As a dad-to-be, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into a hypnobirthing class. If I'm being…read morehonest, I was a little skeptical at first--"hypno" anything sounded a bit out there to me. But I signed up to support my wife, and I'm really glad I did. This class completely changed how I see birth and my role in it. Instead of feeling like a bystander, I walked away feeling informed, useful, and actually confident in how I can support my wife during labor. The techniques we learned--breathing, relaxation, visualization--aren't just for moms. I found myself using them too, and they've already helped us both stay calmer leading up to the big day. What stood out most was how much emphasis was placed on teamwork. I learned specific, practical ways to advocate for my wife, help her stay relaxed, and create a positive environment no matter how the birth unfolds. It made me feel like an active participant instead of just "the guy in the room." The instructor, Care, was very knowledgeable, approachable, and never made any question feel silly. She made the classes very comfortable and even pretty funny at times. The class also struck a great balance between education and hands-on practice, so it didn't feel like we were just sitting through lectures. If you're a partner on the fence about taking a hypnobirthing class--do it. Even if you're skeptical like I was, you'll come away with tools, confidence, and a much deeper understanding of what your partner is going through. Honestly, it's one of the best things we've done together to prepare for becoming parents.

I gave birth a couple months ago, and decided to go through Care's Hypnobirthing class, and also…read moreuse her for my placenta encapsulation, and I can't recommend her highly enough! From the very first class, it was clear that Care is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about empowering expectant parents. Her approach to hypnobirthing and breathing techniques was not only informative but also calming and reassuring for both me and my partner. We completed it feeling much more prepared and confident for the birth experience ahead. Care provided a wealth of resources, ensuring we had everything we needed to make informed decisions about our birthing plan. She was always responsive to our questions, both during the classes and even after the birth, which made a world of difference in our journey. It's rare to find someone who continues to support you even after the classes are over. Overall, the entire experience with Care was amazing. Her warmth, expertise, and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. If you're looking for guidance and support in your birth preparation, look no further than Care Messer at the Birth Education Center!

I had the best experience with Breathe Bitch Doula! Louise and Mahri were incredible. They made me…read morefeel so supported and relaxed throughout my whole journey. They are set up to tag team so one of them is guaranteed to be there for the brith which was so helpful to know that someone would be there no matter what. They helped prep me and we amazing resources throughout my pregnancy, obviously during labor, and even postpartum. I'd text them with all my "my baby is doing this is it normal" questions. I want them there for any future pregnancies and labor!

Short answer: Hire a doula, if you can afford it, it is so worth it!…read more Long review: I worked with birth doulas from BBD for both of my births (2024 and 2026). I was extremely nervous about giving birth, and my main goal the first time was just to not have trauma. Thanks to amazing support from our doulas, I discovered not only did I not have trauma, but I also find giving birth such a transformative and positive experience, something I never even considered a possibility for me. I worked with Tamara and Sage for my first birth, a late-term induction and vaginal delivery (both attended), and Tamara and Kim for my second, spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery (Kim attended). A goal in both my births was to wait until transition to get an epidural, and thanks to Sage helping me ride contractions and helping my spouse keep me comfortable I was able to wait as I had hoped. In my second birth, I used techniques I had learned from Sage as well as new ones from Kim to stay so comfortable laboring that I got to the hospital pretty late without realizing how far labor had progressed! I never considered an unmedicated birth a possibility for me, but due to doula support allowing me to stay comfortable I think I would give it a try if I have another baby. Doula support was key to keeping me out of my "fear brain", as in both births, things happened that I didn't understand and they were able to explain them, both on the phone and in person at the hospital. This allowed me to keep calm. We didn't do the birth class due to our schedules, so did 2 prenatal visits instead both times. These were helpful in getting to know the doulas, but also they gave a wealth of recommendations for birth and for postpartum - for instance, Tamara suggested identifying a lactation consultant before birth, which was an amazing suggestion given that I needed lactation support immediately with my first and I would have not lined this up without her suggestion. We really like the 2 doula model, also, which seems pretty unique. We highly recommend BBD!

Such a welcoming place! Juliana was very friendly & answered all and any questions she was given…read more She provided some helpful advice and I can't wait to go back to learn more.

My husband and I visited Babies in Bloom in Vista, California while trying to figure out what…read morestroller and car seat would be best for our first baby--and wow, we are so glad we did! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with such warmth and kindness. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely helpful, not pushy at all. They patiently answered all of our (many!) questions and helped us compare different stroller options based on our lifestyle and needs. We left feeling confident in our decision, which is such a huge relief as first-time parents! The store itself is absolutely adorable--full of the cutest baby items you can imagine, from thoughtful gifts and baby clothes to nursery must-haves. You can tell everything is curated with care. It has that perfect boutique vibe without being overwhelming or overpriced. Babies in Bloom is a true gem for anyone preparing to welcome a little one. We left not only knowing what stroller we want, but with a big smile on our faces. Highly, highly recommend!

Choosing Tema and Matriz Midwifery Care for my first pregnancy was one of the best decisions I made…read morefor myself, my baby, and my family. I am so grateful I chose to invest in midwifery care. As a first-time mom, I received both traditional OB-GYN care through my insurance and midwifery care with Tema, which allowed me to experience the difference in approaches firsthand. Tema's care was incredibly well-rounded. She didn't just focus on prenatal checkups--she cared for me as a whole person, helping me understand how everything in my body was connected. She guided me through nutrition, hydration, overall wellness, preparing my body for birth, and of course, prenatal care. I always felt safe, informed, listened to, and genuinely cared for. The cultural connection I felt with Tema and her practice was also deeply meaningful to me. There was something so reassuring and special about receiving care that felt connected to who I am and to the pregnancy and birth experience I had always dreamed of. Alix was such a lovely, calm, and grounding presence throughout my prenatal care. I loved having both Tema and Alix's expertise, experience, and personalities supporting and loving on me, my husband, and our baby. Their care during my labor and birth was outstanding. The guidance they gave me was exactly what I needed in those moments. Throughout my entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience, communication was clear and consistent. They were accessible when I needed them, supportive, transparent, and honest. I never felt like I was just another patient. Their care didn't simply end once my baby was born either. Being supported postpartum made me appreciate even more how special it is to have providers who see pregnancy, birth, recovery, motherhood, and baby as one connected experience. After experiencing Matriz Midwifery Care, I may forever be biased in believing Tema and Alix are angels on Earth. What they do is such a special and sacred skill--nurturing mothers and babies through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Tema, Alix, and the people Tema has chosen to surround her practice with. I will always be grateful that this was my first experience of pregnancy and motherhood. For anyone researching Matriz or wondering whether investing in midwifery care is worth it, I hope my experience helps: I felt respected, nurtured, empowered, safe, and deeply cared for every step of the way. Thank you, Tema and Alix, for caring for and loving on our little family during one of the most sacred and transformative seasons of our lives. I will carry this experience with me forever.

I cannot recommend this practice strongly enough. I worked with Tema and Alix who were both…read moreattentive, hugely knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. For the difficult and vulnerable experience of pregnancy/birth, it brought me immeasurable comfort to have them by my side throughout my journey. They invest a lot of time in building trust, made space for not only questions but also emotions and mental well-being, and really give their whole selves to supporting mothers. I am so grateful for their support and if I have another baby I will certainly seek it out again.

Tiffany Alblinger is a Godsend! I used to think doulas were like a midwife's assistant and were not…read morereally necessary. However, after some encouragement from a friend, my husband and I decided to meet with Tiffany. I knew immediately that she was someone I wanted at my labor. Tiffany has amazing energy and a very calm spirit. Having a doula meant everything to us as Tiffany prepared us before the event and stayed with us as long as I needed her. One of the things I loved about having a doula is she gave my husband incredible confidence and support. We both felt prepared and excited before having our son. Do to some health issues, I ended up giving birth in the hospital. Tiffany was a rock for both my husband and myself. If it wasn't for her, I would have gone to the hospital many times before I needed to. She answered all of my calls and texts and was right there with me when I was ready to go to the hospital. I was already 8 cm when we arrived! I could go on forever, but I will end this by saying every pregnant woman should have the individual support of a doula. Meet with one and see, like I did, if it is an option for you.

I dealt with the owners under her previous company Embracing Labor, which after I had completed…read morework for her, that took several hours of my time. In the end she stopped communication and when I finally did get a response she felt that because she didn't use the work I had produced for her she didn't have to pay me. I am not sure how anyone who is suppose to responsible for bringing life into this world can have such blatant disregard for the efforts put forth by another female owned company.

Words cannot express how thankful I am to have met Karen and have taken her class. Though it was a…read more1 to 2 hour drive (with traffic) for me to get to her, it was well worth it. My profession deals with medicine and she taught me more than I've learned in school, things that schools don't teach in conventional medicine (which is why some of these thing are unheard of when you ask doctors about it). I worked with a natural doctor who advised me to look into hypnobirthing. That's when I jumped onto yelp and found Karen. My husband is extremely all about research/data based practices and Karen has educated him to change his vision when it comes to birthing. Thank God for her he's now more understanding and will 100% support my instinctive/natural birth. What I really respect is that she has had a "typical" birth prior to her education and knowledge. Her own experience with a doula, with her second child, is what inspired her practice and passion in what she preaches and practices. She's currently pregnant now and will venture with a home birth next. She can basically say, "I've done it all!". She can relate to different births and/or she can share stories of those she see has seen/experienced first hand. She has so much to share and she has so much to give. Although she was pregnant, preparing and teaching a couple classes, has 2 and 1/2 kids, and in the middle of a move, she'd pick up the phone as if she was sitting around waiting for your call to answer any questions you had. I called her prior to class starting to inquire about her class. She was on vacation and still picked up my phone to talk to me for a good 20 minutes probably. I had a question late at night at 9pm or so and she still responded to my text message. She was busy putting her children to bed but got back to me right away to let me know she needed a minute to respond. Her classes offered some activities to allow us to practice "real life" scenarios. It was definitely good practice and allowed us to ask questions while we were doing it, in case it came up when we finally went into labor and Karen wasn't around. You basically get to practice what she teaches. Hands-on practice is always the best way to learn. I never imagined I would learn so much, especially in just 5 classes. This is my first birth and I'm so glad I learned what I learned from her before my first experience. I love her positive aura and personality overall. She's beautiful too! Very enjoyable to be around and learn from. She even offered little snacks for our growling tummies and cute little prizes. Totally unexpected and not necessary for her to do, but that's what also makes her so awesome! I Totally wish I could have her as my doula but she's so far away, it wouldn't be a good idea. She'll also be on the tail end of her maternity leave by then. She offered her full support and open availability if my husband and I needed anything. I appreciated that so much. We both know that she's just a phone call away. I wish everyone could learn what I learned from Karen. It would better prepare all women (and partners) out there for a more natural and unregrettable birth for them and their child and more likely prevent regrettable birth experiences.

I happen to stumble upon this class on Facebook. I won a 30% off Hypnobirthing class contest. I was…read moreearly in my pregnancy and didn't really have a birth plan in place yet. Meeting Karen and taking this class was one of the best things about my pregnancy and birth. Karen gave us all the tools and information we needed in order to have a beautiful home water birth. After already taking all the hospital offered child birth classes during my first pregnancy 6 years ago, I can honestly say, this is by far the best one my boyfriend and I have ever taken. More information than I have ever learned about childbirth ever before. Thank you, Karen! I highly recommend this class to every pregnant couple out there!

I am so glad that my husband and I found Rachel's Bradley class and placenta services for our first…read morepregnancy! We both learned so much and I am so thankful we got the chance to make such informed decisions. Rachel is so funny, knowledgeable, extremely helpful, and approachable. You can tell how much she cares from the first time you meet her. We also chose to encapsulate my placenta and once again her services were second to none! Turn around time was so quick and she delivered right to our door (which matters when you have a newborn!). I would highly recommend her birth class (which is so much more than just straight from the book Bradley method, seriously so much more extensive), as well as her placenta services!

Rachel's Bradley Birthing Classes are the best thing you can do for yourself, your husband, and…read moreyour birth experience! You'll learn everything you need to feel confident and prepared to welcome your sweet baby. Your hubby will feel confident and involved. And best of all your odds for having a safe natural childbirth will greatly improve!! Plus it's fun and you'll meet great people!

My husband and I decided to take Janine's class due to our holistic approach to birthing and our…read moregoal to best prepare ourselves with pain-coping strategies for a natural birth plan. Not only did Janine optimally prepare us, but we got so much more out of the class than we ever expected. Janine's approach is relatable, compassionate, friendly, kind and incredibly positive. She provided my husband and I space, in an intimate group setting, to have the tough conversations around birthing, our relationship with each other as future parents, and space to create tangible plans for prenatal care, labor and postpartum support. We would not have carved out this time to work through these topics on our own, and have so much appreciation for the tools and revelations Janine was able to help us uncover. My husband and I felt emotionally and physically ready to take on the birthing process, and felt intimately aligned as a partner duo in the process. We were especially grateful for the way Janine shed light on the birthing process due to COVID-19 and the fact that our Doula couldn't join us in the hospital as planned. My husband has such a greater understanding, respect and comfortability with supporting me in the toughest times of delivery because of Janine's curriculum. I highly recommend Janine's Birth From Love course to any conscious parents who are looking for a deeper connection, understanding and confidence in the birthing process, whether you are planning a natural birth or not. We had a smooth labor and delivery and now a happy, healthy baby girl to enjoy!

Janine is absolutely amazing! My husband and I did a private class - Birthing Again at home, which…read morewas so convenient and suitable as we are planning this birth to be at our home so it was a more appropriate comfortable setting for us. She has a ton of insight and recommendations not just about birthing/laboring the baby again, but on other topics such as postpartum plans and managing a healthy communicative relationship with your partner. Initially I thought 6 hours for a class was a bit long but it went by so fast! And we are more than happy we chose her as a guide to preparing us to do this again! Thank you Janine!!

I can not say enough great things about the hynpobirthing class with Care Messer. My partner and I…read moreare first time parents and did not know the first thing about the labor and delivery process. We were very unsure about everything and looking for direction. In class we learned about what the different labor and delivery options are, what to expect from hospitals, and different techniques to use during labor. We now feel we have the tools to better understand the whole process and make the decisions that are right for us and our family. The class addressed all of my questions and I feel like the information was presented in a very unbiased way, not to mention Care is super funny and the time in class flys by! I would recommend this class to all of my friends and family.

If you are pregnant, book your class asap! I can't rave enough about their approach to preparing…read morefor birth. My husband had two kids from a previous relationship, but still was able to learn things he hadn't been present for with them. It improved our communication surrounding my pregnancy and birth, even when it took a different turn. We'd made it through four of the five classes when my son decided to he needed to get out at 30 weeks. I had so many tools in my toolbox that I felt prepared, even during the scary prospects of having preeclampsia and a NICU baby. I'm so grateful for Care and her entire team. Such a blessing!!!!

April & Joy were a huge part of my pregnancy and our birth story. They quickly became one the…read morehighlights of everything we did to prepare and celebrate baby. My husband and I were so anxious about this new experience and really had no idea what to expect and how to best prepare in this age of social media. We felt so overwhelmed with the over-saturation of information and since neither of us had done this before we wanted to have a trusted source and know we could prepare mentally as much as physically and financially. From the first consultation we felt comfortable and confident in Joyful Roots. My husband is a yogi and told me he instantly felt that same sense of calm with April & Joy. We joined this process a bit late so we were worried we would have to rush to learn and get through everything, but with the ease of the portal, videos and their flexibility and dedication, we were able to fit everything in and not feel pressured or rushed. They came to our home twice before birth and we met each of them separately. We also had zoom calls and a group chat up until 2+ weeks after birth. My labor and birth story was very unique and unexpected, however with the constant support and easy communication, we felt taken care of through it all. I ended up in early prodromal labor for 72+ hours and April and Joy were there for us through all of it! When I was finally admitted to the hospital, April was there to walk us through labor positions and help me feel safe. She knew what positions to help get baby in the right position as well as ease my nerves. She also made sure I was fed and hydrated. She helped my husband interpret what options we had each step of the way and how to speak to the staff, while making sure we were asking the right questions and able to advocate for what we wanted. Due to unexpected circumstances, I was not able to have a natural birth and this was not because we didn't try everything. She could tell I was exhausted and did all she could to give me a pleasant birth experience; one without trauma. She stayed until after my cesarean and I felt so cared for when I saw she was still there waiting for baby and I to return. We cannot thank April and Joy enough for all they did. I don't know how we would have navigated ourselves through this arduous journey without them. It was a hard week and we made it through with their warmth, positivity and encouragement. In our final follow up zoom, they told us "they would always be our Doulas" and we will definitely keep in touch and look forward to having them in our lives later on down the road. Thank you for everything! Love, Chelsea, Lafras and baby Atlas

We absolutely loved our doula team! Both Joy and April were so attentive and helpful throughout our…read moreentire journey from pregnancy all the way through to the weeks after birth. They are so knowledgeable and it shows in the extensive 8 week birth course that they provide. We learned so much leading up to birth and really felt we got so much preparation and value out of their course. Their frequent check ins leading up to birth (and the days past my due date) made me feel like I wasn't forgotten about. I really appreciated their words of encouragement in that time of anxiously waiting to meet our baby. Joy and April are very well known in Scripps. Our nurse that we had was so excited that they were our doulas and to be working with them. That made us feel even more relaxed and confident knowing we had a great team. Even though my birth didn't go according to plan and ended in a C-section, my husband and I are both SO grateful that we had Joy with us that day. She kept us calm, explained things to us, and ultimately made us feel like we made the right decision in the end. We couldn't recommend them enough. Thank you for everything Joy and April!