This class was amazing. Emilie is one of the most caring people. She taught me so many necessary…read morethings to prepare for child birth. She is funny and made me feel seen and heard.

I have known Emilie for a couple of years through church. She was an extremely trusted and…read morerecommended birth educator and doula from my friends. I had read the Hynobirthing book before the labor for my first child. I did not connect with techniques, they felt too "heady" and like they were trying to ignore the immense amount of pressure I was feeling in my body during labor. Those methods lasted about 1 hour in my labor, then I was like, "If you ask me to envision another ocean wave I will slap you!" ... Needless to say, I knew going into labor #2 with our next babe I needed to do something different. Emilie taught Bradley Method (I think she is teaching something slightly different now?) at the time (2017). My husband and I decided to attend her class in Kearny Mesa for many weeks (was it 10? 12? It's all blurry now haha!). What I LOOOOOOOVED about Emilie is she is confident in her birth knowledge, so she swayed slightly from the 90's Bradley Method book that desperately needed some updates. AND she also combined some of the more natural techniques that swung closer to hypnobirthing, included some labor videos, and brought in previous clients, midwives, and nurses for questions. She acknowledged the immense amount of pressure/pain during labor, and didn't call it something else. I NEEDED that acknowledgment. YES, labor is SO HARD. And Emilie knows that. Yet she so brilliantly taught us techniques to labor well. I think the best shift for me was the practice of the techniques in and out of her class. She made sure we practiced at least 10 minutes a day. Doing that from week 28 of pregnancy till labor-- I felt equipped. My second labor was AMAZING. I knew how to labor without exhausting myself. I was equipped with a rebozo that felt right for my height- which I only knew because I had so much time to practice with different ones during Emilie's course. I learned how to communicate to my husband without making him feel like a failure. My husband learned how to be hands on when I wanted him to, and how to serve hands off when I needed to be in my head. He learned methods like head squeezing, gentle squeezes on a wet wash cloth consistently running down my back during contractions, how to position himself to hold my full body weight on the rebozo and not hurt his back, he learned how to track my labor progress by sight without asking me any questions of where I was at, and so much more. I highly recommend Emilie's services, in whatever capacity you desire. Doula, birth educator, advice, etc.

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!

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!

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!

Having a doula by your side during the journey of childbirth can be an incredibly supportive…read moreexperience. They provide not just emotional support, but also physical comfort and advocacy, ensuring that your voice is heard during labor and delivery. We were so fortunate to have found Tanesha to guide us through this experience and be our advocate. After interviewing a handful of other doulas, we knew immediately that she was the one for us. The first time she came over to meet in person only solidified our choice to hire her. Not only did we click with her personality immediately, she was incredibly thorough and informative while educating us on what to prepare for pre birth, in the delivery room, and post birth. I know myself and I knew I needed someone that was going to be confident, yet respectful, and that's exactly how Tanesha is. From the moment I started having contractions she was in contact with my husband and when I was ready for the additional support she was there. I was so happy to see her when she showed up at our house that morning. For the first few hours she was having me rotate through different positions, massaged my lower back, talked me through breathing techniques, and provided the emotional support I needed in addition to from my husband. When it was go time, we all left for the hospital and she was with us for the rest of the day. There was a lot of downtime once I got my epidural, but her spunky positive spirit was so great to be around as we waited for our baby girl to arrive. I cannot recommend Tanesha's services enough!! Our birthing experience was incredible all thanks to her!

We were blessed to have a HEALTHY BABY BOY late in August 2021…read more We worked with Tanesha of Divine Design Doula Services and were incredibly happy with the return on our investment. Technically gifted from her past as a classically trained chef, she is really talented at integrating herself into the loving lens of your family outlook and decision making process during an energized if not anxious time. She has very strong boundary setting abilities as it related to her relationship with our family and how we as a 3 person group would project a message forward to the rest of the world especially those involved in our birth process. She is not afraid to speak up for the team. She, my partner and I met as a group on several occasions. Sometimes by zoom. Sometimes in our home. Sometimes at our birth center with the midwives. She really understands team dynamics and never lost sight of the goal of a healthy birth for mom and junior. She lead us to explore some personal reflections that helped clarify our mentality as parents. We even did some "forgiveness in advance" exercises that really focused our family mentality as one team pulling in the same direction. When "game-time" finally arrived (at 1:30 am on a Monday!) she was immediately responsive by text, did some basic over the phone diagnosis of the contraction data I had been compiling and correctly diagnosed that labor was imminent... 14 minutes later she knocked on our door. She was a 3rd (and seemingly 4th!) set of hands once at the brith center. Carrying bags of clothes and protein packs - massaging my partner and even snapping photographs/video at the moment of truth. I didn't even really know what a Doula was 10 months ago. I cannot imagine going through this process without one. Tanesha and Divine Design Doula were great and now feel like family. HIGHLY RECOMMEND especially for 1st time parents. Our Thanks - M & A

Although the name "hypnobirthing" conjures up images of David Bowie from Labyrinth performing a…read morefreaky-mystical birth while looking into a crystal ball, I think a more accurate name might be "focusing your energy through breathing and concentration - birthing". My wife and I first met Julie as our hypnobirthing instructor and felt very comfortable with her and decided that she would be a perfect fit as our doula. We were looking for someone who was familiar with natural child birth but wasn't named "Rainbow" and lived in a VW bus. Julie is that perfect mix of knowledge, experience & assertiveness while still having a calming presence. We had a beautiful 100% natural birth and don't think we could have done it without the support of Julie. She exceeded our exceptations in every way. If you are looking to do the whole natural thing you should definitely give her a call.

This review is way over due but I have a 2 month old now so I am making time to express how amazing…read moreJulie is! Thank God for Yelp/Reviews! After reading all the wonderful reviews on Julie, my husband and I decided to hire her. Being first time parents, we knew we needed support and the moment we met Julie, we fell in love with her! Out of all of the Doulas that I reached out to, Julie was the only one who was very responsive, she makes you feel like you are her only client and this is very difficult to do. Julie met with us several times and explained in detail everything we needed to know, her recommendations, for example taking a birthing class was spot on and it really did help us understand the labor process in phases. Julie is extremely knowledgeable, warm, sincere, genuine and very straight forward. I had a hospital birth and she worked very well with the hospital staff, she always made me feel secure and calm. Unfortunately, I had to be induced at 41 wks & 4 days and during my early to mid labor period, Julie made sure I changed positions so that I could handle the surges better, she did an amazing job at helping me through each surge like the experienced professional that she is. After 13 hours on Pitocin, I decided to get an epidural, I was exhausted and soon after that my baby was not responding well to the surges so I had a c-section. We can't thank Julie enough for the tremendous support and beautiful pictures, we could have not done this without her, we absolutely recommend her! Thank you Julie for an amazing experience! We love you!

Such a huge help!!! Jackai and Steven are true experts in this field. They balance gentleness, your…read morehopes/preferences for your birth and help guide you all from a medically grounded place. They helped me to be emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually ready for the birth of my son. And even when our birth did not go according to plan they were quick to help me readjust and educate me/prep me for a planned c-section. They have a very personal and educational approach which gave me so much peace. They also put an huge emphasis on both partners readiness - getting us ready to handle different situations as a team. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Well worth the investment!

My husband and I truly cannot recommend Jackai and Steven highly enough. They were incredible…read morecoaches: helpful, informative, and empowering. When it came time to make medical decisions during labor, we knew we were informed and able to make the best choices for our baby - without confusion or fear. That sense of clarity was essential to our positive birth experience. The online videos were interesting, well-organized, and high quality. We met regularly with Jackai and Steven on Zoom throughout our third trimester. Their guidance didn't stop after birth; they continued to check in and offer support, which meant so much to us. They are a lovely couple with four kind, beautiful children, and their experience and warmth shine through in everything they do. We left the course not only feeling prepared for birth, but also confident that the knowledge and connection we gained will help us for years to come as we continue to grow our family. Highly, highly recommend!

My husband and I attended Babies in Bloom's Newborn Care and Preparing to Breastfeed classes toward…read morethe end of my pregnancy, and they gave us a strong foundation without feeling overwhelming. During our first couple of weeks postpartum, our baby struggled to gain weight because she wasn't transferring enough milk and I was dealing with an undersupply. After a difficult experience with another lactation consultant left me in tears and ready to give up breastfeeding, we reached out to Juliana at Babies in Bloom. We had appreciated her approach in our classes, and our experience with her was truly night and day compared to what we experienced with our initial consultant. Juliana thoroughly assessed our baby's latch, my nipples, feeding positions, and pump parts and settings. She listened to our concerns and created an effective, manageable plan to help us move away from what felt like an indefinite triple-feeding nightmare to our goal of exclusively breastfeeding. She also checked in between appointments, adjusted our plan as needed, answered our questions, and most of all encouraged us. With Juliana's guidance, our baby went from the 11th to the 50th percentile for weight, and my milk supply caught up to fully meet her needs by four weeks. By eight weeks, I was able to gradually drop pumping sessions without clogged ducts or mastitis, and by 10 weeks, we reached our goal of exclusively breastfeeding. I'm incredibly grateful we found Juliana and that I didn't give up. Her knowledge, support, and encouragement helped us achieve a goal that had once felt out of reach. I cannot recommend Babies in Bloom and Juliana enough for their classes and lactation consulting services!

Such a welcoming place! Juliana was very friendly & answered all and any questions she was given…read more She provided some helpful advice and I can't wait to go back to learn more.

Amazing, invaluable, kind, caring, patient, knowledgeable, experienced, supportive... These are…read morejust a few words to describe Jennifer Cole's Doula Services. As a dad-to-be, I watched videos on hypnobirthing, attended child birthing classes, and read books on how to guide my wife through labor when the big day comes. Well, the big day came (3 weeks early), and all of that valuable information became scrambled and fragmented. My wife was in the hospital for 15-hours before the baby arrived. I was running out of ideas on how to comfort her. Luckily, Jennifer came to the rescue. She arrived at 9am and was with us every step of the way up until our evening delivery. She was constantly massaging the right pressure points to ease pain, assisting with more comfortable positioning options, and was extremely helpful during the pushing process (among millions of other things she did)! She even emailed us a birthing timeline a few days after. Pretty cool when you don't remember much because everything became a blur. From a SO's point of view a doula is worth everything! Especially if you're having your first child and don't quite know what to expect. And trust me when I say it, Jennifer's one of the best. Thank you Jennifer!

After consulting with a various doulas, I loved the genuine feeling I got from Jennifer and the…read morelove for her work as a doula. At the time my husband and I were taking hypno babies classes and Jennifer became certified as a hypno doula during that time to gain more understanding and assist us as best as possible. During our meet ups I definitely felt supported and all the motherly support that came with her personality. She also, helped my husband understand how he could best support me which really helped us connect better. The days following, the birth of our pregnancy took a different and unexpected turn. After my water broke, I called Jennifer that the time was getting close. I did my best to relax on my own when surges came through. When she finally arrived I truly felt a different level of peace. At one point I could say the surges felt blissful. Unfortunately, we ended up in the hospital for other reasons. Even after the birth Jennifer checked up on us to make sure we were doing good. I know she is just the right person for this job. I was going through emotional swings after birth and she is equipped the so many amazing resources that she shared with us. I would love for any mamas out there to get in touch with this lovely lady and experience the best birthing experience possible no matter what. I am forever grateful.

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!

I cannot recommend Heather Sherman and this office enough. I came to see her at almost 5 months…read morepostpartum when my baby was refusing bottles and I needed to go back to work. She was kind and direct and gave me a roadmap of what to expect. Her bedside manner is excellent, and she made me feel completely at ease. She quickly diagnosed some anatomical differences about my baby that we could address totally noninvasively, and ultimately was successful in getting my baby to take a bottle. The process took just as long as she said it would. She gave me my life back and made it possible for me to return to work. Throughout the entire process, she has been easy to reach. Scheduling and billing through this office has also been easy with no problems. Look no further!!

I had a home visit from the San Diego Breastfeeding Center, and I truly wish I had reached out…read moresooner. I was nearly 3 months postpartum, and even though I was past the early days, I still found myself second-guessing things and often felt like I didn't fully know what I was doing. Reaching out to them was one of the best choices I made. The visit was covered by my insurance, aside from a small travel fee, and it was absolutely worth it for the individualized care and peace of mind that Vicky and Golnar gave me. As a new mom who felt anxious about traveling with my baby, having a compassionate and knowledgeable lactation consultant come to my home made all the difference. She made me feel seen, heard, and supported without any judgment. She took her time explaining things in a way that was clear and reassuring. I left the visit with practical tools, a better understanding of what was going on, and, most importantly, a renewed sense of confidence in myself. If you're struggling, even a few months in, it is not too late to ask for help. This visit gave me exactly what I needed, and I can't recommend San Diego Breastfeeding Center enough. I look forward to continuing to work with them!