A Simple Journey

(24 reviews)

3.4 km

TLDR: Liat is incredible. If there's one thing I would recommend to help you through your labor,…read moreit's having her by your side. She was the best decision we could have made. My husband and I went back and forth for months about whether we wanted to include a doula in our birth experience. After a lot of discussion, we decided to hire one for two reasons: first, we wanted someone who could help us advocate for ourselves in the hospital so we could stay as close to our birth plan as possible. Second, we wanted someone who could physically support me throughout labor. Liat is truly one of the most incredible human beings I've ever met. She became such an essential part of my birth experience that, looking back, I genuinely don't think I could have done it without her. To make a very long story short, I chose to be induced at 41 weeks after a lot of pressure and fear mongering from my doctors due to elevated amniotic fluid levels. I labored at the hospital until my contractions reached a certain intensity, and then Liat joined us. The moment she arrived, she jumped right in--rubbing my back, talking me through each contraction, and bringing such a calming presence into the room. For the next seven hours, she coached both my husband and me through contractions that were every 2-3 minutes apart. She constantly adjusted my laboring positions to help my baby descend and was incredibly attentive to the fetal monitor. Anytime my baby's heart rate dipped during a contraction, she immediately repositioned me to help him tolerate labor better. Those seven hours somehow flew by. I labored on the birth ball, in the bed, in the bathroom, and even did lunges at one point! Liat was always thinking one step ahead, using every tool and technique she had to help labor progress naturally. Eventually, I reached a point where I decided to get an epidural. I was exhausted, in pain, and my baby was having a harder time tolerating the contractions, with his heart rate decelerating during each one. After the epidural, my labor was paused to help baby, and I was able to rest for about an hour. When I woke up, the nurses wanted to talk about interventions (even the possibility of a C-section) because my labor "wasn't progressing"--despite the fact that they had just given me medication to stop my contractions. Liat immediately stepped in and advocated for us. She calmly explained that labor couldn't progress without contractions and suggested restarting the Pitocin, giving it time to work, and then reassessing before making any decisions. Sure enough, labor picked back up beautifully. A few hours later, I was fully dilated and effaced, but my baby's station was still a little high. Liat spent what felt like hours gently rocking my hips and helping my baby naturally move farther down into my pelvis until it was finally time to push. She stayed by my side every step of the way until our son was born later that afternoon. If you're on the fence about hiring a doula, I cannot recommend Liat enough. She advocated for me every step of the way, helped me navigate unexpected twists in my labor, and supported both me and my husband physically and emotionally throughout the entire experience. Her knowledge, calm confidence, and compassion made all the difference. A few weeks after our son was born, Liat came to visit us at home, and it honestly felt like having family over. Liat, we are endlessly grateful for everything you did to help bring our son safely into this world. We love you, and we can't wait to have you by our side again when it's time to welcome our next baby. Love, The Zimmerman Family

I had the most wonderfully redemptive unmedicated VBAC a few weeks ago, and it is difficult to…read moreoverstate how critical of a role Liat played in making that happen. My first birth had gone much differently than I had hoped (preterm labor that led to immediate C-section due to breech positioning). I had come to terms with that experience, but I was surprised to find in my second pregnancy that it would be difficult to escape those "labels" from my first pregnancy, making it harder to be given a fair shot at having a vaginal birth. Thankfully, I found Liat whose passion for VBACs is infectious and whose no-nonsense approach is grounding. In our conversations before the birth, my husband and I both appreciated the balance of her approach - she strongly believes in the benefits of physiologic birth, but she also recognizes there is a time and place for medical intervention. My primary hope for this birth was that I wouldn't undergo any interventions that I wasn't convinced I needed, and she was a trustworthy sounding board throughout the entire pregnancy and delivery to ensure that was the case. This time around, my baby decided to stay inside long past the due date, so I agreed with my provider that it would be a good idea to induce. This was pretty disappointing for me, but Liat was wonderful at helping me stay in a good headspace in those final days, checking in frequently via texts and calls. When it came time for delivery, she was every bit as exceptional as all her other reviews describe. When she arrived at the hospital, she took one look at me and knew exactly how to change my environment to help me relax. Sure enough, labor accelerated rapidly after she arrived. She massaged my back through every single contraction. She knew exactly what to say to keep my mind present and focused. When she was talking me through my contractions, they were noticeably more efficient. At one point, I almost wanted to give up and she knew exactly how to keep me going. And sooner than I could have dared hope, my baby arrived. I'm pretty sure I professed my love for Liat minutes after giving birth :) And just as she had been for the entire pregnancy and labor, she was a constant comfort and encouragement to us in the minutes, days, and weeks after the delivery as well. Liat takes absolutely no BS, but is also the warmest and most compassionate woman you've ever met. She's exactly who you want at your birth. I know I want her at my next one!

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Silicon Valley Doulas

4.6

(63 reviews)

8.5 km

Due to my privileged position, and very personal experience with Silicon Valley doulas, I can tell…read moreyou it has been nothing short of exceptional since their inception. Czarina brings over 20 plus years of experience, extensive training, and a true passion for supporting families through one of life's most meaningful transitions -- welcoming a new baby. Her background covers everything from lactation consulting and sleep training to postpartum depression and psychosis support, patient advocacy, birth preparation, and more. She's worked with over 300 families over her career thus far, providing truly personalized and compassionate care each and every time. Her depth of knowledge about the birth journey, babies, and the postpartum period is remarkable, and she always approaches her work with professionalism, empathy, and a calm confidence and experience. One thing I respect deeply is her clarity and integrity when it comes to her business policies. She has a no-refund policy that's clearly stated in her contract (which is completely legal and standard for her field). The reason is simple and fair, much like many other businesses she reserves specific dates and times for the families she assists and does not take other clients during those scheduled sessions. When someone cancels or tries to back out of a contract she's already set aside that time, so it's clearly ethical that her time and commitment are respected. If you're looking for a highly skilled, knowledgeable, compassionate, empathetic doula who combines unmatched experience, professionalism, and genuine care, Czarina is the person you want by your side through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

TL;DR: Last-minute cancellations, fell asleep on duty watching our newborn, refused hands-on baby…read morecare, offered useless virtual support, prepaid for 13 nights, and refused refund. We're disputing the charges with our credit card company. Do not recommend. We hired Czarina for evening doula services shortly after welcoming our newborn, hoping for support and rest. Unfortunately, the experience caused us significantly more stress than doing it alone. The most alarming issue was that she repeatedly fell asleep snoring loudly while on duty watching our newborn. This happened on multiple visits. We could see and hear her sleeping, which meant that instead of resting, we stayed awake monitoring her to ensure our baby was safe. When we addressed this directly, her response was shocking: she claimed she was doing it to "train us to be better parents" and get us used to sleeping while the baby sleeps. As exhausted first-time parents, this felt unreassuring and completely unsafe. We hired a night doula to reduce anxiety, not to monitor the caregiver. Beyond the safety issues, basic doula duties were neglected: * Refusal of Care: She was unwilling to help wash the baby and unable to provide clear, hands-on guidance for newborn care. * Household Help: She provided little to no assistance with basic household tasks. * Ineffective Virtual Support: She attempted to substitute some support with "virtual" sessions, which offered zero value to us as parents who needed physical, hands-on help with a newborn during overnight hours. Her reliability was poor, with multiple last-minute cancellations and rescheduling. Most importantly, we prepaid for 13 nights of service. When we terminated the arrangement due to the safety concerns and poor service, she refused to provide a refund for the unused nights. We were forced to escalate this to our credit card company to try and recoup our funds. Czarina was pleasant to speak with initially, but her actions put our peace of mind at risk and violated our trust. If you are looking for reliable, hands-on postpartum care that allows you to rest, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. Ask specific questions about staying awake during night shifts, hands-on newborn care (including bathing), refund policies, and what "virtual support" entails before hiring.

Beautiful umbilical cord keepsake by Stephanie to accompany the placenta encapsulation

Stephanie Freeman

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Postpartum visit with Stephanie

Blossom Birth and Family

4.4

(82 reviews)

26.8 km

Carolina is the BEST EVER!! Extremely grateful to her for giving me support during postpartum. We (…read moreme and my baby ) go to her mommy and baby yoga and we love it. Even though my baby is crawling now, Carolina encourages us to attend her sessions. She is extremely attentive to both mine and my baby's needs. My little one loves her and feels extremely calm in her sessions. Her wisdom and advice has helped me recover from postpartum issues. She's prompt to respond to questions and has high quality resources to offer. Highly recommend. Grateful to her for everything she has been doing for us.

This would have been 5 stars based on the breastfeeding class I attended. I was reluctant to even…read morego to any breastfeeding class because it was important to me to not be attached to the idea of breastfeeding, and I was worried I'd be beaten over the head with how important it is and set myself up for mom guilt if it didn't work out. Quite the contrary, the speaker was really approachable and practical. She talked through just about every scenario and offered a really great mindset - feed as much breastmilk as you can whenever you can, and it's totally OK to make up the difference with formula. Unfortunately, the baby care class dropped this down to 4 stars. It was borderline a waste of time. The instructor was scattered and not very helpful. Lots of tech challenges. Not much help in the way of answering questions or providing practical advice. Very limited hands on practice. I went with a friend because my husband was out of town and I was almost embarrassed that she wasted time in that class with me.

Networking Mixer for Providers

Toddler Play Area - Blossom

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Blossom's new home - The Jeff Center for Families (Jeff Family)

DOULAS by the BAY

(355 reviews)

75.1 km

Family-owned & operated

Women-owned & operated

I cannot recommend Marilou at Doulas by the Bay highly enough. She was our postpartum night doula…read morefor the first few weeks after our son was born, and she was incredible. As new parents, the sleep deprivation is real, but knowing she was there allowed us to finally get the much-needed rest we required to function. Beyond just being a set of expert hands, she became a trusted guide for us and taught us invaluable newborn care tips that we still use daily. We trusted her implicitly with our baby from night one which was critical for us as anxious new parents. Marilou's calm, professional, and warm presence made us feel so at ease during a very vulnerable time. We truly loved our time with her and are so grateful for the care she provided. If you are looking for a doula who is knowledgeable, nurturing, and completely trustworthy, Marilou is amazing!

I reached out to find a birth doula and the initial meeting giving an overview of how they work was…read moreclear and straightforward. Doulas through this company are employees (not independent providers) and they stress that this is really good for always having a backup. We were then matched with 2 doula candidates and the scheduling process was easy and professional. However, we ultimately felt that these candidates were not properly trained or vetted. We never received any materials such as CVs for the doulas. The first doula said right away that she had never been a birth doula before and we would be her first birth. Her only experience was that she had been a night doula before. I was shocked that she had never even shadowed another birth doula as part of her training as a company employee. Bless her heart for being honest, but I did not want to pay to be her guinea pig. After this, I requested an additional candidate, but I was told the other one should be great. The second doula was also not a good fit. She kept emphasizing that at previous births hospital staff did not believe she was a birth doula (and thought she was just a family friend). It became clear why. I asked about her qualifications and she said she's working on her bachelor's degree even though she already has a master's degree. I thought this was strange and asked some follow up questions and ultimately could not determine what degree she had (maybe an associate's degree) or didn't have (definitely did not already have a master's). I also asked some basic medical questions about pain control and epidurals and she was not able to answer them. Ultimately we were able to find a wonderful birth doula through another matching company - experienced and with a real master's degree (in public health).

Loving family I was working with...miss them

Very lovely family I was helping caring for their son in Albany..

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Double cuteness:)

The Nesting Spot for Birth and Beyond

(8 reviews)

9.8 km

The New Mom & New Dad Community Hub…read more I think of The Nesting Spot as a one-stop support center for new parents -- and it has been one of the most meaningful resources across my entire journey from pregnancy through postpartum. My experience started with their birth prep class, where I learned calming and pain management techniques that I genuinely believe contributed to a more positive labor experience. Going into birth feeling informed and equipped made a real difference, and The Nesting Spot gave me that foundation. After baby arrived, I participated in the six-week New Moms Group facilitated by Aariel -- one class per week -- and what happened there was genuinely transformative. It wasn't just a class -- it became a tight-knit community of women at similar stages with their babies, sharing real experiences and learning from one another. Each week we supported each other through the emotional and identity shifts that come with new motherhood, got validation for what we were experiencing, and learned practical things about caring for our new babies. When you're in the thick of postpartum recovery, it's easy to stay home and isolate. But I think that isolation quietly feeds postpartum depression. Having a weekly class to show up to -- and an ongoing group of moms who truly get it -- made all the difference. What's especially beautiful is that the bonds you build don't end when the six weeks do. You leave with a close support community of moms whose babies are the same age as yours, and that relationship continues. What I'm most excited to tell other families about is the New Dads Group facilitated by Kevin, something that has been genuinely missing in the South Bay. My husband wanted to be involved and supportive, but in depth dad-specific resources are nearly impossible to find. What makes this group so special is that it gave my husband a space to connect with other men going through the same emotional and life changes that come with becoming a father -- something men rarely have the opportunity to do. That community made him a more present and supported partner, and I felt the difference. The Nesting Spot covers it all: birth prep classes, new mom classes, new dad classes, postpartum support, yoga, lactation, and more.

I love coming to the Nesting Spot! I've enjoyed the prenatal yoga classes, baby and me yoga, and…read morethe mom groups. It's a safe place to come with your baby when you are so vulnerable during postpartum. I feel like I'm part of a community here. Can't recommend enough!!

Our private and quiet office space, "Chickadee", for meetings.

Welcome to The Nesting Spot!

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650 North Winchester Blvd. Ste 3 in San Jose. We are on the first floor behind the maple tree! Lots of parking available.

Little Elf Family Services

(4 reviews)

14.6 km

Lara is here today for a "What's My Baby Saying?" session, and although tired with our 3 week old,…read morewe are thriving! We are so glad to see her since we did the "Bringing Baby Home" classes before our sweet little guy was born. We learned so much during the weekly sessions before, so it is exciting that we aren't freaking out since Lara taught us proper expectations for our relationship with each other and for dealing with a newborn baby at the same time. For us the class was sort of like pre-marital counseling, but pre-baby! Even though we have a pretty great marriage with open communication, we needed to talk through our upbringings, our parenting expectations, conflict resolution with each other and also how we plan to resolve conflict with our son. Lara was a great mediator for us and helped us work through some issues. It was very hands on! I would definitely recommend the classes for anyone expecting a baby!

When I was coming across Lara's listing on Yelp I immediately knew she was the women for the job. I…read morewas wondering where to get some basic info and help for helping out with my sisters who are 2 years and 4 months. She was very informative and answered any question I had. She even had the answers to questions before I asked them. I am glad my friends recommended me to you and I recommend anyone else to her as well!

Expecting a baby? Join us for "Bringing Baby Home" classes or for "What's My Baby Saying?"

Owner Lara Elfstrand

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For class times and locations or for more information, visit us at www.little-elf.org.

Neri Life- Choma

(38 reviews)

8.1 km

We cannot recommend Neri enough. As first-time parents planning an unmedicated hospital birth, her…read moresupport made all the difference. Neri helped us prepare mentally and physically leading up to the birth -- from putting together a solid birth plan to answering questions, addressing research-related anxiety, and being a thoughtful, validating listener. During labor, she was absolutely indispensable. She joined us at the hospital and supported us through every stage with incredible skill and professionalism -- changing positions, massage, breathing guidance, aromatherapy, ice chips, and always knowing what to do next. We truly could not have done it without her. She also advocated for us with the medical team and helped make our unmedicated birth happen, even when others doubted us. Neri is calm, grounded, professional, and genuinely prioritizes her clients with personalized care. We will absolutely be reaching out to her again when we're ready for baby number two!

I feel so lucky to have had Neri as my doula. With over 20 years of experience, her knowledge is…read moreincredible, and she always provides professional guidance. During my late pregnancy, I experienced some complications, and Neri immediately referred me to specialists for check-ups. Initially, we hoped for labor to start spontaneously, but eventually, I needed induction. Neri gave me personalized advice based on my body and my preferences. I chose not to use a water ball and wanted to rely on medication to induce cervical dilation and contraction. Most doctors recommended the water ball, but Neri suggested trying Cervidil. To my surprise, it worked beautifully--I developed regular contractions and eventually experienced a spontaneous rupture of membranes. When I gave birth, my Pitocin dose was very low (only 4), and even with an epidural, I was able to push by changing multiple positions like hands and knees. Throughout the entire process, Neri's professionalism, patience, and support gave me confidence and peace of mind. I highly recommend Neri to any expecting parent--she's not only an experienced doula but also a caring and supportive guide through pregnancy and birth.

Teaching childbirth education- understanding the role of gravity and open pelvis

Practicing wealth of birthing positions on the birth ball

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Neri L. Choma mentoring doulas

CFM Movement for Well-Being

(38 reviews)

75.4 km

Working with Claudia for the birth of our 2nd child helped us heal from a traumatic first birth…read moreexperience. We went to the hospital feeling more prepared and we were able to work together and have a great birth experience. We will share that forever. Thank you, Claudia!

I highly recommend Claudia floral McCaffrey for Past life and inner child regression therapy…read more During the sessions Claudia was sensitive, courteous and empathetic which not only helped me overcome my challenges but also helped me move forward from the past trauma. This has been the best experience, one usually wouldn't open up easily however her professional approach made me comfortable and I trust her and her techniques completely. If I ever need again, I know I am always going back to Claudia. Can't recommend enough!

The EFT Technique Session can be in Spanish or English

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Birthing Babies - A Celebration of Life

(24 reviews)

60.8 km

Deanna was not my doula; but I wanted a consultation with her to possibly become my doula. Her CV…read moreappeared impressive, an educator and DONA certified, which is why I emailed via Yelp and her website to set a consultation up....never received a reply. Ended up going with someone who was prompt and responsive. Expected more from a veteran doula.

When my husband and I were preparing for our first baby to be born, I knew I wanted to hire a doula…read morebecause I wanted to give birth naturally with no epidural or any other pain medications. We did our research and chose three doula services that we were interested in. After having multiple phone and in person meetings with all three, I knew Deanna was the right one for me. Meeting Deanna for the first time is like meeting a friend you haven't seen in a long time. She definitely gives you a sense of comfort. She's also very knowledgable and answered all of my husband's and I's questions we had about my pregnancy and prepared us for what to expect during labor and delivery. When that day finally came (about 2.5 weeks earlier than expected) Deanna and my husband were on it. Both of them worked so hard to make me feel comfortable. Deanna definitely helped my husband be more hands on during my labor which took over 24 hours. As much as I wanted to give birth vaginally, I eventually had to get a c-section after pushing for 6 hours and trying all the possible birthing positions Deanna recommended. I was also prepared going in to the operating room as Deanna also educated us about what would happen if I was to get a c-section. Deanna was by my side the whole time up until I had the c-section. When the nurses where not available Deanna was moving the bed to get me to a comfortable position and also helping me get to the bathroom. So if you're looking for a knowledgable doula with lots of experience and is hands on, I would definitely recommend Deanna.

Image courtesy of Christina Kolding. This picture was taken just moments after our son was delivered.

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Metaphysical Medium

(384 reviews)

12.3 km

I was thoroughly impressed immediately after my past life reading with Bella! I waited a week to…read morewrite a review to make sure it stuck, and I'm stunned. Not only did Bella bring so much energy and information instantly to the reading (with very little information from me), all the lives she tapped into made so much sense for me in many ways. I was edge-of-my-seat fascinated the whole time. I love how she taps into the past lives herself, taking the pressure off you, allowing you to retain a sense of control and ability to ask questions and take notes throughout. Even after all that, the most worthwhile takeaway for me was the energy clearing she provided at the end for my energy centers affected by all the past lives. It was super quick at the end and affected me in big positive ways that I (and my husband) noticed almost immediately. And I'm still receiving imagery from my dreams reflecting these lasting changes in my subconscious. Truly amazed. Highly recommend!

A few weeks ago, I had an amazing reading with Bella. Not only did she do a Clairvoyant reading,…read moreshe also did a nutrition planning for my chronic condition. She also gave me great advices and she was also spot on my daughters personality.

LA Weekly Times feature for Business, Pop Culture & US News. MM chosen as 1 of the Top 14 Game Changing Influencers Transforming Our World.

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LA Weekly Times feature for Business, Pop Culture & US News. MM chosen as 1 of the Top 14 Game Changing Influencers Transforming Our World.

Action Day Schools - Pruneridge

(47 reviews)

10.2 km

We have had a truly wonderful experience with this daycare, led by the director, Perl. Our daughter…read moreis three years old, and since we moved from New York one year and six months ago, the environment and system here initially felt a bit unfamiliar to us. However, it didn't take long for us to realize how warm, professional, and thoughtfully run this daycare really is. At first, we did have a small concern that the number of children seemed a bit high compared to the number of teachers. However, during our meeting, the staff clearly explained that the daycare strictly follows California's teacher-to-child ratio regulations. After spending some time here and observing how experienced and capable the teachers are, we quickly felt reassured. It became clear that the team knows exactly how to manage and guide the children in a calm and structured way. One thing that really stands out is Perl's leadership. She is very hands-on and actively involved. She organizes events and is often outside observing the children while they play. If she notices any inappropriate behavior, she steps in immediately and gently corrects it in a calm, professional, and patient manner. As a parent, it is incredibly reassuring to see someone guiding the children so thoughtfully. Another detail we truly appreciate is that the director's office is intentionally located along the drop-off and pick-up walkway. Because of this, we frequently see Perl or the assistant director, Marissa, when dropping off or picking up our child. We can easily say hello, have friendly conversations, and talk about how our child is doing. At some daycares, if you ask the director about your child, they might just tell you to ask the classroom teacher. Here, that's not the case. They are approachable, engaged, and genuinely interested in the children and their families. As parents, we can sometimes be picky or have many questions about our child's experience. What we really appreciate is that the staff here always listen patiently and respectfully. They never dismiss concerns and always take the time to communicate thoughtfully with parents. That kind of openness and respect makes a huge difference and builds a lot of trust. Perl has extensive experience and shows a great deal of respect and empathy toward each family. She understands that every family has different backgrounds and situations, and she approaches each child with patience and care. Under Perl's leadership, the teachers are incredibly kind and caring with the children. Each teacher has their own style, which we really appreciate. Some are firm when needed, while still being warm and sweet with the kids. I was especially impressed when I read one teacher's profile card explaining her philosophy that every child has a different personality and should therefore be guided in different ways. That level of thoughtfulness really stood out to me. Other many teachers also show a very genuine love for the children and treats them almost like their own. The outdoor play area is also fantastic. In the afternoon, it naturally gets shaded, which helps the kids stay comfortable even during warmer days. The staff are also very attentive to the weather and will bring the children indoors when it gets too hot. The daycare also does a wonderful job celebrating diversity. There are many family participation events, such as St. Patrick's Day celebrations, that reflect different cultures and backgrounds. In addition, the children participate in daily educational activities that support their development. You can really see the experience and thoughtful structure behind their curriculum. In addition, the daycare offers extra activity classes such as dancing, soccer, and baseball. These are wonderful programs that give the children opportunities to stay active, explore different interests, and simply have fun while learning new skills. They also offer a monthly "Parent Night" on Friday evenings. For a small additional fee, they care for the kids until around 10 PM, giving parents a little breathing room. The kids enjoy movie nights and fun group activities organized by the teachers, and our daughter always comes home excited after these evenings. We feel very lucky to have found this daycare. If we have a second child, we would absolutely choose to bring them here again without hesitation. For parents who may still be deciding where to send their child, I completely understand how difficult that decision can be. Choosing a daycare is one of the most important choices for your family. I hope this review helps ease some of that hesitation. From our experience, this is a place where your child will be cared for, guided, and loved--and you can feel confident in your decision.

My husband and I are so impressed with Action Day Pruneridge. Our shy 2-year-old goes there…read morepart-time and it's the perfect fit. The staff is wonderful. All the teachers--not just our daughter's--are so gentle and caring. It means so much that they all greet her by name and even come out of their rooms to say goodbye. The facilities are clean, and we love how much time the kids get to spend in the big outdoor play area. All the kids seem happy and well cared for. The administration is also top-notch. When we had a paperwork issue initially, the director went above and beyond for over a month to get it resolved, providing regular updates along the way (thank you Ms. Pearl!) It's clear they truly care about the kids and their families.

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Little Star Day Care & Preschool Education

(42 reviews)

37.2 km

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Little Star and the incredible teachers, Maria and…read moreJoana. As a mom, and as someone who has worked in child development for over 15 years, including nearly five years at Bing Nursery School at Stanford, where the most advanced, research-based approaches to early childhood development are practiced. I recognize excellence when I see it. Maria and Joana truly embody that same philosophy. Their approach is warm, affectionate, and thoughtfully child-centered. The environment is relaxed and nurturing, far from a rigid or overly structured setting. They beautifully incorporate Montessori principles along with the Bing philosophy that "playing is serious work." The children are constantly engaged in creative, hands-on learning, with plenty of STEM-based activities throughout the day. What also stands out is the level of communication and transparency. They share pictures and videos all day long, allowing parents to feel connected and reassured. It's clear the children are thriving. The meals are another highlight: incredibly healthy, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. My daughter, who used to struggle with food, is now excited to eat! The children sit together at a pleasant table and enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins everything is nutritious, creative, and appealing. Most importantly, the care they give is truly above and beyond. Every child feels seen, loved, and valued. My daughter literally counts the minutes to go back to her "Little Star family"and sometimes even cries when it's time to leave because she wants to keep playing. That says everything. We've seen such beautiful growth in her cognitive and emotional development in a short time. As parents, we couldn't feel more at peace or more grateful. If you have the opportunity, choose Little Star for your child. It is a truly special place.

Little Star is a great place for little ones. Maria has been absolutely phenomenal. She has helped…read moremy son try new foods and learn new words and has been so helpful with potty training, Maria does it all and I am forever grateful for Little Star. Looking forward to starting my daughter at Little Star soon! Best daycare in the South Bay Area for sure.

Graduation day

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Grads

Campbell Infant & Toddler

(17 reviews)

8.3 km

We are so fortunate to have Jen and Alanna of Campbell Infant and Toddler in our village! My son…read morestarted when he was 6 months old and is absolutely thriving there. The mixed age environment has worked wonders for him- he is 1.5 now and is a little chatterbox from all of the singing, playtime, and learning with friends at Ms Jen's. He is so happy to go to "school" every morning. Jen is a true partner in parenting, it is such a blessing to know your kid is spending their time with a little bonus family. We couldn't be happier with our decision to send our son here.

We absolutely love Campbell Infant & Toddler! My son adores Jen and Alanna and is always so happy…read moreto go each day. They are both so warm, attentive, and truly amazing with the kids. I feel so lucky to have found someone we trust so much with our little one!

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Creative Habitat Children's Center

4.2

(32 reviews)

8.7 km

All three of our children have attended over the years, and it's hard to put into words how much…read morethis school has meant to us. Creative Habitat has been so much more than a daycare or preschool--it has truly been part of our village. Through every stage of infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool, the teachers have loved, encouraged, and cared for our children as if they were their own. They've celebrated milestones, comforted tears, taught independence, built confidence, and created a place where our kids genuinely looked forward to going every day. We have been so fortunate to know so many incredible teachers over the years. A special thank you to Ms. Sussy, who was such an amazing preschool teacher for our son; Ms. Hilary, Ms. Patty, Ms. Crystal, the wonderful Director, Ms. Christina, and one of our family's absolute favorites, Ms. Mercy. Each of you has left a lasting impact on our children and our family. As parents, there is no greater gift than dropping your child off each day knowing they are safe, loved, and genuinely cared for. Creative Habitat gave us that peace of mind every single day. Our children formed friendships, learned important life skills, and created memories they'll carry with them long after preschool. We will forever be grateful for the love, patience, and dedication this amazing team has shown our family. Thank you, Creative Habitat, for helping raise our babies. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Christina and Sussy are amazing! Love this location so much and everything they do for the kids!read more

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A Simple Journey - doulas - Updated August 2026

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Flourish & Flow

(17 reviews)

Jamee is the BEST. If you're looking for a calm, kind and caring doula, which I'm positive all…read morepregnant women are-- look no further!! She was all of that and so much MORE. Being a first time mom with no family around me, nerves and no idea what to expect, Jamee made me feel so reassured and confident. She is knowledgable and patient. Jamee is attentive and answered all of our questions before, during and after delivery. My husband and I still don't know what we would've done with out her. She has the skills and experience to help guide you. AND she made me feel very comfortable in any and all situations, which is so important for this very vulnerable, life changing experience!! Having Jamee at my baby boy's birth made me feel safe and I wouldn't have had it any other way. If I didn't say it enough, THANK YOU JAMEE!

Jamee was such an incredible support for us throughout our pregnancy and delivery. From the…read morebeginning, she brought such a calm, reassuring energy that instantly put us at ease. She took the time to answer all of our questions (and we had a lot!), and made sure we felt prepared going into birth. I'll also say...I initially thought a doula was only for a natural birth, and I knew I wanted an epidural. Jamee helped me realize that's not the case at all. She supported my choices completely and made me feel confident in the kind of birth experience I wanted. Because of her, we felt confident and grounded, not overwhelmed. She helped us create a birth plan that the hospital team actually complimented, which says a lot about how thorough and thoughtful she is. During delivery, Jamee was exactly who we needed by our side. She stayed calm, encouraging, and completely present the entire time. She coached me through pushing in a way that my husband could never do! I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for an amazing doula. We are definitely going to use her for our next baby!

Felissa Hay - Your Birth Doula

(16 reviews)

Going into my first pregnancy I knew I needed some extra help in addition to having my husband…read morethere. I was going to deliver at Kaiser and knew I wanted an experienced Doula that could be with me from start to finish. Felissa was just that and more! My husband and I felt very comfortable with Felissa from the first time we met her she's very sweet and motherly but also very motivating which is very comforting when you're in a lot of pain! The warming pad, tens unit and massages she did on my back were amazing during the contractions. She was also very helpful in helping us make decisions during labor and letting us know what the Doctors were doing. This definitely helped us feel a whole lot better during some important decisions. I highly recommend Felissa, she's very knowledgeable in what she does and is a great support to have during the most important thing a woman has to do.

Simply Amazing! Felissa is the perfect 10 "doula" for the birth of our child. We delivered our baby…read morein Kaiser Redwood City and she was extremely phenomenal in guiding us through the labor and birthing process. With her amazing support, we count ourselves fortunate to have a healthy delivery with 100% natural child birth. No IV line, no blood test, No Pitocin, No pain medication, No intervention whatsoever. In the two pre-natal visits, she gave us great tips and demonstrated various exercises such as pelvic rocking, squatting, and Kegel exercises to help prepare the mother physically and emotionally. When my water broke and my labor started (around 12:45 AM) , she picked up her phone instantly offering us guidelines on what to expect and guiding us through the process. She helped us during our 10+ hours labor. We used her TENTS unit for helping to alleviate the pain and many hot water showers sessions. We did a lot of walking, squatting, all-four position and many others to help progress the labor. We read the two books "Ina May Gaskin's guide to Natural Childbirth" and "The Bradley Natural Childbirth". She helped complement our knowledge with practical information from her wealth of experience. We are so lucky to have her as our doula and we are forever grateful for her patience, support, and compassion in helping us deliver our baby healthily and naturally.

Patricia Madden, South Bay Doula Services

(13 reviews)

Patricia was not my doula; but I wanted a consultation with her to possibly become my birthing…read moredoula. Her CV appeared impressive, she holds a DONA certification, which is why I emailed via Yelp and her website to set a consultation up....never received a reply. Ended up going with someone who was prompt and responsive.

Patricia's birth doula services is comparable to an exclusive wedding venue. You need to book her…read morein advance. Her services are invaluable and worth every penny. She'll tell you that and her clients will tell you the same. She backs up her years of experience as a birth doula and in those years she has made valuable connections with other people who strive to help provide services and support for natural unmedicated births. Patricia was referred to us by a midwife in the East bay. We interviewed her along with several other doulas and she was down to earth and straightforward. Don't let her website throw you off, she doesn't need to fancy it up. Her experience speaks for itself. Consider yourself being lucky if she chooses to offer her services to you as she prefers only select hospitals that welcome natural births. While she's all about coaching for a natural unmedicated birth, she does not push in that direction if you don't believe in it. She wants you to believe in what you're asking for and do the research on your own. If you believe what your needs are she will help advocate those needs, especially if you're giving birth in a hospital. While the mom is laboring in pain and the dad is watching aimlessly, she's there whispering in the mom's ears what to say to the nurse and doctors that come in insisting on routine checks or procedures that are really not needed but sounds like they are required through their tone. With her help and some luck my wife had a wonderful birth story. My wife only labored for one hour at the hospital and the baby was out in two pushes all in five minutes. She helped my wife labor at home for three hours and knew when it was time to go in. Patricia helped coach her during the months leading up to the day and then through her whole laboring period at home and at the hospital. If you're seeking a natural unmedicated birth, hiring Patricia would be an invaluable investment.

Born Doulas - Alicia Fishbein

(49 reviews)

This review is a bummer to write, but after reading other reviews about communication delays and…read moreissues on the administrative end, it's clear i'm not the only one experiencing this issue and something needs to be seriously addressed. Alicia herself is wonderful, and we used her for placenta encapsulation in 2019. We had an overall good experience, so as we are nearing the birth of our 3rd baby, I reached back out to Alicia as a return client looking for placenta encapsulation again. It took 4 days to get an initial response to my email. Julia (Alicia's assistant) reached out to let me know Alicia is on maternity leave and had a few clarification questions to get the ball rolling with another doula. Unfortunately, I never heard from Julia or anyone else again. I've since left a voicemail and 4 follow-up emails with no response. If Born Doulas is too busy to accept me as a client, I would have appreciated hearing that upfront vs. just ghosting me, especially as a returning client. These types of customer service issues are just unacceptable, and if you are looking for a doula or placenta encapsulation company during the very delicate time of pregnancy and delivery, I recommend looking elsewhere and finding a company that cares about communication.

I can't begin to describe how wonderful, passionate, caring and knowledgeable Alicia is! From the…read morebeginning she guided us during the pregnancy, had many great tips for me, and helped me make my (right) big decisions towards the end. My birth story took longer than we expected, 40+ hours and Alicia was so supportive and strong even till the last seconds, let me correct that, even after the birth! Her stamina throughout the 40+ hours is just amazing! She was always there reassuring me that everything is going well, and making sure I'm hydrated and nourished to go on with the big game. This alone makes me want to tell every women, regardless how supportive your husband is, you still need a doula 100% especially Alicia 10000%! Before and after the birth I had many complications, that caused me to be hospitalized right after my birth, so my newborn was left with my clueless husband and mother. Alicia right away came over and helped them in so many ways, guiding and teaching them how to take care of our baby. She kept checking in on me before and after the birth regarding my condition, and helped me in all kinds of ways, sending over wonderful people to help with my condition, etc. We are eternally grateful to you Alicia! Baby M sending all his love!

A-ama Birth Postpartum Services

(32 reviews)

As a new mom I was all over the place. I was SO thankful that I secured postpartum services with…read moreReyna. You will think to yourself that you can go get massages on your own but sadly, you won't have the headspace to do that the first couple weeks. Reyna comes to your home to take care of you so you don't have to be far from your little one. She offers so much knowledge and her calming energy was always appreciated. Do yourself a favor and contact her! Thank you Reyna for taking such good care of me during my postpartum journey!

Reyna has done amazing massages, both prenatal and postpartum. She focuses me on my breath and…read morespeaks words of affirmation and asks me about my experiences, feelings, worries, etc. She validates it all. Before the prenatal massage, she did a side lying release on me. Whatever she did that day worked and sent me into labor later that evening! (I was almost 40 weeks) Her hand is firm, flow is nice, and the pressure is just right. Looking forward to the next massage!

Stephanie Freeman - Silicon Valley Doulas

(2 reviews)

Stephanie is truly an amazing birth instructor. I went into the birth of our first daughter with…read morethe intention of having an unmedicated birth and I felt her class (combined with my doula, supportive partner, and midwife-Lin Lee) played a huge role in making that happen successfully. We loved her sense of humor, her straight forwardness, and her genuine passion for helping new parents on their birth journey. She gave us a very thorough picture of what we could expect, how to advocate for our needs, and how to mentally & physically prepare for an unmedicated birth and the possibility of a medicated birth without any judgement...just love and support. She even prepared dads/partners for what to expect and how to support mama and baby. Additionally, she provided use with such great service for placenta encapsulation for both births (2017 & 2021), which included pick up, delivery, and an umbilical cord souvenir. She is the first person I recommend to any first time parents who are looking for a birth instructor, doula, or placenta encapsulation. So grateful to have had her as guide on our journey.

Our family highly recommends Stephanie for classes, placenta encapsulation, and doula services. She…read morewas a fantastic and supportive coach through the birthing process. I felt prepared, informed, and supported. I learned so much about natural birthing and my own strength. I'm incredibly grateful to look back on my birthing experience as a positive and empowering one. Thank you, Stephanie, for thoughtfully facilitating such an important experience for us.

Silicon Valley Doulas

4.6

(63 reviews)

Doula Meg

(25 reviews)

My first birth I had hoped for an unmedicated experience, but an induction led to things getting…read moreout of my control. The only thing I knew I wanted to do different the next time was hire a doula. My second pregnancy, we hired Megan. I had a lot of caveats, and she was willing to step up to the plate. Our free visits and phone conversations prior to the birth allowed her to understand the family dynamic, and offer reassurance that she would be there to help me advocate for myself during the birth, and that she understood all my desires. The second birth started unexpectedly, 6 days before her due date. My partner was working quite far away when my water broke, so I called Megan who came over right away to drive me to the hospital. I was nonchalantly eating a bowl of soup and not even packed for the hospital, but she was monitoring my contractions and calmly pushing me to head to the hospital and for my partner to meet us there. Once there, the contractions were so intense I couldn't talk. Every time the nurses came in to do something to me that I didn't want - but I couldn't communicate it through the intensity of the contractions... She calmly stated that she knew I didn't want that, and asked if that was accurate - to which I could nod my head to confirm. Without overstepping, she was able to be my voice when things were too intense to talk. After only 3.5 hours of labor my baby girl was born naturally as I had hoped. Megan stayed awhile to make sure we were well taken care of, and got settled into our recovery room. In the weeks afterwards she followed up with us, and even came over one day to wear my baby as I got a massage. She has become a dear friend through this experience, and I know that things wouldn't have been the same if she hadn't have been there to her my voice when I had no words. With such a short labor, we had not much time for pain relief measures, yoga balls, massage, or what have you. But the experience of having someone there to be my voice when I had none, to communicate my preferences when I couldn't, to be calm when my partner and I weren't... That is a piece of mind that money can't buy. I'm so happy we chose to have Megan on board.

Megan was such a great help with the birth of our son. She has a sweet disposition with just the…read moreright amount of "take no shit" attitude that you need to deal with pushy nurses in a hospital setting. She was a trooper, she spent 15 hours at the hospital with us durning my active labor, didn't sleep, and hardly took a break. She was a strong advocate, helping us stick to our birth plan and not letting us get coerced into unnecessary interventions. Eventually I did end up getting an epidural because my son was posterior and diagonal and I was having back labor and he needed to be turned internally, but Megan helped me make it very far into my labor with hopes that he would turn on his own, unfortunately that didn't happen and I did not have the natural birth that I planned but I definitely wouldn't have been able to try so hard if it weren't for Megan's support. She was also great at our prenatal meetings. She's super informative and brings tons of great stuff in her labor care packages to help you before, during and after labor! The best thing of all being the tens unit, I swear that little device could have gotten me through natural childbirth if only my son weren't malpositioned! We also had her do my placenta incapsulation. She makes a beautiful print with the placenta, umbilical cord keepsake, and a tincture. I feel the placenta capsules really helped me feel better. Shes a wonderful doula and sweet person. I highly recommend her, especially if it's your first baby or if you have a nervous husband! We will hire her again in a heartbeat if we have another baby!

South Bay Homebirth Collective