Sandy Blackwood, CD
Compassionate, experienced birth support for families in San Diego.
You Deserve a Birth Experience Filled with Loving Support and Continuous Care
I’m Sandy Blackwood, a certified birth doula here in San Diego.
It is my honor and privilege to support families through one of life’s most profound journeys with compassion, confidence, knowledge, and love for the whole process.
From finding out you’re pregnant to holding your newborn and bonding with all the love your heart can hold, I would love to be there for you and hold space for every new moment and feeling.
With hands-on experience, extensive training, and a true passion for empowering birthing families, I am dedicated to providing you with the emotional, physical, and informational support you need to feel confident, secure, and fully prepared for every step of your birthing journey.
From the moment you learn you’re pregnant to those first quiet moments holding your newborn, I’m here to walk alongside you—holding space for every feeling, every question, and every new beginning.
My goal is simple: for you to feel safe, informed, and genuinely supported so you can look back on your birth experience with pride, peace, and joy.
My Credentials
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1396528931
In-network Tricare Provider
Medi-Cal Approved Provider
As a certified provider, I’m happy to work with your insurance provider. I never want cost to keep anyone from having a doula.
Call to find out what is possible.
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Vanessa R.
Sandy was a literal lifesaver through our birthing experience! When she entered the room, the entire process became calm and focused. I trusted her immediately and felt so grateful to be in her capable hands. She was also incredibly helpful to my husband — giving him a break and allowing him to take in the…
My Approach to Supporting You
Collaborative & Inclusive
I honor your needs, preferences, and support team in every decision. We work together to shape your birth experience so it feels right for you.
Evidence-Informed & Heart-Led
I blend solid knowledge and training with intuition, empathy, and lived experience as a mother, veteran, and long-time doula.
Centered on You
Every person, pregnancy, and birth is unique. I tailor my support to you—your body, your baby, your values—not a generic template.
My Path to Becoming a Doula
Volunteer & Program Coordinator at UCSD
My journey into birth work began years ago, attending friends’ births and realizing how powerful continuous, loving support can be.
I later joined UCSD’s Hearts and Hands Volunteer Doula Program, first as a volunteer doula and eventually as the Program Coordinator. In those roles, I’ve supported many families from all walks of life—providing continuous support during labor, advocating for their preferences, and helping to train new volunteer doulas.
I remain closely connected to this community, offering guidance and backup support whenever someone needs it, day or night.
Service in the U.S. Navy
Long before doula work, I served in the U.S. Navy. That experience shaped my resilience, discipline, and commitment to being reliable under pressure—all qualities I bring into the birth space when supporting families through intense and sacred moments.
Motherhood
As a mother myself, I understand firsthand the physical, emotional, and mental shifts that come with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. That lived experience helps me connect deeply with the families I serve and offer genuine empathy at every stage.
Training, Certifications, and Continuing Education
- Certified Birth Doula – International Doula Institute
- Ongoing education through:
- UCSD courses and workshops
- DONA International trainings
- For the Village – community birthworker education
- Postpartum support training to help families after birth with newborn care, emotional adjustment, and practical support
- Extensive lactation education to provide foundational breastfeeding guidance and support
While I am not a certified lactation consultant, I’ve completed multiple lactation courses so I can offer practical support and help connect you with additional resources when needed.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1396528931
In-network Tricare Provider
Medi-Cal Approved Provider
Military Service in the U.S. Navy
Before becoming a doula—and many years ago—I served in the U.S. Navy, where I developed the discipline, resilience, and dedication that now guide me when I’m supporting families through their pregnancies and during the intensity of labor and birth.
Motherhood
As a mother myself, I understand firsthand the challenges, joys, and emotions that come with pregnancy, birth, and parenting. This personal experience helps me connect deeply with the families I serve, offering empathy and understanding at every stage of the journey.
I’d Be Honored to Support Your Birth Story
If you’re looking for a doula who will truly listen, hold space for your emotions, and stand beside you through every contraction and every milestone—let’s talk.
Together, we can create a birth experience that feels positive, empowering, and deeply yours.