Fertility, Birth and Postpartum Doula located in the SF Bay Area.

San Francisco Birth and Postpartum Doula Services

Support for every step of your journey

From preparing for pregnancy to navigating birth and postpartum, I provide compassionate, personalized care through every stage of your journey into parenthood.

I meet you where you are—offering evidence-informed education, trusted resources, connection to community, and steady, nonjudgmental support. My goal is for you to feel heard, prepared, empowered, and confident in the choices that are right for your family.

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About Claudia

Hola and Welcome! I’m Claudia - a bilingual English and Spanish-speaking Nurse, Birth and Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Certified Lactation Educator, born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District.

As a nurse, I bring a strong medical background and more than 20 years of experience in healthcare to my work with families. I spent 15 years working in oncology and hospice and five years in reproductive health, developing the clinical knowledge, calm presence, and compassionate communication that guide my care. Along with being a mother of two, these experiences shaped the grounded, empowering support I provide throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

I completed my Birth and Postpartum Doula training through Natural Resources in San Francisco and have worked full-time in birth support since 2021. Since then, I’ve had the honor of supporting more than 250 families, teaching childbirth preparation classes, and helping train future birth doulas.

My nursing background allows me to understand medical terminology, procedures, and the many decisions that can arise during pregnancy and birth. I’m experienced in a variety of birth settings and comfortable collaborating with medical providers while honoring your choices and preferences. Whenever and however you choose to give birth, I will meet you where you are-offering knowledgable guidance, calm reassurance, and unwavering support throughout your journey.

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"The day of the labor and delivery, she provided reassurance, information, and solid on call support for over 24 hours!

She was right there at the hospital encouraging and helping us during and after delivery, anticipating what my partner and I needed and providing it in a non-intrusive and warm way. She also has been checking into see how we and baby are doing postpartum, touching on many aspects of care and recovery for both my wife and baby. We would highly recommend her!”
Jefferey S.
"Looking back, I cannot imagine having had a better birth without her by my side through it all."

“Claudia was responsive, supportive, gave me such helpful tips and when it came down to intense labor pains, she was there helping me through it all physically, mentally and emotionally. Looking back, I cannot imagine having had a better birth without her by my side through it all. So so grateful for you, Claudia and anyone that chooses to hire you as their Birth Doula is one lucky mama!!!”
Violet O.
"I love my birth doula, Claudia Penate.

As a first time mom and total type A individual, we were extremely thorough interviewing a total of 8 potential birth doulas. Claudia won me over with her background, attitude/personality and respect for the sentimental/special "moment" that birth is. Honestly, I had my moments of doubt after signing the contract for a birth doula in my first trimester...second guessing if I really NEEDED a birth doula or not...but from our first interaction with her (Claudia Penate was hosting a GGDA webinar on comfort measures during labor) I was 100% grateful to have snagged her to be a part of my "L&D A-Team".
Stephanie
"All the medical staff would come in and instantly comment on how calming of a space Claudia had created...

I felt so held and cared for by her. Her nursing background also proved to be vital as she was able to use her medical knowledge and experience to leverage conversations with the medical team. Claudia helped bring clarity and helped talk through what to expect at each stage of labor and at each turning point where things didn't go quite as we'd expected - especially when it all felt confusing and overwhelming. Claudia always remained calm and grounded through the whole labor, and that energy helped me tremendously with pain management. She was confident and helped direct my partner as things intensified, but also invited direction from me in an empowering way. We were so touched by all the details she put into her care for us.
Alee

fertility doula near san francisco bay area

support

I believe everyone needs support alongside them to provide non bias compassionate care.

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My focus is for families to feel empowered and confident in knowing that they have my support in being seen and heard.

empower

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I want to be able to educate not only my clients but their support person(s) as well. Overall goal is for all to feel safe, supported and informed.

educate

Book a consultation call

Congratulations on your pregnancy! This is an opportunity to discuss your birth preferences, needs and wants. We will use this time get to know each other and see if it's a good fit. I look forward to meeting with you.

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helping families through the journey

Fertility Doula

Initial consultation to assess your goals and needs. Sessions may include: review of your fertility history and discuss goals and a plan. Connections to other holistic practitioners to help optimize your journey. Unlimited text/email support as well as weekly check in virtual sessions.

Birth Doula

for birth and immediately postpartum

Includes 2 prenatal visits, 1 postpartum visit, immediate on call support, unlimited text/email support , free customized birth ball, free loaner tens unit to use, labor support and 1-2 hours immediate postpartum.

Birth Photography

add-on service

It’s not just capturing that one moment of birth but all the little moments that you didn’t notice that all are part of your birth experience. My labor support is priority but am able to capture these intimate and special moments.

Postpartum Doula

Minimum 4 hours per visit

One in home prenatal meeting. Support with breast/chest/bottle feeding, newborn care, snack/meal prep, preparation of healing baths and soaks, light housekeeping and laundry. A calm and reassuring presence; a listening ear. Please inquire for availability and packages.

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Childbirth Education

add-on service

I help walk you through Childbirth prep, stages of labor- which also includes comfort measures and medical treatments, newborn care and postpartum care. All fully catered and tailored to your specific needs and wants.