I took Lia's childbirth class during my first pregnancy in 2023. I live in South Orange County, so…read morethe drive was a bit of a commitment, but it was absolutely worth it. Being in class with other expectant couples created such a supportive environment, and the course was incredibly comprehensive. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to navigate a hospital birth and make informed decisions about the many interventions that are commonly offered. At 38 weeks, my water broke unexpectedly while I was riding a stationary bike. I immediately reached out to Lia for guidance. Since I wasn't experiencing a fever or any signs of infection, she explained that I had options: I could either go to the hospital right away or stay home and wait for labor to begin naturally. She also educated me about the fact that the body continues producing amniotic fluid and that, in some cases, a small rupture in the membranes may even reseal. Knowing that going to the hospital before labor started would likely lead to an induction (which wasn't aligned with my goal of having an unmedicated birth) I chose to stay home and monitor myself. The night before my 39-week OB appointment, I was feeling anxious. I knew that if my provider confirmed my water had broken before labor had started, induction would almost certainly be recommended. I reached out to Lia again, and she suggested trying the Miles Circuit. I followed the stretches that evening, and to my surprise, I went into early labor around 1:00 a.m. Whether it was the Miles Circuit, my body simply being ready, or a combination of both, it gave me the confidence to keep trusting the process. In January 2024, I welcomed a healthy baby girl through the unmedicated birth I had hoped for. While my hospital experience was unfortunately traumatic, the education Lia provided made all the difference. There were many moments when my husband, my doula, and I had to advocate for my birth preferences, and it wasn't always met with respect. Without the knowledge and confidence I gained from Lia's class, I truly believe my birth could have unfolded very differently. I'm now pregnant with my second baby, and one of the first things I did was sign up to retake Lia's class. One of the biggest perks is that once you've taken her course, you can retake it as many times as you'd like for free. Childbirth education isn't something you only benefit from once, and I love having the opportunity to refresh everything I've learned before welcoming another baby. I'm incredibly grateful for everything Lia taught us. Her class empowered me to make informed decisions, advocate for myself, and approach birth with confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend her course to any expecting parents, especially those hoping for an evidence-based, physiologic birth. Even if you have to drive a little farther to attend like I did, it's worth every mile.

We took Lia's virtual Bradley method class, and would highly recommend it for any expecting…read moreparents. First off, it can be hard to find time to take a birth class, and Lia chooses convenient times, with multiple options to choose from. It's a very comfortable classroom atmosphere where I felt good to ask any question, or add any comment. Lia keeps it fun and interesting, and is a great teacher. Lia is also available outside of class for questions, and she is super responsive. It shouldn't really matter if a doula has been pregnant herself.... But it was really helpful to hear about her first hand experiences and to know that she has gone through it all before. I just wish we in lived in LA so that we could have Lia as our Doula.

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

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

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

Wanted to update this after our third class, following empowered hospital labor we took the…read morebreastfeeding and postpartum class led by Brittany and then Emma. I cannot recommend these 3 classes enough, all the instructors were incredibly kind, empathetic and used both data/ research and their own experiences in the classes. It made me feel so much better about the future. I highly recommend these classes - knowledge is power!! You and your partner will feel so much better.

Meredith is a SCAM artist! I put down a $2,000 deposit for a June 2025 birth and she closed up shop…read morejust 10 days later. She promised a refund, Won't return my phone calls or emails. I've attempted 10x to get a hold of her. 100% FRAUD. DO NOT TRUST YOUR BIRTH WITH HER!!!

Meredith Bowling scammed me and many other women that were her clients at the now permanently…read moreclosed Long Beach Birth Center. We paid her over $8400 for birth services and 2 months later received an email the birth center had closed permanently. No notice or referrals or offer to help us with these services she is offering here. She will not respond to phone calls or emails asking about reimbursement for services not received from any of us. Multiple women were 37 weeks pregnant and now have nowhere to go. She deleted the website, social media accounts and access to our medical records immediately. PLEASE DO NOT TRUST THIS WOMAN WITH YOUR BIRTH! She absolutely destroyed our birth experience, robbed us of our savings, and has taken NO RESPONSIBILITY for it! I have no idea how someone could do this to people in such a vulnerable position.

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

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

Taba was an amazing doula and care provider for me and my husband during the pregnancy and birth of…read moreour second son. She was so generous with her time and knowledge, answering the phone at basically all hours and providing grounded, thoughtful advice throughout the process. She came over to our house several times and checked in often during my third trimester to make sure I was doing well, which I really appreciated. During the actual delivery she was an angel - she advocated for me with the nurses etc (but never in a demanding way), she absolutely changed my whole birth experience with her expert physical help and emotional support, and she even made the hospital room smell so good that multiple people commented on it :) Taba helped two of my friends give birth and they recommended her to me. I would recommend Taba as a doula to anyone else without hesitation.

Working with Tabare was one the best decisions we made for this journey…read more Tabare is humble, knowledgeable, and has amazing communication.(We are "i" person ).But beyond that, she's like the "mom" you didn't know you needed--caring, supportive, and with a heart of shining gold. For example , she actually called the numbers from the brochures the hospital gave to us and identified some confusing information. When my wife's water broke at midnight, Tabare responded to our cellphone msg and offered advice.we went to Hoag Irvine at 4 AM, and Tabare was already there waiting for us. While we are waiting In the triage room, she massaged, reassured, and tried different techniques to keep my wife comfortable. Honestly, she was the busiest and most calming person in the room. Tabare is positive, responsive, and down-to-earth. Working with her felt like having the world's best wedding planner--but for your baby's birth. We prepared together, learned together, and teamed up with the midwives for an amazing, joyful experience. As a first-time dad, I can't thank her enough. Now I'm telling every expectant parent: if you can, work with a Doula; If you made the decision, I recommend Tabare. You'll laugh, you'll feel supported, and you'll look back with the joyful and wonderful experience and memories. Ok, let's talk about the cons: 1 The telephone operator - The OCWM 24/7 response line that night was disappointing. The operator didn't seem to care, made several basic mistakes, and wasted a lot of my time. I eventually had to hang up and call another number for help. 2 Nurse issue - We probably came in during the night shift change. While Tabare and I were outside in the lobby doing paperwork to gain access, my wife was in pain and left alone in the triage room with one nurse. Later, my wife told me the nurse was pressuring her to make decisions and struggled with something as basic as a blood draw.(I just cannot believe how amateur it is for a blood draw) Husbands, NEVER leave your wife alone in the hospital!

Tldr: Get the deluxe package. You won't regret it…read more I can't recommend Holly highly enough. I've really struggled to write this review because I can't put my gratitude into words. Before, during, and after my birth, Holly was beyond supportive to both my husband and me. Leading up to our due date, Holly helped us articulate our goals and provided relevant resources that helped us feel so prepared. When we went past our due date and we felt conflicted about what steps to take, she helped us clarify our thinking, gave me the confidence to advocate for myself, and brought so much calm to some stressful situations. During labor, Holly was an absolute master. She got me through labor without an epidural and helped coach me through getting my baby out in only four pushes! She also helped keep my husband calm through what could have been a very nerve wracking experience. Without her, we both would have been so much more scared and uncertain. It was so reassuring to know we had someone we could trust to guide us through such a monumental moment in our lives. After my baby was born, I really struggled. Holly showed up for me in ways that I feel were beyond the call-of-duty for a typical doula. She was truly there for me in the most vulnerable time of my life. Then, at our postpartum well check, she helped me process my birth story. Prior to our meeting, I felt traumatized. After our meeting, I feel lucky and grateful. I don't know what she did to help me reframe the experience in my mind, but I am way more at peace. I can confidently say that Holly made the most earth-shattering experience of my life infinitely better. I don't even want to think what it would have been like without her.

We booked with Holly only a few weeks before my due date for our first baby and planned home birth…read moreas she came highly recommended by our midwife. We had interviewed multiple doulas, but after talking with Holly on the phone, we knew she was the one for us and hired her basically right away. It wasn't until later that we saw all of her glowing reviews haha, and now we're so excited to add our own because Holly is truly amazing! To be honest, I wasn't even sure that I needed a doula given the home birth setting. My husband was sold on the idea, but I wasn't convinced. That completely changed during labor. At one point during contractions, I remember thinking, "I want Holly here," and I was SO glad we had her. Before the birth, Holly met with us for a mini childbirth education and labor prep session, which was incredibly helpful. She brought models and diagrams to help us visualize everything, especially for my husband, and showed us hands-on counter-pressure techniques. She even loaned us some books. She was incredibly thoughtful with her intake form and communication leading up to the birth, always responsive and great about following up. She even texted us months later post birth just to check in! When Holly arrived in the early hours of the morning, she swooped right in and immediately brought such a grounding, peaceful presence. She relieved my husband and mom so they could go get some sleep and immediately helped with leg lifts. Her many years of experience and calm confidence helped me to trust her with trying different positions in a way I couldn't with my family. Holly made us all feel at ease that everything was normal, and she also helped us realize that we were actually much closer to the end than we thought! What I especially love about Holly is how intuitive she is. She wasn't pushy at all and knew how to listen to me and my body, even when I wasn't really using words during labor lol. She understood when I needed support and when I needed space. During a rest window right before pushing, she protected that quiet space and kept everything hands-off, which was exactly what I needed in that moment. Holly really understands physiological birth and trusts the natural process. She has such a special touch that makes labor feel calmer and smoother without ever taking over. Because we were at home with our lovely midwife, we didn't really need Holly in an advocacy capacity, but I can absolutely see how she would be a rockstar in a hospital setting. If you're hoping for a natural birth in a hospital, I would consider Holly a must-hire. She truly knows how to best support you while also protecting the birth experience you want. Holly helped us have our dream birth. I am so grateful she was there. We absolutely love Holly and cannot recommend her enough!

Just wanted to update and encourage new moms to consider Melissa's course. It's very knowledgable…read moreand my son is almost 2 and we still use and talk to new moms about what we learned in Bradley. Good luck new mommys! You got this!

Mel and my classmates were the support that I needed to get though my pregnancy and delivery. She…read moregave me the knowledge that empowered me to be strong enough to resist the hospitals constant nagging to induce labor too early. The exercises she taught me allowed a speedy recovery no tearing or ripping up and at um the next day! Love you mel!!! you're the best...If I ever decide to have another kid (hahahahah!) you will be the first I call outside of immediate family. Wishing you many blessings and healthy happy babies delivered.

You give birth once and unfortunately I had a very bad experience with Lorraine. I would not…read morerecommend it to anyone. She definitely a good marketing person of herself and she did not keep that up during the birth for me. Please think twice before you hire her. I did hire her because she has experience but sometimes it's about the excitement. She is done. She is doing it just for money and she is not even doing it right.

I always thought I would try a natural birth but I really started to do alot of research once I…read morefound out I was pregnant. So many times my friends were going to go "natural" but in the end they would give into the almighty needle. So I did a ton of research and I came to the conclusion that I was going to educate myself as much as I could and that I would hire a doula. My husband was very skeptical... His entire family laughed when I said I was going to try a natural birth. Their exact words "Why would you ever choose that?!!" So I dragged my reluctant husband to our 6 week Hypnobabies course. By the 3rd week he was fully on the natural train! He told me "I really think you can do this!" The class was great and I really loved how we bonded with the other couples!! Lorraine was our doula also and it was a great experience. From our interview to when our sweet baby girl came Lorraine was at our disposal. She kept me calm and focused during my birthing time/labor and at the end I faced some complications... Lorraine gave me the lowdown on what was going on and let me know that it was crunch time! Looking back it really was the perfect pep talk... I pushed the baby out in 3 contractions!! And believe it or not I was up and walking around 30 mins later! My husband looked more jacked up than I did, lol. I had such a positive experience with Lorraine on top of a great birthing experience. I would do everything all over again in a heartbeat!

IVA has been a wonderful experience. We are looking forward to our second child also attending. The…read moreentire staff, faculty and admin truly want to be there. The support is unmatched not only academically but also socio-emotionally. The community is diverse and welcoming. My child is challenged academically but not stressed and she loves her school and teachers/staff/faculty/admin. The way the material is presented and discussed is all truly with curiosity, engaging and to develop critical thinkers. We know there is nothing like IVA middle school in the best way possible.

I absolutely loved the learning environment at IVA. My son went here as part of the foundational…read moreclass and transferred out when he moved to Seattle. IVA was my school of choice for my son, because LB Unified refused to let my son attend his home school when we moved to another part of Long Beach. LBUSD also made the school selection and enrollment process so much more difficult that I decided to pull my child out altogether. Save the drama for your mama. In comparison, IVA had an easy enrollment and application process. I was able to contact someone from the school every time I had a question or concern. The student-teacher ratio is something LBUSD has historically fallen short on, and with IVA teachers knew my son by name. The learning environment became a small community built on pillars of intellectual virtues. As a parent, I appreciated the one-on-one communication from my child's instructors. I also enjoyed the social gatherings of parents, students and instructors, when I did have time to participate. Really, it's a private school feel without the price tag. My son was afforded opportunities he would have never had experienced in LBUSD as far as athletics and extracurricular activities such as weight lifting club, photography, and yearbook committee. Geographically, the area of the school is a little rough, but the school does have a nice outdoor area in the back for student activities away from the "distractions" of LB Blvd.