Supporting you through your birth journey with care, confidence, and a focus on your unique strength.

Gaby Guzman, San Diego birth doula

Empowered Birth Support, Your Way

Offering personalized birth doula services in San Diego and flexible virtual support for families throughout California.

I’m Gaby Guzmán, PhD — a birth doula and proud mom of two, passionate about supporting families through empowered, informed birth experiences. I offer a calm, evidence-based approach to help you feel confident and deeply supported throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Together, we’ll celebrate your strength every step of the way.

Now Accepting Medi-Cal & Insurance Billing

I’m proud to be a Medi-Cal approved doula, making high-quality birth support more accessible to families in California. If you’re covered by Medi-Cal, you won’t have to pay out of pocket—I will bill Medi-Cal directly for my services.

I also have experience filing claims directly with insurance providers, including Kaiser Permanente. If you have private insurance and are unsure about coverage, I can help you navigate the process and determine your eligibility.

Find support that works for you

Looking for personalized support before, during, or after birth? Explore my BirthPower services! I offer flexible packages, in-person support in the San Diego area, and virtual options for families throughout California. As a fluent Spanish speaker, I’m also happy to provide support in Spanish to meet your needs.

I believe in fair and transparent billing. If I’m unable to attend your birth due to unforeseen circumstances or if plans change, you’ll receive a refund for any services not provided. My mission is to ensure that doula support is accessible, reliable, and stress-free for every family.

Have questions? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out anytime at: gaby@birthpowerdoula.com.

Finding a moment of calm between surges/contractions in the tub at a hospital birth center during labor with my first child, Elise. Water can be an incredible source of relief and comfort!

How I Can Support You During Labor

I provide a range of support to help you feel confident and cared for during labor:

Physical Support

  • Assisting with labor positions to increase comfort and promote progress.

  • Providing hands-on comfort techniques, including massage and counterpressure.

  • Offering relaxation strategies, such as breathing exercises and visualization.

  • Creating a calming atmosphere with lighting, music, or aromatherapy.

Emotional Support

  • Offering constant reassurance and encouragement.

  • Helping you feel grounded and calm through every stage of labor.

  • Providing a compassionate presence for you and your partner.

Informational Support

  • Explaining what’s happening during labor and answering your questions.

  • Guiding you through your options for pain relief and medical interventions.

  • Sharing tips and tools to help you make informed decisions.

Partner Support

  • Supporting your partner in their role during labor and guiding them on how to help.

  • Providing breaks so your partner can rest and recharge.

  • Ensuring your partner feels confident and connected throughout the process.

Supporting Your Choices

  • Supporting your birth preferences while adapting to changes as needed.

  • Helping facilitate communication with your care team.

  • Empowering you to speak up and make decisions that align with your goals.

Immediate Postpartum Support

  • Assisting with early breastfeeding and newborn bonding.

  • Offering guidance and reassurance during the early recovery period.

About Me

Hi, I’m Gaby! I’m a birth doula, proud mom of two, and deeply passionate about empowering families to feel confident and supported during their birthing journey. My own transformative birth experiences—both midwife-supported at the UC San Diego Hospital Birth Center—inspired me to pursue this incredible work.

Before becoming a doula, I earned a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UC San Diego and briefly worked as a product manager in the health-tech startup space. These experiences shaped my evidence-based approach, which I combine with a calm, caring presence to create a supportive and informed birth environment.

Since early 2024, I’ve been a trained and badged volunteer doula at UC San Diego Health, attending 20 births (and counting). I also bring experience as a virtual birth and postpartum doula, having supported dozens of families in California and Texas.

One of my favorite tools to share is breathing techniques. Drawing from my own Hypnobirthing experiences, I’ll guide you in calming, focused breathing that can make a big difference before, during, and after birth. Whether you’re planning a hospital, home, or c-section birth, I’m here to collaborate with you and your care team to create a birth experience that feels right for you.

Let’s celebrate your birth power together!

When I’m not supporting families, I love spending time outdoors with my husband, Zak, and our two kids, Elise and Julian. You might find us backpacking, hiking, or exploring the trails at Torrey Pines. I also enjoy discovering new restaurants, trail running, and cherishing time with my extended family here in Southern California—a place I’m grateful to call home.

Experience Summary:

  • Completed Birth Doula training through the UC San Diego Health Heart & Hands Volunteer Program (January 2024).

  • Serving as a Badged Volunteer Doula at UC San Diego Health (March 2024 - present).

  • Provided virtual prenatal and postpartum doula support for Delfina Medical Group (April 2024 - November 2024).

  • Fully up-to-date on immunizations, including Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

  • Completed HIPAA training through UC San Diego Health.

  • American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED certified (January 2025).