Angela Chang, LM, CPM

Angela empowered me to have the labor and birth that I dreamed of having. If you are hoping for a natural birth– at home, hospital or otherwise– call this woman!
My first labor was pitocin induced and I knew that for my second, I wanted to try to go into labor naturally. So I when I started to feel anxious at the end of pregnancy, I received prenatal massages & care from Angela. She is incredibly knowledgeable, competent and generous with her care– I left my appointments with questions answered that I didn’t even know I had. Her advice and support was exactly what I needed to trust the process and have an intervention free birth. She came to the hospital the day of birth to take my placenta for encapsulation. And she is making home visits for the first baby check up– rather than taking a 3 day old baby & post-​partum mama back to the hospital.
My only regret is that I didn’t hire Angela sooner. I thought that I would only ever give birth in a medical facility, but if I have another baby, I would want to home birth with Angela because of the superior level of care and the heart that she puts into her work. I cannot recommend her services highly enough.

Angela was my doula and encapsulator in July but her services began long before I was in labor and have continued into my postpartum months. I can’t say enough about how wonderful she is.
I hoped for an unmedicated birth and was able to achieve that with the support from Angela. She was there not only for me but for my husband as well, supporting him as he supported me. We took a labor and delivery course, read books, watched movies, etc. but when you are in the moment of your birth having someone to coach you and support your partner is essential.
I gave birth at Kaiser Santa Rosa and the nurses, midwives, and OBGYN’s all told me after how wonderful Angela was. I’m sure they see their fair share of doulas/​midwives so for them to go out of their way to tell me how wonderful they thought she was confirmed for me that she was both an extraordinary advocate and support for me while being respectful and working along side with the hospital.
I honestly believe Angela helped cut hours off of my labor. She encouraged and supported me to try different positions throughout my labor, which I believe helped me progress quickly and ensured my labor didn’t stall. When it came time to push I was caught off guard at how difficult it was to breath and push all at the same time. My nurses and midwife at Kaiser tried to help me understand but it was Angela and her coaching that got me through it. I locked eyes with her and her voice and tuned out everyone else. She was a calm and encouraging presence through the delivery.
Angela stayed with us after baby was born to help us start breastfeeding and made sure both baby and I were ok. A few days after the baby was born she brought me the encapsulated placenta and checked on both of us.
Hire Angela! You might not think you need a doula but you do, trust me. Having her by my side as I brought a little human into this world was the best decision I made for myself as a mother and for my newborn.

How do I write a review for someone who is as amazing as Angela? Someone who was not just my midwife, but a life-​changer. Giving this woman 5 stars is the understatement of the century.
When I first met her, I was interviewing with a few other midwives to see who was a good fit. There was something clearly different and special about Angela. She is warm, and accepting, and has the most wonderful energy about her. She took the time to answer all of my questions, and did so with joy. She treated me with the utmost respect, and for that I am grateful.
Throughout my pregnancy she was consistent, reliable, and loving. Our appointments were usually about an hour and a half, and I felt like she was genuinely interested in how I was doing and handling everything. She is so knowledgable, I can’t even believe how much I learned.
When it came time for the birth, Angela had so much confidence in me. She was patient, and was with me the entire time. My labor didn’t go exactly how I thought it would, but Angela was a rock. She was calm, and reassuring. When I had a moment to decide if I wanted to try and push or get an epidural, I heard Angela say «If I know her, she will want to push.» It was those words that gave me the strength and courage to keep going. It was those words that snapped me back to reality and allowed me to say to myself «Alright, let’s have this baby!» It is that moment that I remember the most. She gave me the space to make my own decisions. She allowed me to think for myself. She gave me the gift of respect and trust. And she encouraged me, and empowered me. She lifted me up when I needed her. She is inspiring, and passionate about what she does. I would do it all over again just to have her as my midwife once more.
After this whole experience I would trust her with my life. 5 stars is simply not enough.

Angela was my midwife for the home birth of my second child and I cannot recommend her enough. She is such a strong, positive, loving force. Her by-​the-​book clinical attention will make you feel totally confident that you are receiving very thorough and thoughtful physical care, which is a wonderful contrast to the «by-​the-​heart» care she provides in discussing all of the emotional and spiritual changes you are experiencing in your pregnancy. She was always available to answer questions, our appointments often went longer than allotted and she made me feel like a gentle warrior. On Labor Day she came and set up all of her equipment and then sat back and let me work. I felt like she had infinite trust and confidence in me being able to do what I had to do. When she helped my husband catch and the baby was brought to my arms I have this very clear memory of a beautiful silence and slowness as we were allowed the space to see each other for the first time (baby and I).
The whole package was simply amazing and she was an invaluable partner in my family’s journey. She also did our placenta encapsulation and brought the cord to us dried and braided in the shape of a heart. Angela is just simply amazing, fabulously capable, and good for your soul. Do yourself a favor and hire her, you will not be disappointed!

It has taken me far too long to write this post. Angela is pure love and no non-​sense. I met her when she was a student midwife. Words fail me for how special this woman is. Her dedication and passion for all things birth — prenatal, postnatal, the woman, the baby, the family, the relationship of the couple going through this intense time is truly inspirational. She makes you want to be pregnant again and again just to be under her care.
For my second pregnancy it took no thought at all as to who we wanted as our midwife. I can’t imagine having better prenatal care. She was professional and knew her stuff. I felt safe. She helped me find a power and strength in myself I never knew I had. At our appointments we were never rushed. It was a joy to spend time with her. We talked about the regular expected prenatal stuff — diet /​physical changes /​blood pressure /​etc. but then we also talked about family stuff /​how my husband was feeling /​if I had any fears that were coming up. We just talked. Sometimes for hours. You’ll never get that at a doctors office. never. One of my favorite parts of having in home care was getting to have my daughter involved. She was 2 at the time and Angela would have her help listen to the baby’s heartbeat and take my blood pressure. My daughter to this day walks around with her stethoscope saying «i’m like Angela. I’m gonna check your baby» all the while wearing her tiara and princess dress. You can have everything. ha.
When it came time to labor I was a force. So strong. So confident. So excited and happy. Angela got to my place and set up the tub. When there seemed to be a hiccup with the labor Angela stayed cool and calm and never made me feel any stress or worry. Rather because we had built such a relationship over that past months she trusted the baby. And I trusted her. Her belief in me still brings me to tears. She set the stage to this delivery with such thought and love. She kept me informed but let me do what I needed to do. She was hands off in the sense that I could process the way I needed but then with her doula background she also knew when to get in there and what to say. She didn’t talk down to me. She told me I could do it. She reminded me what I wanted out of this experience beyond «a baby». My trust in her let me have the birth I had worked so hard for.
Angela’s is this lovely balance of professionalism mixed with hippie mixed with real woman. She’s not one to light incense and chant but she also isn’t going to get in your way if that’s something you need. She is modern with an understanding that nature has it right if we just listen and pay attention.
Her postnatal care is just as loving and informed. And she’s a masseuse!!! come. on.
She is the whole package!!! with a stunning smile to boot. I miss her so much. maybe I will have another baby…

My wife and I hired Angela for placenta encapsulation for our first born, Harrison, born 08/​17/​2014. Angela came directly to Tarzana Hospital while we were still admitted, and then delivered the capsules to our home the day we got home. The service was excellent and I recommend Angela whenever I can. She even saved the cord and presented to us at no additional charge.

Angela is so professional and kind. We hired her again for placenta encapsulation with the birth of our second son, Clayton, and once again, delivered the same, excellent service with a quality product committed to detail and care! Should I ever need her assistance again, I’d be so pleased to work with her. Thank you, Angela!

Initially we were going to do a home birth, but for a variety of reasons things changed. I found a fabulous ob/​gyn (Kathleen Valenton) and set out to hire a doula to help me have as natural and intervention-​free a birth as possible in a hospital. I interviewed about 10 different doulas and picked Angela b/​c she has mid-​wife training and was obviously knowledgeable about birth from a variety of perspectives. I also liked her because she immediately came off as a strong, sensitive woman and as someone who also comes from a big family, I felt like she would understand how to handle my big, crazy family on the big day. I ended up having a ridiculous 52 hour labor and Angela was in touch with me via text the whole first day of the slow start and then was with all of us in the hospital for daaays as I labored slowly. My mom recalls seeing my facial expression change once Angela first arrived at the hospital. At the end, I needed a little medical help and it was sooo wonderful to know and feel Angela there helping out, supporting me, and translating the events. I HIGHLY recommend her and wish you all much luck and blessings on your births!!!

I did not know Angela until she walked into the room to help my daughter with her birthing. She brought with her a calm, knowledgeable and flexible spirit that I will never forget. That was last year and often when Im with my gorgeous grand-​daughter and beautiful daughter we still talk about the care and love that Angela provided during such an important time.

Having Angela as a doula was awesome. I learned so much about pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding from her– information I couldn’t have learned on my own. Angela is extremely dedicated to her life as a doula and her midwifery practice. She is on call to help you with anything ²⁴⁄₇. Having someone I could text with questions and get an educated response from with a great explanation was invaluable as a first time mom. Angela offered me so much encouragement and support, especially when my hospital birth didn’t go as I had hoped. Angela is a beautiful person, inside and out! I highly recommend her doula services.

Angela is down to earth, compassionate, gentle, and she listens with her heart — all the qualities you could want in a midwife/​doula. You would be hard-​pressed to find someone better to join you on your birthing journey. If I ever have another baby, I will go straight to Angela!

Angela is one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made for ourselves. She was referred by a friend with good taste, and we hired her as our doula for the birth of our baby last week. She was terrific all the way through. Very low key, there when we needed, super helpful, answered all our questions, reasonable pricing, reliable and most importantly made my husband and me feel sane/​like we would totally be able to handle both birth and having a kid. And trust me when I say I am the last person who would feel confident about being able to do that.
She actually (at our request) gave us a baby care boot camp — way better getting childcare info from her than from the classes at the hosp. And then she was with us for the whole birth — which we did at the hospital, might I add. She certainly does midwifery and home birthing, but I wanted a hospital birth and just the emotional support. She was terrific. When the doctors/​nurses changed shifts, we still had her. When they made suggestions, we had her to ask what they meant/​what she thought/​advocate for us. When my epidural wasn’t working, she pressed on my back and made it a thousand times better.
After baby, she came and checked in on us and has been a resource for questions and information. Long story short: she is the best, ever. You should hire her immediately. Unless I am having another baby, in which case I have dibs.

I wish I could give 10 stars
A review does not do justice for someone like Angela
Without her, we would have never have had the amazing, stress free birth experience like we had yestereday
She is a savior, a blessing, and a true angel and if you are lucky to have her, you are blessed

Angela was indispensable during our birth last year. She has massage therapy training, and with my wife’s back labor, that was just what we needed most! (Angela spent most of the contractions massaging my wife’s back, freeing me to coach). She was present for us, but not pushy or in the way — sort of like an excellent waiter in a great restaurant (always there when you need her, but never bothersome). We’ll use her again, and we’d recommend her for sure.

We were so lucky to have found Angela to be our doula! I had back labor that came on suddenly, and Angela was there in a heartbeat. She walked in our apartment and immediately started massaging my back just the way I needed so I could focus on relaxing and laboring. Angela was a calm, strong presence, being prepared, but not pushy. She knew how to give us what we needed and let us have the birth we wanted. Our birth was amazing, in no small part because of her. She was indispensable, we could not have asked for a better doula. I will sing her praises to everyone I meet!

I was lucky enough to find Angela during my most recent pregnancy when I needed some caring compassionate help. She was so reliable and always went above and beyond. When I went into labor I was able to rest easy knowing that Angela was there to support us. Since my pregnancy, I began having Angela give me massages and WHY didn’t I go to her sooner? It is so hard to find a really good massage therapist and Angela was able to help me finally get some relief from my tired aching (mama of two little ones) body. She definitely was able to focus on the areas that needed a lot of work and I felt so relaxed afterward. I recommend her to all my friends!

I felt so blessed to have Angela as my doula during my first birth. She is truly gifted, one of those people who shines, as she is doing what she is truly meant to do. Angela is very knowledgeable about birth – she helped us design our birth plan. She has a beautifully nurturing energy, which is so important during labor. She was so grounded and calm. Yet empowered me when I needed encouragement. Her physical adjustments during the more intense times were priceless – she has magic hands. I’m so grateful to have had the soulful, skilled and lovely Angela by my side; she is a doula extraordinaire!

Angela is the most compassionate, caring, dedicated, sensitive, warm and gentle person. All these wonderful traits come through in everything she does from her massage therapy to her doula services. I cannot imagine anyone better to assist women through pregnancy and delivery. Angela is attentive and open and comes with a wealth of knowledge and resources. She is truly amazing!

I have been getting massaged by Angela for many many years. She’s the perfect blend of giving a relaxing massage and getting right to the root of the problem in your body. She is so knowledgeable about the body and how it works she can tailor your massage to you and what you need that day, even if you don’t know what your body needs she does. AND she can come to your house! BONUS
As a person who teaches movement for a living I know my body and she knows it as well if not better than I. I am confident in her ability so much I refer her to clients and anyone looking for a knowledgable therapist.
I am not a mother nor am I pregnant but knowing Angela for many years I would still recommend her to any mother to be for her skills as a Doula because with her personality and compassion I know she is as good as a Doula as she is a Massage Therapist.