Such a huge help!!! Jackai and Steven are true experts in this field. They balance gentleness, your…read morehopes/preferences for your birth and help guide you all from a medically grounded place. They helped me to be emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually ready for the birth of my son. And even when our birth did not go according to plan they were quick to help me readjust and educate me/prep me for a planned c-section. They have a very personal and educational approach which gave me so much peace. They also put an huge emphasis on both partners readiness - getting us ready to handle different situations as a team. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Well worth the investment!

My husband and I truly cannot recommend Jackai and Steven highly enough. They were incredible…read morecoaches: helpful, informative, and empowering. When it came time to make medical decisions during labor, we knew we were informed and able to make the best choices for our baby - without confusion or fear. That sense of clarity was essential to our positive birth experience. The online videos were interesting, well-organized, and high quality. We met regularly with Jackai and Steven on Zoom throughout our third trimester. Their guidance didn't stop after birth; they continued to check in and offer support, which meant so much to us. They are a lovely couple with four kind, beautiful children, and their experience and warmth shine through in everything they do. We left the course not only feeling prepared for birth, but also confident that the knowledge and connection we gained will help us for years to come as we continue to grow our family. Highly, highly recommend!

I had the best experience with Breathe Bitch Doula! Louise and Mahri were incredible. They made me…read morefeel so supported and relaxed throughout my whole journey. They are set up to tag team so one of them is guaranteed to be there for the brith which was so helpful to know that someone would be there no matter what. They helped prep me and we amazing resources throughout my pregnancy, obviously during labor, and even postpartum. I'd text them with all my "my baby is doing this is it normal" questions. I want them there for any future pregnancies and labor!

Short answer: Hire a doula, if you can afford it, it is so worth it!…read more Long review: I worked with birth doulas from BBD for both of my births (2024 and 2026). I was extremely nervous about giving birth, and my main goal the first time was just to not have trauma. Thanks to amazing support from our doulas, I discovered not only did I not have trauma, but I also find giving birth such a transformative and positive experience, something I never even considered a possibility for me. I worked with Tamara and Sage for my first birth, a late-term induction and vaginal delivery (both attended), and Tamara and Kim for my second, spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery (Kim attended). A goal in both my births was to wait until transition to get an epidural, and thanks to Sage helping me ride contractions and helping my spouse keep me comfortable I was able to wait as I had hoped. In my second birth, I used techniques I had learned from Sage as well as new ones from Kim to stay so comfortable laboring that I got to the hospital pretty late without realizing how far labor had progressed! I never considered an unmedicated birth a possibility for me, but due to doula support allowing me to stay comfortable I think I would give it a try if I have another baby. Doula support was key to keeping me out of my "fear brain", as in both births, things happened that I didn't understand and they were able to explain them, both on the phone and in person at the hospital. This allowed me to keep calm. We didn't do the birth class due to our schedules, so did 2 prenatal visits instead both times. These were helpful in getting to know the doulas, but also they gave a wealth of recommendations for birth and for postpartum - for instance, Tamara suggested identifying a lactation consultant before birth, which was an amazing suggestion given that I needed lactation support immediately with my first and I would have not lined this up without her suggestion. We really like the 2 doula model, also, which seems pretty unique. We highly recommend BBD!

As a dad-to-be, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into a hypnobirthing class. If I'm being…read morehonest, I was a little skeptical at first--"hypno" anything sounded a bit out there to me. But I signed up to support my wife, and I'm really glad I did. This class completely changed how I see birth and my role in it. Instead of feeling like a bystander, I walked away feeling informed, useful, and actually confident in how I can support my wife during labor. The techniques we learned--breathing, relaxation, visualization--aren't just for moms. I found myself using them too, and they've already helped us both stay calmer leading up to the big day. What stood out most was how much emphasis was placed on teamwork. I learned specific, practical ways to advocate for my wife, help her stay relaxed, and create a positive environment no matter how the birth unfolds. It made me feel like an active participant instead of just "the guy in the room." The instructor, Care, was very knowledgeable, approachable, and never made any question feel silly. She made the classes very comfortable and even pretty funny at times. The class also struck a great balance between education and hands-on practice, so it didn't feel like we were just sitting through lectures. If you're a partner on the fence about taking a hypnobirthing class--do it. Even if you're skeptical like I was, you'll come away with tools, confidence, and a much deeper understanding of what your partner is going through. Honestly, it's one of the best things we've done together to prepare for becoming parents.

I gave birth a couple months ago, and decided to go through Care's Hypnobirthing class, and also…read moreuse her for my placenta encapsulation, and I can't recommend her highly enough! From the very first class, it was clear that Care is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about empowering expectant parents. Her approach to hypnobirthing and breathing techniques was not only informative but also calming and reassuring for both me and my partner. We completed it feeling much more prepared and confident for the birth experience ahead. Care provided a wealth of resources, ensuring we had everything we needed to make informed decisions about our birthing plan. She was always responsive to our questions, both during the classes and even after the birth, which made a world of difference in our journey. It's rare to find someone who continues to support you even after the classes are over. Overall, the entire experience with Care was amazing. Her warmth, expertise, and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. If you're looking for guidance and support in your birth preparation, look no further than Care Messer at the Birth Education Center!

Such a welcoming place! Juliana was very friendly & answered all and any questions she was given…read more She provided some helpful advice and I can't wait to go back to learn more.

My husband and I visited Babies in Bloom in Vista, California while trying to figure out what…read morestroller and car seat would be best for our first baby--and wow, we are so glad we did! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with such warmth and kindness. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely helpful, not pushy at all. They patiently answered all of our (many!) questions and helped us compare different stroller options based on our lifestyle and needs. We left feeling confident in our decision, which is such a huge relief as first-time parents! The store itself is absolutely adorable--full of the cutest baby items you can imagine, from thoughtful gifts and baby clothes to nursery must-haves. You can tell everything is curated with care. It has that perfect boutique vibe without being overwhelming or overpriced. Babies in Bloom is a true gem for anyone preparing to welcome a little one. We left not only knowing what stroller we want, but with a big smile on our faces. Highly, highly recommend!

My husband and I decided to take Janine's class due to our holistic approach to birthing and our…read moregoal to best prepare ourselves with pain-coping strategies for a natural birth plan. Not only did Janine optimally prepare us, but we got so much more out of the class than we ever expected. Janine's approach is relatable, compassionate, friendly, kind and incredibly positive. She provided my husband and I space, in an intimate group setting, to have the tough conversations around birthing, our relationship with each other as future parents, and space to create tangible plans for prenatal care, labor and postpartum support. We would not have carved out this time to work through these topics on our own, and have so much appreciation for the tools and revelations Janine was able to help us uncover. My husband and I felt emotionally and physically ready to take on the birthing process, and felt intimately aligned as a partner duo in the process. We were especially grateful for the way Janine shed light on the birthing process due to COVID-19 and the fact that our Doula couldn't join us in the hospital as planned. My husband has such a greater understanding, respect and comfortability with supporting me in the toughest times of delivery because of Janine's curriculum. I highly recommend Janine's Birth From Love course to any conscious parents who are looking for a deeper connection, understanding and confidence in the birthing process, whether you are planning a natural birth or not. We had a smooth labor and delivery and now a happy, healthy baby girl to enjoy!

Janine is absolutely amazing! My husband and I did a private class - Birthing Again at home, which…read morewas so convenient and suitable as we are planning this birth to be at our home so it was a more appropriate comfortable setting for us. She has a ton of insight and recommendations not just about birthing/laboring the baby again, but on other topics such as postpartum plans and managing a healthy communicative relationship with your partner. Initially I thought 6 hours for a class was a bit long but it went by so fast! And we are more than happy we chose her as a guide to preparing us to do this again! Thank you Janine!!

Sumer and Hugo are two of the most amazing people I've met, and their class is phenomenal…read more My wife and I recently took their 4-week birth class, and we simply could not be happier with the class, what we learned, how connected my wife and I feel, and how much hope and joy we are bringing to this last few weeks before birth. So much of this is because of the outstanding class Sumer and Hugo offer. They only take up to 5 couples per month, which keeps it feeling so supportive and caring. They provide delicious, healthy meals (for free!). The center is wonderful, cozy, and clean, with couches and exercise balls to sit on. There is a wonderful mix of medical evidence, personal experience, and honoring that everyone has their own hopes and plans for birth. We often heard about what ACOG recommended, and we also heard about more holistic approaches. Personally, we are very by the book, birthing in a hospital, but it was wonderful to hear the range of perspectives, evidence, and experiences. With social media and culture today, we tend to forget the wonder and goodness that bringing a new life into the new world brings. Sumer and Hugo bring heart, joy, connection, and hope to birth. One thing that really stood out to me, and really surprised me, was how much Hugo brought to the birth class for me as a father. Hugo is a successful construction management professional and seems quite masculine, yet he is also one of the most compassionate and caring men I've ever met. He is just such a solid father and partner to Sumer. It gave me such a wonderful and unique perspective into not only how to support my wife through pregnancy and birth, but also how to experience it myself and be an integral part of the experience (ie, not just someone there to help his wife). My goal is to be strong, present, supportive, caring, flexible, and vulnerable. And Hugo was such a good role model for this! After this class, we also took a 3-hour class at UCSD on labor and delivery, and though the class was good, we left 60% of the way through because it was uncomparable to what we had learned in Sumer and Hugo's class. UCSD was great, but we had covered everything already. The part that was missing from the UCSD class (and probably most hospital classes) was the feeling, the acknowledgement of what happens emotionally to the mom and family throughout birth. We got so much from this class. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I wholeheartedly recommend this class. Thank you so much, Sumer and Hugo!

Sumer and Hugo's birthing class was exactly what my husband and I were looking for in a class. It…read morehelped us prepare as first time parents and made us excited about labor and birth. My husband was able to learn from Hugo, an experienced dad, on the ways that he could be involved and how to best support me during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. This class gave us the confidence about the birthing process and all the options for any decisions we needed to make during labor and birth. Sumer's prenatal yoga classes were amazing. I felt much less stressed and more relaxed after each class. I learned different poses and breathing exercises I was able to use during labor that helped with the position of the baby and the pain! I had a great labor and birthing experience thanks to everything we learned from Sumer and Hugo and all the support and guidance they provided. Sumer was always checking in on me and we even came by postpartum to her breastfeeding support class and she helped me so much with my breastfeeding journey. My husband and I highly recommend this class and can't thank Sumer and Hugo enough for everything!

I can not say enough great things about the hynpobirthing class with Care Messer. My partner and I…read moreare first time parents and did not know the first thing about the labor and delivery process. We were very unsure about everything and looking for direction. In class we learned about what the different labor and delivery options are, what to expect from hospitals, and different techniques to use during labor. We now feel we have the tools to better understand the whole process and make the decisions that are right for us and our family. The class addressed all of my questions and I feel like the information was presented in a very unbiased way, not to mention Care is super funny and the time in class flys by! I would recommend this class to all of my friends and family.

If you are pregnant, book your class asap! I can't rave enough about their approach to preparing…read morefor birth. My husband had two kids from a previous relationship, but still was able to learn things he hadn't been present for with them. It improved our communication surrounding my pregnancy and birth, even when it took a different turn. We'd made it through four of the five classes when my son decided to he needed to get out at 30 weeks. I had so many tools in my toolbox that I felt prepared, even during the scary prospects of having preeclampsia and a NICU baby. I'm so grateful for Care and her entire team. Such a blessing!!!!

Charda' was utilized as a lactation consultant for myself and my daughter's needs. She's has even…read moresupported us during transition to solids and change from breastmilk to formula to whole milk. She's approachable, has a wealth of knowledge, and she's patient. Her care plans are detailed. She doesn't make me feel rushed either when I have additional questions. If there are urgent issues, her or a member of her team are available. Thanks so much!

From the owner: Experienced & Certified Black Doula, Lactation Consultant & Mom in San Diego, CA. Your search is…read moreover! We train doulas too.

Having a doula by your side during the journey of childbirth can be an incredibly supportive…read moreexperience. They provide not just emotional support, but also physical comfort and advocacy, ensuring that your voice is heard during labor and delivery. We were so fortunate to have found Tanesha to guide us through this experience and be our advocate. After interviewing a handful of other doulas, we knew immediately that she was the one for us. The first time she came over to meet in person only solidified our choice to hire her. Not only did we click with her personality immediately, she was incredibly thorough and informative while educating us on what to prepare for pre birth, in the delivery room, and post birth. I know myself and I knew I needed someone that was going to be confident, yet respectful, and that's exactly how Tanesha is. From the moment I started having contractions she was in contact with my husband and when I was ready for the additional support she was there. I was so happy to see her when she showed up at our house that morning. For the first few hours she was having me rotate through different positions, massaged my lower back, talked me through breathing techniques, and provided the emotional support I needed in addition to from my husband. When it was go time, we all left for the hospital and she was with us for the rest of the day. There was a lot of downtime once I got my epidural, but her spunky positive spirit was so great to be around as we waited for our baby girl to arrive. I cannot recommend Tanesha's services enough!! Our birthing experience was incredible all thanks to her!

We were blessed to have a HEALTHY BABY BOY late in August 2021…read more We worked with Tanesha of Divine Design Doula Services and were incredibly happy with the return on our investment. Technically gifted from her past as a classically trained chef, she is really talented at integrating herself into the loving lens of your family outlook and decision making process during an energized if not anxious time. She has very strong boundary setting abilities as it related to her relationship with our family and how we as a 3 person group would project a message forward to the rest of the world especially those involved in our birth process. She is not afraid to speak up for the team. She, my partner and I met as a group on several occasions. Sometimes by zoom. Sometimes in our home. Sometimes at our birth center with the midwives. She really understands team dynamics and never lost sight of the goal of a healthy birth for mom and junior. She lead us to explore some personal reflections that helped clarify our mentality as parents. We even did some "forgiveness in advance" exercises that really focused our family mentality as one team pulling in the same direction. When "game-time" finally arrived (at 1:30 am on a Monday!) she was immediately responsive by text, did some basic over the phone diagnosis of the contraction data I had been compiling and correctly diagnosed that labor was imminent... 14 minutes later she knocked on our door. She was a 3rd (and seemingly 4th!) set of hands once at the brith center. Carrying bags of clothes and protein packs - massaging my partner and even snapping photographs/video at the moment of truth. I didn't even really know what a Doula was 10 months ago. I cannot imagine going through this process without one. Tanesha and Divine Design Doula were great and now feel like family. HIGHLY RECOMMEND especially for 1st time parents. Our Thanks - M & A

Choosing Tema and Matriz Midwifery Care for my first pregnancy was one of the best decisions I made…read morefor myself, my baby, and my family. I am so grateful I chose to invest in midwifery care. As a first-time mom, I received both traditional OB-GYN care through my insurance and midwifery care with Tema, which allowed me to experience the difference in approaches firsthand. Tema's care was incredibly well-rounded. She didn't just focus on prenatal checkups--she cared for me as a whole person, helping me understand how everything in my body was connected. She guided me through nutrition, hydration, overall wellness, preparing my body for birth, and of course, prenatal care. I always felt safe, informed, listened to, and genuinely cared for. The cultural connection I felt with Tema and her practice was also deeply meaningful to me. There was something so reassuring and special about receiving care that felt connected to who I am and to the pregnancy and birth experience I had always dreamed of. Alix was such a lovely, calm, and grounding presence throughout my prenatal care. I loved having both Tema and Alix's expertise, experience, and personalities supporting and loving on me, my husband, and our baby. Their care during my labor and birth was outstanding. The guidance they gave me was exactly what I needed in those moments. Throughout my entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience, communication was clear and consistent. They were accessible when I needed them, supportive, transparent, and honest. I never felt like I was just another patient. Their care didn't simply end once my baby was born either. Being supported postpartum made me appreciate even more how special it is to have providers who see pregnancy, birth, recovery, motherhood, and baby as one connected experience. After experiencing Matriz Midwifery Care, I may forever be biased in believing Tema and Alix are angels on Earth. What they do is such a special and sacred skill--nurturing mothers and babies through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Tema, Alix, and the people Tema has chosen to surround her practice with. I will always be grateful that this was my first experience of pregnancy and motherhood. For anyone researching Matriz or wondering whether investing in midwifery care is worth it, I hope my experience helps: I felt respected, nurtured, empowered, safe, and deeply cared for every step of the way. Thank you, Tema and Alix, for caring for and loving on our little family during one of the most sacred and transformative seasons of our lives. I will carry this experience with me forever.

I cannot recommend this practice strongly enough. I worked with Tema and Alix who were both…read moreattentive, hugely knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. For the difficult and vulnerable experience of pregnancy/birth, it brought me immeasurable comfort to have them by my side throughout my journey. They invest a lot of time in building trust, made space for not only questions but also emotions and mental well-being, and really give their whole selves to supporting mothers. I am so grateful for their support and if I have another baby I will certainly seek it out again.