What You Should Know Before Hiring Me
Before You Begin Care
If your OB-GYN, midwife, or a friend recommended a doula—but you’re not exactly sure what that means—you’re in the right place.
This page explains how I work, what I ask of my clients, and what to expect when we begin care.
Many families come to me with thoughtful questions about doula care, especially when it’s their first time.
You might be wondering things like:
“How many births have you attended?”
“Do you have a backup doula?”
“Are you certified?”
I created this page to give clear, honest answers so you can decide if my approach feels right for you.
No pressure, no quiz. Just a window into how I work and what I believe in.
What a Doula Does (in Simple Terms)
A doula is a trained professional who offers emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth.
We don’t replace your doctor, midwife, or nurse—we complement them.
My role is to make sure you feel calm, informed, and supported every step of the way.
My Credentials
I’m a Medi-Cal approved doula and have an NPI (National Provider Identifier), which means I’ve completed all required steps to be officially recognized in California as a professional birth worker.
That includes:
- Verified identity and documentation
- Completion of doula education + trainings
- Approval by state-contracted health plans
While I am not a medical provider and I don’t replace your OB, midwife, or nurse, I bring emotional presence, practical tools, and compassionate support from pregnancy through postpartum.
“I’m selective about the families I serve, taking on only a small number each month so I can be fully present. That means I haven’t rushed to 100+ births, instead, I’ve given deep, personalized care to the families I have supported. They’ve felt prepared, respected, and truly cared for — and that’s the experience I bring to you.”
How I Approach Support
You won’t find pressure or sales tactics here.
This work is about mutual connection, not a transaction.Because I only accept a few families per month, I can give each one my full attention.
If my approach feels aligned, reach out soon to secure your spot.“My role isn’t to “convince” you. It’s to offer honest, informed, heart-centered care for the families who feel aligned with my approach”
If that’s you, I’d love to talk.
My Role as Your Doula
As a doula, I do not perform medical procedures or make clinical decisions.
My role is to support you with:
- Physical support (prenatal & postpartum): comfort techniques such as positions, breathing, rebozo, birth ball, and recovery support
- Emotional support: calm reassurance, grounding, and steady guidance
- Informational support: explaining options in simple language and helping you feel informed
Important: During labor and birth, my support is provided virtually (text messages, phone calls, and voice notes).
I do not attend labor or delivery in person.I don’t replace your partner or your providers. My role is to add clarity, comfort, and continuous support in a way that works for you and your family
How It Works: My Process
- Submit the Start Eligibility + Intake Request
When you complete this form, it means you’re ready to begin doula care. This is not a discovery call—it’s the first step toward starting your care. - Email Confirmation & Video Introduction
You’ll receive an email from me with a short video introduction and details about my approach. - Reply to Confirm You’re Ready
To move forward, please reply to that email with:
👉 “Yes, I’m ready to begin care.”
This reply confirms your readiness to start services. - Insurance Verification. Once I receive your confirmation, I’ll verify your insurance coverage to confirm doula care is included in your plan.
- Schedule Intake Appointment After coverage is verified, I’ll reach out to schedule your intake visit. During this appointment, we’ll go over your preferences, goals, and your prenatal visit schedule.
- Begin Doula Care
Once your intake is complete, we officially begin! You’ll receive continuous support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — with calm, consistent guidance every step of the way.
Readiness Checklist
Before submitting your intake, please confirm:
✅ I’m currently pregnant or within 12 months postpartum.
✅ I understand that birth support is virtual only
✅ I am comfortable with virtual birth support
✅ I’m ready to begin care as soon as coverage is verified.
✅ I can complete all pre-visit steps (forms, insurance verification, and consent).
✅ I (and my partner/support person) are available for prenatal and postpartum visits.
✅ I’ve read through this page and feel aligned with Maria’s approach to care.
If you can check all of these boxes, you’re ready to move forward.
If not yet take your time, explore, and come back when the timing feels right.
Let’s Answer Some of Your Questions
Are you certified?
Yes. I’m a certified doula and Medi-Cal-approved provider.
How many births have you attended?
I’m early in my professional journey by choice. I keep my caseload small so I can give each family full attention and care.
What’s your role during labor?
I provide virtual emotional and informational support, comfort guidance, and reassurance while your in-person support person is with you
What if I’m not sure what I need yet?
That’s totally okay. Birth and postpartum can feel overwhelming. I’m here to help you figure out what support might feel good. If my approach and values feel aligned, let’s chat. And if not, you still deserve a doula who feels like the right fit for you.
When should I call you?
I recommend contacting me in early labor so we can stay connected. I provide support virtually throughout labor.
Do you accept insurance or Medi-Cal?
Yes! I’m a Medi-Cal approved doula and also work with several commercial health plans in California that now cover doula services. These include plans like Kaiser, Contra Costa Health Plan, San Francisco Health Plan, Partnership HealthPlan, and more. If you’re not sure about coverage, I can help check eligibility and guide you through the process.
What areas do you serve?
I support families across the San Francisco Bay Area, including:
• Contra Costa County
• Alameda County
• Solano County
• San Francisco
If you’re unsure whether I can reach your area, feel free to ask!
Do you attend births in person?
No. Birth support is provided virtually only.
What’s your background and training?
I hold a B.A. in Human Development, which means I’ve studied family systems, early childhood development, and the emotional needs of growing families. I’m a certified doula, a former preschool teacher, and I support families in both English and Spanish. My care is grounded in cultural humility and trauma-informed practices.
Do you have a backup doula?
No — I personally attend every birth. I limit my clients so you’re never left waiting.
I’m just gathering information—can I book a free consult?
Yes, but I keep consults for families who are seriously considering doula care. If you feel aligned, I’d love to connect and explore fit
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes, Spanish is my first language. I provide bilingual support so families feel comfortable in the language that feels natural.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out. I welcome honest, respectful questions and am always happy to share more about how I work
If you’re still exploring or not quite ready to begin care, that’s completely okay.
When the time comes, this page will help you know exactly what to expect when you’re ready to start your journey with me.
Certified Doula | Medi-Cal Approved
Background Check Verified
