We cannot recommend Neri enough. As first-time parents planning an unmedicated hospital birth, her support made all the difference. Neri helped us prepare mentally and physically leading up to the birth -- from putting together a solid birth plan to answering questions, addressing research-related anxiety, and being a thoughtful, validating listener. During labor, she was absolutely indispensable. She joined us at the hospital and supported us through every stage with incredible skill and professionalism -- changing positions, massage, breathing guidance, aromatherapy, ice chips, and always knowing what to do next. We truly could not have done it without her. She also advocated for us with the medical team and helped make our unmedicated birth happen, even when others doubted us. Neri is calm, grounded, professional, and genuinely prioritizes her clients with personalized care. We will absolutely be reaching out to her again when we're ready for baby number two! read more

I feel so lucky to have had Neri as my doula. With over 20 years of experience, her knowledge is incredible, and she always provides professional guidance. During my late pregnancy, I experienced some complications, and Neri immediately referred me to specialists for check-ups. Initially, we hoped for labor to start spontaneously, but eventually, I needed induction. Neri gave me personalized advice based on my body and my preferences. I chose not to use a water ball and wanted to rely on medication to induce cervical dilation and contraction. Most doctors recommended the water ball, but Neri suggested trying Cervidil. To my surprise, it worked beautifully--I developed regular contractions and eventually experienced a spontaneous rupture of membranes. When I gave birth, my Pitocin dose was very low (only 4), and even with an epidural, I was able to push by changing multiple positions like hands and knees. Throughout the entire process, Neri's professionalism, patience, and support gave me confidence and peace of mind. I highly recommend Neri to any expecting parent--she's not only an experienced doula but also a caring and supportive guide through pregnancy and birth. read more

Neri is a miracle worker. My husband and I (not to mention our newborn baby) were so incredibly fortunate to be connected with her and have her as our doula for the birth of our first child. We could not recommend her more highly. Neri worked with us in the many months leading up to the birth to share all kinds of useful resources, wisdom, and tips on pregnancy, labor, and parenthood. She is extremely experienced (she has been a doula for 25 years and has trained hundreds of doulas in her practice along the way) and she helped us go from essentially clueless to comfortable, prepared, and excited for labor and delivery. In the delivery room, Neri played the roles of both a much-needed coach and a thoughtful liaison with the medical team at the hospital. She helped work with the nursing staff and my husband as various decision points arose to ensure the baby and I were safe and healthy while still advocating for our goal of a mostly-natural delivery with minimal medical intervention. Neri made such a huge difference in our lives by helping make the birth of our first child such a positive, healthy, and affirming experience. If you get a chance to work with her, consider yourself very lucky! read more

We were looking for a labor coach and what we found was a guide through the transition into parenthood. We interviewed six doulas and Neri stood out from the very beginning; her 20+ years of experience and education were immediately apparent in her comfortability and confidence in all things perinatal. The prenatal coaching sessions were not what we were expecting: we expected them to be about laboring positions etc., but they were much more deep and emotionally exploratory. We discussed our backgrounds and family dynamics, thought about what we wanted our labor and delivery to look like, talked about hopes and fears, and had many perinatal questions answered. These sessions were part informative, part guidance, and part therapy. Neri has a gentle yet firm, honest, and straight-forward way of talking and it was clear that she had our best interest in mind. The access to her training videos was super helpful - they explain the different parts of labor and how to work with your body to bring your little one into the world. We were able to practice positions and breathing techniques at home when convenient. She helped us develop a birth plan by providing a template and discussing questions that we had about the labor and delivery process. Every meeting increased our confidence in our ability to make our L&D what we wanted it to be (which Neri worked with us to define). Although we ended up bringing our baby into this world via unplanned C-section, 3 weeks early (1 week outside our contract window), Neri was in the recovery room waiting for us to arrive. She was a comfort to see, immediately advocating for us in the ways we had discussed in the prenatal sessions. Our post-partum coaching session was also welcomed as it gave us time to unpack the experience with someone else that was there. We also discussed a few things newborn related and she offered great advice. Neri is well-educated, thoughtful, intelligent, direct, communicative, dependable, dedicated, and kind. If I were to have another child, I would certainly want Neri in my corner. read more

This was my second birth, I chose to do both without an Epidural. This time, I decided to hire Neri, was it was an amazing corrective experience. Neri knew how to support me and exactly what to do every step of the way, from when contractions started until the baby boy was out. She mediated well with the medical team, and I felt safe and natural like I always believed a birth should be. I highly recommend her. Thank you Neri! read more

After meeting with several doulas in the area, most of whom were nice, educated, and dedicated to their clients, we met with Neri, and knew almost immediately she was the one. She was direct, honest, open, experienced and supportive in a way that separated her from the others. During the months of pregnancy, Neri made it very easy to prepare for our day, available to come to us or have us to her place as needed. She taught us what we needed to know without overwhelming us, took the confusion and worry out of writing our birth plan with simple guidance on choices and benefits, helped us prepare physically for what was to come, and left us feeling very confident for when the moment would arrive. When Neri came to the house the night labor started, she helped us to create the perfect environment while we waited for the right moment to go to the hospital, helping us to transition from stage to stage, making sure that everyone was helping in just the right way. She accompanied us to the labor and delivery, and stood by our side throughout the whole process. She even had suggestions for managing pain and encouraging delivery that the nurses and doctors didn't know. Having our first baby was the best moment of our lives, and while things never go exactly as planned, we felt we were in good hands with Neri the whole time. To this day, we enjoy sending her photos of the family, and look forward to inviting her to work with us next time (G-d willing) we get to have another child. read more

I am delighted and honored to recommend Neri as a doula and life coach. We hired Neri for my second delivery. My first pregnancy ended with a c-section after 40 hours of labor, it was a very traumatic birth that lead us to the understanding a professional support person is in need, and Neri was just that and more. The experience and knowledge Neri has, alongside the tools she provided us with, her videos for childbirth preparation, and mostly her belief in us, was what set us up for a huge success in our second delivery, a successful VBAC. With every session we had with Neri we realized how clueless we were with the first pregnancy and how unprepared we arrived to the birth. To put it in Neri's words: "you don't step into the stage for your performance without any practice and rehearsals". The videos and resources Neri shared with us were a great prep and besides providing childbirth information, it's an invitation to practice and start learning together how we partner well for a healthy birth. From the very first meeting I had with Neri I knew she was the person who could help us achieve a different outcome, who would understand my needs, and best support us. Another thing that was critical for me was Neri's relationship with the medical staff. After my first experience, I needed to rebuild my trust in the system, and Neri helped with that as well. Bridging between all parties with respect to my wishes and the medical staff knowledge and guidance. Neri is very familiar with the staff and facilities which is extremely helpful. Childbirth during a pandemic adds a new level of stress, Neri was with me from our home and during the first part of delivery until she switched with my partner when labor was progressing, as only one support person was allowed. She guided me through the early stages of birth and helped me get my baby to the best position for vaginal birth. Neri, taking this opportunity to thank you once again for your guidance, your motherly touch, your knowledge, and your belief in us. We couldn't have done it without you! read more

Me and my husband wanted a birth doula to support us though the birth of our first baby. We interviewed 5 birth doulas and chose Neri because of her extensive knowledge, long work experience and because of her personality that spoke to us. She is kind and gentle but at the same time she is straightforward and direct. Neri offered multiple prenatal sessions that focused on not only the birth but on our family situation, decision making processes and parenthood in general. I was anxious about giving birth and all the medical interventions, and she helped me to clear my thoughts. She doesn't only offer tools but actually makes you think through stuff which I found to be challenging at first but actually helped me to speak aloud about what I wanted my birth to look like. I also ended up changing provider because of this, Neri supported me, and it was the best decision I made during my pregnancy. Neri provided a template for birth plan and helped us to go through different options and to be clear about what we wished for in birth. She also gives access to her training videos which go through different comfort measures, breathing etc. This allowed us to go through them multiple times and practice on our own. I originally wanted a doula who comes to our home to support us when the labour is going on. But in the end I felt so confident in my ability to manage labour that me and my husband stayed at home alone, talked to Neri on the phone, but in the end did not call her to come over when the time would have been right. It had been my wish to stay at home as long as possible since I wanted a natural birth, and I believe that the help I got from Neri made it possible for me to trust the process and have the courage to stay at home. I was fully dilated when arriving to the hospital, and Neri was at the front door waiting for us. In the hospital she was a huge help. She worked together with my midwife and guided me through different positions, but also made sure my husband was able to support me. She met us at home 2 weeks after birth, answered any questions I had from my delivery, and offered some advice about the wonders of a newborn baby. I would highly recommend Neri. read more

We worked with Neri for the birth of our first child. From the very first interview we were impressed with her knowledge and experience. It was important to us that our doula just didn't express opinions but backed them up with facts and reasoning and clear communication. And we also wanted someone who would not shy away from giving us advice and can be decisive in crucial moments. Neri was all of this and more. Neri is a pillar in the Bay Area birthing community and our Midwife also spoke very highly of her. We met with her four times before our birth, during each session Neri helped us better understand our wishes for our labor and delivery experience (birth plan) as well as our expectations of each other and new life with baby postpartum. Neri was proactive in pointing us to various resources like her video series, therapists to help with pregnancy discomforts of various kinds etc. Neri has a natural way of facilitating conversation between couples that helped us explore topics we hadn't thought relevant to the birth process (grandparents visiting, roles we wanted our doula v. partner to play during birth). Neri also did one face-to-face meeting (COVID times so we stuck to virtual meets for the others) in which she showed us various exercises to help facilitate proper positioning of the baby. Birthing partner: Our labor was over 48 hours long, Neri was helping us the entire time, coming to our home to provide comfort measures in the middle of the night and supporting us in thinking through options as we navigated a couple of days of contractions and dwindling energy. She even facilitated last minute sourcing of some comfort devices through her extensive network. When at the last minute we had to deliver at a different hospital than planned on, Neri was quick to meet us at the new hospital and took on helping us settle down and navigate this unplanned/unfamiliar situation. During labor Neri advocated for our wishes outlined in our birth plan and supported clear, consistent communication between Mom, Dad, and the delivery nurse. For example, I wanted to be in the shower and/or change positions as much as possible, however keeping the fetal monitors on consistently was difficult while in these positions - Neri advocated for Mom to stay in positions that were comfortable while working with the nurse to ensure she had the information she needed. When my contractions slowed around 8-9cm, Neri was active in helping me get into new and different positions to keep the baby moving downward. Neri's advocacy never lightened through the entire 7hr long process. While in the final stages of pushing she reminded the care team of my preferences (hot press, push without limits) and guided me to push without tearing. We met all our ideal goals in this birthing experience and are convinced that it would not have been possible in such a positive way without Neri. Non-birthing partner: I have heard from my other first-time dad friends about how unnerving birth can be and how your partner's pain can stop clear thinking and decision making. That certainly happened to me but that's where relying on Neri to normalize was immensely helpful. The experience with Neri has changed me from someone who thought a Doula was a luxury to someone who thinks a Doula should be provided for by insurance for every US birth as a basic necessity. Nurses are there to primarily monitor you medically and administer medical procedures. What the first time mother primarily needs for a minimal-intervention birth is coaching, guidance and physical assistance through the process which the Doula provides and Neri is one of the best out there. read more

Working with Neri was one of the best decisions we made during the pregnancy and birth of our daughter. We are first time parents and a lot of it was either scary or unknown to us. Neri helped us navigate through things pre-labor and helped us get an understanding of what and how things would progress. And most importantly, Neri helped my wife with tools to support ourselves both mentally and physically. Whether it is exercises or breathing techniques or by suggesting hold/cold packs etc. Another thing that was super helpful to us was her relationship with Bay Area Maternity. This helped a lot during the actual labor and delivery and it almost felt like Neri and our Midwife were in sync about everything. My wife had a relatively quick labor for someone having their first child and she did it without an epidural or any pain meds. A lot of the help for that was provided to us by Neri! She has a calm demeanor and a deep sense of understanding about what she does and how she can help in any situation. I would definitely recommend Neri for anyone looking for a doula for their child's birth. read more

Neri provided exceptional support for my partner and I both before, during, and in the postpartum period after the birth of our first child. She was an excellent listener, and tailored her guidance to best match our needs. Neri was reliable and a good communicator, we were frequently in touch as the pregnancy progressed. We appreciate Neri for her experience, encouragement, compassion, and expertise. My partner and I give Neri our highest recommendation for anyone who needs Doula support. read more

Neri was my birth doula twice, and it was such a pleasure working with her. Her caring, calm disposition paired with deep knowledge and many years of experience gave me the confidence and general attitude I needed to achieve the birth experience I was hoping for. I highly recommend Neri! read more

I could sing Neri's praises all day, for each specific thing and way of being she has that has made a huge impact in my life. But it might be more helpful to narrow down a few reasons why hiring Neri would make a difference to someone else. I hired Neri for my second birth, after a traumatic first birth experience. I wasn't sure what outcome I could achieve for a second birth, given my particular medical history and past, but I knew from my first meeting with her that it would be the best possible outcome, regardless. She gave me resources during our interview, so I knew she listened and understood how complicated childbirth can sometimes be, and how a woman can best be supported with various caregivers. I had gone into my first birth hoping I would be one of the so-called lucky women who don't experience pain during childbirth. The childbirth prep classes (from my healthcare at that time) set me up to believe that was the only shot you had: luck. But Neri has a video that illustrates what to do and why in her breakdown of the process of birth. Excellent preparation. After practicing that, you feel focused and calm in approaching your labor and transformational pain. Neri is there during your pregnancy, the birth, and postpartum. She not only provides support, she also has connections to other support caregivers, so you can meet your needs for complete women's health and personal circumstances. You can be the best you during pregnancy, delivery, and early parenting. Neri gives prenatal support and discussions that empower you to have conviction about what you want (even in the event of unforeseen circumstances). Then she is there with you from the onset of labor, discussing what steps to take. Having a support person--but especially an experienced one like Neri--is key to feeling that you are not alone in labor. Neri took what was one of the worst experiences of my life (my first birth) and turned it into one of the best experiences of my life (my second birth). She shows you how to listen to your own voice while pregnant, and then she is there at the delivery to be your voice as you do the vulnerable work of having a baby. She is more than a support person, and I cannot recommend her highly enough for any type of birth. read more

If you think about hiring a doula, you found the right one. Neri is amazing and I can't imagine my pregnancy process and the delivery without her. Our meetings before the delivery was full of joy and helpful tips and tricks. She understood my issues with the process super quick and helped me to get over it. Moreover, she actually helped us to avoid a C-section by recognizing a situation that the nurse couldn't. Neri, I can't thank you enough for what you did for us! read more

I studied with Neri in Mama Center's 2011-2012 class, and I can't express enough how lucky I feel to have been part of such a wonderful, comprehensive birth doula training program. Neri is not only a trainer, but also a coach. She doesn't just train you to be a birth doula; she trains you to be the best birth doula you can be. Most training programs are limited by time constraints. Mama Center's program is spaced out over months really allowing it's students to indulge in discussion, detail, and camaraderie amongst other future birth workers. Neri helped me find my first client and introduced me to local midwives who invited me to attend a birth and referred me to potential clients. She has provided constant support and is always ready to help you understand any aspect of the job that may be a struggle for you. If I had to pinpoint my favorite part about Mama Center's training program, it would be how much hands on training you accumulate. Neri makes a point to incorporate hands on practice during each class. So much so that, by the time you take your first client, the motions and words seem easy and natural. I feel I made the best possible choice in deciding on Mama Center for my birth doula training. I enjoyed it immensely, and it was worth every penny! read more

I am very fortunate to have taken Neri's doula classes this year. I had started down that path by taking doula classes through DONA and did not feel like I was strong enough to go out there on my own yet. I found Neri and her eight month course and I was thrilled. Neri is warm, personal and a passionate woman. Her years of experience and her passion for her career enabled all of us in the class to feel strong and supported. I am now on my way to the career I have wanted for over twenty years. Thank you Neri. read more

I studied with Neri @ Mama Center's 1st Birth-doula training course. The amount of information and depth of knowledge in which the course subjects were covered were manifold. All areas were taught in both theory and practice. Neri prepared me in every way imaginable. She is still in contact with me and all her other students, supporting, advancing and enhancing our work experiences. Thank you Neri! read more

My experience is that of a first time mom, who chose to prioritize natural birth, but was open to getting an epidural if I felt like I needed it. After meeting with several doulas, I decided to choose Neri because of her calm demeanor, extensive experience, and generosity with her time. Neri and I first met at a cafe, where she explained to me her philosophies and past experiences to help me understand what content we would cover in sessions together, how she would communicate with us during pregnancy, and how we would work together during labor. Throughout pregnancy, Neri met with us every 2-3 weeks, came to our house to assess where I might be able to get comfortable during labor, was available for any questions that came up (e.g. is this normal for pregnancy?), and provided us with her well structured video series on the stages of labor. On the night of labor, we called Neri to let her know things were progressing, and she coincidentally happened to be finishing her another delivery! However, she insisted on coming straight to our house right after to check in with us. After staying with us for a few hours, we all decided that it would be best for her to send her backup doula (who was wonderful and trained by Neri!) for a few hours while she took a nap at home. Neri came right back to coach us through the rest of labor and delivery, and we truly could not have finished without her! Thank you Neri! We will always be grateful for your support :) read more

Neri's partnership in our pregnancy, labor, and delivery was such a blessing. We looked forward to every prenatal meeting as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves, our baby, and our relationship. Her experience as both a life coach, as well as a doula, helped us openly discuss our fears, motivations, and priorities as we prepared for our labor & delivery. Even outside of our meetings, Neri was readily available over text and email to answer questions and offer guidance as our pregnancy progressed. We especially appreciated how Neri helped us think through how to discuss challenging topics and share our point of view with our doctor in an open-minded way. Through her guidance, we were able to build great rapport with our doctor. Lastly, Neri was absolutely indispensable during our labor & delivery. She helped us determine when to go to the hospital, and helped me through several different squatting positions while pushing. Through her excellent rapport with the nursing staff, and seamless ability to advocate for our preferences, Neri helped make our unmedicated, natural birth possible at Good Samaritan Hospital! read more

I feel I can honestly say that with Neri's help my entire birthing experience was 100 times better than I thought it could be, and having her by my side prepared me in the best possible way for welcoming a new baby to our family. Below is what I wrote to Neri in a little 'Thank You' email, which I feel sums up my experience perfectly: "First of all, you really took the time to get to know me and understand what I wanted and made sure I felt heard. This was crucial to me being able to trust you in the process. Then you really made sure that I knew what I wanted and you made me understand that I needed to do the homework to make sure it worked out! As for the birth itself, it was far far better than I could have hoped. Yes it was hard, but I got through it, and until perhaps the last few seconds of pushing, I never ever felt like I couldn't do it. Thank you for constantly reassuring me through the process and making sure I knew what to expect at each step. I remember that you brought candles and turned down the lights when I was in the shower, that really made me feel like I had just a few minutes of respite from the pain. Thank you! Now for perhaps the most important thing I wanted to tell you, all of this meant that my frame of mind these last few weeks have been 100x better than with my first daughter. I have been able to be present and in the moment with my new baby, and far more hands on, just because I didn't feel traumatised, I didn't feel hurt, and my healing has been so much faster." read more

I couldn't be happier that my husband and I chose to work with Neri. From the first time we met, Neri was warm, open, and engaging. By the time our daughter was born, she truly felt like family. Throughout several meetings leading up to the birth, Neri helped me feel as prepared and empowered as possible. She encouraged me to think about what kind of birth I wanted and why, helped us write our birth plan, coached me through breathing techniques, and showed me exercises to help the baby get in an ideal position for labor. Neri was always super responsive and available. She checked in with me regularly and even offered additional meetings to practice breathing exercises when my baby was late. During the labor, Neri was there to provide support, coaching, massage, and guidance. She incorporated my husband, and neither of us ever felt that he was "crowded out" of the experience (which was a fear I had when we initially decided to work with a doula). Thanks to Neri's coaching, I have no doubt that my labor was far shorter than it would have otherwise been. I was also able to labor at home for way longer than I would have been comfortable doing on my own. As a bonus, Neri has a good relationship with and was constantly in touch with my midwife (Bay Area Maternity), so they knew exactly when to expect me at the hospital. I couldn't imagine going through my pregnancy and labor without Neri's support. If you are considering working with a doula (or even if you weren't!), I highly recommend inviting Neri to be a part of your journey. read more

Neri has earned her great reputation by increasing her knowledge and accumulating experience over many years. She has served countless women during their delivery and has mentored countless doulas into their successful careers. Her doula class is deeper and more complete than any other course I have heard of, and were I pregnant right now - I would definitely hire Neri as my doula. I would then go to my delivery with a feeling of confidence and peace of mind. read more

We chose Neri as our Doula as she has a reputation of well experienced one and that was the best decision I ever made regarding my son's delivery. Not only Neri prepared us during the preliminary meetings to the birth (both mentally and practically) - she truly saved the day! Neri is a vast knowledge source of everything related to birth and delivery, she referred to articles and researches to answer our questions and provided multiple examples from her experience. In the delivery room, she provided guidance, support (physical and mental) and worked perfectly with the medical team. Neri helped me postpone unnecessary interventions proposed by the medical team and supported me in having the closest to planned delivery as possible. I believe that not only I came with a great professional to the delivery room, I also have now a new friend! read more

I completed Neri Choma's Birth Coach Method training in the spring of 2018. Neri is very experienced, knowledgable and passionate about this work. The information presented and the pacing of the lessons were appropriate. I appreciated that I could access the online materials at my convenience in between sessions. Each class session included instruction from Neri, hands on practice, and time for questions and feedback. Neri was responsive to my questions outside of class via email or phone. I was drawn to Neri's program because of her "coaching" approach. I was not disappointed. read more

The Birth Coach Method was the perfect tool to answer my doula calling. Compared to other doula programs, I think that the Birth Coach Method is extremely thorough and offers a lot of value. I enjoyed the good balance between the theoretical part and the practical sections. Neri delivers the right amount of information and all the examples she brings up kept me very interested. Also, I felt like I was studying with a friend thanks to her warm voice, her encouragements, and the added tips and tricks that she shares from her extensive experience. Now that I have started my birth coach practice, I came to realize how precious the coaching tools are. As a birth coach/doula I often rely on them to get to know my clients better or to navigate through sensitive situations, whether it is during the prenatal sessions or during a birth. Also, now that I have talked with several other doulas that did a 2 day workshops/training, I can say that I was much more confident in my abilities to support my first few clients when I joined them in labor. Beyond what is offered in the program, Neri's knowledge, kindness and availability made it so worth it. As I progressed through the program, I realized that this experience was so much more that just taking a class, to me it was a real life transformative journey. read more

I always knew that I wanted a medication and intervention free delivery so when I became pregnant I began reading and researching extensively on natural labors. I decided to hire a doula about 5 months into my pregnancy, after reading multiple sources talking about the greatly increased success rate in not having an epidural when having a doula present while laboring. Neri came recommended by my OB who said that she was the best doula she had ever worked with and we also independently found a few others to meet with. Neri was the last doula we had a meeting with and within a few minutes I knew she was a great fit for us. Neri just had a special something, a fire, a passion, that I didn't see in anyone else that I interviewed. Neri meets with you multiple times during your pregnancy, not only to teach laboring techniques, but to build a relationship with and really get to know you. I believe that that trust that is built is an essential tool that helps her guide you while in labor. She is extremely knowledgeable, passionate, and experienced. You can tell she is very invested in her clients and truly cares about them and their babies wellbeing. Even almost a year after the birth of my daughter she still checks in occasionally to see how we are doing. My labor started on my due date very quick and hard. I called Neri about 3 hours into my labor and she was at my house a very short time later. She stayed at my house and helped me labor at home until we all agreed it was time to go to the hospital. Neri was great at giving me space when I needed that and gently guiding me when she felt like I would benefit from a position change, a change in breathing, etc. At times I felt like her suggestions for positions to try to advance my labor made my pain skyrocket and she was very receptive of my feedback. She was very hands on, doing back massage to help ease the pain and was very soothing and encouraging my entire labor. Neri was an essential part of my successful journey through natural labor. I couldn't be more happy that we choose her to be our doula. read more

I'm proud to say that I had the opportunity to participate in a group coaching series named "Women talking business", led by Neri. I came to the meetings with the idea of making a career change, not sure exactly what my first steps will be. The idea of meeting with women that are in the process of starting their business or making change in an existing one, in a supportive environment, really applied to me. Neri quickly established trust and intimacy in our group. I felt safe and comfortable to share my dilemmas with the women in my group. Neri provided support to each one of us as individuals, and empowered us as a group of women who believe in their power to make a better life for themselves. She asked us questions that helped us move forward towards our desires, inspired us and motivated us. Now, after my last session, I have to say I'm no longer in the place I was when I first came in. I'm glad I stayed, since not only I decided what my next steps are, but also I got the chance to meet four wonderful women, learn about their journeys, and learn about myself. If I had any doubts about going to these meeting, they are all gone, like a clear sky after a good nurturing rain. I can see now what I couldn't see before. Thank you Neri! read more

Neri has been a colleague and mentor of mine for 10 years. Her practical knowledge, experienced wisdom, and genuine honesty, of things related pregnancy, birth and postpartum, are contagious! Her work instills a sense of empowerment in people as they move through this unknown journey.... read more

Neri is not only a great doula, she is an amazing coach in so many aspects. She listens to her clients' needs and tailors the best services to help them reach their goals. Many of my patients were lucky enough to have her as their doula and they were always raving about how great she was. Neri knows exactly when to be assertive, when to hold your hand, when to give you some space and how to help your partner deal with the whole situation. If you want an idea of just how professional she is, you can take a look at her book: https://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Childbirth-Neri-Life-Choma/dp/0997858508 I already own a copy and I highly recommend it! read more

When I decided I wanted to be a doula, I researched different training programs. I ultimately decided on the Birth Coach Method because of how extensive it was. I loved being able to take the time each evening to listen to the lessons, answer questions from my study guide, and really let the information soak in. I valued the coaching sessions I had with Neri where I could put my knowledge to the test and apply the information to real like scenarios. I know that I would not have the confidence and success in my business with just a 2-4 day training. If you're looking for an amazing, extensive, comprehensive program, then the Birth Coach Method is the choice for you. read more

I met Neri in an early stage of my pregnancy and we immediately connected. She supported me during the pregnancy and answered all my questions in a friendly and professional way. My birth experience with Neri as my doula was amazing. She took me all the way to natural delivery. She helped me find the strength I needed to believe that everything would be just fine and the confidence she enforced in me overpowered my fears. Neri has the gift to fulfill her role as a doula while keeping the intimate experience of the couple unharmed. At the the end of the journey we shared, we all welcomed a beautiful baby boy. read more

Working with Neri was great. I had the wonderful natural labor I was hoping for. She provides great mental, physical and emotional support. It's like having all the comforting parts of your mother without the anxiety and impatience. :) We started working together several months before birth. My obgyn suggested her and said she was the best doula she'd been in the delivery room with. I concur. My work with Neri helped me feel ready for both the concept of giving birth and the actual process of *me* giving birth. Together we worked though all the practical and emotional issues surrounding birth. I'm not a particularly feminine person, and am not good at discussing my feelings. Neri helped me conquer my concerns about birth and motherhood. We also worked on the techniques I'd use during my labor. We went over them ahead of time so that my husband and I would be familiar with them. Having her present during the labor made the biggest difference of all. All of her suggestions helped me work with the contractions. She used massage, positioning, pressure and heat to reduce my pain. I birthed without any medication, but knew that if I wound up wanting an epidural she would not judge me for it. When it came time to push, the doctor had me on my back. It wasn't really working for me, so Neri had me move to my side. Pushing was much easier in that position. My husband really appreciated how she kept him involved, but not under pressure. He felt like he was an important partner in our daughter's birth without having the stress of managing everything on his own. All in all, I had an amazing birth experience, and Neri was a big part of making it happen. read more

Either if you are looking for a doula to accompany you at the birth of your child, or you are looking for a doula learning program- Neri at Mama Center would be a good choice to go by. I learned at Mama Center and Neri was my teacher: The program's syllabus is very wide, 80 hours, with theoretical, hands on and guest lectures. Neri is very professional, knowledgeable and experienced doula. She is very passionate about birthing and about empowering women. I leaned a lot from her. She is my doula mentor and my role model. read more

Neri's video: Practicing an Active Birth is top notch. She has some great insight into years of practical experience and my spouse and thoroughly enjoyed the video. It broke out the labor process into several sections and has a section on practicing which she guides the viewer step by step. Highly recommend! read more

I gave my first birth with Neri about 2 weeks ago,from our first meeting I felt very at ease with Neri,she is very professional and knowledgeable and along with her sense of humor and understanding she was able to handle my fears and anxiety very well. Neri was very attentive to our needs and wills in terms of our birth plan. Neri is dedicated to the process and had several meetings with me prior to the birth and also came to visit us after the birth. During the birth she was attentive and caring,helped communicate with the hospital's team and explain to us all the procedures related to the process. Neri definitely played an important role in our labor and we are very glad she was our dula. We highly recommend her. read more

I gave birth to my second child with Neri as my doula and a birth coach. I've also practiced Neri's training birth techniques, the Birth Coach Method, as a preparation to a natural childbirth. Neri is extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all of my questions and address all of my concerns during multiple meetings we had prior to the birth itself. She was very attentive and flexible and made sure to adjust her services to our needs. During the labor itself Neri used various techniques, like breathing, movements, massage, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy to help me get through various stages of labor. She coached me through the entire process and provided a lot of support and encouragement. She also worked very well with the medical team and my ob/gyn, who later also complemented Neri on her service. Overall, I'm very happy with choosing Neri as my doula due to her knowledge, experience and a great personality. read more

We certainly did our research on doula's before picking the right one for us, and when we met Neri, we knew she was exactly what we needed to prepare us for the birth of our first child. She wasn't even available for our due date, but she made an exception for us as we had an immediate bond and trust. She became family to us instantaneously. She put us at ease and prepared us beautifully for our child's birth. Every woman's journey is different, and Neri does an amazing job at giving you all the mental and physical tools you need in order to be ready for your labor and delivery. She respects your opinions and wishes and does not impose her own. She will willingly give you suggestions/options if you ask for them as she is extraordinarily knowledgable and experienced, but she will never tell you what to do. She is the mama bear when you need her to be and she is a coach all at the same time. She is the calming voice who believes in you and encourages you every step of the way. She makes a concerted effort to really get to know you and spend time with you. She is really good about taking calls and text messages if/when you need emotional support and guidance. She is there for you 100%. She also does an amazing job at preparing your partner. My husband who didn't think he would be able to be by my side throughout the process was able to stay with me the entire time, thanks to Neri's sessions with us. Not to mention she has an incredibly beautiful calming melodic voice. My delivery did not go exactly how I was hoping it would, but regardless, Neri had us so well educated and prepared that no matter what, I trusted my body and the process and everything went smoothly. We now have a healthy and happy baby. Another bonus, Neri gives amazing hugs. She will make you feel nurtured and safe, which is the best way to have a stress free delivery. She is the best; we highly recommend her. No matter how much you think you already know, Neri is such a wealth of knowledge and experience, she will certainly teach you more than you know. If Neri is available for your due date, book her before it is too late because you will regret it otherwise. read more

We had Neri as our doula and birth coach for my delivery and I can't be more happy about it! From the first meeting with Neri she was very attentive to what me and my husband wanted while sharing from her wide knowledge and experience. We met her several times before the birth and it was really important for her to get to know us and our wishes for the birth. In those meeting we discussed our birth plan, our fears and wishes and practiced relaxation and exercises to prepare for the delivery. She even met me and my mom since I wanted her to be with me in the delivery as well. We also watched her DVD which is very extensive and has a lot of information about the stages of birth and the techniques we practiced to prepare for the birth. Neri was instrumental in my delivery. She used various techniques to help me manage my pain, and feel calm. She always shared her her knowledge while allowing us to make our own choices. She was able to accommodate all of my needs and wishes as an integral part of the delivery. I would have Neri as my doula for any of my next deliveries and I highly recommend her to anyone! read more