Are you searching for an Oahu Doula? I’ve put together a list of the 14 best doulas that Oahu has to offer! As a newborn photographer in Oahu, I love hearing birth stories from my parents when they bring their sweet babies into my studio. I know how different and unique the birth experience is from family to family. But one thing is for sure, so many of their stories involve an Oahu doula that helped them through the entire process. Before we get to the list of the 14 best Oahu doulas, I’ve answered some of the most common questions about working with a doula. Keep reading for more!
How much does a doula cost in Hawaii?
The cost of working with an Oahu doula will vary from professional to professional. Not every doula offers the same level of service, expertise, and experience to birthing parents. The total cost of working with a doula will be dependent on those factors along with the length of time (prenatal to postpartum) you’d like to spend with your doula
Are doulas worth the money?
If you crave a highly personal birthing experience with someone to advocate for you at every turn, then yes! A doula is absolutely worth the money. You’ll want to check with your Oahu doula to see if they accept your insurance. Additionally, some doulas offer payment plans for their packages and services.
How often should you see your doula?
This is an entirely personal choice. Some birthing mothers like the experience of working with a doula from prenatal to postpartum. Others want a doula present during the labor and birthing process. At a minimum, it would be beneficial to meet your doula prior to making the decision to work with them. This will give you insight as to whether or not you are a good fit for one another.
What does a doula actually do?
The answer to this question can vary greatly depending on the individual doula. A doula can offer prenatal, labor, birthing, and postpartum services. Some also offer additional services such as placenta encapsulation, prenatal massage, childbirth classes, lactation consulting, meal prep, infant sleep coaching, and even light housekeeping!
What is the difference between a birth coach and a doula?
If you’re considering working with an Oahu doula during your birthing process, you may have come across the term ‘birthing coach’. So what is the difference between a birthing coach and a doula? A doula is a highly trained professional in a regulated business model. Being a doula requires certified training through an organization such as DONA International or ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association). Birthing coaches are not a regulated practice. If you come across a birthing coach that you prefer to work with over an Oahu Doula, it’ll be important to ask for certifications before making your final decision.
To find an Oahu doula service that is right for you, keep scrolling for 14 of the best local doulas!
1. Best Birth Hawaii
Best Birth Hawaii provides labor and doula services for families during their journey of pregnancy, birth, and immediately postpartum. Their approach to providing doula services during your birth experience is to offer emotional, physical, and mental support for you and your partner. Their parent-led services allow you to let the process unfold in a way that is most comfortable and affirming for you. They support parents during the process whether embarking on a home birth, a hospital birth, a planned epidural, or an unmedicated birth. Their only goal is to empower you and your partner during the decision-making process.
Services offered | Labor & birth doula, placenta encapsulation, belly binding, lactation consulting & classes, nanny care.
Contact information | info@bestbirthhawaii.com or 808.366.0230
2. Mālama Momma
Mālama Momma is owned and operated by Jenna Clarke. Jenna is a birth and postpartum doula, a pediatric sleep consultant, an advanced newborn care specialist, and a holistic health and wellness educator. Jenna’s approach to care is to provide her services to families in a way that is empowering but also protects their journey into parenthood. Jenna knows that the birthing process is akin to a half marathon and she is there to be your coach. She believes that your baby’s entry into the world will be one of the most significant moments of your life and that all families can benefit from the help of a doula in the process. You can book a complimentary consultation with Jenna through her website.
Services offered | Labor, birth, and postpartum doula, pediatric sleep consultant, newborn care specialist, holistic health consultations
Contact information | jenna@malamamomma.com or 808.597.0593
3. Wunder Birth
Wunder Birth was founded and is operated by Yvonne Gray. Yvonne is a passionate professional who offers birth doula services as well as midwifery services. She supports and celebrates parents on their birth journey in a way that makes them feel cared for throughout the process. Yvonne offers a personalized experience with families with mutual trust and respect. In fact, her journey to working in the birthing space all began after she became a mom herself. She realized that care and support were missing from the overall journey of welcoming a new child into the world. So she set out to be the person she needed when she became a parent herself.
Services offered | Midwife services, doula services
Contact information | yvonne@wunderbirth.com or 808.683.9425
4. Birth Circle Oahu
Behind Birth Circle Oahu is Jenne. Jenne is a DONA Certified Birth Doula and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. She has been working with families on the North Shore of Oahu since 2005. Her services include providing support and education to families who are preparing to welcome an infant into the world. Jenne aims to help the families she works with in a way that provides loving support, encouragement, and the information needed to have an amazing birth experience. All of this is done through a parent-led approach.
Services offered | Antenatal, birth, and postpartum Oahu doula, birth classes
Contact information | birthcircleoahu@gmail.com or 808.469.9764
5. Danny the Doula
Danny the Doula is an island-hopping doula who provides his birth, labor, and postpartum doula services to mothers all across Hawaii. You won’t find packages and pricing on his website, and that’s because he works on a sliding scale. This approach allows him to create a custom plan for each of the mothers he works with, in a way that is affordable and comfortable for their family. Danny has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the birthing community and answers many questions on his website through the FAQ section. Additionally, you’ll also find plenty of video reviews and testimonials from each of the mothers he has assisted during their birthing journey.
Services offered | Birth, labor, and postpartum doula, lactation consulting
Contact information | danny@dannythedoula.com
6. Kōkua Birth
As an Oahu doula, Kōkua Birth offers a variety of comprehensive packages to choose from. Their services come with support, no matter where you choose to birth your baby. They believe that you deserve to feel safe and understand your options along the way. They work to advocate for their families and believe that the presence of a doula during the birthing process will enhance your overall experience. Their doula packages offer pre and postpartum support including amenities like prenatal massage, meal delivery, and on-call availability.
Services offered | Prenatal, birth, and postpartum doula, postpartum care, belly binding, placenta encapsulation
Contact information | You can contact Kōkua Birth directly, via this link.
7. Mana Wahine
Mana Wahine is owned and operated by Lauren Naone, an Oahu Doula who is passionate about birthwork. After starting her own family, and experiencing a traumatic birth, Lauren saw the importance of assistance during the birthing process. She felt called to serve other women during their own birthing process. So, she set out to become Dona International-certified, learning the proven methods of childbirth and breastfeeding as assisted by doulas. Laurens's goal is to provide the families she works with plenty of resources to make the decision-making process easier, all while guiding them with love and support.
Services offered | Prenatal, labor, and birth doula, lactation consulting
Contact information | lauren@Manawhahinedoula.com or 503.701.6330
8. Birth Believers
Birth Believers is comprised of a collective of doulas. Each one is an Oahu doula who is trained and experienced in providing support and care for mothers during pregnancy and the child-birthing process. Their support and services are available to mothers whether scheduling a hospital birth or a home birth. In addition to their doula services, Birth Believers also offers childbirth classes to help you prepare to give birth with confidence. Overall, the cornerstone of the services offered through Birth Believers is founded on attention to quality service.
Services offered | Birth, labor, and postpartum doula, childbirth classes, placenta encapsulation
Contact information | You can contact Birth Believers through their contact form, at this link.
9. Oahu Postpartum Doula
Crystal Bossola is the doula behind Oahu Postpartum Doula. Her educational background in nutrition and health has shaped the services she provides for the families she works with. Currently, Crystal is a postpartum doula who offers support and services with nourishment, knowledge & resources, and emotional support and understanding. These facets of her business are delivered through packages specifically designed for families who have welcomed their baby home. Crystal supports families in their homes through services that entail, postpartum nutrition & meal prep, lactation/bottle feeding support, newborn care & education, partner & sibling care, postpartum recovery, professional referrals, and light housekeeping.
Services offered | Postpartum doula, lactation consulting, meal prep, light housekeeping
Contact information | thedoulanutritionist@gmail.com or 808.954.9495
10. Sacred Healing Arts
Sacred Healing Arts provides Oahu doula services that they describe as in harmony with nature. Behind Sacred Healing Arts is Dr. Lori Kimata, N.D. a naturopathic physician and home birth practitioner. Dr. Lori was born and raised in Hawaii and received her bachelor’s in psychology from UCLA and her medical degree from the National College of Natural Medicine in 1988. She offers a dedicated space in Haleiwa called “Vis Medicatrix Naturae” (the healing power of nature). In addition to her work in the birthing space, she also serves individuals, couples, groups, and corporations. Her goal is for you to step away from her care with a sense of inner peace.
Services offered | Prenatal, home birth, postpartum, and neonatal doula, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage & bodywork, pediatrics, yoga
Contact information | sacredhealingarts@gmail.com, you can find additional contact information at this link.
11. Na’au Birth & Postpartum Doula
At the helm of Na’au Birth & Postpartum Doula is Kehaulani. She is from Kailua, Oʻahu where she currently resides with her spouse and children. Kehaulani is an experienced birth and postpartum doula and holistic health educator. She offers support to the families she works with through all seasons of motherhood. Her goal is to empower moms through education while caring for their overall wellness via cellular activation. Kehaulani has a heap of accreditations, certifications, and trainings under her belt. You can find them all on her website under the ‘about’ page section.
Services offered | Home birth doula, virtual birth doula, postpartum support, massage, belly binding, prenatal & postpartum lomilomi
Contact information | naaudoula@gmail.com or 808.741.5169
12. Hawaii Doula
At Hawaii Doula, you’ll find Schuyler. A doula who first picked up her passion for childbirth while in medical school. Her backgrouind has provided her with a wealth of knowledge to understand how unique each and every birth is. She also provides her birthing mothers with better methods for the labor & birth process. It was during OB/GYN rotations that Schuyler realized there was a better way for her to assist mothers who were giving birth. So she set out to become a doula and birth educator, one with the goal of allowing families to become well-informed. and well-prepared.
Services offered | Prenatal, labor, and birth doula.
Contact information | To contact Hawaii Doula, please use their contact form at this link.
13. Hānau Ola Wellness
Pi‘ilani is the Oahu doula behind Hānau Ola Wellness. She advocates for holistic health with passion and draws on her diverse cultural background and expertise in mindfulness to inspire others on their wellness path. Her approach to being a doula involves honoring natural vaginal birth. She shows up for her mothers as a source of support during labor and encourages natural movements, and comfort measures as a solution to discomfort.
Services offered | Prenatal, labor, and birth Oahu doula, massage, yoga, and womb care
Contact information | To contact Hānau Ola Wellness, you can fill out their contact form, at this link.
14. Where Bliss Begins
Birthwork, breathwork, and yoga are all intertwined at Where Bliss Begins. The founder, Jules, honors the Eastern historical roots of Yogi philosophy and practice. She is there to support you during your pregnancy and through the birthing process. Her approach includes in-home prenatal visits, creating a birth plan, prenatal massage, breathing techniques, and postpartum visits. Additionally, she offers support with nourishment in the first 42 days of your postpartum journey.
Services offered | Prenatal and birth doula, pre & postnatal yoga, postpartum ayurvedic meals
Contact information | Jules.d.Spitzer@gmail.com or 215.385.0211
Disclaimer
This website does not provide medical advice. The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
This blog provides general information and discussions about health & related subject matter. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking medical advice because of written information in this blog, on this website, or any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
Community Health Worker Legislation
Hawaii has proposed a bill, SB2882, that would establish a “Community Health Worker” (CHW) role require a person to be licensed in order to act as a CHW. A CHW must be associated with a community-based organization, local health care system, facility, clinic, or hospital required.
One exception to the CHW licensure is for “certified or credentialed health care practitioners practicing within their own recognized scopes of practice.” A doula is not explicitly included but it is possible that a doula practicing outside of an organization or healthcare facility would fall within this exception even if the services overlap with those of a CHW.
This bill was introduced in January 2022 and deferred in March. It is unclear from the legislative website whether this is a temporary deferral–to a future committee hearing–or indefinite which generally means the bill is dead for this legislative session.
For more on the rules & regulations on working with a doula in the state of Hawaii, please read Hawaii Senate Bill 2969