We had such a wonderful experience with this service. The HFA team was incredibly responsive and…read moreproactive in connecting us with those who may be on our night nurse team which allowed for me to chat with each one ahead of time. It was our first time working with a night nurse and the whole experience made us feel at ease and in very good hands. Our night nurse, Janette, was wonderful and made us feel so confident that our newborn was in good hands that we could get some sleep back! Definitely recommend!

Worth EVERY penny we paid, and then some. We had HFA doulas with us starting from the night we…read morebrought each of my children home from the hospital (2021, 2023) until each was about three months old. I literally and metaphorically slept better with the HFA team there. As first-time parents -- it's so comforting to have expertise and support at every moment as you're navigating life as a parent for the first time. When you have no idea what's going on, you're healing and tired and hormonal, your doula is a rock. As second-time parents -- LIFE-SAVING to have someone there to let me sleep as much as possible so that I could be semi-human for my toddler in the morning, and gave my husband and I some much-needed normalcy in the evenings. Everyone I've ever interacted with at HFA (Devon, Sara, Kate, Tiffany, Latoya, Norah, Erika ... the list goes on) was courteous, professional, kind, hyper-responsive and I never had any doubts that we all were in great hands. Give yourself the gift of sleep and peace of mind. I did and would do it again in a heartbeat.

This review is 6 months overdue! I delivered my 2nd child with Barbara, who owns Valley Birth. I…read morewas not able to deliver at the birthplace due to complications with my first birth, so I delivered at Einstein Montgomery with Barbara (this was all planned and the staff at Einstein Montgomery are amazing). All of my prenatal visits were at Valley Birth. I delivered my first child in California at Cedar Sinai with the nurse midwife on call since I was not able to have a home birth with my planned midwife (had to transfer due to prolonged labor). I had an amazing midwife and doula team and they both were able to be present for the birth, but home midwives do not have rights at hospitals (Barbara of Valley Birth has rights at Einstein Montgomery so no need to worry about that if you do have to be transferred). Cedar Sinai is a baby friendly and mother friendly hospital, and Einstein Montgomery is even more so even though they may not be listed as so on the corresponding websites. The only negative thing I can say is that appointments weren't always on time. It was just Barbara and one other midwife when I was there and they gave their patients as much time as they needed to discuss any concern. Barbara is very knowledgable about everything birth and will give you all the info you need; she doesn't rush you when you are in the room so appointment times do go over. Maria also had to change appointment times with me if Barbara was at a birth, which doesn't happen in OB offices with multiple doctors on staff. The other reviewer is right in that you are not a number when walking in here. Everyone knows you by name and face - Maria at the front desk, the nurses and of course the midwives. You also get a bit more privacy than an OB office - when you enter, you go to the bathroom and weigh yourself and use cups in the bathroom to provide urine sample. When I first moved back to PA, I had visited with Holy Redeemer Women's Health since that was recommended by my friends. I visited once to confirm my pregnancy and was treated as a patient, not a person, and that is not what I wanted. Also, I would've had to meet with their 6 OBs and I was not guaranteed a certain OB at birth. I wanted to know the person who would be delivering my child. Valley Birthplace has a waiting room with a bookshelf full of books on childbirth, breastfeeding, infants available to borrow and it also has toys so that your kids can play. They have 2 birthing units. I think you stay for 6 hours after the birth, but you can ask Barb the specifics (she will meet with you in the birthing unit the first time you meet with her). They have all the medical equipment and medications you would need at a hospital. As for Einstein Montgomery (if you choose to have Barb deliver at hospital) - it is brand new - I think a couple years old (nothing like Einstein in Philly). It is beautiful. Tons of free parking - no garages. Views of open farms. Rooms are great. You can bring aromatherapy, flameless candles, decorate it with whatever affirmation quotes you like, listen to your own birthing music. The nurses I had were wonderful. The food wasn't my favorite, but that's hospital food. There was plenty of room for a doula and partner in the room. They were so mama/baby friendly that my baby was not removed from the room for one second. You can deny certain procedures that in other hospitals they may treat you different because of (I suggest you look up birth plan or wish list to see which newborn procedures you want to do before you get to the hospital; it's always good to be knowledgeable). PCNGuide.com (the site corresponding to Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn) has plenty of worksheets and templates to help you decide. That is one of the best books with all the info you should need. Download 2016 PCN Guide all PDFs combined on first page of that site. It was written by Penny Simkin, who is the most famous doula in the U.S. and who has prepared over 13,000 women, couples and siblings for childbirth. As for other books I recommend while pregnant: Spiritual Midwifery has lots of personal/inspirational stories which can help you to get in the right mindset when close to birth - it was written by Ina May Gaskin, the most famous midwife in the U.S. who started "the farm". Sacred Pregnancy by Anni Daulter is a beautiful weekly journal that will help you to emotionally prepare for childbirth/document your feelings through each week in pregnancy. If interested in prenatal yoga, Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful by Gurmukh changed my views of childbirth - I became a prenatal yoga teacher because of her. I have so many more books I can recommend (I even created a site - babycliffnotes to summarize my favorite books but got busy after baby #2 so feel free to visit). There are also prenatal yoga sets there all for free. Also, if you need a doula in the area, or have any questions feel free to contact me :)

Amazing!! I can't recommend Barbara enough. She is so caring, intuitive, generous with her time and…read moresmart! I always left feeling better and that all my questions were answered. I had HG during pregnancy and Barbara helped me with a plan to get through it. The birthing room at the birthplace was amazing and cozy. My birth went very well. Barbara knew exactly what to say and do. Which was expected but of course appreciated! She was respectful, focused and encouraging. The nurses were also amazing! So informative and caring. I will always cherish my memories from my pregnancy visits, birth and postpartum care!

i am very pleased with Dr. Horowitz! i was refereed by a family friend and having trauma in my past…read moreim always hesitant to go to a new OB but from day one Dr. Horowitz made me feel comfortable. She very soft spoken, not intimidating, and very knowledgeable. I honestly couldn't be happier!

Stay away from Dr. Horowitz. Went there for my first visit as I was roughly 2-3 weeks pregnant…read more Immediately after the appointment, I started bleeding heavily. Dr. Horowitz caused the miscarriage by performing internal tests that should not have been conducted so early in the pregnancy. She had tears in her eyes as she was informing my husband and I what she "thought" was happening. She wasn't even sure if I was miscarriaging! She's lucky that I don't sue her for malpractice. Stay away!! Worst experience of my life. She didn't even help me though the miscarriage...didn't tell me what to expect or how I could feel, just released me and sent me to work. Worst "doctor" ever. Oh don't call her cell phone, beyond unprofessional responses. Lets not forget to mention she's a space cadet, pretty sure her office manager is more competent.

There are not enough words to describe how great of a doula and lactation counselor Kristi is. She…read moreprepared my husband and I so well for the birth of our beautiful baby girl. I reached out to Kristi in the very early stages of my pregnancy and she broke down how she teaches her classes. Each class was more interesting than the previous one. (It also helps when your partner is super involved- it makes it more exciting!) During the birthing process, Kristi prepared us so well for my 19 hour labor and 10 minutes (yes 10 minutes!) of pushing- for a first time mom. The way she advocated for myself and my husband in the hospital made us feel very grateful to have her there with us. She made me feel like anything was possible. I feel that everyone should have a doula- there were things I "thought" I knew but Kristi informed us of so much more- how to rest in between contractions and breathe through them. I am honored to have had Kristi there as our doula. We had a very special birthing team and we owe our healthy and safe delivery of our baby girl to her!

Kristi is a lifesaver! When my daughter was born I was having latch issues and struggling with…read morepainful nursing sessions. After speaking to her about it she drove almost an hour to my house the very next day. She truly cares for people and loves what she does. She made me feel extremely comfortable the whole time and gave me a lot of helpful tips to make breastfeeding pain free. I highly recommend hiring Kristi for all of your labor and postpartum needs!

Changed My Life - Even Though I Didn't "Need" PT…read more I came in because my husband told me my posture was bad. Standing up I looked fine but walking I hunched over. And going down stairs I had to clutch the railing and felt very unstable. I couldn't keep up with my husband and wondered if something was wrong with my heart or breathing. Joanna examined my walking and noticed that when I walked, I didn't use either my toes or heels. At all. She provided a massagelike PT and gave me exercises, some that I do there and some I do at home. Also, I relearned--literally--how to walk and how to go down stairs using my whole foot and now can walk as fast as my husband and son and am so much more comfortable on stairs. I'd had serious bunion surgery previously but still had hammertoes. My toes are now straight and long and am considering a fancy pedicure to celebrate! I wasn't an invalid before -- had just gotten back from a trip to Spain where I walked 16,000 to 20,000 steps a day. Often on cobblestone. But I often had to ask my husband to slow down (he's a runner and fast NYC-born walker). But now I am now eager to walk, sometimes inching past my husband and my chubby calves have even changed shape, thinning my ankles as a muscle in the front of my calf strengthened. I am grateful my husband was honest about my "hunch" -- this is a major life Improvement! Mindfully walking, placing the toe and mid foot and heel has also given me an easy mindfulness practice that is calming and energizing at the same time. I am profoundly grateful. Ruth Kaplan and the staff have worked with all of my family at different times and have always made a difference. It's a fun environment with cheery pop music from various decades (not cheesy Muzak) and all ages, from 1 to 90+.

Ruth and her staff have helped us with recovery from a broken shoulder, knee surgery, and other…read moreissues. She is knowledgeable, has a wonderful staff and sets a welcoming, kind and good-honored tone in the office.

I am grateful that I came across with this doula . She amazing and I am bless to have her during…read moremy labor she never left my side and with the knowledge she gave me it helped me a lot to advocate for my self when the time is needed . During the intake it was amazing and organized I would be forever bless to create a bond and connection with my doula Carla .

I am going to say we have had Nancy for sometime & she won over my Dad, not an easy task...we had…read moreTracy Anne on 2 weekends I believe & Dad also thought she did a great job. I spent a lot of time with Nancy & friends & family who meant her could under why I as a daughter really thought so much of her. I am out of state & knew my parents were in good hands. Nancy will continue to work for my Dad, but was there with some of the family as my Mom went from her pain to being free from pain. She had a very hard job the last couple of weeks & to me is an addition to our family. She took full care of my Mom who could do nothing as cancer over took her. I can not say enough about the care she took of her, patience & kindness she showed. I truly think she is the best. Thank you Nancy & Marie for all the times you had to listen to me...it helped me through a difficult time.

My mother required round-the-clock care within a very short period of time. Bess and Marie provided…read morethe most wonderful caregivers who helped mom get a second chance to live at home - very importantly, out of a hospital setting. The day time and night time caregivers were wonderful. They treated my mother with dignity, respect, and tenderness. At a time when emotions are raw, home care staff for a loved one is an incredible gift. My family and I are, and will be, forever grateful for the quality service we received for our mother through Human Touch Home Care!

Dana was amazing. Knowledgeable professional and warm. She came to my home and spent an hour and a…read morehalf with me answering questions helping with my latch weighing the baby assessing for tongue tie. She took her time gave great advice and encouragement. Highly recommend!! Great service that I didn't have with my first baby and so invaluable! So comforting and important at such a vulnerable time!