As a dad-to-be, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into a hypnobirthing class. If I'm being…read morehonest, I was a little skeptical at first--"hypno" anything sounded a bit out there to me. But I signed up to support my wife, and I'm really glad I did. This class completely changed how I see birth and my role in it. Instead of feeling like a bystander, I walked away feeling informed, useful, and actually confident in how I can support my wife during labor. The techniques we learned--breathing, relaxation, visualization--aren't just for moms. I found myself using them too, and they've already helped us both stay calmer leading up to the big day. What stood out most was how much emphasis was placed on teamwork. I learned specific, practical ways to advocate for my wife, help her stay relaxed, and create a positive environment no matter how the birth unfolds. It made me feel like an active participant instead of just "the guy in the room." The instructor, Care, was very knowledgeable, approachable, and never made any question feel silly. She made the classes very comfortable and even pretty funny at times. The class also struck a great balance between education and hands-on practice, so it didn't feel like we were just sitting through lectures. If you're a partner on the fence about taking a hypnobirthing class--do it. Even if you're skeptical like I was, you'll come away with tools, confidence, and a much deeper understanding of what your partner is going through. Honestly, it's one of the best things we've done together to prepare for becoming parents.

I gave birth a couple months ago, and decided to go through Care's Hypnobirthing class, and also…read moreuse her for my placenta encapsulation, and I can't recommend her highly enough! From the very first class, it was clear that Care is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about empowering expectant parents. Her approach to hypnobirthing and breathing techniques was not only informative but also calming and reassuring for both me and my partner. We completed it feeling much more prepared and confident for the birth experience ahead. Care provided a wealth of resources, ensuring we had everything we needed to make informed decisions about our birthing plan. She was always responsive to our questions, both during the classes and even after the birth, which made a world of difference in our journey. It's rare to find someone who continues to support you even after the classes are over. Overall, the entire experience with Care was amazing. Her warmth, expertise, and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. If you're looking for guidance and support in your birth preparation, look no further than Care Messer at the Birth Education Center!

If you are thinking about reaching out to Aly at New Wave consider this your sign to DO IT…read moreIMMEDIATELY! It will be the best decision you make for yourself and your new family. From the earliest days of postpartum, Aly met me with kindness, calm, and such deep knowledge that I instantly felt supported and safe. She gently taught me the intricacies of breastfeeding and lactation, helped me understand my newborn in ways that felt empowering instead of overwhelming, and somehow always knew what I needed before I even had to ask. She cared for my baby overnight on several occasions so I could actually rest, but we spent a lot of our time together during the day when she cooked meals, helped keep my space together, and made those foggy early weeks feel manageable and human. But what makes Aly so special is that she never just cared for my son--she cared for me. She encouraged me to take showers, watched the baby while I squeezed in a workout once the time felt right for my body, and slowly helped guide me back to feeling like myself again. Her support was lighthearted and warm, yet deeply grounding. She brought peace into our home during such a tender, vulnerable season, and I will forever be grateful for the way she showed up for our family. Aly is a gift, and anyone lucky enough to have her as their doula is truly in the best hands.

Working with Aly for postpartum was one of the best decisions we made as first-time parents. She…read morebrought such a genuine, cheerful energy into our home that instantly made us feel supported, calm, and cared for during such a vulnerable transition. Beyond her reassuring presence, she shared incredibly helpful insights, tips, and advice that helped me feel so much more confident and at ease as a new mom. She was always communicative, timely, and ready to help in whatever way we needed. I appreciated how personalized the experience felt, she adapted her support as we became more confident parents throughout the six weeks. Because of her help, I was able to have moments of me time, be well fed, learn how to wrap my baby in a carrier, feel confident breast feeding and pumping, and so much more! Can't recommend new wave birth and wellness enough :-)

Highly recommend taking the HypnoBirthing Class!! And if you…read morecan sign up for the class taught by Care Messenger!!! This class transformed my thoughts about pregnancy, birth & parenthood and Care is remarkable! We are planning for our 2nd baby & my husband asked if we could take the class again. Yes really. Care is funny, playful & deeply vulnerable which allows you to open up and remember your innate strength, power & confidence in a way that doesn't happen often in life. Plus the class is filled with videos, exercises & other pregnant women/couples which is all highly valuable.

If you are pregnant, book your class asap! I can't rave enough about their approach to preparing…read morefor birth. My husband had two kids from a previous relationship, but still was able to learn things he hadn't been present for with them. It improved our communication surrounding my pregnancy and birth, even when it took a different turn. We'd made it through four of the five classes when my son decided to he needed to get out at 30 weeks. I had so many tools in my toolbox that I felt prepared, even during the scary prospects of having preeclampsia and a NICU baby. I'm so grateful for Care and her entire team. Such a blessing!!!!

Would 100% recommend. My doulas were Kim & Ella and I felt that they provided some a good…read morecombination. I had such a wonderful birthing experience and largely attribute it to them and the birth 101 class that we had. I was so informed and felt confident in the decisions I was making throughout the process. I would 1000% recommend going with this co. The other thing is that there are several different doulas that work under this agency so if one doesn't fit your vibe, there are more that they could pair you up with. Thank you BB for being part of our birthing experience.

We are so grateful to have had the dream team of Louise and Emry…read more At the prenatal visit, they kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took their time to carefully understand our previous pregnancy and birth experience and supported us in forming the birth plan we were most comfortable with. During labor, Louise's steady presence and calm, reassuring energy made all the difference. She knew exactly when to step in to offer guidance or helpful suggestions, advocate for our needs, and even when to lighten the mood with her wonderful sense of humor. At the postpartum visit, Louise continued to show her sweet, supportive, thoughtful nature. She checked-in on all of us, answered questions, and made sure we were adjusting well to a new family member. We couldn't have asked for a better team to support us through such an important time in our lives. We would absolutely recommend Louise and Emry to anyone looking for a doula.

Juliana was a major help during a very vulnerable time. I booked multiple at-home lactation…read moreconsultations when I was freshly postpartum, and she provided personalized and thorough after-visit reports to support my breastfeeding journey. I was dealing with blood blisters, a poor latch, doubts and fears about supply, and a baby that was temporarily not gaining enough weight. As a first-time mom, it was extremely stressful, and there were many tears. However, Juliana's visits always left me feeling more informed, reassured, and capable. We also did a weighted feed during every visit, which confirmed that my baby was indeed getting enough to eat. I still remember the relief I felt when I learned that. Juliana is a big reason why I decided to stay the course with breastfeeding. (Thank goodness, because now I LOVE it.) My insurance covered the cost of the visits, so I just paid the $60 travel fee. I also attended her breastfeeding class with my husband before giving birth. This was super helpful, but I recommend taking the class within 1 month of your due date. We took it a bit too early in my pregnancy, and forgot a couple things by the time I gave birth. Overall, I would highly recommend booking a lactation consultation with Juliana if you're in need of support!

My husband and I visited Babies in Bloom in Vista, California while trying to figure out what…read morestroller and car seat would be best for our first baby--and wow, we are so glad we did! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with such warmth and kindness. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely helpful, not pushy at all. They patiently answered all of our (many!) questions and helped us compare different stroller options based on our lifestyle and needs. We left feeling confident in our decision, which is such a huge relief as first-time parents! The store itself is absolutely adorable--full of the cutest baby items you can imagine, from thoughtful gifts and baby clothes to nursery must-haves. You can tell everything is curated with care. It has that perfect boutique vibe without being overwhelming or overpriced. Babies in Bloom is a true gem for anyone preparing to welcome a little one. We left not only knowing what stroller we want, but with a big smile on our faces. Highly, highly recommend!

My husband and I decided to take Janine's class due to our holistic approach to birthing and our…read moregoal to best prepare ourselves with pain-coping strategies for a natural birth plan. Not only did Janine optimally prepare us, but we got so much more out of the class than we ever expected. Janine's approach is relatable, compassionate, friendly, kind and incredibly positive. She provided my husband and I space, in an intimate group setting, to have the tough conversations around birthing, our relationship with each other as future parents, and space to create tangible plans for prenatal care, labor and postpartum support. We would not have carved out this time to work through these topics on our own, and have so much appreciation for the tools and revelations Janine was able to help us uncover. My husband and I felt emotionally and physically ready to take on the birthing process, and felt intimately aligned as a partner duo in the process. We were especially grateful for the way Janine shed light on the birthing process due to COVID-19 and the fact that our Doula couldn't join us in the hospital as planned. My husband has such a greater understanding, respect and comfortability with supporting me in the toughest times of delivery because of Janine's curriculum. I highly recommend Janine's Birth From Love course to any conscious parents who are looking for a deeper connection, understanding and confidence in the birthing process, whether you are planning a natural birth or not. We had a smooth labor and delivery and now a happy, healthy baby girl to enjoy!

Janine is absolutely amazing! My husband and I did a private class - Birthing Again at home, which…read morewas so convenient and suitable as we are planning this birth to be at our home so it was a more appropriate comfortable setting for us. She has a ton of insight and recommendations not just about birthing/laboring the baby again, but on other topics such as postpartum plans and managing a healthy communicative relationship with your partner. Initially I thought 6 hours for a class was a bit long but it went by so fast! And we are more than happy we chose her as a guide to preparing us to do this again! Thank you Janine!!

We are working with night and day for their lactation consultant services, and they've been…read morefantastic. We opted for home visits, which are covered by insurance other than a travel fee. The team has been very kind, helpful, flexible, and supportive of our goals without being pushy. Highly recommend!

I cannot say enough good things about Night & Day! I've worked with Rachael twice now (both times…read morefor lactation support), and this past birth had the pleasure of working with Sarah (for lactation support) and Katie (as our Postpartum Doula). Rachael and Sarah are the dream team - incredibly knowledgeable, empathetic and genuine. I opted for in-home visits so it was incredibly convenient to welcome them to my home and know that they had me and my sons' best interests at heart. It was always great having the option to text for quick questions or do a video call if needed. Also, I love how they would send me a recap of our visit so I could reference at any time (because those first few weeks are a fog). Katie was also a dream - I honestly have no idea how I would've survived postpartum without her. Thanks to an employer benefit, I was able to have her services for 3 night shifts and 3 day shifts and she was instrumental to helping us juggle newborn life with a toddler at home. Katie went above and beyond to check-in with me before my baby was born as my last few weeks were a roller coaster. She made the space for us when he was born 3 weeks early, providing me with the emotional and physical support I needed after my c-section. My toddler son looked forward to her visits every time - she was incredibly sweet and took the time to bake with him, read with him and make sure I was able to spend 1:1 time with my newborn. Our family would be lost without her!

My birth experience was an absolute dream! I knew I wanted a natural birth, so I interviewed a…read morehandful of midwifes around San Diego county. I highly recommend Mother to Mother! With an entire hour of face time at each prenatal appointment, my questions were always thoroughly answered. I rotated appointments with all the midwifes and loved them all! These ladies really make sure that you and your baby are supported physically AND emotionally. Of course, family and friends thought I was a bit crazy to opt for a home birth. They warned me that "the first baby is the hardest" to birth and that I would need an epidural. I am SO glad that I went with my gut instead! I felt amazingly comfortable giving birth in my own space. Everything went smoothly and I felt safe and supported by my midwives the entire time. It was wonderful to be able to snuggle up to my baby immediately and not worry about traveling anywhere. The midwives even came to my home a few additional times after the birth to check on baby and me. Administratively, the team is organized and has a spectacular office manager who is always quick to answer my emails. She took care of billing my insurance, so I didn't have to deal with any paperwork! How we bring our babies into this world matters. If you are looking for a smart, experienced, loving team, I highly recommend Mother to Mother. My baby is now 6 weeks old and I am happy to report that we are both doing fantastic!

I don't even know where to start... maybe I'll start by saying that The midwives and staff and…read moreMother to Mother midwifery have gone above and beyond all expectations for me as a pregnant woman, during my birth and as a new mother. After watching the business of being born- and my mom telling me her horror story of my birth in the hospital- I began researching my options for a home birth. I decided to do a home birth after meeting with Brooke and Sunshine. Lovely, absolutely lovely people. The whole staff, just so beautiful and kind. Yes, I was worried I would be loud at home while I labored... but the facts are: 1. you labor at home for the most part if you have planned hospital birth anyway and 2. after your baby is born you're going to rethink exactly what it was you ever 'worried' about. During your pregnancy you'll have regular checkups, there is an emergency line to call (which I had to use because of some worrisome braxton hicks, and they were very quick to respond), you can go get a sonogram at a cute little place they'll refer you to, they do all of your blood tests there (Brooke is a certified nurse midwife), any questions at all they answer and even have books they loan you and they also have mixers which are really great to meet new or soon to be moms. They were also really sensitive to my requests to alter the language they used. For example, I wanted to use the word surges instead of contractions. Which seems like such a silly thing in retrospect, but it just goes to show how kind and sensitive these women were to my wants and needs as a patient. My birth was 9.5 hours and I had a 6.5 pound baby. No tears, yippee!!! So.... this was a relatively easy first birth. It was incredibly painful (I'll spare you the details) but I was surrounded by women that I love and trust and that made a HUGE difference. It was exactly what I wanted and had envisioned. The midwives come to check up on you and your baby at your home a couple times, then you take your baby to a pediatrician. It's so wonderful to just stay at home with your baby and not have to worry about getting out of the car to get to the hospital. But in hindsight... I wish I would have hired a postpartum doula. To have somebody there with you to help with the transition, breastfeeding and just to have somebody knowledgeable about newborns can really alleviate a lot of stress and fear. It's like, one day you're a free woman- then the next it's baby, baby, baby... 24/7! About 8 months after my baby was born- I started getting bouts of depression. I asked the midwives about it and they were incredibly helpful. I attended one of their mixers, met some moms and got some information on Postpartum Depression. I was even offered a follow up appointment to talk to Brooke. Midwives are not therapists, or psychologists... but they KNOW and they have TONS of experience with moms. That one meeting with Brooke has helped me receive more clarity and insight into my situation than anything else. You hire these midwives to help you birth your baby. But what you also get is peace of mind, lifelong friends, a loving community and the support you will need as a new mom.

If you're a photographer - professional or hobbyist - George's Camera is where to go! This place…read morehas everything: lighting gear, camera bags, lenses, and enough accessories to make you question whether you've ever truly taken a "real" photo in your life. The staff? Walking encyclopedias. I'm convinced they collectively know every camera ever created, including the ones that were prototypes, rumors, or fever dreams. I brought in an old Canon my brother gave me--so old it probably qualifies for Social Security--and the gentleman behind the counter with the long white beard took one look and immediately knew its entire genealogy. Extremely helpful, extremely patient, and honestly, I'm 70% sure he's a wizard. If you're in North Park and need anything for your inner shutterbug or just want to bask in the glow of pure photographic tribal knowledge--George's is the spot!

Such a great value if you're looking for more parts for your camera! They were really sweet and…read morehelped us find the perfect lens. They also have older camera on display to take a look at. They have all the accessories you need from backpacks to lighting set ups at a reasonable price!