Hiring Lenore as our doula was one of the best decisions we made. She was consistently warm, genuinely caring, and incredibly responsive. Her professionalism and organization were impressive, yet she remained completely approachable throughout. Lenore empowered me to create the birth plan I wanted and provided resources to help me feel prepared. She walked alongside us through important decisions and connected us to wonderful providers, including a pelvic floor therapist. During labor, her support both at home and at the hospital was critically helpful. I'm so grateful for my beautiful birthing experience! It was also reassuring that she was a known and respected presence at the hospital. My partner was initially uncertain about hiring a doula, but now says without hesitation that it was one of our best decisions. I cannot recommend Lenore highly enough. read more

If you are looking to hire a doula, look no further. Lenore is absolutely incredible at what she does, and choosing to have her on my birthing team was one of the best decisions I've made. I honestly couldn't imagine going through the birthing journey without her. She provided so much insight, support, and value throughout every step of the way. During the prenatal sessions, she was intentional about getting to know my partner and I, as well as my birthing preferences. When the unexpected happened, she was there to offer me a fresh perspective and the right questions to ask. Lastly, when it came to giving birth, she knew exactly what to say, exactly what support I needed, and kept me feeling embodied and empowered throughout the entire experience. I can confidently say that I would never have been able to achieve my desired birth without her. read more

I am eternally grateful for Lenore's support and expertise as our birth doula. She guided my husband and I through our pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. One of the things that makes Lenore so exceptional in her work is that she has relationships with many of the staff at Alta Bates hospital. When my labor was trending in the wrong direction (baby was stressed and I was not progressing), Lenore worked with the staff to come up with an innovative care plan that I believe moved us toward a better outcome. After my birth, one of the nurses shared with me that Lenore was her favorite doula because of how collaborative she is with the hospital staff. Lenore is knowledgeable, responsive, organized, calm, and kind. If you are expecting a child, I highly recommend working with her!! read more

Our midwife recommended Lenore at LUNA Birth and Wellness as a doula for additional support, as first time parents who were looking to create calm and comfort for a hospital birth. From the moment I met Lenore, her energy was so calming I knew we had to have her be a part of our birth. Over the course of the next couple of months, we met with her to talk through all aspects of the birth through to breastfeeding in a mix of virtual and in person visits. We felt as prepared as we could be for the birth, but of course you never know what can happen and we were so grateful to have her there with us during a long labor and delivery with some complications. Lenore happened to be at the hospital for other clients, and was able to visit us during an outpatient induction and for the actual labor and answered our questions throughout. On the birth date, it was late and she popped in after delivering with another client to check my progress, which began to escalate. My partner was looking for help with comfort measures and its like she was there at the perfect time. She continued to work with us through the night till baby was born and I was all good. There was a moment when dad went with the baby while I was getting worked on post birth, and Lenore held my hand through all of the procedures so I wouldn't be alone. Many of the nurses and midwives commented on how special of a doula we had and we couldn't agree more. Having Lenore be a part of our birth experience and our lives is priceless. We are eternally grateful she was our doula and would recommend her to any and every one on their birth journey. read more

This review is long overdue. Lenore truly deserves recognition. She is amazing, and I am filled with deep gratitude when I reflect on my first birth. Thanks to her, I can look back on the experience with joy about how amazing everything went. When my water broke, I went to the hospital, and my partner dropped me off at the front entrance. Lenore arrived at exactly the same time, so I was never alone for a single moment. Thank you, Lenore, for being there right when I needed you. Before the delivery, Lenore and I had many discussions about how she would support me during labor and birth. But one moment stands out above all. Just before delivery, there was a concern that my baby's heartbeat had dropped. Lenore noticed it before the nurse did and acted immediately. Her calm, swift response and careful monitoring made me feel completely safe. Thank you, Lenore, for taking such great care of my baby and me. Finally, I had a specific position in mind for giving birth, and Lenore made sure it happened. I went into the hospital expecting to have to advocate hard for myself, but with Lenore by my side, it wasn't necessary. She was on top of everything and ensured my birth plan was respected and followed. My whole family loves Lenore and is so grateful for her. Thank you, Lenore, for everything. You are truly exceptional. read more

Lenore is an absolutely amazing doula. She is experienced, thoughtful, knowledgable, caring, and fun to work with. My wife and I found a lot of value in the birth preparation meetings not only to gain valuable information but also to get to know Lenore. When it came time for the birth (unexpected urgent situation), Lenore was reachable very quickly. And, she came to the hospital to be with me until my wife arrived. She was the calm and knowledgeable person in the room that we had hoped for when we looked for a doula. Overall, if you are reading this in need of a doula, I highly recommend Lenore. She will help make whatever kind of birth you envision and ends up having a more calm and informed experience. read more

The best Doula you could ask for. Lenore is knowledgeable, attentive, nurturing and caring. She provided an excellent framework (in person and written guide) for both of us prior to birth which helped us feel incredibly calm and prepared. We had a long and difficult labor and Lenore was there with us every step of the way. It was an invaluable service - she helped nurture us throughout the labor while also helping us navigate the medical system and postpartum experience. We adore Lenore and HIGHLY recommend her. read more

LUNA Birth and Wellness - Doulas Near Me

Lenore was such a calming presence and a wealth of information throughout my entire pregnancy, up until the postpartum visit. I knew I wanted to hire a doula because my goal was an unmedicated birth. I wanted a familiar face in the labor and delivery room, knowing the hospital would likely have a revolving door of nurses and midwives. Lenore's tips and tricks throughout labor kept me on track with what I originally wanted for my birth plan. Her holistic pain management strategies (both physical and mental) gave me huge relief during the most intense few hours of my life! Her encouragement, combined with the support of my husband, gave me the birth I envisioned - and I'm really grateful for that. Although I was originally focused on the support Lenore would provide during labor and delivery, I gained so much from her resource library online as well as our informal visits where we would chat about delivery, comfort measures, postpartum, etc. When my friends and family start having babies, I'll be sure to let them know how valuable Lenore was to me throughout this huge life event. You're in good hands with her :) read more

I ascribe so much credit to Lenore for why I was able to have the unmediated hospital birth I was hoping and prepping for, and I love, deeply appreciate, and highly highly recommend her!! My partner and I weren't sure if we wanted to have a doula with us during labor, but decided to because of concerns about his ability to support after a recent surgery. I'm so, so grateful we made the decision to hire a doula--and specifically Lenore. We met with Lenore 3 times before giving birth. All of those times she was warm, incredibly approachable, super knowledgeable, and generous with both her time and spirit. These sessions, along with the thoughtful and well-curated resources she provided, helped us think and talk through the kind of birth experience we were hoping to have, with lots of information about what to expect, how to prepare mentally and physically, and how she would be there to support. Two of the three sessions we went well over the allotted time - a testament to Lenore's abundant generosity and authentic care for her clients. During labor, Lenore was a godsend! Most of my laboring was done at home, calling Lenore on the phone for suggestions, help making decisions, and coaching my husband to support me. She kept reminding us she could come over at any time, but we were managing well just us two! When Lenore helped us decide when it was time to go to the hospital, it was perfect timing - we were in triage for about an hour and then our daughter was born 2 hours later!! If not for Lenore, we would have shown up to the hospital a lot earlier than was needed, and I'm so glad I had that time at home. I also loved that Lenore seemed to know so many people at the hospital - a testament to her extensive experience in this work - and she was able to leverage these personal relationships to best advocate for me/us. And Lenore was a phenomenal advocate and support during birth. She made sure all of my preferences were honored, which I don't believe would have necessarily happened had she not been there, and she said and did just the right things at just the right moments. She also took photos for us and went above and beyond in helping us take an art imprint of the placenta. Though we went into this experience unsure if we even wanted the support of a doula, we left not only owing so much of our positive experience to Lenore, but certain that if we ever have another, Lenore will have to be there! read more

Very positive experience working with Lenore -- she guided us through delivery and postpartum planning thoroughly so we felt prepared for our new baby and then was there for us every step of the way when I went into labor. When in the hospital, she helped guide us on making decisions that were right for our family in the moment and was a calm sounding board for us. Highly recommend working with her! read more

Lenore was a godsend for the birth of my first baby. My husband and I had interviewed other doulas but didn't feel a connection with anyone until we met Lenore. We were fortunate that she was able to take us on as clients because we contacted her late (started working with her in January for our Feb 8 due date). Despite some scary moments during my labor, I had an extremely positive birth experience - and that's in large part due to Lenore's care and support throughout. Lenore: - Met with us on an accelerated schedule (since we contacted her late) to help us prepare for the birth. - Despite being sick, was there for my baby's birth (she offered to contact a backup doula, but we really wanted her there so she wore a mask) - Coached me through very painful contractions during a 3-hour wait for an epidural - Kept me informed and calm when the doctors had to stop my contractions due to decelerations in my baby's heart rate - Used her doula magic to get my baby flipped into correct birthing position - Kept me informed about what was happening with my baby after she was born and the nurses had to give her some additional support to start her breathing. - Never judged our birth preferences and made sure that as much was honored as was possible given medical circumstances. We are so grateful for Lenore's support and feel blessed that she is part of our baby girl's story. read more

Lenore was an integral part of my pregnancy journey. As a first time mom, I was nervous about giving birth and discovered that a doula could help make the process so much smoother. We heard about Lenore through a local doula group. When my husband and I first met her, she embraced us with warm hugs and we felt immediately at ease. She is a wealth of knowledge about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She helped me understand my options during childbirth and what to expect once baby was here. She supported me through my labor and moments after giving birth, she took the most precious photos of my husband, son and me. It was a wonderful bonus of having her there and we will treasure them forever. Lenore wasn't just our doula, she felt like a dear friend guiding us on our birthing journey. Having her be apart of the whole process made me feel so much calmer and prepared for motherhood. We cannot thank her enough! read more

Lenore was my doula for my unmedicated birth. Her calming presence and soothing voice helped me through the contractions. She also supported me through the end of my pregnancy and postpartum weeks via in-person visits and texts. She is a kind, warm, and loving person, and I feel fortunate to be supported by her in this overwhelming time of my life. She also gives the best hugs! read more

Lenore was an integral part of our birth team. From our first meeting it was clear how warm and supportive she is. In our prenatal conversations she was very encouraging and communicated her confidence and trust in us as first time parents. During the birth she was grounded and nurturing. She said the right things at exactly the right moments for me to get through the most challenging parts of labor. She was a peaceful and comforting presence. She also captured some incredible photos and videos that I am so grateful to have. It allowed my partner to be present with me throughout the birth. Lenore is incredible and I feel so thankful that we were able to have her support. read more

Lenore was amazing throughout the birth journey. She helped us understand how best to prepare for birth during our prep sessions, which helped us feel much more confident as new parents. She was nurturing, patient, and kind. During the delivery process, she helped us navigate unexpected challenges, providing empathetic and knowledgeable support to both birthing parent and partner. We are so grateful that she could be there-- it really made the difference in creating a better experience for both us and baby! She conveys a sense of calm and assurance throughout the process and we'd highly recommend working with her. read more

Lenore helped bring my son to the world and I can't imagine going through labor without her. My labor lasted 40 hours and Lenore was there every step of the way. She provided such a comforting and reassuring presence that made my birthing experience a great one despite the medical complications. If you're debating whether or not to have her as your doula, the answer is yes! read more

As first time parents, we were looking for someone to be our birth doula and we knew right away that Lenore was the right fit for us! She was exactly what we were looking for: warm, nurturing, extremely knowledgeable with amazing experience. Her prenatal courses were amazing, we learned so much that was invaluable during our pre- and post-natal journey. Lenore was instrumental to us when we had some complications arise, she was available 24/7 to guide us through all of our options before and after birth. We would highly recommend working with Lenore if you are looking for an amazing doula! read more

It was great having Lenore as my birth doula! I chose her because: 1) I felt like she would support the choices I made without imposing her opinion. She mentioned changing her mind during her own birth experience, and she was not at all judgmental during my labor. 2) She seemed direct and honest. 3) She didn't make me feel like an aberration/a weirdo for having a high-risk condition. 4) Ultimately, I was comfortable with her. She was supportive and warm without being over-the-top for me. I think this is a personal thing. During my 25-hour labor, Lenore helped by: 1) Asking questions, to help us understand trade-offs and to allow time for better decision-making. 2) Supporting my husband, enabling him to take a break. 3) Normalizing it all, never making me feel like my body was doing something weird. 4) Suggesting positions, asking for items, and being persistent when I lacked the energy to keep on. I'm so glad we chose Lenore. read more

I am so insanely grateful that Lenore was a part of our pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. She supported my husband and I every step of the way, preparing us for birth in her prenatal sessions, supporting us physically and emotionally during the birth, and checking in thoughtfully and respectfully when we were postpartum. Lenore is incredibly knowledgable on pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She has so many wonderful connections that really set us up for success as we prepared to give birth to our son. She is generous with her time and wisdom, and made me feel so safe and strong when I was in labor. You will not regret working with Lenore, she is magic! read more

Lenore is an amazing doula, I am so glad I got to work with her! Her pre-birth sessions are wonderful and informative, especially for first time parents who have no idea what to expect. She helped us prepare for labor and continued to make herself available by text and email as I reached full term. During delivery, it was crucial to have someone experienced on my team as steadfast support during a very intense, magical, and complicated experience. Lenore is also particularly sensitive to the nuances of medical intervention in the birthing process. Even as she gives you information about the potential repercussions about different interventions (from minor to major), she also is very clear that sometimes these are necessary and important. She does not have a one-size-fits-all approach, and is very non judgmental about whether or not you need help with pain management, etc. Also, she is really good peoples and down with all kinds of families from all kinds of backgrounds. I highly recommend working with her! She is sensitive, down to earth, and very supportive. read more

Within five minutes of meeting Lenore, I knew she had to be my Doula, She had the exact temperament that I knew I would need when I was ready to give birth. She is kind, gentle, but means business- my kind of woman!. She has a library of knowledge that always made me feel at ease knowing I could ask her anything I was curious or concerned about. Lenore gave birth herself a few months before I did and at first, I was nervous that this would affect communication or the day I went into labor but Lenore did not miss a beat! She answered every text and call promptly. "GO TIME" Lenore knew exactly what I needed before even having to communicate it. The O.B and nurses were very impressed by her work (At my follow up appt. a nurse had heard about our experience and asked for Lenore's info). Not only was she an amazing rock for me but she was invaluable for my husband too. He was able to remain calm and able to support me with the tools Lenore had given him. The three of us went through such a magical and unforgettable experience together. Looking back at that day I have such elated feelings as I had the birth experience I had hoped for. I know I was able to keep calm and feel relaxed (as possible) because I felt safe and secure with Lenore guiding us through the birth experience. I will forever be grateful for Lenore being apart of my birth story. read more

I am so grateful to Lenore and everything she did to support me and my husband during the birth of our first child. She was incredibly warm, knowledgable and thoughtful throughout the entire process, listened without judgement and was very receptive to our goals for the experience (not pushy or overly prescriptive at all). Leading up to the delivery, she was an excellent resource to turn to when I was looking for resources to support my body during the last few weeks of pregnancy. She recommended movements and body workers that were just what I needed to stay comfortable and get ready. Most importantly, she was fantastic during labor and delivery. We didn't know until a couple weeks before whether or not she would be allowed to join in person (because of COVID), and thank goodness she was. She was a constant presence (who we knew and trusted!) amidst a flurry of nurses and doctors entering the room. She helped advocate for my preferences throughout and think through the next step in real time. She and my husband made a great team providing as much hands-on pain relief as possible, words of encouragement, and tips for positioning that might help during each stage. Thank you, Lenore!! read more

Lenore was fabulous to work with from start to finish. She is very responsive, kind and knowledgeable. She was my only support person for a hospital birth at Kaiser Oakland. She was definitely my anchor through the entire process and she made sure that I was safe and cared for and had what I needed at all times. She was very attentive to my birth preferences and was my voice and advocate when I needed it most. I cant recommend her enough! read more

It is with great pleasure that I write this review for Lenore, who served as an integral part of my daughter's "colorful" debut into this world a few months ago, as well as the journey beforehand and afterwards. My husband and I were very impressed with her from our first conversation. Of the various doulas we interviewed, she stood head and heels above the rest--her personal story, motivation for doing this work, depth of knowledge and experience, thoughtful and structured approach, and warm personality standing out. All of these highlights and more were on full display with each of our sessions during the final several weeks of my pregnancy, through and beyond labor and delivery. Lenore was consistently proactive, responsive, communicative, empowering, patient, and balanced as she prepared my husband and me for what was to come. As first time parents, this meant the world to us because we were starting from scratch and had many questions and concerns! To boot, her treasure trove of resources and referrals proved critical for our educational purposes and expansion of pre/postnatal providers (e.g., chiro, acupuncture, etc.). Perhaps most noteworthy, she served as an incredible hands-on advocate and coach helping us navigate an extensive, complex, and fairly scary labor. We so appreciated her loving encouragement and support during the early postpartum phase as well. For these reasons and more, we are tremendously grateful to Lenore. She will always be a dear friend and valued part of our village. A true gem and highly, highly recommended! read more

We couldn't speak more highly about our experience with Lenore, from the prenatal "prep" sessions to the support that we received both at home and at the hospital during labor. Lenore really took the time to get to know us and build a relationship, and had a wonderfully nurturing and judgment-free demeanor right out the gate. She is just a sweet, positive, kind-hearted human. Plus she offered thoughtful, realistic, human guidance to all of our questions and concerns as we prepared for our daughter's birth. As a first-time parent, I had a lot of apprehension about labor and delivery, and although it wasn't easy (obviously!), I look back on it with nothing but love and positivity because of the wonderful support I had. We would definitely reach out to Lenore ASAP for the next baby when the time comes. read more

As first time parents, we knew we wanted to work with a doula to help ease some of the fear and anxiety that comes with birth. We interviewed many doulas, all of whom I am sure would have done an incredible job, but Lenore is special. We knew from the first moments of speaking to her that she was the right fit for us - knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, easy to connect with - someone who helps you feel heard and seen. We also ended up also taking birth classes, but if you are between birth classes and working with Lenore, her preparation is what helped us the most. I was personally looking for someone who could be calm in a time of panic while also being an advocate for me as the birthing person, but she was that and more. When I was in labor, in serious pain, seeing her face at the door in the middle of the night was not only such a relief but the face of a friend who helped me feel secure. My baby was sunny side up during contractions leading to intense back pain, but she helped me flip him ahead of arriving at the hospital. I wasn't sure if I wanted photos and videos of my birth, but she offered to take some and send them if I wanted them later. When she sent me those videos, I cried with joy being able to listen to how happy I was to have my son placed on my chest. A few days after we arrived home, we had a very stressful night and were so burnt out - she came by and taught us methods that we use to this day to calm our baby. I will always look back on my birth experience with extra fondness knowing I had Lenore by my side, and you will too. read more

I met Lenore through another doula. She was my back up doula. Despite having met her for the first time when my labor started, we liked her immediately. She was so warm and friendly. Lenore has a way about her that's disarming, tender, kind-hearted and instantly likable. Lenore came to my place when contractions began and helped me through them in the comfort of my bedroom. She massaged my back for hours and did wonders for my back labor. Having her with us helped us go into the rest of the labor as prepared as we could be. I was so happy to have her there. I couldn't imagine going through what I went through without her or my other doula. With this being our first baby, we had no idea what to expect. Having someone like Lenore on your side, knowing what to do and being your advocate can only improve your experience. We are so happy to have met her and would recommend her to anyone, first baby or 10th! read more

LUNA Birth and Wellness - Doulas Near Me

We were so lucky to find Lenore. From day 1 I felt comfortable sharing details about my pregnancy, my approach to motherhood and honest questions about the labor and delivery process with her. Little did she know our little boy wasn't going to make for an easy 3rd trimester or labor/delivery. Throughout the complications with my pregnancy, Lenore remained incredibly steadfast, supportive and knowledgeable about my options. She has the biggest heart and is so thoughtful and caring with her clients. read more

We started looking for a Doula early on in our pregnancy because I knew I wanted a warm, motherly person in the L+D room who was also well informed and would put me at ease. We found Lenore and she beyond checked all of our boxes. The perfect way to describe Lenore is a big, warm hug. She is also a wealth of knowledge! She was very responsive and so helpful in helping us feel as prepared as we can be for something as unpredictable as birth. When it finally came time for me to birth our baby I was (and am!) so beyond grateful for Lenore - she both empowered me and helped me to feel so relaxed throughout the entire process. She was both there when we needed it and also gave us space. She loved me up, coached me when I asked, kept her ears open the entire time and caught things in the L&D room which neither my husband or I ever would have and helped us make decisions by giving us all of the information and her expertise, but ultimately helping us feel like whatever we chose would be the best choice. She has a gifted way of offering her knowledge without being pushy or at all judgemental, she will back whatever decision you make. I can say 100% genuinely that I enjoyed my labor and birth and a huge factor in this was Lenore. I know you're probably shaking your head reading this, because who "enjoys" being in pain??? Although it was hands down the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life - I look back on my birth experience with nothing but pride, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of calm and relaxation. A huge huge huge thank you to Lenore, I couldn't imagine our experience without you!! Biggest hugs and love from all 3 of us :-) read more

My doula's name was Lenore, this women was truly amazing! She was the missing puzzle piece that made my natural birth possible. Lenore let me grab her, pull on her, blood sweat and tears she never left my side. Even held my legs back so I could push. She had a bag of labor tricks and I believe the peppermint oil calm me and helped me not throw up when things got tougher. I recommend a doula for any mother seeking to have a natural birth. read more

We planned a homebirth for my second child, but it was my husband's first. We wanted the extra support a doula provides for the labor process. Lenore met all of our expectations. We created a birth plan highlighting what we envisioned for the birth of our daughter during our prenatal visit. She provided a checklist that gave us the opportunity to think things through and decide how we wanted the birth to be. We also went over the concerns we had and Lenore was a great coach throughout the entire process. From the beginning, Lenore helped us to understand what her role was and wasn't and communicated clearly. During labor, she was very focused and exhibited a confidence in her skills as she massaged me and coached me through contractions. She gave me positive assurance that I was doing well throughout the birthing process. She reminded me to stay hydrated and gave me water to drink and held space to allow me to rest during my contractions. Lenore not only supported me, but supported our whole family. She coached my husband how to help and be present and helped our daughter feel included in the birth experience. She was just wonderful in our homebirth and we walked away from our experience feeling like she was part of our family. read more

Lenore was a blessing. this was our third pregnancy and honestly i was pretty confident in my supporting help skills. Lenore made the event magical. she new every reaction to my wifes actions. at even the slightest sign of discomfort Lenore would just into action to sooth and support my wife. we decided on the doula only days before the birth as a back up but again i felt i had it. Once speaking with Lenore it felt only right to have her involved in the birth. she fit right into the family and there wass zero awkward moments. couldn't recommend her enough for anyone looking to give birth natural. coming from a stubborn man, trust me you can't go wrong!!!! read more

I was so happy with my birth experience, and Lenore was such a huge part of that. As a single mother by choice, I knew I wanted a doula with me for my hospital delivery to help support me through the experience. When I spoke with Lenore by phone, I knew immediately that she was the doula for me! Her direct, practical, but loving style made me trust her immediately. She was a great support before the birth, helping me to think through my birth plan and what preparations to make ahead of time before baby came, and recommending great resources. Then during my labor and delivery...let's just say there is no way I could have done it without her! I wanted to do a natural birth, but wasn't sure if, when it came right down to it, I would be able to go through with it. But with Lenore by my side coaching me on breathing and vocalizing, offering emotional support, massaging me (and using that amazing TENS unit!), moving through the experience without drugs just felt like the most natural and obvious thing to do. It was still really hard, but with Lenore's support it felt like a challenge that I was capable of rising to. Afterward, I was really struggling in the early days home from the hospital. I was having challenges with breastfeeding, had to pump constantly, was hardly sleeping, and found myself needing more support than I had planned for. Like a good friend giving "tough love," Lenore pushed me to get over my discomfort with asking for help and reach out beyond just my mom to my larger support network. Lo and behold, I had tons of people ready to help me - I just needed that nudge from Lenore to help me ask for it! Lenore was like a combination of a coach and a friend for me during my overall birth process, and I am so thankful that she was a part of it! read more

Lenore is an absolutely wonderful human and an equally amazing Doula. Coming from the man's perspective, she not only helped my wife through a tough birth, she helped me too - before, during, and after. Well worth the her reasonable rates. read more

Birth is one of the most wonderful experiences in life, and being my first it was a blend of excitement and anxiety. We were introduced to Lenore just a week before the birth of our baby. In a short span of time, she got on top of our specific needs and we connected instantly. Lenore is well informed, has a calming persona and connected with me just as a sister. She guided me emotionally and soothed through the physical strain at every step. My husband is also thankful for her presence as it helped him through those tiring, sleepless nights. Her support was irreplaceable throughout the laboring phase. I recommend Lenore without any reservations, and thank her for making our most special and challenging time a less daunting one. Luck and love always! read more

Lenore was my doula for my second birth at Kaiser Oakland. She came highly recommended to me by my prenatal yoga instructor. Even though this was my second birth, I knew that I wanted a doula by my side. After having met Lenore, I was confident that she was knowledgeable, experienced, and her temperament was a perfect match for me. The three pre-sessions we had with her were extremely helpful and helped to put me at ease. During my labor she was right by my side and particularly helpful in reminding me to breathe! Lenore is very warm, kind, and easy to communicate with. read more

My husband and I decided to contract a doula for the birth of our first child, partly to make sure that we had at least one familiar face during birth, since Kaiser Oakland births are a bit of a revolving door of nurses, midwives, and practitioners. I went into labor 3.5 weeks early and my original doula was not available, and Lenore came to us as the back-up. Since we had only met with our original doula once, we hadn't yet had the opportunity to meet or even become familiarized with the backups our doula works with. Essentially Lenore came to us as a "blind date" doula! Lenore arrived during a stressful part of labor and I was immediately relieved, as she has a very calm and confident presence. She quickly got up-to-speed with our birth preferences, and listened to my requests for comfort, and encouraged me to advocate for myself with the hospital staff. She was a huge support for my husband as well, taking care of our needs so that my husband could just hold my hand and be there for me (which is what helped me the most during labor). She kept my husband and I hydrated, fed and overall very nourished throughout labor and delivery. Her words of encouragement were very reassuring as labor progressed and intensified. She had the vibe that you would get from a trusted older sister, which I found to be so comforting. Despite the frantic circumstances under which we met, I feel very fortunate to have had Lenore by my side for the birth of my son. I would highly recommend Lenore to anyone looking for a doula. read more

I took a wholistic nutrition class with Lenore, owner of wholistic belly, because I was really interested in improving my diet, my energy level and losing weight. What I learned from the workshop and program was life changing! I discovered wonderful new diet tricks that now a part of my daily maintenance. I now know the most efficient way for my body to utilize glucose in a way that keeps me energized, doesn't store extra fat and keeps me feeling great! You will benefit tremendously from any work you do with Lenore. She is kind, funny and very knowledgable! I highly recommend her. read more

It's hard to put into words what Lenore did for me before, during, and after the birth of our first baby, and it certainly deserves more than the 5 available stars. I knew from the minute I met her that she was the one I wanted along with my husband in the delivery room. She's warm yet direct, which is exactly what I wanted. While the prenatal discussions were definitely helpful and Lenore was always extremely responsive, sending us info that would help us write our birth plan, we still had no idea (first time parents!) what we were about to go through, and during my long and difficult induced labor is where Lenore really came through. She was both physically and emotionally 100% engaged during some of my roughest contractions, and when difficult decisions, one after the next, had to be made, she was completely there for me and my husband, talking us through the different options. And she didn't stop there. A few days after my daughter's birth, I was trying to cope with what ended up being a traumatic birth experience for me, Lenore came to our home for our postnatal visit, but it was so much more than that. She came as a friend, a voice of reason, a ray of light during some dark-ish days. We talked through the birth, as she helped fill any gaps and help me make sense of what we had been through. And then we just chatted, like friends do. And she snuggled my baby girl with so much genuine love. And after she left I felt stronger and oh so grateful for her. We now consider Lenore not just our doula, not just a friend, but part of our family. Highly highly recommend her for your birth experience! read more

Lenore did an amazing job as my birth and postpartum doula. She is warm, caring and a great listener, and kept me relaxed and confident about the whole birth process. My baby unexpectedly came 4.5 weeks early and she was able to come to the hospital in the middle of the night and stay through the birth. She did a great job of working with my husband, helping him stay as involved as he felt comfortable with. She came to our home several times postpartum and really helped me to adjust to the new duties of being a mom to a tiny creature who had special feeding needs. I wholeheartedly recommend Lenore if you are looking for a doula. read more