I hired MBB for my second delivery. The biggest draw for me was that they can bill Kaiser directly!…read moreWith my insurance plan, that meant it was free for me! So wonderful to get this valuable prenatal education, labor and delivery support, and postpartum breastfeeding coaching. During delivery, my doula was Sophia. She was calm, knowledgeable, able to take photos and videos, and helped me communicate my wishes to the nurse and midwife. I feel very grateful to have gotten Sophia's in-person support and all the prenatal education from the larger team on weekly virtual calls, the videos, and the workbook. Definitely worth the time investment!

I worked through the MBB course alongside my doulas during my most recent pregnancy. We met each…read moreweek to go over the chapters they assigned, and I am so grateful for the experience it provided. The education in this program made a huge impact on my birth experience, and the meeting helped my work through my previous birth traumas from my first borns birth. Because of the prep and education I received through MBB, I was able to have a redemptive, uncomplicated, successful unmedicated birth. The tools, mindset shifts, and practical knowledge I gained played a major role in my empowering experience and I'm beyond grateful for this course and the confidence it gave me. Shout out to Shiela, Sophia, Jamie, and Corrine for the great insight and support you gave me prior to labor. Brooke hung on the phone and advised us while I labored, and Kaitlyn met us at the hospital just in time for baby's delivery. I appreciated her knowledge and communication during the hospital chaos. 10/10 recommend EVERYONE works with a doula!! And, Modesto Birth & Beyond is a great choice if you're in their service areas.

I can't say enough positive things about our experience with the Modesto Doula Group and the…read morewonderful doulas who prepared me for childbirth, supported my husband and me during labor and childbirth and in the weeks postpartum. After attending a childbirth preparation class at my hospital less than two months before my due date, I began to worry about how unprepared I was and became anxious when thinking about childbirth and the pain associated with it. After meeting with Teri and Susan, we immediately knew that having a doula with us was something we needed. My due date was approaching rapidly, but we were able to do a total of three childbirth education classes, one group class in Modesto and two in home classes. I felt more and more assured after each class. By the end of the third class my anxiety had been replaced by confidence. Teri came to our house the morning that I went into labor and assisted me through each contraction as I labored at home. Still by my side in the delivery room, she used acupressure and aromatherapy which helped tremendously even during the most intense contractions. Back at home with a brand new baby, the postpartum doula services with Jennifer and Susan were exceedingly helpful for us. I had also opted for placenta encapsulation and the postpartum care basket, both of which made my postpartum recovery and healing easier. Looking back, as we often do, we couldn't imagine our birth experience without the caring and experienced support of the doulas at Modesto Doula Group!

My personal experience was 3-star - fine/better than neutral, but for me there were a few cons that…read moretook away from the pros... Other people might receive the same exact service but rate it 4 or 5 stars. I felt that the postpartum doula, Susan, could have been more open and supportive of my personal parenting style and desires, but it seemed like she thought there was one good way of parenting an 8-week old baby - the rigid schedule your baby for your convenience as soon as possible way, which isn't my philosophy but I know tons of people do want that. I also thought she needed to take more care and consideration regarding her baby wearing advice because although babies bodies are very flexible, there are safety concerns especially regarding their hips, neck, and nose that she did not properly address when telling me not to over think placing my baby in my ring sling.

It has been absolutely fantastic to work with Andrea! Being a first time mom, the idea of…read morebreastfeeding was an absolutely daunting task. Andrea was at our house two days after we got home from the hospital with our newborn, ready to ease us into a regular nursing routine and calm our fears. Regardless of time of day (before and after our baby was born), I have always felt comfortable sending Andrea a direct text message with questions. She has been extremely prompt in her responses and makes time to come out to our house to help with lactation issues within a day or two. Her services have also been very personalized to our needs. Apart from direct one-on-one attention during our sessions, I received regular post-appointment email recaps with helpful resources so I can avoid trying to Google or WebMD any of my concerns (because we all know how that can turn out...) :) Andrea has been a life-saver for us and I would highly recommend her lactation services, especially for first-time moms!

I was connected to Andrea through my work benefits and the Cleo resource. I am a second time mom…read moreand having some painful latching issues. Andrea came to our home for an in person visit and was extremely helpful. Myself, my husband and mom were present for the visit. Andrea is really friendly and made everyone feel comfortable. She shares invaluable information and is just an all around great person. Andrea took notes during the visit and emailed us a plan for care to reference. Having Andrea as a resource makes me feel so much more confident about continuing to breastfeed and also having a piece of mind to reach out to her if we have any additional questions or concerns come up. Don't hesitate to reach out to Andrea if you are new to breastfeeding or having trouble.

I am so grateful to YELP for pointing me in the direction of Melissa's birthing classes! We had…read moreconflicts with several other birth class dates in the area and she offers private classes that can be scheduled at your time. These are a little bit more expensive, but not a huge inconvenience and well worth it. I started communication with Melissa by completing the interest form on her website, and just a little bit later I got a text message from her saying that we can schedule at my convenience and asking if I have any questions. We were able to hold a date and time with a deposit and we got everything set up over text and through PayPal. We even had a time conflict about a week prior and she was willing to work with us and host the class in the evening from 6pm-9:30pm. The classes are held at her home, and she has a whiteboard, tv and a comfy sitting area. She let me recline in the chair too, which was nice and relaxing. She made sure we were comfortable and offered us snacks, coffee and water. There is a book and videos that goes along with the class, and while we didn't get through the whole book, she does a nice job of pointing out the big stuff and will gladly go over or review what your preferences are. Melissa used to work at Clovis Community and so if you are planning to deliver there, she has the unique experience of knowing the process/protocols. My husband and I left feeling very informed and supported. We did not feel overwhelmed because everything was explained so nicely and at a pace that worked for our understanding. I highly recommend you using Melissa for a birth class! She also let us know about offering lactation classes with her too. This is something we are highly considering! We even have an Infant CPR set up with her in the next week and we are looking forward to it.

I've read all the baby books and figured the class would be more helpful for my husband. Boy was I…read moresurprised! I definitely learned a few things and Melissa was wonderful at answering all my questions. My husband definitely feels more confident being the support person I'll need during L&D. I recommend taking her class, it's educational and helpful. Sign up early enough, I waited until the last minute and I'm lucky I made it right before my due date.

I had the privilege of having Stephanie as a doula just 6 days ago. I've never had a doula before…read moreand I didn't know what kinds of ways they could help us in labor and delivery and I'm so glad I made the decision to get a doula , having Stephanie be there with me made a calm and comfortable atmosphere and also helped me gain the ability to advocate for myself with education and evidence based information. If your considering a doula ask the questions that will make u more comfortable but it was such a great experience having someone educated and comforting at my side during labor .

Before I met Doula Stephanie, I had very little knowledge on all the incredible tasks a doula was…read morecapable of achieving. Doulas are superhero's to me and I believe every mama deserves to have one pre and post pregnancy. Doula Stephanie was responsible, precise, committed, diligent, and respectable. She fulfilled above and beyond my expectations. Having Doula Stephanie by my side, I had more than just a physical supprt person I had an emotional and mental support person, a cheerleader, a planner, and a friend. I had someone who believed in me and was able to help me reach my goals even when the odds seemed against me. A little to my back story, my first two sons were born prematurely. One at 31 weeks and the other at 35 weeks. Due to having two premature babies my OB was almost certain I would go into preterm labor again. As scary as that sounded I was determined to do what it took to have a healthy pregnancy, smooth labor and delivery. That was when I met Doula Stephanie at such a divine time. Despite knowing my pregnancy history she worked with me every step of the way and was determined to help me achieve the pregnancy/birth I dreamed of. With all of Stephanie's wisdom and encouragement I was able to successfully feel confident going into labor and not be fearful of what was to come. I felt educated and empowered and actually looked forward to owning that labor room. I felt proud of all the fears I conquered. One of my favorite parts about having Doula Stephanie there along my side was she help guide my husband to be there for me. She did not replace him, instead she allowed his strengths to shine and that I believed brought such an intimacy during my labor that I will forever be thankful for. My husband cannot thank Doula Stephanie enough for everything she did for us. Get yourself a Doula! I am so grateful to have found mine.

This review is long overdue. I intended to write something soon after giving birth, and that was…read moreover 9 years ago! I was searching for an unrelated email this morning and came across our message. I remember Katherine being so great with us. From our first meeting I knew she was calm, personable, and genuinely kind. My partner and I were under a lot of stress at the time, and her energy was perfect. Not overbearing or intrusive. I went into labor on our daughter's due date and Katherine came right away. I had a natural birth, and I remember her checking in and making sure I was OK before she offered comforting touch during labor. It turned out I didn't want to be touched much, and she respected that, offering her support in other ways. She helped me push through the most painful parts of labor with breathing. I hope she knows how much I appreciated her presence.

Kathryn is awesome!!! She took me on last minute and was an amazing doula. I was past due and in…read morepain so she came over to show me techniques to help the pain. Shortly after she left my water broke and she came right back to help me. She kept me calm as possible and helped me focus. She also helped keep my husband calm I highly recommend her

DeAnna is amazing!!! She is very informative. She breaks down things so you can understands and…read moreuses visuals to help with comprehension. You feel so comfortable around her and she details the class to you and what you want to get out of it.

From the owner: Doulas have long been seen as for families who are planning a natural birth. In reality, doulas…read morehave an important role on your birth team no matter how you choose to birth your baby. Every baby, labor, and birthing woman is different and so are their needs. This baby is only born once and you will remember it forever. My hope for all my birth clients is that when they look back on the birth of their baby that it was incredible! That they felt supported, listened to, and confident in their decisions. I want that day to be amazing no matter what!

After interviewing a few doulas, I found Jen and knew right away that she would be the best fit for…read moreme, especially as a first-time mom. Her experience as both a nurse and a doula is amazing, but what stood out to me most was her genuine passion for all things birth-related. Her positive, reassuring energy is just an added bonus. Before the birth, we had a few sessions where Jen educated my husband and me about the birth process, what to expect, and the different decisions we might face during labor and delivery. Having her knowledge and guidance helped me feel so much more relaxed and confident throughout my pregnancy. Instead of obsessively researching every possible scenario that could go wrong, I felt like I had someone I trusted who could help me navigate whatever came up. When I went into labor, my husband and I were able to rely on Jen for guidance and support all the way through delivery and even afterward. I ended up having an incredible birth experience, and I truly attribute so much of that to having Jen as part of my support system. I was able to give birth in a position that felt comfortable and natural to me, had no tearing(!!!), and had a quick and smooth delivery. I would absolutely recommend Jen to anyone looking for a doula, and I honestly can't imagine giving birth again without her if I can help it! We are so grateful for everything she did for our family and feel extra special that our baby got to be her 350th birth. Thank you so much, Jen!!

We took an EBB course with Jennifer. She's the best instructor anyone can ask for. She was very…read moreknowledgeable and absolutely amazing with how she shared her knowledge and taught the class, she's super through, had a great attitude and energy, was very open to question, and even shared her very personal experience in the last class. I learned so much in her class. She took her time collecting so many resources and putting them together in ways that were easy to consume and refer to afterwards. I woud highly recommend her class. And even though i didn't get the opportunity to use her doula services, I can't imagine a better doula by your side.

COVID-19 (Nineteen review challenge) Locally owned…read morebusinesses only. Review #3: I hired Fresno Birth and Baby after I had a great interview with them a couple months prior to my daughter's birth. I met with Megan and Melissa and I warmed right up to them immediately. Truth be told, I didn't even meet up with other doulas. They were recommended by my OB, so I figured they were the best (because my OB is the best). We had two prenatal visits at our house with three separate doulas - two came together at each visit. I felt comfortable with all three, and it felt great knowing I had a whole knowledgeable and supportive team by my side. We had a text chain that I had access to 24/7, and I knew I might only have one attend my birth, or all three, depending on how things turned out. Long birth story short, Melissa P was the only doula who came for my short birth. And honestly, I wouldn't have had such an amazing and short birth without her presence. My husband was amazing of course, but I knew I needed a doula and Melissa was definitely the one for the job. She had such a calming presence and I could not have done it without her. She remembered the details of my birth plan when no one else did (myself included), and we stuck to it. I am devastated that under current hospital rules at Clovis Community, CRMC, and St. Agnes, only one visitor is allowed during birth. Like I have said before, I needed Melissa there, just as much as I needed my husband. Anyway, I've given their contact info to my friends and hope that business will boom for them when these rules have been lifted. These women are the best!

From the owner: As doulas, we are educated & experienced guides through pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood…read more We arrange individualized preparation for your unique birth. We know that you will make the best choices for your family based off of your own needs and desires and we will do our best to make sure those expectations are honored by everyone surrounding your birth. We provide hands-on continuous support through your labor and birth. We utilize proven comfort techniques nd continuous encouragement for a safer and more satisfying birth experience. We present you with evidence-based information, and act as a living resource to help you understand your body, your birth, your baby and your choices.

Ok .when I first heard of this school, I checked Yelp and this school only had one review so I was…read morea little apprehensive. Now that I have attended a bit , I know this school deserves many, good reviews. The subject matter and school could help the many so people, I feel compelled to write this. I'm a nurse and have been teaching and working with Holistic Health practices for years.. and wanted to learn more..... I bumped into the owner of HLI , Jan , at a Health Fair and was so surprised to know this school existed in Oakdale. I would say the locals are very blessed to have this school in their area.. I've only been there a few months and have learned so much. Jan and the teachers are so knowledgeable. The students are awesome. It's well worth the long drive each way to attend. Some of the programs and subjects include and not limited to Eastern and Western Massage, Holistic Health Advisor / Practitioner, Aromatherapy, Essential oils. Yoga, Tai Chi, Homeopathy, etc and my favorite with Jan and Carole Nutri-esssence. I'm currently attending the Holistic Health and also the special monthly teacher training class Jan offers. The owner Jan is a wonderful, caring ,giving person. She's a happy, upbeat person and a hoot ! Jan is very kind to work with peoples' schedules ect. Jan's goal seems to be to provide knowledge and help many others. She encourages people to teach and open their own facilities.. Thus, helping humanities as a whole. I respect and appreciate that very much, The students and classrooms are so nice and family like. The classes are not huge and very interactive. The diverse personalities and ages in the classroom are so neat. I told them I feel like I'm in the "Breakfast Club" ( Movie :) Its really family like.. Whether it be the students that attend for the knowledge base or teaching people to open schools and offer teaching f their own, I recommend this school very much. Jan also offers, once a student completes their certificate, they are welcome to sit in on any classes in the future.. Well I may not write another review in my life, I hope this helps many people :) Aloha Nui ~~

Extremely professional environment. The techniques you learn as a massage therapist is incredible…read more The instructors give such amazing feedback & respect to each student.