We carefully select local providers that we trust to care for the families we work with.
If you are working with one of the Doulas from Golden Gate, please make sure to mention that you are a Golden Gate client when booking. Some providers offer promos to GGDA clients!
running!
Meet the village that keeps Golden Gate Doulas
Contact GGDA
operations@goldengatedoula.com
Jennifer Darwin is the Owner/Director of GGDA and The Village Postnatal Retreat Center. She recognized that many families where becoming overwhelmed trying to find their "Village" to support them through pregnancy and into parenthood. She wanted to be able to provide professional birth workers, doulas and providers that empowered people through this journey.
Whitney Branco is the GGDA Operations Manager, she is our "match maker" and runs the business side of the company. She will put you in touch with a doula who has available around your due date and answer any questions about the services we offer at GGDA.
GGDA Dream Team
Contact Tomi
Tomi is proud to be working with the families of Golden Gate offering Placenta Encapsulation and tinctures to our families!
Tomi is positively passionate about placentas. Since 2010 she has been offering all things placenta related including sacred burial ceremony, tinctures, art prints, and her own unique recipe which is a balance for preserving the precious nutrients and hormones, but also cooking for safety.
Tomi was trained by members of an online forum called ,“The New Placenta Group,” some of whom went on to form The Association for Placenta Preparation Arts. Tomi holds up-to-date certifications in Blood Borne Pathogens and food handling in accordance with OSHA guidelines. She treats each placenta with the utmost care, using organic lemon and ginger, and never processes more than one at a time.
She would love to connect with you on how to best serve your individual needs regarding your baby’s sacred organ.
To learn more about Tomi and to book a time to meet with her, check out her website.
Placenta Arts
Preparation Specialist
Tomi Hougen
Check out Tomi's video about her Placenta Preparation Process, here.
Contact alicia
Alicia trains the GGDA Birth Doulas and teaches workshops privately and at the Golden Gate Doula Associates Center.
Alicia was born and raised in Mexico City and now calls Marin home. She is a happy wife and mother of three amazing boys. The births of her boys using HypnoBirthing were among the most wonderful and empowering experiences in her life. This motivated her to become a HypnoBirthing, The Marie Mongan Method Childbirth Educator, and to share this amazing program with expecting families since 2013.
Alicia's passion is to support pregnant couples during their pregnancy and birth so they can experience these magical, transformational processes in a gentle, calm, conscious, and empowering way. Since 2019, she also has been serving as a volunteer Birth Doula in the Marin Community Clinic supporting moms in conditions of vulnerability.
Recently, she finished her certification as a Prenatal Bonding (BA) Facilitator. This program is a one-on-one constant accompaniment that promotes a deep prenatal parents-baby bond, supports the maternal transformation process, and satisfies the unborn Baby's primary need to be accepted and loved, to be given security and protection, and above all to be securely attached to enable, what she calls, "trans-generational harmony".
Certified Hypnobirthing Child Birth Educator, Birth Doula, & Prenatal Bonding facilitator
alicia contreras
Contact krista
Krista can provide information and answer any questions as part of Golden Gate Doula Associates and CBR’s commitment to education, as well as provide special price savings to GGDA clients.
Krista Newhouse is our local representative from Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®), the world’s largest private newborn stem cell preservation company.1 With over 20 years in the sexual and reproductive health and women's healthcare sector and the last four years in Women’s Health with CooperSurgical, Krista is dedicated to educating expecting parents on the powerful resource of newborn stem cells so that all families can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Your baby's umbilical cord is made up of tissue and contains blood. Both cord blood and cord tissue are rich sources of powerful stem cells being researched for their ability to act like our body’s own personal repair kit and may be able to help our bodies heal in new ways. Plus, cord blood stem cells are currently used in transplant medicine to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems. The collection process is simple and safe for both mom and baby. Visit cordblood.com or call 1.888.CORD BLOOD to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.ormed decision about what’s best for you and your growing family.
SF Bay Area Account Manager CBR
Krista Newhouse
Contact eva
Let’s talk about newborn stem cells and what VitalCells can offer families that no other family
bank can offer. Feel free to reach out to me anytime!
Special discount may be available for GGDA clients
Click here for Best Questions to ask a cord blood bank
Eva Breder has been a stem cell educator with over 17 years of experience in legacy cord blood banks. She recently joined VitalCells, a next-generation stem cell bank, to provide families like yours with access to cutting-edge stem cell technology.
Stem cells play a crucial role in regenerative medicine, offering natural healing and repair capabilities. VitalCells goes beyond traditional cord blood banks by isolating and growing Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC's) for maximum effectiveness when needed.
Many other banks have extensive processes to retrieve cells that ONLY release samples for specific limited uses or through specific paid clinical trials. Thankfully through VitalCells’ national network of top regenerative medicine clinics or through your own trusted medical practitioner, your child has the right to use their personal cells how their medical practitioner sees fit.
You only have one chance to save this resource. It is her mission to educate as many expectant families as possible, so they can make an informed decision. Don't miss this opportunity to secure your child's future health with VitalCells.
newborn stemcell educator
eva breder
contact ocean
Ocean trains the GGDA Doulas, provides in-home visits and at the Golden Gate Doula Associates Center.
Ocean Berg has been a perinatal nurse for over 20 years. She has a Masters Degree in Nursing and is certified as a Lactation Consultant through the International Board of Lactation Consultants and is a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist. Ocean has worked as a nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General; as a breastfeeding, childbirth and newborn care educator with California Pacific Medical Center; and as a birth doula.
She has two wonderful daughters whom she breastfed for 2.5 years each. She enjoys gardening, snowboarding, biking and cooking healthy meals.
Ocean is passionate about supporting families in their breastfeeding journey and looks forward to working with clients to reach their lactation goals.
RN, Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Ocean Berg
contact sara
Sara offers virtual and in-person visits. You can also schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Please welcome Sara Shaw as the newest IBCLC to our Village People community. She is a lactation consultant and former labor & delivery nurse who is also a mom herself to two boys. Sara is passionate about helping new moms navigate the challenges and triumphs of breastfeeding, pumping, and understanding their baby's feeding rhythm.
Sara attended nursing school at NYU and worked as a labor and delivery nurse for 7 years before deciding to become an IBCLC. She offers practical guidance and non-judgmental support to all her clients.
If you're in need of support or guidance with breastfeeding or pumping, Sara is here to help. Feel free to reach out to her for a private one-on-one appointment.
RN, ibclc
sara shaw
Contact aki
Aki teaches the latch clinics for GGDA members. She offers personalized in-home visits and virtual consults
Aki Sugaya is a dedicated International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and certified lactation educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a Bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz, a Master's degree in the health field from SFSU, and completed post-graduate work at the UC San Diego Lactation Consultant Program.
She is a mother of two children and a former NICU family member.
She brings firsthand experience to navigating the complexities of breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding.
As a member of ILCA, USLCA, BALA, and a La Leche League Leader in-progress, she is committed to providing evidence-based practice to support you in your nursing and bonding journey with your baby.
Aki is here to support you at every stage of your personalized lactation journey. You can book a consultation through the contact button on the right or through her website.
ma, IBCLC,
lactation consultant
Aki sugaya
Fluent in Japanese and English
Contact laura
Laura teaches the latch clinics for GGDA members on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6pm.
Laura Howells has been assisting growing families since 2009, focusing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the early years. She is dedicated to providing holistic support tailored to your personal goals.
Her work began centered around the postpartum period, through birth and postpartum doula work, massage, and lactation support. She was always amazed to witness the bonding and breastfeeding and chestfeeding that happens in the first hours and days after birth. These births and families, and her volunteer work with LaLeche League, inspired her to become a lactation consultant, certifying as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in January 2018.
She understands the challenges that come with welcoming a new family member. As a lactation consultant, she is here to support you in your feeding journey, whether it's breastfeeding/chestfeeding for a few days or a few years.
Feel free to reach out for lactation visits or telehealth consultations. She is committed to helping you achieve your feeding and parenting goals.
IBCLC, CBE, CMT
Laura Howells
You can learn more about Laura and her company, Woven Lactation, here
contact dr. den
Dr. Den has an office located in Noe Valley where she sees Golden Gate Doula Families.
Dr. Den is a California licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, having received her Master’s of Science and then her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in 2018. She has completed extensive coursework in the areas of women’s health and pediatrics.
She is comfortable with and skilled at treating and supporting people with a wide variety of health concerns, including: psycho-emotional, digestive, women’s health, immune enhancement, acute and chronic pain and the general promotion of physical and emotional health.
Licensed Acupuncturist
Herbalist, Doctor of Chinese Medicine
dr. den bremond
Contact Treasure
Treasure provides acupuncture to prenatal & postnatal clients at Tao to Wellness and the Golden Gate Doula Associates center.
Treasure De La Cruz is a California State Licensed Acupuncturist and Nationally Licensed Diplomate of Oriental Medicine. At Tao to Wellness, Treasure acts as one of their fertility and pain management specialists. After having studied Nutrition at Virginia, being a yoga teacher for 10 years, combined with a career as a certified massage therapist for 10 years, and then becoming a trained doula, Treasure De La Cruz finally landed in the world of Chinese medicine. Her 18 years as a healer gives her a deep understanding of the body.
Especially as a mom and a trained doula, Treasure loves supporting people on their way to parenthood; whether trying to conceive naturally or working with IUI and IVF protocols. She is filled with knowledge on how to support parents to-be, from the preparation for conception, to during pregnancy, and to preparing for birth. Treasure understands the importance of family and as a health care provider, it is an honor to witness & support women through this miraculous journey into motherhood. From a pain management/structural standpoint, she is a master at pain relief and helping people with body awareness, ergonomics and offering stretches and exercises when appropriate to support their treatment and lifestyle. From fertility to pain management and everything in between, Treasure is an expert.
LAc & CMT
Treasure De La Cruz
Contact tia
Tia hosts monthly 'Vag Clinics' at Golden Gate Doula Associates Center.
Dr. Anietie Ukpe-Wallace, PT, DPT, also known as Tia, is an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist who specializes in providing a continuum of care and support from pregnancy loss to postpartum all while emphasizing the importance of self-care. Tia has had a life-long fascination with the human body and its inner workings which ultimately led her to path that she is on today.
Beginning with a formal introduction to movement in college, she has continued that journey ever since. As a yoga teacher of 8 years around the Bay Area, her practice morphed from one of structure and ego to one of humility and independent thinking. After her own chronic struggles surrounding her pelvic floor and multiple miscarriages she has grown a love for learning and understanding this part of the body that is rarely talked about and sometimes even misunderstood. She is currently a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Oakland, CA where she offers both telehealth and concierge/in-home therapy services.
In addition, she is works as a women’s health coach, host of her former podcast, The Masterful Art of Self-Care and an amateur pole and Lyra artist. She is a wife, mother to her 7 year old daughter and a cat mom.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Dr. Anietie ukpe-wallace
contact dr. charisse
Dr. Charisse has an office located in Golden Gate Doula Center and hosts monthly "Vag Clinic" for our clients.
Charisse specializes in treating the pelvic floor and chronic pain.
In 2004, she obtained her B.S. in Exercise Physiology with a Minor in Psychology from UC Davis. She continued on to the Azusa Pacific University and graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009. After obtaining her doctorate, she began to focus her attention to yoga.
Charisse obtained her yoga certification RYT-200 in 2015. With this training, she was introduced to the physiological benefits of the quiet, restful, supported practice of restorative yoga.
Pelvic Floor
Physical Therapist
Dr. Charisse Balance
Contact a pt at origin
Origin is proud to support the families of the GGDA. They host informational workshops about pelvic floor health virtually and at the Golden Gate Doula Associates Center.
Origin is a leading provider of pelvic floor and whole-body physical therapy with a specialized focus on pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and sexual health. Origin offers virtual and in-person PT sessions, covered by insurance and supported by proprietary exercise programs, educational content, and community experiences.
PT, MSPT, WCS
Origin Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Contact danielle
Danielle teaches chiropractic prenatal & postnatal classes at Golden Gate Doula Associates Center and offers her services to our SF clients.
Dr. Danielle Geiger first was introduced to chiropractic at the young age of 11 when a chiropractor found she was developing scoliosis. The progression of scoliosis was able to be stopped and she had a passion and interest for the profession ever since.
Throughout her career as a chiropractor, Dr. Danielle developed a lifestyle chiropractic health and wellness belief system. She helps patients reclaim their lives through nutrition, movement and spinal health.
She has additional certifications in pregnancy and pediatrics and is Webster certified. One of her passions is to empower pregnant women throughout their pregnancies and beyond.
Dr. Danielle graduated from Life Chiropractic College in Georgia. She practices full spine and extremity adjustments using low force techniques. She is looking forward to helping individuals achieve optimal health! In her spare time, Dr. Danielle likes to stay active through working out, running and hiking with her dog.
Dr. Danielle is originally from a small town in northern Wisconsin called Minocqua. She recently moved to the Bay area from Louisville, KY. She is excited to explore all the hiking trails and beautiful views that California has to offer. Her most recent accomplishment is running a 10K.
Doctor of Chiropractics
Dr. danielle geiger
Contact Kate
Kate is proud to be working with the families of Golden Gate offering her house call services to our clients! Get your first free consultation below.
Dr. Kate Wong is a Housecall chiropractor who specializes in preconception, prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum. She offers concierge chiropractic care that provides chiropractic care customized for parents and children that works with a busy schedule.
Dr. Wong is Webster Technique Certified, a specific chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment with the goal to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation or sacroiliac joint dysfunction very common in pregnant moms. This technique helps mothers have a comfortable pregnancy by providing proper alignment in the pelvis and spine best for their pregnancy needs, especially mothers who may suffer with discomfort such as pelvic pain, sciatica, vertigo, low back pain, etc. Best of all, she comes straight to your home!
She extends her services to newborns, toddlers and up to optimize child development brain function that may need customized care that the conventional methods don't provide. Dr. Wong emphasizes the importance of postpartum care focusing on helping your body recover back to alignment, especially after the birthing process.
Doctor of Chiropactics
Dr. Kate wong
Contact angela
She supports families both virtually
and in-person.
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to explore how Angela can help your little one on the path to better sleep!
As a Mama of 3 littles, she transformed her sleep struggles with her first child by making simple changes. This motivated her to approach things differently with her twins, leading to better routines and improved sleep.
Through this journey, Angela knew she wanted to help other families who were struggling with sleep. Having a baby is a wonderful, joyous time that passes so quickly. By getting the sleep that YOU need, you will be able to thrive and enjoy your time with that sweet baby. The gift of sleep helps you find the joy, patience, and empathy that you need for your whole family to thrive.
Angela is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant here in the Bay Area. She works with newborns, babies, and little kids through 4 years of age. Angela takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to sleep, taking into account the timing and amount of daytime sleep, age-appropriate routines, nutrition, sleep associations, sleep environment, bedtime routine, and how you are settling your little one for sleep.
Angela works in collaboration with each family to determine what will work best for them – taking into consideration their child’s temperament, their parenting philosophy, and the logistics happening in your family.
In her spare time, Angela loves yoga, hiking, cooking, travel, and planning adventures with her 3 kids!
Certified infant & toddler Sleep Consultant
Angela Ellsworth
Contact Anne
Anne trains the GGDA Postpartum Doulas and teaches workshops at the Golden Gate Doula Associates center.
Anne is a mom of two sweet boys and a lover of family, food, and sleep!
In coaching her own baby boy, Anne was amazed at how quickly her son learned to sleep on his own and how well rested he became. Formerly sleepless nights had turned into healthy sleep for her family, and ultimately, she was left with a newfound confidence in motherhood.
That is what motivated Anne and she has been helping sleepy families locally and around the globe since 2017.
Anne believes that motherhood is not meant to be survived, but to be spent thriving. She takes a compassionate, educated, thorough and parent-supportive approach with families. She is a passionate mama with a love for children and she is committed to helping parents. When it comes to sleep, Anne’s motto is “Do not suffer in silence”, you and your baby deserve to sleep, and Anne is here to help!
Certified infant & toddler Sleep Consultant
Anne Del Valle
Contact the village postnatal retreat center
Book your relaxing spa treatment today!
Please call or text 415-964-BABY (2229) to make an appointment and pricing info.
Pregnancy and postpartum can be a stressful time of life, both physically and mentally. Come and treat yourself to some relaxing spa treatments at the Village Postnatal Retreat Center.*
We offer acupuncture, facials, belly facials and massage therapy for expecting and new parents at our retreat center. Our professional therapists are skilled in techniques that promote relaxation, reduce stress, and aid in postnatal recovery.
Join us at the Village Postnatal Retreat Center and let's get you feeling your best!
*you don't have to be a guest at VPRC to book treatments.
acupuncture,Facials,
Prenatal and Postnatal massages
Spa Treatments at
The village postnatal
Retreat center
Contact Heather
Heather is proud to be working with the families of Golden Gate. offering unique Belly Facials to our families!
Heather is a graduated and licensed Esthetician from San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology. She has always had a deep love for skincare and helping others feel beautiful in the skin that they are in.
She is always on the hunt for tips and tricks to further her knowledge and education, previously she worked at a high end spa in the heart of San Francisco but is now focusing on helping out expecting and postpartum mothers to get their skin in a healthy and beautiful state.
Her passion and empathetic nature can be easily felt throughout the services she provides, making sure each client leaves feeling relaxed and satisfied with their experience.
Licensed Esthetician
Heather Darwin
Contact Lorena
Lorena offers massage services to GGDA prenatal and postnatal clients at her Noe Valley location.
Twenty years ago, Lorena began her massage therapy practice. She has worked at many reputable spas in San Francisco, New York City and Palo Alto. Most recently, she was working at Nob Hill Spa.
In the beginning of her career she specialized primary in Deep Tissue massages. Once she became pregnant she found herself needing prenatal massages and discovered incredible relief from her prenatal massage therapist. It was priceless and she couldn't be more thankful to her services.
After having her baby, she also experienced the physical demands of caring for her baby and her empathy grew with each passing day. Parenting is such an amazing experience and yet can take a toll on our bodies. Massage therapy has proven to help manage these physical challenges.
Lorena will provide you with a highly skilled massage along with lots of empathy and the desire to provide you with great experience. She welcomes any questions you may have.
Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Esthetician
Lorena Sanchez
Meet & Greet
Schedule a 30 minute MEET & GREET to see if GetzWell is a match for you and your family.
GGDA or Village Postnatal Retreat Members get 25% off their Year 1 Annual Membership fee for the Basic Membership Plan.
GetzWell was founded in 2008 with the goal of providing a very different patient experience. At GetzWell, you never feel rushed or like a number. Their providers listen carefully and take time to partner with you. While most pediatricians in the United States see as many as 25 or 30 patients per day, GetzWell’s well-child visits last an hour to get to know your child and your family and understand the root causes of any potential issues. GetzWell members can email or call a provider 24/7. Unlike other practices, they don’t outsource this service to phone banks staffed by anonymous nurses. This helps patients avoid impersonal visits to urgent care centers and emergency rooms which can be unnecessary, invasive and scary for little ones and their parents. GetzWell’s goal is to return pediatrics to its root values whereby patient care is driven by thoughtful providers and intelligent decision making in partnership with parents. GetzWell's approach combines the best of conventional and holistic medicine, addressing not only the body but also emotional, social, environmental, and developmental aspects of health and illness.
personalized pediatrics
getzwell
Contact nannies plus
GGDA often receives questions about Nanny Services after they have completed their Postpartum Doula support. Nannies Plus will apply $350 off their Placement Fee when you mention GGDA!
Joy is the owner and founder of Nannies Plus. She also serves as a Director on the Board of the International Nanny Association.
Nannies Plus is a boutique domestic staffing agency matching families with experienced, vetted and caring nannies, family assistants, personal assistants, housekeepers and senior companions who’ll be a seamless fit for their family team.
A natural connector with over 30 years of experience as a professional nanny and agency owner, Joy knows what thriving family teams look like. Her mission is to honor and balance the needs of the families and candidates she works with while elevating the domestic staffing industry.
