I will forever be grateful to The Family Room. I joined in my second month postpartum after a…read morefriend - who had previously attended - suggested it. The new parent classes have been everything I need. Having a consistent, knowledgeable, caring instructor provides a sense of calm and knowledge to help navigate a truly wild transition. If you can take a class with Liz - DO IT. The most important thing, though, is the community. You're paired with moms and babies all at the same stage, so you've got similar struggles, advice, and real time support. Plus lifelong friends. I came to the family room after finishing a postpartum therapy group and struggling to know where my community was. I'm so happy to find it here. If you're a new parent looking for a place to land and want others who will celebrate and cry with you and become your village, consider The Family Room.

Came for mom community, left for a burrito…read more I joined The Family Room when my daughter was about three months old because I was a happy, exhausted, completely-in-love new mom who genuinely wanted to meet other mothers and socialize my baby. And apparently that was my first mistake. And yes I did attend and am not a fake review or a bot. I had waited so long to become a mom that even the sleep deprivation, middle-of-the-night feeds, and newborn chaos felt like a privilege to me. I was tired, absolutely, but I was also genuinely in bliss. Meanwhile, so much of the conversation seemed to revolve around how miserable everyone was from the lack of sleep and night feeds. I quickly learned that being the mom who was actually happy to be there did not exactly earn you membership into the Cool Moms Club™. I was actually the one who created our group text. I collected everyone's numbers and started it because I genuinely wanted us to stay connected outside of class and have a little community of new moms supporting one another. Ironically, I somehow became the person slowly excluded from the very group I created. As I got busier handling my businesses and couldn't attend every single class, the dynamic gradually changed. Then one of the last moms to join eventually asked me to essentially hand over control of the group chat I had created so they could continue it without me. The audacity was almost impressive. At that point I decided everyone could create their own group chat, wished them well in spirit, blocked the whole situation, and carried on with my life. Nothing quite says "supporting women during one of the most vulnerable transitions of their lives" like staging a tiny corporate takeover of another mother's group text. The part that really bothered me, though, was the lack of support from someone who was actually supposed to be providing it. I came to a lactation specialist with a breastfeeding concern and felt completely dismissed, while the mother sitting right next to me brought up essentially the same issue and received attention and support. I remember sitting there feeling completely invisible. I walked out crying and that was my last class. Shame on you for playing favorites. I was also one of only a couple of mothers breastfeeding, and whether that played into the dynamic, I can't say. But there was definitely an odd competitive energy around everything. My husband came with me to one of the new parent groups, and because space was limited, there were complaints. Then suddenly other husbands started showing up too, and somehow even bringing your spouse to a parenting group began to feel like an Olympic event. The whole experience started feeling less like "new moms supporting new moms" and more like a high school cafeteria with middle school girls rather than women lifting other women up. There was gossip. There was making fun of people. There were obvious cliques. There was a strange obsession with being one of the cool moms. And here I was thinking these babies are blessings why is everyone so miserable to have a baby? Maybe I simply landed in an unfortunate group, and I sincerely hope other mothers have had warmer experiences. But those first months of motherhood are incredibly tender. Women walk into spaces like this hoping to find community, reassurance, and maybe someone who understands what 3 a.m. feels like. No new mother deserves to walk out feeling invisible or deliberately excluded. Eventually, I stopped going. I got myself a burrito instead with my sidekick daughter in tow. The burrito was warm, comforting, dependable, and never once attempted a hostile takeover of my group chat. 10/10 for the burrito. Would absolutely choose it again.

I can't recommend Village Birth enough. So many amazing practitioners, so much helpful information…read moreall in one place, and a great community to boot. My husband and I took several classes at Village Birth leading up the birth of our baby, and I found my amazing lactation consultant, Hideko, after taking a very informative breastfeeding class with Yvonne. Hideko was an invaluable resource to me after the baby was born and continued to be for many months afterward. There was no way I would be able to breastfeed as long as I have if it weren't for her. Separately, I worked with prenatal chiropractor Dr. Jenny Stofer as well, who is also part of the Village Birth group now. I had experienced quite a bit of discomfort in my back during my pregnancy and she always made me feel at ease, listened to my concerns, and took care of any issues I had quickly and gently. I always left my sessions with her feeling energized, supported and like my baby had more room in there! It was incredible. Village Birth is made up of such a thoughtful, supportive and kind group of individuals who are talented and passionate about their work. If you're nearby and having a baby, it is the best place for top notch care and information!

I went to village birth in their bundle it was well worth the money. My husband and I did our birth…read moreeducation classes, newborn essentials, feeding and getting ready for the fourth trimester. Thru their doula match we found an amazing postpartum doula. I also did some of their prenatal circles and will be doing their post partum circle soon. Always a fun mix of women who go there, and I know the business can't control who signs up for classes but I wish more POC women and couples went. My first circle it was very intimidating being the only POC there.

Sharon is a very special and one of a kind birth specialist. She has a great medical background, is…read moreenthusiastic, and just pure joy to work with. We met her initially at a class through the Mother's Haven and were so impressed by her that we ended up booking a private session. Sharon was thoughtful, focused on our questions/concerns and honestly made some of the scarier components of giving birth fun. Highly recommend her and would sign up for one of her sessions again in a heartbeat.

This review was a long time coming. My little angel came three weeks early and we have been rocking…read moreat life ever since. He is a happy and healthy baby boy. Sharon is such a wonderful person. My husband and I found her through Yelp and had a great time in her Lamaze class and early infant class. Sharon was so welcoming and made the experience as first time parents so special for us and eased a lot of our anxiety. I don't think I would have been as mentally prepared as I was if I did not take her classes. I would even say emotionally too because I had to do a lot of healing with losing my first angel. Thank you so much Sharon. Our little Rami is doing wonderful. You were such a great impact on our journey as first time parents and have our upmost respect. Please keep doing what you're doing because first time parents really need you!

I don't know how I would have survived my pregnancy or birth without Jaquelin's help!! From the…read morebeginning of our relationship (while I was still pregnant), she was very supportive and helped me learn more about what I was going through via personal meetings, phone calls, email & web articles. She has a very calm and attentive nature (and I love her South African accent!) During my labor & delivery (32.5 hours!) her assistance was invaluable, since my husband did not want to be in the room at all - since he was afraid of passing out...lol! She knows what she is doing to keep you and your family comfortable and to move the process along. I don't remember a lot about that weekend as I was exhuasted, in pain, & eventually took some drugs to help with the pain, so it was great to have Jaquelin's story of my birth, with all of her notes! She also took some still photos with my camera, so I would remember this important moment in my life! If you are even thinking of hiring a doula, look no further! Her postpartum visit was also very nice & I can honestly say that she was much more than just another body in the delivery room...I now consider her a family friend and we stay in touch often. She is well worth the money that she charges for her services...I only wished that insurance would cover it. Either way, if I did it again, I would still use her. She made the whole experience as comfortable as it could be! :)

I was newly sober and pregnant!! I was warned about the dangers to my sobriety that could come from…read morebeing given prescription pain relievers after giving birth. Especially when C sections and medical interventions are at their highest. I was told to do some research on how to avoid unnecessary C sections and this eventually led me to a doula. I was planning to move back home to California from Florida. I looked up doulas in the area. When Jaquilin returned my phone call I was a mess and nervous over becoming a new mom & screwing it up! She brought peace to my heart answered ALL my questions which brought hope for what was about to come. I was not sure if I could even hire a doula and still living in Florida at the time. I can remember standing in one the isles of a grocery store in Florida. I was so concerned over fish oil in DHA inside the prenatal vitamins. I called Jaquilin, feeling silly because she hadn't been hired yet, but she returned my phone call over such a silly question like that or, "I ran out of my prenatal vitamins and it's only been 2 days. I'm worried about the baby!" She was there and helped bring peace to me! I knew then, standing in the middle of the store that she was the doula for me! I moved back to California, finally at 7 months. When I hired Jaquilin and started the lamaze classes with her they were intimate, small and fun. Very "homie". As well as extremely informative. I felt free to ask any questions. Any! Our choice for birth was for it to be all natural, but in a hospital (we chose the UCLA midwives Westwood. Also an A+ experience) As I'm writing, I'm thinking there is just too many wonderful things and experiences with jacqueline to to say! So I'm writing a list of the 1st ten things hat come to mind below!! My experience far superseded what I paid for and what I expected. I have the most memorable, REAL and intentional birth to thank from her support! 1. She was there for me after the birth, more than she "should" have. In regards to me being at risk for post Partum depression. Supported me all the way through & called in to check up on and make sure I made the phone calls I needed. 2. Jaquilin came over at exactly the right time during my labor. Supported me in all the ways I wanted and needed in order to move into active labor and through the pain. 3. Helped me with my birth plan and met me For walks in the park. 4. Helped me find organic and holistic approaches to many things. 5. The birth!!!! The birth was exactly what I asked for. Exactly!!!! She believed in me the whole time and I in turn believed in my bodies ability to do exactly what it needed to do. 6. I used her experience and knowledge with birth as my guide. I needed her to know when I was ready to go the hospital (I know I would have gone way to soon if I didn't have her!) and because of that there was no need for the hospital to do "hospital things" I was ready! 7. I showed up at 7 centimeters. (All the nurses and the midwives were impressed) I couldn't have done that without the support from my doula Jaquilin. 8. An hour after arriving I gave birth to Liam! Beautiful, all natural, healthy and strong! 9. She was there the whole way through, to the end & then some. 10. I didn't receive any narcotics or epidural. No medical interventions. I was aware. My birth was intentional and I was empowered. Thank you Jaquilin for helping me achieve the birth I was meant to have

My Postpartum Doula Workshop experience was truly life changing. It was positive, eye opening,…read moreinspiring, and, at times, overwhelming in the very best way. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in such a safe, welcoming space. The energy was incredible, and being surrounded by such a wonderful group of women made the experience even more special. There was so much learning, sharing, encouragement, and connection. And Kathrin, our trainer, was absolutely amazing. Her knowledge, passion, the way she guided us through the workshop made such an impact on me. She created an environment where I felt comfortable learning and truly taking in everything this beautiful work has to offer. Honestly, I would do this workshop all over again not because I needed to, but because I would love to experience that same energy and connection with another group of women. Every group brings something different, and I can only imagine how beautiful each experience can be. I highly recommend Kathrin's Postpartum Doula Workshop to anyone who is interested in becoming a postpartum doula. It is an experience I will carry with me as I begin this new chapter. Lizette

Ana Paula is a wealth of knowledge and compassion. She's a beautiful mix of warm and calming with a…read morefun energy and the utmost professionalism.

Lia was an amazing resource for my husband and me as we prepared for the birth of our son. If…read moreyou're in Long Beach and interested in a natural birth experience or simply want to feel informed and prepared for labor and childbirth, I highly recommend her. She empowers her clients with information and helps them feel confident making the best decisions for themselves. Her kindness and support extended beyond class hours. When I went into labor, she promptly responded to texts from my husband, answered his questions, and offered guidance and reassurance. She helped him better understand how to support me during labor, and that made all the difference in our experience. Birth is beautiful, wild, and unpredictable. Lia helped us feel confident in our birth plan while preparing us to navigate the process as it unfolded. We're so grateful for her knowledge, warmth, and support. Highly recommend!

I took Lia's childbirth class during my first pregnancy in 2023. I live in South Orange County, so…read morethe drive was a bit of a commitment, but it was absolutely worth it. Being in class with other expectant couples created such a supportive environment, and the course was incredibly comprehensive. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to navigate a hospital birth and make informed decisions about the many interventions that are commonly offered. At 38 weeks, my water broke unexpectedly while I was riding a stationary bike. I immediately reached out to Lia for guidance. Since I wasn't experiencing a fever or any signs of infection, she explained that I had options: I could either go to the hospital right away or stay home and wait for labor to begin naturally. She also educated me about the fact that the body continues producing amniotic fluid and that, in some cases, a small rupture in the membranes may even reseal. Knowing that going to the hospital before labor started would likely lead to an induction (which wasn't aligned with my goal of having an unmedicated birth) I chose to stay home and monitor myself. The night before my 39-week OB appointment, I was feeling anxious. I knew that if my provider confirmed my water had broken before labor had started, induction would almost certainly be recommended. I reached out to Lia again, and she suggested trying the Miles Circuit. I followed the stretches that evening, and to my surprise, I went into early labor around 1:00 a.m. Whether it was the Miles Circuit, my body simply being ready, or a combination of both, it gave me the confidence to keep trusting the process. In January 2024, I welcomed a healthy baby girl through the unmedicated birth I had hoped for. While my hospital experience was unfortunately traumatic, the education Lia provided made all the difference. There were many moments when my husband, my doula, and I had to advocate for my birth preferences, and it wasn't always met with respect. Without the knowledge and confidence I gained from Lia's class, I truly believe my birth could have unfolded very differently. I'm now pregnant with my second baby, and one of the first things I did was sign up to retake Lia's class. One of the biggest perks is that once you've taken her course, you can retake it as many times as you'd like for free. Childbirth education isn't something you only benefit from once, and I love having the opportunity to refresh everything I've learned before welcoming another baby. I'm incredibly grateful for everything Lia taught us. Her class empowered me to make informed decisions, advocate for myself, and approach birth with confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend her course to any expecting parents, especially those hoping for an evidence-based, physiologic birth. Even if you have to drive a little farther to attend like I did, it's worth every mile.

After searching far and wide, I chose to work with Debbie @AuthenticBirth through Los Angeles birth…read morepartners. Her warm energy and thoughtful expertise helped me feel confident. She personally picks up your placenta and drops off and even includes a cord keepsake. The price is fair and well worth it, she even takes the time to call and answer any questions you may have beforehand. Wonderful overall- I have referred her to some of my friends and family.

I really want to thank Debbie for being so wonderful. She is such a professional in her field, and…read moreso knowledgeable. In the crazy tumultuous times of labor and welcoming a newborn into your life, the last thing you wanna do is an extra task. But Debbie was ON IT. she was so well informed, kind and a great communicator. She worked with us, navigated all the Hospital paperwork, had the dried placenta pills delivered it so promptly!!!! I would wholeheartedly recommend this to all mamas to be. Excellent experience all around! Thank you Debbie and LA Birth Partners!

I'm so glad I decided to have my placenta encapsulated with Tiffany at Pure Births! Tiffany was…read moretruly so great to work with. She was always quick to respond, answered all of my questions, and was really informative throughout the whole process. She made everything feel so easy and stress-free. Even being a holiday weekend, dropping off my placenta was super easy and convenient, which I really appreciated, especially with a newborn and everything that comes along with those first few days postpartum. I personally felt like the pills really helped me with both my energy and my mood during those early postpartum weeks. I felt like I had a little more energy to get through the long days and nights, and I noticed a positive difference in my overall mood as well. I know everyone's experience is different, but for me, I'm really happy I chose to do it! The capsules were also wrapped so cute, and Tiffany included our sweet baby boy's umbilical cord as a keepsake, which was such a thoughtful and special touch.

I'm SO thankful I found this birthing center! Being able to have the water birth I had always…read moredreamed of AND have it covered by my insurance, was truly such a blessing. From the beginning, I loved that they focused on natural options, education, and helping me feel confident and informed throughout my pregnancy. They're very upfront that they don't offer epidurals, but honestly, the way they empowered and prepared me made such a difference. When it was finally time to give birth, I KNEW I could do it without one...and I did! ‍ The entire staff was amazing, supportive, and genuinely cared about me and my baby. They do have stricter requirements than a hospital, but I came to understand that it's because they want to make sure every mom is in the safest position possible to receive the best care. I'm so grateful for the experience, the education, the support, and especially for getting the birth experience I always prayed for. Thank you for helping bring my baby into the world in such a beautiful and empowering way!

Asking Keely to be our Doula was the best decision we could have made for ourselves as new parents…read more Not only is Keely well versed and educated in what she does, she has a very calming and kind presence too. Even our anti-social cat loved being around her! She helped us to feel confident in our decisions and prepared for labor in a way no birth class could. During labor she helped me to stay focused and calmed me down when I thought I couldn't handle it anymore. I definitely underestimated how much reassurance and help I would need postpartum, but Keely's visit was much needed. Plus, she makes a mean vegetarian chili! Should we have another baby, we'll be enlisting Keely's support again.

I have taken over a year and a half to write this review to make absolutely sure what I say is fair…read moreand level headed. I DO NOT recommend Keely as a doula. She's is a wonderful speaker and extremely eloquent but her involvement and skill set unfortunately ends there. Keely abandoned me and my husband during an emergency c section. One I think would have been completely avoided with a more experienced, empathetic and advocacy minded doula. I have a long list of reasons I regret hiring Keely but all I think that really matters is that I'm certain my birth experience was made considerably worse as a direct result of her involvement. I highly recommend a doula, just not this one. Good luck mamas!!!

7 years ago I accompanied my best friend as her partner for Alisha's in person Hypnobirth class…read more The class was amazing and life changing for me. There was a birthing doula in class and I knew this was something that I needed to get certified in. I became a certified birthing doula in 2020. I reached out to Alisha again in 2022 inquiring if she still had doulas in class, but during that time she was doing virtual classes. December of 2023 I got a call from Alisha asking me to co-host a Hypnobirth class with her. I jumped at the opportunity to work with Alisha and take this class again. As a birthing doula, Hypnobirth speaks to me and the type of birth that I know so many parents dream about having. Alisha and I just finished her 5 week course and after taking it for the second time...I fell in love with the class as I did the first time. It is so informative for any parents who want to have a calm, peaceful, natural childbirth. Alisha's class will prepare you and your partner for a truly unique birthing experience that will teach you hypnosis for birthing (as well as other times in your life), calm your fears and anxieties, sleep techniques for parents who are already struggling with sleep all while bringing partners closer together for this amazing new chapter in their lives with their new one. Taking this class the first time changed my life and I was honored to have been able to have worked with Alisha for the second time. She truly is amazing and knowledgeable in her field and expertise. Thank you Alisha!

Taking Hypnobirthing with Alisha Tamburri in March 2020 was one of the best decisions I made while…read morepreparing for the birth of my first child that July. The tools and techniques I learned in her class gave me the confidence and calm I needed--and I used them again when I gave birth to my second child in June 2023. Both births were completely unmedicated, peaceful, and empowering. I wasn't afraid--I actually enjoyed the experience. Alisha is incredibly warm, kind, and grounded. Her presence alone is calming, and she was always able to soothe any fears or anxieties I had. I even called her while in labor, and she guided me through breathing techniques that helped me stay centered. With my first, I arrived at the hospital already 9 centimeters dilated after laboring at home most of the day. It was a beautiful experience. My husband took the class with me, which was so helpful. He knew exactly how to support me and understood the birth experience I envisioned. Because I had such a positive experience, I even reached out to Alisha while my sister was in labor. Although my sister hadn't taken the course, Alisha generously offered to speak with her and provided much-needed reassurance during a stressful time. To this day, I still use the calming techniques I learned, and I'm teaching my children the importance of mindfulness and meditation. Alisha's guidance has truly had a lasting impact on me and my family.