Need Doula Recommendations near Berkeley/Oakland

Katie Cotterrell at katie [at] jpdoulaservices.com is wonderful and open to many different birth plans. Heart of gold and full of energy. She has tons of follow through and is a great communicator. 

I was so happy with the doula I used. Her namis Renata Provost. She supported me before, during and after labor.  Having a medicated birth was in my birth plan but I believe because she helped make me informed and aware of my options, I ultimately didn't end up using an epidural. That said, she was completely supportive and non-jusgemenal in every way. She will help guide you through whichever path you choose. Her partner Stacy is also wonderful. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. Her contact info is on Yelp.  

Laura

We worked with the team of Shoshana Friedman-Hawk (shoshana [at] encirclingmothers.com) and Lori Jaffe (loridjaffe [at] gmail.com) and would recommend them, without reservation, to anyone :) We paid $1500; I'm not sure if they have a sliding scale option. Their model is that for that fee, you get 2 prenatal visits and one postpartum visit which both doulas attend, and then whoever is on call the week of your birth (they alternate) will attend for as much of your labor as you want them there for. Our daughter was born last August at Alta Bates; I was induced, was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days before baby was born, and Lori was at our beck and call the entire time! After I went into active labor, she never left our side. When I decided after a day and a half of contractions that I wanted an epidural (not part of my original birth plan) Lori was extremely supportive; both she and Shoshana are very clear that their role is to be there for you and the rest of your support team as you experience your birth, whether that birth is medicated, non-medicated, home birth or planned C-section. I am happy to answer specific questions off-list if it would be helpful. Good luck!

We loved Stacia Biltekoff http://www.doulasoftheeastbay.com/doulas/birth-doulas/stacia-biltekoff.  She is involved at Birthways and knows lots of doulas, so she can probably help you find the right person, if it's not her.

Martha Chavarin - 415-867-4611. She has 3 (older) children, and was my doula for both of my kids (born 11 years apart)

I have used Tabitha Ames's services for both of my babies. The reason I loved her was because of her lack of judgement. I told her with my health needs, medical interventions may be necessary. She was so supportive. I was afraid and didn't want to step on her toes, but she came early into my induction. There wasn't much going on yet, but once she got there it really went quickly! It's like my body could relax once she got there. I did end up having a few interventions, and she was completely supportive of everything that happened, and encouraged me in just the ways I needed.

She was incredibly great with the care team. There wasn't any awkward tension, and the nurses seemed to know and like her. My doctor also liked her. 

I know she has gone to K-Oakland because some of my friends also birthed with her, and they were at KO. 

There is so much more I could say about her. I love her so much, she will be at all of our births. http://bayareabirthsupport.com/