I found Labor of Love by doing some of my own research online. And thank God I did! My doula,…read moreKaren, was my rock throughout my labor and was 100,000 percent amazing--I'll definitely be working with her for my second! A little backstory: I was overwhelmed and so nervous about finding "the one" person to be a part of the most important event of my life. After doing my research and reading through all these bios, I honestly was left feeling overwhelmed, especially knowing how indecisive I can be. I knew I just had to trust my intuition and my gut on this one! After looking at Karen's bio on their website, I had such a good feeling. Staci (the owner), who was super friendly and professional, helped me get connected with Karen, and I booked an interview right away! Karen was so sweet and asked me about my pregnancy experience so far. We discussed how I wanted my birth to go and any concerns I had. There wasn't any pressure to hire her, and it just felt like she was already invested in me, like I was already family. I even had her video chat with my husband to make sure we both felt comfortable and vibed well together--and we sure did! Overall, Karen ended up being the perfect balance of knowledge, experience, and professionalism. It was the most perfect amount of care I could have asked for. She was also such an advocate for my birth plan to work out. Before, during, and after my labor and birth, she was always naturally in tune with what I needed. She was never overbearing, worked so well with my husband, and gave him space to be a part of my support team as well. I am so grateful to have come across Labor of Love

The business owner is quite the opposite of the type of person any vulnerable new mom should have…read moreto work with. My experience with Labor of Love was almost two years ago now but continues to upset me when thinking back on my experience. We hired Lauren as our doula, who made it clear she expected us to go far past my due date as a first time mom. While it's possible for that to happen, it didn't in my case. At 39 weeks and at 5am while in active labor and getting ready to head to the hospital, she let us know she had Covid. Her backup was Karen, who I wish we hired to begin with as she is far more caring and professional. Though unfortunately our experience still fell short and we ultimately delivered without Karen present. We were left feeling like we invested a lot of emotion and money into this process with ultimately no help. Staci has been incredibly rude to us since then and even revoked our access to watch her training videos, sending me a link to pay her once again when wanting to rewatch for our now second baby on the way. Karen herself even recommended we ask for a partial refund due to our experience, but Staci lacks the professionalism and courtesy to her clients. Truly mindblowing that she revoked access to the training videos after we had already paid for them. I would stay far away and recommend a more experienced and caring doula group.

I decided to hire a birth doula because I knew I was going to need the emotional and physical…read moresupport for an unmedicated labor/birth (I can imagine having a doula even medicated is just as important with first baby). I labored for 18 hours and Francesca was a huge support from the moment I started to feel my contractions. She really listened to my needs, was hands on, and so helpful the entire time. Looking back I wish I even hired her for the postpartum care. I love Francesca. Thank you for doing what you do to support us mamas. You are amazing!

My very first prenatal yoga class I was 4 months and I got lucky! I met Francesca and immediately…read morefelt I'd met a genuine spirit. Not only were her prenatal classes amazing but I find out she's a doula I attended a few of Francesca's classes but sadly my schedule changed and there was a conflict of time. So I stoped attending and wouldn't you know Francesca reached out to me. Asked me how I was doing and that she missed seeing me in class. I can't tell you how special that made me feel. So I tried my best to make it to her classes .... But then in walks Covid with all its stay at home quarantine SAS! At this point I'm 7 months. And I now feel my pregnancy plan to stay active is going down the drain. But wait... there's a rainbow at the end of this freak show. Francesca to the rescue ... she starts offering online prenatal classes and I'm so happy I cry. *all those hormones* talk about hot mess. I now attend her classes just about every day AND I ask her to be my Doula She and her classes helped me get through a lot of anxiety. Being pregnant and so close to giving birth during a pandemic..... it got pretty dark there for a min. But Francesca is very informative and has this calmness about her.... She's all the good things you need/ want from a prenatal yoga teacher/ doula While she could not be with me in the delivery room she was with me through phone and text guiding me through. My husband and I couldn't have been more grateful. So in conclusion Francesca is a Unicorn! And I love her... but you'll find that out once you take her classes or have her as your doula

We cannot say enough amazing things about our experience with Sandra from…read moreOC Newborn Quality Care! As first-time parents, we were completely overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice on the internet about sleep training. Our 4-month-old daughter was struggling with sleep, and we felt lost--until Sandra came into the picture. Sandra guided us for four consecutive nights and transformed the way we approached sleep training. From the very beginning, she impressed us with her professionalism, deep knowledge, and endless patience. She explained each step in a way that made us feel comfortable and confident, and she was so easy to communicate with--always calm, reassuring, and supportive. To our surprise, we began to see real results by the second night. By the end of the fourth night, our daughter was not only sleeping so much better at night but also learning to self-soothe. This has been life-changing for us as parents--finally getting solid rest ourselves has made such a difference, especially since we both have demanding jobs and long workdays. Sandra gave us the tools and guidance we truly needed, and we feel so grateful for her expertise. If you are a new parent in need of support, especially with sleep training, we wholeheartedly recommend Sandra. She was exactly what our family needed, and we couldn't be happier with the results!

I can't say enough wonderful things about Sandra and Helen! As a second-time mom, I knew how…read morechallenging those early days could be--especially the sleep deprivation and postpartum anxiety I experienced the first time around. I was very hesitant and anxious about having someone come into our home when our baby was just three days old, but choosing to work with Sandra and Helen was truly the best decision we could have made. They were not only professional and reliable but also incredibly kind, nurturing, and respectful of our space and parenting style. From the first night, they brought a sense of calm and reassurance that allowed me to rest and heal, knowing our baby was in the most capable and loving hands. Thanks to them, I was able to be more present for both my newborn and older child during the day. I also attribute the fact that I did not struggle with postpartum anxiety the second time around to this team. If you're a parent considering night support and feeling unsure, I completely understand--but I can wholeheartedly recommend Sandra and Helen. They made a world of difference for our family during a time when we needed it most.

This review is long overdue but that's happens when you've got kids because time flies!…read more With this being our second birth, we felt comfortable hiring Florencia for day of doula support and we are so happy we did! Doulas are truly invaluable people and if you're thinking about whether you really need one, you absolutely do!! From the start, she provided excellent guidance and was a steady, reassuring presence throughout the entire process. During labor, her constant affirmations helped me stay calm and focused, reminding me to breathe most of all! Her words of encouragement were exactly what I needed to stay centered and trust my body. With the birth of my first child being slightly traumatic, Florencia was there to guide me through a truly healing and unmedicated vbac second delivery! We truly felt supported every step of the way, and I can't recommend her enough!

Florencia is ABSOLUTELY awesome !!!! Highly highly recommend her to anyone and everyone. From the…read morecommunication, patients, desire to teach, just be there for me and my wife with whatever we needed for our first child, was an absolutely great experience with her.

5/5 - Highly Recommend for First-Time Parents…read more My wife and I took a birthing class with Lia, and we are truly happy with the entire experience. As a first-time dad, this class taught me so much about how to stay prepared and how to be a strong advocate for mom while she's in labor. I went into this wanting to make sure I could actually help and not just be "dead weight," and this class delivered exactly that. I really appreciated how Lia explained that every birth is different, and showed us a variety of experiences from other couples. It helped me understand what to expect and how to support my wife through whatever direction our birth might take. I also loved that I had to actively participate--taking notes and learning alongside my wife really prepared me for the big day. We also enjoyed meeting other couples who are going through the same process. It made everything feel more real and more supported. When the time came and we arrived at the hospital, I genuinely felt prepared because of this class. As first-time parents, we absolutely recommend taking this class with Lia. It made a huge difference for both of us.

I'm an RN. I work in a hospital. I'm no stranger to the Labor & Delivery world. Even so, Lia's…read moreclass was amazingly helpful, not only to me, but also to my husband, who is definitely NOT in the medical field :) It is clear that she has so much L&D experience; she educates using scientific articles and her doula experience. Lia is entertaining too! Her bubbly, casual demeanor make classes fun. She provides education and her opinion without judging if you choose something different. I really appreciate that she promotes participation and camaraderie among the parents in the class. She responds quickly & thoughtfully to questions via email and text. I repeated her class for my second pregnancy. I've now successfully delivered 3 babies 'the Bradley way' and I could not be more grateful to Lia for helping me prepare for such unique, miraculous, athletic events! #dates

Having Jessie as a midwife enabled me to have the most beautiful pregnancy and birth experience. I…read morefeel so grateful that I had the ability to have a home birth because it was a life changing and transformative experience, and that was in no small part due to who Jessie is and how she works. Contrasting from OB care where every appointment is hurried and routine, Jessie invests in you as a person. Appointments are up to one hour and explore all aspects of health: physical, emotional, mental, etc. Jessie has a magical way about her in the way she advises you and listens that's non-judgmental but supportive. I felt so empowered and supported through it all. During the birth, I'll never forget when Jessie looked me in the eye as I neared the end and told me the only way out was through and I took a big breath and powered through. We did a home, water birth and it was the most special experience. I hope more and more women are able to navigate pregnancy and birth with Jessie or midwives like her. And overall I left this experience wiser about my own body and health, prepared to care for our baby, more confident and more.

This review is long over due. First and foremost the quality of care you will receive from Jessie…read moreprenatally and postpartum is like nothing you will ever experience from a traditional OB/ Provider. She is genuinely caring, compassionate, nurturing and responsive. We had a few scares during our pregnancy that of course had to happen later at night and she was quick to answer and respond in a calm but urgent way. The same has been true postpartum. She ALWAYS has you & your babies health and best interests in mind when discussing options and care. She is informative and relays the perfect mix of holistic/ evidence based medicine and western medicine if needed. Once you have a conversation with her you'll understand why she is the best. Jessie, We love you so much and we are so grateful that you were with us every step of the way to bring our baby girl into the world happy and healthy.

I was hesitant at first since most of the positive experiences are with hypnobirthing. But the…read morenight time postpartum doula was better than expected. Dina W. was very accommodating and extremely supportive. Always there for nighttime feeding/diaper/burping/etc, cleaning pump parts, food prep, and baby/kid laundry. I really appreciate her willingness to do everything we asked and with a positive attitude. It was easy to send an inquiry on their website. I received a prompt response based on our price range request. I also inquired with another company at the same time but they never replied. Thanks Dina!!

Cannot recommend Bree or Breezy Doula enough!…read more We're due in September and have already had so many great experiences with Breezy Doula. We first learned about them at a Memorialcare Saddleback open house. We were not at all familiar with doula care and at first didn't understand, but now we cannot imagine giving birth without a doula (specifically one from Breezy Doula!). Upon reaching out, we filled out their online form then received such a warm, quick and thorough response from the doula director, Sarah. She gave us a list of doulas within their group that matched our preferences and budget. We ended up meeting with two amazing doulas and didn't need to interview more. It was such a tough decision as both doulas were super warm, responsive, knowledgeable, and experienced. We decided to move forward with Carla and picked the grand package! See the attached pic for the package offerings, I removed the pricing as it varies per doula and prices may have changed since I last received this. We've taken the spinning babies (1 day) and hypnobirthing classes (wednesdays for 5 weeks straight) with Bree in Laguna Hills. Such a great experience! We've learned SOO much. Bree is so passionate about birth and motherhood. She keeps the content easy to digest and informative, but is also very patient with the many questions we had. Also another point for all the yummy snacks she provides! I also really love how she brings in guest speakers (baby & maternity chiropractor, IBCLC, acupuncturist, etc.) So excited to give birth! The classes have really helped me feel prepared, debunked the common misconceptions around childbirth, and have removed the fear brought by unrealistic situations shown in movies or on TV. Definitely reach out, you will not regret it!

Harley has the biggest heart and it's definitely someone you want in your corner in such a…read moretransformative experience as pregnancy, birth and postpartum. When I had moments during my pregnancy where I would start to doubt myself or feel unsure of my choices, Harleyann was right there to walk me through it and help me remember how capable I am. During my labor she was super communicative with my husband and not only supported me emotionally but supported him supporting me. Harleyann really cares that you feel safe and confident during your birth experience. Her understanding support and care was a huge part of having a positive pregnancy and birth experience. Would absolutely recommended her. She is amazingly knowledgeable and compassionate.

Harley was extremely helpful during my birth process! She was very knowledgeable and guided me…read morealong the way into making my decisions! She wouldn't let my doctor fear monger me and she was my voice when I needed one!

I didn't know where to start in searching for a doula, and I'm so glad I came across this marching…read moreservice. It was an easy and quick process that helped me find a doula with some pretty specific preferences I had in mind. They gave me several great options and matched me with my doula who I absolutely love!

The Doulas of Orange County is a wonderful service that helped my wife and me out tremendously in…read moreour search for a birth doula. With so many doulas available, it was overwhelming knowing where to start our search. Doulas of Orange County simplified everything by first gathering a list of what we wanted and matching us with the perfect doulas who aligned with our vision and our budget. The process was easy to understand, and they consistently informed us every step along the way to keep us in the loop. Thank you, Doulas of Orange County!

Lauren is an exceptional doula and we feel incredibly grateful to have had her as part of our birth…read moreexperience. She is extremely knowledgeable about all things labor and delivery, works seamlessly with the staff at Hoag Newport, and is fantastic at collaborating with the husband (me) both leading up to and during labor and delivery. Lauren even came to our home ahead of time to see our space and provide education, which was such a thoughtful and comforting touch. She truly has a gift for bringing calm, clarity, and confidence to the birth process. She was texting us consistently leading up to going to the hospital, which made us feel deeply supported, cared for, and never alone. We would absolutely recommend Lauren to anyone looking for a doula who is skilled, compassionate, and genuinely invested in your experience.

Lauren is super nice and very attentive throughout the process! The only thing id like to mention…read moreto other mamas, is that she possibly overbooks herself. While in the pushing stage of labor, lauren was texting on her phone and took a phone call (probably another mama in labor). I totally understand there may be other things that need her attention during my 18+ hour labor, but I was disappointed she was preocupied on her phone during the pushing stage. She also video taped my birth, which i specifically told her I do not want. She told me afterwards that my husband told her to last minute, but this seems like a lie to me. I did not want to be filmed below my waist, and when i brought this up to her, she stated " well why dont you just delete the video". She also provided no breastfeeding support despite this being a contractual obligation. I bet other mamas have had a great experience with lauren, and she was an immense help throughout my labor.