BirthFlower

(17 reviews)

0.0 km

My husband and I took Lisa's class this fall. It was great to have a community of parents to talk…read moreout parenting strategies and issues. Much more useful that just reading a book. She is a great resource and we continue to follow up with her. I feel confident now that I have more tools to address parenting struggles.

My husband and I took Lisa's Positive Discipline course together and we both found it to be…read moreinvaluable. I have a four year old son and I had read "Positive Discipline for Preschoolers." The theories resonated with me, but I was having a hard time putting the theory into practice. When I heard about Lisa's class, I was apprehensive about the time commitment (seven 2-hour sessions), but I decided to give it a try. I think that was one of the best decisions I've made as a parent yet. The 7 weeks flew by and by the end, I found myself craving even more. Through role playing and a series of really powerful demonstrations, Lisa taught us about parenting with kindness and firmness (as opposed to being authoritarian or permissive). We covered a wide range of options for non-punitive solutions to common parenting/behavior challenges. We also learned about teaching our kids self discipline, problem solving skills, responsibility, self-reliance and cooperation, among other things. Some of the concepts that most resonated with me: "Asking vs. Telling" ("Where do your shoes belong?" instead of "Put away your shoes."); "Connect before Correct"; and especially the idea that children do better when they feel better. I hate role playing, but it was unbelievably powerful to role play being my child and also to practice different parenting techniques. The classes have transformed the way that my husband and I interact with our son. We all enjoy each other so much more now and there's a lot less conflict. This doesn't mean that we're letting him get away with more. We're just involving him more in problem solving and making him feel like he's a contributing part of the family. Things certainly aren't perfect and we certainly still experience non-compliance and temper tantrums, but we feel more much prepared to deal with these challenges now and we're less likely to get angry. I'm really appreciating the progress we've made and I'm enjoying the journey of parenting much more now.

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Abundant Beginnings

3.1

2.9 km

Ugh I want to give a better review for this place. The content that they cover is amazing. But they…read moreare so disorganized and communication with families is so poor. I think this place may be amazing in a few years when the iron out the kinks. In the meantime, they overbooked and then kick some of the kids out at the last minute so that you struggle to find an alternative. You sometimes don't know where your kid is. You may not know who is watching your kid. Your kid may be outside in the rain and hail even when there are flood warnings. You may not know what your kid does or build community with other families. But your kid will learn about social justice and conflict resolution. They will get to be outside and get dirty.

Disappointed with the culture and competence. I gave a star for effort and sincerity of…read morecounselors, and one for my lack of research. From a competency perspective, I was surprised that there was zero effective shelter for kids during the raging rain storms spring 2018 - multiple, forecasted. Kids were soaked for the duration. Having run wilderness camps with no shelter, we always had a plan and capability to accommodate the worst case. Even if it means calling for assistance. Next, I was surprised both my kids came home singing anti-male protest songs. Everyone has their opinions, but I thought it immature, unprofessional and unacceptable to push some social/political agenda on my 3 and 7 year old. You want to make that part of the curriculum, then notify me before I, a single dad, shells out money and time. I just want them to have fun, appreciate the outdoors, and make friends. This indoctrination was unwanted - especially, as berkeley-born-and-raised, I expect them to form their own opinions at the appropriate time.

Swimming at Lake Temescal

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Respectful Caregiving

(1 review)

4.5 km

Christina's class has been THE most supportive thing I've done for myself and baby boy. We joined…read moreher playgroup class when he was only 4 months old (over a year ago) and he's thrived so much because of it. Our weekly play group-classes have provided invaluable social skills, bodily coordination development/learning, and parent education; my now one and a half yr. old is thriving, confident, secure & super coordinated! Christina holds a 1.5 hour class, almost all free play, with simple age appropriate objects/toys in a light-filled play space (at Then Comes Baby in Oakland). The RIE principles that she teaches has supported my son's natural development; like letting him roll, crawl, walk, etc, at his own natural pace as opposed to propping him up or helping him in ways that might by-pass his own learning & discovering. It's been such good practice to learn to let them figure things out on their own and resist the temptation to "help" or interrupt their natural curiosity and frustration as they learn new skills and limits. Of course we also get plenty of practice of setting boundaries for and with our children as well. This group has really helped my partner & I have a healthy and balanced parenting style and reduced our stress as new parents. The community of babies and parents has also been super sweet; you don't have to do this alone! Christina is experienced, knowledgable, and very encouraging. I highly recommend working with her!

From the owner: Respectful Caregiving: Balanced Families, Secure Babies…read more Respectful Caregiving is dedicated to supporting families with babies and toddlers throughout the Bay Area. My work is inspired by Magda Gerber's Educaring® Approach (RIE®). This Approach encourages trust in the infant for knowing how and when to develop. We caregivers do not consider it our responsibility to "teach" children how to move, play, or learn. Instead, it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment conducive to self-initiated play and discovery. The Approach places emphasis on the quality of the nurturing relationship between caregiver and child, and has many specific suggestions for how to make that relationship as respectful and cooperative as possible. Parents using the Educaring® Approach report significant a decrease in the perceived burden of parenthood, and a corresponding increases in their confidence and enjoyment as parents. Children raised with this Approach are emotionally aware, confident, graceful, creative, independent, and secure in their sense of selves. I offer RIE® certified classes such as Before Baby™ and Nurturing Nanny. I also offer sleep consulting, parent coaching, nursery design/babyproofing, workshops, and individualized nanny training.

At Square One Yoga in 2015

At Then Comes Baby in 2015

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I supply simple toys. We enjoy observing the natural unfolding of independent play.

Angela Jernigan

(5 reviews)

4.0 km

I took a Parenting by Connection Course from Angela and it was truly transformative…read more She is fantastic and I highly recommend her as a teacher. She is great as a one on one parenting coach as well.

We started working with Angela more than 5 years ago when we were struggling with some parenting…read morechallenges. She is an amazing teacher, listener and counselor who has truly changed our lives with her insights about parenting/relating and her wise, compassionate and encouraging presence. We feel blessed to know her and to have the opportunity to continue to work with her.

Angela Jernigan

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Marcilie Smith Boyle - Parenting with Positive Discipline

0.0 km

Marcilie is an exceptional parenting coach. Reading books is useful, but Marcilie helps me see…read morethrough the internal emotional stuff that muddies my vision when it comes to conflict with my kids. She has successfully guided me through a number of really difficult situations and instilled in me a greater confidence in approaching those same types of situations on my own. I highly recommend her.

This class is a must for all educators, parents, counselors, and anyone who is working with…read morechildren. Marcilie class format was engaging and she made two very significant points that as a parent I consistently use. The first point is both people have to be on level headed to engage in a decent conversation where there will be any resolution. Timing is everything! My six year old daughter now tells me "Let's calm down and then talk." Our relationship feels more loving and less tense. Using solution focused problem solving with empathy allows children the capacity to solve their own problems. Don't we all want to have children who grow up and our great problem solvers? Most of all Marcilie's class has been invaluable to my professional career as a marriage and family therapist where I work with many hostile families. Perhaps, the most memorable take away from Marcilie's class is "Kids do better when they feel better." As a therapist, I try and remind frazzled parents to look for other reasons for their kids unwanted behavior. I would highly recommend this class!

Positive Discipline is based on the idea that everyone is worthy of respect . . .even kids.

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Brain science shows that when we feel demeaned, rejected, or shamed, we shut down and are not open to learning and cooperating.

COPE Family Support

3.7

21.9 km

My experience with this organization has been extremely disappointing and, in my opinion, reflects…read morea system that prioritizes billing over meaningful support for families. I was ordered by the court to participate in co-parenting counseling through COPE, which effectively left me with no practical alternative provider. Prior to beginning services, I was informed by Megan that the cost would be approximately $45 per session. I was later surprised to discover that I was being charged approximately $160 per session instead. When I raised this concern, Megan Van Carpels advised me that she would investigate the discrepancy and recommended that I request reimbursement. Despite multiple communications, I never received a follow-up or resolution. I was ultimately directed to contact Headway on my own, leaving me to navigate the issue without any meaningful assistance from the organization. I was equally disappointed with the quality of the counseling services provided. My sessions with Isabel often lacked structure, guidance, and actionable feedback. Rather than facilitating productive communication, identifying areas for improvement, or helping develop effective co-parenting strategies, many sessions consisted primarily of passive observation. As a result, I found myself questioning the value being provided relative to the substantial fees being charged. For a service that is frequently court-ordered and intended to support families during challenging circumstances, I expected greater transparency, accountability, professionalism, and therapeutic value. Instead, I was left frustrated by the billing practices, lack of follow-through, and overall quality of the services received. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this organization.

I don't have enough bad words to say about this company. After finishing and completing the…read moremandatory six week group course on zoom, where the teacher was constantly being interrupted by her kids that she was babysitting, we got put on a waiting list for over eight months to see an individual counselor. When we finally did get our individual therapist, it's someone who doesn't even have their license, but just a trainee. She was so miserable to talk to, she had the worst attitude, and I wonder why she's even working in therapy? This company sucks, I pray to God I never have to go through them again, and I would give them zero stars if I could. They do not actually care about making situations better, they care about court ordered therapy so that they can get their check. That's all I have to say about this joke of a company.

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The Family Room

(1 review)

7.1 km

The Family Room offers such a welcoming and knowledgeable gathering space for families to create…read morecommunity while navigating the perinatal time and beyond. I'm a Fertility Awareness Educator in the community and have hosted talks and workshops in their group space, and it's been perfect for my needs. The space is comfortable, thoughtfully decorated, and offers all the necessities for my presentations including a projector and large viewing screen as well as ample seating space. The practitioners behind The Family Room are incredibly generous with their time, offering support in marketing efforts and engaging with fellow practitioners using the space. I would highly recommend considering The Family Room for your next workshop, support group, or other meeting space needs.

From the owner: The Family Room on Solano is a new gathering space and a classroom passionately dedicated to…read morenurturing families from preconception to birth and beyond. We offer groups and classes like prenatal yoga, new parents groups, a fertility support group, childbirth education, music for kids and much more!

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Rachel Tucker, LMFT

4.6

1.2 km

Rachel did an amazing job helping our eight year old son adjust to some changing family situations…read more She's kind, thoughtful, and really knows how to connect with kids through play-based therapy. She helped me troubleshoot parenting issues I was having a hard time with and mediated a sticky parenting situation between two households. She's also really efficient and doesn't push for tons of sessions. I've recommended her to other friends because she helped us so much.

Rachel is one of the first colleagues I refer to for child therapy, parent coaching and individual…read moretherapy. As a therapist myself, I have many colleagues to choose from but I find myself referring to Rachel more often because of her unique combination of experience, depth, presence and intelligence. She can handle the most challenging behavior issues with children and gently midwife parents into deeper connection and attachment with their children. She is a gifted therapist and clients of all ages are in expert hands with Rachel.

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Brilliant Births

(84 reviews)

6.0 km

I have received multiple massages from Gracie during pregnancy and postpartum and they have all…read morebeen fabulous. Especially when I was 9 months pregnant, she did a fantastic job making sure I felt comfortable and helping relieving the physical pain of the third trimester. During postpartum, I have received a couple of massages for back pain related to breastfeeding and I always leave feeling rejuvenated and more aligned. Highly recommend

I reached out to Brilliant Births to find a birth doula. They offer a matching service and…read moreconnected me to 3 doulas who work independently (not employees of BB). We were really fortunate to find our birth doula (who we love!), but the other 2 candidates were not very impressive. The first doula missed our appointment with no follow-up communication. We were initially confused and thought she was the coordinator for BB, because she only communicated by text. The actual meeting was just by telephone so there was no face-to-face interaction, which felt strange. We could've easily FaceTimed or Zoomed. So communication and reliability were not great. The second doula abruptly canceled our half-hour appointment when we were 10 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment due to my husband wrapping up a Zoom meeting. During our appointment time, she was responding to my emails (in which I apologized for being late), but insisted she could no longer meet with us. I thought this was a really bad sign about what she would be like to work with - labor and delivery is rarely precisely timed and some flexibility is needed. In addition, her email said that she lives in Portola Valley, but we live Berkeley (also where Brilliant Births is located). This also struck me as strange, because it would take 1.5 hours for her to arrive to meet us at the hospital, which is not ideal.

We offer prenatal and postpartum massage! Reserve a time with our amazing massage therapist on our website.

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Mountain Boulevard Montessori School

My son attended Mountain Boulevard Montessori for two years and three months before advancing to…read moreTransitional Kindergarten (TK). During his time there, we had experience with their toddler, preschool, and pre-K programs, and overall, our experience was wonderful. We never had any concerns about our child's safety, and communication with the school was consistently excellent. Every email or phone call was responded to promptly, and we always felt informed and supported. The curriculum is quite structured and leans a little more academic than some preschools, but in our case, that proved to be a real benefit. It provided an excellent runway into TK, where our son seems very well prepared compared with many of his peers, both socially and academically. There were several staff members who really stood out to us. Mr. Andreas has a wonderful disposition for working with children--he strikes a great balance between setting high expectations while remaining warm, patient, and humorous. Mr. Dennis is an exceptional administrator and was always communicative, open, and thorough. I never felt that a question or concern went unanswered. Ms. Wendy was my son's favorite teacher and was part of his experience for most of his time at the school. She was his classroom teacher for about a year and later his Spanish teacher after he moved into the pre-K class. She is very nurturing and has a particularly good way of channeling the energy of highly active children like my son while still keeping them engaged and focused. In terms of value, tuition seemed right around market rate. Compared with similar schools we considered, Mountain Boulevard Montessori was somewhere in the middle price-wise, but what stood out to us were the smaller class sizes, strong teacher-to-student ratio, and the overall quality of the facility. The school is highly organized, impeccably clean, and consistently well maintained. It was also extremely helpful that the school calendar generally mirrored Oakland Unified's holidays and vacations. That made childcare logistics much easier and avoided many of the scheduling conflicts that can arise when preschool and elementary school calendars are out of sync. If I had to offer any constructive feedback, I think families would benefit from as much advance communication as possible around staffing changes. At this age, changes in teachers can feel significant to children, and having a little runway can help families prepare them. At the same time, I completely understand that employment and privacy considerations may limit what a school is able to share. I also observed a few interactions involving one long-standing teacher where the communication style felt somewhat less patient and nurturing than what we had experienced with the rest of the staff. I have no doubt about her academic abilities or experience, and my son had very limited direct interaction with her until right before his departure, so I can't speak to any lasting impact, however, it was something I noticed that seemed inconsistent with all other interactions with staff at the school. This was very much an exception to an otherwise consistently positive experience over more than two years at Mountain Boulevard Montessori. We were very happy with the care, education, communication, and preparation our son received, and I would feel very comfortable recommending the school to friends or family without hesitation.

My daughter has attended Mountain Boulevard Montessori School for the last 2.5 years (since she was…read more28 months old) and it is easily the best decision we have made. We looked at so many different school options and are beyond happy that we chose this school. The small/intimate feeling compounds to staff that really care about the safety, health, and development of all the kids. Students not only grow academically (reading, math, science, etc.), socially, and get exposed to different cultures and languages. She has learned so much Spanish and Mandarin which is amazing as well. We highly recommend this school to any and all parents!

Our spacious outdoor space

With a large play area, even the most energetic child can play, run, and grow.

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Warm and inviting classrooms in a secure setting offering a full complement of Montessori activities for young minds to explore

Guidepost Montessori at Emeryville

4.9

(39 reviews)

4.4 km

We have had our infant son attend guidepost for a couple months now. The staff is extraordinarily…read morekind and deeply care about the well-being of the children. I myself am deaf, and the staff was open to using sign language in the classroom to affirm his basic language skills -- that is incredible and no other daycares we toured seemed so happy to embrace our Deaf culture! Our son always gets dropped off with a big smile on his face and truly loves it here. Miss Yvette is a saint and our son loves her deeply :)

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and a great reminder for me to share a review…read more May 2025: A year later and we are still loving Guidepost. Ms. Emilia, Ms. Carol, Mr. Miles, Ms. Tanya, Ms. Shelby, and so many others have been amazing teachers to our precocious, rambunctious toddler. He loves his class and looks forward to school every day. The guides take such great care to nurture our toddler's curiosities, spending a great deal of time organizing events and exposing him to new words, activities, cultures, and habits every day. They spend some of their evenings and weekends as well to facilitate fun activities like movies & pizza for Parent's Night Out or summer water parties when the weather is warm. We feel so fortunate to have been introduced to this place and know that our kids are happy and healthy here. The teachers use apps to help log activities and photos, so we never miss out and get tons of updates throughout the week. Ms. Emilia sends weekly updates about our toddler's class and their focuses for the week, and Ms. Shelby send weekly updates about school happenings. Ms. Stephanie is always available to chat if we have any questions or concerns to share, and all of the guides seem to celebrate the mini milestones our kids achieve every day. --- Jan 2024: Our little one just started in the Nido infant class and is thriving! We were so worried about the transition, but Mrs. Yvette and all of the teachers are so wonderful and kind. They guided us new parents and helped make the environment so warm and welcoming for our baby. It's only week 3 but our little one is eager to go to school to see his teachers and friends!

My son learning to put his shoes on.

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Alma's Children Garden

4.6

(32 reviews)

3.3 km

My child attended Miss Alma's in 2020. My descriptions may be outdated…read more - What's great: The dreamy backyard, breakfast included, sweet teachers, fun activities. - Not the best: Alma would only take payment by cash. No checks, no Venmo, no nothing. I had to go to the bank every month and withdraw and deliver nearly $2,000 cash, for which I received a handwritten receipt. Huge hassle, not very safe, and did not not feel professional. I hope this is no longer her policy. Overall, this was a good daycare for my child when she was a young toddler. I think Alma sends kids to attend preschool once they turn 3.

Our twins have been attending Alma's Children Garden since they were 2, and watching them grow and…read moredevelop over this past year has been amazing. As a working parent, finding a daycare that provides both a safe environment and genuine care for your children is everything - and Alma's delivers on both. The facilities are clean, secure, and well-maintained. But what really sets this place apart is how the caregivers truly nurture each child. I've watched my twins go from shy toddlers to confident 3-year-olds who wake up excited to go to "school." They've developed social skills, learned to share and communicate better, and come home singing new songs and showing us art projects they're proud of. What gives me peace of mind every day is knowing that when I drop them off, they're not just being watched - they're being cared for by people who genuinely want to see them grow. The staff remembers little things about each child and shares those moments with us at pickup. My daughter now counts to 20, and my son has become so much more expressive, and they are both come home each day smiling. We've had nothing but positive experiences here. The communication is great, the environment feels warm rather than institutional, and most importantly, my children are super happy. They actually get upset on weekends when they realize it's not a school day! If you're looking for quality childcare in Emeryville, I highly recommend Alma's Children Garden.

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Happa Baby School

0 reviews

4.2 km

Emeryville Child Development Center

4.4

(17 reviews)

4.0 km

I like ECDC. It resembles a small school with classrooms, and a couple of different playgrounds for…read moredifferent aged kids. The staff is getting pretty effective with social media and sends a calendar of activities each week, and photos of classroom activities. The facility feels secure with a locked door and solid fencing. Having had my son in two other places as he has grown up, ECDC is my favorite so far.

Emeryville Child Development has been a wonderful place for my child. We attended ECDC for a year…read morebefore we moved from the area. We really like it and are sad to leave. The center director (Diana) is warm and friendly, and takes time to get to know all the families. The staff are always friendly, and relay stories of the day when you pick up your child. They really get to know and care for your child. ECDC is such a great resource for the community, and definitely the best child care in the area that I could find. This was her first childcare experience, and I had visited so many different childcare facilities before I chose this one. I based my decision on her personality (she is playful and likes a festive environment with many other children), as well as: - Safety of the facility: is it easy for some stranger off the street to get in? - Center director and staff - Kitchen cleanliness, and food provision - "Potty" facilities - Condition and spaciousness of the classrooms and playgrounds - Age group division: Younger children need classrooms divided into a smaller age brackets The entire facility is like a fort, you need a special key for entry and you have to pass through the reception/office area before you can even find children. There are also cameras everywhere. The classrooms are clean and spacious, and each one has very clean, height-appropriate restrooms for the children. We started off in Toddler 1, which has two big rooms and a newly-updated outside play area that has a sunshade over most of it. This is perfect for sunny/hot Emeryville. The play area is safe, padded, and well equipped, no ancient rusty equipment. There are occasional field trips and activities outside the center. We really love that food is provided at the center (by Chefables), and it seems to be good food. This decreases the chance that my LO will want to take someone else's lunch. :) This center seems to have enough children to separate them into narrower age brackets (2-2.5 years for one room, 2.5-3 years for another), while other centers combined 2 and 3 year olds. I visited a center that combined 2 and 3 year olds, and the older kids were ganging up on the younger ones. After seeing that, I always brought my LO to visit new schools to see if she got along with the children. Also, my LO loves to visit the baby room, and whenever we go in there the staff are always holding and cuddling the babies. Compare this to other centers I visited, where babies in the infant rooms were left alone on dirty floors. My LO has learned so many new words, and she tells me she has lots of fun all day. She sings funny songs that I definitely didn't teach her. The staff have been so helpful through the potty training process. She developed better table manners (no longer throws food on the ground) and learned to nap on her own. Most importantly, she has made many new friends and has had the experience of developing strong, positive relationships with adults outside her family. I know that ECDC has provided my daughter with a strong foundation that will help her successfully transition to another school.

Field Trip at Tilden Park

Oakland Zoo field trip

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Pirate Day

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4 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Susanne S.

7 years ago

I highly recommend Emma as a Doula. Our pregnancy, birth and postpartum-time wouldn't have been the same without her. Best decision ever. As we moved from Austria to Mexico-City without any good knowledge of Spanish, after just a few months we found out that I was pregnant with our first baby and we were searching for help, as everything was new and different there. Luckily we found Emma and after the first meeting our decision was clear: she will be our Doula. We had prenatal sessions with her in our home which all of them were amazing, excellent information, absolutely great. She was available via WhatsApp for us and before and after the due date "on-call". In one of our last appointments with our gynecologist he told us that for some medical reason he needed to perform a c-section immediately, which first was a shock because that wasn't what I expected and wanted, but we called Emma and she accompanied us, she helped me to calm down and accept the unexpected situation how it was and see the positive side. So, even if it was a c-section, we had a great birth experience in a nice atmosphere and I will always think back in a positive way, Emma not only helped us with translation etc., she talked everything through with us on the way to the hospital and stayed until we settled down in our room when all doctors already left. Also the postpartum visits were very helpful, our topics included breastfeeding (as all the nurses in the hospital showed me in a different and wrong way), first bath, baby carrier,.. and much more. Emma always had optimistic words for us and a lot of patience. She's very professional and has a great heart. read more

Natalie R.

3 years ago

Emma was an incredible support to me as I prepared for my first birth. Her personal and knowledgable care throughout my pregnancy was so appreciated by me and my husband. I went through several days of prodromal labor, leading up to my birth, which was taxing physically and emotionally. Emma was right there to support me, offering encouragement and practical tips to manage the false starts. When I went into labor, Emma had to send in a back up doula due to being with another client. She provided me with a great back up support - someone who knew my birth preferences and was ready to jump in throughout labor. During postpartum, I had some struggles with feeding and wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I was feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious. Emma was right there to ensure that I felt supported, encouraging me to set smaller goals and focus on what would be best for me. She stressed that this would in turn be best for my baby which removed the burden of guilt I was feeling. I'm really grateful to have worked with Emma and can't recommend her enough! read more

Jen X.

7 years ago

Emma helped us with our third child birth and was a life saver. We had no doula with baby 1 (big mistake) and a no-show doula with baby 2, I was a bit nervous about hiring someone. We had moved to a new city and I had no idea where to start to find natural child birth resources. I contacted Emma from a friends recommendation and never looked back. Emma helped with every aspect and answered every question we had about the birth. She was always warm and loving and brought a very calming presence during labor. Labor began suddenly and progressed very quickly and not exactly according to plan but all worked out perfectly in the end. I do not know what I would have done without her! If you are lucky enough to work with Emma, Do It! read more

Ann-Katrin S.

7 years ago

Emma helped me before, during and after the birth of my second baby. She was exactly what I was looking for in a Doula: knowledgeable, empathetic, kind, laid-back but hands-on. She supported me a lot with positioning during labor and helped me with breast-feeding problems during the very first weeks. Emma is amazing and I can recommend her from the heart, any future mum to work with her is lucky to have her by her side. read more

BirthFlower - doulas - Updated August 2026

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Taylor Renee Birth

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Taylor was recommended to us by our friend as well as various Facebook groups. She was super…read morehelpful for the birth of our son at ucsf. The one thing my husband and I loved most about her was her high eq and the ability to read the couple and situation. She was kind and nurturing and always had an answer to support any questions we had. She frequently checked in even when she was on vacation to make sure we were supported. I was also very appreciative of her not being pushy when it came to specific parts of the birth that I had envisioned. She encouraged us to think more holistically about the whole process when we were in the weeds. She helped me through hours of painful contractions which was well worth the money itself but most importantly, she helped my husband through the whole night and supporting him emotionally as he was navigating how to make the best decisions for us as a family. Overall I spent weeks agonizing if I needed a doula for the process and we are so glad we decided on one and that it was Taylor. I'd highly recommend her to our close friends and family should the time come for them as well!

Taylor is simply the best and my wife and I can't recommend her enough…read more We hired Taylor to help us with the birth of our first daughter in December 2022. My wife wanted to try for an unmedicated birth so we thought having the help of a doula would be a good idea. Now on the other side of things we can confidently say that we could not have done it without Taylor. She provided us with amazing support through the several months leading up to birth, a 30 hour labor, and post-partum life. What we loved about Taylor: - Probably the best listener we have ever met - she really worked hard to understand what our goals were and how she could best support them. She always took the time to listen to us intently. - Very knowledgeable about pregnancy, labor, and post-partum life - Taylor is such a wealth of knowledge when it comes to both traditional medicine and holistic medicine. She was able to answer so many of our questions across so many different areas. She shined at helping us understand the pros & cons of various decisions we had to make or decisions that we anticipated we might have to make. We really trusted her judgement by the time labor came around given how much experience she has and how deeply she understands pregnancy & labor. - Never pushes recommendations - Taylor never pushed recommendations or advice on us unless we specifically asked what she thought we should do. We loved this about her. She simply presents the facts and what she's seen in her experience and helps guide you to the decision that you want to make. This approach was refreshing and helped us build so much trust in her. - Willing to help at any time - even after our time with Taylor was over, she took the time to answer calls & texts from us as we were adjusting to new parent life. - Amazing endurance - during my wife's 30 hour labor Taylor helped me provide counter-pressure to my wife, kept her spirits high, had great comfort measure suggestions, and subbed in when I needed a quick break. Having Taylor with us during labor helped my wife achieve her goal of having a fully unmedicated labor. - Kindness - Taylor is one of the kindest people we know. She brought us awesome treats & thoughtful things throughout the entire time we worked with her. Overall we had the best experience with Taylor. If you are looking for a doula I would highly recommend talking to Taylor and you will quickly see why so many people have great experiences with her. If you see this Taylor, thank you again and you're the best!

Wisdombirth

(7 reviews)

Amanda cared for my partner and I after our baby was born. She is very skillful as a masseuse and a…read moredelight to have in your home. Couldn't be a bigger fan!

I met Amanda when I was very disappointed and stressed by my OB/GYN and she supported me so much,…read moresince our first talk I felt that I trust her and want her to be with me on my delivery. She is so calm and positive thinker, and when you with her you 100 percent sure that things will go in right direction. She helped me to change doctor, what was right decision and have natural birth without epidural. She was so supportive and always was in touch with me before and during delivery, she was my shrink, midwife and much more. Amanda is amazing person who I'm trust and definitely recommend as great professional doula. P.S. She also do a great massage

Mariposa Massage and Doula Support

4.8

(17 reviews)

I am a big fan of abdominal massage to heal all sorts of things both physical and emotional. It is…read moresuch a balancing and grounding experience and Francine is truly a healer in everything she does. Anytime you are feeling out-of-sorts Francine's treatments can put you back into your body and help lessen the stress of life by revitalizing and nourishing your soul.

I received more than a massage from Francine. I received a healing. I first met Francine over a…read moreyear ago when she was the assistant midwife for one of my best friends births. I had heard very good things about her and I knew that she was really known and respected in our community. This dear friend gifted me a massage with Francine following the birth of my own baby. I could not have been more excited and in need of a massage as you can imagine. Two and a half months of breast feeding, sleeping with, and carrying a new baby can really leave you with a sore back and arms. I felt very safe to express my emotions and concerns with Francine around what I was looking for in a massage. She normalized all of my disclosures and was very empathetic as she is a midwife and mother herself. I feel that Francine combined many techniques in her massage to help me realign sore areas in my body and I am certain that she also helped me call my spirit back from wherever it had gone during labor. I had many insights and left her home feeling refreshed emotionally and spiritually. I sincerely believe every mother deserves to treat herself to a massage with Francine. As a mental health therapist, I believe it is a necessity to experience the release and realignment that she can intuitively provide so well. I can't wait to treat my husband and mother to a massage with her as well. Thank you Francine.

Jessica Premsangha Prakasha

4.9

(15 reviews)

•$$

I can't recommend Jessica enough as a prenatal yoga instructor. I took her class at Innerstellar in…read moreBerkeley during the second half of my pregnancy and I always left feeling so much more relaxed and confident. I loved the mix of conversation/support, meditation and yoga. If you're looking for a more vigorous practice, this might not be your cup of tea, but for me it was perfect. As someone who was fairly new to the area at the time and in need of a community of new mothers, I really appreciated Jessica's connections. If you need anything -- massage, acupuncture, a midwife, etc. -- she knows someone or several someones. She is also a great listener, a kind voice of support and extremely knowledgeable about pregnancy, birth and parenting. A lovely person to know!

Prem's prenatal yoga classes were one of the highlights of my pregnancy. Her classes are not only a…read moremuch needed time-out for you to look inward, they're a conduit to support and stories, which I found so helpful during my pregnancy. Prem is understanding, funny, warm and patient. She facilitates a google-group community of local moms and I actually very much look forward to the emails that come through! Because of the community she's created and all of her knowledge, her classes led me to find an incredible doula, the best postpartum care, the couple we're going to do a nanny-share with, and so much more. Proud, card carrying member of the Prem Fan Club :)

Heritage Doula Services

(3 reviews)

Kat attended my home birth of my second baby in March 2013. She supported me perfectly, even though…read moreshe was still very new. She kept a cold cloth on my forehead as I labored and switched it out often without me even noticing. She offered me drinks between contractions, and she rubbed my arms and upper back. I loved having her at my birth, and I'd happily ask her to be my doula again!

We found Katheryn at a Doula meet session with Blossom Birth. I was not entirely sure if I wanted…read moreto hire a doula but wanted to meet some and decide. My husband and I really liked Kat of all people we met. I am really really happy we picked Kat to work with. She was helpful during the pregnancy offering to look up articles. She also has a very calming presence which was very helpful in my long labor. She suggested various pain relief methods and also various things we could ask the nurses for, Also she made is a point to clarify what she could and could not do e.g. offer medical advice. I would wholeheartedly recommend Kat if you are looking for a doula. She was a big help in me having a good childbirth experience.

Grow Family Acupuncture

(61 reviews)

If you are looking for an acupuncturist for fertility, postpartum care, or general wellness, look…read moreno further. Rachel is the most knowledgeable, kind, and empathetic practitioner I have ever worked with. She helped me get pregnant, supported me throughout my pregnancy, and has continued to care for me for four years after I delivered a healthy baby. I cannot say enough about how phenomenal Rachel is or about the way she practices acupuncture. She gave me a sense of calm and control during a time in my life--while trying to conceive and during pregnancy--when I often felt I had very little. That kind of care can only make life better, and it certainly has for me.

Rachel Alkire -- what a gem!! She is one of the most genuine, caring, generous, and thoughtful…read morepractitioners I have come across in the medical/healing space. At 38 weeks pregnant I had an acute/urgent issue and even though I hadn't seen her for an appointment in many months, she immediately responded to my message with a phone call and provided a wealth of sage knowledge and advice. Both her kindness and her holistic medical wisdom shine through when you interact with her. Highly recommend.

Embracing Birth

(5 reviews)

Simply put, our family loves Caitlin! I hired her for postpartum support, and she amazes me with…read morehow gentle and loving she is with my little one. I trust her completely with my son, and even my older son loves her. When I tell him that Caitlin is coming, he exclaims, "Yay!!! Caitlin!" :) My husband is also getting a full 8 hours worth of sleep, and he asks me upon waking up: when is Caitlin coming for another night? If you're looking for rest during the day or night, call Caitlin. Personable, sweet, supportive, and loving, Caitlin is the best!

Caitlin was referred to me by a fellow doula and she was nothing short of amazing. We had planned…read moreto meet and discuss my birthing plan a few weeks before my expected due date but my baby girl decided to come early. Without meeting prior to the birth, Caitlin responded to our call in the middle of the night and drove from SF to Redwood City to assist us in the birthing process. She arrived ready and energetic while remaining calm and soothing. She listened to me and addressed all my needs and became a liaison between my family and the hospital staff. We were very grateful for her presence. Caitlin also offered to keep and freeze my placenta for encapsulation. At the hospital, Caitlin was also a lifesaver by installing our car seat! After the birth, Caitlin followed up with us and helped us for the first few weeks at home with the baby. From teaching me about infant carriers and breast pumps to discussing how the body recovers after birth, Caitlin was an expert. You can tell that this is her passion. I thank Caitlin for being an amazing doula and an overall wonderful person to have during this new chapter in our lives. My family is the most important thing to me and I trust Caitlin with my precision baby girl! Thank you so much Caitlin!

Caitlyn Schollmeier - Golden Gate Doula Associates

(14 reviews)

My husband and I knew from the beginning that we wanted to hire a doula to support us through our…read morefirst pregnancy. We met a few doulas but things just clicked when we met Caitlyn. We loved that she was supportive, non-judgemental, and incredibly knowledgeable. Given my gestational diabetes diagnosis, I was advised to get induced at 39 weeks. That plan wasn't aligned with our desire to have an intervention-free unmedicated vaginal birth but with Caitlyn's guidance, we made step by step choices that aligned with our birth preferences and made us feel empowered. With the new quarantine restrictions, Caitlyn wasn't able to join us at UCSF but that didn't stop her from being involved in our birth. She made herself available on the phone/text and she coached me through Facetime during the active parts of labor and pushing. We were surprised how connected we felt even through her virtual presence. We're so thankful that she was on call every step of the way, getting us to a place where we can look back and feel really proud of the decisions we made. We really cannot recommend Caitlyn enough!

My husband and I couldn't have been more pleased that we chose Caitlyn to be our doula for the…read morebirth of our baby! We were both first-timers and so many people raved about the benefits of having a doula. We also loved the added security of having her through GGDG because it eliminated any concern that something would come up that would prevent us from working with a doula on our birth (if for any reason your doula is unable to attend, they send in another one!). Caitlyn was very responsive when we reached out to GGDG and upon meeting her we loved her medical background and military experience. She fit the "vibe" we were comfortable with. She educated us so much on the process and answered any and every question we had. She has a sweet sense of humor and put us right at ease! While I had grand plans to labor at home before going to the hospital, Baby Boy had no plans to come out on anyone else's schedule, so I was unfortunately induced. It was a slow burn! I became very frustrated and discouraged with how long everything was taking and Caitlyn talked me off the figurative ledge several times. Our main goal was to avoid a C-section and we did! She coached me for (literally) days on pain management and using gravity and movement to our advantage to get baby into place for birth. She was also extremely professional around the hospital staff and never stepped on toes. She took beautiful, tasteful photos of the labor process and of our newborn boy that we will treasure forever. I know without a shadow of a doubt that without Caitlyn, I would have had a long(er), frustrating labor that would have likely ended in an unnecessary c-section. She was a lifesaver! In summary, book a doula! Book through GGDG! Book Caitlyn specifically!

Back to Your Body

(6 reviews)

This review is long overdue. Alana was our birth doula last June and is nothing short of…read moreexceptional. Let me touch on different areas: Education: My husband and I couldn't be more opposite - I lean natural/functional and he leans conventional, needless to say there were alot of unknowns for us experiencing pregnancy and birth for the first time. The education she provided during our prenatal visits was thorough enough to answer questions and guide both of us through our different perspectives and we are both very satisfied with the knowledge we now have. Birth experience: I had an unmedicated birth with minimal intervention, exactly how I planned. If it wasn't for Alana being there as support, it would have been so much more difficult. I tend to be a more reserved and private person and was internally debating going through the birth with just me and my husband, since I felt the prenatal care and education we received was so substantial. Thankfully, Alana asked if she could come to the hospital to help support us. The hands-on support was so crucial to my overall birth experience, and I couldn't thank Alana enough! She had my back, literally and figuratively, the entire time. Overall 10/10 experience working with her, and I will definitely be hiring her again if/when needed in the future :)

We had the most incredible experience working with Alana. From the very beginning, she made us feel…read morecompletely supported, heard, and never judged. Our prenatal meetings were so helpful -- we left each one feeling more informed, confident, and empowered going into the birth. During labor, she was a calm, steady presence and exactly the kind of support we hoped for. But what blew me away was the postpartum care she provided. When I was having a really hard time with nursing, she showed up with so much compassion and patience. She truly met me where I was at, helping relieve pressure while still supporting us in working toward our goals. I honestly can't imagine a better person to have alongside you during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We felt so cared for every step of the way. I would recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone looking for thoughtful, skilled, and deeply supportive doula care.

MoonStruck Yogi