Heidi and her team of midwives at Bloom literally changed my life. I didn't know what I needed as…read morethis baby was my first, and I was on the fence at first. However, I NEEDED the support I got -- from hour-long prenatal visits that truly encompass the whole family's values to the birth itself, these women were a godsend to our family. I unfortunately had a complicated birth, and ended up going to the hospital. Having the midwives there with us made the experience SO MUCH less scary. I can't even begin to explain how priceless their presence in the hospital was -- at 3am nonetheless! The lactation support was also key, and got us set up to have a very healthy breastfeeding routine. However, the most important thing that I didn't know I'd need was the postpartum support. You guys, having a baby is WILD. You think about the pregnancy and the birth, but nobody really prepares you for what comes next. I was able to call the midwives and get help after our baby was born, with everything from sleeping arrangements with a newborn to what to do when he got a cold at 3 weeks old. You just don't get this level of care anywhere else. Please consider this option for your family -- it's worth it!

As a new mother in her 40s, I chose to embarked on my pregnancy journey with both Bloom midwives…read moreand an OB. However, upon reflection, I wholeheartedly advocate for Bloom's midwifery and midwifery in general in all pregnancies, if available for the mother. Additionally, I strongly recommend having a doula by one's side for added support. The out of this world remarkable team at Bloom has been a constant source of support, having even helped me through a previous miscarriage with unparalleled care and compassion. They truly feel like family, and I feel blessed to have had them by my side. Towards the end of my pregnancy, the fear instilled in me outside of Bloom, due to my age and ingrained western beliefs, became almost unbearable, leaving me confused and unsure of myself and my decisions for both my baby and myself. In stark contrast, the support, information, and guidance provided by the midwives at Bloom were extraordinary. Their comprehensive approach, addressing both physical and mental health aspects, along with knowledge and encouragement in nutrition, transformed my pregnancy into a positive and empowering experience. During labor, I had the privilege of giving birth in the water to a beautiful and healthy baby. I truly believe that Bloom's care helped improve my mental and physical health during pregnancy, which undoubtedly contributed to the overall health and well-being of my baby. Notably, the midwives at Bloom went above and beyond to ensure that my baby was properly latched during breastfeeding, a crucial aspect of postpartum care often overlooked by other medical providers. Their dedication to incorporating breastfeeding support into their care further solidified my trust and gratitude for their outstanding service. The midwives at Bloom demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and expertise throughout the process, ensuring that every aspect of my care was holistic and supportive. Their unwavering support continued through labor and postpartum, making them an invaluable resource throughout my pregnancy journey. I was consistently informed about all available options, empowering me to make informed decisions regarding my care. Moreover, Bloom's remarkable knowledge in all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care was evident throughout my experience. From providing invaluable advice on newborn care to ensuring proper baby feeding techniques, their expertise was instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition into motherhood. Having experienced both approaches, I can confidently say that Bloom's midwifery care during pregnancy, labor, as well as postpartum, focusing on the mother's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, surpasses expectations. I dream of a world where midwifery is celebrated and encouraged, allowing pregnancies to become more fulfilling and less fear-driven experiences. If the opportunity arises to experience pregnancy and labor with Bloom Water Birth and Wellness center, seize it. It's truly transformative in the most profound way possible. I'm forever grateful for Blooms midwifery team.

Sarah provided me with compassionate and expert support in my journey feeding my kiddo. I greatly…read moreappreciated her warm, non-judgmental approach and her wise advice. She was able to meet with me on short notice, followed up via text to check in on me after our first appointment, and has fielded several questions via email, even while she was traveling. I am very grateful for her support and would highly recommend her!

At 5 days postpartum, I was feeling incredibly stressed and overwhelmed, but Sarah came to our home…read moreimmediately to help. She spent several hours with my husband and me, teaching us everything from the basics of breastfeeding and milk supply to the specifics of breast anatomy. Her calm demeanor was exactly what we needed; she completely eased my anxiety and gave us the confidence we were lacking. This was truly the most helpful support we've received since coming home from the hospital. If you are looking for an expert who is both knowledgeable and deeply compassionate, look no further.

So grateful to Better Beginnings and Rose! She came to my house when my newborn and I were having…read moredifficulty latching in the first month and was my saving grace a few times. I really appreciate these free and much needed services! I was also able to do an in-person consult with the resident expert and they even sent me home with a breastfeeding stool to use during my journey. They are so kind and helpful, thank you all very much!

The Breastfeeding Cafe is an amazing source for mom's. I struggled with my first and ultimately our…read morebreastfeeding relationship ended earlier than I had hoped. I found this group during a long painful night of feeding my second and thought I'd give it a shot. That was about a month ago. We are now feeding better and getting better on our latching. Not only do you get FREE lactation help (one on one and group setting ) you also are surrounded mom's who are seeking the same support. The Cafe is not a hospital environment, it is cozy and welcoming. Because of the Cafe and the support we receive there, I feel more confident that my son and I will reach our one year breastfeeding goal. The whole Breastfeeding Cafe team are wonderful people, here to support you in any way they possibly can. I am truly blessed to have found them!

My wife and I had our third baby at home through Thrive in November, and again, I can do nothing…read morebut sing their praises. I had complete confidence that Thrive had our best interests at heart every moment my wife and son were in their care. As usual, they practiced informed consent, validation of experiences, and love to a degree that I have never seen or even dreamed of previously in health care settings. The highlight of this birth experience was (of course) the birth itself. This time we were graced with three of the midwives through good fortune. Again, immediately after birth, our newborn struggled to take his first breaths. We waited about 8 minutes for him to take that first breath, and yet, my wife, daughter, son and I were all calm and felt immensely supported in that moment by the three women in our presence who absolutely knew what their calling was and what their roles were in that moment. It is hard to comprehend how different that experience could have felt from a sterile, medical, environment of a hospital, and how different our newborn's first few minutes, hours, and days after birth could have been. Not to mention how the perception and feelings surrounding births could have been malformed for our young son and daughter. We are so immensely thankful to have this collective of women in Sonoma County who are such a breath of fresh air!

We had our baby at Thrive in July and it was the best experience! This was our first baby and we…read moreare so happy we decided to transfer our care from Kaiser to Thrive. The midwives are amazing; supportive, loving and really helpful. I had pregnancy insomnia and Tracy turned me onto a sleep tincture that she sells and it was like magic. I was finally able to sleep!!! The appointments were an hour long and the post partum appointments are at your home! We had trouble with breastfeeding and received so much support through text and having them come to our house. We cannot say enough good things about Thrive and Taya, Tracy, Morgan and Hannah.

As a new parent, the postpartum period is challenging enough without having to deal with the stress…read moreand disappointment of a difficult agency. While Stork and Sprout does have some excellent doulas on its team who provided great support and coaching, my experience with the agency's leadership was overwhelmingly negative. We had a particularly difficult time with Brittany. She demonstrated a pattern of manipulation, gaslighting, and lying, both to us and, from what I understand, to her own employees. Our contract promised consistent coverage, but the scheduling was erratic and communication was poor. We were left to wonder many nights if we would have support, and for several weeks, we only received 1 to 2 days of support instead of the 6 to 7 we paid for. When we requested a refund for the services not provided, Brittany refused and even fought our bank with out-of-context emails and more lies. She claims she "offered a refund" but is even today refusing to honor it as she says in the response. The lack of professionalism extended to some of the staff as well; one sick doula was sent to our home and intentionally caused our newborn physical pain. Brittany treated us like we were the difficult ones and responded with empathy-less chatGPT emails to manage the situation. We were also led to believe we would have one primary doula with a backup, but over the course of our service, we had seven different doulas come to our home. This complete lack of continuity made an already difficult period even more stressful. Based on my experience, I would advise new parents to skip Stork and Sprout and work directly with an independent doula. You will not only save the 30-40% extra fee the agency charges for scheduling, but you will also avoid the toxic and difficult management. This experience is unacceptable for a service that costs tens of thousands of dollars and demands payment upfront months ahead of providing the service. We were not able to switch easily due to the inflexible Carrot reimbursement process through the employer.

I truly couldn't have accomplished my VBAC goals without the incredible support of the Stork and…read moreSprout birth doula team. From the very first moment I needed them through labor and all the way until I was settled into the maternity floor with my new little boy, they were there every step of the way. Their calm presence, deep knowledge, encouragement, and advocacy made all the difference during such an intense and meaningful experience. I felt supported, empowered, and never alone. I am beyond grateful for their care and dedication and would wholeheartedly recommend Stork and Sprout to anyone preparing for birth--especially those pursuing a VBAC.

I had the pleasure of a mother roasting session and also chose Monika for my annual pap smear and…read morebreast exam this past year. You don't find the level of thoughtfulness and presence with many other providers. Midwife Monika is truly a rare gem. I always feel comfortable and at ease while in her care. Monika is a wealth of knowledge but is also very straightforward. She also offers a wide range of services. If I ever have another baby I would be so lucky to be in her care. Highly recommend to anyone.

From the owner: I specialize in home and out of hospital births, water births, holistic women's health, and…read moreplacenta encapsulation all over Mendocino, Lake, and S Humboldt Counties. Free Initial Consultation. Office in Ukiah with option to meet in your home as well. "Birth is not an emergency. It's an emergence." Jeannie Parvati Baker

Meleah is an angel on Earth!!! I truly cannot imagine my birth experience without her. I had an…read moreextremely long labor (over 72 hours) and Meleah was there guiding me, comforting me, advocating for me, and coaching me through it every step of the way. She helped me find the optimal labor positions for my body, guided my husband in how he could best support me, and provided a depth of knowledge that we would have been completely lost without. My goal was to have a vaginal birth without induction, and with Meleah's support, that goal became a reality. I know that if I hadn't hired her and had gone to the hospital as soon as my contractions became more painful, my birth would likely have ended with far more interventions than I wanted, especially given how long my labor was taking. Because of Meleah's constant support and reassurance, I was able to labor safely at home until I reached 6.5 cm and then have the vaginal birth I had hoped for at the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital, Meleah stayed by my side the entire time. She brought her expertise into the delivery room and helped position me in ways that made a huge difference when it came time to push. She was also there helping with cleanup, offering emotional and physical support, and advocating for me throughout the entire process. I felt completely safe with her. Before my labor, we had three meetings with Meleah, plus another meeting postpartum. We talked through our expectations and preferences, created our birth plan, and did a full labor-preparation session. My husband and I both knew immediately that we were in incredibly good hands. On top of everything else, her communication is outstanding. She responds to texts and emails as soon as she possibly can (often almost immediately) even when it's a 3 a.m. text! And even now, two months later, Meleah continues to check in and answer any questions we have about our baby girl. Her support didn't end when the birth was over, and that has meant so much to us. Meleah was recommended to me by a friend, and I could not be more grateful. I honestly want Meleah at all of my future births because I know she will help me feel supported, confident, and as comfortable as possible throughout the entire experience. I cannot recommend her enough!!! If you're considering hiring a doula, hire Meleah. You will be so grateful you did!!

Hiring Meleah was one of the best decisions we made as first-time parents…read more She was an incredible resource throughout pregnancy, helping us prepare for labor, birth, and life with a newborn. When labor finally arrived, her support was invaluable. She brought a calm, reassuring presence, helped us navigate decisions, and was a tremendous advocate and source of encouragement during a long and emotional experience. Having her with us at the hospital made a world of difference. After our daughter was born, Meleah continued to be an amazing source of knowledge and support. Whether we were struggling with feeding challenges, babywearing (she wrote a book on it!), sleep deprivation, or just trying to figure out what was normal, she always helped us find a path forward and gave us confidence as new parents. Meleah combines deep expertise with genuine compassion, and it's obvious how much she cares about the families she works with. We are incredibly grateful for her guidance and would recommend her without hesitation to any expecting parents.

Caitlyn is an incredible lactation consultant. She approaches the situation with a calming and…read morereassuring attitude, which is what I very much needed in my postpartum haze. I struggled with understanding whether my baby's latch was correct and whether she was getting enough milk. Caitlyn visited several times and each time was able to resolve my needs, especially with weighing baby before and after feeds. I would highly recommend using Caitlyn for lactation services!

From the owner: Your consultation is all about providing education and support. My goal is to teach you the skills…read moreand techniques to feel confident about feeding your baby.  Together we will address  any discomforts and create a care plan that will resolve any maternal or infant feeding issues.

My husband and I had to relocate from Los Angeles to Napa right in the middle of my pregnancy (with…read moreour FIRST BABY) which meant leaving our midwife behind and leaving me afraid of what we would do for the care/birth of me and our son. I emailed two groups in Napa (Paula being one of them) and told them my situation, Paula offered I call her and talk to her on the phone almost immediately. I never heard anything from the other group. I told her this was our first baby, I was scared of this move because we were set on homebirth and we needed a midwife. She offered to meet with us when we came to Napa and talk further. When we went to to find a place to live in Napa, we visited Paula and part of the birth team and my husband and I realized quickly that Paula was an answer to our prayers. She wasn't just going to be our replacement midwife to get the job done, she was our dream midwife. I can't begin to unpack how amazing Paula is AND the birth team she constructs. Every appointment is thorough, we felt cared for and she went above and beyond to get me connected to other mamas in the area. She is beyond experienced and someone you can trust. Our birth was beautiful, smooth, amazing and at home with Paula and the team just like we wanted. The way the team helped us prepare mentally and emotionally is beyond what they're required to do but they truly care and KNOW birth, babies and parents! As I laid in my bed after birth overwhelmed with emotion holding my son, I looked at Paula and told her I think that this move to Napa was so that we could have her, I couldn't imagine anyone else helping us through this. We hit a SMALL hiccup in birth that was absolutely no big deal to Paula and she quickly rectified it for me so I could push our baby out safely. Couldn't believe how simple it was for her to fix when in the hospital my outcome may have been very different. I say that to comfort you that Paula knows her stuff, she has done this 1000++ times and you are in the best of hands with mama Paula. We love her, her team and everything about our experience. The care we're getting postpartum is unbelievable as well! I could go on and on! I'm telling you, Paula is your midwife.

Paula was inattentive during checkups, responding to texts, only looking up when her apprentice,…read moreJamie, asked a question. We discovered my baby was breech and, with an OB, came up with a plan for spinning baby and what to do if he didn't spin. Two days later, I went into labor. My husband updated Paula on how strong & close together my contractions were, and she said to call her back in an hour, nothing about heading to the birth center 40 minutes away. We trusted her and stayed put. She had no sense of urgency until 15 minutes later when my husband told her my water broke. My breech baby was born in an unsafe environment and needed to be revived by paramedics. We were transported to a nearby hospital separately, and I didn't see my baby until he was 3 hours old. Paula showed up at the hospital and asked my mother to watch her daughter. Almost a year later, in front of her former partner Fawn, Paula claimed that Jamie was the primary for my care and birth. This was a surprise to my husband and me. Jamie didn't know I was in labor until after my water broke as my husband was solely communicating with Paula. My baby spent time in the NICU hooked up to all matter of wires. He was in a cooling blanket for his first 3 days, during which I could only hold him for one hour a day, but not close. He suffered seizures and is still attending High Risk Infant doctors appointments over 18 months later. I'm still coming to terms with my traumatic birth and grieving the birth I wanted. When we chose Paula, there was a couple in the birthing room with their new baby. Paula said they lived 40 minutes away, but she had told them to come early. I loved that and felt we were in good hands, that we would be provided the same care. Instead, we paid thousands and were told to call her back in an hour.

Incredible lady who genuinely cares about her clients and optimizing there health I would highly…read morerecommend

I feel so much better after a session with Dawn. Not only do her hands listen to what my body…read moreneeds, but she also offers me great suggestions on how to take care of myself. Her work is healing and is an integral part of my self care.