Home birth support
Planned home birth, with me alongside
So you're considering a home birth. (Great decision, by the way!) A planned home birth with a licensed midwife can be a beautiful, deeply personal choice — and my job is to make sure you're supported every step of the way. From prenatal prep through the golden hour after your baby arrives, I'm there for continuous emotional, physical, and informational support. Your home, your space, your birth.
Step by step
What a home birth with me looks like
A home birth with me doesn't start when labor does. It starts weeks before.
In the prenatal period, we meet at least twice to talk through your birth preferences, your space, your fears, and your hopes. I want to know what matters to you so I can show up fully prepared on the day.
When labor begins, you call or text me and we stay in communication. I'll guide you through the early hours at home and join you in person when the time is right. And here's what's different about being home: no triage waiting room, no parking structure, no fluorescent hallways. You're in your own space. Your own bed, your own bathroom, your own kitchen when you want a snack between contractions.
During active labor, I'm by your side continuously. That might look like:
- Counter-pressure and massage during intense contractions
- Position suggestions to keep labor moving comfortably
- Breathing cues and calm, grounding reminders when things get big
- Emotional reassurance for you and your partner both
- Communicating with your midwife so everyone is on the same page
After your baby is born, I stay through the golden hour to support the first latch, help you process the birth, and make sure you feel settled before I leave. That early skin-to-skin time is precious, and I want you to be fully in it.
My role
Alongside your midwife
One of the most common questions I get is: "If I have a midwife, what do I need a doula for?"
Here's the thing: your midwife and I are doing completely different things. We work together as a team, but our roles don't overlap.
Your midwife is your licensed clinical provider. They:
- Monitor fetal heart tones throughout labor
- Assess your progress and manage any medical concerns
- Catch your baby and manage the third stage of labor
- Handle any complications or transfer decisions if needed
My role is entirely non-clinical. I am not a medical provider. I:
- Give you continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor — your midwife is managing safety, I'm managing comfort
- Offer hands-on comfort measures: massage, counter-pressure, positioning, heat or cold therapy
- Keep you informed in plain language so you always understand what's happening
- Support your partner so they're not standing there feeling helpless (partners need guidance too)
- Hold space — staying calm, grounding the room, and being a steady presence no matter how labor unfolds
I also don't catch babies, perform any clinical assessments, or manage emergencies. That's your midwife's domain, and they're exceptionally good at it. What I bring is the layer of continuous, undivided support that lets your midwife focus on the clinical picture while you feel seen, heard, and held through every wave.
Deciding
Is home birth right for you?
Home birth isn't right for everyone. And that's completely okay.
Both ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) and ACNM (the American College of Nurse-Midwives) recognize that planned home birth is a reasonable option for low-risk pregnancies when you have a trained, licensed midwife and a clear transfer plan in place. The key words there are low-risk and licensed midwife. Home birth with qualified care is not the same as going it alone.
Here's the thing: the families I've supported at home births represent a really wide range. Some chose home birth for a deep sense of personal autonomy over their birth space. Some had a previous hospital birth that felt clinical and impersonal, and wanted something different. Some just wanted to labor in their own bathtub without asking permission.
Totally fair.
A few things worth thinking through:
- Do you have a licensed midwife (CNM or LM)? I work alongside midwives — I do not attend unassisted births.
- Are you considered low-risk? Your midwife will assess this with you throughout your pregnancy.
- Do you feel settled with your transfer plan? Knowing the path if you need to go to a hospital is part of good home birth preparation, not a sign that something will go wrong.
- Does your birth space feel supportive? A calm, familiar environment is one of the biggest benefits of birthing at home.
If you're still figuring out whether home birth is the right path, a free consultation is a great place to start. No commitment, just a conversation.
Out-of-hospital options
Also consider
Frequently asked
About home birth with me
Do I need to have a specific midwife lined up before I contact you?
No — but you'll need one before your birth. I work alongside licensed midwives (Certified Nurse-Midwives and Licensed Midwives), and I don't attend unassisted births. If you haven't found a midwife yet, I'm happy to talk through what to look for. I have connections in the LA area and can point you in the right direction. We can start the conversation about doula support while you're still building your team.
What happens if I need to transfer to a hospital during labor?
Transfers happen. Having a plan is actually a sign of a well-prepared home birth team. If a transfer becomes necessary, I come with you. My role doesn't stop at your front door. I'll stay by your side at the hospital, continuing the same emotional and physical support, so that transition feels as calm and grounded as possible. Your midwife coordinates the clinical handoff; I'm there for you through all of it.
When should I reach out to book you for a home birth?
Earlier than you think. The sweet spot is somewhere between 16 and 24 weeks. Good doulas book up, and I can only take a limited number of births per month. Booking early also means we have time to build a real relationship before your due date — which makes the birth support so much more effective. That said, if you're in your third trimester reading this, please still reach out. I'll tell you if I'm available or point you in the direction of someone I trust who is.
Do you attend unassisted births?
I don't — and I want to be honest about why. Unassisted birth means laboring and delivering without a licensed clinical provider present. My role is non-clinical: I don't monitor fetal heart tones, manage complications, or catch babies. Those responsibilities belong to a midwife or OB, and they exist for good reason. I deeply respect bodily autonomy and the desire for an undisturbed birth. And that's exactly why I want a trained clinical provider there alongside us, so that your safety and your baby's safety are protected.
Does hiring you cost more for a home birth than a hospital birth?
No. My labor doula fee is the same regardless of birth setting — home, hospital, or birth center. You're hiring me for continuous support, and that support looks the same whether we're in your living room or a labor and delivery suite. My fees are also HSA/FSA eligible, and I can provide a superbill for potential reimbursement through your insurance plan. Worth checking your benefits — you might be surprised.
Can you support a water birth?
Absolutely. Water can be an incredible comfort tool during labor, and many home births include a birth pool. I'm comfortable supporting laboring in water and births in water. I'll work with your midwife so we're all coordinated on positioning, safety, and your preferences. If you're planning a water birth, definitely mention it when we chat so we can talk through what that support looks like practically.
Will my partner still have a role if you're there?
One hundred percent yes. I'm not there to replace your partner — I'm there to make their role easier and more meaningful. A lot of partners feel lost during labor because they want to help and don't know how. I guide them: where to put their hands, what to say, when to step back and let you be. Families consistently tell me afterward that having a doula made their partner feel more involved, not less. Your partner gets to be present and supported too. (That matters to me.)
Planning a home birth? Let's talk.
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