The womb room is amazing!! They offer so many classes for before baby or after. I took advantage of…read morethe free virtual prenatal yoga classes, pregnancy support group and baby and me yoga. Yoga is so fun to connect with my baby and also other moms. Plus Amanda is a great instructor! Some of their other classes are on the pricey side is the only thing but it's such a great resource for moms! Also their location can be a bit tricky to find but the main door is off Keswick Rd (and is stroller friendly). Walk in past the dress shop and bare to the right. There's a big parking lot in the back.

This review is is for the doula services and support groups (becoming a mom and breastfeeding)…read more I like that the becoming a mom group has a rotation of doulas who lead the group each week. That way you end up inadvertently meeting the different doulas. We went with Cara. She has a ton of experience and super chill vibe. Our hospital was not allowing extra visitors due to COVID so we signed up for a virtual doula service. She met with us a few times before the birth to review questions, birth plan, and provide support. She was also available via email for random questions that came up in between. The day of my labor I reached out to her as needed and she guided me through some of the decisions we had to make. Her support made it so that I could better advocate for myself and my baby during my labor. She was 100% supportive of all my decisions and in the end I ended up having a beautiful and quick birth. I am so happy we got a doula and recommend it to anyone no matter what type of brith you are planning on having. I found the groups to be more helpful towards the beginning of my pregnancy, especially as it was a time that COVID was just ramping up. The only issue is that the people in group vary from week to week. I think it would be nice to be able to connect with the same group from week to week so there is some continuity.

I found the birth center when I was around 32 weeks pregnant with my first child and was worried it…read morewould be too late for them to take me and luckily they got me right in! They took their time with my appointments and made sure i was good. I ended up giving birth in July of 2023 and it went sooo smoothly. I had a water birth in the blue room and i couldn't have asked for a better birthing experience. Would definitely recommend!

Absolutely recommended the birth center for unmedicated physiological labor and delivery…read more Appointments were easy to schedule and thorough. Staff were all friendly and it felt like family by the time i went into labor. I had a beautiful and peaceful hands-off labor in which midwives followed my lead and allowed me to birth my baby how i felt best. They still do routine tests, write ultrasound scripts, offer pitocin if needed, they do the newborn screening and eye ointment if wanted. Theyre holistic and believe in every woman but also rooted in modern medicine. They did all my labwork onsite. The day of labor they received me with warm smiles and i went home 5 hours after delivery. Absolutely wonderful crew who know how amazing and empowering birth can be

Would have loved to use them... until I saw "chest feeding" on their homepage. A provider that is…read moreconfused about biology - about what gender breastfeeds, is a provider I want no where near me or my baby. I am looking for women who see the dignity in WOMEN, and live in reality.

We came across these ladies at a Holistic Health Fair where I learned what a Doula was and what…read morethey do. Fast forward about a year later, we were expecting our first child! The ladies gave us such a good lesson that we didn't hesitate to call them and get a contract in place for Labor and Delivery and Post Partum support. Best decision ever! From the time they take you on as a client, they were very responsive and support in a truly non-judgy way. Unlike pushy family members and in-laws, they offered all the advice and options you want and they coach you into deciding for yourself what is best for you and your baby. They coached me as well as my husband on the various options (and there are LOTS!) and while they were in the delivery room, they reminded me of what I wanted and prevented the hospital from pushing me around. If you are on the fence about getting a Doula, I highly recommend meeting with them and finding out what they do. They anticipated needs that I needed before I even knew I needed them, and were there to provide them to when WHEN I needed it. They do so much more than you would expect.

I solicited Rachel's services for the birth of my second son, Griffin. Upon first meeting her I…read morefelt drawn to her calm demeanor and warm presence. She distributed an educational binder full of materials I found to be more honest and thorough than the information my OB had given me. For example, OB's won't distribute a list of medical interventions you may face during a hospital labor, but Rachel did. It was essential information I wish I was armed with during the hospital delivery of my first son. Emotionally, Rachel was very encouraging when I expressed doubts regarding my ability to tough-out a med-free labor. She helped instill the courage I needed to make the switch from the hospital to my local Birth Center. She helped me believe in myself and saw a strength in me I did not see. Physically, Rachel would have been an enormous help with pain management by providing soothing massage and counter pressure during labor. My labor was mercifully short, however, and I had to rely solely on my husband for pain relief during active labor. He did a great job providing this relief by utilizing the massage and counter pressure techniques that Rachel taught him. Thanks to her guidance, he was able to be an active participant in my labor instead of just a spectator! She was a calming, guiding voice during the pushing stage of my labor and very helpful with my initial breastfeed as well. Rachel will be all the things you need during the emotionally turbelent time of pregnancy and delivery. She will be a supportive friend, a motherly figure, an educator, an advisor, a listening ear, a guiding voice and a soldier ready to fight for you. She's a nurturing old soul with a backbone of steel. A beautiful doula both inside and out. You can't go wrong soliciting her services and I can't recommend her highly enough. I wish I had given myself the gift of a doula through my first labor!

I was referred to Rachel by my midwife since I had such bad anziety about labor. I was terrified of…read morethe pain as well as getting an epidural or an IV since I don't do well with needles. I'd cry thinking about having to deliver my baby and wasn't enjoying my pregnancy because of my anziety. My husband and I had VERY different views on labor. His answer to everything was. "Get an epidural, you'll be fine." He thought anyone who didn't want an epidural was crazy. He didn't see anything wrong with interventions and thought they were there and you should take full advantage of it. Originally I wasn't against interventions, I was just really scared of them because of the needles. Over the couple months of communicating with Rachel and reading the materials she suggested I decided I wanted to try to have a natural birth. My husband still maintained that his ideal labor would be a scheduled c section. With Rachel's help he finally was on board to give the natural birth a shot, although I'm pretty sure he didn't think it would actually happen. Rachel got through to him about the cycle of epdidural/pitocin and how once you start one intervention it just creates a snowball and odds are, you're getting more. I went into labor and I labored at home and got to the hospital at 10cm! After 2 hours of pushing, my daughter was born without any interventions! Rachel gave us the knowledge/tools to be able to labor at home as long as we did. I believe that made all the difference in being able to have a natural delivery. I would have had a VERY different labor if i wasn't for Rachel. At the hosptial she was great! With Rachel by my side I felt as if i could take on anything during labor. My husband is so happy we hired her. He said if we had another baby we'd do it the same way. She's worth every penny. Her posituve attitude can get you through anything! I think about my labor every day and couldn't be more happy with it!

I don't think I can say enough great things about this class. I went into class knowing that I…read morewanted a natural birth, but also terrified of all the natural birth stories I heard. Lauren gave me the confidence and reassurance that I could have a natural birth and it could be a positive experience. After taking the class, I knew birth was doable and I credit her and my doula for a wonderful birth experience! This class taught me all the things that I didn't know that I didn't know about birth. Lauren's wealth of knowledge and passion about birth gave us the confidence and reassurance that we could do it and we did! Lauren's does a great job of creating an environment where you feel comfortable opening up and confident to share. Even after birth, she was very supportive and willing to answer any questions we had which was much appreciated as a first time mom. I have already recommended this class to everyone I know who is pregnant and will continue to recommend the class!

My partner and I really enjoyed the birthing Bootcamp class offered by Lauren. She was a wonderful…read morehelp and very informative. Much of what we learned really helped us through our natural birth and delivery. We were already very pro natural birth but the additional information about avoiding hospital interference was helpful. This class is designed more like a lecture than "lab" in that there's lots of discussion, Q&A, and talk about experiences, book chapters etc. Towards the end of the program the classes got more interactive and we got to try different birthing and labor positions etc I'd recommend this class to anyone who would like more information on different birth scenarios and how couples can work together through labor and delivery.

Elissa is wonderful! I felt prepared for my birth and she provided me with excellent care both…read moreduring and after labor. She also helped me with issues that came up several months after delivery, such as working with my daughter to learn to bottle feed. She's extremely supportive and made me feel empowered. I highly recommend her!

I was pregnant in my forties and never held a newborn baby. I was terrified of the birthing…read moreprocess and knew I needed support. I interviewed three doulas and immediately knew Elissa was the one. She told me to think things over and get back to her on my decision for a doula, however my mind was really made up on the spot. First of all, she has a calming aura about her that makes you feel calm. She is so sincere and you feel like she is speaking and trying to help you from her heart, no judgment. After talking to her for a short while, I realized this was not just business for her, it is a calling. She listens keenly to you and customizes the process to your need. She was with me every step of the way up to birth and postpartum today. During the birthing process she made all the difference. She was so calming and explained things every step of the way. Postpartum she was always there immediately after and still is today, 6 months later. I can always call her or see her to discuss anything. She even helped us put our baby gear together because we had no clue. When she thought I was staying in the house too much and was afraid to venture out with the baby, she came by to try to get me out and acclimated to my new life. She would always call and to this day I feel so supported by her. Now she is family to my husband and I. Hiring Elissa as your doula is one of the best decision you would have made during your pregnancy and I guarantee you will gain a sincere friend.

After being highly recommended for placenta encapsulation in the Baltimore Midwife circle, I knew I…read morewas in good hands with My Birth Companion, LLC. The love and expertise that Odile has in this field is evident and felt. I can't say enough great things about her and this experience. The placenta pills and broth really work. I have felt strong and happy postpartum . I highly recommend all mamas hire her!! Thank-you so much Odile of My Birth Companion!!

Odile delivered my daughter in 2014 and was a postpartum doula for my son (which is how we met)…read more Odile is just awesome. She takes great pride in getting to know the mom, knows so much about birth, newborns and delivery and was very supportive during the birth. My doc, Dr. Pardo, at Sibley memorial hospital in DC even complimented her for being helpful during the delivery. Odile was a certified medical sage-femme in France. It is a hard diploma to get. Odile helps relax, prepare and go through the adventure of giving birth better. I would be glad to take any call or give more details about why I give her 5 stars. Just message me on yelp!

I delivered my son naturally at the BirthCenter and I could not have done it…read morewithout care and attention of my nurse and midwife. I had a very intense and fast labor and they were with me every step of the way. My first birth experience was very long and horrible in a hospital setting. However, this time around I felt in control and empowered to deliver without medical intervention. I delivered my son on the toilet and into a room full of love. Thanks Lifecycle!

I transferred my care from an ob to Lifecycle because I knew people who had delivered here. I…read moredidn't want to feel like my pregnancy/birth was just something that happened to me. Throughout my journey I appreciated their patient education, empowerment, and support so I could make informed decisions about my care. I like that my prenatal visits were longer than I could expect with an ob and that they provided a binder for me to bring with assigned homework each visit. Rather than having a "birth plan" (because they usually don't go as planned anyway) we were encouraged to think about our hopes and dreams. Everyone I've met here from the nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, lactation consultants, the clinical director, etc. have all been wonderful to me and if I could do it all over again I would have become a patient here sooner. I had many questions along the way so I'm going to be detailed here so others may know what to expect. Before you can become a patient here you have to attend a seminar to learn more about their midwifery model of care, the differences between a birth in their suites vs. at Bryn Mawr Hospital nearby (you can plan to deliver there or there may be reasons you are transferred there the day of, the nurse midwife on call has the clearance to deliver there), postpartum care, and next steps to become a patient. After attending the seminar, I had to sign a medical release forms to have my records transferred from my previous provider before I could schedule any appointments. They have two locations (Bryn Mawr and South Philly) and prenatal visits could be with the same provider or different providers. The first prenatal visit is longer and billed separately while the rest of the appointments are billed to insurance together under their global plan after delivery (not after each appointment). During my regular prenatal visits they measured my fundal height and would feel my bump for the baby's position while estimating weight (they were pretty good at that)! I had to pay for lab tests and non-stress tests separately. While I had to do my formal ultrasounds elsewhere, they had the equipment to do informal ultrasounds just to check on the health of the baby and seemed to be training their staff to do these more. I was required to schedule several classes to prepare for childbirth (series of 4 classes), about lactation essentials, and about navigating your first days at home after birth. The instructors really encourage asking questions and participation, so it was helpful to have this intimate space for that. The dates and cost of these classes are available on their site but you can't schedule them until you're confirmed as a patient. After your delivery they will follow up with you (home visit if you delivered at the birth center or phone call if you delivered at the hospital). There will be a 6-weeks postpartum visit to examine you and make sure your body is recovering but also to check on your mental health (so necessary and important)! They also have weekly lactation support and new parent support groups that were happening on Zoom, I think they are also now offering in-person options too. I could tell from the session I went to that the other families really found this space helpful and were wanting to offer encouragement to newer parents like me while sharing about their knowledge/experience. Cara, one of the lactation consultants, facilitates the virtual groups and is amazing! I hope all this information helps anyone who is considering becoming a Lifecycle patient because the last thing a pregnant woman should have to worry about is the quality of care she is receiving.

My husband and I have attended multiple classes through Main Line Family Education during our…read morepregnancy. Every class has been fantastic! We have learned so much useful information related to childbirth, parenting, and child safety and feel as prepared as possible for everything that lies ahead. Not only are the classes very helpful, but they are also fun and engaging. Nicole and her co-educators present the material in a way that makes the time fly by. We fully intend to participate in more classes with MLFEd to further our education and know Nicole will continue to be an excellent resource for tips and recommendations. I highly recommend MLFEd for any expecting individuals or new parents!

From the owner: - Childbirth Preparation Class - Newborn Basics Class…read more- Nutrition for Pregnancy Class -Breastfeeding 101 Class - Infant & Child CPR Class -Tummy Time Class - Starting Solids & Cups Class - Achieving Milestones Class - Newborn Sleep Class - Child Sleep Class - Preparing for Motherhood Class - Pelvic Floor, Core and More Class - Partners to Parents Class - New Moms: Support & Connections Group - Managing the Meltdowns - Potty Training Simplified