Tldr: Get the deluxe package. You won't regret it…read more I can't recommend Holly highly enough. I've really struggled to write this review because I can't put my gratitude into words. Before, during, and after my birth, Holly was beyond supportive to both my husband and me. Leading up to our due date, Holly helped us articulate our goals and provided relevant resources that helped us feel so prepared. When we went past our due date and we felt conflicted about what steps to take, she helped us clarify our thinking, gave me the confidence to advocate for myself, and brought so much calm to some stressful situations. During labor, Holly was an absolute master. She got me through labor without an epidural and helped coach me through getting my baby out in only four pushes! She also helped keep my husband calm through what could have been a very nerve wracking experience. Without her, we both would have been so much more scared and uncertain. It was so reassuring to know we had someone we could trust to guide us through such a monumental moment in our lives. After my baby was born, I really struggled. Holly showed up for me in ways that I feel were beyond the call-of-duty for a typical doula. She was truly there for me in the most vulnerable time of my life. Then, at our postpartum well check, she helped me process my birth story. Prior to our meeting, I felt traumatized. After our meeting, I feel lucky and grateful. I don't know what she did to help me reframe the experience in my mind, but I am way more at peace. I can confidently say that Holly made the most earth-shattering experience of my life infinitely better. I don't even want to think what it would have been like without her.

We booked with Holly only a few weeks before my due date for our first baby and planned home birth…read moreas she came highly recommended by our midwife. We had interviewed multiple doulas, but after talking with Holly on the phone, we knew she was the one for us and hired her basically right away. It wasn't until later that we saw all of her glowing reviews haha, and now we're so excited to add our own because Holly is truly amazing! To be honest, I wasn't even sure that I needed a doula given the home birth setting. My husband was sold on the idea, but I wasn't convinced. That completely changed during labor. At one point during contractions, I remember thinking, "I want Holly here," and I was SO glad we had her. Before the birth, Holly met with us for a mini childbirth education and labor prep session, which was incredibly helpful. She brought models and diagrams to help us visualize everything, especially for my husband, and showed us hands-on counter-pressure techniques. She even loaned us some books. She was incredibly thoughtful with her intake form and communication leading up to the birth, always responsive and great about following up. She even texted us months later post birth just to check in! When Holly arrived in the early hours of the morning, she swooped right in and immediately brought such a grounding, peaceful presence. She relieved my husband and mom so they could go get some sleep and immediately helped with leg lifts. Her many years of experience and calm confidence helped me to trust her with trying different positions in a way I couldn't with my family. Holly made us all feel at ease that everything was normal, and she also helped us realize that we were actually much closer to the end than we thought! What I especially love about Holly is how intuitive she is. She wasn't pushy at all and knew how to listen to me and my body, even when I wasn't really using words during labor lol. She understood when I needed support and when I needed space. During a rest window right before pushing, she protected that quiet space and kept everything hands-off, which was exactly what I needed in that moment. Holly really understands physiological birth and trusts the natural process. She has such a special touch that makes labor feel calmer and smoother without ever taking over. Because we were at home with our lovely midwife, we didn't really need Holly in an advocacy capacity, but I can absolutely see how she would be a rockstar in a hospital setting. If you're hoping for a natural birth in a hospital, I would consider Holly a must-hire. She truly knows how to best support you while also protecting the birth experience you want. Holly helped us have our dream birth. I am so grateful she was there. We absolutely love Holly and cannot recommend her enough!

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.

Going through my first birth experience with Katie as my midwife was truly a gift. Every prenatal…read morevisit was done right in my home -- no stressful drives to the doctor's office, no sitting in waiting rooms. Blood tests, check-ups, and even listening to my baby's heartbeat all happened right on my couch. But the convenience was just the beginning. Katie's care was exceptional in every way a family hopes for when choosing a midwife. She brought a depth of knowledge and clinical skill that made me feel safe and confident from day one -- monitoring both my health and my baby's with precision and explaining everything clearly so I always understood my options. She balanced that expertise with a calm, grounded presence that instantly put me at ease. She answered my million questions with a calm smile (hey, it's my first time!), so when it came time to give birth, I felt informed, supported, and ready. From her gentle hands and confident decision-making to her unwavering emotional support, Katie embodied the perfect mix of professionalism and heart. In week 35, my blood pressure became too high for a home birth, and Katie guided and supported me in the process of reconnecting with my OB's office seamlessly. I experienced a level of continuity of care between homebirth and hospital that I wish every woman could have! After my son was born, Katie went above and beyond to visit us at the hospital as well as follow up visits at home. I cannot recommend her enough. If you're on the fence, choose Katie!

I feel beyond grateful to have had Katie by my side for both of my births. She is everything you…read morecould ever want in a midwife: warm, deeply competent, organized, and so clearly made for this work. From the moment she walks into the room, there's a sense of calm and confidence that fills the space. This is so important, especially when you're pregnant! She has an incredible way of balancing professionalism with genuine care, anticipating what you need before you even realize it, guiding with steady reassurance, and treating each moment with respect and grace. Her presence made both of my birth experiences not only safe and supported, but truly beautiful!! She's a dream to work with: kind, grounded, and always on top of every detail. I trusted her completely, and that trust allowed me to relax and be fully present. There's no doubt she was born to do this work, and I can't imagine my birth stories without her in them. Katie, thank you for everything you've done for me and my family, you are forever part of our story.

I recently took a Slow Flow yoga class with Victoria and it was LOVELY. The pace was perfect, equal…read moreparts movement, rest, and stretch, and I was introduced variations of poses I had never done (such as kneeling warrior II). The studio itself is an open floor plan with a corner that welcomes children during certain classes. Fireside does cater to mothers and parents (to which I am neither) but there is space for everyone :) If you are looking for an intentional, supportive, and inclusive studio and community, I highly recommend Fireside Sanctuary.

If you are looking for an inclusive and welcoming space then you need to visit Fireside Sanctuary!…read moreSam and Victoria have created a beautiful space for families of all shapes and sizes, welcoming all family structures and individuals. This has been a sorely needed space in the South Bay and I am so excited for all they bring to our community. They offer a variety of classes to the community, including Childbirth Education, Pre/Postnatal Yoga, Family Yoga, Morning Meditation, Belly Dance for Birth, Sound Baths - to name a few. If you are even a little bit curious, then please do yourself a favor and go check them out!

I read so often, "Birth doesn't go as planned so you don't need to take a class" and it just…read moretotally blows my mind. Birth doesn't go as planned and that's exactly why you DO need to take a class. An in depth class. Britta's class. I approached my pregnancy as a 9 month grad school class. I took it upon myself to read books, journal articles, blogs, engage on online discussion groups, listen to podcast... really everything I could to learn the ins and outs of this journey I was on. My husband read a book. Kind of. He definitely skimmed it. I knew that our vocabularies were so different that we needed to find a class that would allow us to have a shared lexicon to properly communicate. I researched (like everything else) just about every class type offered in the greater Los Angeles Metro Area and I was just called to Embodica. My husband likes to refer to a lot of what I'm into as "hippie s**t." From that statement, it's clear he is not. I spoke to Britta on the phone before the class began, worried that her class would be too "wooey" for him, but after our conversation I knew she was grounded and funny enough that he would be won over. Because man did he have to be won over when I showed him the website. Our first class was an eyeopener for both of us. We were one of 6 couples, all due within two months of each other. My husband saw the focal point in the middle of the circle and arched an eyebrow--he just knew we paid a lot of money for woo-woo crap. Then Britta began to talk and I saw him perk up and really began to listen. When Britta demoed what a real contraction could look like, he was all in. Later that evening when we practiced comforting our partners while holding ice, I learned that he thought singing "Henry the VIII I Am" and some Queen son were appropriate comforting strategies, and so the revelation I they were not before labor probably saved our marriage and/or his life. Over the six weeks of class, we learned so much. Despite my exhaustive research, actually learning from someone as knowledgable and grounded as Britta allowed me to put all the information I was learning in context. My husband was able to learn the ins of out of the technical side of all things pregnancy/labor. Together, we developed a coping strategy that worked well for both of us. So yes, you cannot prepare for birth. I was pretty sure when push came to shove, I would lock myself in a room by myself and push everyone away (the perks of a homebirth is that I really could do this!). Yet, when things actually started, I needed my husband to be there for me. We used everything we learned in Britta's class over the course of my 55 hour unmedicated labor. My husband was able to truly comfort me and meet my needs in a way I know for a fact he wouldn't have been able to do before our class. We now talk to a lot of the other couples through a private little FB group one of the mom's created and are planning on meeting up soon so all the babies can meet. My husband and I also reflect on our time in that class often as we navigate the "4th trimester." As a parting gift, Britta gave each member of the class a labyrinth necklace. I haven't taken mine off since I put it on shortly before I went into labor and my husband's cord just broke as he would thumb the pendant so often. It's a reminder that our journey is continuing and to give ourselves patience and grace as we navigate this new world of parenthood. My husband and I will both be forever grateful for our experience in Britta's class and wholeheartedly recommend it to every couple preparing to welcome their child into the world. Oh, and as an aside, I really love how Britta used non-gendered terms even though we were all heterosexual, cis couples. "Birthing partner," "supporting partner," etc. Speaking to trans and lesbian couples, I know finding a safe and supportive birthing class can be difficult, so I think it's important to point this out.

My husband and I felt so lucky to have attended this workshop. We had not taken any other…read morechildbirth classes but we both felt more than sure that we ended up at the best one in the world. Britta's skill as a mentor, storyteller, listener, and communication guide are unmatched and I cannot possibly imagine anyone better suited to exactly the work she does with parents-to-be. I learned so much, yet never felt overwhelmed with information since she made the day so interactive. There is so much that I took with me not only into labor and childbirth but in parenting, life, and my relationships with my partner, my self, and my environment - without a specific to-do list or set of stock instructions. I loved how all the learning was connected to deep reflection into the senses for I believe that this is how real learning takes place - in the whole self.... After we had our baby my husband and I went to Britta for couples counseling and we had another great experience. The three of us sat in her lovely studio and she helped mediate difficulties we were having. Things have been so much better ever since that one session!!

Oh my gosh, where do I start? Nicole is simply amazing. Amazing human, amazing energy, amazing…read moresupport and amazing educator! My hubby and I learned so much from Nicole and her Bradley method classes. We were so comfortable and at ease in Nicole's presence that we chose (and were fortunate enough that she was available!) to work with her as our Doula for the birth of our first baby in my Hospital delivery just 2 weeks ago. Having Nicole by our side was not only the best decision we made to help ensure we made it through to the end unmedicated, but it also helped both of us stay at ease while navigating different scenarios that played out as my labor progressed. I can't speak enough about having an amazing birth team around during pregnancy, labor and delivery and I will always get to look back on the birth of my daughter as a really beautiful day and event and we have Nicole to thank as a huge part of that. If nothing else, please attend the birth school! My friend and client implored me to and I'll never be able to thank her enough! Now I want to pay that forward to every mama I can! :)

Nicole's passion, empathy, and knowledge are unmatched. My fiancé and I did group classes with our…read morefriends who are also expecting in August. It's safe to say we entered into class feeling anxious and unsure about many different aspects of pregnancy, birth, and labor. After one class with Nicole we felt so heard, seen, and over all more calm. These feelings continued through each class accompanied by well thought-out and communicated curriculum about all things pregnancy/birth/postpartum. My fiancé and I were bummed when our classes were complete because Nicole truly facilitated such a beautiful & safe space for us to be in during a vulnerable time. I cannot recommend her and her services enough.

I found Labor of Love by doing some of my own research online. And thank God I did! My doula,…read moreKaren, was my rock throughout my labor and was 100,000 percent amazing--I'll definitely be working with her for my second! A little backstory: I was overwhelmed and so nervous about finding "the one" person to be a part of the most important event of my life. After doing my research and reading through all these bios, I honestly was left feeling overwhelmed, especially knowing how indecisive I can be. I knew I just had to trust my intuition and my gut on this one! After looking at Karen's bio on their website, I had such a good feeling. Staci (the owner), who was super friendly and professional, helped me get connected with Karen, and I booked an interview right away! Karen was so sweet and asked me about my pregnancy experience so far. We discussed how I wanted my birth to go and any concerns I had. There wasn't any pressure to hire her, and it just felt like she was already invested in me, like I was already family. I even had her video chat with my husband to make sure we both felt comfortable and vibed well together--and we sure did! Overall, Karen ended up being the perfect balance of knowledge, experience, and professionalism. It was the most perfect amount of care I could have asked for. She was also such an advocate for my birth plan to work out. Before, during, and after my labor and birth, she was always naturally in tune with what I needed. She was never overbearing, worked so well with my husband, and gave him space to be a part of my support team as well. I am so grateful to have come across Labor of Love

The business owner is quite the opposite of the type of person any vulnerable new mom should have…read moreto work with. My experience with Labor of Love was almost two years ago now but continues to upset me when thinking back on my experience. We hired Lauren as our doula, who made it clear she expected us to go far past my due date as a first time mom. While it's possible for that to happen, it didn't in my case. At 39 weeks and at 5am while in active labor and getting ready to head to the hospital, she let us know she had Covid. Her backup was Karen, who I wish we hired to begin with as she is far more caring and professional. Though unfortunately our experience still fell short and we ultimately delivered without Karen present. We were left feeling like we invested a lot of emotion and money into this process with ultimately no help. Staci has been incredibly rude to us since then and even revoked our access to watch her training videos, sending me a link to pay her once again when wanting to rewatch for our now second baby on the way. Karen herself even recommended we ask for a partial refund due to our experience, but Staci lacks the professionalism and courtesy to her clients. Truly mindblowing that she revoked access to the training videos after we had already paid for them. I would stay far away and recommend a more experienced and caring doula group.

I just completed Lisa's Starting Solids + Infant CPR & First Aid session and I cannot recommend her…read moreenough. From the very first message, Lisa was incredibly responsive and when I spontaneously asked if my neighbor could join, she made it happen super easily. Lisa came to our home to do the course, which made the whole experience feel personal and relaxed. The course itself was hands-on, thorough, and genuinely confidence-building. I walked away feeling truly prepared, not just for starting solids with my baby, but for handling emergencies calmly if they ever arise. You can tell Lisa doesn't just teach this material, she really cares about it and she cares about the people she works with. This was actually my second time working with Lisa. I first met her as a lactation consultant and both experiences have been equally wonderful. She brings the same warmth, expertise, and dedication every time. Thank you, Lisa!

After a particularly rough night of breastfeeding with my son, I contacted Lisa at South Bay Baby…read moreCare after finding her glowing reviews here on Yelp. I emailed Lisa regarding her availability and pre-checked with The Lactation Network, the company she contracts with, to make sure everything was good to go with my insurance. I heard back within 24 hours from both TLN and Lisa; we were able to set up a home visit appointment within the week. Lisa was extremely friendly and professional during our sessions. She helped measure me for new pump flanges, made suggestions for positioning comfort, and observed my son feeding to make a diagnosis regarding potential latch issues. She offered a number of oral exercises to help my son's latch and provided an EXTREMELY THOROUGH folder with pictures and descriptions of the exercises so I was not relying solely on memory. The folder also had a ton of other useful info from breastfeeding tips and tricks to local professionals, including pediatric dentists and OTs. Lisa also provided a comprehensive write up for my son's pediatrician with her observations and recommendations. Like the folder she provided, it was extremely thorough and detailed. Her professionalism and attention to detail is next level and she is incredibly nice and easy to talk to. I never felt judged or unheard. We scheduled a follow-up in-home appointment which was just as helpful as the first session. A few weeks later Lisa, followed up by email to check-in to make sure my son and I were doing well. She cares about her patients and I know that I can reach out if we run into any other issues. If you are struggling with breastfeeding or latch trouble contact Lisa! She's wonderful!

You give birth once and unfortunately I had a very bad experience with Lorraine. I would not…read morerecommend it to anyone. She definitely a good marketing person of herself and she did not keep that up during the birth for me. Please think twice before you hire her. I did hire her because she has experience but sometimes it's about the excitement. She is done. She is doing it just for money and she is not even doing it right.

I always thought I would try a natural birth but I really started to do alot of research once I…read morefound out I was pregnant. So many times my friends were going to go "natural" but in the end they would give into the almighty needle. So I did a ton of research and I came to the conclusion that I was going to educate myself as much as I could and that I would hire a doula. My husband was very skeptical... His entire family laughed when I said I was going to try a natural birth. Their exact words "Why would you ever choose that?!!" So I dragged my reluctant husband to our 6 week Hypnobabies course. By the 3rd week he was fully on the natural train! He told me "I really think you can do this!" The class was great and I really loved how we bonded with the other couples!! Lorraine was our doula also and it was a great experience. From our interview to when our sweet baby girl came Lorraine was at our disposal. She kept me calm and focused during my birthing time/labor and at the end I faced some complications... Lorraine gave me the lowdown on what was going on and let me know that it was crunch time! Looking back it really was the perfect pep talk... I pushed the baby out in 3 contractions!! And believe it or not I was up and walking around 30 mins later! My husband looked more jacked up than I did, lol. I had such a positive experience with Lorraine on top of a great birthing experience. I would do everything all over again in a heartbeat!

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.

My wife and I attended the childbirth class here, and I definitely recommend this place for anyone…read morelooking to learn more about what to expect from the childbirth process. Brighid was our course instructor, and she was super knowledgable, open and supportive to all types of relationships, birthing plans, and wasn't overly dogmatic by recommending a "one size fits all" approach to this very dynamic process. She was experienced and knowledgeable, answered our questions, gave recommendations, resources, and context, and we could not be happier with the experience. The office was quiet, clean, free from distractions, and the environment was comfortable and inviting. My wife had a few fears/concerns about being a first time mother, but after the class she's feeling much more comfortable now that she's equipped with so much context and information. Overall this was a fantastic experience and anyone who is feeling overwhelmed and is looking for a bit of guidance and support should seek this place out. Thank you Brighid!