Working with Kirsten as our doula was a fantastic decision and I'd highly recommend her…read more From the beginning, Kirsten was a wealth of information, sharing a variety of informational documents and videos covering everything from prepartum stretches/exercises all the way through birth and postpartum recovery. She was always available for questions and has extensive knowledge from her hundreds of clients as well as her own 6 birth experiences. The night I went into labor, she came over and walked my husband and me through exercises to speed up contractions. During delivery she kept me comfortable, worked seamlessly with the L&D nurse, followed the birth plan we made together, and always had the perfect words of encouragement. She was also a wonderful support to my husband and mom. After birth, when we were ready to give my daughter her first bath, Kirsten came over and walked us through the process, offering additional guidance and advice around sleep and breastfeeding. Kirsten really knows her stuff and loves what she does. Seriously, work with her. Kirsten is an amazing doula and very special human!

Not a good fit for me. An unfortunate waste of ~$3,200. I am disheartened to have to share that…read moreour experience was not good for us. Each relationship is a combination and this wasn't the right one for me. I should have said something early on as I knew it right after our first meeting. I feared having to deal with contractual bindings and didn't have the energy to. I hoped for the best when it became "showtime" during labor. It didn't change, it actually got worse. I originally liked Kirsten b/c she seemed compelling when she spoke. Quick. Which I thought would be a positive for a couple of reasons: -to be efficient with time given with my career responsibilities, I do not have much to give -I thought the pace would do a good job at keeping my attention How that formed up was: During our call to come up with a birth plan, Kirsten spoke so quickly and consistently we felt as though we couldn't get much of a word in. She also interrupted us multiple times. She seemed impatient. The insight she was sharing with questions we asked seemed boiler plate and lacking much depth. Or avoidant all together. I felt I was finding and receiving much more thorough information elsewhere on my own. I thought she was supposed to create a more personal rapport with me/us. Then help us really hone in to answers that were right for us. It seemed early on like she was just trying to check her deliverables boxes. My pregnancy was uncomplicated, therefore I didn't have much to share with her post pre natal appts etc... However, as the due date got closer, we could have used more attentiveness. As I mentioned, her style felt so impersonal that my motivation to reach out to her waned. It was more of a disapointment than an uplift. It felt like an easy paycheck grab. Our second mtg of her allotted services (the in-person one) she also seemed a little impatient and checked out. She was stopping to text with her kids during. The hour visit seemed to lend us again more of a machine gun style of "help" and pointers. Without great direction or clarity. In the meantime I was working with a prenatal bodyworker and midwife whom was a glaring counterpoint to the different styles of supporting someone during pregnancy. Patient & attuned to the person, not seemingly seeing them as a to-do list without really connecting. Fast forward to the weeks before the due date, the bodyworker/midwife could tell our baby was posterior or sunny side up. She was recommending certain exercises to do. Kirsten sent quick responses to any questions I asked that seemed like copy and paste answers. The lack of personal connection made this feel like a waste of time. My interest was already low, yet I tried to stay the course vs. say we don't need your services at all. (on a side note, there should be something said very clearly up front that if it doesn't feel like the right fit... even after contract signing and deposits paid that the mother and client should feel 100% welcome to say so and stop services without further payment - this would have created a safe environment vs. more stress in a time that can be draining enough). When it got closer to the date, and we went in to the hospital Kirsten sent a substitute b/c she had a personal event to attend. The substitute was, from the onset, seemingly more attuned to me (vs seeing me as a task). I responded much more openly to this and it was a pleasure to work with her. My labor process was just over a cpl of days w/ some stops & starts. Kirsten seemed to be either absent (w/ her replacement there for a portion of) or too late. If she were more connected I think she would have known to work on the posterior likelihood much earlier. I also wanted to ask for her substitute to come back instead, but I feared the bad energy that could bring to an already lack luster exchange...and my partner talked me out of it in the end. I found I lost respect for her and did not want to listen when she did make some effort. Her tone was again lacking personal touch. She sat on her phone and droned from across the room good job, you're so strong on repeat for a while. That sums up how I felt the service was performed for me. It seems she is a great fit for many, I am very happy for those mothers. I believe it is clear, she was not for me. I debated saying anything here for 5 mo. If nothing else, I wanted to advocate for the ability to get out of the contract if you start feeling the fit isn't for you. I think this should be offered up verbally and clearly by Kirsten at the onset of the relationship. I skimmed the contract and believe I saw binding language. I was pregnant, still running my business & drained. I did not however go back in and dissect it to see if I could get out of it. I avoided the confrontation thinking it would bring more bad feelings to our sacred space vs. help. I hoped for the best when it became show time. The best it was not.

Working with Annie was one of the best decisions I made as a new mom. From the moment she stepped…read moreinto our home, I felt a wave of calm and reassurance that I didn't even realize I needed. She brought so much knowledge, patience, and warmth -- not only to my baby's care but to mine as well. Annie gently guided me through things that had felt intimidating at first. I'll never forget the first time she showed me how to bathe my daughter -- she took the time to walk me through each step, making sure I felt confident and safe. She taught me how to read my baby's cues when she was overtired and showed me soothing techniques that helped her go down to sleep during the day, even when she was fussy. When it came to feeding, Annie supported me in introducing a bottle -- helping me find the right position, pace, and environment so my baby could take it comfortably. She also taught me how to play with her in ways that were developmentally appropriate and engaging, which helped me build a real bond during those early days when I sometimes felt unsure. Annie gave me strategies to make tummy time more enjoyable for my daughter-- and even fun! One of the most meaningful gifts Annie gave me, though, was emotional support. Postpartum can be incredibly isolating and raw, and Annie always checked in on me -- not just the baby. She created space for me to share what I was feeling, offered thoughtful reflections, and never made me feel judged or alone. She was a steady, grounding presence during a time when I desperately needed one. Annie is more than a postpartum doula -- she's a teacher, a nurturer, and an unwavering support system. I'm endlessly grateful for everything she brought into our lives.

It's hard to describe what Annie meant to us, but suffice it to say that we recommend Annie with…read moreour whole hearts. She cared for our newborn in a way that not only met his needs but provided love and comfort so he could thrive. And her care for me was essential to my recovery. One of Annie's superpowers is her ability to connect with people, and she brings this to bear in how she approaches her role supporting parents. I really appreciated her interest in getting to know us, how we think, and how we want to parent (and helping us flesh that out at a deeply introspective time). Rather than being prescriptive in her advice, she supported us in figuring out how to do it our way with perspective, knowledge, resources, compassion, and reinforcement. If anyone is having to balance day & night time support - I'd highly recommend seeking some help during the day. It wasn't something I knew existed until our friends recommended Annie, but it turned out to be invaluable. As a first time mom, I didn't realize beforehand that the days can as full on as the nights and there's a lot we need other than sleep. Not to mention that during the day, we greatly benefitted from Annie's expertise and friendly shoulder. And most importantly, it was important to us that our baby have many sources of loving care, and we are lucky that Annie is part of that village. Annie is truly invested in the wellbeing of her babies and mamas (and whole families!). If you have the privilege of working with her, it's a must!

I recently had the pleasure of working with Rebecca as a lactation consultant, referred to me by my…read moremidwife. Rebecca made a fantastic first impression with her quick email replies. Maybe she could sense my desperation? Either way, we quickly set up an in-home visit (an invaluable bonus of not having to leave the house with a 2 week old baby). She not only had a very reasonable rate, but even offered a sliding scale. After struggling with breastfeeding in any and every way possible (latching, positioning, etc.), Rebecca's help was extremely welcomed. She was calm, confident, reassuring, caring and knowledgeable. We worked together for over 2 hours at that session, calling it quits at the baby's discretion. Although I don't have a "miracle worker" story about how everything was magically fixed and we lived happily ever after, I do have a happy ending the breastfeeding saga. It took a few more weeks (and a few more tricks) for me to really apply everything that Rebecca taught me in that session, but now my baby and I are pros, and I really do owe much of the success to Rebecca's help. I would highly recommend her services as a lactation consultant to anyone!

Rebecca Plum is an extremely talented, composed, and compassionate Midwife. I worked with Rebecca…read morewhile she was the primary Midwife for my doula clients, and from the very beginning I was impressed with the quality and the individually tailored care that she provided. I was first exposed to her work ethic and birth philosophy during our homebirth -team meeting. This is a time for everyone who is planning on attending the birth to gather and discuss the women's birth vision, discuss roles and prepare for various scenarios that might unfold. Rebecca smoothly moderated the session so that everyone knew what was expected of them which allowed us to all see ourselves as a team working to provide this couple with the love, respect and care that they deserved. What really stood out to me was Rebecca's deeply intuitive nature and her ability to address under currents and subtle signals, bring them into the conversation and positively harness all the unknowns and natural anxieties that can accompany birth. While being ever professional and remarkably prepared, she sparked an excitement in the air and made it down right fun. During the birth Rebecca continued to be the ever calm, smooth and joyful presence. As a doula, I have been a part of many birth teams and seen many provider's styles. Rebecca's style is at the core about trusting the birthing woman, the natural birth process, and giving the woman space to trust herself. She imbued the birth space with laughter and a true love for her work and the family that she served. It was contagious. Knowledge, experience, choice, and laughter- not a bad combination for a midwife!

It has taken me years to write this because I wasnt fully able to process what had occurred until I…read moretalked about it first with friends and then with medical professionals, all of whom were horrified at what I thought was me "overreacting". Nona Cunningham's treatment of me when removing an IUD was the worst pain and inhumane treatment I have ever received in my life, much more painful that childbirth. When she was removing my IUD, I was under no pain meds or numbing, and she TORE into me. I was on the table screaming and literally crying from fear and pain and she continued. I begged her to stop- the pain was unbearable and she told me I was over reacting and this is "normal". I had to stop three times during the procedure due to pain and terror I experienced. She should be removed.

Dr. Cunningham and her staff are stellar. The intimate setting of her practice was exactly what I…read moreneeded to safely deliver my 2 babies. She spent the time with me and my husband answering questions and during delivery and labor I truly felt I was in good hands. I've read some of the negative reviews and it makes me sad. Nona is really a special person, she made me feel so comfortable and yet has so much medical knowledge. I always felt I was in good hands and that her recommendations were made to deliver a safe and healthy baby. Thank you Dr. Cunningham, Courtney, and the rest of the beautiful staff for making my pregnancy and delivery experience so amazing!

I can't explain in words how caring, loving, and empowering Meleah is--she is truly a beautiful…read moreperson inside and out. I was extremely nervous about the whole birthing process, including the pain, the challenges of birth, and whether I would be able to get through it without major anxiety. Meleah was there every step of the way. She met with us before the birth, talked through my anxiety with me both in person and over the phone, and was available 24/7 for any questions I had. When I went into labor, she was with me every step of the way, and I truly feel like I couldn't have gotten through it without her. She was my rock and made me feel truly loved and supported. She also knows the ins and outs of MarinHealth and was able to advocate for me throughout the entire process. After the birth, she continued to check in on me, give me advice, and help me with breastfeeding. I can't recommend her enough as a birth doula. She is the kind of person who supports you not just through birth, but for a lifetime. I am so incredibly grateful for her!

Meleah is an angel on Earth!!! I truly cannot imagine my birth experience without her. I had an…read moreextremely long labor (over 72 hours) and Meleah was there guiding me, comforting me, advocating for me, and coaching me through it every step of the way. She helped me find the optimal labor positions for my body, guided my husband in how he could best support me, and provided a depth of knowledge that we would have been completely lost without. My goal was to have a vaginal birth without induction, and with Meleah's support, that goal became a reality. I know that if I hadn't hired her and had gone to the hospital as soon as my contractions became more painful, my birth would likely have ended with far more interventions than I wanted, especially given how long my labor was taking. Because of Meleah's constant support and reassurance, I was able to labor safely at home until I reached 6.5 cm and then have the vaginal birth I had hoped for at the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital, Meleah stayed by my side the entire time. She brought her expertise into the delivery room and helped position me in ways that made a huge difference when it came time to push. She was also there helping with cleanup, offering emotional and physical support, and advocating for me throughout the entire process. I felt completely safe with her. Before my labor, we had three meetings with Meleah, plus another meeting postpartum. We talked through our expectations and preferences, created our birth plan, and did a full labor-preparation session. My husband and I both knew immediately that we were in incredibly good hands. On top of everything else, her communication is outstanding. She responds to texts and emails as soon as she possibly can (often almost immediately) even when it's a 3 a.m. text! And even now, two months later, Meleah continues to check in and answer any questions we have about our baby girl. Her support didn't end when the birth was over, and that has meant so much to us. Meleah was recommended to me by a friend, and I could not be more grateful. I honestly want Meleah at all of my future births because I know she will help me feel supported, confident, and as comfortable as possible throughout the entire experience. I cannot recommend her enough!!! If you're considering hiring a doula, hire Meleah. You will be so grateful you did!!

Karina is an amazing doula and child caretaker. She cared for our newborn from birth through 6…read moreweeks, and we were so thankful to have her expertise, knowledge, and calm presence during those early weeks. Even though this was our second child, I was still a very anxious as we'd never had a postpartum doula before or really any caretaker for evenings for a long duration of time. Having Karina as our night doula gave us so much peace of mind. She quickly recognized that our baby was dealing with gas, offered thoughtful recommendations, and was wonderful about making sure he was comfortable and settled. Our home is also quite small, and noise carries easily throughout the house. Karina was incredibly quiet, respectful, and accommodating during her overnight shifts, allowing the rest of the family to get much-needed sleep. She was compassionate, dependable, and wonderful with our baby, always taking the time to understand his needs while also helping us feel more confident as parents. Her experience and thoughtful guidance made a huge difference during a challenging and sleep-deprived postpartum period. We highly recommend Karina if you're looking for a doula or child caretaker!

Karina was an incredible support during my postpartum period. She started working with us when my…read moredaughter was just 3 days old. Her calm, reassuring presence made a huge difference as we navigated those first weeks with our newborn. She was very prompt in recognizing our baby's sensitivity to formula early on and shared valuable tips and guidance on how to manage it. She demonstrated and taught various techniques to both me and my husband that would have otherwise taken us a long time to figure out on our own. She is extremely knowledgeable, attentive, and intuitive--always anticipating our needs while respecting our parenting preferences. Karina provided both practical help and emotional support, from guiding feeding and sleep routines to simply offering a listening ear when things felt overwhelming. She has a warm, professional demeanor and brings a sense of confidence and comfort that is invaluable for new families. I would highly recommend Karina to anyone looking for a compassionate and skilled postpartum doula.

Patti was our Doula in 2011 when my son was born. I can't imagine the process without her. We…read moredidn't have our regular doctor on call to deliver our baby and the doctor on call was awful. She was pushing us to have a c-section even though their was no medically necessary reason to have one. Without Patti's help I may have been forced into a position that I was not willing to take. Patti massaged my ankles, spoke calmly and was nothing but supportive. She was just so present and kind at such an incredibly stressful situation. Our son was born healthy and without any medical interventions and I truly believe it was because of Patti's presence. She is warm, kind and loving. No one could ask for a better Doula than Patti. She is down to earth and not going to act in place of a mid-wife or doctor but she will be your champion and help you advocate for yourself as is necessary in a safe and compassionate way. All these years later we still get happy mother's day and happy father's day texts from Patti which remind us how special it is to be a parent and how special Patti was to us!

Our experience with Patti was overwhelmingly positive…read more I believe Patti was a large part of the reason we had a very successful birth after what was a complicated pregnancy (placental abruption, hospitalization and labor 3 weeks early among a few other things). Though we'd had a mostly positive experience with Kaiser in Santa Rosa, our birthing process was almost reduced to an absolutely dreadful experience (specifically because of the terrible fashion in which we were doctored and nursed by Dr. Regina Sullivan and Nurse Kim Stork). The entire staff tried to bully us into using Pitocin to speed us through the birthing process (entirely unnecessary, and fortunately not only do we come from a family of medical doctors but we had Patti there with us.) Patti was like a beacon through the darkness. She helped me gain perspective on how quickly we might expect to progress, she acted as an advocate for us and she treated me with utmost respect and absolute kindess while she utilized her many methods to progress us into active labor. She saved our birthing experience. Patti utilized acupressure, massage and aromatherapy for pain relief. I wouldn't consider having another baby without her present. Please feel free to contact me for a personal reference or with questions! I recommend Patti without reservation.

I reached out to a few doulas and felt an immediate connection with Alexis. From the first moment…read morewe spoke, she was so generous with her time and wisdom, as well as personal anecdotes to help me get a better sense of the types of scenarios we should be thinking through. She also helped me navigate the world of prenatal care - sharing the names of a wonderful birth class, prenatal masseuse and chiropractor that kept me in decent shape up until my birth. During labor, Alexis was a perfect partner to my husband and me. My labor was long, and having Alexis there with us meant that I always had a rested partner to help me through labor. She also helped us navigate the many decisions that inevitably arise during birth, and I can honestly say that while it didn't go according to "plan," it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life and I give Alexis so much credit for that. She's incredibly passionate about what she does and even after birth, was an incredible resource and partner to us in those early, uncertain weeks. We're lucky to have her in the Bay Area!

This is a long over due review. Alexis was my doula for the birth of my second son (7/24/14). My…read morehusband and I couldn't have done it without her. I contacted Alexis late into my pregnancy because I really wanted my second birth to be without an epidural. I didn't have the best experience with my first birth and I really wanted this time to be different. Alexis reassured me that this was a different birth and that my body was meant for this. From the moment I spoke to her I knew she was meant to be a doula. She is super calm and sweet and you can tell she loves what she does. We met shortly there after and I didn't have to interview anyone else (although I spoke to many over the phone). I wasn't too happy with my doctor at the time and Alexis not only knew who he was but helped me research other doctors and suggested many others to me.. She always responded to all of my silly questions and concerns and helped me come up with a birth plan. The day I went into labor I called Alexis and she gave me the option to come over or let me keep laboring on my own at home and meet me later. I felt calm and confident so I stayed in the tub and labored from home and stayed in touch with her. She could tell just by talking to me if I was close or not. When the time came I called Alexis and we met at the hospital. I can honestly say that thanks to Alexis I was able to have an un-medicated birth, my husband said it was the best money we have ever spent (and he was hesitant about getting a doula). Alexis helped me through the contractions and helped me remain calm. She even stayed long after to help in any way that she could. The only regret I have is that I didn't take any pictures with her that day.