Abby Herzberg
Birth doula offering deep presence, comfort, and skilled guidance.
Hi, I’m Abby.
I believe every birthing person should feel centered, listened to, and deeply held during the transformative process of birth.
I became a birth doula after giving birth to my two children and supporting friends during the birth of theirs. No birth is the same, but the power, joy, and awe that can exist in birth is profound.
My role as a doula is to understand your birth preferences and provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during your labor and birth.
Birth unfolds differently for each person, and my goal is to work with you and your support person (if you have one) to have autonomy and satisfaction on your journey.
Advocacy, Compassion, and Connection
I came to birthwork after a career in social justice advocacy. My greatest strengths are meeting people where they are, understanding and anticipating needs, and advocating for my clients’ wishes without judgment. I will never make decisions for you, but I will help you get the information you need to decide what is right for you.
I completed training with a DONA-approved doula trainer in January 2024 and am working toward certification. I have been a volunteer doula at Alta Bates in Berkeley since October 2024 where I have supported many families at all stages of labor and birth. I have also completed the following:
Spinning Babies® Foundational Workshop (February 2025)
Connection, Calm, Comfort, and Confidence Using the Rebozo (January 2025)
From Trauma to Triumph: When Survivors Give Birth, Foundational Training (March 2024)
Services
Before deciding to work together, we will have a free consultation where we explore your questions and concerns to find out if I’m a good fit. It is important for you to find a doula that makes you feel comfortable and confident! Once we have decided to work together, my birth package includes:
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We will have 2-4 prenatal visits where we cover the labor and birth process, your birth preferences and vision, comfort measures, and plan for postpartum care. I will also be available by phone, text, and email for questions as they arise.
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I am on-call 24/7 for your birth beginning at 38 weeks until you welcome your baby. I provide continuous support throughout labor and for 1-2 hours after your baby arrives. I am glad to take photos of the precious first moments with your baby or document in another way that feels meaningful to you.
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I offer 1-2 postpartum home visits depending on your needs as you settle in at home. These are tailored to what is most helpful to you, but common topics include processing your birth experience, your overall physical and mental wellbeing, feeding and baby care questions, and admiring your beautiful new baby!
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Ensuring you have the information and resources you need is an important part of my job. I will point you to research, books, articles, podcasts, and the like, on topics that arise during your pregnancy and after birth. I also gladly provide referrals for services I do not provide (e.g. lactation consultant, new parent groups, acupuncture, etc.).
Testimonials
Sam & Corina’s Story
“When we first went into labor, we didn’t think we needed a doula. But as the process unfolded, it became clear that things weren’t going as we had expected. As labor intensified, both of us—mom and dad—struggled to stay calm and emotionally grounded. That’s when we decided to reach out to see if one of the hospital’s volunteer doulas was available.
The moment Abby arrived, her presence brought an immediate sense of relief. With her steady guidance and reassuring energy, she helped us navigate the emotional and physical challenges of labor. From suggesting effective laboring positions to keeping us informed about potential decisions and their implications, Abby provided the support we didn’t even realize we needed. Thanks to her, the experience became far more manageable and less overwhelming.
We are beyond grateful for Abby’s calming presence and compassionate care. If we ever go through childbirth again, we wouldn’t hesitate to have her by our side. Thank you, Abby, for everything—you truly made a difference.”
— Sam & Corina
Sarah’s Story
“My wife and I were lucky enough to have Abby as a doula with the arrival of our twins. The babies were modi identical twins (aka: a very high risk birth of twins who shared a placenta). We were beyond nervous going into a medically necessary induction at 37 weeks with the babies needing continuous heart rate monitoring throughout. Abby’s steady support over what turned out to be 65+ hours of labor was a key factor in what could have gone down in my psyche as a major trauma but instead lives in me as a deeply healing and transformative experience. When I was so exhausted and I needed to sleep, but too anxious to actually rest because I was worried the heart rate monitors would fall off and put the babies at risk, Abby braided my hair to calm me down, and then sat by me—listening and making sure the monitors stayed put— not leaving my side while I slept for hours for the first time in days. (Keeping two heart rate monitors straight is not an easy task!) This gentle profound care and embodied attunement that Abby brings to her presence as a doula is extraordinary and cannot be taught. It only comes with a deep commitment to the dignity of birthing people, and practiced capacity to hold what can be the overwhelming intensity of birth with a grounded trust in the process.
Everything from her keen understanding of birth, competence and guidance when it comes to supporting decision making about medical intervention, to her fierce advocacy on my behalf--protecting my wishes and the dignity of our queer family with the many medical professionals we worked with, to her loving and focused presence as someone accompanying, and her wise ability to know when to give me and my wife space and when to be involved helped my body and my growing family feel safe and cared for as we went through the biggest transition of our lives.“
— Sarah
Let’s connect!
Feel free to email me or use enclosed form, and be sure to include your estimated due date, your expected birth location and any other details you feel might be important.
abbyyourdoula@gmail.com