I have nothing but great things to say about Mind Body and the staff. They created a safe space to…read morebring my first child into the world. I found them random online and my husband and I made the best choice. We will definitely have our next child and beyond with them.

I'm now almost five months postpartum, and I wanted to wait until I had some distance from my…read morepregnancy and postpartum experience before writing this review. There were parts of my experience with Faith and her team that I genuinely appreciated, as well as parts that were difficult for me and ultimately made my pregnancy more stressful than I had hoped it would be. Earlier in my pregnancy, communication was sometimes a source of stress for me. There were quite a few times when messages I sent through the chat went unanswered. One situation that particularly concerned me happened around Christmas, when I was told that my lab order might not be put in on time. I was supposed to have my progesterone checked every two weeks, and because I had experienced two prior miscarriages, going even a few days beyond that timeframe made me anxious. As my pregnancy progressed, I also struggled with some of the expectations around my care. At one point, I was told I could be put on probation for not consistently attending my chiropractic appointments, despite communicating that I was struggling financially at the time. I was required to see Sarah specifically, rather than having the option to see a chiropractor closer to me who was more affordable. The visits were also expected weekly, even during times when I felt sore afterward and felt that my body needed a break. The financial aspect became increasingly difficult for my family during the middle and later parts of my pregnancy. My insurance at the time did not cover the ultrasounds I was required to receive, so I was paying approximately $600-$900 per ultrasound on top of payments for Faith's care and chiropractic visits. There was also a $12 valet charge each time I came in for an appointment. My husband and I own a business, and we experienced a slowdown during my pregnancy, so these combined expenses became difficult to manage. I do appreciate that Faith offered me a payment plan through Credee, which helped when the costs began piling up. There were other moments when I felt more pressured than supported. I remember feeling stressed about my baby not being head-down by a certain point in pregnancy. I personally felt that my baby still had time to turn and wanted to trust my body, so the concern around it added anxiety for me rather than reassurance. I had a similar experience with recommendations around drinking 15 cups of water per day and taking herbs after some of my lab numbers were one or two points elevated. I'm personally very cautious about taking herbs or medications unless I feel they're necessary, so I declined the herbs. I sometimes felt judged or pressured when I wasn't meeting those recommendations, rather than feeling that my preferences were fully respected. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I unexpectedly learned during an ultrasound at Keck Medicine that my baby was measuring small, and I ultimately needed to transfer my care to a hospital. This was an overwhelming time, and I really appreciated Faith's support during the transfer. She helped calm me down and reminded me that I still had time to choose the hospital where I wanted to deliver and that I still had a say in my care. That helped me feel like I had some control during a situation that changed very quickly. Tahira was also incredibly helpful during this time. She researched different hospitals for me and helped me explore my options, which ultimately allowed me to choose the hospital where I felt most comfortable delivering my baby. My postpartum experience with Faith was much more positive. She came to my home to check on both me and my baby, and I found her much more pleasant and supportive during that period. After feeling like there were so many expectations I needed to meet throughout pregnancy, postpartum felt like a huge relief because I no longer felt that same pressure. I also want to mention Tchala, who was consistently calm, supportive, and pleasant throughout my experience. I really appreciated her demeanor and the way she interacted with me. Overall, I'm grateful for the support I received during some of the most important moments of my pregnancy, particularly during my transfer and postpartum period. At the same time, I wouldn't describe my overall pregnancy experience as the calm and supportive experience I had hoped for. The combination of financial pressure, required appointments, communication issues, and feeling pressured around certain recommendations created additional stress during an already vulnerable time. I'm sharing this because I think experiences with pregnancy and midwifery care can be very personal. Some families may appreciate a more structured approach with clear expectations, while others may prefer more flexibility and autonomy. For me, I would have benefited from more flexibility, responsiveness, and understanding of my individual circumstances and preferences.

I completed a series with my son of parent and me classes and had a really positive experience. Our…read moreguide, Denise, was so lovely and really fostered an environment that was welcoming for all of us and our little ones. It is a great way to meet other local families, for little ones to socialize, and discuss topics specific to motherhood and more broadly parenthood as dads are welcome too! I also did a few mommy and me yoga classes I enjoyed as well. Community places like this are so important and I'm glad I found this place!

My wife and I have been attending with our son for about 2 years and we absolutely LOVE IT. Gia is…read morethe ABSOLUTELY BEST and Elsa is awesome with the kids (and fluent in English and Spanish!) We love Gia and dread the day we won't be able to go anymore because our kid will "age-out". We have been raving about this place to every young parent or parent-to-be we meet.

I can't recommend Village Birth enough. So many amazing practitioners, so much helpful information…read moreall in one place, and a great community to boot. My husband and I took several classes at Village Birth leading up the birth of our baby, and I found my amazing lactation consultant, Hideko, after taking a very informative breastfeeding class with Yvonne. Hideko was an invaluable resource to me after the baby was born and continued to be for many months afterward. There was no way I would be able to breastfeed as long as I have if it weren't for her. Separately, I worked with prenatal chiropractor Dr. Jenny Stofer as well, who is also part of the Village Birth group now. I had experienced quite a bit of discomfort in my back during my pregnancy and she always made me feel at ease, listened to my concerns, and took care of any issues I had quickly and gently. I always left my sessions with her feeling energized, supported and like my baby had more room in there! It was incredible. Village Birth is made up of such a thoughtful, supportive and kind group of individuals who are talented and passionate about their work. If you're nearby and having a baby, it is the best place for top notch care and information!

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.

Lauren assisted the birth of my first kid back in 2016, fast forward to 2020, I found out I was 3…read moreweeks pregnant and called her on the very same day. She always has her listening ears ready and knows exactly what to say. I am the anxious, over-thinker type of person. More often than not, I will be worrying about something I felt, read or learned about and having her by my side would always bring me back to reality. Her patience, knowledge and confidence, kept me calm and positive throughout my not so easy pregnancy (I had a subchorionic hematoma, covid, nausea, severe leg cramps, you name it). Lauren is flexible, understanding and just plain nice. We always felt welcomed and comfortable around her. Having her over for the home visit was such a blessing. She prepared a little ceremony, let my daughter help prepare things and made us stop to really think about and celebrate the new life that was about to come. My water broke in the middle of the night and she didn't hesitate to come over and assure me that everything was fine. Things progressed fast and when she came back in the morning, I was convinced I couldn't handle it any longer. She talked me through it, reminded me of what I wanted and gave me all the support I needed, through exercises to better position the baby to words of encouragement. My labor was fast, I didn't get to spend much time in the tub before my son was born but Lauren made sure I had space and that all my wishes were respected. I got to catch my baby myself and my daughter cut the cord. We'll never forget those moments. I am very thankful for all the support she gave us before, during and after my son was born.

After a difficult start with our original midwife, we were feeling overwhelmed and let down during…read moresuch a vulnerable time. Thankfully, Lauren stepped in during our first week postpartum--and everything changed. She brought calm, compassion, and clarity when we needed it most. Her care was attentive, respectful, and deeply reassuring. She took time to listen, answer our questions, and made us feel truly supported. We are so grateful for the difference she made in our early days at home. Any family would be lucky to be in her care.

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!!

Attending classes at the Butterfly Center was the best thing I ever could have done being a new…read moremom. Rina is so knowledgeable and was so helpful with all of my parenting and breastfeeding questions. She is also so dedicated and passionate about her field. I felt so lonely being a new mom because none of my friends had children yet. As soon as my son and I started Mommy and me, I met an amazing group of moms and we are all still so close to this day. It is hands down a must do as a new mom and for each child in my opinion. Run l, do not walk to take classes with Rina. She is fabulous!!!!! You will not regret it.

A friend introduce me to this mommy and I class when my baby was 2 months old. I have attended…read morethese classes since then and my baby is 9 months old now. I highly recommend the Butterfly center. Rina is very knowledgeable, caring, patient, and friendly. These classes have helped my son become more social and these have also helped ME be better prepared as a new mom. It can be isolating staying at home taking care of a little one (and quite scary not knowing what to do as they grow). These classes have given me peace of mind and both my son and I get a lot from them. It also offers and opportunity to see other moms and learn from each other's experiences. Highly recommend!

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!

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.

I found Happy Baby when my husband and I were moving to the South Bay from the East coast and I was…read morelooking for prenatal yoga! Fast forward to me now having a 7 month old and Happy Baby is my second home. Prenatal/postnatal classes are great. I did both prenatal boot camp and prenatal yoga but I was a little limited since I had to stop working out. Once I was cleared to work out, I was at some kind of class 4-6 times a week. Being able to bring your baby to class and get to meet other moms is fantastic! The majority of the fitness classes are taught by Lauren, who is an AMAZING teacher. She kicks your butt all while being the most encouraging, empowering teacher ever! Mama classes- I have done the mindful mama class with Khefri and it was such a great resource as a new mom! I also made new mama friends who I have kept in contact with even after our class ended.

TLDR: If you and…read moreyour spouse are lost in the sauce on this whole having a baby business, or if you're like me and just want to be prepared for anything, I highly recommend taking the Prepared Childbirth Series with Patricia. You'll be glad you did. Long version: Having a baby for the first time was definitely daunting for us. There were too many what-ifs and unknowns that made us nervous about the whole birthing process. I'm so glad we decided to take Happy Baby's Prepared Childbirth series with Patricia. It was an informative, fun, and confidence-boosting experience. I actually had to convince my husband to go with me: He walked into the first class saying he's there cause I told him to be there (gotta admire the honesty). After the last class, however, he left saying that he was glad I forced him into taking it. (yay me!) The moment my water broke, I was able to apply things that I learned in class that kept me calm and collected(we even went grocery shopping the next day). We were able to check into the hospital mentally and emotionally prepared, even though labor did not pan out as we had planned. We were well educated so we were able to ask about our options (most of which aren't discussed) and feel confident and comfortable with our decisions. By the time I started active labor, my husband was able to use the skills he learned from class to help me through my contractions, so much so that I was able to deliver without an epidural. The support and encouragement that he displayed throughout the whole process just made me fall even more in love with him (cheesy, I know). I can't thank Happy Baby enough for offering the series and everything we learned. I've been recommending this series to all my family and friends who are pregnant or planning to be since I gave birth. So my fellow Yelper, do not hesitate any longer. Take the class and feel empowered like we did.

Jennifer was WONDERFUL to work with - helpful, encouraging and always available. I really struggled…read morewith breastfeeding my first few months and she made me feel immediately comfortable and like it was something I could do. She has been able to diagnose and coach me through multiple issues (painful latch, mastitis) and I am now almost exclusively breastfeeding on demand with minimal discomfort. Highly recommend!

I cannot say enough good things about Jennifer...I worked with other lactation consultants before…read moreand they couldn't help me with my son's latch. Jennifer came to my house and showed me how to do it right immediately!! 10000% an expert, hands on, practical and super responsive to any additional questions. She also routinely reached out to me to check in and make sure we were doing well. I am recommending her to anyone I know. Super easy to make appointments with and very punctual which you will definitely appreciate when your baby is young and nurses frequently. I even texted her months after our sessions ended for help with my mastitis and she was super helpful, she is a great resource!