About Laura Todaro
CNM, IBCLC, PMH-C
Your Partner in Perinatal Care
To help you feel informed, confident, and cared for as you navigate the transformative moments of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Meet Laura Todaro
Certified Nurse Midwife, Lactation Consultant, and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
With over 30 years of experience, I’ve supported hundreds of families through pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding. I offer compassionate, personalized care tailored to your unique needs and journey.
Convenient, accessible care is essential for families navigating parenthood. I offer in-person lactation support in the East Bay area, virtual Perinatal Mental Health Support across California, and online pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation coaching nationwide. No matter where you are, I’m here to help you thrive.
I welcome all families—single parents, multi-racial families, and members of the LGBTQ+ community—creating a safe, inclusive space where you feel seen and supported.
Together, we’ll focus on your well-being so you can confidently embrace this exciting chapter. Let’s get you the support you deserve.
Guiding Families
From Pregnancy Through Postpartum
My journey into women’s health started from a place of personal frustration and curiosity. As a young woman, I struggled to find respectful, individualized care for my own reproductive health. Too often, providers didn’t take the time to fully explain my options or truly understand my personal needs and desires. These experiences planted the seed for a career dedicated to providing the kind of care I sought but couldn’t find.
At 19, I took my first steps into the world of women’s health as a volunteer Women’s Health Medic at the Berkeley Free Clinic. Under the guidance of an advanced practice provider, I provided free gynecological services like STD testing, pap smears, and treatment for community members. There, I learned the profound value of deep listening and nonjudgmental care—two principles that have guided me ever since.
Schedule your free consultation today, and let’s start this journey together.
My Journey Supporting Families
My career began as a childbirth and postpartum doula, supporting families during one of the most transformative times in their lives. I gained hands-on experience helping new parents with breastfeeding, emotional recovery, and navigating the early days of parenthood.
When I became pregnant myself, my first home birth empowered me to begin teaching childbirth classes. However, my second pregnancy brought unexpected challenges—revealing gaps in traditional care. After a long and difficult labor that resulted in a birth in the hospital, I realized I wanted to become a Certified Nurse Midwife so I could support families in whatever setting they chose to birth in.
These personal experiences deepened my resolve to provide compassionate, personalized care for all families, no matter their circumstances.
Interested in joining a safe, welcoming space where you can share experiences, gain insights, and build connections with other parents?
From Personal Experience to Inspired Care
During both of my pregnancies, I experienced untreated perinatal depression, believing it was just part of motherhood, which made it all the more isolating and overwhelming. These struggles motivated me to build a career dedicated to supporting parents through anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
I began my journey as a Registered Nurse, later becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife. I then added advanced certifications as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist. Over three decades, I’ve worked in community clinics and major hospitals, including Lifelong Medical Care, Highland Hospital, Alta Bates and Kaiser, blending evidence-based care with genuine empathy.
My mission has always been to close the gaps in prenatal and postpartum support so every parent feels equipped to thrive.
Caring for Families with the Heart of a Parent
I believe every parent deserves more than rushed appointments and conflicting advice—they deserve someone who listens, understands, and guides them with care. Whether you’re seeking breastfeeding support, preparing for birth, or navigating postpartum mental health, I’m here to ensure you feel confident and empowered every step of the way. Parenthood is transformative, and you don’t have to go through it alone. Let’s grow together.
Whether you’re struggling with breastfeeding, managing anxiety, or simply seeking someone to provide clarity and support, I’m here to help. Let’s navigate this journey together.
My Philosophy
Every family is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenthood. My work is rooted in:
- Respect: Your choices, goals, and values guide our work together.
- Inclusivity: I am proud to support families of all kinds, including LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and parents from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
- Empathy: As a mother who has faced my own challenges, I bring understanding and compassion to every client interaction.
My Mission
To provide expert, compassionate, and nonjudgmental care during pregnancy and postpartum, ensuring every parent feels empowered and informed as they navigate parenthood.
Why I Do What I Do
Becoming a parent should be a joyful, supported experience—not one marked by anxiety, isolation, or doubt. My mission is to fill the gaps left by traditional prenatal and postpartum care, offering you the tools, resources, and personalized guidance you need to thrive.
Everyone Deserves Respectful, Individualized Care
I am committed to helping all families—especially those traditionally marginalized—receive the guidance and support they need to thrive. Please reach out if you need support but may not be able to afford the listed rates and I will do my best to serve you or connect you with someone who can.
You deserve to feel confident, cared for, and ready to embrace parenthood.
Schedule your free consultation today, and let’s start this journey together.