Frequently Asked Questions

  • I hold the belief that every birthing person deserves support regardless of their ability to pay. Offering a sliding scale approach to my fees makes my services more accessible to folks who cannot afford to pay upwards of a thousand dollars for a doula. The foundation of the sliding scale approach is based on trust. I understand that in hiring me, you are trusting me to be apart of an incredibly intimate part of your life. Offering a sliding scale is one way I can express trust in my clients. I trust that they have thought about the value of my support and that they know their financial situation best, and can come to a decision that reflects both.

    So where do you fit in on this sliding scale? Here are some examples but we will go further in depth at our consultation!

    Tier A: $1,300-$1,850

    Clients who pay birth fees in Tier A may have already budgeted to pay set fees for a doula. Price might not have been a large factor in the decision to hire a support person. They might have access to familial wealth even if they do not have a lot of cash readily available 

    * $1,700 is the “full” service fee for birth support, any additional contribution goes towards pro-bono scholarship fund*

    Tier B: $900-$1,300

    Clients who pay birth fees in Tier B are often graduate students, teachers, or other helping professionals. They might have asked family and friends for money to help cover support services. They might have gone back and forth about whether they could really afford to hire a doula. This cost would represent some sacrifice but would not create financial hardship. 

    Tier C: $500-$900

    Clients who pay birth fees in Tier C or prices below the listed scale are folks who have been struggling financially. One or multiple partners might have been unemployed or underemployed, they may not have access to other people who will help pay for support. Higher levels on the scale would create financial hardship.

  • Yes! More insurance plans are now covering birth and postpartum doula services as they recognize the significant benefits doulas provide to birthing outcomes. I currently accept several insurance plans, and I'm in the process of being credentialed with additional plans.

    Which insurance plans do you currently accept?

    I am currently an approved provider for:

    • Medi-Cal

    • IEHP (Inland Empire Health Plan)

    If you have either of these insurance plans, your doula services will be fully covered at zero cost to you.

    What services are covered under Medi-Cal?

    • One initial visit

    • Up to eight prenatal/postpartum visits (can be any combination)

    • Support during labor and delivery (including stillbirth, abortion, or miscarriage)

    • Up to two extended three-hour postpartum visits

    With an additional recommendation from a physician or licensed practitioner, you may qualify for up to nine additional postpartum visits. This recommendation must be documented in your medical record or provided via the DHCS Medi-Cal Doula Services Recommendation form.

    I have Kaiser, Molina, or HealthNet. Can you help me?

    I am currently in the provider approval process for:

    • Kaiser

    • Molina

    • HealthNet

    I expect to be fully approved and eligible to bill these health plans by August 31, 2025. If you have one of these plans and are interested in working together before my approval is complete, please reach out to discuss options.

    My insurance isn't listed above. Can I still use insurance?

    If your insurance isn't listed, I recommend:

    1. Contacting your insurance provider directly to ask if they cover birth and postpartum doula services

    2. If they do provide coverage, let me know and I can provide my NPI number to help with billing

    Many insurance companies now recognize doula care as a valuable service that improves birth outcomes and reduces costs. I'm happy to provide any documentation you need to submit claims to your insurance.

    What if my insurance only covers part of your fee?

    If your insurance only provides partial coverage, the remaining balance could potentially be covered using the sliding scale fee structure outlined above. We can discuss this during our consultation to find a solution that works for your unique situation.

    What documentation do I need for insurance coverage?

    For Medi-Cal clients, the standing recommendation already covers your initial set of services. For additional postpartum visits or for other insurance providers, you may need a written recommendation from your healthcare provider. I can guide you through this process and provide any necessary forms.

  • The research on doula support is honestly incredible! Since the 1970s when researchers first started studying birth support, the evidence has consistently shown that having a trained doula by your side transforms birth outcomes in remarkable ways.

    The largest study on doula support (with over 15,000 participants!) found that people with continuous doula support experienced:

    • 28% fewer cesarean births

    • 31% less use of labor-inducing medications

    • 60% reduction in epidural requests

    • 34% more positive feelings about their birth experience

    • Healthier babies with higher APGAR scores

    But beyond these impressive statistics is something even more valuable—the feeling of being truly supported during one of life's most transformative experiences. Having someone dedicated solely to your emotional and physical wellbeing means you can focus on bringing your baby into the world with confidence and strength, creating a birth experience you'll look back on with positive emotions, regardless of how your unique birth story unfolds.

    (Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Weston J. “Continuous Support For Women During Childbirth.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 16 (2) CD003766. Referenced from “DONA International Position Paper: The Birth Doula’s Role in Maternity Care. )

  • Not at all! Rather than replacing your partner, I enhance their ability to support you by showing them comfort techniques, explaining what's happening during labor, and helping them feel confident in their role. When your partner needs a quick break (even birth partners need to eat and use the bathroom!), I ensure you're never without support. I'm skilled at recognizing those intimate moments that belong just to the two of you and can respectfully step back—or capture a beautiful photo if you'd like! Many partners tell me they felt more connected to the birth experience with doula support because they could focus on emotional connection rather than trying to remember everything from birth class. We work as a team, with your relationship at the center.

  • Absolutely! Cesarean births benefit just as much from doula support. Whether planned or unexpected, surgery can feel overwhelming, and having someone experienced by your side makes a tremendous difference. I provide calm reassurance, explain what's happening throughout the procedure, and ensure you feel informed and supported. While medical staff focuses on the technical aspects and your partner may naturally gravitate toward your newborn, I remain by your side—keeping you updated about your baby, explaining the process, and being your advocate when you're feeling most vulnerable. Your cesarean is still your beautiful birth story, and it deserves compassionate, dedicated support every step of the way.

  • Yes. Even though a midwife can be there to help with positioning and comfort measures, she is still the one who has to focus on the baby as well as mom. With a doula, I will be coaching and talking and focusing on you directly throughout the labor as well as the birthing process. I will be right there focusing on you while baby is being born and immediately after.

  • The research on this is actually pretty amazing! Study after study shows that having a doula by your side can truly transform your birth experience—from shorter labors and fewer interventions (including up to 50% fewer cesarean births) to better emotional experiences for everyone involved. Beyond the clinical benefits, having someone dedicated solely to your emotional and physical comfort means you and your partner can focus on welcoming your baby with confidence, leading to better feeding success, stronger family bonding, and more positive feelings about your birth experience overall. It's not just about the impressive statistics; it's about having someone who believes in your strength, honors your choices, and remains completely focused on supporting you through one of life's most transformative journeys.

  • Absolutely! Epidurals are a completely valid birth choice, and I'm here to support YOU, not push any specific type of birth.

    As your doula, I'll be by your side during early labor before the epidural is placed, offering comfort techniques to help you manage contractions. When it's time for the epidural, I'll be there to help you stay calm, maintain comfortable positioning, and provide emotional support during the procedure.

    Even with an epidural, there's so much I can do! I can help you find comfortable positions (yes, you can still move with an epidural!), offer gentle massage to areas that might still feel tense, guide you through breathing techniques as you prepare to meet your baby, document intimate moments, and use aromatherapy to create a calming environment.

    When it's time to push, I'll be right there helping you understand what's happening, supporting your partner, advocating for your preferences, and reminding you of your strength. Many of my clients are surprised by how valuable doula support is during their epidural births—the emotional and informational support remains incredibly important regardless of your pain management choices.

    Remember: my role is to support YOUR birth, whatever path it takes!

  • This is a question I get asked almost daily, and understandably so. Many people are familiar with birth doulas, but why would you need one in the postpartum period? Think of a postpartum doula as someone who "mothers the mother"—providing the nurturing care you need while you focus on bonding with your baby.

    Unlike baby nurses or night nannies who primarily care for your newborn, I'm here to support your entire family during this beautiful but challenging transition. My support can include light housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, newborn care education, feeding support (whatever your feeding journey looks like), babywearing guidance, and sibling adjustment—all customized to what YOUR family needs most.

    Those first weeks with a newborn can feel overwhelming, even for experienced parents. Having someone who understands both newborn development AND your postpartum recovery creates space for you to rest, bond, and gain confidence in your parenting instincts.

    Families who work with postpartum doulas typically experience less anxiety, improved mental health, better feeding outcomes, faster physical recovery, stronger partner bonding, and greater overall confidence in their parenting journey. Most importantly, you get the gift of presence—someone who can answer your questions without judgment, offer reassurance when you're uncertain, and celebrate your strengths as you navigate this transformative chapter.

    Benefits to hiring a postpartum doula:

    • Decreased anxiety

    • Increased confidence in parenting

    • Boosted self esteem

    • Improved postpartum mental health

    • Improved bonding for partners and siblings

    • Better breastfeeding outcomes

    • Increased movement postpartum

    • Quicker physical recovery

    • Improved relaxation

  • Pregnancy loss and abortion experiences deserve the same compassionate, skilled support as any other reproductive journey. As your doula, I provide specialized care during these deeply personal experiences, honoring your emotional and physical needs with the same dedication and respect.

    For miscarriage support, I can be by your side during the physical process (whether at home or in a medical setting), helping with comfort measures, explaining what's happening, and providing emotional grounding during an overwhelming time. After a loss, I offer space to process feelings, practical recovery support, and resources for healing.

    For abortion care, I provide non-judgmental support before, during, and after your procedure. This might include transportation assistance, comfort techniques during the process, advocacy in medical settings, and recovery support afterward. My role is to ensure you feel respected, informed, and cared for throughout your experience.

    This support matters deeply because these reproductive experiences often come with complex emotions and limited support systems. Many people describe feeling isolated during pregnancy loss or abortion, unsure where to turn for compassionate care. Having someone knowledgeable about both the physical and emotional aspects creates space for your authentic experience—whatever that might be.

    Whether your journey involves feelings of grief, relief, confusion, or a complex mix of emotions, I'm here to support you without judgment, helping you access the practical and emotional resources you need to move forward with care and compassion for yourself.