Birth doula supporting woman laboring at home in San Francisco

Comprehensive Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Support for San Francisco and Marin Families

Explore my pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and placenta encapsulation packages, and discover how I can assist you and your family through the remarkable journey of labor and birth.

Welcoming homebirth, SF Birth Center, Kaiser SF, SF General, Marin Health, CPMC Midwifery Practice clients and UCSF birth doula inquiries.

Doula Heather Charmatz with new baby and birth client in Marin hospital

Birth Doula Services

Imagine what it would feel like to be confident going into labor, knowing you have the most professional, supportive care possible. We have the tools to guide you.

As a birth support specialist, my goal is to assist you and your family through the remarkable journey of labor and birth by offering ongoing emotional and physical support, providing useful information, illuminating advocacy education, and suggesting labor techniques to help navigate the experience of pregnancy and birth with greater ease and confidence. You can learn more about the benefits of birth doula support here.

Birth Doula Services Include:

A consultation: We will meet for a 30-60 minute complimentary consultation to connect, go into greater detail about our practice and approach, and explore how we can best meet your needs.

Birth preferences prenatal(s): to discuss your birth options and finalize a birth plan.

A comfort measures workshop to learn optimal fetal positioning, massage, counterpressure, water therapy, aromatherapy, TENS, position recommendations, relaxation techniques, as well as tools and resources for family members to skillfully assist you during labor.

Phone and email support throughout your pregnancy.

Active labor support at your home and/or at the hospital until 1-2 hours after the birth.

Photographs of your birth experience if desired. When I am not needed in other ways, I’m happy to take photos or videos before, during, and/or after the birth.

Investment: $3585*

* Discounted support available for 2nd and 3rd births (VBACs not included). Service area is San Francisco and Southern Marin. Receipt for FSA, HSA, and Kaiser reimbursement provided.

Kaiser Prenatal Doula Services

Kaiser covers up to 8 prenatal sessions. I cover the billing. There's a one-time $75 fee that helps cover the non-billable support I provide throughout your care.

Services include a consultation: During this 30 minute consultation, I’ll go into greater detail about my practice and approach, and explore how I can best meet your needs as you navigate pregnancy and birth with Kaiser.

60-90 minute prenatals include a range of topics:

  • Help writing a birth plan or birth preferences.

  • Pain relief options: Medical (e.g., epidurals) and non-medical (e.g., hydrotherapy, TENS, movement).

  • Birth interventions: Inductions, cesareans, vacuum/forceps, continuous monitoring, etc.

  • Postpartum basics: What to expect in the first hours after birth. Immediate newborn care (vitamin K, eye ointment, etc.)

  • Discussing your values, fears, hopes, and previous experiences..

Exploring options for:

  • Who’s present at the birth

  • Options for delayed cord clamping, immediate skin-to-skin, wireless vs continuous monitoring, fetal scalp electrodes, IUPC, etc.

  • Hospital procedures: What’s routine vs. optional.

  • How to advocate for yourself and ask questions.

  • Helping the birthing person and partner communicate and feel aligned

  • Tools and resources for family members to skillfully assist you during labor.

I’ve had the honor of supporting many families at Kaiser San Francisco, Kaiser Redwood City, and Kaiser Oakland. I also gave birth at Kaiser myself, so I understand the experience both professionally and personally.

San Francisco postpartum doula Heather Charmatz supporting new baby with family

Postpartum Day Support

The transition from hospital to home and pregnancy to parenthood is a rollercoaster ride. Wonderful, overwhelming, exhausting and new.

I love helping parents as they transition into newbornland and parenthood. I offer 2 hour sessions for parents navigating the waters of feeding, sleep, healing, and their new family dynamics. I’m passionate about supporting families through the ups and downs of the early postpartum period. My goal is to help with chest/bottle feeding and rest for all. Sleep is gold!

Serving San Francisco and Southern Marin

$250 per 3 hour postpartum session

Placenta encapsulation bottle from Heather Charmatz, San Francisco doula
Placenta encapsulation pills prepared by certified San Francisco encapsulator

Placenta Encapsulation

All packages include the full placenta preparation and encapsulation process, proper capsule usage and storage instructions, and Your Amazing Placenta Guide. Servicing San Francisco and Marin families and happy to answer any questions.

  • "My wife and I highly recommend Heather for doula services!

    Heather was with us for the full labor process and was incredibly calm, supportive, and knowledgeable. This is our third baby, and the first two births we did not have a doula, and what a huge difference it made! From my perspective (the partner), it was so great having an extra support person for my wife. She knew my wife’s birth preferences, helped recommend different comfort measures, and helped communicate effectively with the hospital staff. Lastly, Heather was very helpful during pregnancy and was always available for advice.” -Ryan

  • "Heather and Kristina both have vast experience as doulas...

    as well as a deep knowledge about all things birth and baby which was very helpful as a first time mom. Not only did they plan check-ins throughout my pregnancy to ensure we covered all the details for my dream birth, but they also provided educational group zooms on a variety of topics. During my labor, Heather came during the AM and Kristina during the PM which meant we had a well-rested doula to support me through the entire labor. They were both encouraging and had no judgment about anything I was doing. I felt so comfortable with them–it felt natural to have them by my side. I have endless gratitude towards both of them for their support. Do not hesitate to add them to your team!” - Emily

  • "Doulas Heather and Kristina are the birth support team every mom and family deserves!

    They were with my husband and I every step of the way. The emotional support they provided even before the birth was special. This team just goes above and beyond. And I particularly enjoyed the peer group meetups and birth education classes they provided. And they still followed up and checked in on us even a month after our baby was born. I’m so incredibly grateful for their support. My delivery was calm and controlled because of their help.” - Tamar

  • "We wanted doulas who would support us as we worked with our trusted medical team.

    Another reason I immediately liked Heather is how she described supporting the mother's partner during the birth, which is something I was looking for. Heather came over to our home and helped teach my husband lots of comfort and support techniques that came in handy when it was go time! Finally, Heather and Chelsey held regular meetings with all of their expecting clients on a wide variety of topics, providing additional birth education and resources. It was a great added bonus, and we really enjoyed these workshops and the opportunity to hear from other expectant parents.” - Lauren

  • "I used Heather for placenta pills after my 4th baby.

    I highly recommend her services and would use her again in a heartbeat. I also highly recommend placenta pills in general if you're considering- I used them for baby 3 and 4 and noticed a difference in myself. Heather was easy to work with, sent clear instructions and was easy to communicate with. The package that we received with our pills was also so special and something that I will always treasure.” - Bryanne

  • "I was looking to find someone who would listen to my wants and needs and be supportive of that.

    And that's exactly what Heather and Meleah did. One of the best things that I got from them was all the education. They suggested wonderful books, a terrific birthing class, and offered free classes each month which were very helpful. Another great part of working with them was the home visits. The two visits before the birth helped us get clear on our birthing plan and how my husband and I can work as a team during the birthing practice. The postpartum visit was so incredible as well. After leaving the hospital it can feel like you are totally on your own. But having the support and a visit from Heather and Meleah made a world of difference.” - Kimberly

  • "So happy we worked with Heather...

    and Kristina at SF Birth Doula for the arrival of our second child. They’re both knowledgeable, kind and supportive. Highly recommend!” - Zona

Not sure if you need a doula but still want some guidance for birth preparation?

My birth prep packages offer 2-3 prenatal sessions that cover birth options and comfort measure techniques. You can also book additional sessions to focus on postpartum preparation, partner support, and more. Starting at $400-500 for the basic birth prep package.