Book a free consultation
bretteghoward@gmail.com
(415) 568-5822
- Path of the Doula: 2 part workshop - Elizabeth Bachner of GraceFull Birth 2016
- Heart & Hands: 11 week Midwifery Intensive with Elizabeth Davis 2019
- Foundational Birth Training: Carriage House Birth LA cohort FALL 2019
- Certified Birth Doula:
- Carriage House Birth 2022
- CPR Certified
- Twin Experience
- Apprenticeship w/ Jennifer Darwin - Founder of GGDA Spring 2022
- Maiden Menstruation Circle Facilitator Support Skills for Doulas & Birth Professionals - 2019
Certifications & Specialities
I am a Certified Carriage House Birth Doula based in San Francisco providing services to the entire Bay Area.
I weave 20+ years of hospitality and event production into an organized, energetic and grounded blend of holistic and evidence based care for my clients.
I am a trauma informed care giver with experience in loss/grief and nothing thrills me more than the dynamic families I get to welcome into parenthood & uplift in this work.
I hold myself in practice and purpose for the following tenants:
ALL mothers, birthing people, partners and family structures deserve to be witnessed, empowered and supported in every decision during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.
Birth partners need clarity, confidence + comfort
Illuminating honest communication will create a healthy foundation for your birthing team and newborn.
My experience within birth support and care includes:
"Path of the Doula" 2 part workshop - Elizabeth Bachner of GraceFull Birth 2016
"Heart & Hands" 11 week Midwifery Intensive with Elizabeth Davis 2019
Foundational Birth Training - Carriage House Birth LA cohort FALL 2019
Apprenticeship w/ Jennifer Darwin - Founder of GGDA Spring 2022
Childbirth Education - Carriage House Birth Virtual Workshop 2022
Maiden Menstruation Circle Facilitator
CPR Certified - 2022
Born at home on the plains of Montana & raised on the Salish Sea of Seattle Sound.
I have called the hills, valleys and rivers of California home for almost 20 years and have a deep connection to community and service in the Bay Area.
My husband, daughter and I call San Francisco's (Ohlone Land) Inner Richmond home and in my free time you can find me listening to or attending live music, taking photos, camping/hiking and soaking in a hot spring any chance I can get.
I have a deep connection to different earth based skills, storytelling,
cosmology and divine timing.
As a family, every year, we spend Jan/Feb (WON'T BE BOOKING THEN) in Costa Rica and I am working hard to become fluent in Spanish.
When in CR I practice being in relationship with the land + community as a student of Bee Keeping, Birding and Mycology.
Looking forward to connecting with you.
Certified birth doula
Brette Howard
- Immediate on-call
- Complimentary 30-minute Welcome Call with a GGDA concierge
- Monthly Educational Workshops
- Online Breastfeeding support (up to three a month)
- Online Pelvic Floor clinic (up to twice a month)
- Access to GGDA's library of resources
- Access to the Village People, providers, and affiliate discounts
ggda membership package includes:
- 1 in person and 1 virtual prenatal visit
- 1 optional prenatal bonding visit
- Custom Fitted Birth Ball
- Free TENS Unit Rental
- Expert Pain Coping techniques
- First Feeding/Golden Hour Support
- 1 (2-hour) In home Postpartum Follow Up Meeting
Rates: $2,800
brette's birth package
- sara s.
"My partner Max and I feel so lucky to have had Brette as our birth doula. Beforehand, she helped us prep and consider our preferences for birth, even for things like lighting in the hospital room, which we wouldn't have considered without her mentioning it. She was also helpful to consult with questions or decisions as we approached birth. And then while in labor, she was invaluable. She encouraged walks and trying out various positions to see what was most comfortable, and when it got painful, her pushing on my hips and the TENS unit she brought were lifesavers. She kept her cool as Max and I freaked out, and took care of things like communication with my placenta encapsulation lady after the birth. Additionally, both Max and I are first-time parents, so just having Brette's knowledge and emotional support through this experience was so crucial. Without her, it would have been a much scarier experience for both of us."
"having Brette's knowledge and emotional support through this experience was so crucial."
- Pier I.
"Doula Brette was phenomenal to work with and I can't imagine the experience without her. My partner and I appreciated how patient she was with every question we had. She was beyond prepared, knowledgeable and most importantly kind and calm. She walked us through every step as we approached birth and was available to talk through all my concerns and fears. When I went into labor she was a super star- the TENS unit and other goodies she brought were so valuable in helping me find some relief when contractions became intense. When we arrived at the hospital she was already outside waiting with a wheel chair. And did I mention that she massaged my hips and back for 8 hours!!!!!!!! She was also a great advocate and made sure our wishes were respected during the labor process in the hospital. We cannot imagine the experience without her and it feels as if she is now an extension of our family. Thank you Brette. We couldn't have done it without you!"
"We cannot imagine the experience without her and it feels as if she is now an extension of our family."
- megan m.
"Brette was an important part of my birthing team. As first time parents, she answered a lot of questions for us during the pregnancy and birth. Having her support made me feel more confident. Our birth was a lot different than we planned due to health complications, and Brette was so important in helping us navigate and understand the situation. She supported my husband really well also, which made him more helpful in the birth. I'm really glad we had Brette's help with this birth."
"She supported my husband really well also, which made him more helpful in the birth."
- lauren and george
As my due date passed and I was still pregnant, Brette really helped me navigate the physical and emotional highs and lows of waiting for my baby to come. She gave me lots of guidance on activities I could do to both mentally and physically prepare, as well as talked with me as my emotions changed as I got to 41 weeks and five days before I went into labor. My labor ramped up quickly, and things didn’t go how I had planned, and I really appreciated the way that Brette adapted to those changes and Continued to help me and my partner feel very supported throughout the birthing process. I genuinely felt like she was excited for us to be parents and wanted to support us in navigating our new roles together.
Brette was an excellent Doula. She provided me with both factual informational support when I needed it and never hesitated to reach out to her team for guidance on any questions that I had. She also really helped me ground myself in my mindset towards giving birth in the laboring process. She was a wonderful resource for both me and my partner, and we were able to have open and honest conversations about our questions, fears, and expectations around birth and becoming parents .
Before the birth, I wasn’t always sure if I was needing a Doula, because I didn’t feel like I was constantly asking her questions. But right before and during labor and delivery, it felt amazing to have a trusted knowledgeable support, person there with us. I recommend that anyone who is interested in able to work with a Doula do so.
