I had my second baby with Family Centered Birth in October of 2021, loved it once again!…read more This time we opted for a home birth and Kate and Jenna were my midwives. They both did amazingly during my entire prenatal and postpartum timeframe. The actual birth was great too! I went into labor around 2am and they were at my house within the hour! As always, they were so encouraging and helpful during the process. There was a moment when I felt like giving up, of course by then it was too late, but even still they were so supportive! Again I say, I will definitely be calling them again next pregnancy and recommend them over and over.

I could not have been happier with our birthing process at Family Centered Birth…read more Being this was my second pregnancy I knew all about a hospital birth and I knew what I wanted to do differently. The ladies at Family Centered Birth embodied everything I was hoping for!! They truly practice informed consent and do the research outside of social media and societal beliefs. I was recommended this midwifery by a outsider doula (that right there says a lot!) While trying to make my decision, I spent over an hour on the phone with Lisa, the office manager and Doula. We had great conversation and I immediately knew it was a great match. Office visits throughout my pregnancy were great. My 3 year old daughter and husband were able to be in the office, we never waited more then 5 minutes to be seen and they took as much time as needed answering any questions. The office is a very comfortable, Laid back atmosphere and yes, Genevieve (the midwife) and one of the student midwifes had their young, breastfeeding babies with them...I personally appreciated this culture and it never took away from my appointment. Midwifery is just that...workin mamas supporting other mamas and their babies! The hubby and I took the 5 week Hypnobirthing course that was included in our midwifery package. The class was taught by Lisa and we absolutely loved it! Keep in mind, we attended a local hospitals birthing course with our first pregnancy, we both agree this was much more valuable! When it came to delivery, Kate was our midwife. We gave her very little notice to make it to our home delivery before baby haha but she got there much faster then I expected. Kate is very calm and reserved but confident in her skill (with over 10 years experience). I was very happy to have her with us! Our son was born in the comfort of our home, in a birthing tub with my 3 year old daughter in the water with me the whole time and my hubby and mom at my side. This means a lot because we are in the middle of the Covid plandemic and hospitals barely allow the father to be present, let alone other family. We also had Lisa as our doula at the birth. She was a great resource and there for me the second I needed her! She also took the most beautiful birthing pictures that I will forever cherish!! A few weeks Postpartum I had some healing concerns. I text Kate and no questions asked, the very next morning she was at my house to check things out (we live about 1 hour away from here)...you won't find that at any doctors office!! We thank them very much, this birth was literally healing to my soul and a much quicker healing process than my previous hospital birth

Ugh, we can't say enough great things about Kristin! I had…read morea consultation meet up with her in my first trimester and pretty much immediately stopped looking into any other doulas. Kristin has such a grounding and inviting vibe and energy that felt comforting and supportive right from the start. You know how some providers/professionals will say they're supportive of your choices but you can tell they are actually judging you? Kristin is the complete opposite! She was down for and excited about any decision that I felt was right for me, my baby, and our birth - which didn't just communicate support but also made me feel empowered and centered in my own choices. My fiancé was pretty skeptical about hiring a doula - his family and friends had all had kids and no one had "needed" a doula - but he ended up SO thankful and grateful that Kristin was by our side. He can't stop singing her praises to anyone who will listen! Kristin was/is so knowledgeable and informative. Anytime there was a turn in the road, we immediately looked to her. She would provide some small education and then give her perspective, ultimately reassuring us that we were in control of what decision we ended up making and what felt most right for us and our birth. She stayed by our side the whole time - I truly don't know what we would have done without her! She took some photos, kept track of timelines, and helped make sure baby latched for the first time. Even postpartum she has been such a life saver. We're able to text her our freak out questions and she responds with the same attentiveness and care as she did before and during birth. She also did my placenta encapsulation and supports us with our lactation questions and needs. Can't recommend her enough

Literally best birth experience ever! Kristin was attentive and caring but also was not in any way…read morepushy or smothering. Kristin knows exactly what you need because she actually LISTENS to you and truly respects your preferences. She empowered me and knew what to do when I was in labor. For example, she came prepped with a hot pack and she pushed it against my back when I was having hard contractions (which helped so much) without me having to ask or say anything. She just knew it would feel better. Kristin supported me getting an epidural and never judged or pushed any beliefs on me. She checked in on me throughout my pregnancy but was never bothersome and took away my anxiety rather than added to it. Kristin gave me reassurance when I was overdue and sure enough my baby came out four days late with not even 20 mins of pushing. It was amazing! She is professional, knowledgeable and kind- the perfect combination for a doula. I cannot recommend Kristin enough!

Just want to keep this short and to the point. We had a newborn that needed a heart transplant and…read morewere not able to communicate and attend immediately; however, I have made numerous attempts to try and get our placenta. My wife has gone through some serious of emotional hardships and we have heard the benefits of this service. I like to know where is our placenta. Secondly, it would mean a lot to get a response.

At thirty-five weeks pregnant with my firstborn, I knew I wanted a med-free birth in a hospital but…read morewas worried that unnecessary interventions might take place, so we decided to hire a doula for additional labor/hospital birth support. I found Renea online & met with her a few days later in our home. I knew by the end of our meeting that she was who I wanted beside me as I labored and gave birth. On the day I went into labor we were in constant communication via text. Once active labor began she came over to my home (with all of her essential oils!) and worked through the contractions with me. She was a strong supporter for me during this intense time! She came with us to the hospital and was right by my side as I delivered my son. We hired her again for our second-born son's delivery and she was with me, again, during active labor and at the hospital. We also saw her for a postpartum visit after each delivery. It's been 2 years since we first hired her and we are still friends. I text her randomly with a question and she is quick to reply! I've said this before and i'll say it again--i wouldn't want to birth my babies without Renea by my side!

We loved our time at TMC's toddler class! Learning from experts each week plus connecting with…read moreother moms in the same stage of life, all while our little ones explore and made new friends has been absolutely amazing. Thank you Michelle and the TMC team for creating this incredible space for moms!

The Mommy Center has been such a wonderful experience for both me and my daughter. Michelle and her…read moreteam have created such a fun, welcoming, and judgment-free space where moms and their little ones can connect, play, and feel supported. I've taken two of their mommy-and-baby class series, and I loved both of them. Each series includes special touches like each week is a different topica mini photoshoot, a swim party, and so much more, which makes it absolutely worth every penny. Carmen, who helped lead the group, is amazing. She is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and always makes me feel heard. She gives thoughtful advice and truly cares about the moms and babies she works with. You can tell she genuinely loves what she does. I've also attended several music classes with Michelle, and those have been some of my favorites. My daughter absolutely loves music time, and Michelle does such a great job keeping the kids engaged and entertained. We truly love The Mommy Center and are so grateful for everything they offer!!

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.

From the moment I emailed Toni for information regarding the placenta encapsulation to the delivery…read moreday of my placenta capsules the process was very smooth, helpful, and a quick turnaround! She picked up my placenta at the hospital and within a few days it was delivered to my doorstep. Definitely recommend encapsulation with Toni! She is so kind & will provide you with all the information you need regarding the process! I felt secure the entire time & the best part is that you are supporting a local business! Thank you Toni

ab love her I was going through a lot, but wanted to encapsulate my but did not have the money to…read moredo so so I settled for a cheaper package then she informed me that she actually was running a special in case I missed it so luckily I was able to encapsulate my and have a keepsake affordable price and on top of that she was gonna be in my area to run errands and she went out her way to meet up to give me my items. she's super sweet and when I was having complications, getting from the hospital, she was heloful

Healthy beginnings provided a really neat experience for us to learn as new parents. We attended…read moreNewborn classes and my wife went to several moms group meetings at this location. Everything we went to was great and full of learning. One of the teachers was especially great, Michelle. She taught well, brought humor and did so in a friendly environment. We are now with Kaiser and they don't offer anything like what healthy beginnings has. We originally found out about them from the hospital across the street. They really do provide a good experience for new parents and moms.

These women know what they are doing. After having a baby you are so vulnerable so being able to…read moreconsult with someone about nursing is such a relief. I went in several times for the weekly weigh-ins for my first born. I was able to breastfeed him until he was a little over 2 years old. I also went in for my daughter and they were very helpful. My husband and I did the lamaze classes pre-covid and they were great. If you are a first time mom or need refresher i definitely recommend Healthy Beginnings.

Cass saved our breastfeeding relationship! Her Passion for helping mamas paired with her amazing…read moreeducation and her compassion is not often found post partum when mamas struggle for answers! I would recommend her services to any new mama near or far as she is truly a gem who really knows her stuff!

Cass was my doula for the birth of my second son, born just two weeks ago. Because of her, my labor…read morewas everything I could have wanted. It was beautiful, peaceful and full of love. She made me feel confident and in control. I couldn't imagine our story without her. She has also saved my breastfeeding relationship with both my 2 year old and newborn, as they were both lip/tongue tied. I've now been nursing my oldest for 2 1/2 years, even through pregnancy, and now nursing both he and my newborn. It would not have been possible without her. Her knowledge, experience and compassion are unmeasurable.

I decided to go the home birth route with my second pregnancy and choosing to go with Heather did…read morenot disappoint! She was referred to me from a friend, yet I still did my own research and interviewed a few other midwives before committing and I felt like she was the best fit. Each prenatal visit was at least an hour long - she gave me time to ask my questions and never made me feel silly or brushed me off. Having no previous exposure to a home birth, I had a lot of questions yet she answered them all gracefully and in great detail - giving my the confidence I needed to believe in myself that I could do this and that it is safe. Also included in the package was a prenatal massage around 36 weeks and when I tell you it was the best massage in my life - you have to believe me! It was amazing! That hour flew by and I was ready to book another one When I went into labor, I waited until almost the last minute to tell anyone, just to be sure it was the real thing. Well, it was the real thing and it was go time by the time my husband got home from work and Heather arrived. But she didn't waste any time, she jumped in and gave me the encouragement and reassurance I needed to get through transition and birth my baby girl. She was so amazing and was not afraid to get her hands dirty. My 3 year old was there and Heather included her in everything and never pushed her out of the way. Even though I was almost pushing as she walked through the door, she still handled everything with such a calmness and peacefulness that it made that crazy intense last part of birth go so perfectly. If I decide to have baby number 3, a home birth will definitely be my preferred route and Heather would be at the top of my list of midwives (but I would give a longer heads up next time ).

Heather is a beautiful soul who loves what she does. Being a trusted, highly trained, professional,…read morethorough midwife is her utmost desire. She guided me and my body through the pregnancy, birth and postpartum phases with such love and expertise. I will always recommend her to my friends, as I implicitly trust her to provide safety and comfort.

Debbie was an amazing birth coach! She showed us multiple scenarios and talked through how birth…read moreplans can change, but your experience can still be beautiful. I was planning a home birth, and so excited to use all the hypnobirthing techniques she taught my husband and I. When I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and had to have an induction, I was still able to use the hypnobirthing techniques. I called Debbie from the hospital and she sent me materials and encouraging words for my new birth plan. My husband was calm and able to be a great partner through a very scary experience thanks to everything she taught him as well. If you are looking to have a calm, beautiful birth experience sign up for her classes!

Working with Debbie was such a great choice for our family. It really helped us feel prepared for…read moreour first birth. My Husband was also prepared to be my birthing partner, which was essential so that I could focus on birthing. Debbie is warm, knowledgeable and reliable. We are so grateful for feeling empowered to make a birth plan to share with the Ob Team and for our beautiful birth experience. Thank you, Debbie!