Empowered Support
Doulas
We believe every family deserves the support of both a midwife and a doula—each offering a distinct yet complementary role in your birth journey. Together, this collaborative care creates a deeply supported, empowering, and truly unforgettable experience.
Camile
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Hi, I’m Camille. I've wanted to be a birthworker since I was seven years old. Back then, I would ask family members—and any unsuspecting pregnant person I met—“When you have a baby, can I be there with you, please?”
Ten years later, I had the honor of witnessing birth for the first time, surrounded by her midwife, her husband, and me—a budding doula! From that moment, I knew exactly what I was meant to do.
Prior to pursuing doula certification, I had the privilege of supporting three more mothers on their most special days. And now, truly a dream come true, I have dedicated my life to this work. There is nothing I would rather do, and no where I would rather be, than with families as the prepare for and meet their children for the first time.
In preparation for my DONA International Certification I attended Childbirth Education and Doula Training as well as a rigorous curriculum of self-study through the use of books, videos, podcasts, peer-review journals, and much more. Paired with this study I am a huge advocate for introspection, therapy, and various means of self-care in order to be the grounded, unwavering support needed for birth.
I am committed to relentless study and growth to become an expert support person for all families. I am deeply grateful to my teachers and to the families I will meet, serve, and learn from on this journey!
Professional Training
DONA International Certification Candidate
Sierra Childbirth Institute: Childbirth Education for the Birth Professional
Sierra Childbirth Institute: Birth Doula Workshop
Sierra Childbirth Institute: Essential Breastfeeding Skills for Doulas
Sutter Davis Hospital Volunteer Doula
Yiska Obadia - Comforting Touch For Doulas
Birth Spectrum - Doula Mentorship
Other Education
2023 - Reiki Certification
2023 - Substitute Teaching Credential
2019 - Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Peer Counselor, Empower Yolo
2015 - CSU, Sacramento
B.A. Communication Studies
2012 - Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo
A.A. Theater Arts
Beyond Birth Work
In my free time I am most likely covered in paint, marker, pencil shavings, ink and glue! My art studio is my oasis. My current favorite medium is painting unlikely objects such as guitars, benches, and stones.
I love my little life with my husband, our dog Daisy, and 2 cats, June and Alphie. As a family we love to play music, watch live music, paddle board, watch our favorite shows and sample a good wine.
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www.camillemicheledoula.com
916-297-0163
camillemicheledoula@gmail.com
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I am able to bill insurance providers directly for my services.
Direct billing availability: Kaiser, HealthNet and MediCal. More coming soon!
Visit my website for more information.
Sarah
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Hi! My name is Sarah, and I would be honored to support you on your journey of welcoming precious life into the world. I was called to this work by a deep desire to care for women and children during one of life’s most sensitive and powerful transformations. This calling led me to the Sierra Childbirth Institute, where I received my Birth Doula and Childbirth Education training.
I step into this work with a deep-rooted respect for the strength, intuition, and sacredness of the birthing process. I vow to honor each woman’s journey and needs and offer individualized, loving support every step of the way.
My background is in science. I have a degree in Molecular Biology from UC Berkeley, where I studied human life on a cellular level. I’m also a Certified Yoga Teacher and a training herbalist, deeply passionate about holistic health and wellness. My approach to this work weaves together evidence-based scientific knowledge with reverence for the instinctive wisdom of all living beings.
As your Doula, I will provide a calm and grounded presence throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. Whether it’s holding space for you during moments of uncertainty, advocating for your needs in the birth space, providing comfort measures during labor, or simply offering a warm cup of tea and a listening ear, I am here for you. Together, we will create a birth experience that feels empowered, informed, and deeply aligned with your values.
Thank you for considering me as part of your birth team. I would be delighted to connect with you, learn about your vision for birth, and explore how I can support you on this journey."
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(530) 718-4974
sdowney@berkeley.edu
Whats the difference between a Doula and a Midwife? Why have both?
A Licensed Midwife (LM) is a healthcare professional who is formally trained, licensed, and regulated by the state to provide care to people during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Key points about Licensed Midwives:
Scope of practice: They provide prenatal care, attend births (often in homes or birth centers), and offer postpartum and newborn care. Their focus is on low-risk pregnancies.
Licensing: They must meet state-specific requirements, which usually include completing a midwifery education program, passing national or state board exams, and maintaining continuing education.
Medical responsibilities: Unlike doulas, Licensed Midwives perform clinical tasks such as monitoring vital signs, ordering labs, performing newborn exams, suturing, and administering certain medications.
Philosophy of care: They generally emphasize holistic, personalized, and family-centered care, supporting natural physiologic birth whenever possible.
Collaboration: If complications arise, Licensed Midwives refer or transfer clients to obstetricians or hospitals as needed.
Experts in natural, physiologic labor and birth care
A birth doula is a trained professional who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to a pregnant person (and their partner, if present) before, during, and shortly after childbirth.
Unlike doctors, midwives, or nurses, doulas do not perform medical tasks (like checking blood pressure or delivering the baby). Instead, their role focuses on:
Emotional support: reassurance, encouragement, and a calming presence.
Physical support: comfort measures such as massage, positioning, breathing techniques, and creating a soothing environment.
Informational support: helping parents understand their options, ask informed questions, and advocate for their preferences.
Partner support: guiding the partner on how to be involved and confident during labor.
Together, Midwives and Doulas are the all star team to help you acheive your goals for a peaceful, natural, low-intervention birth. From your midwife, you get high quality clinical care with an expertise in normal physiologic labor, and from you doula you get continuous emotional, informational and physical support.
Our doula services are designed to enhance your home birth experience with compassionate, hands-on support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Provided at no additional cost to our midwifery clients, our in-house doulas work closely with your midwife to offer seamless, personalized care—whether you're seeking continuous emotional presence, comfort measures, or expert guidance every step of the way.
Support
Services
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Throughout your pregnancy we will get to know one another and build our relationship.
Home Visit 1
We will delve into your vision for birth, and how your birth team can best support your wishes.
Learn your goals, concerns, and individual needs
Create your Next Generation birth plan
Home Visit 2
Labor preparation class including hands on comfort measures, mental preparation, and physical preparation for the whole family.
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It is never too early to reach out to your doula.
You’ll receive ongoing support during labor, birth, and postpartum immediately after your baby arrives
You get unbiased information, comfort measures, and gentle care throughout your labor.
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Within your baby’s first week of life your doula will visit you at your home to support you in processing your birth story, and offer emotional support and resources as you build confidence and adjust to your new life caring for your baby.
Postpartum Doulas
If you are interested in postpartum doula services please reach out for more information.