Jennifer was a complete blessing for my hub's and my first baby--she went above and beyond to help…read moreus make the best decisions we could with all the information and research she shared with us. I really wanted a home birth, and I'm so thankful Jennifer helped make that happen. Postpartum care was unmatched in my opinion, that was really another huge highlight for us--so much more personal and helpful than our visits to the cold and sterile doctors office. Jennifer also helped me figure out which supplements and natural herbs/tinctures were safe for me during pregnancy in addition to postpartum. So thankful for her kind and skilled care!

Best decision we made hiring LA Midwife Collective. I transferred to their care 7 months into my…read morepregnancy. Though initially going for a Hospital Birth since I was 43 I was immediately put in the 'High Risk' category and all the shenanigans that come with that. So, at the encouragement of a friend of ours (Natural Birth Instructor) and with my husband fully on board, we decided to take control and started interviewing Birth Centers and Midwives. What attracted us to LA Midwife Collective was that we were getting 2 licensed midwives with years of experience. The moment we met Monica and later Jennifer, we were drawn to their professionalism, knowledge, and comforting approach. They made us feel so comfortable and empowered that we knew were in capable hands for the birth of our daughter. I loved that each visit was not rushed and not just about our baby but me...what was I eating? How was I feeling? Emotionally, physically? Exercises to do and foods to add. When decisions had to be made, they made sure we had all the information needed (pros/cons) so we could make an informed decision. Jennifer & Monica quickly went from strangers to family. The birth of our baby couldn't have gone better. Though Jennifer was off that weekend our doula, Johanna who also was their birth assistant, helped with the delivery of our baby. There were moments during the pushing stage where I started to panic and doubt myself, but Monica was right there saying exactly what I needed to hear. And after the birth as my husband and I were getting acquainted with our daughter Monica was in our kitchen making us something to eat. The care didn't end at the birth when issues came up with breastfeeding Monica was extremely quick to respond to our concerns. We loved the visits made to our home 1 day and 1 week after along with the office visit at week 3 and 6. The level of care we experienced exceeded anything we could have imagined. After this experience I now believe that regardless of one's birth plan every woman should have access to this type midwifery care.

Completely unprofessional and neglectful. My experience with Jennifer as a midwife was truly…read moredisturbing. This was my first pregnancy and I was relying on Jennifer to guide me through birth. A couple hours after my contractions became constant and increasingly intense, I called her. She told me to lay down and get some sleep, that it would be at least 24 hours. When I asked if I should let her know when contractions reached a certain timing, she told me not to time them at all. I asked when she would know to come, and her answer was: "I'll hear it in your voice." Apparently that means when you can't speak then she'll come. Four hours later, I gave birth. During that time, I labored alone--scared, confused, and unsupported. Jennifer did not check in with me by text or phone. The doula Jennifer referred me to was also no help during labor. I called her 4 times to please come but she kept saying it wasn't time yet and only telling me to keep breathing over the phone. I felt helpless. Finally, after the fourth call she came and arrived at 10:30, by 11:20pm I gave birth. Jennifer didn't arrive until 12:30am--well after my baby was born. I was worried because she lived over 40 mins away but always told me she would be there. She reassured me she never missed a birth which is obviously a lie. Afterwards, when I tried to express how traumatic this was for me she took no accountability. She claimed she did everything right and only blamed the doula for not communicating with her. She also put the blame on me claiming my labor was just "too fast." She had always told me to wait until she arrived for the tub because she would set everything up. So everything we planned was pointless, I gave birth standing up over my bathroom counter. She said there were absolutely no refunds and never apologized for what I went through. I was robbed of my water birth experience. This was supposed to be a supported, empowering home birth. Instead, it was the most frightening experience of my life. I'm now terrified of ever getting pregnant again. I could never recommend Jennifer as a midwife she will not be there when you need her the most.

Johanna made our home birth experience one that we will never forget. After talking to over a dozen…read moremidwives and looking even in other states for the perfect match, our last phone call was from a referral to Johanna. Her gentle and confident approach made us feel safe. Johanna is never in a rush whether it be during her pre-and postnatal visits or with a question over the phone, she is always there and present when you need her. She is reliable, accommodating, always on time and keeps her word. Johanna's visits taught us so much and answered many questions that we never would have known who to ask them to. The prenatal visits made us so much more prepared as first time parents not just for a healthy and satisfying birth, but also with questions such as sleeping arrangements, breast-feeding support, pregnancy clothing, and postnatal support to name a few. Johanna seemed to know exactly what we wanted out of our birth beyond what we even knew, and made the birth experience memorable and very enjoyable. With her vast experience as a second generation midwife, she has seen it all and is full of options that makes her a truly one-size-fits-all midwife! Through the time we spent together, Johanna became not only a friend, but a genuine part of our family. As very strategic and prudent people, Johanna truly exceeded our expectations of what a midwife could be and the services she provides. We hope to have the privilege of using Johanna again if we have the blessing of another birth in the future. Words can't express how valuable and what a gem she truly is. Obviously, we highly recommend her.

The doctor is amazing! I had a great experience. He was very knowledgeable, caring and made me…read morefeel extremely comfortable. His staff is very professional. I plan on coming here annually for as long as I live in the area.

I just started seeing Dr. Diesfeld and this office is amazing. They're so helpful and kind. I'm…read morevery happy here at women's health group.

If you have been considering a natural home waterbirth as a possibility for your next birth…read more Seriously... you can look no further. Pick up the phone and call Birthwell... RIGHT NOW! Words can not begin to describe the appreciation I have for Mari and her team. The care I received from Birthwell exceeded all of my expectations and I felt like I was in this big bubble of love during every visit. I know that sounds a bit sappy, but when you have been working so hard being pregnant and preparing for that perfect birth, feeling supported with love and acceptance really makes a difference. And that is exactly what I was blessed with- an absolute perfect birth. I had been receiving prenatal care through my insurance provider at a local hospital, not very happy with the rushed, impersonal experience of being there. After my first ultrasound, doctor after doctor told me that my placenta was too low for a home waterbirth- it wasn't quite a previa, but "too close for comfort" in their eyes. At 36 weeks they were adamant about scheduling me a c-section (the last thing you want to hear when you had been committed to a natural birth), so I demanded one last look. I had been praying so much that my placenta move just the 2 millimeters out of the way. My OB really didn't think it was going to in only two weeks since the last ultrasound, but low and behold, it had! I took this as a sign to get a Midwife and do it the way I wanted from the beginning - at home and in the water. Mariposa of Birthwell was recommended to me by two difference sources - coincidentally the first two people I had asked. I knew that choosing a midwife was a very personal and important decision, so I did my research and looked at all the different midwifery service providers around LA. Before I gave Mari a call, I went on to her website to check her bio. The second I saw her amazing eyes, I was overflowing with tears. I knew right away she was the one. It was a great bonus that she ended up having so much Labor & Delivery experience and that she was super-sweet an empowering. I don't think I've even told her this, but she had me at the online photo :-) After an in-person meeting with her and my partner, we "tied the knot" and she put me to work. There was so much preparation my body needed for the birth that I had no idea about. I was shocked my OB hadn't told me even a fraction of tricks Mari filled me in on. From the yoga moves, to the borage oil, to the squats- I was on a daily regime that got me ready for the big day. One night at around 10:00pm, just after finishing Mari's prenatal yoga video and downing some fresh coconut juice, it started. The contractions were happening every 6 or 7 minutes, but they were pretty manageable. I called Mari up and she told me to call her every hour to tell her how far a part they were at each hour increment. I was pretty surprised, considering it was already so late at night and worried I was going to keep her up all night with phone calls until it was time for her to come (I have a family history of 30-40 hour labor "marathons", so I knew it was going to be a while). After a few hours, I ended up falling asleep somehow. At 5:30am I woke up to my water breaking in bed (luckily Mari had given me a checklist for preparing my home for the birth- including a full waterproof bed pad we had on the bed ready to go!) I called up Mari and she said she was on her way over. She lived pretty close and was at the house within 20 minutes. The contractions weren't that bad, but they were happening every 2 minutes or so. She checked me and we both couldn't believe that I was already dilated 8 centimeters! I got in the water (we had a hot tub prepared on the deck) and she called her assistant to come. Less than 3 hours later, our precious little girl was born. It went so perfect in every way and Mari & Beth were a true blessing. Mari taught me how to breath, low and slow, and she made me feel fearless and so powerful. I was able to birth my daughter in the water and Mari talked me through how to birth most of her by myself- something I really wanted to do. It was the happiest moment of my life. It's been 3 months and, safe to say, Mari is definitely a part of the family.

The level of pre and postnatal care I received from Mari was beyond my expectations. I began my…read morecare with Birthwell at 10 weeks pregnant and just delivered my healthy, beautiful boy on 7/21. He was born at home, in the water, drug free-Just how I imagined. If you want a beautiful, empowered, natural birth with a practitioner who brings the energy of a professional nurse as well as a supportive best friend-She is your girl.

When my husband and I became pregnant with our first child, I was still carrying a deep grief. My…read moremother had passed away just one year earlier, and as a 38-year-old first-time mom, I felt lost without her guidance. I remember sharing that with Chavah early in my pregnancy, and from that moment on, she cared for me with a level of compassion and sensitivity that I will never forget. Before I even chose a midwife, I prayed for guidance. Then I opened Yelp, and Chavah was the very first midwife I called. After speaking with her on the phone, I didn't search any further. Looking back now, five months postpartum, I truly know she was an answer to my prayer. Chavah cared for us from the very beginning of my pregnancy--around three months along--through birth and into those precious first weeks postpartum. Throughout every appointment, she was wise, kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. She took the time to educate us, answer our endless first-time-parent questions, and guide us through each stage with confidence and reassurance. One thing that especially touched us was her willingness to go above and beyond when life threw us an unexpected curveball. Midway through my pregnancy, my husband and I had to relocate, moving about 70 miles away. Most people would have understandably referred us elsewhere, but Chavah generously agreed to keep us on as clients. We were so grateful. Those extra miles meant more to us than she probably realizes. Our pregnancy was healthy and uncomplicated. The only bump in the road was that I needed an iron boost, and Chavah quickly connected us with excellent care for a couple of iron transfusions. Her experience and attentiveness gave us complete confidence that we were in good hands every step of the way. When it came time to give birth, Chavah was absolutely amazing. She created an environment where I felt informed, supported, and in control. Well... as much control as a woman can feel while temporarily visiting another dimension during contractions. Thankfully, our son had places to be and arrived after just five hours of active labor, making his debut before lunchtime. Today, we are five months postpartum and have a healthy, thriving baby boy. I've intentionally taken my time writing this review because I wanted to reflect carefully on our experience and express just how grateful we are. Chavah brought wisdom when I needed guidance, encouragement when I felt uncertain, and compassion when I was grieving. She cared for not only my physical health, but my emotional well-being too. I honestly cannot imagine a better midwife experience. If we are blessed with more children in the future, I would choose Chavah again without hesitation. Knowing she would be part of our care would bring immediate peace of mind. Thank you, Chavah, for everything you did for our family--and for so much more than was ever required. We will always be grateful.

5 stars isn't enough! The amount of QUALITY information you get from a midwife compared to your OB…read moreis insane. Chavah has eased us into parenthood with our first baby. She was there anytime we needed her and because such a rock in our journey. We started really early in our pregnancy with Chavah and I haven't stopped recommending midwifery to my expecting friends. Our in home visits were super informative and lasted -1.5-2 hours! It's seriously night and day and she will give you an explanation as well as expectations so you can make your own informed decisions about every process. Thank you Chavah! You will be part of every baby we bring into this world!

We had the absolute best birthing experience possible with support from Giuditta. She provided a…read morevery clear overview of what to expect at labor and delivery prior to the birth of our daughter. She gave us two house visits in advance of the birth that allowed us to practice different partner positions at home for early labor that we successfully used for the real thing! When it came time for the actual birth, she was a fierce advocate for us at Cedars Sinai Hospital. She ensured we had the best and most experienced team, she also coached me (the mom) through the process with a loud and clear voice which I could follow until the baby arrived. For postpartum care, she provided a sense of ease when we arrived home and everything felt unknown and scary. She gave me (mom) tips on breastfeeding in person, she showed us how to bathe our daughter and made us feel comfortable holding her in different positions. Finally, she is incredibly responsive and always provides a sense of calm in her communications. From both a practical and emotional standpoint and as first time parents, we could not have asked for a more positive experience with a Doula. She is worth every penny! -Hannah

We just absolutely loved working with Giuditta. She's so knowledgable, empathetic and kind. From…read moreour first meet and greet over zoom, I knew I wanted to work with her. She has an INCREDIBLE amount of resources to share, videos, her book, her website with recommendations, and her own incredible expertise after nearly 1200 births. She also just has a wonderful personality and vibe. Definitely the person you want on your team. She advocated for me in the best way, gave my husband a break at the right time (just before I went into active labor...she knew!), made sure we had a delayed cord clamping, helped with our birth plan! She also filmed my birth, which is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. She is a lactation consultant, so she had my baby latching within 30 minutes of birth on both sides! I feel very lucky, my baby has been exclusively breastfeeding ever since. She made 4 house visits, two before the birth and two after. The visits were also invaluable! She was able to help my husband and I practice laboring positions and prepare for baby on one visit, the next visit she took a look at our nursery and our set up. The final two visits postpartum, she helped us learn to play with our baby so she will have more productive feedings and sleep, and the final visit she showed us how to do our first bath. She's a genius. I honestly wish that every pregnant person could work with her. If you're on the fence, I'm here to tell you, Giuditta was one of the most important and instrumental people in my pregnancy, birth, labor and postpartum.

Torrey you are amazing! Torrey was my doula for my second pregnancy and I never knew the value of…read morehaving a doula until I had her. Right away from 30 weeks pregnant she always made sure that if I had any questions that I could turn to her, from prenatal headaches to information on placenta encapsulation. She answered all my texts and emails quickly and I never felt that I couldn't reach her, something I feel is very important for a birth worker! You can tell she has a passion for what she does and wants to help woman claim their birth. I had my daughter on October 15th, 2017 at home under the presence of midwives. When Torrey arrived to the birth, I felt a sudden calm knowing she was there and she helped me get through transition and pushing with her own grace and ease. I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a doula that absolutely loves her work and has a passion for babies. She also encapsulated my placenta for me (my husband and I had tried to do our first one ourselves and that did not work out too well, haha). The pills arrived in a lovely jar and from the minute I took the first one, I knew it had been prepared well because not only did my postpartum nerves calm, my breast milk supply increased! Having Torrey as my doula was a wonderful experience, you cannot go wrong choosing her for your own birth!

Torrey from wiggle womb was my doula for my home birth this last march 2016. Torrey & I got…read moretogether several times before my birth to build a trusting warm relationship. Torrey is one incredible woman who truly loves the miracle of her work. She was with me all day in my contractions helping me understand my body & keeping track of their duration. She even helped massage my back & hips as my contractions got more intense & she also used essential oils during my birthing. I felt very comfortable with Torrey, she is a wonderful doula! She made sure I ate food to keep my energy up (which I truly needed). She even held coconut water or juice for me while I sipped from a straw to keep me hydrated! She was so positive & helpful through the entire process. I plan to use her again for baby #2 in a couple years! Thanks Wiggle Womb for your gentle love & helping my babe arrive safely!

Working with Helen was the best decision I made for the birth of my child. The health system and…read moreyour OBGYN tell you so little to make you feel prepared for labor and delivery. Helen provided the education I needed to feel empowered for my labor, and because of her I was able to have a natural birth without an epidural. Her techniques helped me to see the natural strength of my body and mind as a woman. All of her tips are great- from natural medications, to how to approach the staff at the hospital and hospital system, to breathing techniques, and birthing positions. I would recommend Helen's classes to any woman and family looking to become more informed about their choices during the birth of their child. I would also recommend taking her classes with your partner - it was a great thing for my husband and I to participate in each session together, and in the end we felt we didn't need a doula (he served as "El Doulo" as we like to say ). Helen truly cares about the health and well being of her clients, and you can feel it, and that makes all the difference. Thank you Helen for everything you provided for our family!

Because of all the great reviews, we knew we were gonna have a good experience, but Helen exceeded…read moreour expectations. She didn't just treat us like clients, she made us feel like family. Since the second I went into labor, she was there for me until the end. Hand down, the best experience we had.