private birth doula services
Sacramento, Yolo and Placer
Northern California
What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a trained labor support professional who offers continuous physical, emotional, and informational support through a woman’s pregnancy leading up to and during childbirth. We aim to help you have the healthiest and most satisfying birth possible by getting to know you and your unique plans and circumstances surrounding childbirth. The services we provide supports women within any type of medical or midwifery-supported model of care.
What does the research say about doulas?
“Research shows that women value and benefit from the presence of a support person during labor and childbirth. This support may include emotional support (continuous presence, reassurance, and praise) and information about labor progress. It may also include advice about coping techniques, comfort measures (comforting touch, massage, warm baths/showers, encouraging mobility, promoting adequate fluid intake and output), and speaking up when needed on behalf of the woman. Lack of continuous support during childbirth has led to concerns that the experience of labor and birth may have become dehumanized.”
Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, 2017
“There have been 26 randomized trials that tested the effects of continuous labor support on more than 15,000 people giving birth. Overall, people who receive continuous support are more likely to have a normal vaginal birth and less likely to have pain medication, negative feelings about childbirth, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors are shorter and their babies are less likely to have complications at birth or be admitted to a NICU. In these studies, the best results occurred when continuous support was provided by a trained doula—someone who was not a staff member at the hospital and not part of a woman’s social network.”
The Evidence on Doulas, Evidence-Based Birth, 2017
“Doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding. Communication with and encouragement from a doula throughout the pregnancy may have increased the mother’s self-efficacy regarding her ability to impact her own pregnancy outcomes.”
Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes, 2013
“Women who received doula care had 52.9% lower odds of cesarean delivery and 57.5% lower odds of postpartum depression/postpartum anxiety (PPD/PPA). Doulas who provided care with a clinical team that included a midwife most consistently showed a reduction in odds of cesarean delivery, regardless of the trimester when doula care was received. Women who received doula care during labor and birth, not necessarily during pregnancy, showed a 64.7% reduction in odds of PPA/PPD.”
Doula Care Across Maternity Care Continuum, 2022
Client Reviews
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Ashley B.
“Tashina gives so much to her clients and is an absolute wealth of knowledge. She is so professional, yet so personal. She goes so far above and beyond to make sure you feel supported. She was so respectful and supportive of all of my wishes. She eased so many of my fears and concerns as they naturally arose throughout my pregnancy. I remember often thinking I cannot imagine how different this pregnancy would be without having this solid, knowledgeable, and caring support. When it came to my actual labor Tashina was there supporting in any possible way I needed, and had the best energy and was so encouraging. When I was in so much pain she knew of alternative suggestions to ask for that I had no idea existed and it helped tremendously and allowed me to make my goal of not getting an epidural. Even well after my birth she has supported me on so many different occasions and helped me find solutions for things that have arose with my daughter. This woman is such a caring individual and genuinely just loves people and supporting moms. I feel no matter what I write I truly cannot encapsulate how awesome Tashina is in a yelp review. Just know that if you are able to have her on your team during your pregnancy and birth you are so very lucky and blessed.”
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Rachael W.
“We knew Tashina was the one to support us through this life changing event. Seeing that my husband and I are two very busy people, she catered to our crazy schedule making the most out of the limited time we had to mentally prepare us as best she could prior to the arrival of our little one. Her nurturing personality and wealth of knowledge about child birth, and everything that surrounds it, was just what we needed to breathe a sigh of relief knowing we had someone on our team looking out for our best interests. I have to say...at first, my husband was skeptical of what a doula had to offer us. After having now gone through a successful natural childbirth, we both know there is no price you can put on Tashina's abilities and the emotional support she provided when we needed her the most. She knew so much more than we could have ever expected. What I valued most was the way in which she approached every situation with ease and calmness when we arrived at the hospital. She's a pro and the real deal. We are eternally grateful to have her as our doula and now friend.”
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Lindsey A.
“If you want a natural birth, a Doula is the best investment you will ever make. I am so happy that we found Tashina. We knew immediately she was the perfect Doula for us. Besides the fact that she came highly recommended to us, we just loved her attitude and approach to birth. Our birth was such an amazing experience because we had Tashina to support us through the labor process. There was such a comfort knowing that she was there for us with the common goal of achieving a natural birth. My husband wasn't 100% convinced we needed a Doula when we decided to have a natural birth, but once we met Tashina he felt much more comfortable with the decision. But if you were to ask him now he would go on for 10 minutes about how it was the BEST decision it was to hire her. He tells everyone how much he loves Tashina, but most of all how valuable she was in helping us through what can be a kind of a scary experience. She does not in any way interrupt the support from your husband. We feel we had the best team possible and I know that is why we were successful in natural child birth and breastfeeding!”
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Kristen R.
“I hired Tashina to be my doula for my first birth and it was hands down the best decision I ever made. As a first-time mom who had to have an unmedicated birth, I was scared and anxious about having a baby but Tashina was there every step of the way. She made my husband and me feel so comfortable and equipped with knowledge going into our birth. Having Tashina present throughout my labor and the birth of my son was indescribable and priceless. The support she offered me through touch, pressure, massage, and words is truly what got me through my labor. We are a military family and have since moved from California but my amazing experience with Tashina made me hire doulas for the births of my two other children. You will not regret having Tashina be your doula for your birth. She is one of a kind.”
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Di J.
“She responded to my email right away and managed to squeeze me into her schedule. She did a very thorough interview with me and my husband, fully understood what experience we are looking for and made amazing recommendations. Since I was late stage pregnant (32+weeks), she pulled all her strings to help the new hospital accept me as a patient. And all the way up until the delivery date, she was only one text/call away for any questions I had. The birth was still painful, but with the midwifery care, Tashina's preparation with me and my husband, the hot tub setup, and her being there as my advocate, the birth was quick, smooth, and no manual extraction of placenta! My second son was almost 8lbs and no tear or stitches. Even weeks after birth, Tashina came to visit and always checked in with me to help me with breastfeeding issues, colic issues etc. Tashina is so knowledgeable, caring and loving. We will always appreciate her help and she will always be a special person in my second sons life!”
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Halley C.
“I learned about Tashina at Sutter Davis Birthing Center. After interviewing a few, it became obvious that we didn't need to search any longer because Tashina was a perfect fit! As we met with Tashina, we became very fond of her. She was empowering, informative, fact based and honest. When I went into labor she promptly met us at the hospital and was incredibly supportive of helping me achieve the birth experience that I wanted. I am so glad that Tashina was my birth doula. She was EVERYTHING that I needed/wanted and I will definitely be using her for future pregnancies. She even continues to answer my MANY questions about raising my new baby. I cannot recommend her enough!”
My Story
Nearly eighteen years ago, I was young, newly pregnant, and terrified of birth when I heard the word doula for the first time.
In the office where I worked at the time, a sweet co-worker shared her beautiful birth story in a tub (!) and for the first time, the picture I had about giving birth and becoming a Mother completely changed shape. Suddenly, options I hadn't considered were there. I don’t think I even realized birth could be something different than the frightening scenes I’d seen on television or heard passed down in my own family even.
I gravitated toward the reverence my friend had when she talked about giving birth to her first baby. I wanted to learn how to turn something I'd only heard was scary into something positive and I set out to learn everything I could about birth.
That same co-worker introduced me to a remarkable woman who was a midwifery student and a birth doula at the time. In more ways than I can believe, she completely redirected the trajectory of my life once I decided to hire her.
She was a soothing, grounded, and warm presence during my long and fairly complicated labor. I'm sure my transition into motherhood and the way I've reflected on that birth ever since were almost all thanks to her unwavering support.
Six years later, I gave birth at home to my second child. After maternity leave, a series of lucky events led me to leave a full-time role in corporate tech to stay at home with my small children.
Shortly after, I began my own doula and educator practice.
I completed my official doula and educator training programs in 2013 and 2014. Since then, I have attended just over three hundred births of all kinds in every kind of birth setting in the area.
Birth Support Package
$2,600
Available to women and their partners in Sacramento, El Dorado, Yolo and Placer Counties for homebirth, many of our local hospitals and all of our birth centers.
Includes
Two birth preparation visits, virtual or in-person, each typically 3+ hours
Unlimited personal access to chat via phone or message throughout pregnancy
Unlimited home and hospital hands-on support & coaching, from the point of active labor (at your house) until 1-2 hours after the baby’s birth
One postpartum visit, in-home but unlimited phone / email access/support
Frequently Asked Questions
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I travel about 45-minutes in any direction from my home. This covers many areas of Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado Counties. Please check if you’re not sure by messaging me.
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I’ve been a professional birth doula since 2014, having attended 300+ births across various settings. While birth work is no longer my full-time job, I am now taking on a limited number of clients.
My experiences have taught me a lot about the different ways women approach and transform through birth, and I prioritize providing tools for them to connect with their innate abilities to navigate this life-changing event. I advocate for intuitive, biologically healthy practices and encourage patients to be well-informed and exercise their rights.I believe in evidence-based care from medical providers and facilities, as well as prioritizing practices such as skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding on-demand, and being responsive to the needs of infants.
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The visits are largely customized for the client meaning, if you’re a third time Mother having a home birth, some of what we discuss will be different than you’re a first time Mom, unsure about the hospital you’re planning to birth at and full of questions about epidurals (as an example). So, important to note that meetings have to be customized to be most useful and relevant for you.
But, generally speaking, during our first meeting, I take the time to get to know you and your situation. We work together to devise a plan and start thinking about what can be set up to ensure a respectful delivery that’s close to ideal for you.
All visits are optional virtual or in-home and last several hours because I only schedule one per day and I encourage clients (and they do!) to bring any and all questions and topics they want to discuss and we sort through them together. Maybe you don’t understand the process of birth and you’d like to. Maybe you’re confident but would love to hear how we can help your partner feel the same way.At all visits, we plan, discuss, strategize, sort through a long list of topics related to labor, postpartum, medical facilities, and breastfeeding. We talk a lot about simplifying the postpartum process and caring for a baby too.
We also cover the logistics of birth and create a flexible plan that you feel confident and excited about.
My ultimate goal is to provide you with all the tools and information you need to have a positive and empowering birth experience. -
While the majority of the births I have attended as a doula have been low-intervention or without medication, this is not a requirement for me to take on a client. I have happily supported women in all kinds of births, and I am dedicated to whether you choose a natural, medicated, or surgical birth. My role as a doula is to advocate for you and your family’s wishes and provide emotional and physical support through the process, however it looks.
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I love midwives generally speaking, and the incredible care they provide to women during pregnancy and childbirth has been invaluable to me and so many women locally that I know very well.
If you are considering hiring a doula for your home birth, I would encourage you to discuss this with your midwives to determine if it would be a good fit for your particular situation.
I highly recommend home birth if it aligns with your values and is feasible for your circumstances. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to discuss this further. Happy to chat. -
Yes, I have attended births at various medical facilities in the central Sacramento area, including all ten major hospitals within an hour’s drive. However, based on my experience, I now recommend exploring alternative options if you happen to be interested in a low-intervention birth and are at a hospital that finds it very difficult to support that.
I am happy to provide very direct examples, and information and discuss the culture, policies, and typical outcomes of each facility to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your values and preferences. Please feel free to reach out whether I’m your doula or not. -
My standard payment arrangement is as follows: $1,300 retainer (half of total) due at time of contract signing and $1,300 due at our final visit together (37 weeks gestation). HSA/FSA accounts can be used as well as some employer fertility benefit programs. Insurance does not cover doula services as of yet, however.
Although my fee is fairly typical for a professional doula in our region, there is absolutely a range of costs amongst our profession and we have many lovely doulas at various price points in our area, including new doulas or students. Please don't hesitate to ask for an alternate birth doula referral if you feel you need or want one. -
If I cannot serve you because of time/distance (or any other) restraints, I am happy to refer you to some of my other local favorite doulas. I also provide referrals to anyone who asks for services beyond birth -- postpartum, holistic health practitioners, pediatricians, even therapists. Please just ask!