Marisa, Certified Doula Gardner

Full Spectrum Doula

About Me

Working with mothers, babies, and families has been my greatest passion for nearly a decade. I feel deeply honored to support families through one of the most transformative and meaningful seasons of their lives, from pregnancy and birth to the tender transition into parenthood.

As a full-spectrum doula, I bring together years of experience, evidence-based education, holistic wellness practices, and compassionate, hands-on care. My approach is rooted in the belief that every family deserves to feel heard, respected, and empowered in their choices. I strive to create a safe, nurturing space where parents can build confidence, navigate their fears, explore their options, and feel supported in their unique journey.

My love for this work extends far beyond birth. I am especially passionate about caring for mothers during the fourth trimester, a time when so much attention is placed on the newborn while the mother’s own healing and needs can be overlooked. I believe mothers deserve to be nourished, nurtured, and held through their recovery just as deeply as they care for their babies. From emotional support and maternal wellness to newborn care and the adjustment to family life, I believe these early weeks deserve tenderness, intention, and community.

At the heart of my work is a deep respect for the journey of motherhood and the individuality of every family. I believe there is no single right way to give birth or become a parent. My role is to walk alongside each family with an open heart, grounded presence, and personalized support, helping them feel confident, connected, and cared for every step of the way.

It is a privilege to do work that I love so deeply, and I feel grateful to continue supporting mothers, babies, and families as they grow, heal, and find their own rhythm in this beautiful new chapter.

Practice Philosophy

I believe the way parents are supported through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood can shape the way they experience one of life's biggest transitions.
As a full-spectrum doula, I blend evidence-based education, wellness practices, and compassionate, hands-on support to help families feel informed, empowered, and confident throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

My approach is deeply personal and rooted in honoring each family's unique needs, values, and vision for their birth. I help parents navigate their options, prepare for the unexpected, and feel supported in the decisions they make. My care extends beyond birth, into the often-overlooked "fourth trimester" - the early weeks after birth- where I prioritize maternal recovery, nourishment, newborn care, and the transition into family life. I believe the mother deserves to be cared for just as deeply as she cares for her baby, and that a supported beginning can make a lasting difference for the entire family.

Population Experience

I have experience supporting a wide range of families, including first-time parents, single parents, teen parents, BIPOC families, teen parents, LGBTQ+ families, and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. I support families planning unmedicated, medicated, hospital, birth center, and home births, as well as those navigating cesarean births, VBAC, high-risk pregnancies, fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, NICU experiences, and unexpected birth outcomes. My approach is compassionate, passionate, trauma-informed, and individualized, all while honoring each family's unique needs, values, and birth preferences from pregnancy to postpartum.

Specialties

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  • Full Spectrum Doula Support Birth Doula Support Labor Support Prenatal Support Postpartum Doula Care Overnight Postpartum Care Daytime Postpartum Care First-Time Mothers First-Time Parents Holistic Birth Preparation Unmedicated Birth Preparation Physiological Birth Support Hospital Birth Support Home Birth Support Birth Center Support High-Risk Pregnancy Support (nonclinical doula support) Cesarean Birth Support VBAC Birth Support Induction Support Birth Plan Preparation Birth Education Prenatal Education Birth Partner Education Partner Support During Labor Labor Comfort Measures Breathing and Relaxation Techniques Birth Positioning and Movement Rebozo Comfort Techniques Emotional Support During Pregnancy Emotional Support During Labor Birth Advocacy and Informed Decision-Making Pregnancy Options Support Abortion Doula Support Miscarriage Support Pregnancy Loss Support Stillbirth and Bereavement Support Reproductive Wellness Support Fertility and Preconception Education Preconception Wellness Postpartum Recovery Support Postpartum Emotional Support Birth Processing and Reflection Newborn Care Education Infant Care Support Newborn Soothing Techniques Newborn Sleep Education Safe Sleep Education Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Education Infant Feeding Support Sibling Preparation Family Transition Support Parent Education Holistic Pregnancy Support Holistic Birth Preparation Holistic Postpartum Care Maternal Wellness Prenatal Yoga Postpartum Yoga Breathwork and Mindfulness Meditation and Visualization Sound Healing Sound Baths Relaxation and Grounding Techniques Hypnobirthing Nutritional Wellness Education Postpartum Meal Support Herbal Wellness Education Birth Environment Preparation Virtual Doula Support Virtual Prenatal Education Virtual Postpartum Support Birth Planning Consultations Doula Mentorship and Education

Services Offered

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  • Prenatal Care
  • In-Person Labor & Birth Support
  • Virtual Labor & Birth Support
  • Postpartum Care
  • IVF Support
  • Pregnancy Loss Support
  • Extended In-Home Postpartum Care
SPECIALITIES
High-Risk
First Time Parents
Ayurvedic Belly Binding
Warm oil ‘massage’
Pregnancy Loss
Services OFFERED
Pregnancy Loss Support
Virtual Labor & Birth Support
Extended In-Home Postpartum Care
IVF Support
Initial Consultation Session
Prenatal Care
Postpartum Care
In-Person Labor & Birth Support
CITY COVERAGE AREA
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COUNTY COVERAGE AREA
Alameda
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Tehama
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Yuba

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