We feel so incredibly lucky to have had Marilou as our postpartum night doula. I ended up needing…read moreto be induced earlier than expected, so we had to arrange support at the very last minute. I was honestly pretty anxious going into it because we didn't have the opportunity to interview or even speak with her beforehand, and we were simply going off her profile that was shared with us. But from the moment she arrived, she immediately put us at ease. She was with us for those first few nights home from the hospital, when I was exhausted, emotional, and very newly postpartum. She had such a warm, gentle, and calming presence, and having her there made those overwhelming first nights feel so much more manageable. She was incredibly sweet and attentive with our baby, but she was equally caring toward me, always checking in and offering thoughtful tips for both newborn care and taking care of myself during recovery. She helped with feeds, baby laundry, and washing and assembling bottles and pump parts, and was always punctual, dependable, and proactive. Most importantly, we felt completely comfortable having her care for our brand new baby during such a vulnerable time. Our only regret is that we didn't find her sooner! Because everything came together so last minute, she was only available to be with us for a few nights, and we absolutely would have loved to have had her for longer. We're so grateful she was there when we needed her and would wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for a kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring postpartum doula. Thanks Marilou and Doulas by the Bay!

My wife and I had Jordan from Doulas by the Bay help care for our newborn overnight from 11 p.m. to…read more7 a.m., and she quickly earned our trust. Jordan is young, eager, and incredibly attentive. Throughout every overnight shift, she remained awake and alert, always ready when our daughter needed her. Most importantly, she cared for our baby with the same patience and gentleness we would ourselves, which gave us tremendous peace of mind as new parents. Her reliability was equally impressive. She was consistently punctual, arriving between 10:58 and 11:00 p.m., and was always respectful and ready to help. Trusting someone with your newborn is no small thing. Jordan made that trust easy. I would confidently recommend both Jordan and Doulas by the Bay to my closest friends and family, and we'd happily welcome her back into our home. Thank you, Jordan, for taking such wonderful care of our little girl!

Janet L. was incredibly warm, kind, and compassionate when she helped us over the first couple of…read moremonths of our daughter's life! She blended into our new family seamlessly and was so helpful as we got used to life as a family of three. My husband had some tricky tech requests and she was super willing to work with us to get all the systems set up. She was beyond accomodating and was able to either wake me right before a feed or just handle the night feeds with pumped milk, depending on the night/timing. She was wonderful and helped us so much - would recommend her to anyone looking for a night doula!

We had two amazing doulas for our second daughter, both covered through my Carrot benefit at work,…read moreRhona at night and Julie during the day. Rhona was our overnight doula for both of our girls, and honestly I don't know how I would've gotten through those first months without her. With my first, she helped me figure out breastfeeding, kept me going on the hard nights, and taught me how to pump so I could actually get some sleep. With our second we had jaundice and an unplanned trip back to the hospital and Rhona was such a calm, steady presence for me while I got through it. Rhona is just so good at what she does, and clearly cares a lot about the families she works with. Julie was equally wonderful during the day. She's sincere, honest, and has this calming way about her. She normalized so much of what I was feeling and hyped me up until I actually felt ready to handle life with two kids. Genuinely fun to have around too, even on the rough days. We're so grateful for both of them and would recommend them without hesitation.

Doula Jen is amazing!! I'm so grateful we had the opportunity to go through our second pregnancy…read moreand childbirth with her by our side. From our first meeting I felt at ease by Jen's calm presence and vast experience as both a doula and a nurse. (Coincidentally we learned Jen was a birth doula twice with our neighbors' kids too, and they assured us of their own positive experience.) My pregnancy took several unexpected twists and turns, and along the way there was no question too big or small for Jen, who'd patiently educate and encourage us to make our own informed decisions. A notable facet of my pregnancy was our baby's breech position the last month and half, when my husband and I decided to try turning him head-down through what felt like every method available. Jen provided vital support in this often stressful last stretch of pregnancy with recommendations, checkins, and referrals within the Golden Gate Doula community who could help (including a wonderful acupuncturist and chiropractor group). We went in twice for external cephalic versions (ECVs)-intensive attempts to turn baby that I felt better prepped for thanks to her guidance. She was even present for one of the procedures, during which I opted in to more intensive options I otherwise would have forgone in hopes of higher chances of success. Ultimately our little guy stayed in breech and we determined a planned C-section was safest. I was super nervous going into the surgery, and Jen helped us stay as grounded as possible by her comfort techniques, encouragement, and doses of humor at just the right moments. Her background as a UCSF pediatric nurse was especially beneficial to us as I gave birth to our son at UCSF Mission Bay, where Jen worked seamlessly with their systems and staff. I can't imagine our baby arriving as smoothly or free of complication as he did without Jen's expertise and magic touch. She's one of a kind, and we absolutely loved working with her!!

Jen Darwin is absolutely fabulous!! When putting together a labor and delivery checklist, make…read moresure it includes Jen - she deserves FIVE stars and more for how good she is at her job. The support that she gave to my husband and I during the birth of our second baby DURING COVID is unmatched and I can't thank her enough for the beautifully positive birth experience that we had. During our pregnancy, Jen provided my husband and I with the information that we needed to make informed decisions on where we were going to deliver (we switched from CPMC to UCSF at 37 weeks) and how I was going to manage my gestational diabetes. She put me in contact with other women who had GD, which was extremely helpful to understand how the care was being managed at the hospital with COVID. She also met us in person at our home to help prepare us with techniques and equipment to labor at home. When we arrived at the hospital, Jen met us in the parking lot and escorted us in. If you've ever met Jen, you know that her presence is enough to put you at ease and instantly make you feel comfortable and taken care of. With her background, she is extremely knowledgeable on hospital procedures and decision making and walked us through each step as we were being admitted to the hospital. We ended up delivering in triage because so many babies were being born that night, but we had one of the larger and more spacious rooms all due to Jen and her experience in knowing the hospital layout and in working with the UCSF staff. We also had an unmedicated birth, which would not have been possible had Jen not coached me through each stage and gave me the strength and confidence to keep going. My recovery was quick and easy due in large part to how Jen helped me to prepare before and during labor and delivery. If you are thinking about getting a doula, look no further - get on her schedule before she fills up!

Charley supported our family during the postpartum period after the birth of our twin babies. She…read morewas very attentive to postpartum recovery and shared helpful advice, including tips for caring for my C-section scar. She also offered to prepare homemade lactation treats. Most importantly, we always felt that our babies were safe and well cared for when Charlie was with us, which gave us peace of mind. We appreciated the support she provided to our family during such an intense and important time.

Talia I worked with Talia through out my pregnancy, birth…read moreand postpartum periods, and I am so grateful for her support. She truly works from the heart, which is something you don't come across often. Talia consistently went above and beyond her role, always making sure I felt comfortable, informed and supported. Her presence during such an important time felt more like having a sister by my side than just professional. I would absolutely recommend Talia to anyone looking for a caring, dedicated and compassionate

My wife and I highly recommend Heather and Desiree for doula services! Heather was with us for the…read morefull labor process and was incredibly calm, supportive, and knowledgeable. This is our third baby and the first two births we did not have a doula, and what a huge difference she made! So grateful she was a part of our birth team. From my perspective (the partner), it was so great having an extra support person for my wife. They knew my wife's birth preferences, helped recommend different comfort measures, and helped communicate effectively with the hospital staff. Lastly, Heather/Desiree were very helpful during pregnancy and were always available for advice. They did a great job helping form our birth plan, and were especially helpful towards the end of pregnancy as we had many NST's and other events that we needed their consult and reassurance, which they were always quick to provide.

My experience with Heather for placenta encapsulations was absolutely amazing. I am still amazed by…read morehow kindly & clearly she communicated, how punctual, and how fast she was for pick up, even though I found her last minute. Thank you soo much! I most definitely recommend!

Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, dang, that human was born to do this kind of…read morework and has a real gifting for it? That was my thought about Lauren after meeting her for the first time (she taught our 6 week birth prep course). This woman was in her element. She cared, she was knowledgeable, and and she lit up the room. To our pleasant surprise and an epic answer to prayer, she ended up being our doula and what a gift she was in that space for us too. Lauren knew when to say or do something and the art of not saying or doing. We ended up having a dream birth and I'm not sure I would have been able to do it without her support. She was a part of the dream birth. She came along and partnered with me and my husband in a way that complemented and strengthened. Lauren helped me to trust myself and my body. There are no guarantees with birth. I don't love Lauren because I had a dream birth; I love her because of who she is and am so grateful she was with us and for us in the tender, sacred space of birth. No doula is for everyone, but if something about her resonates with you, book a call to see if there's a match.

Lauren is incredible! She helped me bring both of my babies into the world and I couldn't imagine…read morethe birth experience without her. She brought such a truly compassionate, intuitive, calming, and empowering presence to the experiences, and navigated all of the twists and turns with us. She felt like part of the family, and made us feel so held throughout the entire process from prenatal to postpartum. I couldn't recommend Lauren more highly. I almost want to have another baby just to be able to work with her again! If you're considering hiring her, DO IT! She's the absolute best.

Oh my god. Your search is over. Hire this amazing human being NOW…read more We hired Elizabeth for our first pregnancy and we regret nothing. We were already taking classes and knew I needed more support than just my already sleep deprived partner. She was phenomenal! Her calm, cool demeanor was something we needed when we didn't know what to do. I had BAD hip pain that I was having trouble managing on my own. After calling Elizabeth over, she knew exactly where to add pressure on my hips to relieve some of the pain before we hit the hospital. She suggested how to adjust the TENS unit patches to help manage such pain before heading over to the hospital. She even knudged when to go to the hospital. She was with us for all the decisions at the hospital (i.e. took the initiative to ask the anesthesiologist what to do when my epidural fell out. Originally the anesthesiologist gave us options but we wanted to know his recommendation). She even snapped the best birth photos! She kindly moved our stuff from the delivery room to the post partum unit. She truly listens to your concerns and wants the best for you and your family. I can sense the love and care from her. Elizabeth was wonderful and I truly believe with her help, we had a great delivery. Highly recommended :) Fyi Elizabeth had a similar structure to most Doulas in the area: 2 prenatal zoom visits, labor and delivery support, and 1 post natal visit.

Hiring a doula for one of the most intimate moments of your life is a hard task, and I couldn't be…read morehappier that I found doula Elizabeth. She brings years of birthing experience, so much knowledge, and a warm calm personality to the delivery room. Her prenatal visits helped calm any nerves I had, and she was so helpful in setting expectations and birth plans. During labor she was immensely helpful- suggesting positions, keeping me hydrated, a hand to hold, applying warm compresses, and checking in with the medical team. She always knew what to do! Her help also allowed my partner to be present in the birth experience by not having to worry as much as we welcomed our first baby. I hoped to have an intervention free birth in hospital, which isn't necessarily the easiest thing to have, and with doula Elizabeth's help I was able to achieve that. Welcoming my baby in a happy, calm, peaceful environment was such an amazingly wonderful experience. If you're looking for a wonderfully caring and super knowledgeable doula- look no further. Doula Elizabeth is amazing!

How lucky are we?! Gan A Yi is an incredible caretaker and nanny. From the moment she walked into…read moreour home, she brought so much warmth, a strong work ethic, and a get-it-done attitude that's honestly rare. We had her for 45 days and wish we could have kept her longer! She made my transition into motherhood so much easier. Overnights: She took the overnight wake-ups and diaper changes, brought our daughter to me for feedings, and rocked her back to sleep. Without her, my health and my sleep would be in a very different place. Daytime: Gan A Yi goes above and beyond so my husband and I can be as hands-off as possible. She changes diapers before we even notice, carries the baby for 30-45 minutes until she's in a deep sleep, and often stays well past her break to make sure the baby is calm and settled. She happily watched the baby while we went out and wouldn't take extra time off, even when we offered several times. It's so hard to find someone with that level of flexibility, work ethic, and genuine care. Adaptable: She's great at everything she does. We showed her how to use the many appliances in our house, told her our kitchen preferences, and updated her as the feeding schedule changed. For example, she helped our baby slowly increase her milk intake, stretch out overnight feeds, and even adjust to sleeping on a different side of her head. She only ever needed to hear something once, and we never had to bring it up again. Her adaptability and attention to detail are rare and so admirable. Food: Her cooking is amazing! Every meal was different, and she turned leftovers into something completely new. Her knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and Cantonese postpartum recovery was a big reason we wanted a confinement nanny, and she delivered. Baby: Our 6-week-old now smiles at Gan A Yi more than at almost anyone else, which says it all. From the way she talks to and plays with her every day, I can tell she truly cares about her. She encourages her to talk, play, and move, and is always making sure she's warm, clean, comfortable, and fed. That's exactly what any parent could hope for. We also learned SO much from her: how to bathe the baby, change her diaper and clothes, hold her, feed her, and more. If you want an expert you can trust and enjoy living with, Gan A Yi is it. We'd book her again in a heartbeat. We can't say enough good things about her, and we'll miss her so much!

We feel very lucky to have Chen A Yi caring for our baby boy. She is wonderful at reading his cues…read moreand always seems to know exactly what he needs, thanks to her decade-long experience as a nanny. She genuinely cares for him and is patient, loving, and attentive. We always feel that he is in great hands. She is also very efficient and productive, seamlessly balancing caring for the baby with cooking and cleaning the kitchen. She prepares nutritious postpartum meals tailored to my preferences and has been a tremendous help to our family. She is caring, patient, and dependable. We highly recommend her to any family looking for a wonderful nanny!

When I first found out I was pregnant with my second baby I knew that I wanted to attempt a home…read morebirth. I search online for the best midwifes in SF and Maria popped up. After my first in person visit with Maria and Suzannah I felt confident in my decision. My husband, who was apprehensive at first of a home birth, also felt more at ease. Throughout my pregnancy, Maria was there for me physically and emotionally every step of the way. The student midwife/photographer, Suzannah, was even able to schedule a maternity photo shoot for me! Once it came time for my labor I was met with a hands on team, compassion, and professionalism. Since I had a toddler at home, my husband had to take care of the little one for parts of the labor. Maria filled in the gaps that were needed when my husband couldn't be present. Overall, having a home birth was such a special, intimate, and pure moment. It was the best decision I could have made for myself, my baby, and my family. I did not anticipate how fulfilled and proud of myself I would feel. Thank you Maria and Suzannah for supporting me through my pregnancy and labor. You both helped create such a calm and safe environment for me to bring my baby into the world. The support I felt from other women during this journey is unmatched. I could not have gotten this type of support and compassion in a hospital setting. I will definitely be reaching out to Maria when we're ready for baby #3!

We used Maria for our two boys, one born in 2018, and one in 2021. Both experiences were great…read more Through both pregnancies, we had ample time in appointments to get to know each other. She had calm and thoughtful responses to our questions, and a refreshing openness to discuss benefits and concerns at any stage without giving any feeling of pressure. By the time my wife was in labor with our first boy, we had complete trust that Maria could encourage and guide us through labor and delivery at home. We chose a home-birth for our second son, too. Maria always stays steady, clear, and calm, exactly the type of person you'd want at such a special and transformative event. Just like all the other reviewers, we can thank Maria enough - she is a true gem!

It's hard to even imagine our son's birth without Orna by our side. I never imagined what an…read moreamazing impact she would have. I had my mind set on having a natural birth but had no idea how tough that would really be. Orna prepared us for birth, gave me confidence during labor and was our calm and steady rock though the process. She helped my husband remain strong too. When I went into labor, our son had moved into the wrong position. Orna's knowledge of spinning babies helped him turn as she helped me use best positions to help him turn. I was so glad how she documented the day for us. I thought I'd want to forget, but now It's magical to revisit the day we met our son! Orna supported us with all our decisions and always was there with the knowledge to share with us. She was our best advocate in the hospital and she even knew the nurse there that assisted that was phenomenal! I can't recommend her enough to any family that will be having a baby! Thank you Orna!!!

I was at the end of week 40, and my obgyn wanted to induce. I asked for another week before…read moreinducing and reached out to Orna. I hesitated at the beginning since I wasn't sure how would I feel to have someone I bearly know to support me in my most intimate moment. Orna came to my home, and after ten mins I felt as she was part of my family. When she came to my house, we worked on spinning babies exercises, and two days later my contractions started. Four hours after my contractions began my beautiful baby arrived in the world. During my labor, I had only Orna and the hospital staff with me. She gave me all the support I could wish for and even more. More than that she updated my partner every minute with pictures and videos which helped him feel like he was in the delivery room with me. If you are hesitating about taking a dula like I were, I highly recommend Orna! You won't regret it. I am definitely going to reach out to her again in my next pregnancy :-)