I highly recommend Karla and Narchi as an amazing team of doulas! I really wanted an all natural…read morebirth with no interventions, and they were essential in helping me successfully achieve my goal. They are both extremely warm and understanding people, and I immediately felt comfortable sharing everything with them. They are also very communicative and respond quickly and with very useful information. My husband and I learned many extremely useful tricks from our pre- and post-birth classes, such as the best breastfeeding and bathing techniques and how to correctly use a Boba wrap. My labor was long and drawn out - 4 days of start and stop contractions which didn't get closer together at the end! Therefore, all the usual sign posts didn't apply to us. If we hadn't had Karla to check in with and ask questions, not only would have been very hard to have the mental fortitude to be patient and let my body progress naturally, but we would have had no idea when to go to the hospital. Also, at a point when we were really stuck and exhausted, Karla was brilliant and essential in coaching me and my husband through to the next phase. And this was all done virtually, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine! I was very skeptical and disappointed when I had found out they wouldn't be able to attend in person. But it turns out Karla was still able to provide amazing and necessary service. When I went to the hospital, Karla was on the phone with me with earbuds the entire time. Turns out I was fully dilated when I arrived, much to everyone's surprise because my contractions were still on average 5 mins apart! Karla helped coach me through the pushing stage with great encouragement and my baby arrived completely naturally about 2 hours after arriving at the hospital. I couldn't have asked for better education, coaching and encouragement. Thank you Karla and Narchi!

I highly recommend Rachel and Sherraine! Rachel attended our birth but it was lovely meeting…read moreSherraine beforehand. Writing this review almost 6 months after giving birth so I had time to process everything. Rachel has this calming yet confident presence. She helped me tremendously during labor and worked well with my husband. It felt like she knew exactly what I needed without me saying much. She also knew when to hive us the time to be by ourselves and helped with food and drinks (birthing center). I am grateful she was part of this special day and she also took amazing pictures

This Bradley Method preparation class is amazing! I chose Bradley Method over hypno birthing or…read moreLamaze because as a long-distance runner it's approach to pain made more sense to me. Also, it seemed like a method that fully incorporated the partner and I wanted the birth experience to be for both of us, and for my partner to not simply be a mildly supportive by-stander. I chose Mary Esther's class based on the recommendation of the midwifery practice we are with and signed up months before it started. By the time it started I was sorry I'd chosen such an intensive class. 8 weeks instead of the couple of hours one session that most people I know had chosen for their birthing class! I was worried it was a waste of time and money, a rookie mistake from being a little too gung-ho at the beginning of the pregnancy. Those fears were gone by the end of the first class. We'd chosen the Sunday afternoon class since the weekday evening classes seemed too hard for this early bird (how does dinner work?) Our group was a a great and diverse mix of hospital/birthing center/home birth going with midwife/ob. We were surprised by just how diverse it was in terms of childbirth choices. The classes themselves were tremendously enjoyable. Mary Esther keeps a relaxed energy going through the class and from the beginning mentioned we should eat, drink and go to the bathroom as we wanted. With so many pregnant ladies in the room, we all did! I was worried about having to sit for so long, but though the main seats are uncomfortable, there are plenty of props to make yourself comfortable on the mat, and there are these little chairs that don't look very comfortable but are surprisingly comfy pregnant ladies. (I'm actually trying to figure out where I could get one for home. They're adorable and could double as kid's seats for later.) Plenty of people simply would simply lie down on the mat when they felt like it. But the main reason I recommend this class is for the effect it has had on me, my partner, and our relationship through this pregnancy. We've learned so much, and we're approaching this birth with a sense of joyful calm excitement I don't see in others who have not taken this class. As a type A, make the list and check it twice, and boss everyone around kind of person, it's been hard to get used to not being able to do everything I used to do before my pregnancy. But it seems like pregnancy and birth go much better when you learn that you can't control everything. You have to trust your body, and trust those around you. Learning to lean on my partner more has helped deepen our bond, and having my partner be so involved and so knowledgeable about what helps and what doesn't and giving me nightly massages (it's part of the homework! true story!) has helped me relax and go into this knowing I've done all I can, and that I'm in the best hands.

I hated this class with Mary Esther Malloy. Hated. I actually threw up from how much stress this…read moreclass caused me, not once but TWICE. So we quit after 4 sessions even though it meant forfeiting the $450 fee (although ME said she would refund it if I took down my review...). I had heard great things about this class before enrolling. This review is my opinion and you should feel free to trust other people as you see fit. I am having a hard time organizing in my head all of my issues with this class and with ME so I will just try to make a list. Some things might not be that carefully explained though so send me a message if you want more information on anything I say. 1) ME spends a lot of time telling stories from births where she has been the doula. She does not spend enough time with the students on preparing for their own birth experience. She spends a short period of time going over labor positions and a short period of time on techniques to deal with pain. She never in any way ties in the Bradley Method with the stories she tells. 2) The Bradley Method is very partner oriented. AKA, I felt fairly unimportant in the class. I felt like my husband could have gone to the class without me and when he got home asked me to hold ice for a minute while deep breathing. That sounds super useful in labor. Wait, no it doesn't. 3) ME is really condescending. She showed scientific pictures to the class and asked the class to guess how dilated the cervix was in those pictures. In one picture my husband guessed "5" and she laughed. Actually laughed. Then a doctor and a midwife also taking the class said they thought 5 or maybe 6. And she let it go. There was no answer on the picture but if a doctor and a midwife agrees, I think you should apologize to my husband for laughing at him. Twice in the first class I felt like it was better to keep my mouth shut than to offer an answer. And so I really did become mute. Oh, then after the class I cried. At least it wasn't on the first day of class when I threw up. 4) Everyone in the class is expecting a different birth experience. Some were using a birth center, some a hospital and just me and my husband were planning a home birth. I felt like she taught the class for those using a hospital and glossed over the other options. She would teach something oriented to being in a hospital and then as an after thought say how it would differ in a birth center or at home. So I felt really confused taking in all of this unnecessary information and trying to identify what actually applied to me. 5) ME is entirely unreachable by email or phone. She might reply a week later - Depends what her three kids have going on that week, you know? The contract for the class states that she would be accessible by email or phone throughout the class but that's laughable. 6) ME ignores the needs of pregnant women taking the class. I was signed up for the summer intensive course which is 8 classes that are each 3 hours long. She would take a break where people would gobble down some dinner at around 8:15pm. She didn't take any other breaks. The chairs are super uncomfortable but so is sitting on the floor. No pregnant woman can really sit still for 3 hours. By the end of the classes my back and stomach would be killing me. There was nothing I could do to make sitting for 3 hours comfortable. 7) ME never told us to bring the binder she handed out to every class. In fact, looking through it it seems like extra information (which it for the most part is) so I was never even sure what pages from it she might want us to bring to the next class. Stating that to the class would be really useful. Again, ignoring the needs of pregnant women (to not carry around an unnecessary binder of articles that barely matter). 8) The materials are very outdated. The creators of the Bradley Method should be embarrassed to show videos from the 1970s and videos where the words "civilized people" are uttered. 9) It is hard to wrap my own head around why this class caused me such extreme stress so bear with me. If you are a Type A person like myself, you like to feel in control. Now, with labor, there is a lot you can't control. I get that. But the idea that I have to hand over control to my husband or I will fail at my natural childbirth is really disarming. It caused me to feel physically ill to think that the success of my birth plan really has very little to do with me and a lot to do with how well my husband interprets my needs. 10) After quitting this class we decided to purchase Hypnobabies. Hypnobabies puts me squarely in control of my ability to completely relax and treats my husband like the support person that he is. It is a way better fit and apparently what ME used herself!

I wasn't sure about the type of support I'd like after having my first child. There are so many…read moreoptions and things to think about that the decision making process can be kind of overwhelming. Baby Caravan was great - when I reached out to them they answered all of my questions and before hiring a doula I was able to video chat with her so we could get to know each other. I ended up hiring Allie for post-partum visits and she was wonderful. So friendly and kind and she was so knowledgeable! She really supported me with breastfeeding techniques, helped me sort thru baby gifts and had great tips about everything from diaper changing techniques to how to properly sterilize baby bottles. She made the transition to parenthood so much easier and really helped me develop my confidence as a new mom. She also just provided some much needed relief, compassion and extra hands during those crazy first few weeks. I'm really grateful to her and Baby Caravan for all of their help during such an important time in my family's lives.

We had the most pleasant experience with our doula, Rebecca, and felt compelled to share it…read more As first-time parents during the harsh circumstances of the Covid-19 shutdown, we were plagued with questions and paralyzed with anxiety. How could we manage to do this, unplanned, during a period of national quarantine? The prospects were daunting, but we had those worries melt away with Rebecca's calm and practical, take-it-easy style. Her energy helped soothe ours ... and we found her breadth of knowledge to stretch the vast corners of newborn care. We found Rebecca to be thoughtful, careful, attentive ... and always readily available. Rebecca was an integral part of our birth plan and we were more relaxed first-time parents for having worked with her. She laid out a clear and concise action plan that worked wonders from the beginning. She is a pleasure to work with. I now understand why she came so highly recommended to us.

I couldn't have asked for a better care team with Rebecca and Jasmine! they are an incredible team…read moreand extremely experienced. Each interaction with them from the consultation. to the post partum visits was respectful, encouraging, and very informational. I felt empowered through my entire birth experience. We delivered at a hospital and it was invaluable to have Rebecca with us to navigate that system and ensure that our birth preferences were followed as best as possible. My partner has said multiple times that having our doulas there to support is was transformational and we would not want to have done it without it them! I highly recommend their services and am so thankful for all they provided us and our family :)

My partner and I hired Vickie and Francesca to be our doulas with our second pregnancy. They were…read moreone of my matches through Boober, and from our preliminary conversation, I knew they would be the best fit for us. What really struck me about them was how grounding they were throughout the whole pregnancy and birth and postpartum. They listened to my concerns and helped us feel comfortable being advocates for ourselves, arming us with information. There were a few moments during the pregnancy, particularly at the end, where I had some concerns and fears, and they offered to jump on the phone pretty quickly and talk through options. That they were both so willing to support and help me reframe the multiple situations was really helpful and accommodating. I felt heard throughout every step of the way. Francesca was our doula the actual day of our child's birth. She was with us for 4 hours (during active labor) and really helped me focus on my breathing, which made the most intense moments more bearable. She was incredibly encouraging and helped my partner and I do what we could in a [at times] challenging situation (related to the hospital). I was so thankful she could be there. We also enjoyed meeting with both Vickie and Francesca postpartum. Even though this was our second child, we both learned some new things about newborns - and ourselves. They also run a weekly, virtual support call with other pregnant women, which was a nice time to hear from them as well as meet other women on their various journeys. Vickie and Francesca's offerings include additional options, like childbirth education, partner support groups, and movement classes. They support women and families all over New York. I would definitely recommend your looking into them if you're even remotely thinking about hiring a doula. Our experience would have been a lot more difficult if we hadn't had them supporting us along the way.

Chloë is simply the best, seriously. Being the first pregnancy, I worried a lot, and she took the…read moretime to go over every fear and/or question I had, with her gentle, sweet manners. She was extremely supportive of my birth plan and when the day came, she literally went above and beyond trying to stick to my wishes. She was 7 month pregnant herself and after staying with me for many, many hours while laboring (bringing juice, taking pictures, making me laugh and helping me changing positions), she decided to stay even after her shift was over, to deliver my baby (who I was so pleased to call Chloe as well!). I'll never forget how calm and encouraging she was during the pushing stage. It was a beautiful birth, and it's all because of her. I also received an outstanding postpartum care and a lot of help with my early breastfeeding issues. She's deeply passionate about her job, she's so informed, and she really cares about you. She's a true gem, as a person and as a midwife. Here's a pic of us right after birth.

Best decision I made was choosing cosmos midwifery for my home birth! From the first visit Jenna…read morewas kind, thoughtful and professional. I felt very safe and in good hands during the whole process. During the birth Jenna was calm and confident. I trusted her fully and she was very respectful towards all my preferences. Couldn't have picked a better provider for my home birth!! Thank you Jenna and Chloe!!

I really went back and forth about this and I'm sorry I have to say this for the sake of other new…read moreparents. Maybe Erica was a phenomenal doula, but sleep coaching is just not her forte. During our consultation call with her, we really got excited. She was very sweet and took her time listening to us. We thought we found the perfect sleep coach. Our baby was 6 months old at the time and was going through a sleep regression so we were barely getting any sleep. Our weekly phone calls with her felt like police interrogations. For some reason she thought I was hiding stuff from my husband like co-sleeping and breastfeeding at night - I'm guessing because of the consultation call where I surprised my husband by saying that I still breastfed our son (only at night at that stage). As part of the coaching program, she sent a sleep log via Google doc. You have to scroll down for what feels like eternity in the middle of the night to update the log. She opens the log between 9-2:30p, Mon/Tues/Th/Fri. On Wed/Sun you'll notice that she pops in during the early afternoon 1-2x to check in/support. The check-ins basically entail back and forth notes via the Google doc in different colors and fonts which gets confusing after a while. She called us her "special clients" because we had so much groundwork to do, and went as far as to say that she wouldn't give up on us (this was 2 weeks in) and cares very much about her clients....and then the very next day sent me an email indicating that she has a family emergency and is no longer be able to provide her services / offered 50% refund. We were very worried for her and I responded saying not to worry about refunds during a family emergency. Here is how she breaks down her 4-week package: $250 first consult $450 first two weeks $400 second two weeks Fast-forward 3 months after her family emergency email and she didn't bother to email us once to ask how we're doing. This is not someone who cares. Not even a little bit. To us it's clear now that we were lied to. She gave up on us and didn't want another failed client to add to her list so she cut her losses. I'm sorry, but it was a HUGE disappointment and waste of money. Our son slept well on his own without us needing Erica as soon as his sleep regression ended. Don't waste your time and money on this.

I cannot speak highly enough about Erica. Not only did she provide invaluable expertise and…read moreguidance, but she also went above and beyond to support me during a very challenging postpartum period and demonstrated humor, compassion, and patience along the way. It was evident that she genuinely cared about my well-being and the well-being of my baby. She took the time to truly understand my unique situation, getting to know us on a personal level. Her compassion and empathy were truly remarkable, making her more than just a consultant - she became a mentor to me during this difficult start to motherhood. One of the standout qualities was her ability to address not only the sleep challenges but also the concerns I had as a new mom. She provided unwavering support, easing my anxieties and instilling in me the confidence to move forward with nap training. Her understanding and guidance were particularly impactful as my son struggled with severe eczema. She served as a wonderful mentor, empowering me to tackle the challenges head-on. Her attention to detail and dedication were evident in the excellent sleep log she created. This invaluable tool helped me understand my son's patterns, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately achieve successful nap training. With her guidance, I gained a deeper understanding of my baby's needs and developed effective strategies to promote healthy sleep habits. Thanks to her support and expertise, my baby's sleep has transformed, and I have gained invaluable knowledge and confidence as a mother. Her mentorship and caring nature truly set her apart in this field, and I am forever grateful for her support during one of the most challenging time periods of my life. She really went above and beyond. She's been there to not only help me nap train my son but has been by my side through a wide range of emotions. If you are seeking an experienced consultant who truly understands your needs and provides unparalleled support, look no further. Erica is your gal.

Leigh was an incredible birthing coach for us, and she kept things fun and peppy the whole time…read more We're expecting our first kid, and while we're very comfortable with babies and excited about what's to come, it turned out there was so much we had no idea we didn't know! We're so glad we had these sessions with Leigh because now we have a confidence and awareness about what to expect with the stages of labor, the processes at the hospital (especially how much agency parents have with respect to them), and the first couple of weeks at home. Leigh came highly recommended to us and now we see why. We would enthusiastically recommend her to every family expecting a new addition!

As first time parents, we were so thankful to have taken Leigh's 5-week childbirth education…read moreseries! We found the course invaluable - Leigh is extremely knowledgeable, engaging, personable, and passionate about all things birth. Her warmth and openness fostered an environment where we felt comfortable asking any question and felt supported with numerous online resources, book recommendations, and community connections. We were also able to connect with other couples expecting around the same time which has been great! Under normal circumstances, we couldn't recommend Leigh's class enough, but with covid-19 and ever-changing hospital policies/ uncertainty, Leigh really went above and beyond to keep us focused on and confident about how to navigate our birth during this stressful time. We were lucky to have completed the class in person but have since engaged with Leigh a few times virtually as well. She has been an incredible resource as we welcomed our baby boy into the world. We highly recommend Leigh!!