Birth & Postpartum Doula

Support for the sweet hours of welcoming new life.

Calm, steady care from late pregnancy through labor and into those hazy first weeks at home, for you and your partner.

Book a free consultation See packages

Placer · Nevada · Sacramento Counties

Sweet Hour Birth Services logo: a line drawing of a mother holding her newborn inside an oval, with a peach flower
Alexandra Marsden, smiling
Alexandra Marsden

Meet your doula

Hi, I’m Alexandra.

As a mom to three energetic boys, I know firsthand just how transformative, intense, and beautiful the journey into parenthood can be. That personal experience, combined with a deep passion for supporting growing families, led me to found Sweet Hour Birth Services.

As a birth and postpartum doula, my heart is in helping expectant parents navigate pregnancy, labor, and early parenthood with confidence and peace of mind. Whether we are preparing a birth plan together, working through labor support techniques, or easing into those precious, hazy postpartum weeks, my goal is to make sure both you and your partner feel fully supported, heard, and empowered every step of the way.

Based in Northern California, I proudly serve families across Placer, Nevada, and Sacramento Counties. I would be honored to walk alongside you during your sweet hours of welcoming new life.

Currently completing DONA International doula certification

Start here

Let’s connect & share your vision

Complimentary · 60 minutes

Choosing a doula is a deeply personal decision, and it starts with finding someone who feels like the right fit for your family. In this relaxed hour, held virtually or over coffee, we’ll get acquainted, talk through your hopes for your birth, and discuss how I can support you and your partner.

There is zero pressure or obligation to book. It’s an open conversation to help you feel supported from step one.

Schedule your consultation

Birth support

Birth doula packages

These are my rates while I complete my DONA International certification. Families who book now lock in these prices, which will increase once I’m DONA-certified.

Birth

Birth Doula Package

Continuous care from late pregnancy through the early postpartum days.

$1,200Standard rate later: $1,800
  • 2 prenatal sessionsShaping your birth preferences, hands-on practice with comfort measures and positions, and plain-language answers about your options.
  • 24/7 on-call supportI’m on call for you in the weeks surrounding your due date.
  • Continuous labor & birth supportPhysical, emotional, and informational support through your entire labor, for you and your birth partner.
  • 1 postpartum debrief visitTime to process your birth story, check in on your healing and emotional well-being, and see how baby is settling in.

Signature · Best value

Complete Birth & Postpartum

Full-spectrum support from pregnancy through your first weeks at home.

$1,750Standard rate later: $2,600
  • Everything in the Birth Doula Package2 prenatal visits, on-call support, continuous labor support, and a postpartum debrief.
  • 16 hours of postpartum doula careTwo 8-hour or four 4-hour shifts, daytime or overnight, spread across 2 to 4 weeks.
  • In-home family careFeeding support and infant care, protected rest for mom, light housework, and nourishing meals.

The fourth trimester

Postpartum care packages

Gentle, dedicated care in your home to help you recover, build confidence, and settle into a peaceful routine. Every package can be scheduled as 4-hour or 8-hour shifts, daytime or overnight.

PackageShiftsWeekdays
$40/hr		Weekends
$45/hr
Two-Week Transition16 hours · the first days home 4 × 4 hr
or 2 × 8 hr		 $640$720
Four-Week Nurture Most popular32 hours · steady recovery support 8 × 4 hr
or 4 × 8 hr		 $1,280$1,440
Six-Week Sanctuary48 hours · full fourth-trimester care 12 × 4 hr
or 6 × 8 hr		 $1,920$2,160

Mixing weekdays and weekends?

$1,320
32 hours total

Healing & rest

Your physical recovery, emotional well-being, and real, uninterrupted sleep come first.

Feeding support

Hands-on help with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and settling into a feeding rhythm.

Newborn care

Soothing, bathing, diapering, and learning to read your baby’s cues.

A calm home

Light tidying, meal and snack prep, and helping big siblings adjust.

Local resources

Referrals to parent groups, pediatric care, and postpartum specialists near you.

Rates are $40 per hour for weekday shifts (Monday–Friday) and $45 per hour for weekend shifts (Saturday–Sunday). Packages that mix weekdays and weekends are priced by the days actually scheduled.

Need more time? Extra postpartum hours can be added to any package at the same hourly rates.

Book your free consultation

Call or text Alexandra

916-307-8014

Call Text

When you reach out, share your due date, your city, and where you’re planning to give birth.