I joined PowerPlay three months postpartum, seeking exercise that would support my post-baby health…read moreand well being. It was the best decision! Kwanua, Jenn, Tiffany, Fabi and Joseph provided such amazing support and community. The classes pushed me hard in the best kind of way, and I felt stronger and happier after every visit. The on-site childcare allowed me some precious time while my baby was well cared for. The communications are very responsive. There is generally parking available in the area. The small class format allows for focus on each person and creating community. It is well worth the investment in a mother's time and well being to be supported by this great group - I couldn't recommend highly enough!!

I was a Powerplay SF member for 4 years, and it has truly been one of the most empowering parts of…read moremy fitness journey and motherhood. This women-owned, women-oriented space is more than just a workout studio--it's a community that lifts you up both physically and mentally. When I first joined, I didn't have much experience with strength training, but the coaches(Kwanua is the best!!!) were incredibly supportive and knowledgeable. They met me where I was, encouraged progress at my own pace, and celebrated every win along the way. I really felt they cared for my well being. The environment is welcoming, non-judgmental, and full of amazing women who genuinely cheer each other on. There's a real sense of camaraderie and mutual respect here that's hard to find elsewhere.

Brilliant Births matched me with an amazing night doula, Mirai! I so appreciate that they provide…read morethis helpful matching service. They quickly processed my application and sent me profiles of several doulas to interview, all of whom were excellent. I was especially grateful that they provided the referrals so quickly, as we were in desperate need of some help at night with our first daughter.

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.

How lucky are we?! Gan A Yi is an incredible caretaker and nanny. From the moment she walked into…read moreour home, she brought so much warmth, a strong work ethic, and a get-it-done attitude that's honestly rare. We had her for 45 days and wish we could have kept her longer! She made my transition into motherhood so much easier. Overnights: She took the overnight wake-ups and diaper changes, brought our daughter to me for feedings, and rocked her back to sleep. Without her, my health and my sleep would be in a very different place. Daytime: Gan A Yi goes above and beyond so my husband and I can be as hands-off as possible. She changes diapers before we even notice, carries the baby for 30-45 minutes until she's in a deep sleep, and often stays well past her break to make sure the baby is calm and settled. She happily watched the baby while we went out and wouldn't take extra time off, even when we offered several times. It's so hard to find someone with that level of flexibility, work ethic, and genuine care. Adaptable: She's great at everything she does. We showed her how to use the many appliances in our house, told her our kitchen preferences, and updated her as the feeding schedule changed. For example, she helped our baby slowly increase her milk intake, stretch out overnight feeds, and even adjust to sleeping on a different side of her head. She only ever needed to hear something once, and we never had to bring it up again. Her adaptability and attention to detail are rare and so admirable. Food: Her cooking is amazing! Every meal was different, and she turned leftovers into something completely new. Her knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and Cantonese postpartum recovery was a big reason we wanted a confinement nanny, and she delivered. Baby: Our 6-week-old now smiles at Gan A Yi more than at almost anyone else, which says it all. From the way she talks to and plays with her every day, I can tell she truly cares about her. She encourages her to talk, play, and move, and is always making sure she's warm, clean, comfortable, and fed. That's exactly what any parent could hope for. We also learned SO much from her: how to bathe the baby, change her diaper and clothes, hold her, feed her, and more. If you want an expert you can trust and enjoy living with, Gan A Yi is it. We'd book her again in a heartbeat. We can't say enough good things about her, and we'll miss her so much!

We feel very lucky to have Chen A Yi caring for our baby boy. She is wonderful at reading his cues…read moreand always seems to know exactly what he needs, thanks to her decade-long experience as a nanny. She genuinely cares for him and is patient, loving, and attentive. We always feel that he is in great hands. She is also very efficient and productive, seamlessly balancing caring for the baby with cooking and cleaning the kitchen. She prepares nutritious postpartum meals tailored to my preferences and has been a tremendous help to our family. She is caring, patient, and dependable. We highly recommend her to any family looking for a wonderful nanny!

I can't say enough good things about the San Francisco Birth Center. I gave birth to both of my…read moresons here--my first in March 2019 and my second in November 2021--and both experiences were everything I hoped for and more. From the very first prenatal class, I felt truly respected and empowered. The midwives and educators took time to explain every part of the process--no condescension, no pressure, just real information that helped me feel confident and grounded. The birth prep classes weren't just informative--they were community-building. I connected with other expectant parents, and we grew together as we learned what it meant to welcome our babies into the world with intention and care. Both of my births were completely natural and 1 took place on the bed and the other in the tub--peaceful, powerful, and free of any complications thanks to the expert, attentive care of the midwives. Their calm presence, deep knowledge, and trust in the birthing process made me feel safe and supported every step of the way. San Francisco Birth Center isn't just a place to give birth--it's a space that honors families, nurtures community, and deeply respects birthing people. I'm endlessly grateful for the role they played in two of the most important days of my life.

Nancy, Serena, Mason, Echo, and everybody who works at the birth center are absolute legends. I…read morecannot recommend them enough. I delivered my first baby at the birth center a couple months ago and it was the single best medical experience of my life (which is a high bar as I founded and sold a healthcare company and have a lot of experience in the space!). Like many people, I was hesitant to choose a birth center over a hospital--especially for my first child--but I am so glad I did. None of my friends who delivered at a hospital had the kind of personalized care, home visits, texting support, or thoughtful pregnancy and postpartum care that I received. I ended up coaching and advising my hospital friends because they just didn't get the same support. The birth center itself is immaculate, warm, and calming. I was able to move freely throughout labor without being hooked up to monitors, and everything around me--from the music to the lighting to the temperature--was set up with care. I was physically and emotionally supported every step of the way. My husband was also included fully in the process, and he was moved to tears watching how incredibly these women cared for us. The only reason to become a midwife is if you truly love it. It's a demanding, 24/7 job, and the system doesn't make it easy. These women clearly love what they do, and it shows in every interaction. I labored for 21 hours and felt deeply supported every minute. The education and classes offered during pregnancy helped me feel ready, prepared, and confident. I met great people there who I'm still in touch with. Postpartum care--including home visits and constant texting with the team-- was incredible because they knew me and I could ask questions and know I was going to get an answer I trusted asap. They helped me through full recovery, mastitis, feeding issues, and more. I will 100% have my future kids here.

Great local yoga studio with super friendly staff. During the pandemic, I've been taking their…read moreonline classes over zoom. Some classes are available in person too but I haven't gone yet. They even have recordings I can access when a class does not fit my schedule. I feel like the is studio is much more generous than some. For example, their cancellation policies are not as harsh. Membership fees are extremely reasonable. When I joined as a member, I was able to get a free tank top from their gift shop. And they even organized a safe outdoor photoshoot for families, which we really appreciated and would not have had the mind to plan during Covid. I look forward to returning in person and bringing my baby as they even have childcare!

Loved the pre-crawling baby class. Our instructor was so warm, personable, and reassuring. I love…read morethat she started class by saying that the baby noise is part of class and nothing to worry about. She was aware of the potential strains related to post-partum bodies and instructed us accordingly. After having a great session we did some yoga with our infants, which was adorable. The location is great and the facilities are wonderful. A children's room and child care is especially helpful. Overall a wonderful experience. I'm happy to return since they are clearly so geared toward families. Can't wait for my baby to grow up in this community!

The absolute best sports massage place available. Some of these practitioners here are world class…read more Find your favorite! I have seen several of them. They also have varying price options and packages. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for. It's simply the most amazing bodywork I've ever had. Got me through five half Ironmans, a full Ironman, and many years of high level competitive tennis. Plus some unfortunate accidents and injuries. Also the kindest staff! Kudos!

My massage with Robyn was incredibly disappointing--lazy technique, zero attention to detail, and…read moreto make it worse, Robyn was loudly slurping from a straw throughout the session. It happened repeatedly (at least 10 times), completely ruining any chance of relaxation. I stopped coming for a while after that, and when I finally returned, I was told I had two massages that had "expired." That alone felt questionable...but what happened next was worse. The staff told me the owner would contact me before moving forward. That never happened. Instead, they went ahead and charged me $180 without any communication or approval. This place feels disorganized at best and dishonest at worst. Poor service, poor communication, and questionable business practices. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.

I started seeing Anastasia during the third trimester of my pregnancy, when I was in a good deal of…read morepain and desperate for some relief. She is incredibly empathetic, compassionate, gentle, but also firm. Anyone who has tried a typical prenatal massage knows that many practioners tip toe around pregnant women. Anastasia appreciates just how hard pregnancy is on one's body and, thanks to her exceptional expertise, is not afraid to appropriately "dig in", providing real relief. Not only did she provide just the right kind of care I needed, I can honestly say that her massages are the best I've ever received in my life. (And I'm kind of a spa junkie!) Her services are also surprisingly affordable. I've continued to see Anastasia for postpartum bodywork. She is accomodating--welcoming baby in the room if he or she needs to nurse--and she always makes scheduling a treatment quick and easy. I have already recommended Anastasia to all my pregnant friends and colleagues, several of which have begun to see her. I recommend her without reservation, particularly to those women making their way through the childbearing year.

This was one of the best massages I've received and I've tried a lot of sport, deep tissue, Thai,…read moreand prenatal. It was my first time I got postpartum massage and Anastasia worked magic and nice this is an at home service. I booked another visit and would recommend!

I am so glad I added Lindsey's offerings to my birth journey!…read more I rented her birth tub which was such a good pain relief method for my unmedicated birth. Pick up / drop off and deposit / payment stuff was a breeze. The abhuyanga massages were such a boon to my physical and emotional well-being. When you have a newborn to care for, even when you know how important self-care is, you can find yourself rushing through things like showering etc. It was so great to have one hour where I couldn't rush things, I just had to relax and enjoy. So grounding and centering at a pivotal time in your life. Also my hair and skin were fabulous from the sesame oil which smells amazing. Lindsey has a warm, nurturing and calming presence which is important when inviting someone in to your home during such a delicate time. She always had such a helpful and never judgmental perspective on questions we had about newborn parenting. Be good to yourself and choose Lindsey, she's awesome.

I cannot say enough good things about Lindsey and her postpartum care. She has a wonderful…read moregrounding and calming presence. My husband, babies and I all felt immediately comfortable with her. The oil massage, pelvic steam and food she provides are all so nourishing and healing. She is an excellent cook and her food is truly delicious. I could honestly eat it year round. It also makes it easy to get enough to provide for baby, which can be difficult in the early days. Everything is not only tasty but provides those essential nutrients to help with milk supply, building iron levels and caloric intake. We hired her for both of my babies and it's so worth it! If we're lucky enough to have more we would 100% work with her again!

Tal is beyond phenomenal, and everything I was looking for (and more) in a prenatal personal…read moretrainer. I would 1000% recommend doing one-on-one training sessions--it's the best money I've ever spent on myself. Thanks to our workouts, I had an incredibly easy delivery and post-partum recovery. Tal radiates positive energy! She kept me smiling, fit, motivated, and--most importantly--SAFE throughout my pregnancy. Her workouts were not only fun but also incorporate many moves that can actually be used during labor. She was always in-tune to my needs and would adapt her routines--even mid-workout--to make sure I was safe and pain-free. I also loved that she emphasized important foundations (e.g. proper breathing technique, connecting breath to core and pelvic floor, safe ways to get in/out of bed, ways to avoid diastasis recti, etc). I continue to use those skills daily. Not only is Tal a mama herself, she has years of experience as a specialized prenatal/post-partum personal trainer. She even stays up-to-date with ACOG recommendations and takes refresher maternal health courses. As a physician, I was impressed with the depth of her knowledge. If you train with her, you get access to her Strong Mama Fitness online for free--another incredible resource. Although she is no longer local in the Bay Area, she is available for 1-on-1 virtual training via Zoom. Our virtual sessions were super convenient, all without sacrificing quality. I can't recommend Tal enough!

I was looking for prenatal exercises during my first trimester and was glad to have found Tal's…read moreexercise program at Strong Mama Fitness. There are various exercises every week that cater to different levels of fitness or how one feels for the day. This is very helpful as I don't have to worry about whether a particular exercise is safe for a certain stage of pregnancy. Tal has been very helpful and knowledgeable, and is available to answer any questions. Love having the convenience of this personal trainer like program from the comforts of home. Highly recommend Strong Mama Fitness!

I had my second and third babies with Kara and Liz and could not have had a more wonderful and…read moretransforming experience. I have never felt more cared for or seen during my time with them throughout my prenatal care, the actual births, and postpartum periods. A one of a kind duo who will always have a special place in mine and my family's hearts. Also, the office space is so cozy and sweet and kid friendly! Great for walks around the neighborhood as well :)

I had both of my babies at home with Kara and Liz, and I can say without hesitation that they were…read moreone of the greatest gifts of my pregnancy and birth experiences. From our prenatal visits all the way through postpartum care, they created a level of trust, safety, and calm that allowed me to fully surrender to birth in a way I didn't know was possible. My two births were completely different... One intense and primal, the other calm and deeply present. Both were incredibly powerful and positive. Kara and Liz have this rare ability to read a room and support you exactly how you need in each moment. They know when to gently guide you, when to reassure you, and when to simply hold steady space. Their presence alone brings a sense of peace and confidence that makes you feel safe doing something so big. What stood out most to me is that they trust birth, they trust mothers, and they honor the process without rushing or controlling it. I felt respected, supported, and genuinely cared for every step of the way. And after each birth, I got to climb into my own bed with my baby, surrounded by calm instead of chaos... Something I will always treasure. If you're even thinking about home birth, I cannot recommend Kara and Liz enough. They are not just skilled and knowledgeable, they are intuitive, compassionate, and truly exceptional at what they do.