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.

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.

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!

Kim was not only a friendly instructor but also filled with knowledge! She made our class super…read moreenjoyable and fun. We came out of each class feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on our daily hypnosis sessions. My husband and I feel very ready for the birth of our baby thanks to Kim!

I am so grateful to Kim and her expertise and education! Just had my baby on Sunday (3/28/21) and…read moreKim's hypnobabies classes prepared my partner and I so well for a calm and peaceful birthing time. We took Kim's class via zoom in January and had a great experience. The classes are entertaining and educational! As a former birth worker myself, I am always seeking knowledge but I thought, I would know a lot and wasn't sure if the class would be worth it for me, but I am SO glad we decided to take the class anyway. This was my second birth and while my first was a good experience, I definItely could have used the comfort measures I learned for my first baby. Kim is such a warm and caring soul, super cool, funny, real and personable! She also takes payment plans which was really convenient for my family and I. I went into my birthing time early on Sunday morning and I was thinking if we went into our birthing center, I would be turned away because I was so comfortable but by the time we got to the birth center, to my surprise I was already 6cm and 90% effaced so baby was coming! And he did just 3.5 hours later. My hypnobabies techniques were absolutely priceless from the start and all the way to pushing my babe down and out. If you're thinking of taking Kim's Hypnobabies classes, don't hesitate!

Looma Birth connected us with an amazing night doula. We finally got to sleep during the newborn…read moremonths! Elizabeth took the time to hear our needs and helped make the process of finding the right doula for our family so much easier. Highly recommend Looma Birth!

We took a Looma Birth class a few weeks ago to learn and gained knowledge about our soon to be…read morebirth of our first child. The information that was taught and given to both my boyfriend and I was very informative. Elizabeth taught both of us so much that we had no idea about and I am feeling a lot more comfortable and confident about giving birth and the decisions that we will have to make under pressure and quickly! I highly suggest any of their classes for educational purposes and putting your mind at ease.

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!

We're so grateful to have had Courtney by our side for the birth of our first child. We were…read moreexcited but honestly didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. If you're considering hiring a doula, don't hesitate--reach out to her before her schedule fills up! From the very beginning, Courtney was amazing. While I was pregnant, my wife was so nervous! But Courtney regularly checked in on both of us, which gave us so much reassurance. We also took her and Nicole's birth prep class, which broke everything down in detail--what to expect in the hospital, how to handle the unexpected, and even what questions to ask. It removed so much of the fear and ambiguity for me, and I felt so much more prepared going in. One of my favorite things about working with Courtney was how she helped us understand the suggestions or decisions doctors might bring up. I'd always assumed we had to follow whatever the doctors said, but Courtney explained the reasons behind those suggestions, which allowed me to ask more informed questions and make the best decisions for me and my baby. When I went into labor, Courtney met us at home and coached me through the early stages. Once it was time to head to the hospital, she was by my side the whole way. She also coached my wife on how to best support me and made sure we both had everything we needed. I didn't have to worry about anything--she anticipated my needs before I even realized them myself. Whether it was answering questions, grabbing water, or helping me stay focused, Courtney was there. After the birth, Courtney did a postpartum house visit to make sure I had everything I needed and to check on how we were adjusting. She's still a trusted source of guidance for us as new parents. She shared so much knowledge, from self-care tips to baby care, and made such a difference during this huge life transition. We couldn't imagine doing this without her. When we're ready for baby number two, Courtney will be the first person we call!

Courtney is a true gift to a birth mother and the mother of that mother! My husband and I spend…read moremany hours in a labor and delivery room while our daughter gave birth to our first grandchild and I was so thankful to have Courtney there. She was so amazing with her guidance and expertise helping us navigate our daughters delivery. Courtney is calm, professional and wonderful to have by your side during such an amazing and emotional experience. My daughter made an excellent decision to have Courtney as her birth doula.

Wanted to provide an additional update since it's been about 3 months. On October 27,2025 I…read morerequested a receipt for the "services" and Marisol agreed. Till this day I have not received any sort of receipt for the "services" provided. Adding to my feelings of being ignored, since she got what she wanted the payment of $2,800 dollars.

This review truly breaks my heart to write. When I get pregnant with my second child and I…read morecontacted Marisol right away to book her as my Doula. I was so excited to finally meet her in person and I signed the contract right away. I immediately sent over my deposit and I requested that she provide me with a receipt for the deposit . The fact that she was initially declining my request for a receipt because she wanted to wait until after the baby was born was probably the first sign that trouble was coming. I went back-and-forth with her and asked to get my receipt for the money that I had already paid so that I could use that receipt for a reimbursement with my flexible spending account. She still refused to give me the receipt so I reached out to my flexible spending company and asked them if I had to wait for the baby to be born in order to be reimbursed and they said no. Finally, Marisol agreed to give me a receipt for my deposit. I found this quite odd since people generally get a receipt when money exchanges hands. My husband and I meet with Marisol around 36 weeks to go over the birth plan. I tell her that my plan is to have her help me labor at home as much as possible since I wanted to reduce the likelihood of medical interventions. I also asked they she capture some photos for us. Marisol explained that we should not contact her right away if labor starts in the middle of the night, only call when ready. She kept stressing this point and even emailed me a document that says to only call when we are ready for her to come. A couple of weeks later I go into labor late one night. My labor progressed quickly and we called Marisol when we wanted her to come over, no answer. I then texted her. A short time later I told her we were headed to the hospital. Labor pains got so intense that I was not able to monitor my phone so my husband and Marisol were texting. Labor pains were so intense so I requested an epidural at the hospital. Once Marisol got this information , she assumed she had more time. I guess she didn't take into account that that epidural was not completed. Long story short, she didn't make her way to the hospital until after the kid was born. Per her contract, she had 90 minutes to get to me. My labor was quick but she had a 3 hour heads up. I was actually disappointed that she came to the hospital because now it feels like a random acquaintance just showed up for one of the biggest days of your life and now you have to entertain them. She stayed with us until we got transferred to our postpartum room. At this point, Marisol was not a part of my birth story at all and I was angry. A couple days later I immediately requested a partial refund. She denied my request saying she was "available." Instead she offered me one additional 3 hour postpartum visit. I didn't accept that and said we could discuss this matter when she did her postpartum visit. During the visit, Marisol said she could tell that I "felt some type of way" and she asked me to share my feelings. I told her I felt cheated, I'm out a lot of money and she didn't have to do anything. It was her choice to not come to me right away, I followed all of her instructions. Marisol then told me she was actually on her way to me but she needed time to shower, clean her doula supplies and pack her doula bag. Once she heard about the epidural, she returned home to pack snacks. This information infuriated me....she missed my birth for this?!?! This is an area where you don't get a do over. I would imagine that with the nature of this job you would always have your supplies clean and ready. She ended up offering me 12 postpartum hours. I told her that was not what I wanted since I didn't want to think of things for her to help me with. In plus, it's easy to get help during the day. I ended up requesting my money back and threatening legal action since she breached her own contract. In the end she agreed to return 1/2 of my money ($1400) and I was able to avoid legal action. (I didn't mind taking legal action, this was an open and shut case according to the guidance I received). I'd say she still came out ahead, $1400 for 2 short visits to my house and a short 45 minute visit to the hospital after my kid was born. I am beyond bummed about this experience. So yes, I still "feel some type of way!" I'm not sure how you could say you were available yet you missed the birth. And I still can't comprehend the rationale. I'm so confused.

This Bootcamp has been such an incredible experience for me in so many ways. It's the first…read morephotography class I've taken and I've learned so much from Annie and from all of the other artists in the class! I finally found a playground to bring all the photos I've been storing on my phone that were waiting to be birthed into world. Right now is a perfect time to be in a creative space and explore your inner and outer landscapes. I've loved having a weekly joy date to look forward to !!! Annie brings a wide range of knowledge of the craft, experience in the photography world and wide permission to explore your unique talent and calling. Whether you're a beginner or already developed it doesn't matter. I felt so welcome and at home and loved the whole experience ! Thank you Annie !! I hope to meet you in the next class ;)

Many thanks to Annie Appel, photographer extraordinaire, who assisted in producing my recent one…read moreman photography exhibition, and book, displaying my works shot in INDIA 2016. Her insight, and ability to direct me to fully recognize the potential in my photographs, allowed for the production of a wonderful show, and book, displaying my works. In addition, her years of professionalism in the industry, allowed for a smooth and fluid transition, through the process of editing, framing, and book publishing. All in all, it was a wonderful experience! George Woytovich - Photographer