Pam Serna Photo

Pam Serna

Doula Pam (Sacred Journey Childbirth)

Long Beach, CA Service range 22 miles $75 travel fee for births 25 miles away

http://birthdoulapam.com

//instagram.com/pdoula

Birth Fee

$1800 to $2000

Postpartum Rate

$50 to $100

Availability Remarks: I work with CARROT Insurance

Birth Fee

$1800 to $2000

Postpartum Rate

$50 to $100


Medicaid and Third Party Insurers

Currently approved to receive payments from the following programs:


Birth Doula Experience

6 years and 35 births attended

Postpartum Doula Experience

2 years


Birth Doula Certifications

  • DONA International - Certified Birth Doula

Doula Training

  • DONA International-Approved Workshop, June 2018

Type of practice: Solo practice

Clients per month: 1 to 3 births and 1 to 3 postpartum families

Postpartum limits/restrictions: No overnights.

Attends hospital births? All Hospitals

Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers

Attends home births? Any Home Birth


College Education

BA/BS


Special Services Offered

  • Acupressure
  • Aromatherapy
  • Childbirth education services
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Military families support
  • Mother blessing celebrations
  • Parenting consulting
  • Photography - Birth
  • Photography - Newborn
  • Sibling support (for your older children at the birth)
  • Virtual and remote doula support

Training Documentation

credential


Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

Previous to the Medi-Cal Doula benefit, I provided volunteer doula services. Now I am happy to work with families who would otherwise not be able to afford doula support through working with medi-cal.

Languages Spoken

  • English

Fee Details

I work with the following Medi-Cal healthplans: LA Care, HealthNet, CalOptima, Molina I work with CARROT Insurance

Service Area

Long Beach, CA Service range 22 miles $75 travel fee for births 25 miles away

Certifications for Pam Serna

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Certification

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Client Testimonials for Pam Serna

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Carrie & Adam

9/11/2024

Pam has been a beautiful addition as we grow our family! From the moment we connected, she has been responsive, accommodating and kind. We began our journey new to the area, transferring care from out of state, and the insurance confusion on my end was enough to drive me crazy, and Pam stepped in to manage the coverage on her end, which we know is a lot. Our first Prenatal appointment was getting to know one another and some initial info, and her calm tone, steady and thoughtful answers and overall demeanor made her a great fit for us. We had 3 total appointments (with great suggestions for reading, exercises and mental prep) before she joined us at the hospital for a long, overnight labor and birth.

Being our first child, we were in uncharted territory and Pam was a perfect compliment. She brought a light machine that created the most perfect ambience from the start. During the long labor, Pam consistently shared insight and background to options given by nurses and offered valuable suggestions - from new positions to helping bring down my fever without intervention. She eloquently conversed with nurses to clarify and provide welcomed suggestions that worked. I remember her beautiful voice encouraging my natural noises, her suggestions for my partner to take breaks (and she stepped in) and gently pulling my hair back when it came undone. I could look in her eyes and see a steadfast partner who had my back and knew I could push through the tough times.

I would absolutely work with Pam again, and highly suggest her to anyone looking for calm, open yet knowledgable partner in the process. She aligned with our low-intervention approach, yet I feel her openness to supporting any desired approach without judgement. She comes with confidence and is willing to voice when she doesn't have an answer or believes it's a personal choice. We are looking forward to Postpartum support.

Melissa Stringfellow

8/16/2024

I am SO thankful that God guided us to Pam! I started looking for a doula in my first trimester, when I began considering an unmedicated hospital birth. I was overwhelmed with trying to find the right doula who served our area while dealing with terrible nausea. But when I saw Pam's website, I knew she was the one! As a Christian, having a faith-filled, God-centered birth was very important to me. And Pam definitely brought that (and more) to the table.

At around 20 weeks pregnant, I was told I had a complete placenta previa. My dreams of an unmedicated and uncomplicated birth were shattered. But Pam was so encouraging and helped me to stay positive. She even prayed with me over the phone before my follow-up ultrasound. I'm thankful that we started working with Pam earlier in my pregnancy, because she was so helpful throughout it all. She always made herself available for a phone call or any questions I had. She also has so much knowledge and gave me many resources such as books to borrow, websites, and even recommendations for childbirth classes.

Now for the birth! Thankfully, my placenta previa resolved, so I planned for an unmedicated hospital birth. Pam met us at the hospital, and her presence was so calming and comforting. She made sure to communicate my wishes to hospital staff and even took precious pictures throughout labor and delivery. After birth, she busted out some delicious home made soup that was much needed.

Anyway, I'm just blabbing now. But I would 100% recommend Pam!! Her calm presence and wealth of knowledge and resources made my pregnancy and delivery cherished memories.

Synclair

11/30/2023

Pam is an incredible doula. She is knowledgeable, peaceful, caring, thoughtful, patient, and kind.

She was the perfect doula for my unmedicated hospital birth. I was nervous about all the potential interventions that would be pushed on me so I needed someone who would help me achieve this goal.

She did a phenomenal job supporting and encouraging my wishes. When the hospital pushed for one intervention, she was quick to give me research that helped me make my own decision—which happened to be contrary to the hospital policy. Her presence helped me feel confident about the decisions I made, and without her I would have caved into many things and looked back with regret.

Even though the birth didn’t go as I hoped— I was in labor for 3 days and ended up taking the epidural and pitosin, I’m confident that without her I would’ve ended up getting a c section. Instead, I was able to deliver my baby vaginally which was a huge blessing.


She supported me by providing research relevant to the circumstances I faced, teaching my husband and I what exercises we could be doing to help me cope with labor, applying acupressure, and bringing candles and lights to our labor.

On top of all the things that she did for us, Pam is a really nice person to get to know. I’m grateful for her, and she holds a special place in my heart.

She’s probably the best doula in Los Angeles ?? and I’m happy I was able to find a Christian doula.

Michelle Rodriguez

11/15/2023

My experience with Pam was very pleasant. She helped with my second pregnancy and listened to all my concerns and wants for this baby. My first labour experience was something that I was not thinking to have again so I reached out to her and planned an unmedicated birth even though I had so much doubt in myself, I never thought I was capable of achieving as I heard so many people describing it as a nightmare but thanks to Pam for her knowledge she had me practicing breathing techniques as well as some exercises along with knowledge of how my body works during labour. It was hard and painful but I had a wsy better experience than my first and also it was a super fast delivery. Thanks Pam for believing in me :) 

Emma

3/11/2023

Pam was such a valuable asset to have at my birth. We wanted to have support for both myself and my husband throughout the process and Pam was able to help us feel informed and confident going into labor and helped me feel comfortable during labor while also helping my husband to support and comfort me. Her calm, comforting, and encouraging manner reminded me to stay focused and grounded throughout my unmediated labor and delivery.

She provided info and resources prenatally that helped me prepare my body for birth as well as breastfeeding resources, mindfulness practices, and even brought me food postpartum!

My favorite service she provided was capturing moments of labor, delivery, and right after; via video, photos, and notes to help me remember quotes and beautiful moments from the process that I can look back on and share.

We were on the fence about hiring a doula but when we had a consultation with Pam, we instantly felt a connection and knew she would be an invaluable resource. I am SO thankful we decided to have her present, I can’t imagine what the process would have been like without her by our side.

Jen Khoshafian

11/2/2022

Pam is an exceptional Doula and it has been such a blessing to be able to work with her during my pregnancy, labor, and delivery of my third baby! Having recently moved to the Orange County area, I had found a new OB and would be delivering at a different hospital than my previous deliveries. Already in my third trimester and just weeks away from my due date, my husband and I decided that we would inquire about having a Doula. After inquiring, Pam responded right away and we had an initial zoom call. I instantly felt so comfortable with Pam and was able to share so freely knowing I was accepted and validated. It was also so wonderful to know that Pam and I shared the same Spiritual views and values. We scheduled a home visit so that we could review labor positions and other important information with my husband as well and get some hands on practice. Little did we know I would be going into labor just hours later!
Later that evening, my water broke and I texted Pam right away. Pam responded within minutes and I was able to call and speak with her over the phone as well. We made a game plan for the evening and I waited and labored at home until my contractions became a bit stronger. We then headed to the hospital and met there around 1:30 am. I was at 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced when the nurse had checked me. Pam stayed up with me all throughout the night as I labored. She was such a calming presence and read affirmations to me and Scripture verses. It was a long night and we didn't get much sleep but I feel that she was the perfect Doula for me especially in enduring such a long and arduous labor.
After some unexpected challenges, our precious baby was born at 3 pm later that afternoon. Pam was with us the entire time. She never left my side and continued to encourage me throughout the entire labor and delivery.
I truly had such a wonderful experience with Pam and I highly recommend her for anyone looking for a Doula in the Orange County area!

Scarlett

5/5/2020

The way that I found Pam was a bit of a journey. I was experiencing SO much fear and anxiety about pregnancy and birth, and was told by a friend that having a doula would be a great option to help calm those feelings. As a Christian, finding a doula with the same core values as my husband and me was very important, so that is what I sought out. I stumbled upon a Christian birthing class called "A Heavenly Welcome" where she had listed Christian doulas on her website. I contacted Pam right away, and knew from our very first meeting that she was the right choice for us. Not only is she gracious, understanding, gentle, and soothing but she takes her role as a doula very seriously with an evidence based, scientific approach that she has researched in depth (which I greatly appreciate). I had such a difficult pregnancy, and she was always there for emotional support, helpful advice, and prayer. One of my favorite things about Pam is that she gave me the tools and resources, then let me sort of take the leading role in this process. She was at the ready at all times in the weeks before my due date, and had everything we needed to usher in a beautiful, calm birth when the day came (flameless candles, oils, soft music, etc). Though I did a traditional hospital birth, it was still such an incredible experience and I believe that having Pam there with us made a world of difference. She helped lead the breaths during birth and was right next to us to cheer us on the whole time, and she came to check on us after the baby was born, with a delicious meal in hand. I'm just so grateful to have had this experience with Pam, and highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a wonderful, down to earth doula. 

Scarlett

5/5/2020

The way that I found Pam was a bit of a journey. I was experiencing SO much fear and anxiety about pregnancy and birth, and was told by a friend that having a doula would be a great option to help calm those feelings. As a Christian, finding a doula with the same core values as my husband and me was very important, so that is what I sought out. I stumbled upon a Christian birthing class called "A Heavenly Welcome" where she had listed Christian doulas on her website. I contacted Pam right away, and knew from our very first meeting that she was the right choice for us. Not only is she gracious, understanding, gentle, and soothing but she takes her role as a doula very seriously with an evidence based, scientific approach that she has researched in depth (which I greatly appreciate). I had such a difficult pregnancy, and she was always there for emotional support, helpful advice, and prayer. One of my favorite things about Pam is that she gave me the tools and resources, then let me sort of take the leading role in this process. She was at the ready at all times in the weeks before my due date, and had everything we needed to usher in a beautiful, calm birth when the day came (flameless candles, oils, soft music, etc). Though I did a traditional hospital birth, it was still such an incredible experience and I believe that having Pam there with us made a world of difference. She helped lead the breaths during birth and was right next to us to cheer us on the whole time, and she came to check on us after the baby was born, with a delicious meal in hand. I'm just so grateful to have had this experience with Pam, and highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a wonderful, down to earth doula. 

Ericka Charbonnet

12/2/2019

Pam was such a blessing to us throughout the pregnancy and birthing process. With our birth plan she listened, offered ideas/resources and encouraged us along the way. She went above and beyond and created affirmation cards for me to focus on in the birthing room. 
While our birth did not go as planned, Pam's  support was unmatched. We are very grateful for her heart for the birth process and supporting soon to be mamas!

Stephanie Bandera

4/13/2019

I cannot say enough good things about Pam! From beginning to end she has been a such a great support and resource. Always providing me very pertinent information, always available to talk through my worries or concerns, and supportive of my birth plan. I had a very difficult 4 day labor and I would not have made it through without her guidance, support and dedication. Her gentle, calming energy eased a very painful back labor. Somehow she found time to take some amazing photos I will always cherish and take notes of my labor all the while giving counter pressure through my contractions. If you really want a doula who meets all your needs : physical, emotional, and spiritual from pregnancy to post partum I highly recommend Pam.

Joy Ij Okoro

12/12/2018

Pam is a remarkable doula. She was with me throughout my pregnancy and went above and beyond her doula duties. She always check up on me throughout my pregnancy and sent me encouraging prayers which helped me throughout my pregnancy.  And every time I called on her, she was always there for me. She’s actually God sent. During my labor which started on oct. 17th, she slept in the hospital with me till I gave birth on October 18th. She made the birth of my twins easier. I don’t know what I could have done without her. She even connected me to other doulas that helped me out during and after my pregnancy. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a doula, and I am sure she will give you her all as well.

Birth Availability for Pam Serna

= Available. Calendar last updated: 12-02-2024

Postpartum Availability for Pam Serna

= Available. Calendar last updated: 12-02-2024