Had my second baby at Pacifica recently, and want to double down on my review from 2023. It's still…read morean amazing place run by wonderful, caring people. I feel grateful to have had access to it. I wish for this model of perinatal care to become widespread some day. Looking forward to bringing my bebes here when they grow up so they can meet Cindy and see the room (and magical tub!) where they were born.

Our family loved the experience of caring for my pregnancy and childbirth with the team and at this…read morespace at Pacifica. Through pregnancy we had an extraordinary care experience. The prenatal classes and individual midwife care were more than what we dreamed for. We ended up having our birth at a hospital and even there Cindy was crucial for us to have a positive experience not just for myself but also for my partner, our baby, and my mother. Some of our appointments were in Spanish so my mom could understand and ask all the questions she had. At Pacifica we found an invaluable care and even made friends with other families for life.

We had the best experience with Maureen, one of the many talented doulas at Brilliant Births. We…read moreopted for a private Laboring together class, and it exceeded every expectation. Maureen guided us with so much knowledge, warmth and patience. She gave us practical tools, hands on techniques, and the confidence we needed as we prepare for our baby. We both walked out feeling way more prepared. If you're looking for someone who empowers, educates and genuinely cares, Maureen is incredible. We're so grateful!

My partner and I recently completed the Hypnobirthing three week course at Brilliant Births. We had…read morean absolutely incredible experience, for many reasons--The information we learned was invaluable, but also the instructors' teaching styles and depth of personal experience they offered was appreciated, comforting, and helpful. They clearly have a deep well of wisdom and experience-based expertise to share. We started our class with Keira and absolutely loved her--originally we were a bit bummed to know we would have a different instructor for our last day of the course. However, it turned out that Heidi was equitably wonderful and all things lovely-- instead of only one great instructor and guide, we ended up with two...which leads me to believe you'll be in skilled hands with anyone you interact with at BB. We will definitely be returning to take advantage of their other offerings!

I strongly recommend AVOIDING Millie Clinic. As an oncology nurse, I understand how healthcare…read moreshould function and don't make complaints lightly, but this was the most disorganized and unsupported care I've experienced, especially during my first pregnancy. Early on, I had severe vertigo with vomiting and called the on-call midwife twice, leaving a voicemail. My calls were never returned, and I had to follow up myself days later. There were repeated issues with labs and communication. I work 8am-7pm and asked multiple times for my labs to be sent to Stanford so I could complete them at work, but I received little help. I was later told labs were "missed" that were never ordered at all, and then blamed for not asking, even though I had multiple times. I had to have a colposcopy done for a potentially serious concern to which my biopsy results sat in the system for days without anyone contacting me. This put major stress on me that was completely avoidable. When I called, I was told, "If it were something bad, they would have called you," which felt dismissive and completely inappropriate. I would never fathom saying this to any of my patients who are asking about their results. I consistently used the patient portal as instructed, yet messages often went unanswered. I never filed a complaint, but a patient experience representative contacted me, encouraged me to be a "difficult patient," and later inaccurately reported that I used profanity toward staff. This was completely untrue and changed how my provider treated me. It was deeply upsetting and unprofessional. This was my last straw. I understand that healthcare isn't perfect, but misrepresenting a patient's character is unacceptable. I later received an email acknowledging that my words had been relayed incorrectly and apologizing for the misunderstanding, which only confirmed that the situation had been handled unprofessionally. By then, my trust in the clinic was gone. I ultimately transferred my care because I did not feel supported or safe. I cannot recommend this clinic to other pregnant patients.

I had a wonderful experience with Millie for prenatal and postpartum care. There were some midwives…read moreI preferred over others and there were times when I got conflicting information - for example, I reached out asking about lactation services and was told that Millie does not offer that although it is clearly advertised in office and on their website that they do. But, most situations were quickly resolved. I appreciated how easy it was to get in touch with a midwife and I never felt like I was bothering them or wasting their time with my questions. I never had to wait long for an appointment, and everyone was very kind. My experience with Millie during birth was wonderful. The Millie guide program sounded nice in theory but I didn't find it helpful. I ended up canceling some of those appointments. I think it would have been better if the program allowed you to connect with birth doulas or postpartum doulas or if they had mixer events similar to Natural Resources in SF that allow you to meet doulas if you're interested in going that route. My experience postpartum was definitely better than going through the hospital system but I think this is where Millie needs to improve. It was nice that I still had access to the midwives to continue asking them questions as needed. I felt the postpartum home visit sounded better on paper rather than on person. I thought they nurse would do a more detailed checkup on me or baby but it was just a very brief check in. I also wish that they had more established lactation services or if they do, that they advertised it better. Thankfully I knew one of the midwives was an IBCLC so I could reach out to her, but if I hadn't known, I think I would have felt lost. Overall I would recommend Millie over hospital based prenatal care. I think if I found Millie as a first time mom i would have found it much more helpful, but I really appreciated the care I got during my second pregnancy.

I was pregnant when I first went to see Ronit for a prenatal massage. I was having terrible…read moreradiating pain in my arms and after our massage I felt just about 100% better! Ronit was so sweet, made me feel comfortable especially with my first ever prenatal massage. I highly recommend her! My husband and I later also hired her to be our doula for the delivery of my son. Ronit is very responsive whenever we had questions. She was very informative during our meetings leading up to my due date. One big thing for us was making sure our doula did not push their own agenda or replace my husband during the labor/delivery process. Ronit was respectful of our wishes, empowered my husband with hands on techniques and ways to better support me, and provided comfort and additional knowledge about labor which gave us peace of mind since we were first timers at the labor process, and that was priceless. We are so so grateful to have had Ronit with us despite eventually having to deliver via csection. After we brought our baby home, Ronit stopped by to check in with us and made herself available to any questions we have with caring for a newborn. Whenever I see Ronit it feels like reuniting with a friend! We have moved to the city but Emeryville isn't too far if I am in need of a good massage! She's the best!

Ronit is my favorite massage therapist!! Even after 20 years. Skilled and loving and tuned in!…read more Professional and caring. If I had more time I'd write a book about why you should schedule a session with her!

Tsadae is a true body worker and healer. I saw her for multiple prenatal massages and she made such…read morea massive difference in my pregnancy. When I had placenta previa, I took advantage of her in home services and that was a game changer. She heals with not just her hands but also her mind and her amazing energy. I got another massage post partum at home and I cannot recommend that enough. Tsadae is an incredible human and the Bay is so lucky to have her!

Tsadae creates a healing environment for relaxation and support during pregnancy. She is an…read moreadvocate for your needs and birthing plans and really wants the best for you. This is my first time coming to see Tsadae. Her business is in a plaza with parking and she shares the space with an acupuncturist. Tsadae is there every Thursday and Friday and alternating Sundays. She is very responsive via text and is very understanding if you need to reschedule as we know sometimes things come up in our pregnancies that we don't anticipate! During my massage she was very professional and was able to give my body pain relief in my lower back. I also felt relaxed afterwards and felt like my body could move more freely. She helped released tension in my neck and shoulders as well since that's where I hold all my stress. She has pillows to help you feel comfortable on your side while she massages you and a wedge pillow for when you sit up for her to massage your neck and upper back. I definitely recommend her!

Tal is beyond phenomenal, and everything I was looking for (and more) in a prenatal personal…read moretrainer. I would 1000% recommend doing one-on-one training sessions--it's the best money I've ever spent on myself. Thanks to our workouts, I had an incredibly easy delivery and post-partum recovery. Tal radiates positive energy! She kept me smiling, fit, motivated, and--most importantly--SAFE throughout my pregnancy. Her workouts were not only fun but also incorporate many moves that can actually be used during labor. She was always in-tune to my needs and would adapt her routines--even mid-workout--to make sure I was safe and pain-free. I also loved that she emphasized important foundations (e.g. proper breathing technique, connecting breath to core and pelvic floor, safe ways to get in/out of bed, ways to avoid diastasis recti, etc). I continue to use those skills daily. Not only is Tal a mama herself, she has years of experience as a specialized prenatal/post-partum personal trainer. She even stays up-to-date with ACOG recommendations and takes refresher maternal health courses. As a physician, I was impressed with the depth of her knowledge. If you train with her, you get access to her Strong Mama Fitness online for free--another incredible resource. Although she is no longer local in the Bay Area, she is available for 1-on-1 virtual training via Zoom. Our virtual sessions were super convenient, all without sacrificing quality. I can't recommend Tal enough!

I was looking for prenatal exercises during my first trimester and was glad to have found Tal's…read moreexercise program at Strong Mama Fitness. There are various exercises every week that cater to different levels of fitness or how one feels for the day. This is very helpful as I don't have to worry about whether a particular exercise is safe for a certain stage of pregnancy. Tal has been very helpful and knowledgeable, and is available to answer any questions. Love having the convenience of this personal trainer like program from the comforts of home. Highly recommend Strong Mama Fitness!

Erin was recommended to us through our pediatrician's office as an IBCLC, and I'm so glad we found…read moreher. Firstly , I loved how easy Erin's website was to use -- from checking insurance and understanding what to expect, to reaching out and hearing back from her shortly after. As a first-time mom who really wanted to exclusively breastfeed, I ran into several challenges during the first few months. Erin was incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, and she helped us work through multiple issues along the way. She always made me feel comfortable, supported, and confident in what I was doing. I'm truly grateful I reached out to Erin. Thank you so much, Erin, for your expertise and all of your help - it made such a difference for our family.

I met with Erin as a very anxious mom after a first breastfeeding experience that did not go well…read more I carried a lot of fear and real trauma into my second pregnancy. Meeting Erin prenatally changed everything. She has supported me from pregnancy all the way through my baby turning one. When I had to face a C-section, she helped me prepare for what that might look like for breastfeeding. She walked me through how to initiate nursing after surgery, how to advocate for skin-to-skin, and what to expect in those first hours. She also sent thoughtful resources from her doula work so I could mentally prepare. Instead of feeling scared and out of control, I felt informed and steady. In those early weeks, I worried constantly about weight gain and whether my baby had a tongue tie. Erin checked multiple times without ever making me feel dramatic or difficult. She stayed patient, thorough, and calm. My baby did not have a tongue tie, and she helped me trust that. She has guided me through everything: low weight gain worries, starting solids, going back to work, pumping schedules, supply concerns, the return of my period, and now planning for what nursing looks like after one year. She gives practical advice and real emotional support. I always leave our conversations feeling more confident and grounded. We have done prenatal visits, several in-home visits, video consultations, and email check-ins. In every format, she is responsive, knowledgeable, and deeply kind. I truly could not recommend Erin enough. She has been one of the most important supports in my postpartum year.

I first started seeing Dr A during my third trimester when I learned my baby was breach. Dr A. was…read morea huge support - emotionally and physically - during my final days of pregnancy and has continued to be a trusted guide for me, and now for my baby. With her support, my baby flipped into optimal position and I was able to have the birth experience I dreamt of. I've been blown away by how thorough her care is. She takes the time to ask about what's going on in my body and explain what she's doing. I've learned so much! Through my pregnancy and postpartum days Dr A. has helped me and my baby feel our best!

I met Dr. A when I was 13 months pregnant with my second child and unable to walk or even sit due…read moreto what I later discovered was a ruptured disc in my lumbar region. While my HMO initially advised me to wait out the pain, offered opiate painkillers I was not comfortable taking, and recommended exercises I could not perform, Dr. A traveled to my home for my initial session and actually looked at my back and body. Her first adjustment enabled me to walk taller and longer than I had since my initial injury. When I had a setback and my progress stalled, Dr. A correctly identified that I had a ruptured disc and helped arm me with information needed to advocate for more invasive medical intervention that was also pregnancy safe. In addition to adjustments, she took time to connect me with a stabilizing belt, exercises, and ways of moving that helped me function enough to do things like watch my 4-year-old, take showers, prepare quick meals, and slowly but surely build strength and endurance. Through it all, Dr. A demonstrated again and again her incredible gift for trauma-informed body work. At a time when I didn't trust anyone to touch my body--myself included--I knew I was in good hands with Dr. A. She is gentle and confident, sincere and compassionate, and she possesses an innate ability to listen well and connect deeply. From our first meeting, I felt safe with Dr. A. This safety and trust helped me not only move again but also rebuild my own trust in my body and in myself. I returned to Dr. A after giving birth as I dealt with recovery for both c-section surgery and my ruptured disc. She laid the groundwork for physical and mental recovery, giving me the confidence to move forward--body and mind--in a healthier way for myself and my kids. Today, I am back to work, able to hike, hold my kids, and once again feel strong in my body. Thank you, Dr. A for helping me return to my life and body in a deeper, richer way.

Being under the care of Collective Birth was one of the highlights of my pregnancy and birth. Aimée…read moreand Jas walked beside us with so much care, humor, and respect through every physical and emotional shift. They listened deeply, answered every question, made space for all feelings--from "I hate being pregnant" to "I feel like a goddess"! Appointments were unhurried, thoughtful, and deeply personal. They were always available by text, email, or phone, and quickly understood how best to support me. They cared not only about my physical well-being, but also about the emotional journey my partner and I were on. No matter what your intentions or hopes are for your birth, they will meet you there and support you fully, without judgment. On the day of our daughter Aurora's birth, Aimée and Jas brought an incredible combination of patience, expertise, and calm. They turned every possible stone to support a vaginal birth and saved me and my baby from a C-section. My partner was able to receive our baby himself, an experience we will cherish forever. I will never forget their genuine joy when Aurora finally arrived after a long and challenging labor. In one of the most vulnerable moments of our lives, they made us feel safe, supported, and deeply cared for. By the end of our journey, they felt like family. We left every appointment grateful we had chosen them, and we miss our visits dearly. I cannot imagine having gone through pregnancy and birth with anyone else, and I would choose them again without hesitation. I would wholeheartedly recommend Collective Birth to first-time parents, seasoned parents, and anyone looking for deeply personalized, compassionate, and empowering care. --Cami, Zach, and Aurora

We welcomed our third child 6 weeks ago and could not have asked for a better prenatal and birthing…read moreexperience than we had. We credit so much of that to the care we received from Flo, Jasmine, and Aimée. I can not recommend them highly enough. For context, I delivered at 44 years old with an IVF pregnancy. From the get go we felt in such good hands. In approaching the care of mom, they make space for the whole person (and the the partner/family experience). At each appointment my husband and I felt heard and seen as we moved through the process. They ask questions and listen deeply. They tend to not just your physical state but your emotions - your head, heart, and soul. This was critical in healing from the trauma of our second birthing experience and making space for a different kind of experience. Their care is based in expertise, research, data, and professional experience and they also leave room for our primal knowledge and intuition. This allowed us to trust my body while also having medical experts alongside us. A month before our child was due, my father died. This was an unexpected emotional wave at an already emotional time, and they held space for me to process and integrate this grief into the final weeks of pregnancy and labor. Our delivery experience was exactly what we hoped for - and I know how rare that is having had two previous experiences that did no go as we had hoped. Flo, Jasmine, and Aimée are an incredible team who helped us manifest a safe and healing delivery. (Some background: Our second child was born during the depths of the pandemic. We had a stressful pregnancy and a traumatic birthing and immediate postnatal experience, during which we received subpar care from a team of doctors. Coming into this third pregnancy we were intent on having a different experience, hence choosing midwifery care. After interviewing two different teams of midwifes we chose Collective Birth.)

We took a childbirth class with Lucy that was aimed towards people choosing out-of-hospital births…read more Lucy was quite personable and knowledgeable. The class covered a lot of material and Lucy was very open to questions and discussing contingencies that may arise. She was also very good at creating community; the class was seven other couples and by the end of the course, I felt that we all knew each other and were excited for each other's births. My partner and I felt very prepared for our birth experience, and even when it didn't go quite as planned, seeing that we had talked out our expectations, boundaries and wants during the class, we still felt in control and empowered during our (4 day!) labor and birth. Lucy genuinely cares about all of her clients and that comes through when you work with her. On a side note, we also worked with Lucy in her capacity as an apprentice as Pacifica Family Maternity Center and love her there as well. If you are lucky enough to be a Pacifica family, you will love her there too!

Lucy met with my son and daughter in law several times before today's labor began. Lucy arrived…read morewith a smile and her special gifts after advising the parents in the morning about their options. We parents and family members had enjoyed a family meeting over dinner prior to Thanksgiving and I have never been so impressed with anyone before. Lucie brings love wherever she goes and within a few moments everyone was taken by her warmth and her knowledge. We all had ample time to ask questions. Lucie obviously has a passion for her work. On the evening when my daughter in law went into early labor, Lucy arrived with her bag of magical doula items to help support the couple. Lucy remained at my daughter-in-law's side, never taking any break and working very hard to keep her focused, positive and in a good state to deliver. Lucy also maintained a very collegial relationship with the nurses at the hospital. The entire labor process went from early Thursday evening, til hospitalization at around 4am Friday morning and to delivery after 7pm on Friday. Lucy was helpful, enthusiastic and so excited for the family. I can highly recommend Lucy as a doula and only wish that I had had such a great person coaching me during my chlldbirth years. You will do well to engage Lucy who is very excellent and personable.