There truly aren't words to describe what this experience meant to me…read more All I can say is that I had my dream birth~ the birth I had hoped and prayed for. More than anything, I wanted bringing my daughter into the world to feel sacred, and that's exactly what it was. From the moment I arrived, I felt deeply heard, respected, trusted, loved, and cared for. My amazing midwives, Dorian and Lorri, along with my incredible doula Kennedy, the wonderful Amy, and the entire team, held such a beautiful space throughout my labor. Even during the hardest, most intense moments of my life, I never felt alone. I trusted them completely, and that trust allowed me to stay present, listen to my body, and surrender to the natural birth I had envisioned. There were so many moments I'll never forget~ from Lorri playing her sound bowls to Dorian's calming presence, touch and steady reassurance. Every interaction was filled with such reverence, compassion, and genuine care. They didn't just support my birth plan- they honored it. They encouraged me to create the environment that felt meaningful to me while adding their own wisdom, intuition, and calming feminine presence. It was beyond anything I thought to even hope for. Giving birth naturally to my baby girl was the most challenging and most magical experience of my life. Looking back, I truly can't imagine welcoming her into the world any other way. I'm forever grateful that this was my first birth experience. It was healing, empowering, and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you to every single person at the birth center for helping bring my daughter into the world with so much love, respect, and heart. You gave our family a gift we'll cherish forever. And especially for me, as a woman and now a mother, I am soul grateful.

Can I give 6 stars? My experience at South Coast Midwifery…read morechanged my life. I am so grateful for all the women that helped me bring my only baby earth-side at SCM. The entire program I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a part of as a pregnant, birthing and postpartum mother opened my eyes to alternative language, therapies, choices, and dedication to both the mother and the baby's experience. I have been able to open many other families eyes to alternative methods to birthing and being with your baby (both in vitro and postpartum. I loved the shared library - I even was able to reach out several years later for a book recommendation and received a response almost immediately with the name of the book I was looking for (so that I could buy it for a new mother in my family). My water birth was truly magical and I got to have all my wishes. Dark room, delayed cord cutting, saving placenta, low lighting, special music, a true hypnobirthing experience, private time with my new family, and I got to go home and sleep in my bed that same night! How special! The group classes were powerful, offered the alternative perspectives I was looking for and deeply craving out of my unique birthing experience and plan. I am so proud of the birth I got to have and I owe SO much to the preparation South Coast Midwifery supported. I could go on and on! I'm thinking of the check-ups in the bedroom style "exam room's", the opportunities to choose your own interventions (even how few ultrasounds you'd like), the supports for "just-in-case" scenarios, the introduction (for me for the first time!) to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, the birthing classes, the breastfeeding classes, the location to yummy heathy snacks and juices before or after my visits - amazing! I wished I could have more than one experience there; thank you, thank you, thank you.

We had our third child at home under the care of Lisa Marie and Richard. All our prenatal visits…read morewere in our home in south Orange County and involved our other children. Each visit was personal, not rushed, and thorough. We got to know them so well in the months leading up to our daughter's birth. The birth was beautiful, peaceful and exactly what we had been hoping for. We are so grateful for their expertise, gentle spirit and tender care throughout this pregnancy, birth and into postpartum.

I cannot talk more highly of Lisa Marie and Richard. Upon meeting them, I knew right away I would…read moreuse them as my birth team. They have assisted me for two pregnancies and births now and have always received excellent care. There is nothing like having them come to the comfort of your own home and support your family in this way. They have become family and will absolutely use them again in the future if that is what is the plans for us.

I found Labor of Love by doing some of my own research online. And thank God I did! My doula,…read moreKaren, was my rock throughout my labor and was 100,000 percent amazing--I'll definitely be working with her for my second! A little backstory: I was overwhelmed and so nervous about finding "the one" person to be a part of the most important event of my life. After doing my research and reading through all these bios, I honestly was left feeling overwhelmed, especially knowing how indecisive I can be. I knew I just had to trust my intuition and my gut on this one! After looking at Karen's bio on their website, I had such a good feeling. Staci (the owner), who was super friendly and professional, helped me get connected with Karen, and I booked an interview right away! Karen was so sweet and asked me about my pregnancy experience so far. We discussed how I wanted my birth to go and any concerns I had. There wasn't any pressure to hire her, and it just felt like she was already invested in me, like I was already family. I even had her video chat with my husband to make sure we both felt comfortable and vibed well together--and we sure did! Overall, Karen ended up being the perfect balance of knowledge, experience, and professionalism. It was the most perfect amount of care I could have asked for. She was also such an advocate for my birth plan to work out. Before, during, and after my labor and birth, she was always naturally in tune with what I needed. She was never overbearing, worked so well with my husband, and gave him space to be a part of my support team as well. I am so grateful to have come across Labor of Love

The business owner is quite the opposite of the type of person any vulnerable new mom should have…read moreto work with. My experience with Labor of Love was almost two years ago now but continues to upset me when thinking back on my experience. We hired Lauren as our doula, who made it clear she expected us to go far past my due date as a first time mom. While it's possible for that to happen, it didn't in my case. At 39 weeks and at 5am while in active labor and getting ready to head to the hospital, she let us know she had Covid. Her backup was Karen, who I wish we hired to begin with as she is far more caring and professional. Though unfortunately our experience still fell short and we ultimately delivered without Karen present. We were left feeling like we invested a lot of emotion and money into this process with ultimately no help. Staci has been incredibly rude to us since then and even revoked our access to watch her training videos, sending me a link to pay her once again when wanting to rewatch for our now second baby on the way. Karen herself even recommended we ask for a partial refund due to our experience, but Staci lacks the professionalism and courtesy to her clients. Truly mindblowing that she revoked access to the training videos after we had already paid for them. I would stay far away and recommend a more experienced and caring doula group.

We took Lia's virtual Bradley method class, and would highly recommend it for any expecting…read moreparents. First off, it can be hard to find time to take a birth class, and Lia chooses convenient times, with multiple options to choose from. It's a very comfortable classroom atmosphere where I felt good to ask any question, or add any comment. Lia keeps it fun and interesting, and is a great teacher. Lia is also available outside of class for questions, and she is super responsive. It shouldn't really matter if a doula has been pregnant herself.... But it was really helpful to hear about her first hand experiences and to know that she has gone through it all before. I just wish we in lived in LA so that we could have Lia as our Doula.

I cannot say enough good things about Lia and her natural birth classes. I did the 12 week in…read moreperson classes with my husband. I really wanted to know everything I possibly could and I was also looking for a little community as I was feeling very alone in those first weeks of pregnancy (and overwhelmed with what I didn't know). AND THESE CLASSES DELIVERED! My husband is also a knowledge seeker so when I told him these were the classes I wanted he was all in. We learned so much. We joke that he didn't just learn about the natural birth process he learned how to be my "daddy doula". We still enjoy talking to people about everything we learned and how to support each other and how to speak to your doctors or the hospital nurses. Even if you aren't considering a natural birth these classes should be taken by everyone expecting a baby. You learn about the body, you learn about the different stages of labor, how to prep your body and your mind. There is even a class on breastfeeding which was invaluable those first 3 days postpartum. Lia is also an amazing teacher. If I have another I would definitely also hire her as my doula. She is a person you want in your corner during birth.

I am so glad that my husband and I were referred to Jessica for her midwifery services. It wasn't…read moreuntil halfway through our Bradley class that we decided we wanted to do a homebirth. At that point we were already 28 weeks pregnant and now had to find a midwife. Jessica was always so compassionate and helpful in answering all of our homebirth questions and concerns. She also invited family members to come to prenatal visits to feel more comfortable about our homebirth decision as well. That was a huge win for us! She took great care of me During pregnancy and each time we got to listen to our little girls heartbeat. I loved that she focused a lot on making sure I was getting great nutrition via food and supplementation to help make sure my body was as healthy it needed to be for delivery. When it came to Labor Day, Jessica's experience definitely prevailed! As I was slow to progress, she knew exactly what I needed to do in order to help Baby along. Her guidance and experience made our homebirth a reality. Her and her assistant were fabulous during our golden hour that we got to spend with our baby girl in our home. They took amazing care for me and the baby. Postpartum visits were so helpful and informative especially as a first time mom. Jessica took care / monitored both me and baby for six weeks. We put our full trust in her for caring for myself, our new baby girl and all our future babies.

As soon as I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to go the natural route and find a more…read moreholistic care provider. I had several midwife interviews lined up and Jessica was my first call. After talking to her, I instantly knew she was THE one and didn't even bother interviewing anyone else. I'm so glad I trusted my gut. Jessica provided the best holistic prenatal care and still continues to do so postpartum. I always looked forward to every appointment with her knowing that no matter what I was feeling I would walk out feeling comfortable, supported, and heard. She made my fiancé feel included throughout the process and always made sure all of his questions were answered too! During early labor she was in constant contact with my fiancé to check up on me. Unfortunately I didn't end up having the home birth that I had planned for, but Jessica was by my side every step of the way. When we ended up transferring to the hospital, she made sure to advocate for me, and thankfully, she was still able to be by my side throughout the rest of my labor and delivery. Mine and my son's health and safety was always her #1 priority through our entire journey. I am so grateful for her holistic approach throughout pregnancy, her informed consent for every single decision, and most importantly, her friendship. Jessica's passion for guiding mothers and bringing babies earthside shines through everything she does. Thank you, Jessica!

Dr Akerman and his staff are phenomenal. Not only did he take me on as a new patient, 32 weeks…read morepregnant, and high risk, but he took every precaution that my former OB was blatantly ignoring. He handled my third trimester very well. His referrals to specialists are all great quality. He unfortunately was not on call for my emergency c section, but he stopped in my room and made me feel that I was in good hands. His humor is very dry and he is very direct, but for someone with a high risk pregnancy, a little laughter feels nice to break the tension. Dr Ashrafian and his NP were equally wonderful. I saw Dr Ashrafian twice postpartum for mastitis, and she comforted me while I cried in pain and exhaustion. Forget the negative reviews. Yes, he's always in a hurry, and has a very dry sense of humor, but you're in good hands under his care. He is wonderful at what he does. I promise you.

I've been debating whether or not to share this, but I can't stop thinking about the traumatic…read moreexperience I had here with Dr. Akerman. On October 9, 2024, I was induced at 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant. In the beginning, some staff members were attentive and helpful, but after midnight everything changed. The care became careless and dismissive. I had to receive the epidural three different times because I could still fully feel my contractions and was in extreme pain. Each time, my fiancé or my mom had to leave the room and ask nurses to come check on me because no one was responding on their own. Every time, I was told, "You're fine," even though I was terrified and clearly not fine. One nurse checked my dilation and told me I was 7 cm dilated. I was crying and screaming in pain when Dr. Akerman walked in and said, "What is going on?" I explained that I could still feel every contraction despite the epidural. Instead of taking me seriously, he laughed and said, "We've already given you so much." He then said he was going to check my dilation again. I told him I had literally just been checked 5-10 minutes earlier, but he ignored me. My fiancé asked him to please go slowly and explain what he was doing because I was already extremely sore from how many cervical checks had been done. At that point, I already had a catheter and another internal monitor inserted, so I was already in significant discomfort. Despite being asked multiple times to be gentle, Dr. Akerman ignored us and aggressively inserted his hand, causing me to scream in pain in a way I never have before. He continued moving his fingers around roughly while I cried out. I felt completely violated. Afterward, he suddenly stated I was 9 cm dilated, which confused me because only minutes earlier I had been told I was 7 cm. My fiancé became upset and confronted him, but Dr. Akerman completely ignored him. At that point, I decided I wanted a C-section because I could no longer handle the pain or emotional distress. They prepared me for surgery and took my fiancé and mom to another room to wait. Then, moments later, they returned and told me another emergency C-section was being done first, meaning I had to wait another 15 minutes while still screaming in pain and discomfort. I remember thinking, "Is mine not an emergency too?" When it was finally my turn, they administered anesthesia, but I was given so much that I blacked out completely. I was not awake for the birth of my son. I never got to experience hearing or seeing him come into the world, or seeing my fiancé cut the umbilical cord. It has been over a year and a half, and I still carry the trauma from this experience every single day. What should have been the most beautiful moment of my life became one of the most painful and violating experiences I have ever gone through. I will never return here again.

Christy is seriously amazing. Finding the right midwife was really important to me because birth is…read moresuch a personal experience, and I knew I needed someone I felt 100% comfortable with. From the moment we met her, we just knew she was the perfect fit for us. This was our first baby, and she guided us through everything. She answered all of our questions, made us feel so supported, and honestly exceeded every expectation we had. I also really loved that she's the perfect balance of holistic, but will absolutely speak up if something medical is needed. You can tell her top priority is always keeping both mom and baby safe. We also took her Bradley Method class, which was so helpful and made me feel way more prepared and confident going into birth. We learned so much, and I've already been recommending it to everyone. I fully trusted her the entire time, which made such a difference for me going into labor and birth. Throughout my labor, she was there at any time of day to answer my calls and questions, and she always helped me feel calm and educated about what was happening. On the day of the birth, she was calm, confident, and completely in her element. She made the whole experience feel so smooth and magical. I recommend Christy to anyone, and I already know I'll want her as my midwife for all of my future babies

Safe, warmth and validation. Three words that I experienced with Honey Midwifery during my second…read morepregnancy and birth that I didn't experience with my first. The team at Honey Midwifery has been cultivated with love and education. Every step of the way we talked through my concerns and we talked about the vision of how I wanted my birth to look. My partner was included at every appointment and together we celebrated each new milestone in my pregnancy with love and guidance from Christy and her team. When it was time for my son to make his earthside debut, Christy and her team created a safe space for me and my partner. It's hard to describe but they knew exactly when to check in and when to respect my space. Christy was right there when I needed her wisdom the most. Her words provided the warmth and safety I needed in my most vulnerable time. Honey Midwifery is committed to not only caring for mothers and their families during pregnancy (and postpartum), but also in providing education so families can make informed decisions. I am so glad we chose Honey Midwifery for our health team!

I've had two home births with Sue and I recommend her to anyone who wants a home birth. Her…read moreexperience and knowledge are unmatched, and she always gave me the confidence I needed. After a not so stellar experience with the local birth center for my first baby, I was so thankful to have Sue. I never felt rushed, and she always made me feel like my concerns were valid. When I had my first baby with Sue, I did start bleeding a lot after the baby was born, but Sue handled it without panicking or making me panic. The second home birth went really smooth and no issues. My two boys born at home have been so healthy and I honestly can't say enough good things about Sue!

Words won't be able to express my appreciation or gratitude towards our midwife Sue Gill. When my…read morehusband and I decided on a home birth we were recommend Sue as a midwife from a well trusted friend who had gone through the process with her. There was an instant connection and we knew she would be the best fit for our growing family. Not only is Sue warm hearted, trustworthy and reliable, she is extremely good at what she does. Here are some numbers if you are more of a factual person. Sue has attended over 700 home births and out of those her hospital transport for c-section rate is about 3%. Hospital rates are about 35% or greater. Holy smokes isn't that incredible. That is a ton of healthy babies that she has successfully brought into this world providing not only the mamas but also the families with a tremendous amount of love and support. An added bonus is Sue is always accessible via text or calls for any questions or concerns that may come up. Also, I highly recommend the documentary( the business of being born). Extremely informative and was another added bonus on why a home birth was best for our family. I can't forget to mention I had the most caring and supportive doula Tessa alongside with Sue. I know I forever have a friend and am over the moon thankful for everything she has done not only for me personally but also for our family.