Brittany was one of the most pivotal pieces of my post partum journey. After a rough NICU stay, we…read morewent home to a challenging first time experience as parents. I had NO idea how much support I needed--we needed! I found myself so depleted and hungry trying to breastfeed and recover. Thankfully my best friend recommended Brittany and she was a life savor! She helped me get nourished, better situated and develop a plan moving forward My post partum anxiety disappeared quickly after her work!

Brittany is a lovely human being and an intuitive doula. I can't thank her enough for her support…read moreduring my postpartum season. What an incredible gift to trust someone with your newborn baby so you can SLEEP and to receive nourishing meals and emotional support. She's all about supporting the mamas and is absolute magic with the babies!!

I am so grateful to One Moon Doula for their services. I don't have family in the area and my…read morehusband works a high-demand job. I was in dire need of support during the newborn period, particularly as I was struggling with sleep deprivation. Kathryn was amazing to work with - she took the time to understand my needs and was super communicative and responsive in helping me find the right postpartum doula. Having a postpartum doula was a true gift - it made such a difference to know that I could rely on someone to take care of my son for a few hours out of the day a few times a week, and I could take care of myself (getting caught up on sleep, taking a long hot shower, and eating a healthy meal).

To say that investing in a doula was a good idea would be the understatement of a lifetime. My wife…read moreand I heard about this magical concept as if it were a fairytale idea out of our reach, a luxury item in no way meant for us. That was until we met Kathryn and One Moon Doula. They showed us how we could achieve the dream goals we had for those first precious weeks while also honoring our modest budget. Not knowing what to expect, as this was our first child, we did understand that having someone with us would change everything. We were quickly linked with a few doula interviews and fell in love with one of them. Our schedules aligned and boy did it ever change our lives. I can't imagine not having our doula there for those critical nights of transitioning into parenthood, while making space for healing and recovery. We both slept more than we ever thought possible, while our son was cared for better than we could have imagined, AND we learned so much to build a foundation of comfort and confidence moving forward. No family member or friend would have been able to step in the same way. If you have nothing else on your registry other than a fund for this...do just that. It will change your whole early parenting experience for the better. Thank you to One Moon Doula and their network of Angels.

When I found out about the Sacred Pregnancy program, Linda offered classes at Pregnancy Sanctuary…read more I called her and loved her right away. She has a very soft, kind and loving personality and she can make you laugh. She has such a beautiful way of communicating to women in such a vunerable time in their lives. I loved her classes so much that I took them twice during my pregnancy! It was my third pregnancy and needed extra TLC. Linda is sent from Angels! I drove from San Clemente to Leucadia just to take her classes once a week! She also guided 16 women at my Blessingway! She was so great! Her way with words brought the whole group of women together. After my third baby was born, I continued to be a part of Pregnancy Santuary by meeting at the (free) Nursing Circles once a week! I cannot say enough good things about Linda and her welcoming space, Pregnancy Sanctuary.

Linda is an angel and I'm so grateful I stumbled across the pregnancy sanctuary early in my…read morepregnancy. The first time I walked into the pregnancy sanctuary I felt a sense of ease and an immediate comfort with Linda, she's the kind of person you immediately know you can trust. She was an amazing resource throughout my pregnancy and invaluable in dealing with the surprises birth can bring. I truly wish every pregnant woman could experience a pregnancy circle! It is so special to be able to celebrate, cry, laugh and relate with other pregnant women. It helped me go beyond the aches and pains of pregnancy and really appreciate the sacred time this was in my life and focus on bonding with my sweet baby. Linda and the pregnancy sanctuary will always have a special place in my heart!

I've seen Kimberly for several months now as a Rolfer / bodyworker. I've had various types of…read morebodywork done due to some chronic back issues. I was looking for someone who could do more than make me feel good for the time I was on the table. I hadn't had Rolfing before, she was excellent at explaining the principles and then discussing how it could help me. She is very intuitive at diagnosing what my body needs from visit to visit. I see her regularly and she has helped me regain mobility and flexibility. Since I practice yoga and she teaches yoga she also provides good input on connecting her bodywork to my practice. I highly recommend her because she understands the impact of the mind on the body and has helped me better understand that too.

Most amazing Doula ever!!!…read more Kimberly really took the time to get to know us in the months preceding the birth, so by the time the big day came, we felt completely ready for the experience (or at least as ready as first time parents can feel). This wasn't because we felt like we knew everything (far from it), but because we felt like anything we didn't know Kimberly would help us with. One of her real strengths was being incredibly tuned into what we needed. She could always tell what it was we really needed (kind words, scientific explanations, a massage) and gave it without us having to even ask. My wife ended up delivering our son breech, and the delivery was natural and involved no pain meds (thank you Dr Cap!). I doubt this would have happened without Kimberly. We're so grateful she was our doula and are excited to work with her again for #2

I had the best experience with Breathe Bitch Doula! Louise and Mahri were incredible. They made me…read morefeel so supported and relaxed throughout my whole journey. They are set up to tag team so one of them is guaranteed to be there for the brith which was so helpful to know that someone would be there no matter what. They helped prep me and we amazing resources throughout my pregnancy, obviously during labor, and even postpartum. I'd text them with all my "my baby is doing this is it normal" questions. I want them there for any future pregnancies and labor!

Short answer: Hire a doula, if you can afford it, it is so worth it!…read more Long review: I worked with birth doulas from BBD for both of my births (2024 and 2026). I was extremely nervous about giving birth, and my main goal the first time was just to not have trauma. Thanks to amazing support from our doulas, I discovered not only did I not have trauma, but I also find giving birth such a transformative and positive experience, something I never even considered a possibility for me. I worked with Tamara and Sage for my first birth, a late-term induction and vaginal delivery (both attended), and Tamara and Kim for my second, spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery (Kim attended). A goal in both my births was to wait until transition to get an epidural, and thanks to Sage helping me ride contractions and helping my spouse keep me comfortable I was able to wait as I had hoped. In my second birth, I used techniques I had learned from Sage as well as new ones from Kim to stay so comfortable laboring that I got to the hospital pretty late without realizing how far labor had progressed! I never considered an unmedicated birth a possibility for me, but due to doula support allowing me to stay comfortable I think I would give it a try if I have another baby. Doula support was key to keeping me out of my "fear brain", as in both births, things happened that I didn't understand and they were able to explain them, both on the phone and in person at the hospital. This allowed me to keep calm. We didn't do the birth class due to our schedules, so did 2 prenatal visits instead both times. These were helpful in getting to know the doulas, but also they gave a wealth of recommendations for birth and for postpartum - for instance, Tamara suggested identifying a lactation consultant before birth, which was an amazing suggestion given that I needed lactation support immediately with my first and I would have not lined this up without her suggestion. We really like the 2 doula model, also, which seems pretty unique. We highly recommend BBD!

Dara is an absolute angel. She's knowledgeable, sweet, helpful, and meets you where you are at. I…read morehad an oversupply and overactive let down AND my baby had a shallow latch. Dara helped with all of these circumstances and made me feel so comfortable. She showed me different feeding positions that specifically would help my baby. My baby is over four months now and he has never had to take any formula Because of her guidance and expertise I am a confident breastfeeding mama ! Thankyou Dara!!

While my pregnancy was wonderful and healthy, it was also frequently wrought with anxiety. I lost…read moremy mother just three months before discovering we were pregnant, and I had always envisioned that she would be there by my side, along with my husband, to deliver my first baby. In addition to desiring the type of nurturing and support only a mother can provide, I also wanted to have an unmedicated labor and delivery. Enter Dara, who instantly made me feel comforted and supported just after a few video calls. When my husband and I met her in person, we felt reassured and excited to have her by our side as we approached our due date. Dara was always available and easily accessible throughout the pregnancy for questions and provided me with an incredible amount of evidence-based childbirth information to help guide my birth plan and help me feel that much more prepared. And while nothing can truly prepare you for such an intense life event, I went in with much more confidence than I would have had without Dara's help. Once we were finally in active labor and called Dara into the hospital, she jumped right in with getting me moving and changing positions to help labor progress and get the baby in a good position. She also helped my husband support me by gently guiding him and educating him throughout the process. While I ended up getting an epidural close to 9cm, she remained active in positioning my body, keeping me hydrated, and helping both my husband and me get some rest before pushing. What I will remember the most from this entire experience is how Dara seemed to embody my own mother's energy with her tenderness. It was as if she knew exactly what I needed, when I needed it the most, without me needing to say a word. We delivered our sweet baby boy with Dara by our side and will never forget what a beautiful experience we had together. -Frances If there is one thing you do to prepare for your child's birth, pick up the phone and schedule a consult with Dara. As a first-time Dad, I had no idea what to expect at the hospital, even with the childbirth classes and e-learning videos. Nothing prepares you. While I initially thought the nurses would be there to support my wife, they're busy working. They don't have the bandwidth to be fully present. Dara was there every step of the way to help her emotionally and physically. Even with our relatively healthy childbirth with no complications, Dara stepped in. To watch her in action was such a relief because I knew my wife was getting the best possible care. Dara also didn't take over the reins. She made sure I was a part of the entire process. You can't put a price on that peace of mind. If I had to sell an organ to pay for Dara's services, I would. She's the most amazing, nurturing doula in north county. -Steven

April & Joy were a huge part of my pregnancy and our birth story. They quickly became one the…read morehighlights of everything we did to prepare and celebrate baby. My husband and I were so anxious about this new experience and really had no idea what to expect and how to best prepare in this age of social media. We felt so overwhelmed with the over-saturation of information and since neither of us had done this before we wanted to have a trusted source and know we could prepare mentally as much as physically and financially. From the first consultation we felt comfortable and confident in Joyful Roots. My husband is a yogi and told me he instantly felt that same sense of calm with April & Joy. We joined this process a bit late so we were worried we would have to rush to learn and get through everything, but with the ease of the portal, videos and their flexibility and dedication, we were able to fit everything in and not feel pressured or rushed. They came to our home twice before birth and we met each of them separately. We also had zoom calls and a group chat up until 2+ weeks after birth. My labor and birth story was very unique and unexpected, however with the constant support and easy communication, we felt taken care of through it all. I ended up in early prodromal labor for 72+ hours and April and Joy were there for us through all of it! When I was finally admitted to the hospital, April was there to walk us through labor positions and help me feel safe. She knew what positions to help get baby in the right position as well as ease my nerves. She also made sure I was fed and hydrated. She helped my husband interpret what options we had each step of the way and how to speak to the staff, while making sure we were asking the right questions and able to advocate for what we wanted. Due to unexpected circumstances, I was not able to have a natural birth and this was not because we didn't try everything. She could tell I was exhausted and did all she could to give me a pleasant birth experience; one without trauma. She stayed until after my cesarean and I felt so cared for when I saw she was still there waiting for baby and I to return. We cannot thank April and Joy enough for all they did. I don't know how we would have navigated ourselves through this arduous journey without them. It was a hard week and we made it through with their warmth, positivity and encouragement. In our final follow up zoom, they told us "they would always be our Doulas" and we will definitely keep in touch and look forward to having them in our lives later on down the road. Thank you for everything! Love, Chelsea, Lafras and baby Atlas

We absolutely loved our doula team! Both Joy and April were so attentive and helpful throughout our…read moreentire journey from pregnancy all the way through to the weeks after birth. They are so knowledgeable and it shows in the extensive 8 week birth course that they provide. We learned so much leading up to birth and really felt we got so much preparation and value out of their course. Their frequent check ins leading up to birth (and the days past my due date) made me feel like I wasn't forgotten about. I really appreciated their words of encouragement in that time of anxiously waiting to meet our baby. Joy and April are very well known in Scripps. Our nurse that we had was so excited that they were our doulas and to be working with them. That made us feel even more relaxed and confident knowing we had a great team. Even though my birth didn't go according to plan and ended in a C-section, my husband and I are both SO grateful that we had Joy with us that day. She kept us calm, explained things to us, and ultimately made us feel like we made the right decision in the end. We couldn't recommend them enough. Thank you for everything Joy and April!

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!

Knowledge. Kind. Caring. I decided last minute I needed a doula since I was being induced and I…read moreknew I needed a trusted liaison that knew how to advocate for me and interact with the doctors/hospital staff so 3 weeks before giving birth we hired Maya. She takes her time to explain things because we don't know what we don't know but she takes the initiative and is easy to talk to. Her in person visits before the birth were so helpful and the postpartum call and in person check in was the nice bow to wrap it up and make us feel well taken care of. During the actual birth, she helped me believe in myself when i was pushing for 8hrs (well in the doctors notes they said real pushing was more like 4hrs but still long). I was able to have a natural birth but vacuum assisted and she helped me decide that which i don't regret because i avoided a c-section. Bottom line she helped me weigh my options while i was in pain. She also gave little personal touch gifts like a "you got this" sign and "wish" paper to help me release my anxieties. Even though her website or yelp may look outdated, it shows how many years of expertise she has so trust these testimonials and hire Maya!

I would like to start by emphasizing, if you are questioning whether to hire a doula for your…read morebirthing in the first place, it is truly a no-brainer. We had originally planned on not using a doula. Looking back, changing our mind for some seemingly additional assurance, ended up being one of the best decisions of my life. Worth every penny and more. Maya is the best of the best, and we think she certainly is worth way more than what she charges. We met Maya in our hypnobirthing class at Cap Wellness Center in Encinitas (by the way, those classes were amazing and totally entertaining! We actually looked forward to going each week). Birthing my son was the most empowering and fulfilling experience I have ever had, thanks to both my husband and Maya. And to note, I am typically the type of person that is the biggest baby when it comes to anything pain related and I am terrified of needles, etc. So I had low expectations of being able to go through with giving birth naturally. But Maya took away my fears and made me believe I could do it and she never, not once, left our side throughout all 23 hours of labor. In fact, she stayed on call for us 24/7 weeks prior to my due date, came to our house for a consultation to prepare for the big day (listened to our preferences, genuinely got to know us and discussed and removed many of my fears). Then, a week later when my contractions started at home at 4 am, she answered my husband's texts immediately and gave us wonderful advice and continued to text us regularly until she arrived at our home. From there, she was everything and did not leave our side until Tanner was born. She coached us in breathing, reminded me to practice my affirmations, suggested different positions, gave incredible massages that alleviated pain, made sure I was staying hydrated and nourished, and NEVER LET US GIVE UP. Whenever we worried that something seemed abnormal, she reassured us and kept us going. At the same time, she made sure that my husband was included and helped him be the very best partner and coach I could have ever asked for. At one point in my labor, I became very discouraged when things started to really slow down after I had thought that we were almost there. But Maya helped us regroup and gave us the confidence we needed to make it to the finish line the way we had hoped for. Maya, my husband and I stayed together for 16 hours straight at home in labor. We labored until I was fully dilated at home (which is what I wanted) and then Maya jumped in the car with us and held me upright the whole drive to the hospital and stayed at the hospital where we pushed Tanner out. She relayed to the doctors and nurses all the pertinent information they needed to know when we arrived and even helped track my vital signs. All of the priceless photos I have of our birth I have Maya to thank as she snapped some wonderful ones from her phone (of course, she had asked permission beforehand to do so). Without her, I think I would have ended up at the hospital much earlier and would have given into an epidural and may have even had to have a c-section. I am forever grateful for Maya and consider her a life-long friend. What an amazing service she provides to people. It is incredibly hard work and I was in awe of her endurance and ability to stay energetic and positive through so many consecutive hours with no sleep! Maya was still there for us even after Tanner was born.... She met us at our house again to recap everything that we went through together and see if she could provide any post-natal support. She also connected me to a wonderful lactation support group that gave me the tools I needed to get through many breastfeeding challenges. The list goes on from there but I hope you get the idea! Thank you, Maya, from the bottom of our hearts! -Tracy, Dan and Tanner

Heather is so wonderful and easy to work with. We were able to get my baby from waking every…read more20-30min crying for his pacifier, to sleeping through the night without needing our help to resettle all by week 12 and right before an international trip thanks to her! I don't think we could've traveled so peacefully without her help teaching our son independent sleep. She was also so patient with my countless questions. As someone who suffers with PPA, I was texting her all day and night.... But she was kind and always answered happily. She'll always be my go-to from now on for any sleep issues or future babies!

Heather has been a lifesaver! Heather has been working with my preemie twins the last couple of…read moremonths and I can't believe the progress they have made with her expertise and help. My twins have different needs due to size differences and Heather has expertly managed sleep training plans tailored to each baby. My son is sleeping through the night and daughter is almost there! Couldn't recommend Heather enough and investing in gentle sleep training is my number one recommendation for fellow new parents.