I am so incredibly happy that Becca was our doula for our hospital birth. This was my first baby,…read moreand I knew that all I wanted was for the baby to be healthy and to avoid an emergency C-section if I could. We met with Becca and knew right away that she was the perfect person to help us in preparing for and giving birth. She immediately set us at ease by assuring us that the hospital we chose had an excellent Labor and Delivery team. She was 100% right about that, and everything else. She helped me trust myself and my body. I never thought I would have such an amazing and thoroughly happy birth experience. Becca really cares. It meant a lot to us that she also visited us after the birth to check in and provide some very welcome support. If we have another baby, we will definitely work with Becca, again!

I could not imagine my first birth without Becca! From the very first phone call, I felt an instant…read moreconnection with her--she's such a kind, caring soul and a true expert in her field. One of the things that impressed me most was how seamlessly she read the dynamic between me and my husband. She always knew when to step in with support and when to step back and give us space. That balance was invaluable during such an emotional, vulnerable time. When my birth plan didn't go the way I had envisioned, Becca's expert advice and calm presence gave me so much security in the decisions I had to make. She helped me feel grounded, informed, and confident every step of the way and encouraged me to listen to my instinct and body. Another aspect of her support that you simply can't put a price on is how connected she is at Kaiser. She knew nearly every midwife and nurse, and because of her strong relationships there, I felt reassured that the care I was receiving was exactly what I needed. Her presence gave me an extra layer of trust in the whole process. Becca communicated beautifully, supported us with such compassion, and helped make my first birth experience one that I will cherish forever. I can't recommend her enough--if you're considering a doula, Becca is truly one of a kind! Thank you so much Becca!

I cannot recommend born wild enough- Sophia Lea Carissa and Eva are all amazing people and helped…read moreme have the birth I always dreamed of. They were there for me for all the highs and lows of pregnancy and postpartum and truly support all your desires and choices you make. Now I'm almost 4 months postpartum and I know if I needed them they are only a phone call away. They were always going above and beyond to be there for our family and we cannot thank them enough for being there for us not only during the moments of the birth of our beautiful daughter but also the whole pregnancy and postpartum. Don't hesitate to call them if you want to feel loved and supported in your birth!

My husband and I loved working with Sophia. From the beginning, she helped us feel at ease and…read morealways had the most helpful stories/ information we needed to make important decisions. I appreciated Sophia's more "hands-off" approach and that she helped me feel empowered to listen to my own body and intuition. We felt extremely comfortable and safe having our baby at home and will miss seeing her so frequently!

I can't explain in words how caring, loving, and empowering Meleah is--she is truly a beautiful…read moreperson inside and out. I was extremely nervous about the whole birthing process, including the pain, the challenges of birth, and whether I would be able to get through it without major anxiety. Meleah was there every step of the way. She met with us before the birth, talked through my anxiety with me both in person and over the phone, and was available 24/7 for any questions I had. When I went into labor, she was with me every step of the way, and I truly feel like I couldn't have gotten through it without her. She was my rock and made me feel truly loved and supported. She also knows the ins and outs of MarinHealth and was able to advocate for me throughout the entire process. After the birth, she continued to check in on me, give me advice, and help me with breastfeeding. I can't recommend her enough as a birth doula. She is the kind of person who supports you not just through birth, but for a lifetime. I am so incredibly grateful for her!

Meleah is an angel on Earth!!! I truly cannot imagine my birth experience without her. I had an…read moreextremely long labor (over 72 hours) and Meleah was there guiding me, comforting me, advocating for me, and coaching me through it every step of the way. She helped me find the optimal labor positions for my body, guided my husband in how he could best support me, and provided a depth of knowledge that we would have been completely lost without. My goal was to have a vaginal birth without induction, and with Meleah's support, that goal became a reality. I know that if I hadn't hired her and had gone to the hospital as soon as my contractions became more painful, my birth would likely have ended with far more interventions than I wanted, especially given how long my labor was taking. Because of Meleah's constant support and reassurance, I was able to labor safely at home until I reached 6.5 cm and then have the vaginal birth I had hoped for at the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital, Meleah stayed by my side the entire time. She brought her expertise into the delivery room and helped position me in ways that made a huge difference when it came time to push. She was also there helping with cleanup, offering emotional and physical support, and advocating for me throughout the entire process. I felt completely safe with her. Before my labor, we had three meetings with Meleah, plus another meeting postpartum. We talked through our expectations and preferences, created our birth plan, and did a full labor-preparation session. My husband and I both knew immediately that we were in incredibly good hands. On top of everything else, her communication is outstanding. She responds to texts and emails as soon as she possibly can (often almost immediately) even when it's a 3 a.m. text! And even now, two months later, Meleah continues to check in and answer any questions we have about our baby girl. Her support didn't end when the birth was over, and that has meant so much to us. Meleah was recommended to me by a friend, and I could not be more grateful. I honestly want Meleah at all of my future births because I know she will help me feel supported, confident, and as comfortable as possible throughout the entire experience. I cannot recommend her enough!!! If you're considering hiring a doula, hire Meleah. You will be so grateful you did!!

She is just awesome. She helped me bring our second son to the world and was an amazing support for…read moreme and my husband. She helped us to take the right decisions, she was there for us every step of the way. I was induced and she was there for the 16 hours of early labor, being great company and making the hospital room feel like home. She was there when it got harder, supporting and caring for me and my husband, she stayed with us until our baby was born. She was also there for the postpartum with a great massage. We had the birth we wanted thanks to Laurie, we warmly recommend her.

I had an amazing experience with Laurie as my doula. She was warm, funny, and great company during…read moreearly labor, and my rock when things became more intense. She was incredibly in tune with what I needed at every point, from constant counter-pressure on my back to hugs and words of encouragement. Also, the postpartum massage was AMAZING! She put my new baby in a wrap and he slept happily on her the whole time, and I could not have felt better afterwards. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to all of my friends, and there's no one else I would call for baby #2! Lastly, she worked wonderfully with my midwives, and also has a lot of experience in hospitals- she was able to explain what was happening with our baby after he was born, reassure us at several stages, and make a very good impression on our team (and my family, who all commented that she basically never left my side!). She sends cards and chocolates out to the birth team/hospital crew afterwards, and was very conscientious about supporting me without ever getting in their way. Overall, we couldn't have asked for a better experience!

Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, dang, that human was born to do this kind of…read morework and has a real gifting for it? That was my thought about Lauren after meeting her for the first time (she taught our 6 week birth prep course). This woman was in her element. She cared, she was knowledgeable, and and she lit up the room. To our pleasant surprise and an epic answer to prayer, she ended up being our doula and what a gift she was in that space for us too. Lauren knew when to say or do something and the art of not saying or doing. We ended up having a dream birth and I'm not sure I would have been able to do it without her support. She was a part of the dream birth. She came along and partnered with me and my husband in a way that complemented and strengthened. Lauren helped me to trust myself and my body. There are no guarantees with birth. I don't love Lauren because I had a dream birth; I love her because of who she is and am so grateful she was with us and for us in the tender, sacred space of birth. No doula is for everyone, but if something about her resonates with you, book a call to see if there's a match.

Lauren is incredible! She helped me bring both of my babies into the world and I couldn't imagine…read morethe birth experience without her. She brought such a truly compassionate, intuitive, calming, and empowering presence to the experiences, and navigated all of the twists and turns with us. She felt like part of the family, and made us feel so held throughout the entire process from prenatal to postpartum. I couldn't recommend Lauren more highly. I almost want to have another baby just to be able to work with her again! If you're considering hiring her, DO IT! She's the absolute best.

It was such a gift to work with Arielle in what turned out to be a 36-hour VBAC! She arrived at my…read morehouse around the 8th hour of labor and coached me through each contraction. When we transitioned to the hospital, she helped me make decisions and navigate the questions and scenarios that the medical team was proposing. She brought candles and essential oils to the hospital for a calmer experience and guided me through Spinning Babies techniques and accupressure to encourage the baby to turn to a more optimal position for birth. She gave me confidence and coached my partner to be a supportive birth partner. It was a long labor, but I did it! I can't say enough good things about Arielle! Arielle also provided postpartum support and came to our home to teach us meal prep and mindfulness techniques to help encourage postpartum healing. I cannot recommend her enough! Hire Arielle to be your doula!

Arielle is the best Doula ! I was looking for a French-speaking doula, and I found a pearl. She is…read moreattentive, professional, gentle, humble ... and above all, the best gift she gave to me is to have done everything possible to make 200% of the daddy's place! I highly recommend her! Thank you Arielle for bringing your gentleness and professionalism to my 3rd home birth experience. Now, because of you, my 2nd home birth trauma is healed!

Words cannot describe the amazement that is Lisa Flato! My wife and I hired Lisa as our doula for…read morethe birth of our twins this year. After interviewing multiple doulas, we knew immediately that she was the one. Lisa is kind and gentle. Her calm and loving presence is inspiring. She provided us with great information and resources pre-labor. Lisa was prepared and knowledgeable at the hospital. I was so relieved to have her there with us. We are so grateful to have Lisa in our lives and look forward to her being present for the next birth. Thank you, Lisa!

I cannot possibly say enough good things about Lisa Flato! She was our doula, and a primary reason…read morewhy our birth went so smoothly and felt so beautiful and easy. She has changed our lives--as doula, as a yoga instructor and now as a loving friend. I had not considered hiring a doula before I met Lisa. I took her fabulous prenatal yoga classes (at Pomegranate Prenatal Yoga in San Anselmo, a business I highly recommend!) during my pregnancy. She holds an incredibly supportive space. Her prenatal yoga classes felt so natural--she prepared our bodies for childbirth and supported us so much in pregnancy. It comes so naturally to her. Her intuition is so keen; she is incredibly aware of what an individual or a group needs or is yearning for in the moment. When I heard she was a doula, I immediately knew I had to have her at my birth. We had not really considered having a doula before that--my husband and I wanted a very intimate birth experience; it felt like something only we should share. We did not invite even our very close family members to the experience. But we knew immediately when we met Lisa that her incredible wisdom, love, experience with birth and immense support would make our birth experience a wonderful one. Prior to the birth, she met with us at our house several times. We discussed our birth plan, we asked questions, we practiced some positions and breathing techniques that could help us during the birth experience. I love many many things about Lisa. But here are some highlights: -She is a calming supportive presence. I breathe a sigh of relief when with her. This was vital during the birth. -She is full of love and light. Her joy is infectious. She is fun to be around. -She knows so much about birth, pregnancy and postpartum. If you have a question, she has many resources she can point you towards. -She believes in you. -She brings out my best self. Somehow, effortlessly, when I am around her, I feel like a better person for it. -She has time for you. She sees you, truly as you are. She does not project her own desires/needs/goals onto your meetings or your experience. -Her intention is to support what you want from your birth. She does not push for it to go one way or another. Rather, she asks what you want and she puts her energy behind that. (This seems unusual and so lovely, as some others in the birth world might feel there is a "right" approach and push you towards that.) She is a person of such high integrity, and also she can hone in on someone else's needs and desires and get fully behind them. I would highly recommend Lisa--both as doula and as yoga instructor--to anyone. Feel free to message me here on Yelp to ask any questions. If we are lucky enough to have another baby, I know I'll be asking Lisa if she can be my doula again. :)

I took the 3-day birth preparation course with Amelia, and I couldn't be happier with the…read moreexperience! Her energy is truly unmatched. She explained every concept in simple, practical terms and made me feel so genuine cared for and we laughed a lot. While I expected the course to focus primarily on natural birth--and in many ways it did--it was completely free of judgment regarding medical interventions.

I reached out to Brilliant Births to find a birth doula. They offer a matching service and…read moreconnected me to 3 doulas who work independently (not employees of BB). We were really fortunate to find our birth doula (who we love!), but the other 2 candidates were not very impressive. The first doula missed our appointment with no follow-up communication. We were initially confused and thought she was the coordinator for BB, because she only communicated by text. The actual meeting was just by telephone so there was no face-to-face interaction, which felt strange. We could've easily FaceTimed or Zoomed. So communication and reliability were not great. The second doula abruptly canceled our half-hour appointment when we were 10 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment due to my husband wrapping up a Zoom meeting. During our appointment time, she was responding to my emails (in which I apologized for being late), but insisted she could no longer meet with us. I thought this was a really bad sign about what she would be like to work with - labor and delivery is rarely precisely timed and some flexibility is needed. In addition, her email said that she lives in Portola Valley, but we live Berkeley (also where Brilliant Births is located). This also struck me as strange, because it would take 1.5 hours for her to arrive to meet us at the hospital, which is not ideal.

Made an appointment, got multiple confirmation emails, including an hour before the appointment…read more She never showed. I also emailed her two days before to try to get a response since I assumed the confirmation emails might be automated. She never responded. Phone number listed on Kaiser goes straight to voicemail. Unprofessional - can't imagine trusting this person with anything

Davon is just the BEST person you could ever have as your Doula! My husband and I are extremely…read morehappy for choosing her and will definitely recommend her services for everyone we know. Since our first interview, we felt a deeply connection with her and we chose her because of her KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, NATURAL APPROACH to pregnancy and childbirth and, most importantly, because we just felt that she understood us and would support us in the way we needed. This is my second baby and I've had a very traumatic experience with my first kid birth, so I wanted to have someone by my side who I could trust and who would help me to trust myself and my body to have a positive birth experience. My husband was a little reluctant to hire a doula, but after meeting her he was already feeling supported and more confident in the birth process. During the pregnancy she was always making herself available for questions and/or concerns and sharing resources to help us navigate through the different stages of this process. She also has an amazing Childbirth Course, that helped us to prepare for the big day. During the prenatal visits, we had an amazing time together, just like friends hanging out. She would spend enough time talking to us about everything we needed; she was never rushing out and would listen to us carefully. Davon is so KIND and she made us feel so comfortable from the very start. She is also very knowledgeable and would help us with our questions, doubts and insecurities. The whole time she was showing her trust in me and my body to go through the birth. On the birth day, she was available right away when we contact her. She arrived at the Birth Center at the same time we did and was there for the whole time. We arrived there at 2am and my baby was born at 7:30am. She never left my side and stayed there until the first hours of postpartum were over, making sure we were both fine. During labor, she always knew what to do and what to say to help me cope. She had many comfort measures for me during my painful contractions. Although I was almost giving up and asking for medication, she never got discouraged or let me feel that I couldn't do it. Her positive affirmations, calmness and confidence were definitely the reason I was able to go all the way through with the unmedicated birth, even when I thought I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't have done without her!!! She also has an amazing back up doula (Tanara), who we met virtually and then in person at our last prenatal appointment. This made us feel even more comfortable because we knew that if Davon couldn't make it to the big day for any reason, we still would have someone we trusted to support us over there. She also encapsulated my placenta. She took care of everything in the birth center and brought the capsules to my home on our postpartum appointment. She also made a cute keepsake out of my dehydrated cord, which was a special touch. Davon is like family to us know! We are extremely grateful that she came into our lives and will never forget this experience.

There truly aren't enough words to describe how incredible my postpartum experience was because of…read moreKavita. As a third-time mom, I knew we wanted night support, but I still felt a bit apprehensive and nervous...having someone else watch my baby while I was sleeping is daunting! However, from my very first conversation with her, I knew she was the perfect fit for our family. Kavita brought an immediate sense of peace, calm, and trust into our home. With a 4 and 2 year old to care for as well, her presence made such a huge difference. Because of the support she gave me (and the sleep I was actually able to get!), I felt like I could actually function and keep up with all three kids. She has such a gentle, intuitive way about her--she not only cared for our son with so much love and expertise, but also supported me in a way that made me feel truly seen and cared for. I'm endlessly grateful for the role she played in such a special time in our lives. If you're looking for a postpartum doula, look no further. I cannot recommend her enough--she's literally an angel!

Kavita is an incredible Doula. As a first time dad, I felt like Kavita had so much knowledge and…read moreexperience to give me. I had so much confidence in her care and attention for my son. I had many questions about best practices and products to use for the different stages of his development. My home felt peaceful with her calm and reassuring presence as she worked. Kavita is always looking for ways to improve her care and services that are unique to your child as an individual. I can't recommend her enough! Angel+life saver!