About Me
Birthwork with Sophia
Sophia is a queer, Berkeley-based birth and postpartum doula who completed her training with Hospital Friendly Doulas. She has supported a wide range of birth outcomes from inductions, c-sections, VBAC, medicated and unmedicated births.
As a certified yoga instructor, she offers emotional and physical support to help the people she works with feel empowered and cared for throughout birth. This often looks like massage, acupressure, rebozo work, breathing and relaxation techniques. In addition, she is skilled at working closely with families and providers to carry out birth plans and advocate for patient needs. Apart from private clients, Sophia proudly serves as a volunteer doula at Berkeley's Alta Bates Summit Medical Center providing compassionate care to diverse populations.
Sophia operates with a deep respect for the power of physiological birth and the body. She believes that birth work is radical work that stretches beyond individual client interactions and is rooted in revolution and transformation. She deeply cares about creating a more equitable world. One of her core birth beliefs, is that people need to feel safe where they chose to give birth. On an individual level, that looks like patient advocacy, and relaxation techniques, while on a larger scale working to break down larger systems of oppression within the healthcare system.
Why work with me?
As your doula, we will work together as a team of collaborators to execute your birth plan and create empowering memories of your labor and birth. I see myself as a compassionate and knowledgeable companion, walking alongside you throughout the birth of your baby and the transformation of self. I’m highly adaptable, and allow a level of fluidity in the role I play in your birth. I am motivated to make birthing people feel seen, heard, and empowered by centering them, their partner and their wishes through all stages of birth. I feel called to this work as a natural born helper and effective communicator. I utilize these skills by acting as a liaison between all members of the birthing team. At the end of the day, I am someone who loves people and loves to build strong and genuine connections. Not only that, but I love to show up and champion the people I care for. I feel honored to do this work and support you in this moment of magical transformation.
Additional Trainings and Professional developments
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CPR & Infant CPR, and HIPAA trainings
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Comforting Touch for Doulas workshop with Yiska Obadia
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200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training from Nepal Yoga Academy in Bhaktapur, Nepal
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Member/facilitator Bay Area Queer Doula Meetup
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Member Autonomous Volunteer Doula
What I offer
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Prenatal education
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Birth plan creation
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Partner involvement
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Breathing techniques
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Position changes
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Spinning babies techniques
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Counter pressure
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Acupressure
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Massage
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Patient advocacy
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Encouragement
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Visualization
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Havening techniques
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Prenatal exercises
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Immediate postpartum support
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Breastfeeding support
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Postpartum nutrition
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Meal prep
