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!

Would 100% recommend. My doulas were Kim & Ella and I felt that they provided some a good…read morecombination. I had such a wonderful birthing experience and largely attribute it to them and the birth 101 class that we had. I was so informed and felt confident in the decisions I was making throughout the process. I would 1000% recommend going with this co. The other thing is that there are several different doulas that work under this agency so if one doesn't fit your vibe, there are more that they could pair you up with. Thank you BB for being part of our birthing experience.

We are so grateful to have had the dream team of Louise and Emry…read more At the prenatal visit, they kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took their time to carefully understand our previous pregnancy and birth experience and supported us in forming the birth plan we were most comfortable with. During labor, Louise's steady presence and calm, reassuring energy made all the difference. She knew exactly when to step in to offer guidance or helpful suggestions, advocate for our needs, and even when to lighten the mood with her wonderful sense of humor. At the postpartum visit, Louise continued to show her sweet, supportive, thoughtful nature. She checked-in on all of us, answered questions, and made sure we were adjusting well to a new family member. We couldn't have asked for a better team to support us through such an important time in our lives. We would absolutely recommend Louise and Emry to anyone looking for a doula.

Juliana was a major help during a very vulnerable time. I booked multiple at-home lactation…read moreconsultations when I was freshly postpartum, and she provided personalized and thorough after-visit reports to support my breastfeeding journey. I was dealing with blood blisters, a poor latch, doubts and fears about supply, and a baby that was temporarily not gaining enough weight. As a first-time mom, it was extremely stressful, and there were many tears. However, Juliana's visits always left me feeling more informed, reassured, and capable. We also did a weighted feed during every visit, which confirmed that my baby was indeed getting enough to eat. I still remember the relief I felt when I learned that. Juliana is a big reason why I decided to stay the course with breastfeeding. (Thank goodness, because now I LOVE it.) My insurance covered the cost of the visits, so I just paid the $60 travel fee. I also attended her breastfeeding class with my husband before giving birth. This was super helpful, but I recommend taking the class within 1 month of your due date. We took it a bit too early in my pregnancy, and forgot a couple things by the time I gave birth. Overall, I would highly recommend booking a lactation consultation with Juliana if you're in need of support!

I wouldn't be breastfeeding today but for Rochelle. As a second-time breastfeeding mom, I didn't…read morethink I needed a LC, but was humbled when my baby wouldn't feed properly and failed to hit weight milestones. After many weeks of troubleshooting and anxiety, we finally saw Rochelle who correctly identified the issue immediately, referred us to other fantastic providers, and provided incredible, kind support throughout the process. I went from mostly pumping for 3 months to exclusive breastfeeding. My daughter is 5 months old and BF now feels easy, my baby is healthy, and all is well. I owe this happy ending to Rochelle and only wish I'd booked an appointment with her earlier!

Very grateful to have them with me. First time doing this and also first one in my family. My…read morepregnancy was very emotional, a lot of tears and I always felt in a safe environment when I was with them. Alix was my main midwife, so cheerful, supportive and looking for the best answer, with best answer no only to my questions but to my health, soul and mind. Can sound very promising and in reality the flow/pregnancy feels simple having their help. I guess is the very experience support that they have. I wish I could express more because words are short for my feeling of gratitude. Much love and best wishes for you. If you are already here...this is your way.

A million times over, I would choose Tema and her student midwife team to guide me on my pregnancy…read moreand birth journey. As a second time mom and healthcare practioner, i thought I had pretty good education on natural birth. Tema not only furthered my knowledge, but also made me and my husband feel beyond supported every step on the way. My whole body wellness was cared for, and having my emotional and spiritual health nourished along with my physical health during pregnancy was beyond what I expected. Tema takes the time to get to know you, your baby, and your partner, so by the time It is birth day, she feels like family. I completely trusted her at a moment that was so vulnerable to me. We hit a snag during labor, but Tema handled it so professionally and confidently and we were able to safely deliver my healthy baby boy at home. It was a beautiful experience. I am convinced that Tema's knowledge of spinning babies facilitated my labor to progress and if I had been in a traditional birth setting, it would have went differently. If you are looking for a caring and trustworthy midwife for your home birth, please choose Tema. Her passion for her calling is evident in every interaction and she is a blessing to the home birth community.

I cannot speak enough praise about Tiffany Alblinger. The support we received before during and…read moreafter our birth was, and still is, invaluable. She is kind, knowledgable, supportive, reassuring and an overall pleasure to be around. I felt totally comfortable with her from the first meeting on and I feel like we will always have a bond with her because she helped us bring our beautiful baby into the world. We planned a Bradley birth which she completely supported and, during our first few meetings, was instrumental in encouraging me find a care provider who would help me realize my goal of going unmedicated. Without her gentle encouragement I know my prenatal care and childbirth would have been much different. During the labor she offered wonderful words of encouragement along with experienced advice which helped me to understand what was happening with my body all while supporting my husband as he supported me. After the birth of our son, she stayed with us for the first few hours and helped with everything, from breastfeeding to helping me use the restroom (which is terrifying the first time) and she even gave me a very welcomed foot massage. She also came and visited us a few days after my sons birth, just to say hi, talk about the birth, and offer a helping hand around the house. She also made herself very available for questions or just to talk from our first meeting until now! My husband and I (along with our baby!) would highly recommend Tiffany as a doula!

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.

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!!

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!!!!

My partner and I took this class when we were in our 2nd trimester and I cannot recommend it…read moreenough! Care, the instructor, was absolutely incredible and her teaching style worked best for us. She is so funny, honest and relatable. She never sugar coats anything, but I always left class feeling more excited for my birth experience as well as less afraid. By the end of the class series, I felt completely confident to go through labor and birth with my first child and my partner and I have never been more connected emotionally, spiritually or physically. If I could take her class again just for fun, I would. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

So much gratitude to this amazing doula duo!!…read more From the first time we met with April and Joy we felt comfortable and confident in our decision to work together. We are from out of town and I came down to San Diego first as my husband had to finish work and it was very reassuring to have April and Joy as part of our birth team in case I went into labor earlier than expected. Throughout my pregnancy all the resources, check ins, and words of encouragement that April and Joy provided were much appreciated. They were also very quick to respond to any questions/concerns that I had. The morning of my delivery my surges came in very quickly. I contacted Joy and April right away and shortly after had a phone conversation with Joy to confirm it was time to head to the hospital. She met my husband and I there and it was such a relief to see and have her support during the most challenging part of my labor. Her calming presence, hands on comfort measures were invaluable and she worked so harmoniously with the hospital staff. The photos she captured of our first moments with our second born are truly priceless. After delivery I had unexpected bleeding and I'm so thankful to have Joy's knowledge on the different types of medications. She helped slowed things down and explained the benefits of them for my case and I felt confident in my decision making. I am incredibly thankful for April's belly binding offering postpartum. The foot bath and belly massage was such a treat and it was a lovely way to wrap up our time together with her. There isn't a single thing I would have changed with my birth experience. April and Joy are a fantastic team, highly highly recommend them!

Working with Joyful Roots was truly one of the best decisions we made, and I can honestly say that…read moreJoy and April are the number one thing I credit for helping me have such a beautiful, positive birth experience. Before giving birth, I was someone who felt really nervous and unsure about the whole experience. But after going through it, I genuinely tell everyone that I loved giving birth, which is something I never thought I would say! That is such a testament to the incredible support and care Joy and April provided throughout my pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience. My hope going into birth was to labor naturally at home as long as possible and remain open to getting an epidural once I was at the hospital and further along in active labor. They helped me achieve exactly that. While we were laboring at home, April was the one on the phone coaching my husband and me through contractions, helping us feel safe and calm. She offered different suggestions for positions and comfort measures that made such a difference. My husband shared after that he would have been freaking out much more and probably would have pushed going to the hospital earlier if it was not for her guidance. When Joy met us at the hospital, I instantly felt a huge sense of comfort and relief the moment I saw her. She was tremendously helpful supporting me through contractions with her touch through different comfort measures. After I got the epidural, she continued to be so knowledgeable and helped position me in ways that encouraged baby to be in the best possible position for birth. He was more to the side before but she made such a difference in getting him in a great position. What stood out most to me was how deeply seen and understood I felt by her. She was so in tune with my needs, emotions, and what I needed in each moment in a way that felt different from anyone else present in the room at my birth. Her presence was grounding and incredibly reassuring. Even after I gave birth, when I was feeling overwhelmed by all the emotions and hormones, she noticed immediately and supported me so thoughtfully and gently. That care meant so much to me. I know hiring a doula is an investment, but truly, it was one of the greatest gifts I could have given myself, my family, and my birth experience. If you are considering working with Joyful Roots, I cannot recommend Joy and April enough.