Choosing Tema and Matriz Midwifery Care for my first pregnancy was one of the best decisions I made…read morefor myself, my baby, and my family. I am so grateful I chose to invest in midwifery care. As a first-time mom, I received both traditional OB-GYN care through my insurance and midwifery care with Tema, which allowed me to experience the difference in approaches firsthand. Tema's care was incredibly well-rounded. She didn't just focus on prenatal checkups--she cared for me as a whole person, helping me understand how everything in my body was connected. She guided me through nutrition, hydration, overall wellness, preparing my body for birth, and of course, prenatal care. I always felt safe, informed, listened to, and genuinely cared for. The cultural connection I felt with Tema and her practice was also deeply meaningful to me. There was something so reassuring and special about receiving care that felt connected to who I am and to the pregnancy and birth experience I had always dreamed of. Alix was such a lovely, calm, and grounding presence throughout my prenatal care. I loved having both Tema and Alix's expertise, experience, and personalities supporting and loving on me, my husband, and our baby. Their care during my labor and birth was outstanding. The guidance they gave me was exactly what I needed in those moments. Throughout my entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience, communication was clear and consistent. They were accessible when I needed them, supportive, transparent, and honest. I never felt like I was just another patient. Their care didn't simply end once my baby was born either. Being supported postpartum made me appreciate even more how special it is to have providers who see pregnancy, birth, recovery, motherhood, and baby as one connected experience. After experiencing Matriz Midwifery Care, I may forever be biased in believing Tema and Alix are angels on Earth. What they do is such a special and sacred skill--nurturing mothers and babies through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Tema, Alix, and the people Tema has chosen to surround her practice with. I will always be grateful that this was my first experience of pregnancy and motherhood. For anyone researching Matriz or wondering whether investing in midwifery care is worth it, I hope my experience helps: I felt respected, nurtured, empowered, safe, and deeply cared for every step of the way. Thank you, Tema and Alix, for caring for and loving on our little family during one of the most sacred and transformative seasons of our lives. I will carry this experience with me forever.

I cannot recommend this practice strongly enough. I worked with Tema and Alix who were both…read moreattentive, hugely knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. For the difficult and vulnerable experience of pregnancy/birth, it brought me immeasurable comfort to have them by my side throughout my journey. They invest a lot of time in building trust, made space for not only questions but also emotions and mental well-being, and really give their whole selves to supporting mothers. I am so grateful for their support and if I have another baby I will certainly seek it out again.

Alison was my masseuse and she was sent from heaven! I have been eyeing Rebirth Massage since my…read moresecond pregnancy. I am now onto my third pregnancy at 28 weeks and had the opportunity to try this place; I am so grateful! I hate that I haven't gone here since my first! I have two toddlers at home, 1 and 3 year old, and work full time as a bedside nurse. I was long overdue for a massage. I like a firm pressure to get all the knots out from my upper/lower back, especially working long 12 hour shifts on my feet. Other places that perform prenatal massages are too scared to apply pressure. I got the Blissful Mama Massage as a Mother's Day gift. I am so happy with Alison. She listened to all my needs and listened to what my body needed as far as back relief. I felt so relaxed afterwards. It was exactly what my body needed. I am already looking forward to the next time I'll be back! I bought a similar cervical neck pillow as soon as I got home, it made such a difference during my massage. Parking is very limited. Bathroom outside did not bother me as I know that these older buildings have different layouts and it is to be expected.

By far the most relaxing and healing massage that I received during my pregnancy. All of the…read moremassage therapists here are so good at what they do. I love the location and the attention to detail of the entire staff. The space is peaceful and it really feels like an escape coming here. Now I've returned for a postnatal massage because my prenatal experiences have been so amazing.

This review is long overdue. My daughter has a very special condition called osteogenesis…read moreimperfecta. Every OB I met tried to talk me out of the pregnancy - saying my daughter's quality of life would be poor because she will be handicapped. They counted her out before she even entered the world. That's the reality that we live in. My first visit with perinatal gave me hope. Dr. Richardson reassured me that we will fight for my daughter the whole way through. He saw us weekly to make sure she was growing. Fast forward the day my water broke, I texted Dr. Richardson and he indeed did my c section. My scar is UNNOTICEABLE, and is MAYBE 3-4 inches long. He delivered my baby girl safely and handed her over to our neonatologist. Til this day, we still send him pictures of her. Thank you Dr. Richardson. The world needs more doctors like you.

I had my first baby this past year and SDPC was amazing. I saw a lot of the doctors throughout my…read morepregnancy and all made me feel heard. They treated me well and took their time. I was explained all my options in regards to my plan of care, screenings and ultrasound. Dr.Adami went out of her way to be there for the delivery and made our moment very special. During the labor things got complicated and Dr Melber saved my babies life. Dr Schwendemann and Dr Richardson both saw me in triage a few times and did great at reassuring me that everything would be ok. The sonographers (Jonathan and Vanessa) scanned me and they were so kind and did a great job. They showed a high level of detail in my ultrasound. The managers Ceara and Jessica had to rearrange my schedule so much and they did a terrific job communicating and accommodating me. 100% recommend this office

I loved my experience at best start and am heart broken that it is no longer open for clients…read more I had wonderful interactions with the staff from the beginning. They accepted me midway through my pregnancy which was amazing because I moved to SD at 30 weeks pregnant. At my prenatal appointments the midwives were thorough, respectful, friendly, and never seemed rushed. The building itself was cozy and I never had issues parking. I ended up barely making it to the birth center before my baby was born (my fault for waiting too long), but Erina, my midwife, was so calm, direct, and encouraging. They were so respectful of my wishes and gave us space and time as a family of three after my baby was born. I would hands down birth here again if it opens!

I am a military veteran, and at the time I was a single mother back in 2012 I was recommended this…read moreplace by a friend of mine who gave birth there . She told me about the wonderful experience that she had and how the owner was so welcoming I got my consultation signed up for all the classes took all the classes initially it was a really good experience I had my sisters come in and help through the classes we had a really good experience however I got changed over to a different nurse. Her name was Sharon Wilson. She looked at my profile and instantly start questioning me about who was unborn childs father, who was gonna take care of my kid how I was gonna take care of my kid if the father was gonna be involved all of these questions. She was supposed to only be offering me healthcare. I didn't argue. I was a bit upset that she was questioning me like I was in an interrogation room. Shortly after she starts writing in my file I'm not sure what she wrote then the owner comes in and tells me her facility cannot accommodate me. They did recommend a great doctor, Dr. Wong, who ultimately delivered My Baby. However, the bias and treatment that I got from Sharon Wilson was not great. I felt like she was trying to intimidate me to get me angry so that she can write me off not giving me a chance to have the same experience as my friend. Now I know that it's their choice based upon certain medical issues . However.I felt like Sharon was against me and whatever she wrote in those files was not the truth. Looking back almost 13 years later I realize that going to Dr. Wong was the best choice for me hewas patient. He was kind understanding and he was nonjudgmental. everything you would have thought a nurse would be,Not sure if best start is still open however, if you are, please hire people who are willing to ensure that the patients are not prejudged and they don't have a bias against other others.

I had a wonderful prenatal massage with Jamie. Her touch and attention to detail made me feel safe…read moreand relaxed. Her energy and communication was very soothing. I highly recommend going to see her!

growing a human being is hard work. jamie has created a space where you can rest your body and…read morerelax. she has magic hands that can sense exactly what your body needs. i'll be back even after my pregnancy.

I was referred to Dr. Goff by a friend 13 years ago. Over the years I've been very pleased. She…read moreis kind, inquisitive, thoughtful and has taken time in to answer all questions. She never acts rushed, even though I know she's very busy. While you're with her, you have her complete attention. Most recently Dr. Goff performed a bilateral salpingo oophorectomy surgery. From the pre consultations, pre op, and post op she was amazing. The surgery was a breeze. She called my home several evenings afterwards to check on me. I really didn't know doctors did this anymore. She's one of a kind!

Dr. Goff was on-call the night I delivered our third (and last) kid. My regular doctor was supposed…read moreto come in but conveniently hadn't filed instructions (though we discussed it every month). She did a stellar job and i liked her more than my regular doc. My baby came really fast (from no dilation to pushing within like 45 minutes) and Dr. Goff booked over from wherever she was. I told her my concerns and she did her best to accommodate my requests. Now I go see Kristin for my annual visits. She's wonderful. She explains all your options for everything, drawbacks and pluses, and never seems like she's in a hurry to get you out the door. Last year I found a lump in my breast and while it was cleared, she made sure to check it again this year and talk to me about it.

I had a very disappointing experience with the front office and triage team. During a stressful…read moretime, I called the triage line hoping to better understand the symptoms I was experiencing. Instead of taking the time to assess my concerns or provide guidance, the nurse simply told me to go to the ER, even though my symptoms did not seem severe enough to warrant an emergency visit. I was also told that I would need blood work and that someone would call me back with next steps. Unfortunately, I never received a callback or any follow-up communication. Being left waiting without any update during a miscarriage was incredibly frustrating and added unnecessary stress to an already emotional situation. I'm sure the OB/GYN physicians themselves provide excellent care, but the patient experience begins long before seeing the doctor. The front office staff and triage nurses are often the first point of contact, and they need better training in communication, follow-through, and compassionate patient care.

Would actually give this facility negative stars for the fact that Margarita L left my…read morenon-lactational mastitis untreated for a month by not further investigating the symptoms I was describing and automatically assuming I had cancer and sent me to imaging instead having to wait several weeks to get done which led to biopsies, a cancer scare, and causing the infection to most likely spread. All while living in severe pain and then causing to be hospitalized for several days after getting severely sick from the untreated infection. Several thousand dollars later I'll be okay no thanks to her incompetency. Stay away from this place and her to save yourself from so much pain and suffering!

Dorinda is truly amazing! My husband was traveling out of town and I desperately needed night…read moresupport with our 3 month old so that I could be ready for our toddler in the morning. From the moment we FaceTimed her for a consult, she immediately offered a sense of comfort and support. She was so sweet and pretty quickly learned our son's needs. She provided super helpful tips which have now changed our nights. And, she was thoughtful to check in with me during the day even after caring for our son all night. Thank you, Dorinda!

I found Dorinda through her glowing reviews here on Yelp, which we found to be very accurate from…read morestart to finish of our time together. Dorinda came to our home before the birth to talk in depth and was very tuned into my pregnancy experience; she provided a lot of supportive words/sent me funny memes and videos during the last dragging weeks of pregnancy. She also sent baby resources like a list of recommended items - this consultation would be especially useful for first time parents. Once we were home from the hospital, Dorinda came over the first night and provided a burst of energy and positivity. She sat next to my bed as I fed our new (second) baby and helped me stay awake and make sure she was getting a proper, full feed. We talked everything from birth care to postpartum recovery to current events and family chat (she's a mom and parents her 2 kids in San Diego, so she's been there too!). For subsequent visits we figured out ways to maximize my healing and sleep once I could pump and Dorinda could give a bottle. It's been a game changer for recovery and mental health, especially juggling a toddler, newborn, high energy dog, busy lives and jobs during the day. During my first postpartum I struggled with baby blues, isolation, and extreme exhaustion symptoms but have had none of that this time around and am so grateful. Why we clicked with Dorinda - she's smart, caring, attuned to the whole family's needs, is a strong communicator, and fits into systems we already have developed. She cares about evidence-based parenting and safe sleep. But is just like having a friend around in your home. Highly recommend!

Theresa and Trevor helped my baby tremendously with mobility and reducing tension. My son was born…read morefrank breech, so he already had increased muscle tension in his neck and body. Through their stretches and very gentle hands-on work, my baby became much more relaxed and was able to breastfeed better. I was a bit hesitant at first, but my lactation consultant recommended them and I couldn't be more grateful that I went. I would absolutely recommend them and I truly trusted their hands with my baby.

I began seeing Teresa when I learned I was pregnant, and I always looked forward to our visits…read morethroughout my pregnancy. Shortly after, my husband started seeing Trevor, and now our little one also receives care from them. We truly appreciate the support and attention that Teresa and Trevor offer. Our family looks forward to our next visit, and I can't recommend them highly enough!

I had my second son last year, May 2020, at the beginning of a lot of unknowns during COVID. I had…read morebeen seeing an OB, with plans to have a nature delivery at Pomerado Hospital. In the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy, I contacted San Diego Midwives to see if they'd add me to their care, in order to deliver at a birth center. Fortunately, they were able to accommodate me so late in my pregnancy, and they offered a Covid cash discount because my insurance didn't cover midwifery , and the birthing center wasn't in network with my insurance. They also partnered with a billing service to help me confirm my benefits. Had my insurance covered, they would have worked with me to submit all the required billing information to my insurance for a small fee. They offered majority of my prenatal visits on telehealth , and the appointment I had in office, they clearly took careful precautions to follow Covid safety protocols. I felt like they went to great lengths to make sure I was comfortable with everything (to the extent I could be at 34-40 weeks wearing a mask!). Gerri, Heather and Andrea are a wonderful team. During my delivery at the birth center, they all ended up being there, and they were all so calm , I didn't even realize Gerri had shown up until I was almost pushing. They honored all my birth plans, and made any pre anxiety I had about not delivering at a hospital disappear. The follow up appts at my house were also very attentive and caring. I feel like the post partum care was definitely above and beyond what I received during my first birth, and I really appreciated that , especially since Covid made my post partum experience very different in terms of support. The birth center, A Family Affair, was extremely comfortable, including the bath tub , and the bed where I delivered. We were in and out in 6 hours ! I highly recommend this group of amazing midwives, and the birth center they partner with (or home birth if you choose!).

Please think twice before choosing Heather LeMaster as your provider…read more I wish I had listened to my intuition sooner and not ignored the many red flags I encountered throughout my care. I'm writing this review for anyone considering her as their midwife -- I encourage you to truly, deeply reconsider whether she is the right fit for you. From early on, I felt invalidated and dismissed. I had chronically low blood sugar throughout my entire pregnancy, and rather than receiving the support and care I needed, Heather denied my symptoms and was dismissive of my concerns. Instead of offering evidence-based guidance, I was shamed -- for eating fruit, for eating carbs -- at a time (first trimester) when I was sick and just trying to get through each day. Her constant warnings about delivering a "sugar baby" felt more like threats than medical advice, adding to my stress and confusion. I consulted the rest of my care team, including my PCP, and Heather heavily criticized that decision, routinely telling me that they did not know what they were talking about. She also claims to practice spinning babies, but none of what we did during my pregnancy aligned with the true Spinning Babies exercises and practices that my Doula had me practicing. It was frustrating, as I initially sought out a Spinning Babies provider. In addition to that, the one time I used the 24-hour help line, no one responded to me for over 16 hours. In her practice, she relied far too heavily on forms and checklists in an online portal, and rarely showed the kind of human care and emotional support that is absolutely essential in midwifery. When things got scary and I truly needed her -- emotionally and physically -- she simply was not there in the ways that mattered most. We ended up having to transfer to a hospital instead of our planned home birth, and despite it being in the contract, Heather did not transfer with us and was not involved in the birth at all. She sent a pathetic text message after hearing from her assistant encapsulating the placenta that the birth had happened. Looking back, I realize that, despite Heather always making me feel as if it was my direct fault when something went wrong, what actually went wrong with my birth wasn't about my body or my baby -- it was about my decision to stay with a provider who made me feel unheard, unsupported, and often blamed. That choice is something I now deeply regret. One of the most hurtful moments came in early postpartum (2 weeks), when she tried to go behind my back and privately consult my husband in an attempt to pressure me into medication -- after I had explicitly told her that I was not interested. She also pressured me to start it ASAP, as it can take a month to "kick in" and I "obviously needed it." Since my experience, I've met several others in the industry who shared similar concerns about her care. Many of them were just as confused as I was by the glowing reviews she has received, given the inconsistency in her approach and lack of real support. This further confirms my decision to speak out, as I hope others will be more cautious when choosing their provider. This review isn't written lightly -- my birth was over 8 months ago. It's written from a place of hoping that someone else who feels any of those early twinges of doubt listens to themselves and chooses a care provider who will honor them, respect them, and hold space for the incredibly vulnerable journey of birth.