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

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

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

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

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

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

Had an amazing experience here. After foot surgery a year ago and PT, a CT, and an MRI my dr…read morecouldn't figure out what was wrong with my foot that it was still numb. He suggested acupuncture I also had areas in my mid back and lower neck hurting so I had these treated too. The foot acupuncture was coupled with some light shock treatment (I can't remember what it's called) and a heat pack afterwards to draw out inflammation. Looking forward to seeing the results!

Best care and doctors! Thank you! Returning ASAP and looking for a telehealth appointment for…read moreideas about herbal remedies for my current stressors and relief! Thank you to my doctors serving me with passion at this place Doctor Ava and Doctor Gary! I was the gas leak victim we were hoping it wasn't a parasitic blood or return of my cancer, but found gas leaks and excited to return to tell you all about it! Last appointment Doctor was dedicated to knowledge about my condition and was willing to call other doctor with me in asking for my labs to be forwarded for analysis. Thank you all again! Dr T was there as well for me to meet so it has been many moons and will hope you all are still there when I return to the gorgeous office and chi provided upon arrival! Thanks for balancing mine every time. Ouch! Sometimes it hurts and we just need a prick in the nerve or mind to get our cycle right! Thanks for the advice on temper with coo for my hot days and warm for other days

I am so grateful for Patty! She had a lot of tools to help me during prenatal and postnatal. I…read morecan't imagine how my birth story would be without her. My labor was good because of her support. I'm so sad that our sessions are over but best believe I'll ask her to be my doula again.

This is my second time using Pattys service. The prints are a beautiful reminder of how amazing we…read morewomen are! I've done the supplements, tincture and I have both umbilical cords. Great service, highly recommend.

Maggie was recommended to us from a mutual friend, and we could not be more grateful of the care…read moreand calm she provide for us. Our meetings leading up the the birth were so comfortable and nurturing. She has this way about her that you feel like you are in the most capable hands while also having the freedom and flexibility to choose your own birth journey. She helped us choose a birth education class was truly life changing. Because of this, we were able to have the birth we hoped for-- loving, safe, and free from fear. She made my husband feel like an integral part of the process and answered all of our questions with confidence and humility. On the big day her ability to remain calm, focused, and compassionate made all the difference in the world. Due to the fast pace of our birth, Maggie ended up driving us in her car and remained our rock during the whole process. It is an amazing feeling to trust someone, like Maggie, with the most important thing you've ever done. It was so special sharing our birth with her and we felt so incredibly supported. She seamlessly allowed my husband and I to have the most intimate experience, all the while keeping tabs on everyone in the hospital room to ensure our birth plan was followed. She was so willing to provide such loving care of me during times that were extremely vulnerable but did so in a way that let feel physically and emotionally safe. She rubbed my back, she calmed my husband, she fed us, she captured our first photo as a family and so much more. A few days after we returned home, she came over for a visit. We all laughed an reminisced about the birth as if we were old friends. We can honestly say that our birth experience was so beautiful and loving and Maggie was an integral part in all of it. She will always have a special place in our hearts for bringing our amazing baby to us in such a wholesome and wonderful way.

My husband and I chose Maggie as our Doula for our first baby. At first, I was on the fence about…read morehiring a Doula and thought we could handle this on our own, just my husband and I. However looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made for our pregnancy and labor journey. It was just nice to have that additional support, a third eye, and relief for my husband so he could simply be by my side and support me. Maggie is very knowledgeable in all things pregnancy and birth. During my pregnancy, I had a peace of mind knowing I could contact Maggie with any questions that came up! She had great resources on various topics that I had questions about. She was just a text away and was quick at responding and being available. She is also a yoga instructor (including prenatal) and carries a very relaxed and calm vibe, which we really appreciated. She has a kind and warm temperament and is also confident and assertive when needed. My family is a bit of a drive away and my husband had to work during my 9th month of pregnancy so it was really nice to know I could call Maggie if I went in to labor at any time and she would come be with me. During labor, she helped me with various labor techniques and positioning to help labor progress. She reminded us to stay hydrated and helped set the mood for a wonderful birth, she helped me achieve the birth I desired. Between Maggie and my husband, they worked together to help me through one of the most difficult things I have ever done and it was very comforting to have them there knowing exactly what I needed in the moment. She was there before, during and after my pregnancy and labor and overall was a great support systems for us. The investment was truly worth it! I would recommend Maggie to any one of my loved ones who is looking for a Doula.

Being pregnant with my second child after what was a very traumatic first delivery experience…read more(emergency c section) was pretty scary. I knew I didn't ever want to go through something like that again, I knew I was going to try for a VBAC, but I knew I needed extra support. I searched high and low for a doula, a Catholic one in particular- one that was going to help me pray through this process and pray for me and my baby, and invite God into this life changing event. By the grace of God I found Rebecca! We immediately clicked after our first meeting and that's when I knew she was the one who was going to help me give birth to my baby! She is a very intelligent, warm, and nurturing soul! If ever I had doubts or questions, she would reassure me that my body knew what it was doing, my body was simply made for this. Her wisdom is something I truly admire and thank her for! Another of my top concerns was my husbands lack of support- I surely thought this would be a downfall in my attempted VBAC, but again Rebecca knew how to reassure me everything would be ok and when the time came to welcome baby she coached him on what to do and he was actually really great! I'm so excited to say I had a successful VBAC and I am positive that it was due to having such an amazing doula by my side!!! I also had my placenta encapsulated since I wanted to avoid postpartum depression which I suffered from after the first pregnancy. Rebecca took care of taking it after I had my baby and bringing back my capsules at our first postpartum meeting. I must say that those capsules helped immensely, this time around it is a much smoother and happier time. If it's in Gods plan to have more children I will definitely be having Rebecca at my side!

From the owner: Birth doula, postpartum doula, and placenta encapsulation services in San Diego, CA.read more

I have recommended Alisa and PUSH Acupuncture to all of my pregnant friends - I have only good…read morethings to say! I initially reached out to Alisa with my first pregnancy when it was looking likely that I would need to be induced. This was my first experience doing acupuncture and trying Eastern medicine but she made me feel so comfortable and cared for. We were able to focus on trying to naturally induce labor, and I was able to see her twice before my baby came. She was incredibly thoughtful and followed up after my delivery to check-in and see how I was doing. Fast forward to my second baby, I scheduled more regular visits for some other minor complications. Over the course of my visits, she also checked in on other symptoms and helped me feel better with things like congestion and other minor aches. With both babies, I had quick and healthy deliveries! If you're on the fence about trying acupuncture or exploring Eastern medicine, I would strongly recommend Alisa and her practice. She made me feel at ease and well cared for.

We came to Alisa based on our doula's recommendation because we wanted to try inducing labor…read morenaturally. We really appreciated how thorough Alisa was in understanding my wife's pain points and anxieties. After the session, my wife felt relaxed, happy, and completely pain-free.

I chose Nicole Morales as my midwife for my second child. She started care at 23 weeks. My first…read morechild I had a UCSD birth center and it was an awful experience. So when I met Nicole I had a lot of stipulations of how I wanted my care- really hands off, special training and skill in making sure baby is breathing well after born (my first child landed in NICU hour 3 after birth for not being able to transition, clear the fluid in his lungs), no required vaginal checks, short heart monitor checks for baby during labor. She will be as hands off you want and as hands on as you want. So yes, she met all my requirements. BUT the element about Nicole that won me over is her care for my heart and mind. I was so messed up mentally after my first birth. I didn't know how not to labor in fear and shame. Nicole has the training and takes the time to help walk you through emotional pain that may come up during labor. She counseled me during our prenatal sessions and helped me process my pain and disappointment with labor one. She helped me see myself in a new way. I thought I didn't do enough and I failed, even though I had my desired natural vaginal birth. But she helped me see my true self, that I would lay down my life for my child over and over again. And in my labor, even when I was giving everything, I found a way to give more. During labor, she showed up with Marli (her assistant at the time, who also is phenomenal), and played the exact role I asked her to. During transition, I thought I wasn't progressing and she just said, "Everything looks good back here. I'm seeing the progression." (she was behind me) really calmy, and it was what I needed to hear. Calm confidence. Sure enough, 20 minutes later my daughter was born. Also, after birth she stayed and cleaned up the house beautifully, allowed my husband and I to progress the baby's few exams as we were ready. Placenta stayed attached for 3 hours because we were all so chill about the process. At hour 3 my daughter started showing signs of difficulty breathing. Nicole calmly asked us to pray (which to me showed she knew my husband and I, we are Christians and believe in the power of prayer), and she decided to give our daughter 3 false breaths and to tap her back. Our daughter miraculously cleared all the fluid from those three simple methods. Much less intense than a 7 day NICU stay like our previous experience. I want Nicole as my midwife as long as I am childbearing and I will give her 100% recommendation to all those who ask. She is a birth game changer.

I was referred to Nicole by my Doula & let me tell you she is truly something special!!!…read more I have been referred to & seen numerous practitioners throughout my pregnancy for various reasons & she has been by far the best! I knew I was in excellent care when I went in to see her for one item & immediately she was able to assess & diagnose me & treat me for something completely different & inevitably what I really needed that day. I have never felt so cared for with utmost dedication, patience & true motherly care & instinct. When I later found out she delivers babies, I knew she was the one I want to deliver my next baby!! I trust her completely. I still reach out to her for advice & she is always there for me! She always knows what to say to give you her unbiased opinion & give you the power to make your own informed decisions. Nicole, thank you from the bottom of my heart & will you please deliver my next baby?!?

As a parent I can confirm that this school has been nicer than any other one my son has been to…read moreover the years. My son has been going to this school for a year now and he has made so many friends. At other schools he has had trouble making friends and was constantly bullied. Now he comes into the car everyday with a smile on his face talking about his day. Will be coming again next year!

As a student at iftin currently I can say this school is currently a mess. Most of the staff are…read morebiased towards boys and always let the boys get away with everything. Also to mention this school is dangerous, last month these 7th graders were lighting up tissues in the bathroom, this could've started a fire?! Next this school does NOT have enough food to provide for the kids, just this morning I had no breakfast and 3 days ago there was no lunch for the 7th and 8th graders. Since we're talking about food some students are throwing food at each other for no apparent reason. And when the higher ups say they are going to do something, they always forget about it? Also lets talk about racism, if your child is a person of color I don't recommend bringing them here since the Afghan children here are very racist towards black students and always says the n-word at them! The students are always bullying each other and cursing at each other. And when we talk back to them we are always the ones getting in trouble. WE HATE IFTIN -7th grader