DoulaSue & Yoga, too!

22
Sep
2025

Left Coast 2025-26 Immunization Recommendations

Skeleton holding a sign that says "New Covid Vaccine Available. Get it Today!" — Photo credit: gallaugher

As we head into the fall/winter virus season (colds, Covid, flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), don’t let the headlines confuse you.

Covid-19 vaccines are still recommended for everyone over 6 months of age and remain covered at no cost to you across most private insurance plans (including Kaiser), Medicaid (know as Medi-Cal in California), CHIP, and Medicare. According to Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE), they continue to be safer than the virus, provide additional protection to all, prevent hospitalization and death, and reduce transmission, though not permanently. They also reduce your risk of Long Covid.

California strongly recommends that pregnant people get vaccinated against Covid, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pertussis (also known as whooping cough.) Prenatal vaccines may help prevent complications that include premature delivery, low birth weight, and stillbirth. When pregnant patients get vaccinated, they pass down antibodies to the fetus and again when breastfeeding newborns.

Most people get vaccines at retail pharmacies where pharmacists can counsel and vaccinate folks via shared decision making. However, be warned that you may have to advocate strongly for your immunization preferences. At my local Walgreen’s the pharmacist told me (incorrectly) that I was too young and would be billed $200 to pay for the Covid-19 vaccine. He did not care that I work with pregnant people and newborns. So I walked into a CVS/Target and easily got the flu and Covid jabs at no cost. No questions asked. Plus, I got a $10 coupon off of any $20 purchase so I bought myself 9 pairs of socks!

Here is YLE’s guide to fall vaccines, and YLE now offers a California specific newsletter here. The color chart below outlines the West Coast Health Alliance’s immunization recommendations for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season.

You can book appointments at retail pharmacies via their websites or at city clinics here via a zip code search.

Get to bed early, eat well, stay healthy and keep those preventable viruses away from yourself and our communities.

31
Jul
2023

Riding the Covid-19 Summer Wave

categories: Coronavirus, COVID-19, infants

Three and a half years into the outbreak, SARS-CoV-2, is still circulating, and we are undergoing a summer Covid-19 wave.

Indicators like virus levels in wastewater, emergency room visits, test positivity and hospital admissions are ticking up.

Thanks to vaccines, Paxlovid and Metformin, the severity of the disease has lessened and deaths are declining. However, immunity from vaccines and infections wanes over time, so we are still at risk for becoming infected and suffering from long Covid and other serious conditions including blood clots and heart problems.

We must not forget that tens of thousands of people die from Covid and the flu every year. So it’s important to adopt multi-pronged measures to prevent viruses from taking hold, including:

obtaining the new monovalent Covid-19 and flu vaccines when they are available this fall
getting your infant children new antibodies for RSV and if you’re indicated to, getting an RSV vaccine yourself
masking indoors in crowded spaces and during high levels of transmissions
improving air quality via 5 air changes per hour

Here are great resources to consult regarding all things Covid and other viruses.

KPFA Radio’s Corona Calls on Mondays at 7:30am PT features Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, who takes questions via call-in during the live broadcast. It’s also a podcast.

Violet Blue’s Huge, FREE covid safety resource list. Violet also has a weekly update on Covid-19 research and news on Thursdays via Substack that always ends with news about her two beloved feline friends.

Your Local Epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina‘s current Substack newsletter has good info on antigen (at-home) tests and false positives and what to do if you test positive.

To learn even more, be sure to read the comments from their devoted Substack readers.

Here are the National Institutes of Health guidelines for treatment of Covid-19 in pregnancy and after delivery.

Stay healthy!

15
Apr
2020

Birth Coaching in the Age of Coronavirus

categories: Breastfeeding, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Doulas, Lamaze International, Telehealth, Video Chat

COVID-19 has changed the world around us; from shelter-in-place and physical distancing measures to one-support person policies in labor and delivery. One thing that has not changed is that I am still here for you and your family.

As we navigate through this uncertain time together, I now offer you and your partner virtual childbirth education and doula services via telehealth video chat platforms like Zoom and Skype.

I am diligently keeping current on public health recommendations and research to understand how to best protect your health, your family’s health, my health and the community’s health and look forward to when we have strategies to reduce or end these shelter-in-place and distance mandates altogether. In the meantime, let’s stay home, wash our hands, avoid touching the face and practice respiratory hygiene, including wearing masks and gloves.

Virtual Doula Care includes:

6 hours of prenatal coaching for you and your partner, offered in 3 or 4 sessions via video chat
Unlimited phone and/or email consultations to address any of your concerns or questions in pregnancy and birth
Help to develop your customized written birth and newborn care plan
Postpartum Audit Worksheet to identify community resources for yourself and your baby during the Fourth Trimester
Lending library of books and video resources, including delivery to your door
On-call service 24 hours a day beginning at your 37th week and up to 2 weeks past your due date or the birth of your baby, whichever comes first
Doula toolkit filled with inflatable solar lights, essential oils, massage tools and oil, honey sticks, fan, handouts and snacks
Virtual support during labor and birth whether at home and/or hospital or birth center
Back-up doula if necessary
Facilitating parent/baby skin-to-skin contact and support with breastfeeding initiation
Postpartum appointment upon your return home to check on you and baby and offer postnatal resources

Interested in working together? Connect with me here. Meanwhile, I invite you to experience this Ecotherapeutic Meditation, courtesy of the New York Times. It features scenes and sounds from nature to help your body release the stress of constantly bracing for a disaster.

22
Jun
2019

Come Connect at Doulahood’s Meet & Mingle

categories: Doulas, Postpartum Care

Doulas in the ‘hood! Come connect with me and my fellow postpartum doulas this Monday evening at the San Francisco Birth Center. Find out how we nourish and nurture the human being who has become two (or more)! All expectant families are welcome. The event is free and you can RSVP on the Doulahood Facebook page if you like. As a postpartum caregiver, I support you, the birthing parent, the partner and the rest of your family as you navigate the first 6 weeks or so at home with your infant(s).

If you or someone you know seeks doula care, please know that I have both birth and postpartum doula openings this summer, fall and into the New Year. Other opportunities to meet me include the July 13 and August 10 San Francisco Doula Group’s monthly Meet the Doulas gatherings. You may also connect with me via my website contact page.

31
Mar
2018

Prenatal Partner Yoga & Massage Workshop

categories: Partner yoga, Thriveability, Yoga

Calling all pregnant people and birth partners! Please join me on Saturday, June 2, from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm for a playful and educational Prenatal Partner Yoga and Massage Workshop at Thriveability Yoga, You and your partner (spouse, significant other, parent, sister or friend) will deepen your connection with baby, enhance your communication skills, and build trust and confidence in preparation for labor and birth. The presence and participation of a birth partner during labor and birth is a powerful aid for the mother during this significant physical, emotional and spiritual transition.

During the first half of the workshop, we will practice yoga positions, breath awareness, relaxation, vocalization and visualization techniques that can be used to encourage labor progress and ease fear and discomfort. In the second half, we will emphasize massage, relaxation and non-verbal communication via touch, including acupressure techniques. Women in any stage of pregnancy and their birth partner are welcome. No yoga experience is necessary. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing, eat a light meal before class, bring a snack and a water bottle.

Register by May 28th to pay only $70 per couple. After May 28, the cost is $80 per couple.

Find my other yoga class offerings (prenatal and postnatal) on my yoga class page.

15
Feb
2018

Yoga in West Portal

categories: infants, Yoga

I am happy to be teaching at Thriveability Yoga & Wellness in West Portal on Thursdays.

Come meet other yoga students at all stages of pregnancy in this safe and supportive environment at the 10:30 a.m. Prenatal Yoga Class. Prepare your body for birth, increase circulation, and reduce pregnancy discomforts through specific prenatal postures, breath work and guided relaxation. The studio also has a Sunday 5 p.m. weekly prenatal yoga class taught by Tonia.

We also offer a 4-week Parent/Baby Postnatal Series from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Thursdays.

I will be teaching the next series starting on March 1. (No class on March 22nd). Safely get back to a yoga practice post-baby, while being in a supportive and caring environment with other parents and their pre-crawling babies. Release tension in the neck, shoulders, back and hips from caring for baby and enjoy safe core work. Please wait 6-8 weeks postpartum before attending to honor the body’s healing process.

Pre-register by February 26th: $65.

After Feb. 26 registration cost is: $75

Drop-In (Pay in Studio): $20

Class passes or memberships cannot be applied towards the postnatal series.

01
Aug
2016

Come Spread Your Wings! Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga at The Mindful Body

categories: infants, Yoga

Summertime and not only is the livin’ easy but it’s time for me to substitute for vacationing yoga instructors!

So, if you’re pregnant or have a baby, please join me on Thursday mornings in August and on the first of September at The Mindful Body for prenatal and parent/baby yoga classes.

Plus, on Wednesday, August 10, I’ll be at the Integral Yoga Institute to sub the 6 p.m. prenatal yoga class. 770 Dolores near 21st Street.

Let’s rise up singing, spread our wings and take to the sky!

23
Jan
2016

The “O” in Doula

categories: Doulas

I was at a birth where the nurse omitted the “o” in the word “doula” on the whiteboard listing the names of the care team. I was listed as the “dula.” It reminded me of my work in public relations where I am careful not to omit the “l” in public! The “o” in doula is vital and powerful. “O” is for:

O x y g e n
O p e n
O p p o r t u n i t y
O x y t o c i n
O r g a s m
O v a l
good o u t c o m e s !

Fellow doulas came up with:

O o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o (as in moaning)
O m (as in meditating)
O v a r i e s
O p t i m u m
“o” r i n g s
O p t i m i s t i c
O m n i p o t e n t
O h B a b y!
O u t r a g e o u s l y F A B U L O U S
O d d b a l l s ?

What does the “o” in doula mean to you?

23
Jan
2015

UCSF Women’s Hospital to Open on Feast Day of St. Brigid — Patron of Midwives & Mariners

categories: Doulas, mariners & midwives, St. Brigid, UCSF Women's Hospital, Yoga

Mother Nature plays a key role in San Francisco’s new UCSF Mission Bay 36-bed Women’s Hospital, opening February 1.

Natural light pours through the large windows inviting the outdoors inside, adding garden greenery and spacious skies. From a hallway window you can look out to the Pier 70 ship repair yard, San Francisco Bay and the Oakland Hills. Patients can walk outside to the terrace roof gardens designed to reduce storm water runoff and keep pollutants out of the bay.

Pregnant women and partners looking for prenatal yoga will be pleased to know that Giggling Lotus Yoga, where I teach on Saturdays at 1 p.m. is only 5 blocks away in the Dogpatch. I believe UCSF is the only SF hospital that does not offer prenatal yoga. So come join us!

View of ship yard, bay and Oakland Hills — View of gardens, shipyard and the Oakland Hills

February 1 should be an auspicious opening because it falls on the same day as the Gaelic festival Imbolc which celebrates the coming of spring. Derived from the Old Irish word, “I m bolg,” it means “in the belly” and refers to the pregnancy of ewes. Originally associated with the pagan fire and fertility goddess Brigid, the Imbolc festival later came to honor the Christian St. Brigid, who in Ireland represents the aspect of divine femininity in her role as patron of:

babies; blacksmiths; boatmen; cattle farmers; children whose parents are not married; children whose mothers are mistreated by the children’s fathers; Clan Douglas; dairymaids; dairy workers; fugitives; infants; Ireland; Leinster, mariners; midwives; milkmaids; nuns; poets; the poor; poultry farmers; poultry raisers; printing presses; sailors; scholars; travelers and watermen.

Isn’t that perfect considering the history of Potrero Hill and Mission Bay?

Laboring women will enjoy the deep bath tubs and probably be indifferent to the huge “media wall” which, our community tour guide said, offers patients access to education videos, medical records, entertainment, food service and environmental controls. To me it seems like more opportunity for partners and family members to ignore a laboring woman’s emotional and physical needs. Don’t forget that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 2 not watch any TV or be exposed to screens (smart phones, tablets, etc.)

The media wall could work great for playing music, sound recordings of nature, guided relaxations and birth affirmations to help moms relax during labor. The rooms also have a sleeper sofa for family, refrigerator, rocking chair, and wireless Internet. A volunteer doula program will support low-income women in labor. Just like at the Parnassus campus birthing center, nitrous oxide, “a lower-tech alternative to epidural for pain control” is available. Let’s hope they leave behind the photos of Indira Gandhi and Margy Thatcher!

MORE FACTS:

PDF Map of the entire UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay

UCSF Betty Irene Moore Women’s Hospital, 1855 4^th Street between 16^th and Mariposa.

I could not figure how they count 36 beds for the birthing center. According to the floor plan (see below) there are 12 antepartum rooms, 9 labor & delivery rooms, 9 triage rooms plus 24 postpartum beds. Let me know if you can figure it out.

The adjacent Children’s Hospital houses the Emergency Room and serves all patients young and old, pregnant or not:

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, 1975 4^th Street at the corner of Mariposa.

Please share any information you have about the new hospital in the comments box below. May UCSF and the mothers who will be birthing during Imbolc have an easy and smooth transition as they birth themselves into being. Wishing you all of the best. Many blessings from St. Brigid!

What a laboring woman sees when entering the hospital! — What a laboring woman in transition probably sees upon arriving 🙂

02
Dec
2014

Doula Care and World AIDS Day

categories: Doulas, health disparities, HIV/AIDS, Lamaze International, Pregnancy and HIV

To mark World AIDS Day I want to spotlight the innovative role that doulas can play in patient care and prevention. Doulas function as community health workers who can join with families, doctors, nurses, advocacy groups, researchers and policymakers to help achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Today, HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence because of improved medical treatments.

Presenting my research at the 2013 Lamaze International Conference in New Orleans

People living with the virus can have children without transmitting it to their infants. According to the CDC, the number of women with HIV giving birth in the United States has increased by 30%. Women who take antiretroviral medication during pregnancy can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to their babies to less than 1%.

For my public health graduate school culminating experience, I researched evidence-based HIV education methods used by allied health professionals to inform the development of an HIV training curriculum for doulas.

Doulas who receive training in HIV care would be well placed to enhance service delivery to expectant women living with HIV. The continual skilled social, emotional and informational support provided by doulas could greatly optimize the health and well being of expectant women with HIV and their newborns over their life course and help contribute to the elimination of health disparities across generations. Most doula training organizations, however, do not incorporate HIV education into their standard or continuing education curricula.

As professional caregivers, doulas can help increase the mother’s knowledge and understanding of the illness, provide social support, foster trust, and improve retention in care and adherence to treatment.

To learn more, see my project abstract, poster and Power Point presentation.