Lisa Marie and Richard were an absolute gift to our family as we journeyed through the pregnancy and birth of our second daughter. They offer knowledge, expertise, and wisdom gained from decades of experience working with birthing women and their families, and it is so evident in the quality of care they offer. With our every question or concern, Lisa Marie and Richard showed immense insight, intuition, respect, and nuance. What I found profoundly unique and powerful in working with Sacred Journey is how deeply they emphasized and encouraged my own sense of self-trust and empowerment as the mother of my baby. They displayed such reverence to my own motherly intuitions beginning at our very first prenatal meeting, through our birth experience, and within our postpartum season as well. I truly cannot say enough about the blessings these two humans are to not only the mothers they work with, but the entire family of the birthing woman as well! I highly recommend any family who is desiring an empowered, supported, informed, and beautiful pregnancy and birth experience to work with Sacred Journey Midwifery. read more

If I could give them more stars I would!!! We received care from Richard & Lisa for our third baby and we are still gushing over how it was the best decision we could have made! I delivered our first 2 children within the medical model and in preparation of our 3 baby I knew that was no longer the right path for me. We both knew it would be Sacred Journey the moment we met Richard & Lisa. They took their time to sit with us and actually listened to us. They were very informative and easily accessible throughout my entire pregnancy. Their visits were so thorough and peaceful. Honestly, we never wanted them to end! They loved us through an untimely death of a loved one and were so intentional in my care as I was getting ready to bring our baby earth-side. We still can't believe how beautiful our experience was. They made everything easy... even all the paperwork stuff. My husband and I always say if we were in their care for our first baby we would've had 10 more! They aren't just a care team, they become part of your family. I recommend them to all of our friends and family who desire a home birth. They are a full package... from prenatal to postpartum and everything in between. Sometimes therapy and even financial advice! Just meet with them, you won't regret it. read more

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Lisa Marie and Richard are the ultimate team. Vastly knowledgeable and warm and friendly, we have become very good friends. Our birth went smoothly thanks to them, it was incredible how they came and then just went, cleaning everything up as though fairies were there. Lisa knew exactly when to step in and give the baby a little extra support at the birth and Richard's calm steady presence helped my husband to feel a sense of ease that was very meaningful to him. Every prenatal appointment leading up to the birth was something we looked forward to and we are very grateful for their love and care through one of the most important seasons of our lives. read more

Going into my second pregnancy, I knew we wanted to have a homebirth again as well as our first time, but also knew that I wanted the experience to be slightly different and wanted something different out of a midwife. Well, I got that with Lisa marie and got a bonus with Richard!! They are the team you want to have through pregnancy and birth journey. They are both extremely knowledgeable and full of support, and will always guide you in the right direction. They are warm, and have such a beautiful energy together. A total team! They're married and the dynamic is pretty incredible. Lisa Marie is outgoing and lively, yet compassionate and delicate. Mr. Richard has a soft manner to him and is so comfortable to be around. He deals more with the logistics and admin stuff, while Lisa is more hands-on. They are of course wonderful with the kids in the prenatals and really go out of their way to make the family feel included. They have this way about them that makes them feel like you've known them forever. When it came time to give birth, they were extremely supportive and in the zone, and allowed me the space to labor and birth the way I wanted. I would do it all again with them 100 times over. read more

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Lisa Marie and Richard are the most amazing midwifery duo care team! We've now had 2 babies with them and could not recommend them more. They're very caring, helpful, and flexible. Lisa Marie's knowledge of pregnancy and birth is so extensive and physiologically based, I felt so comfortable with her during all of my prenatal visits and my two births with her. Everything except lab work & ultrasound (if you choose) is from the comfort of your home which was so nice. And once baby is born, they assess baby, do all the clean up, make sure mom and baby are doing well before they pack up. They come back for 3 postpartum visits and then you'll start to miss them!! If we ever have another baby, Lisa Marie will be one of my first calls. read more

I had a home birth after cesarean in April 2024. I was dissatisfied with the care I was receiving from an OBGYN and I wanted a different birth experience with my second, so I switched to midwife care with Lisa Marie and that turned out to be one of the greatest decisions of my life. Lisa Marie was so supportive and believed in me and my goal to have a VBAC. My home birth experience was completely different than what I had gone through in the hospital with my firstborn, in all the best ways. It was mentally and physically challenging of course, but I felt safe and taken care of before, during, and after my baby's birth all thanks to Lisa Marie's experience and intuition. read more

Lisa Marie has been my midwife through my last two pregnancies. Her and her husband Richard provide care that feels like "home". They made me and my husband feel so safe and taken care of. We had two very different births..one being pretty straight forward and the other needing a little more support and intervention and both Lisa Marie and Richard handled it with grace and ease allowing us to focus solely on our sweet baby coming earthside. We cannot recommend them enough! read more

I wouldn't birth with anyone else!! My experience with Lisa and Richard was exactly what they brand themselves as, Sacred. I met Lisa shortly after my first miscarriage when I was 23 and attended her doula training retreat. I left that retreat completely transformed. I suffered a lot of trauma with my miscarriage but what Lisa opened my eyes to at that retreat was that trauma from any age or circumstance can (and most likely will) surface at a woman's birth. Her words were, "all her secrets lie on her cervix." As a victim of sexual abuse and a woman who already suffered the loss of one baby, I knew she was the woman God sent me to bring my next angel into the world when it was time. She was the first person I called after I saw the double lines on my pregnancy test and she magically knew I was pregnant before the words even escaped my lips. When it came to the birth if my next child, I drempt of nothing else but a water birth with Lisa by my side. She and Richard made the most outstanding caretaking team throughout my entire pregnancy. From each comfortable visit in my home to the moment they both assisted with my birth the space was ALWAYS one thing, sacred. They always made themselves readily available and boy did I need that. Numerous times I called Lisa in a "did I just make a huge mistake?!" panic. Never once did she make me feel uncomfortable or ridiculous for some of my, let's be honest, very ridiculous freak outs. She always answered and she always brought me back to center. During my birth, my baby decided to bring some surprises with him. Surprises that in a hospital setting would never have been nurtured the way that Lisa and Richard made possible. Despite the surprises along the way, I never once felt fear or a state of urgency. When we had to make decisions to change things up, or change the original plan so to say, Lisa made sure that I understood all my options and ALWAYS GAVE ME THE CHOICE. I felt so supported and empowered because even in the birth room each change of circumstance was explained to me with education. I still remember her bringing her plastic pelvis and baby over to help me understand how my baby was deciding to desend. The care is unmatchable and invaluable. During my birth, every wish and desire of mine was supported and never in question, even down to me wanting to birth in an almost completely dark room. They accommodated EVERY SINGLE NEED. They constantly warmed my birth tub even though I labored for 2 days. They kept the room at a temperature I needed even though it was excruciating for them. I could write all day with examples of how above and beyond their accommodation was. I truly could not find enough words to express my gratitude to Lisa and Richard. They make the perfect team. Lisa's intuition and Richard's studious mind are again unmatched. You will not be disappointed with any point of your care from the minute you hire them to the moment you hold your precious angel. And...let me warn you...you will grieve not having them in your home every week after your 6 week visit ends. Because that is who they are. They do not just help birth babies, they become family. Real love is at the core of every action they take, and if you're like me, you'll be eager to get pregnant again just to have them back in your home on a regular basis. read more

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Lisa Marie and Richard became family to us. After the first 5 minutes of meeting them it was evident we were switching to a Homebirth. They are so kind, loving to our entire family, and easy to relate to. They take the necessary time at each visit to answer all questions. (Even making sure to give our other children attention at the beginning of each visit so they feel loved as well.) This was our third birth but our first Homebirth and we would do it again. The day of the birth they came as soon as they were able and it was a beautiful experience. They were so quiet and serene and let us be in charge of how WE wanted our birth all while still being in charge of things behind the scene in a way that we knew the entire time the baby and myself were safe and being given the BEST care needed. They asses every angle of each situation and anticipated all my needs before I even knew I needed anything. Lisa Marie helped assist my baby to my arms in a way that gave me full power to say I did it on my own. We love them so much our daughter's middle name is Marie If we decide to have another child we wouldn't hesitate for a second to call them up. There is no better care. read more

If you trust birth and God's beautiful design and if you truly want to be educated on what our bodies are capable of then Lisa Marie and Richard will fill your cup abundantly. Lisa is so in tune and sensitive to her Mama's and what they are feeling. It was a beautiful connected relationship I felt we had the entire time. I never once felt like a client, or a number, but as a powerful Mother. They give a very educational class before the birth and WOW did we learn so much. With our first child we had a hospital birth and to compare the two is night and day. In hospitals they are not trained to trust birth or the body but to rely on protocols. We're a patient and it becomes a medical procedure. With Lisa Marie and Richard we were empowered through education and their fountain of knowledge. We appreciated the resources and links they would share with us. We couldn't imagine having another baby in a hospital again. Even the "birthing suites" are not what they sell it to be. Those midwives are not midwives at all but O.B.s who let you dim your room lights and walk around but still push pitocin and constant fetal monitoring. It was lovely getting to set up a birthing room in a way that we would feel most comfortable. It helped set the mood for a smooth labor. There really are not enough wonderful things that we can share about Lisa and Richard. Pray about it and then hire them. We are eternally grateful. read more

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A perspective on home birth from a Labor and Delivery Nurse: I had always wanted a home birth-even after experiencing a birthing center AND even being a labor and delivery nurse. Homebirth seemed so comfortable: there isn't the stress of driving to a birth center or hospital while in labor, you're in the comfort of your own home, and you're surrounded by whomever you choose. I believe that birth has been made by western medicine into a machine-like process that must follow a progressive pattern which doesn't allow for the fluidity of natural labor. I wanted the freedom to birth how I knew my body was meant to birth, free of any interventions and at whatever pace or in whatever way I felt. Lisa Marie and Richard made that happen and it was such an amazing experience. Lisa Marie was recommended by my doula and we instantly felt a connection. We chose Lisa Marie because of her extensive water birth and dystocia experience. We (me as a nurse and my husband as a nurse practitioner) also chose Lisa (and Richard) because it was clearly evident that they were very experienced and organized. They were for us the perfect balance between holistic care while still being evidenced based in their practice and aware of the interventions that may be needed. Our prenatal visits were so great being in the comfort of my home. Richard was always so good at helping entertain my 2 boys and they both were so patient with them. I always felt a sense of autonomy in my care and knew that my choices/preferences were heard and would be protected-this is sooo different from the hospital. Laboring at home was so peaceful; it was free of any anxiety or stress. When things stalled, and I started to get frustrated/anxious, Lisa made soft suggestions for position changes. Lisa never had a look of concern and was extremely confident and calming, trusting the birthing process to unfold. She used her knowledge base to infer what was going on with B's position and what position changes and maneuvers to suggest to bring B down. When B made her appearance she had a tight and short shoulder and body cord. Lisa intervened promptly and stayed calm, untangling B and gently asking for me to pass B to her for some gentle mouth to mouth breaths (PPV). Even though B took minute to transition, Lisa and Richard were calming while effectively providing the appropriate interventions. Ken and I never felt worried- a completely different experience from our second birth when our baby had a shoulder dystocia and came out needing some help. We both felt calm and reassured because of the calming energy of our midwives . B's birth was everything I had hoped it would be- even if she did take her sweet time about it . This experience wouldn't have been as amazing and peaceful without Lisa and Richard. I will cherish this experience always, and forever be grateful for how Lisa and Richard walked along this journey with us and protected the sanctity of our birth. read more

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When I got pregnant in September 2019, I knew I wanted a home water birth. I searched for a doula and a midwife and selected them before I miscarried and never got the chance to meet them. When I got pregnant again in September 2020, you can imagine the anxiety I must have felt. At 9 weeks pregnant, my husband and I met with Lisa Marie and Richard. They have us the strength to be joyous in our moment with our baby. A peace came over me and we decided to move forward with care with Lisa Marie and Richard; they are a force to be reckoned with...an A +++ team! If you add Keisha (my doula and midwifery student of Lisa's), then you have the best team imaginable. Throughout my entire pregnancy we developed a close relationship with Lisa Marie and Richard. Lisa Marie loves Handels ice cream and Richard loves any sweets, but German chocolate cake is his favorite. We would exchange snacks and treats often. They became part of our family. Any recommendation Lisa Marie had for me, I did. If she wanted me to go to Chiro, I did it. You can only expect positive outcomes from listening to her; she's truly an expert in all things related to good outcomes for your birth! Trust her!!! As a first time mom, I had no idea what to expect. However, I knew I was choosing to do north my way, in my environment, with my people, and I can be with my baby in our element every step of the way. When I went into labor, we initiated communication immediately and we were guided on what steps to take. When Lisa Marie and Richard arrived to the birth, they set everything up efficiently and they checked on me. Small suggestions were made throughout to help things along, but Lisa Marie is so sweet, so gentle, and above all, respectful to mom and baby. It was easy to take direction, even in labor. Everything went well and I was able to enjoy my special moments with my baby as I caught him in the water and was able to watch closely while he took his first breath. It was truly an empowering and magical experience every woman deserves to have. All vitals and stats were conducted in my arms or on my bed next to me. They made sure I got food and hydration and cleaned up everything as if it had never happened. It was all so surreal and took place on Lisa Marie and Richards anniversary no less. I'm so thankful for this experience and for God connecting our lives to Lisa Marie and Richard. They are forever a part of our family and helping being Oliver Fox into this world. If you're considering have a home water birth, this is the team you want! If I ever have another baby, I will only work with them to have my baby. read more

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After having Sacred Journey Midwifery guiding me through my homebirth as a first time mom, I couldn't imagine having any other team supporting me to birth my baby. The in-home prenatal visits were such a game changer, I have had friends and family tell me how exhausting it can be to go into the doctor's office especially towards the end of pregnancy so this felt so unique and personable. From the first prenatal appointment to the newborn exam, the wealth of knowledge and experience in the team left me with no doubts that they would support me and my baby to safely birth at home. Beyond grateful to have been cared for by this team and to have experienced a positive and rewarding birth with them. read more

My experience with Lisa Marie and Richard was truly wonderful. If you're looking for a midwife team who fully trusts your body, your baby, your birth, and your decisions then look no further. They always encouraged me, answered my questions right away and had open, honest, down to earth conversations. They honored my process in my pregnancy and loved on my family through the whole thing. They are incredibly accommodating and flexible and just downright enjoyable to be around. I felt cared for, body, mind, baby and soul. read more

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Top-tier care. I have experienced both the traditional hospital and home birth route for having a baby, and have no plans to ever go back to hospital births now that I know Lisa Marie and Richard (unless something unforeseen happens, of course). Although I was initially pretty skeptical of being outside a hospital to give birth, Lisa Marie and Richard won my confidence from our first consultation (and have only proven more and more their incredible qualification). We've now had two wonderful experiences birthing at home with their support. It gave me confidence to learn about their vast experience assisting many hundreds of births, their medical understanding, and their full willingness to head to the hospital IF NEEDED (but only if things are truly concerning... since she's been at so so many births she has a keen sense of anything that could be abnormal/dangerous, and she is committed to putting momma and baby first in every decision). With those concerns removed, I was ready to choose them for our birth team! Personally, my favorite part of the maternity care was how much more I learned about my body and baby during the pregnancy and birth process. Lisa Marie is an absolute wealth of knowledge. She provided personalized counsel/recommendations for me to care well for my own body and baby, both during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as abundant information to understand in detail what happens step by step throughout the birth process. At the hospital, all I usually got was "everything looks good, don't drink too much coffee, don't eat fish, and stay hydrated. Come in when your contractions are 5:1:1" (although I admit, I wasn't great at asking questions, and may have gotten a bit more if I'd probed). With Lisa Marie though, I learned everything I needed to be comfortable and confident through the different changes and sensations. (side note on this: I found the hospital-based caregivers much more pushy with their recommendations, though I'm sure that depends largely on who you get. Lisa and Richard, while giving a TON of info and advice, always left the decisions up to us, with all respect). For me, the experience of labor and delivery at home was far more relaxed and smooth than my first child's birth when I was so focused on when to go to the hospital, packing up, riding in the car, trying to meet and communicate with the medical staff whom I'd never met before between contractions, and then the whole "do I want the epidural" conversation, etc. It was a stark contrast to get to be at home throughout labor, have all my supplies ready far in advance (and hubby trained in how to set everything up!), not worry about getting anywhere or anything, and to simply focus on relaxing as much a possible, letting my body do what it's designed to do, and getting ready to meet my baby! And then soaking up those early hours with my baby at home, both of us feeling so well cared for.... I really can't recommend this team enough, if you're considering home birth, I'd say it's worth at least planning a consultation to talk with Lisa Marie and Richard to see for yourself if they're the best team for you, like they were for us! read more

What an incredible experience! After the educational meeting with LisaMarie and Richard so that I could attend the birth of my niece, I felt oddly compelled to advocate for water births. It seems like the only Plan A! They were so informative and helped to make the my niece's birth day so magical. I would highly recommend them. read more

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Always knew we wanted a homebirth, however choosing the right midwife can be overwhelming. The first time my husband and I met Lisa Marie and Richard we just knew it was a great fit. They are extremely knowledgeable and just make you feel comfortable, confident and supported. They are there every single step of the way. Answering allll of the questions that arise during pregnancy and postpartum. My husband was on the fence originally when I expressed wanting a homebirth but he enjoyed the entire experience from every prenatal appointment, (which they come to you, so convenient) to the actual birth. We always felt like we were in great safe hands and just felt that god sent them to us.I would 1000% recommend to anyone looking for a home and water birth. They are truly special and it was an experience we will never forget. read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

Have you ever dreamed, desired or envisioned an at home or water birth? Do you already have children and want them to be included in this precious time of your lives? If so, you're in the right place and looking at the perfect couple to do just that. * There aren't enough words in the English dictionary to properly express my appreciation and gratitude for the two most precious beings that were brought into our life for such a life changing event. All I can tell you that I absolutely love and adore Lisa & Richard for who they are and what they do. I knew from our first call, they were "the one" for us. One of the things that we noticed immediately (outside of their kindness and how living they are) was the attention to detail, organization and the communication they had. The moment I sent an inquiry I was contacted within a timely manner. I knew they are providing a service that does not have regular office hours, so I didn't have an expectation to be called immediately. Once we set a date to meet in person, that sealed the deal for us. Their knowledge and presentation is profound. You will gain an understanding of exactly what they do (if you don't know what it entails) and you will feel empowered to have your home birth. * My husband and I are very particular individuals. It was our second child/pregnancy, so we came prepared as to what we were looking for and wanted during the pregnancy, labor and birthing process. Whatever we requested, no matter how big or small it was, it was always granted with love and kindness, we never felt any judgement or pressure. We absolutely loved how our daughter (22 months at the time) was included at each appointment, their patience and allowing her involvement will never be forgotten. She was so happy to know they were coming to visit. They also have a book written that I'd highly recommend you get to read to your little ones. I can't even imagine how disconnected my daughter would've felt through the entire process had we had doctor visits at the office where you are another mom on the list to be seen. Needless to say the home (or wherever you are) visits were VITAL for our baby girl to feel part of the journey and they did everything they could to make sure of that. * Leading up to the birth, Lisa and Richard provide a detailed orientation for you and your loved ones that plan to attend your birth. Also provided were a list of things we would need on the day of the birth including your tub. One of the beautiful and important services they provide is allowing you to fully enjoy your birth, without worrying about the cleanup.. it's all done for you so that you don't have to take your focus off your family. * 3/27/22. The day our daughter was born. During the final push, I ended with a 3rd degree tear( be sure not to rush the contraction to avoid this). Just so that you are aware, or in the event it should happen to you, please know that you are in great hands. Her stitching, care, and light hands will mend your body back to health. I also know that Lisa is very comfortable with this process. I had no idea it was that bad until I saw the "after" photo... yikes! * Lastly, I came to Lisa & Richard as a client with GD in the first pregnancy, so I knew there was a possibility it could happen in the second, so do not let that deter you from your home birth. I know that the doctor and some birthing centers scared me into the hospital birth. Just be sure to follow Lisa's recommendations and you'll be on track to making this dream come true. If it can happen for me, it can happen for you, too. read more

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I firmly believe that one of the biggest reasons why I had a successful home birth as a first-timer is because I had the best midwives, Lisa Marie and Richard. Lisa Marie is a well-known midwife in the birthing world and one of, if not the best, midwife in California. It's fitting that her husband, Richard, doubles as her partner in midwifery as they both carry a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that is unmatched. There isn't a single question that this duo can't answer or explain. They prioritize birthing education above all, as it truly makes a difference in both parents' birthing experience. This pair is also extremely empowering. They emphasize the importance of the natural process of birthing and encourage their mamas to trust in the body God gave them. They are wellness-focused and give sound medical advice throughout pregnancy that, quite frankly, you don't get in the medical field. They advise mamas on diet and exercise and provide valuable resources on other outside care to help support them, such as doulas, chiropractic care, and more. Lisa Marie and Richard are also highly sensitive to mothers with sexual trauma and go out of their way to help mothers cope with the complexities of sexual trauma and birth and will mitigate any concerns. However, this duo shines the most during birth. Lisa Marie and Richard are phenomenal at providing extraordinary care while working discreetly in the background. During my birth they were quiet and resolute. They are highly aware and act quickly and wisely to mitigate every situation. They do everything quietly so as not to steal the birth experience from the family they are serving. In every situation, I trusted every piece of advice they gave us, and I'm so glad I did. When you're giving birth and in such a vulnerable state, you want to rely on the advice of those supporting you, and I had not a single doubt about Lisa Marie and Richard. Some midwives buckle under pressure, but not these two! After birth, they gave us our golden time with our newborn and waited to do any newborn exam until we were ready. When it was over, they cleaned up quickly and thoroughly and left our home as if nothing had happened. They also had phenomenal newborn follow-ups with us. They helped us through many newborn questions and contributed to our success as parents in the first few but crucial months. On our last visit, I cried! We developed such a great bond with our midwives it was sad to think we wouldn't see them for a while until, Lord willing, we have our next child. I could talk to Lisa Marie for hours--she is so passionate about birth, filled with wisdom, and overflowing with love for her mamas. My husband and Richard hit it off so well, too. It made me so happy that my husband had his own support from Richard during our son's birth. If you can get these two all-stars on your birth team, do it. You won't regret it. -Alana B. read more

Lisa Marie and Richard are truly wonderful. I've hired them twice now, with hopes of having a home birth, and despite not being able to have my home births with the births of either of my sons (one was a repeat cesarean and the other was a yoni birth after two cesareans), I would hire them again in a heartbeat. Nothing beats the compassionate care of a midwife coming to your home for all of your prenatal care, and truly getting to know you and care for you during your pregnancy. I cannot speak enough good things about them and I adore them dearly. They are worth every penny. read more

Firstly, Lisa Marie's expertise in all things pregnancy, birth, baby, and postpartum is unmatched. It is astounding how up-to-date she is on the latest research. Having worked with an OBGYN for my first pregnancy, I was amazed at the things Lisa Marie knew about preparing for birth that the OB either hadn't learned or didn't mention. In addition to innate talent and invaluable intuition, Lisa Marie has gone above and beyond in her education, obtaining additional certifications that can be so helpful. Such as Spinning Babies and craniosacral therapy. Secondly, she and Richard make the perfect team and are the most respectful medical professionals. They will actually give true informed consent and won't bully you into anything you're not comfortable doing. Thirdly, in addition to Lisa's expertise, she also has a community of the best medical professionals to help prepare for birth. It is hard to find the right providers, but Lisa Marie can refer to the best chiropractors, physical therapists, doulas, etc. She is truly an invaluable resource. These two really go the extra mile for their clients. Putting in additional time, additional visits, to get whatever mother and baby may need. read more

I found Lisa Marie and Richard during my second pregnancy. It was night and day compared to my first experience being pregnant with my daughter. I was terrified to have that same experience again through the hospital setting. I'm so glad I found Lisa Marie and Richard. They asked many questions and really listened to what I wanted. Every recommendation Lisa Marie gave me I did. It made all the difference!! Especially prenatal chiropractor visits my entire pregnancy. During labor I felt safe and at peace. Fear never entered my mind and I knew everything was going to be fine. It was intense and lots of hard work but it was also sooo beautiful. Keeisha, my doula recommended by Lisa Marie was the best! She was such an amazing peace keeper. She was calm and just sat with me during my contractions. When things got really intense she was there to remind me to breathe. Giving birth in my home with my closest family members and with my birth team was the best decision I could have made. My son was born at home weighing 9.12 pounds& 21 inches long. read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

I've waited a while trying to make the perfect review but Rio is now 9 months and if I don't at least praise y'all now, he'll be 18 before we know it. I would recommend Lisa Marie and Mr. Richard (as Riley says) over and over and over again for the rest of my life. I was so blessed with the best birth team. Lisa Marie knew I was going to say yes, before I said yes, she also knew the baby and where he was and how he was before making his full debut. She truly has a gift, and I would say can speak to baby. I enjoyed every minute of my pregnancy appointments with both of them. I grew so much as a women, mom and wife under their care. They are not only a birth team but literally marriage savers as well. Being pregnant is not easy for all and for those of us that need the most detailed care, wow, wow, just wow. They are the team. I will be forever grateful for them. read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

My journey to having a home birth isn't glamorous or beautiful but a series of unfortunate and I believe completely avoidable events. My first two pregnancies were super easy and straight forward, but their labors are borderline traumatic. There was a lot of intervention and half of it was without consent. My first needed nicu time, which I fully believe was from how much they interfered. I went in to labor with my second after a sweep done without even telling me it was happening first. Actually it was never mentioned at all. But knowing what I know now, it wasn't a standard cervical check. And labor was also full of completely avoidable interventions. He was born just moments before things got too risky. By the time I got pregnant with my third I just wanted to be treated with respect. Respect my body. Respect my knowledge of birth. Respect of me as a person. Being overweight though, despite having healthy pregnancies and babies already, made it hard for them to respect me. I was it seemed to me, in their eyes, a ticking time bomb. To them my only basis of health was the number on the scale and no other number from any amount of tests and extra tests they wanted to run on me mattered. But thankfully, with the help of my doula and my husband I successfully had an unmedicated birth and it was amazing. The only part I didn't like was being in the hospital. Being talked down to and being treated like a medical patient and not a birthing mother. I knew from then I never wanted to birth in a hospital again. When I got pregnant with my fourth I gave them another chance. I was stronger now, better at speaking up for myself. By my third appointment I couldn't bear the thought of going in; I hated it. No matter how strong I was, I was still being talked to like I didn't know anything; not even my own body. I couldn't do it. I found my way to Lisa Marie at 17 weeks. And I am forever grateful for her taking me on. I was so scared that my weight would be an issue and could make it so I risked out of a home birth. She has never made me feel like I wasn't capable of having a successful and healthy labor because of it. My weight was more a part of my unheard story than my definition of health. She was so much more than a midwife! She helped me through some personal things that definitely held me back. And talked to me for hours and helped me get through some major mental road blocks. She not only would listen but she would hear me and lead me on a path of healing that no one else has. Bowan waited longer than any of my other babies to come earth almost a full 42 weeks. She helped guide my patience and to trust my body and Bowan to do what we needed to do to have a successful birth. The night I went in to labor I had my final appointment with her. And I think that final appointment together just calmly talking and making any just in case plans was all my body needed. Around 1 in the morning I was woken by a contraction and they never stopped. Her faith in me and my body to do as it needed helped me stay focused and strong. I got in the pool around 6pm and my body started to push almost immediately. I was still in a laid back position and with Lisa Marie's help, I got in a position that felt more empowering. Thanks to Lisa Marie and Richard being such amazing supportive people I birthed my 10 lbs 8 oz baby at home in water with minimal tearing, about 30-45 minutes after getting in the pool. I am so grateful for their support and wealth of knowledge that made not only me feel comfortable, but those that were with me supporting me feel most comfortable, thus creating a calm and peaceful birth space. I will never birth another way, and hopefully never birth with anyone else. read more

One of the best decisions I have ever made in my life was to birth my baby at home. Lisa marie and Richard made that possible for me and made it easy. They came to my house for checkups, always seemed available for me and I felt like a priority during my pregnancy. Lisa Marie is knowledgeable and professional yet feels like a family member in your home. She's a very comfortable person to be around (coming from someone who is quite antisocial lol). I could not have asked for a better experience. Not only was the pregnancy easy for me because she made it easier, but my birthing experience was a GIFT. The only word I have for all of it is MAGICAL. I was in control of my own journey and Lisa marie was there to guide me. I'll never forget how she held my hand during one of the scariest moments of contractions for me. My only regret is that I didn't have my first two children with her. If I ever had another baby, I know exactly who I'm running to. 1000 stars. Thank you for my experience. read more

After experiencing two hospital births with our boys and transitioning to a more holistic way of living, we were exploring our options for a more natural & evidence based birth approach for our third. We were in the midst of deciding between a birthing center (nurse midwife) and traditional licensed midwife route. A friend of mine recommended Lisa Marie through Instagram (@barefootmidwife) & I was intrigued. From our first meeting & initial consultation, I knew I wanted Sacred Journey Midwifery as our "mobile birth" (how cool is that?!) midwife team. They come to you for all appointments making it less stressful for the whole family (especially us with two toddlers and a nomadic lifestyle). Lisa Marie and Richard are amazing. They are the perfect duo and are in such good sync for appointments, but especially during the birth. Their passion for birth (woman and baby) is both seen and felt. The wisdom and knowledge she carries is such a balm to the soul in the heat of birth. Our family cannot express enough how grateful we are for them. They've set the bar high when it comes to midwifery care and it's no surprise that they have repeat family as clients. We love and trust them to help us deliver future babies and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in going with the home birth route. read more

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Where do I begin... when my boyfriend and I found out we were pregnant we knew we wanted a home birth or birth center birth. I started to google and found one birth center and Lisa Marie. I chose Lisa Marie because I felt very connected to her philosophy about birth, but also why go somewhere else when you can give birth in the comfort of your own home? From our first appt in Nov of 2017 when I was barely 4 weeks pregnant till our last post natal visit, both Lisa Marie and Richard have been such a positive force in my little family's journey. The care that Lisa Marie took during my birth to make sure I got the birth I dreamed of was priceless. No dollar amount could be placed on the experience I was lucky enough to have while bringing my som earth side. Not to mention I had a very deep tear and Lisa Marie spent 2 hours stitching me after having spent hours with me during my labor (10 weeks Postpartum and it has healed beautifully) She really took her time with me and again I am so grateful. Overall I felt like Lisa Marie and Richard really gave us their time when they were with us. There was never a rush to finish appts. They are so warm and their knowledge about birth, babies and just all kinds of things is amazing and was so helpful for two first time parents who also were in a very new relationship! I could keep gushing over them, but I think you get it. If you are searching for a knowledgeable midwife who is going to help you achieve your home birth goals, Sacred Journey Midwifery is the way to go! Can't wait to call them up for when we have baby # 2 read more

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If you're considering a home birth and looking for a midwife, LOOK NO FURTHER. Lisa Marie Oxenham is second to NONE in this field, there is no place else where you can find the level of care that she provides, in-home, child-friendly, informative and basically on-call at-your-service any time you need her. Plus, you get Richard, too! They're an incredible team This amazing woman works hard and puts her heart into getting to know you and make you feel like you are her only client. Before hiring Lisa Marie, I was going to my standard appointments with an OB and the type of connection and level of comfort I felt from being in my own home with Lisa and Richard was so much more personal than being in a doctor's office. Beside that, she understood and asked me about myself, any questions I had and wanted to know my birth plans and expectations. I could go on and on but I can't stress enough that once you meet with Lisa Marie and are in the presence of her warm energy, you will know that you chose the right person. Needless to say, after all the wonderful visits and training and knowledge I received from Lisa Marie, I had a successful home birth. It was beautiful and blissful and I really look forward to hiring Richard and Lisa for our future children. You will not find anyone more skilled and accomplished in your area, I suggest you end your search here. You will be glad that you did! Photos included of my birth and postpartum visit read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Post birth visit in our own home - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

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Where to even begin...I suppose with finding Lisa Marie and Richard on Yelp, and wanting to work with them for my first VBAC. They were fully Booked with VBAC's for my due date month. Initially, they said they wouldn't be able to help, but thankfully they reconsidered as I was willing to abide by all their recommendations and truly wanted a home birth. All their recommendations are for you to have the best possible birth outcome (supplements, chiropractor, etc). I'm so grateful I found them and that they took me on as a client. My birth wasn't uneventful, but we got through it and I'm so glad that I had them and my amazing birth team. By the end of it all, I had a healthy beautiful baby boy, zero tearing (I listened to Lisa Marie on her recommendations), and a speedy recovery. Meeting with them in my home for our prenatals was a delight, and not worrying about unnecessary interventions was so welcomed. I felt at ease, well informed and educated on what to expect. If Kesha is still a student midwife I highly recommend having her onboard for your delivery! Her essential oils, massaging, and words of comfort were amazing. And Vivian was an amazing support rock of a doula! I'm tearing up just thinking about how wonderful everyone truly was. I delivered my son end of April 2021. I wish more mothers knew the experience of a peaceful home birth to bring their babies into the world. Catching my baby and being the first face and voice he saw and heard was an experience I'll always cherish. read more

Our Birth Journey with Lisa Marie and Richard: I saw an old classmate of mine post her journey prior to us getting pregnant and knew that's what I wanted. We chose to do an at home water birth with such an open heart. We wanted more of a natural experience for our pregnancy and birth.This was our first baby together and with Covid restrictions off and on we didn't want our experience to be so restricted. Both of my prior pregnancies 8 and 10 years ago, were scheduled inductions. But I always felt pregnancy and labor should have been something more. Let me tell you this experience definitely was! Thanks to our Midwives Lisa Marie and Richard, and their recommendations for our Doula Keisha with Agape birth wellness, and our Chiropractor Dr. Anastasia with Lander Chiropractic. From the first prenatal appointment to our very last postpartum appointment, Lisa Marie and Richard were amazing! They became apart of our little family. They worked around our always busy schedule, and let me say we were busy! They involved my two older kids in almost every appointment, unless they were sleeping. But most importantly they were ALWAYS there for us. No matter what random question I had in the middle of the day/night it would get answered and recommendations were always given. As my due date approached,(New Years day) everyone in our family with anxious. As for myself that anxiety only grew more and more as each day passed, due to having 2 "late" and induced prior pregnancies. But Lisa Marie looked at me at our appointment and said he knows his time and you are both okay. Oh but did we learned what was a due date is just a date, and our baby boy would pick his birth date. And Boy was that true, he was only preparing us to be a little more patient. On January 10th, bright and early in the morning around 3:15am, I was awaken by cramping. Thinking it was nothing I tried to go back to sleep. After about the 5th "cramp" I woke My pre-fiancé up(I thank Lisa Marie for that one) haha. He saw my face and asked "Is he coming?" I looked at him and said "I don't think so" but by the look of discomfort on my face, he knew otherwise. As I sat up, I felt a little gush of water come out. I looked at him and said " I think my water just broke". He then said "So do I call everyone?" I told him to wait because maybe I had just pee'd myself and oh boy that would have been embarrassing haha. I waddled to the restroom and the next "cramp" came and BOOM large gush of water went. At that point I knew I was in labor. I looked at him and said CALL. He started getting the pool ready as I was laboring through my contractions. Once the pool was ready I got in, and within the hour my whole team showed up and I could feel the peace. Since I had never experienced natural labor before I didn't know what to expect or how to feel. (You do have a birthing prep class that's 2 hours btw) But my body knew exactly what to do and how to do it. At one point during my active labor I knew something was off. Lisa Marie and Keisha both informed me that my baby boys hand was by his face which is why he wasn't coming out. The way the team handled what is called shoulder dystocia (which I experienced in my first hospital birth with my daughter) compared to how it was handled with this labor was night and day. Everyone was calm, and helped me stay focus so I could do what I needed to do. Lisa Marie asked if it was okay that she helped me out to see what was going on, and of course I said yes. I was guided into a better position and once told I push as hard as I could. LisaMarie in a calm voice said he is coming forward with this next push so push with everything you have. And that's exactly what I did, and out came my baby boy with a head full of hair. I pulled him up from the water calmly and placed him on my chest. Both My pre-fiancé and I were in awe as our baby boy had finally made his appearance into this world.This birthing experience was absolutely AMAZING! I honestly couldn't have done it without my AMAZING team!! So if you are looking for an AMAZING experience and beyond AMAZING midwife please please please do yourself a favor and book your consultation. Because let me tell you if baby #4 comes I will definitely be doing this again! read more

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If I could go back in time to the 90's, I would choose Lisa Marie and Richard Oxenham to help me deliver my four children. My experience back in the day, was a traditional hospital with all the lights, alarms, rush, drugs, monitors and unfamiliar faces. But, back to reality, and now a mother-in-law, my daughter-in-law decided that the traditional birth route was not for her and she and my son chose Lisa Marie and Richard 6 months into their pregnancy to deliver their baby in our home. Making sure our family was equipped with birthing education was their top priority and they spent a lot of time in our home teaching us everything they could about pregnancy health, delivery and after care. We had much to learn with a short time to do it and they taught us all with such grace, light heartedness and great care. In casual conversation, they naturally teach and we had never learned so much about childbirth, even after going through it four times ourselves. The labor and delivery was long, hard and challenging, but Lisa Marie pulled out all of her tools of wisdom and experience and was willing to try all she knew to help deliver the baby at home. Richard worked very hard completing and documenting everything, making sure the pool was the proper temperature and that mom was well taken care of, all while making sure those present understood all that was happening. Keisha, their doula, was so lovely, gentle, calming, helpful, kind and worked tirelessly to care for our daughter in law. We highly recommend using Sacred Journey for your home birth experience, you will be so blessed! read more

Original birth post from August 18, 2018: Kitella Jane Giving birth to this beautiful baby was one of the most incredible and amazing experiences of my life. She came quickly and eagerly, as though she were as genuinely excited to meet us as we were to meet her. I'll share our birth story with anyone who wants to hear it, but right here I'll just say that it was beautiful and wonderful. I'm at a loss for words at the outstandingly perfect design God created. That both my body and my baby knew exactly what to do to work together in seamless harmony to bring about her entrance to this world. That the bond of marriage has connected my husband and I in a way that allowed him to be exactly what I needed throughout the labor and delivery process, something that no one else could have been to me in that moment. That three strong and marvelous women in my life were able to be such encouraging and lovely support as my doulas. And that the medical professionals in our story have been so strongly endowed with a wisdom, discernment, and truly tender connection with pregnant moms and their babies that He alone can provide (contact our friends at Sacred Journey Midwifery and see why she and her husband are both amazing at their job and have become so dear to us) I'm so blessed to say that I was only partially complete until the day I married Jordan, and that sentiment has been renewed with the birth of our awesome daughter. read more

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An experience beyond what I had imagined. This is the first thing that comes to mind when reflecting on my homebirth and partnership with Lisa Marie and Richard. As a chiropractor and first time mom I had a clear vision of what I was looking for in a midwife. After much research of midwives in the San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange County areas I knew on paper Sacred Journey Midwifery is what I wanted in a midwife. Once I met Lisa Marie and Richard for our initial consultation due to their knowledge, experience and like minded beliefs I knew they were the team for us. Lisa Marie and Richard were always accessible throughout my pregnancy from homebirth meetings, routine prenatal appointments, recommendations for holistic birth partners and willingness to answer questions about the process. Their prenatal care was phenomenal which doesn't even compare to the benefit and experience that would come during delivery and post delivery care. I can't give enough credit to the amount of work it takes from the time of delivery to the moment I fell asleep with my baby. My family and I were able to enjoy those first several hours while Lisa Marie and Richard took care of me, our precious baby, and clean up. If you are looking for a supported natural homebirth I highly recommend Sacred Journey Midwifery. read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

Lisa Marie & Richard are the most genuine, kind, loving people we've ever encountered! Lisa Marie is literally an angel. She was so informative, constantly filling me with incredible info about my growing babe & the pregnancy. Gave amazing advice. In my times of worry or doubt she was a great comforter. Lisa Marie was there for me whenever I had weird questions (as I am a first time mom.) she answered all my questions without hesitation. They are very open and honest people. When birth day arrived, her & Richards' presence was just incredible. The energy they bring to your birth space is like non other. So calming and loving! They exude nothing but love!! I can't wait to be pregnant again so I can basically hang with them each month! Lol But honestly, so so thankful for who they are. read more

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Lisa Marie and Richard are two of the most caring people I've ever met. It was a gift to give birth in my own home with the support of these two. Not only did they take great care of all my pregnancy and labor needs, they truly saw and embraced me as a whole person and generously gave love and compassion. I loved having their energy in my home, supporting me all along the way and helping me prepare to bring my baby into this world. They are a dynamic duo and I'm so grateful to have met them and be cared for by them. I will treasure this experience forever. #midwifeforlife read more

I can't thank Lisa Marie & Richard enough for their amazing service. I have had 2 previous cesareans and I suffered a loss with my first. It had been my dream to birth at home. I knew I could do it but just needed the right team to help guide me. Then the universe brought me Lisa Marie! When I first spoke with Lisa on the phone, I knew she was the one. The first time meeting with Lisa and her husband Richard could not have gone any better. They asked me about myself, my past pregnancies and those experiences, how I felt and how I'm feeling during this pregnancy. They were really getting to know me. The experience was so personal to myself and my family. They were nothing but uplifting, encouraging, comforting and reassuring throughout my whole pregnancy. They not only taught me about the process of pregnancy and birth, but my amazing partner Nick. They not only made me more confident in myself, but made him feel more confident so that he could be the best support for me. We could have never done this without them. Finally the day was here and I was in labor. I had my birth team Lisa, Richard, my Doula Allison and Nick. The whole process was beautiful. Lisa helped my baby move past my cervix as she noticed it was a little swollen and she suspected he was coming down with his head slightly tilted (the amount of knowledge she has is mind blowing!). When my water was breaking she also saw that there was meconium in my water. She reassured me not to panic, when I birth my baby in the pool, not to lift him above the water immediately. She would be ready with a bulb syringe to suction out any meconium. During this whole process I was not afraid and I did not doubt myself but most importantly her. I trusted her because I knew I was safe. I was being well taken care of and so was my baby. Finally my baby boy was born! (We didn't know what our baby was, we wanted it to be a surprise). Now we have 2 beautiful boys and could not be happier! This was such an amazing, empowering, and emotional experience. We are eternally grateful for all of the support and guidance given during this whole process. Thank you so much Lisa Marie & Richard for all the wonderful work you do. To anyone looking for a midwife, look no further. Here she is. She is perfect. read more

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Lisa Marie & her assistant Richard are two amazing people & professionals. The love and bedside manner they share with their clients is unmatched. There is no pressure, no guilt & no judgement in their service. They educate and guide you along your birth journey. In the end you come out of the experience enlightened, in love and with a new set of friends. We hired Lisa Marie to guide us through our HBAC (Home Birth After Caesarian) and because our experience was so fantastic, we have recommended Sacred Journey Midwifery to many of our friends. We will continue to share our experience in hopes that more people will shift towards a more natural (out of hospital, less medical, & with less interventions) birth experience. read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Mid wave with my support team quietly around me. - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

There is so much to say about Sacred Journey midwifery. Lisa Marie & Richard are the dream team when it comes to homebirth. I had the honor of having these two facilitate my second birth at home in water. What I loved the most about these two is their confidence they have in you knowing you will birth your baby at home. They were the most knowledgeable about water births that I have come across. They make you feel comfortable, at ease and have such great down to earth personalities. You instantly feel safe with them, because they are so understanding of what you're moving through as a mommy. I feel like their trust & confidence in you is what helps you deliver your dream birth!. The entire experience was what I was wanting and I got it because of these two. There wasn't a moment at all where they questioned if you could do it, they just knew. I love these two so much. I know we will be having a third baby, and since we are located in Hawaii now, I will figure out how to get them here to be our midwives again! They are the real deal! read more

Sacred Journey Midwifery - Water homebirth with Lisa Marie & Richard of Sacred Journey Midwifery - Midwives Near Me - Riverside , California

Lisa Marie and Richard are an amazing team. they are so thoughtful and caring. At each appointment we had I felt comfortable and cared for as they asked questions about how we were doing physically and emotionally. Not only are they great at connecting on a personal level, they are also extremely knowledgeable and professional. i felt like everything they did was top quality and I always felt like we were getting the best possible care. We loved our homebirth/waterbirth experience as well, as they encouraged my husband and I to stay Connected as we worked together. Lisa Marie was great at offering suggestions but mostly let my intuition guide me. Richard is so good at documenting and is an amazing assistant. I would recommend them a million times over!! read more

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I was referred to Sacred Journey Midwifery by a friend of mine who had her home birth assisted by Lisa Marie and Richard. I'm shaking my head wondering where to even begin with all the wonderful feelings I have for them both. While this was my first home birth, I had hospital births with my other two babies. My husband was hours away from a vasectomy after our second child because of the fear I had of birthing again. Unnecessary interventions and dumb mistakes made by the hospital staff almost cost me my life. Lisa Marie and Richard make a great team. The overwhelm of love and support they have for their clients is unlike anything I've seen in pregnancy care. (In my own experience and stories from friends and family) Lisa Marie gets to know her patients intimately which allows her to assist in your labor and birth in a way I could never see a hospital do. Instead of being induced at 41 weeks like my pregnancies before, I went to 41 weeks and THREE DAYS which allowed my body to go into labor on it's own, the way it was intended. Lisa Marie encouraged and assisted attentively during my labor. So many details could be said but just know SHE IS INCREDIBLE. She knows what to do, and when, or what not to do. By the time she was finished with my placenta and things of that sort, Richard had finished cleaning up our entire living room and birthing space. Cleaner than it was when they got there. I am praying that we are blessed with more babies so I can have more births assisted by Sacred Journey Midwifery! read more