Manzanita Doula Group
DOULAS
Manzanita Doula Group is a team of professionally trained women who live and work in Tuolumne County. We are passionate about supporting blossoming families and our community! MZDG offers prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum education and support. We specialize in massage and comfort measures, hypnotherapy, VBAC support, breastfeeding, and babywearing. Our doulas are available for home, birth center and hospital births.
Lara began her journey into birth work over two decades ago! She received training as a Birth and Postpartum Doula in San Francisco with 4th Trimester and specialized in working with multiples and night care for new families. She especially loved seeing new moms grow in their confidence as mothers under her special care. Lara continued her training as a Birth Doula at Blossom Birth Center in Palo Alto while she was pregnant with her second child. Having a Doula present for that birth only further solidified the belief in the invaluable role a Doula can play for birthing women and their families. After working with mothers and babies in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for four years, Lara moved to Tuolumne County and has been serving families here for the last fifteen years. Her experience birthing four children of her own in a variety of settings, both home and hospital, makes Lara a sympathetic and versatile Doula. She offers a variety of skills and comfort measures to her clients during labor and birth, and helps her families advocate for themselves and their birth experience. Lara's goal is to always provide mothers with the support they need to feel empowered. She believes that birth is a sacred time and will always respect any and all decisions her clients make in order to have their best birth experience.
Mindy discovered her passion for birth work after the arrival of her first child and acquired professional Doula training in 2012. In 2015, she experienced a VBAC with her second child. Her insatiable thirst for birth knowledge motivates her to continuously pursue education. She received her certificate as a Lactation Educator Counselor from UC San Diego in 2016, and her Reiki Level 1 certification in 2018. Mindy is an enthusiastic and skilled Doula who, along with invaluable breastfeeding support, offers her clients physical, emotional and informational support throughout pregnancy and birth. She brings a variety of comfort measures and creative suggestions to the birthing room and will always do so with a smile. Her dedication and calm demeanor make her a great addition to the team. She truly believes that every birthing family deserves an advocate and strives to provide excellent care to her clients in any setting they choose.
Manzanita Doula Group provides information and education to clients during pregnancy. Subjects covered during prenatal visits include natural pain management and comfort techniques, positions for labor, partner support, birth preferences/birth plan, and breastfeeding education.
Our on-call availability begins at your 39th week of pregnancy and includes support via phone, text, and email for educational and emotional support.
We provide continuous support through labor and birth. We can join you at your home or chosen delivery location. Our doulas are trained in breastfeeding support and can assist after birth.
Services and Package Options
Package 1
$800.00
One doula in attendance
1-2 Prenatal meetings (1-2 hours each)
Labor and birth support
Unlimited support via phone, text, and email
One postpartum visit (1-2 hours)
Package 3
$2,200.00
Two doulas in attendance
3 Prenatal meetings (1-2 hours each)
Labor and birth support
Unlimited support via phone, text and email
2 Postpartum visits
Babywearing 101 (see A La Carte menu for description)
25% Discount on an A La Carte service
Package 2
$1,200.00
One doula in attendance
2-3 Prenatal meetings (1-2 hours each)
Labor and birth support
Unlimited support via phone, text, and email
1-2 Postpartum visits (1-2 hours)
15% Discount on an A La Carte service
A La Carte Options and Add-Ons
An accompanied tour of chosen birth location $25.00
Accompanied visit(s) with health care provider $25.00 each
Babywearing 101 $45.00
This is a 30 minute demonstration with hands-on help. Printed instructions and home-made wrap are included. We are also able to assist with any carriers, wraps and slings.
Newborn Photography Session $60.00
This service includes an hour photo shoot and a disc of images
Lactation Support Home Visit $30.00 per hour
Assessment of latch and positioning, referrals made to Lactation Consultant on an as-needed basis.
Postpartum Doula $25.00 per hour
Services are tailored to our client's needs and include newborn education and printed materials.
Testimonials
"I can not begin to describe how wonderful it was to have Mindy by my side during pregnancy, labor and even postpartum as a support. Her energy is positive and amazing!
Before my son was born I was unfamiliar with how much a doula could help; she was very informative and helped me prepare for the experience I was going to have. I'd recommend her!" ~Cassidy
"Lara is not only an amazing doula, but a caring, compassionate, and wonderful woman. My husband and I thought we were ready to have our little one and didn't think much about the pregnancy and birth. Little did we know; his job would prevent him from being home the majority of my first trimester, have us move halfway across the country and start our lives completely over - all during my pregnancy! Lara was able to be there for me, even states away, encouraging me and teaching me. I never imagined the things I learned would help me when labor came! Lara flew out from California to Colorado to be there for the birth of our son. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her. Our birth had many complications that no one expected, but Lara's support and knowledge made it the most wonderful experience of my life. Nothing went according to our birth plan, but Lara was so calm and encouraging. She provided many comfort measures, positions, and exercises that got my husband and I through. We are so grateful for Lara." ~Corri
"Mindy was my doula for my pregnancy with my son. I'm telling you, I'm so glad I chose her because she was sooo much help during my pregnancy and especially during labor. She helped me have confidence in knowing that my body knew what to do and even gave just the right massages and knew just what I needed to hear at every point. When I told her I was ready for her she made it to the hospital quicker than my family did! I feel like she embodies what it means to be a doula and is incredibly kind-hearted, fun, and passionate about birth (like she really, really loves it). I didn't even feel weird about having her in the room while I was screaming and squeezing the little guy out. I'm definitely using her for all my future children." ~Pam
"I was no novice when it came to birth. We were expecting our fifth child, and our fourth homebirth. Having a doula was never on my to-do checklist for any of my births. I invited Lara, as she was my closest friend. I though she would just observe like the rest of the friends I had invited, but I could not have been more wrong! During the beginning stages of labor I relied on my inner strength and my husband. When things started to progress and my contractions became harder to bear, Lara became my saving grace. She has a gentleness about her and knows just what to say and how to make labor manageable. Her voice soothed me through each contraction and I knew I would be okay. I have such beautiful memories of Lara being by my side, gently helping me through. She is a wonderful doula and a beautiful person! I wish that every laboring woman could be blessed with someone as capable and loving as Lara for their doula." ~Anonymous
Contact Us
(209) 536-8201
Please include your estimated due date, city of residence, and chosen birth location.
