she was there. I always appreciated how she focused on providing me with all the education and tools she could to understand what my options were and let me guide the way on my preferences. I ended up having a 20+ hour labor and unmedicated birth and came away feeling like it was an amazing, empowering experience and I could do it again! When I learned I was pregnant with my second baby, I called her right away to secure her for my birth. I was so excited to get to work with her again and actually have doula support during labor, and boy was I lucky to have her there! At 6:30pm on Halloween night, I was a day after my due date and she and I were texting, joking that there might still be a chance to have a halloween baby even though I wasn't feeling any signs of labor. 30 minutes later I felt my first surge. A few hours after that we thankfully decided to have her come meet us at our house instead of just meeting us at the hospital, and shortly after that Clara was catching our baby in the dark as our daughter was born on the deck while we were trying to make it out to the car. Luckily everyone was healthy, and Clara was managing the scene - on the phone with the paramedics, making sure everyone was safe and comfortable while my husband and I stood there in shock. After our ambulance escort to the hospital, we had a good laugh with a smiling, blood and amniotic-fluid-covered Clara in the recovery room. We speculated afterwards that my labor kick-started when Clara got to our house because I felt so held and at ease. We are forever grateful for our angel doula who empowered me to have two amazing birth experiences. Thank you Clara for being there for us in the most tender moments of our lives and helping to make them so special. read more

As others have mentioned, my husband and I felt like we clicked with Clara right away. Since we were having our first child, we knew we wanted doula support to help us through the experience but we weren't really sure what we were looking for. When we met with Clara, we realized what we needed was someone with a calm and assured demeanor that would help us navigate through the journey as first time parents with as much ease as possible. I am a very type A personality, whereas my husband is much more laid back. Clara was able to work with both of us to help us feel comfortable with the whole process. When I was in extreme pain during labor, she was able to help my husband ask me the right questions so I was able to get the right care for myself from my hospital team. Clara really respected what we wanted out of our birth plan. We learned quickly that plans are hard to stick to, but she adapted with us and I ended up having a very quick and easy delivery. Clara asked me the right questions to help me get to a good place in my own delivery journey. If you ask my husband, he would tell you that having a doula is just as helpful for a partner, if not more, as it is for a delivering mother. Clara continues to be a resource for us and her kind and calm manner is so refreshing. Our hospital team loved her as well. I also practiced prenatal yoga with Clara and I highly recommend her for that as well! read more

Having Clara's support and guidance during my pregnancy and beyond has been amazing. I had hyperemesis and an early delivery which made for a pretty stressful time. Clara was the calming and reassuring presence that everyone deserves in those moments. Her empathy, compassion and care is felt in every interaction. She puts her whole heart into helping parents prepare for this deeply transformational period. I would recommend Clara a million times over- it was the best decision I could have made for my wellbeing throughout the pregnancy journey and into welcoming our son. The mental load of being a first time mother is tremendous and can feel very isolating, having a loving, kind expert at your side can make all the difference in the world. Clara is that expert, a true gem and should I have more children, she will be my first call. Thank you Clara, you are a beautiful soul and I am so grateful for you! read more

Clara was truly a godsend during our pregnancy and at the birth. My partner and I don't have family nearby whom could guide us or be w/ us at the birth due to covid restrictions, so as first time parents it was really important for us to have a trusted and experienced source we could lean on. Clara was it and more. We truly didn't know how much we didn't know about the birthing process (it's a lot!) and all the decisions we have control over - Clara lovingly guided us through it all. On the day of, she was so readily available and communicative throughout the process, until it was time for her to join us (which was all totally my call - she was ready to show up at hour 1!). And then she showed up and immediately transformed the experience - from creating a beautiful physical ambiance to providing a loving, serene energy for not only myself but my partner too. He felt so at peace and was able to focus on the actual birth, rather than nervous over the complications we were facing. Clara was just as much there for him as she was for me and our baby. Every single birth is unique but in my case, I truly feel she saved me from having to do a c-section by taking command of the process (trying different positions, guiding my breathing and pushing, etc.) before the doctor made the final call - it made all the difference and I was able to have the birth I wanted. May not always be the case but she was truly an advocate for us and is experienced enough to know how much to push and when. I could write a whole book about what a wonderful addition Clara was to our birthing journey. She was truly made for this role of helping mommas and babies meet each other. read more

We can't say enough good things about Clara! She was knowledgeable and attentive from the moment we met her. Her expert guidance along with the classes at Golden Gate Doula Associates helped us feel fully prepared for our birth experience. She was an amazing calming presence during our entire labor and enabled me to stay at home and comfortable until the last possible minute. At the hospital I was relaxed as she navigated the process for me and was a gentle firm force/ advocate for my wishes at a time when I could focus only on getting through. I did not give myself pressure to meet expectations on how my birth would go, but Clara guided us through a birth that greatly exceeded my expectations for myself and our son. She was so supportive and I know I wouldn't have been able to labor so efficiently and naturally without her there. read more

Clara Love - Doulas Near Me

At first my wife and I were not fully decided on working with a doula for the birth of our first son -- it's just not something we knew enough about. If you, too are contemplating this decision I can tell you: 1) We feel it was one of the best decisions we've ever made, and we are SO glad we decided to have the support/expertise of a doula for our birth. It would have been a completely different (and objectively worse) experience for us if we hadn't. I couldn't really grasp in advance how much we would appreciate the combination of expertise and physical/emotional support before/during after the birth. 2) We feel so happy and fortunate that we were able to work with Clara specifically. I can't imagine a better personality and "bedside manner" to guide a couple through this process -- she has more information than you will ever need but we never felt overwhelmed by it (as opposed to endless Googling). I think Clara has a gift for reading personalities and will meet you where you're at, regardless of your specific orientation/energy/style. We feel as though Clara is a part of our new family and I can't recommend her more strongly. If you are reading this and wondering how to move forward during a hectic time, calling Clara will be the best decision you can make! read more

My husband and I agree Clara is an angel on earth sent to guide mothers and their partners through the craziness that is pregnancy, birth and transition into motherhood. No matter what type of birth you are planning, Clara is a valuable addition. This was my first child, and Clara was there by our side helping us as we navigated pregnancy, labor and made decisions that were right for us to get our boy here healthy and safe! From the beginning, Clara and I clicked, and I knew she was the right person for us to work with. She was extremely supportive through all the ups and downs of the pandemic and kept us up to date as policies constantly changed. But more importantly, she kept us focused on enjoying the pregnancy and planning for an empowered and informed birth experience. My husband and Clara made the dream team. She works with partners just as much as you to teach them techniques and answer questions they may have. My husband is now a huge doula advocate! I feel that having Clara with us gave my partner the support he needed to be fully present for me emotionally. The two in-person appointments closer to the birth day are very comforting and valuable. Clara is a wealth of knowledge on all things pregnancy and birth! Her presence is positive and calming. Clara was by our side every second of labor and extremely respected by our staff at UCSF (and we had 3 shift changes!) One of our delivery nurses came to visit us in postpartum, and mentioned how amazing Clara was. After birth, she is still there for you, your partner and your new addition except now as a friend sharing in the joys of new motherhood. I would work with Clara again in a heartbeat, and strongly recommend her! read more

Clara is truly an angel on this earth. I felt an immediate connection to her and she carries an energy that is soothing and supportive, without being overbearing. Clara was truly curious about our family, what we valued and wanted to create, and was there to help us create that without any agenda of her own. Clara assisted me through both of my pregnancies, with my son who was delivered vaginally through an induction and my daughter who was delivered via c-section since she was breech. Though both pregnancies presented their own set of complications and challenges, I felt empowered by Clara who equipped me with the tools and resources to make my births, though not what I had initially intended, to be a wonderful experience. Even my husband, who at first didn't really understand the purpose of a doula, was so amazed by all she did and was extremely grateful for her presence! I do not think this would've been possible if it wasn't for Clara. She's someone who will go above and beyond the scope of her work to be there for you and your family. She even brought us gifts and made a postpartum visit to check in on us just because :) I feel so fortunate to have found Clara and I hope that by sharing this others are able to find the best support for their family with Clara's help! read more

We can't emphasize enough how amazing Clara has been for us. Initially skeptical about getting a doula due to lack of personal experience, Clara's calm, sweet, and knowledgeable presence completely won us over. She was incredibly responsive and literally stood by us throughout our unexpectedly long labor, which ended in a last-minute c-section. Clara's unwavering support made me feel like I had both an advocate and a friend during the entire journey. She helped me navigate issues that came up, and truly respected my decisions. I really don't think we would've made it without her. You will be prepared to labor, you will be supported and respected, you will be in the know, but most importantly you will have a friend to help you each step of the way - even if things don't go to plan. So much of our labor was miserable but my most fondest memories are of Clara by side encouraging me. If given the chance, I wouldn't change having her as our doula, and we're excited to have her support for our next child. Clara is someone we will always hold a special place in our hearts. read more

Clara was my doula for the birth of my son (my first) in early March 2020 -- born right before limits were put on labor support persons due to Covid. Both my husband and I are beyond thankful that we chose Clara as our doula and that we were able to have her support during my labor. She has an amazing warm, calming presence, which is exactly what I (and I imagine, any other woman) needed during delivery. While I preferred to deliver naturally, I was open to getting an epidural if needed. Working with Clara and having her there during labor helped me stay the course -- not because she was pushy about natural birth in any way but because she was able to gently remind me of my own strength and ability to do so. If I had opted for an epidural, I'm sure she would have been equally supportive. Throughout our time working together, Clara was incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and kind. She has an energy that puts you at ease. As a first-time parent, I never felt uncomfortable asking her questions. She also really knows her stuff and provided us with a myriad of great resources to help us feel more prepared. It's clear that Clara loves what she does and she is excellent at it. I would 100% recommend Clara-- you're in great hands! read more

I feel like Clara is a part of our family. We hired her in 2019 for the birth of our first child and were fortunately able to deliver before Covid. I am so happy she was one of the first people to hold our son after he was born. We chose Clara because of her laid back and sweet demeanor, and I knew my husband would get along well with her. I am so happy we had her with us as my labor became extraordinarily long, difficult and full of surprises, and our birth plan fairly quickly became irrelevant. Throughout the entire, arduous journey, Clara was reassuring, talked me through the benefits of making choices I didn't want to make, convinced me of my strength and validated my emotions. Clara was with us for the entire 46 hours of my labor -- over the phone, at first, helping me move through back labor. Then she joined us in our home and then some 26 hours in the hospital. I don't believe she ever took a nap; she relieved my husband so he could rest. Her demeanor with the nurses at UCSF was fantastic and they clearly respected her, and she helped me calmly navigate a more contentious situation with one of the midwives. She also thought of details like gentle lighting and music for the labor and delivery room, and was constantly keeping me comfortable with essential oils and snacks. I never felt self-conscious with her. With Clara you get way more than a support person the day of your child's birth. From the day we hired her, she was at the ready to answer questions and offer support. She is trained in prenatal yoga and hypnobirthing, and shared both with me. She had tricks and tips for any pregnancy discomforts. As I neared my due date she was constantly checking in on me, and helped me navigate a plan for a possible induction. And after our son was born, she made herself available -- for companionship, help with a newborn and support with breastfeeding. Clara is also a mom, and I really enjoyed hearing about her two sons' births and her own journey with childbirth. She is such a nurturing, sweet soul, and I only hope she is a fixture in our son's life. read more

Clara was the most wonderful doula, we were so lucky to work with her! Throughout many unforeseeable changes to our birth plan, Clara was a solid source of light and hope and calm. By the time birth came around, we felt so well prepared- she thought of everything, down to little fairy lights to hang in the bathroom at the hospital. She is an absolute wealth of knowledge about birth/unmedicated birth and we felt so encouraged and protected in her presence. Cannot recommend Clara enough! read more

We feel so lucky to have had Clara on our team as we brought our son into the world! Ahead of delivery, Clara ensured we understood birthing options, provided guidance as we developed our birth plan, and shared many helpful educational resources, tools and practices that made delivery as smooth and comfortable as it could be. During the birth, she was right by our side and helped us feel confident in the decisions we were making. Ultimately, we had an incredibly positive experience working with Clara, and highly recommend having her with you at this most important moment. read more

We feel so incredibly lucky to have found Clara! My husband and I knew we wanted a doula to support our birth but were skeptical we could find someone that would match our personalities and make us feel comfortable. We met Clara about 3 weeks before our due date (a little late in the game) and we immediately clicked! Clara is so supportive and easy to connect with. She did a wonderful job of providing resources and asking questions to help us create a comprehensive and personal birth plan. She offered great advice, but really focused on empowering my husband and I to support one another through the process. Our birth didn't go exactly to plan, but with Clara there we felt confident and capable of making the right choices for our family along the way. Clara made sure we could stay at home as long as possible before going to the hospital, and was so helpful in guiding us in different comfort measures and positions throughout the process. Even after our birth Clara has continued to be a fantastic resource and friend. She has continued to provide resources (anticipating questions and needs as the weeks have gone by) and continues to help us feel empowered and confident in parenthood - even with the constant changes and surprises that are thrown our way! read more

We began working with Clara at the start of Shelter in Place during Covid-19. Upon our first call, Clara was calm, nurturing, and easy to talk to (all meetings were done through video chat). I was planning on delivering at UCSF and Clara and the GGDA team were well connected with the L&D team at the hospital. This was incredibly helpful given things were changing at the hospitals on a weekly basis. Leading up to our due date, Clara was so helpful to explain everything and anything that could come up during the L&D process, and made sure I understood my choices. Most importantly, Clara stressed that we would need to speak up during the process at the hospital. This definitely came in handy on the day of as did having her on hand via video calls. Thanks to Clara, we felt well-informed, knowledgable, confident and supported during our birth process. read more

I cannot recommend Clara enough!! Do yourself a favor and hire a birthing doula, preferably Clara, or someone as amazing and knowledgeable as she is. It'll be the best investment you make for your journey into parenthood. We interviewed 6+ doulas with Golden Gate Doula association before connecting with Clara. Her calm and confident and positive attitude was critical for helping us stay grounded and navigating through the dynamic 4+ days of our LO's birth. From the initial home consultations where she spent 2 hours walking us through different options in our birth plan ... to the bag of hospital goodies for our second consultation ... to the actual birthing experience itself, especially during a pandemic. Clara was there to capture the birth of our LO in photos and in video. This is not typically part of her duties, but she was there. We have her to thank for the healthy arrival of our baby and also photos to relive the moment. My husband was pretty ambivalent about hiring a doula, but in hind-sight, raves about Clara as much as I do. read more

I have nothing but amazing things to say about Clara! She was the doula for our second baby, born December 31, 2020. We picked her after attending two different virtual meet-the-doula events and she gave off the same great energy in person and online! As a family we were extremely conservative in regard to exposure during COVID, and since our baby was born at the peak of the pandemic, each birthing mother was only allowed one support person at the hospital. We chose Clara to be that support person, and planned for my husband stayed home with our older child since we did not have local family or other COVID-safe childcare. We did not have a doula for the birth of my first child, and choosing to have a doula for my second was a calculated risk in COVID times of how to have the least COVID exposure for our family (having a doula at the hospital with me who would wear an N95 mask the whole time seemed like not much additional possible exposure since at the time none of the hospital nurses were vaccinated yet either vs having a childcare provider or sibling doula inside our home with our daughter where non stop masking would not have been possible). In retrospect I wish we'd had a doula for my first birth also and having Clara at this birth was absolutely the right decision! Clara was completely accommodating during COVID times and did all of our pre-birth sessions virtually, and contactless dropped off a package for us pre-birth with a few essentials (the tens unit they loan you, a yoga ball, etc, as well as a few gifts (hand sanitizer!) and some finger puppets for our older child. She always met me where I was in regard to my anxieties leading up to delivery based on delivery issues I had with a previous birth and checked in with me frequently after doctors appointments throughout my third trimester to stay up to speed on my condition and reassure me that she was ready whenever I was, since we expected that I would have this baby early due to a history of pre-eclampsia. She was completely open to my desires for an induction if medically recommended and for a medicated birth and was helpful in helping me understand what some medical options might be offered to me and what questions I should ask while also always respectfully deferring to my doctor. When I was admitted to the hospital for an induction due to pre-eclampsia at 37 weeks she coordinated with my husband late at night to get the carseat and my hospital bag from him to bring to the hospital and kept in touch with me through the night before she arrived at the hospital. Since my baby was born 14 minutes before new years she missed New Years Eve with her family and I never once felt like she was distracted from her job with me or that the timing of my delivery was an inconvenience to her at all. In fact quite the opposite, she is clearly extremely passionate about her job! Having Clara as my support person was a phenomenal experience in female birthing (the only male who even entered the room during my entire induction / labor / birth experience was the anesthesiologist....and my baby boy). It's not something I had thought about beforehand, but it was really incredible to be surrounded by women (Clara, nurses, and doctors) during this experience. I was the first birth Clara worked as a doula in person since the pandemic lockdown and hospital restrictions began since most families chose their spouse at the single support person allowed, and though she hadn't been to CPMC in several months she clearly had a good report with the nurses and doctors there. She had lots of great ideas on positions for me to try to keep my induction moving along and ways to help me with discomfort as my labor progressed and when my epidural didn't work fully. She was very easy to talk to and felt like having a friend in the room with me for those nearly 24 hours instead of a stranger (especially important since once she arrived she couldn't leave the room due to COVID!). She also managed to not only capture a video on her phone of the birth happened but also had my husband on facetime to watch the birth! I will forever treasure the photos and video she managed to capture and have no idea how she managed to take photos, help me, and facetime my husband all at once but she did! Clara would be an amazing addition to any birthing team, and especially wonderful if you are birthing without your partner present for any reason! We are sadly done having babies, but if I had another I would hire Clara again in a heartbeat. I would recommend her to anyone! I can't wait for her to meet my little one as we come onto the other side of COVID and give her a big thank you hug! read more

My husband and I had a great first impression meeting Clara. We clicked right away, she was so warm, friendly and approachable and I knew she would be the one we would engage! She was extremely organized, super responsive and knowledgeable about the various aspects involved in the birth process (e.g. birth plan preparation, breathing techniques, pain management etc.). She would provide us with evidence based articles to help support various claims relating to specific areas such as delayed cord clamping, breastfeeding techniques, big baby fiction etc. She was so positive and cheerful during the entire labor (which was pretty long in my case of 26 hours!), helped my husband take critical decisions (e.g. amniotomy, dilation timing etc.) and was always by my side helping me get through the contractions via breathing techniques. She took pictures of our precious moments with the baby and provided us with notes throughout the labor. Clara also supported us postpartum and provided us with useful resources on increasing milk supply for breastfeeding and formula options. I'm so excited to start our postnatal yoga sessions soon! Thank you for all your assistance; we would not have gotten through all of this if it was not for your support! read more

Clara Love is an angel in disguise! I had an extremely fast labor and ended up having an unplanned home birth. She arrived 2 minutes before my daughter was born and helped deliver my baby. An unplanned home birth is an intense situation to come into and she handled herself (and my husband and me!) so well. She is calm and nurturing and immediately put me at ease. I'm so grateful for her help and expertise. I cannot recommend her enough. You will be in excellent and capable hands with Clara. read more

Clara was a wonderful support to both me and my husband during labor. We decided to look for a doula just weeks before our baby's due date. Clara just happened to have an opening last minute. It felt meant to be. She adjusted her prenatal visits for us to get it all in in the time we had left. When I went into labor she helped us know when to go to the hospital and helped keep the contractions going. I preferred an unmedicated labor and delivery and she helped me manage the pain. She helped my husband support me by giving him ideas and prompts and by suggesting that he rest and eat. Having her with us at home and in the hospital prompted a positive birth experience - she even took pictures of my husband catching our baby! Clara is thoughtful, kind and caring. We had a good experience with her and with our birth and we recommend her with two thumbs up! read more

Clara was the best doula I could imagine. My husband and I feel so blessed to have found her to help me deliver our son. We were immediately attracted to her warmth and supportive nature and found her evidence-based expertise and range of experience incredibly valuable. She helped us prepare for an unmedicated birth with a wide range of techniques including physical movements, mental coaching and props (eg heat packs, tennis ball back massager, yoga blocks). In addition to showing us the moves and preparing for birth in person, she gave me a binder with information compiled from expert sources. It gave me an opportunity to learn more, practice and mentally prepare. As many mothers will tell you, the birth went nothing to plan, primarily due to my son's arrival style (nothing to do with Clara) which required medicine. But Clara was flexible and helped me make decisions on the fly that I was happy with including avoiding a C-section! She helped my husband know what to do to support me. And she was an advocate when we needed one, following up with nurses on our requests. She kept the atmosphere positive, collaborating well with the nurses and a doctor who isn't the most doula friendly. My primary nurse commented on how terrific she was. Since there were many nurses who cycled in and out, it was nice to have Clara there the whole time. She even took photos on my phone of our son's first few minutes of life--photos that my husband and I never would've had the chance to get without missing the moment. I feel like she is my son's guardian angel who brought good spirit and good fortune to his birth. read more

Clara was an amazing doula to have guide my husband and me through the birth of our first child. Her warm and calming presence helped me to feel supported and confident going into the birthing experience. I'm also big on understanding things that are new for me through background reading materials and she was great about providing all types of resources to become familiar with the ins and outs of pregnancy and delivery. During my labor she was amazing at providing calm support and empowering my husband to be a partner with me through the process. She was also a huge support to my mom, who was with us during my labor, in playing a meaningful role in the experience. She also provided great emotional support to my mom when my labor didn't go exactly as expected. I am so grateful to Clara for her expert support to us and highly, highly recommend her. read more