I had an absolutely incredible experience with Bahia. She was our birth doula and honestly without…read moreher I could never have gotten through it. My multiple day hospital birth was a doozy. And she was there every step of the way! I am forever grateful to her and the guidance on our journey.

This was more than a Thai yoga massage; this was a full body and soul experience. Her expertise…read morewith the body is exquisite, the ambience is so tranquil, and I left feeling balanced and complete and at ease. My body felt wonderful in the weeks after, and I'll be making this a monthly appointment at least! Worth every penny to work with a practitioner of this caliber.

Located next to Montclair Bread company, I just had to see what this place was all about. I…read moreassumed it was a day care. Nope. Not at all. Its a place where new mothers can go for all sorts of classes. These caught my eye, but check the website for far more detail. Pre and Post Natal Breastfeeding Yoga Toddler Yoga - Get them nice and stretched out before nap time? Babys First Foods - (thinking of future Yelpers for you Yelp!) The space is inviting and the people seemed lovely when I dropped by. I don't have toddlers or live in Montclair, but if you do have babies, or have one coming, for cure check this place out. And then go eat a donut next door, you are, after all, eating for 2 ;) Street parking.

We love Kelly. She is the best Doula anybody can have. She helped us with the birth of our…read moreMadeline. Thank you so much for everything. We recommend Montclair Baby and Kelly specifically without reservation.

the receptionist in the matronly center was very rude and unfriendly not helpful not go backread more

We had an exceptional birth experience for our second child at Our Birthing Center. The design,…read moredécor, and amazing staff create a tranquil, secure environment. At our first visit, I knew I wanted my child to be born in this peaceful place - it had none of the sterile, mechanical & "busy" feeling of the hospital where our first child was born. The orientation class held by Beth Ann was very informative, and created a sense of familiarity, especially when we ended up having Beth Ann as our nurse. I was well into active labor when we arrived at the birth center, but as soon as I walked into the birthing suite, I felt a complete sense of security & confidence. We immediately got into the shower for hydrotherapy while Beth Ann prepared the bathtub. The room & bathroom were impeccably clean, and somehow everything we needed was concealed but close at hand - from a birthing ball to towels to a puke bag from the dresser drawer! The best part of the experience for us was the intimacy - my spouse, doula, nurse, and midwife were right there, focusing only on caring for me. There was no in & out of nurses, or additional personnel in the room. I felt completely safe and protected, even through the intensity of the delivery. My daughter was born in the birthing tub and I was the one to pull her out of the water and into my arms. Once she was born, everything was so relaxed and we could truly enjoy those first few moments. Beth Ann & our birthing team took such wonderful care of me after the birth, ensuring that my husband knew exactly how to care for me & my daughter at home. We left the birth center about 4 hrs after the birth and it was so comforting to sleep in our own bed that night! My recovery was much quicker than with my first birth, and I contribute that in part to the unmedicated, gentle waterbirth I was able to achieve at Our Birthing Center. Knowing now the extraordinary level of care, encouragement, and medical expertise available at the birthing center, I wouldn't give birth any other way!

We asked Taylor to be our doula for baby #2. Pretty sure I would still be pregnant and in labor if…read moreI didn't have her by my side! I was expecting an easier labor since it was my second, but it wasn't really the case. I was progressing slowly, but already at the hospital so after a while the pitocin talk started. I was exhausted at that point and started breaking down because, to me, that automatically meant c-section. Taylor helped us through the decision, encouraged us to speak up about our hesitations, and got me through labor on pitocin without an epidural. She was always ready with positions/tools and gentle but empowering words to help me keep going. Her soothing presence kept me and my husband calm. Her visits before and after were always pleasant and helpful. No matter what my fears and insecurities were about birth, motherhood or wife-hood, Taylor always validated my feelings, offered solutions and was never judgmental. She says I could have done it without her, but I just don't see how that would have been possible!

From the owner: As a doula it's my goal to help you discover and navigate your birth options and preferences, and…read moreto support you in ways that make you feel empowered and safe. My role is to provide you with information, offer continuous emotional and physical support, and be a calm and steady, non-judgemental voice as you journey from pregnancy through parenthood. Serving Northern and Central NJ and NYC.

Annette will always be close to our hearts of the joyous and warm birth she assisted with our first…read moreson! I only wish we had had her for our daughter too we moved far away. Right from the start she helped to ease any anxieties we had (which were a lot). She was extremely nurturing from the very beginning through the end. She never tried to persuade me into anything. She always listened and gave me wonderful information. In fact, she still asks about our son to this day and we love catching up over lunches when we are back in the city. She helped my husband, through much sweat and sore muscles, massage my back through 5 hours of super intense, level ten contractions. She never left my side or took a break. I ended up having a c-section and she even made that so special! She was quiet, positive and reassuring at ever step. She snapped gorgeous photos and filmed beautiful video throughout (I didn't even know she was doing this). She was there through the entire labor surgery and recovery room (which was about 20 hours), and which was where she taught me, in under a minute, how to breastfeed. She immediately got the baby latched on perfectly, helped me to understand just how to position him, and I never had a problem breastfeeding, nor did our son! In her home visit after the birth, she gave us a beautifully written letter, detailing ever aspect of that day. Our doctor (who was also in credibly amazing) was so impressed with her that he asked for her contact information as well, because through her, he realized her the immense value of having a doula by our sides the whole time.

Annette is one of a kind, and I am so grateful that I had her by my side throughout my pregnancy…read morejourney, and birth of my son. To be very honest...I didn't even know what a doula is or if I needed one. But being a FTM, I had so many questions and worries about giving birth. I started to do research, and was recommended to check out Annette. And I am so glad I did! From the first conversation, I knew I was in the right hands. I am anxious and an over-thinker, but thankfully Annette's expertise and calming nature helped ease all of that. Most importantly, she helped me become informed in all of my options - so I was able to make the best choices for me and my baby throughout the whole experience - especially when dealing with doctors (which can be rather intimidating). Finally, she was also beyond helpful and reassuring to my support person, my mother...as the two of them together helped me welcome my son into this world. Annette takes on many roles while helping - a coach, a best friend, a cheerleader, an educator and many more. My family is forever thankful to her, and highly recommend having her in your corner to anyone on the beautiful, yet sometimes rather wild, pregnancy journey.

There is just not enough positive I can say about Laura's amazing and passionate instruction…read more Taking her DONA Birth Doula workshop in Houston over the weekend was the most rewarding and knowledgable experience. She taught us not only the skills and exceptionally written curriculum, but how to actually be present emotionally, mentally and physically there for our future clients. She took us to a new level on being a birth doula and there was never a dull moment to her instruction. I feel very fortunate to have been able to expand my education under Laura's expertise.

There are times in your life that are undeniably epic. Milestones that leave indelible marks on…read moreyour mind and heart. Becoming pregnant, growing a child in your womb, giving birth and adjusting to motherhood is a phase in my life that has been exactly that. With this journey, aside from faith in God and the support of my husband, what I needed most was courage. Courage to trust that I everything my baby needed resided in me. That I could do it, become a mom- a great mom. A mom that was informed, knew her options, and knew holistic and scientifically-backed medical approaches for prenatal and newborn care. Thankfully, with a heart full of gratitude, I can write I believe I am that mom. I know I have a lifetime of learning how to best serve my child in every season of her life, but when I look back on how this beautiful chaos began there is one constant person (again, aside from my partner) who I can honestly say helped me EVERY step of the way: my doula- Joanna Guzman. Brave Birth perfectly captures what mommas most need- courage. And let me tell you: Joanna helps you tap into reserves of strength women often are unaware they even have. Please keep reading to better understand why Joanna is an excellent doula and even better person. The journey to motherhood is deeply personal. She gets that. Never pushy, but always available- she is a knowledgeable professional who isn't a mere sterile presence, but a warm, soothing, clear and gracious birth coach. And what does a coach do? Train, prepare, encourage, guide, plan and cheer you on. Joanna did just that from the moment she saw my first sonogram, where all that could be seen was my baby's gestational sac, to following up with me after each doctor's visit, periodic check-ins on my mental health and so on, all the way to holding my precious baby girl and visiting me at home during those hectic and at times nerve-wrecking first weeks with my baby. She was always just a text or call away. This meant everything to me since my husband and I experienced a miscarriage just before this pregnancy and I was drenched in anxiety at times. Even in my most vulnerable moments, she didn't shy away from any of my concerns- she would calmly let me know when to reach out to my doctor or when to just exhale and trust the process. As you can see, I can go on and on about Joanna. I am forever grateful for all she has done for my husband and I. Joanna helped give us the tools we needed to march into parenthood aware and feeling capable. She is also one of the greatest reasons I am a confident mom. I know I won't always have the answers, but I am empowered to seek them and weigh my options because of Joanna. Enjoying time with my baby and trusting my vital role in her development is a more peaceful experience because of Joanna. Looking back on my initiation into the wonderful sisterhood of motherhood was full of encouragement and wise counsel All.Because. Of. Joanna. She is a true gift to the soul of whoever she is working with and an intellectual treasure that will equip a woman to have the birth experience she desires. But not just any birth- a brave one, ushering that bundle of joy into a world with a momma who will have a heart full of courage. Thank you Joanna and Brave Birth! Love always, The King Family

I usually don't write reviews but this was a must! I always pictured myself having a baby but when…read morethe day actually came, I was in shock, partially because I knew nothing of the journey that was up ahead.  I knew I needed guidance but didn't know where to start.  When I met with Joanna at Brave Birth, I was surprised at how much information she offered me.  My labor was painful yet she was there for me every step of the way helping me cope with the pain and soothing my every need.  Now I cant imagine going through another pregnancy without a doula.  She was knowledgeable, gave me advice and gave me so much physical and emotional support.  She really was outstanding! I'm so grateful she was by my side. I mean from aroma oils to massages to Tens machine, etc, just everything was so helpful.  I would've gone crazy without any of it! Thinking back, I seriously would've been so lost if she didn't coach me through everything even simply understanding what the nurses were telling me.  Joanna not only assisted me, she also helped calm my mother's nerves.  My mom tends to be erratic when anxious and she knew the right things to do and say to help my mom, which then again helped me calm down.  She also taught my partner massages, which he didn't do as well as she did but it was good enough to soothe the pain.  Lol  I even fell asleep in between my contractions which I thought was merely impossible! It really was such a great experience because of her and I recommend using a doula especially Joanna to anyone and everyone.   It is definitely worth it!

Nettle came to us from a trusted recommendation and we have already passed it along to everyone we…read moreknow starting their birthing journey. We are forever grateful for Jo and Jenna's thoughtful and enthusiastic care and support. Every visit, phone call, text, etc was always particular and intimate to our own story while being backed by informed, professional advice and conversation. From billing support to postpartum visits in their new gorgeous office, Nettle made this process easy in a medical landscape that can often be so opaque and overwhelming. As a sporadic doula, I'm lucky enough to have been present at several births and they offer a level of care that I didn't know existed. We were fortunate to have an incredible home birth in our barely one bedroom apartment and throughout felt supported but empowered, nurtured but independent. From the first meeting we knew it was the only way, and they were there for us every step. Both pre and post natal care (not to mention labor and birth support) were approached with attentiveness, warmth, and joyful tenderness. I've carried their philosophy with me into parenthood and find myself asking WW(Jo/Jenna)D for decisions beyond the health of our baby girl and myself. Their sage advice and general outlook on all things birthing and beyond offer a lovely bedrock for this new phase. Briefly, we cannot recommend them highly enough. We love you Jo and Jenna and the whole Nettle crew!

I couldn't possibly express how grateful I am to Jo and Jenna for their incredible care. I am now…read moresix months postpartum and continue to reflect daily on the fact that I feel so lucky to have had Nettle Wellness as my north star throughout my pregnancy and after. I had the home birth I was hoping for, and never for a second felt like I wasn't in the best hands possible. My experience with them was transformative. If you want to feel supported, heard, understood, if you want to ask questions without fear of feeling annoying, if you want your appointments to feel like the focus is 100% on you, this is the place to go.

This was our first baby -- not knowing what we didn't know, Colleen provided a regular and much…read moreneeded blend of factual and emotional support. Sometimes that was making sure I had coffee or that my partner got to go to the gym, and other times was about the theory and science of various parenting practices. She came to watch us at home and support what we truly needed and pushed us to try things to optimize our parenting behaviors. In addition, her local contacts put me on a solid breastfeeding plan when I was not producing milk and thought the situation was hopeless. We were with Colleen for two weeks and I truly believe that without this time and what we learned, it would have taken us months to get on solid footing. Colleen was a godsend and genuinely celebrated with us as we became better parents each day. I couldn't recommend her enough and do not think anyone should do this without her!

Colleen took care of our son from age 3 months - 9 months, which gave my husband and I a break and…read morealso allowed me to get back to some part-time work as a business owner. As first time parents, it was really important to us that the person taking care of our baby when we were working or out of the house was specifically experienced in working with tiny babies. Colleen was amazing. She was always super patient and kind. In addition to taking care of him, she gave us tips in areas like sleep, activities, and eating as he grew. We are grateful that she was the first person outside of our family to spend significant time with our son!

I cannot emphasize what a crucial part of my pregnancy and daughter's birth Stephanie was for us…read more Stephanie provided the exact support we needed; from the moment we hired her to the days leading up to my labor to the birth of our daughter to the days after and everything in between. Any question, request, guidance needed - Stephanie was there. She made us feel no shame in asking the smallest questions. She was clear about when something was evidence-based vs her intuition/experience. She never pushed us to do anything and was always supportive of decisions we made. It was important to me and my husband to have a natural birth, which was my main motivation to hire a doula. Truly could not have delivered this baby without Stephanie (I mean, I would have, of course - but likely after much more pain and decisions I would later regret). She was with us on the phone (my husband, mostly) as soon as my water broke and she was with us in person by the time contractions got heavy to get us through the later stages of labor and the pushing/delivery process. Stephanie worked so in sync with the midwife and nurse on my delivery team - it took a village! In addition to Stephanie supporting me, she was also an amazing guide and support to my husband - equipping him with reading materials before delivery and coaching him on best ways to support me throughout labor and delivery. In the days after our baby was born, we talked to Stephanie every day. She visited us to make sure baby was latching properly, showed me some other tips and tricks for feeding, and has continued to provide us with guidance on feeding and pumping and all feeding things! When I become pregnant with baby #2, Stephanie will be among the first to know - could not imagine doing a totally natural birth again without her!

Hiring Stephanie as our doula was one of the best decisions we made while preparing for the birth…read moreof our first child. When my partner and I started looking into childbirth education, we quickly realized how much we didn't know and how overwhelming it could be to research everything on our own. From our very first meeting with Stephanie, it was clear how knowledgeable she is. She focuses heavily on evidence-based information, which was exactly how we wanted to approach decisions around birth. I became interested in attempting an unmedicated birth, although I was only about 60% confident I could actually do it. Stephanie never doubted me. From that point on, all of our preparation and meetings were geared toward helping me achieve that goal. She was always quick to respond to texts and emails and provided detailed, thoughtful information whenever we had questions. Stephanie also did an incredible job coaching my partner ahead of time so he knew how to support me during labor. In our prep meetings, she walked him through different techniques and ways he could help when things became intense. Because of that preparation, he was able to really play an active role during labor. Even during labor itself, Stephanie continued guiding him on how to support me in ways that were actually helpful in the moment. When things were very intense, she would gently coach him on what to do, whether that was how to help with breathing, positioning, or encouragement. If he wasn't sure whether something he was doing was helping, she gave him feedback and reassurance so he could keep supporting me confidently. That support for both of us made a huge difference. When my labor started, I was able to text Stephanie updates and questions and she was always quick to respond and help ease my worries. At one point she had another client in labor (which we knew was a possibility), but her backup doula came to my house and provided wonderful support until we went to the hospital. Stephanie met us there and immediately helped me focus on breathing and staying calm. The moment I'll always remember most was during the pushing phase. I was exhausted having been awake for nearly 36 hours, but Stephanie's coaching and encouragement made such a difference. Her reminders to breathe for the baby and "blow out the birthday candles for the baby," along with her steady counting and encouragement, helped me push through and ultimately deliver my baby the way I had hoped. One unexpected benefit of working with Stephanie is that she is also a lactation consultant. She helped us prepare for breastfeeding, explained how pumping works, and helped us troubleshoot breastfeeding our baby a few days after coming home. I didn't expect that level of support, but it ended up being incredibly helpful. Stephanie is incredibly knowledgeable and very honest. She gives you the information and may offer a recommendation, but she never pressures you if you decide differently. She's straightforward, fact-driven, and clearly very dedicated to her clients. Working with her truly showed me how valuable doulas can be. Stephanie was wonderful to work with, and I would not want to have another child without her by my side.