I took Lia's childbirth class during my first pregnancy in 2023. I live in South Orange County, so…read morethe drive was a bit of a commitment, but it was absolutely worth it. Being in class with other expectant couples created such a supportive environment, and the course was incredibly comprehensive. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to navigate a hospital birth and make informed decisions about the many interventions that are commonly offered. At 38 weeks, my water broke unexpectedly while I was riding a stationary bike. I immediately reached out to Lia for guidance. Since I wasn't experiencing a fever or any signs of infection, she explained that I had options: I could either go to the hospital right away or stay home and wait for labor to begin naturally. She also educated me about the fact that the body continues producing amniotic fluid and that, in some cases, a small rupture in the membranes may even reseal. Knowing that going to the hospital before labor started would likely lead to an induction (which wasn't aligned with my goal of having an unmedicated birth) I chose to stay home and monitor myself. The night before my 39-week OB appointment, I was feeling anxious. I knew that if my provider confirmed my water had broken before labor had started, induction would almost certainly be recommended. I reached out to Lia again, and she suggested trying the Miles Circuit. I followed the stretches that evening, and to my surprise, I went into early labor around 1:00 a.m. Whether it was the Miles Circuit, my body simply being ready, or a combination of both, it gave me the confidence to keep trusting the process. In January 2024, I welcomed a healthy baby girl through the unmedicated birth I had hoped for. While my hospital experience was unfortunately traumatic, the education Lia provided made all the difference. There were many moments when my husband, my doula, and I had to advocate for my birth preferences, and it wasn't always met with respect. Without the knowledge and confidence I gained from Lia's class, I truly believe my birth could have unfolded very differently. I'm now pregnant with my second baby, and one of the first things I did was sign up to retake Lia's class. One of the biggest perks is that once you've taken her course, you can retake it as many times as you'd like for free. Childbirth education isn't something you only benefit from once, and I love having the opportunity to refresh everything I've learned before welcoming another baby. I'm incredibly grateful for everything Lia taught us. Her class empowered me to make informed decisions, advocate for myself, and approach birth with confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend her course to any expecting parents, especially those hoping for an evidence-based, physiologic birth. Even if you have to drive a little farther to attend like I did, it's worth every mile.

We took Lia's virtual Bradley method class, and would highly recommend it for any expecting…read moreparents. First off, it can be hard to find time to take a birth class, and Lia chooses convenient times, with multiple options to choose from. It's a very comfortable classroom atmosphere where I felt good to ask any question, or add any comment. Lia keeps it fun and interesting, and is a great teacher. Lia is also available outside of class for questions, and she is super responsive. It shouldn't really matter if a doula has been pregnant herself.... But it was really helpful to hear about her first hand experiences and to know that she has gone through it all before. I just wish we in lived in LA so that we could have Lia as our Doula.

You give birth once and unfortunately I had a very bad experience with Lorraine. I would not…read morerecommend it to anyone. She definitely a good marketing person of herself and she did not keep that up during the birth for me. Please think twice before you hire her. I did hire her because she has experience but sometimes it's about the excitement. She is done. She is doing it just for money and she is not even doing it right.

I always thought I would try a natural birth but I really started to do alot of research once I…read morefound out I was pregnant. So many times my friends were going to go "natural" but in the end they would give into the almighty needle. So I did a ton of research and I came to the conclusion that I was going to educate myself as much as I could and that I would hire a doula. My husband was very skeptical... His entire family laughed when I said I was going to try a natural birth. Their exact words "Why would you ever choose that?!!" So I dragged my reluctant husband to our 6 week Hypnobabies course. By the 3rd week he was fully on the natural train! He told me "I really think you can do this!" The class was great and I really loved how we bonded with the other couples!! Lorraine was our doula also and it was a great experience. From our interview to when our sweet baby girl came Lorraine was at our disposal. She kept me calm and focused during my birthing time/labor and at the end I faced some complications... Lorraine gave me the lowdown on what was going on and let me know that it was crunch time! Looking back it really was the perfect pep talk... I pushed the baby out in 3 contractions!! And believe it or not I was up and walking around 30 mins later! My husband looked more jacked up than I did, lol. I had such a positive experience with Lorraine on top of a great birthing experience. I would do everything all over again in a heartbeat!

Looma Birth connected us with an amazing night doula. We finally got to sleep during the newborn…read moremonths! Elizabeth took the time to hear our needs and helped make the process of finding the right doula for our family so much easier. Highly recommend Looma Birth!

Wanted to update this after our third class, following empowered hospital labor we took the…read morebreastfeeding and postpartum class led by Brittany and then Emma. I cannot recommend these 3 classes enough, all the instructors were incredibly kind, empathetic and used both data/ research and their own experiences in the classes. It made me feel so much better about the future. I highly recommend these classes - knowledge is power!! You and your partner will feel so much better.

Angela is a gift and an incredible Doula. We did her Hypnobabies course which was amazing. I felt…read morelike a first time mama, even though this was my 5th baby. My husband and I learned so much in Hypnobabies with Angela. My husband loved it as well. Angela makes the class what it is though. As for Angela, my Doula, wow. We did so much work together in my monthly chats with her. It was like my own therapy session that I didn't know I needed. I did so much healing in the months I worked with her. She prepared my husband and I for birth so well. She has so much to offer! She doesn't leave anything unchecked. She will be your best advocate! She had a big hand in helping redeem all of my past birth experiences. I'll forever be grateful for Angela!

Angela is an amazing doula and educator. She was present in our transition into parenthood. She…read moreprovided tough love in moments when we needed it but also showered us with love and compassion in difficult moments through our birthing journey. She supported me to overcome my fears about giving birth and trusting the medical staff. She provided a lot of information and resources. Although we had a c-section and Angela was not allowed to be physically in the OR, she prepared us well enough to go in with confidence that all would go well. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy this past January. It was a beautiful experience. If you cannot afford her doula services, I highly recommend her hypno birthing class. It prepared my fiance and I on the birthing process. Classes were via zoom which was great for us since we got to learn from the comfort of our home. I am grateful for this beautiful soul. She truly is living her life's purpose. Thank you Angela. If you are looking for a doula, she is it!

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

Emily is a phenomenal doula, better than I could have even imagined!…read more Each of the midwives involved in my L&D later told me that they recognized the value brought to the experience and they insisted on referring Emily to their patients. I interviewed 4 potential doulas before speaking to Emily and I immediately knew she was the one I wanted by myside. She stood out from the crowd. Her enthusiasm, confidence and knowledge secured my decision. I certainly do not think I could have had the birthing experience I did without her help. Emily followed through with everything we discussed and more prior to the L&D. She made me feel at ease and much less anxious about the process because she took the time to get to know me and my husband. She addressed our concerns and questions in a thoughtful and prepared manner. We never felt rushed but on the contrary it was apparent that Emily enjoyed the work that she did, her enthusiasm and sincerity was palpable. On the day of my L&D, she was very prepared she brought an organized travel suitcase and wore a fanny pack for easy access to supplies. She decorated the hospital's birthing room into a serene oasis that I will never forget. On the wall, she included positive birthing affirmations, dimmed the lights, installed led fairy and candle lights, made the room smell of my favorite essential oils and so much more! She was beyond supportive and encouraging. I relied on her for some of the most difficult parts of my labor and she always exceeded expectations. I can go on and on about what a marvelous doula Emily is but I think you get the picture :)

Let me first start off with saying, EMILY WAS AMAZING! This…read morewas my first baby and like most, my wife and I were nervous about delivery. Emily was the first doula we interviewed with and honestly we didn't have a tough time when it came to choosing her. She really educated us both very well and made us feel prepared and ready for when the time did come. She was really the support both my wife and I needed being a young couple going through this for the first time. "She gave me a lot of confidence in birth. She was very in tune with what I was feeling and she could tell instantly without me having to tell her." -My wife I would say from my position as the future father, I was very nervous about how my wife would feel, how she was taken care of and the overall delivery process. But all that went away when the time came and seeing how she took care of her really helped me see what I could do to help my wife better, along with the pointers and advice she gave me. It really gave me the confidence to be a rock of encouragement to my wife during delivery. Overall if I haven't said it enough, we were super super super happy to have Emily be with us during a life changing experience. We cannot thank her enough for all she did. If you are looking for a doula, don't think, go with Emily!

Kim was not only a friendly instructor but also filled with knowledge! She made our class super…read moreenjoyable and fun. We came out of each class feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on our daily hypnosis sessions. My husband and I feel very ready for the birth of our baby thanks to Kim!

I am so grateful to Kim and her expertise and education! Just had my baby on Sunday (3/28/21) and…read moreKim's hypnobabies classes prepared my partner and I so well for a calm and peaceful birthing time. We took Kim's class via zoom in January and had a great experience. The classes are entertaining and educational! As a former birth worker myself, I am always seeking knowledge but I thought, I would know a lot and wasn't sure if the class would be worth it for me, but I am SO glad we decided to take the class anyway. This was my second birth and while my first was a good experience, I definItely could have used the comfort measures I learned for my first baby. Kim is such a warm and caring soul, super cool, funny, real and personable! She also takes payment plans which was really convenient for my family and I. I went into my birthing time early on Sunday morning and I was thinking if we went into our birthing center, I would be turned away because I was so comfortable but by the time we got to the birth center, to my surprise I was already 6cm and 90% effaced so baby was coming! And he did just 3.5 hours later. My hypnobabies techniques were absolutely priceless from the start and all the way to pushing my babe down and out. If you're thinking of taking Kim's Hypnobabies classes, don't hesitate!

Alix was the angel we needed for a long and challenging labor and delivery that didn't go to plan…read more I highly recommend her and would definitely have her part of our birth experience again! My husband initially wondered why we needed a doula and my overall goal was to have someone as another support person that felt safe and encouraging. We looked for someone that could help us navigate our first birth and be our advocate. Alix was that and more! We interviewed 6 different doulas and Alix was by far the best fit. I call her "motherly" and someone who felt like a nurturing, safe, support person we felt confident with in my most vulnerable state. Alix went above and beyond for all of the experience. From the prenatal appointments helping us practice pain techniques, to getting to the hospital right when we did, to being the added hands for pain management and holding my leg as my husband held the other. She stayed through my unplanned c section and after golden hour. And her post natal visit belong me figure out my pump. I still remember her soft voice during labor when I went through each contraction, motivating me to get through it, telling me to not tense up and reminding me that my daughter was on the other side. The biggest thing I can't thank her enough for is the advocacy she held for us in the hospital. She helped us get time to evaluate the options the doctor presented, she asked questions we didn't know to ask and helped us decide together on the best path forward. Alix is amazing and I'm so grateful she was part of this beautiful milestone in our lives!

TLDR: Alix is 10/10; everything you'd want in a doula…read more We started our search skeptical whether we even needed a doula. We interviewed many and without question felt most comfortable with Alix. She was professional, organized, kind, warm. It was clear she took her work and her clients' care seriously. I couldn't name what I was looking for exactly - but with Alix, I felt like we could be friends / she was someone we could enjoy spending time with (which turned out to be an important measure given we spent an intense 17hrs together in the hospital!). Thank the universe we chose her. Alix was mission critical. When I try to imagine my labor without her....I simply can't. I don't know how anyone does it without her. From the second she arrived at the hospital, she brought in wisdom and knowledge that supported me to move through the different phases of my labor - positions, massages, pain management techniques, mindset strategies, tools, etc.. She and my husband shared the load of supporting me physically - no matter how much he would have liked to, with 17hrs of laboring in the hospital, my husband could not have sustained the amount of constant massaging and movement I needed without her. On top of that, she even found time and patience to go to the waiting room to update and calm my worried parents. We shared with her that it was also important to us that, if we needed it, we could have privacy and space as a couple during the intimate experience of childbirth. Alix was completely respectful of our space and was able to find the perfect balance of being a present guide: available when we needed her, and fading into the background when we were in our own rhythm. She is assertive and gentle. When I was lost in my discomfort and feeling nervous to try anything new, she'd be firm and clear in her recommendations, encouraging me to try techniques that might relieve symptoms - she was right every time. She advocated for me to hospital staff and midwives in a collaborative way that they seemed to welcome, presenting ideas, options, and tools that they hadn't thought of to ensure I had the birth I wanted - things that ended up being central to my successful labor. She provided me reassurance whenever I needed it. There were moments where unexpected decisions had to be made and I knew that in Alix I had an expert in the room who was on my side; someone that I could consult with whom I absolutely trusted had my best interest and goals in mind. In moments of doubt, I'd just turn to Alix and she provided the explanation, confidence, or guidance I needed to make informed choices and helped me flex my birth plan to the reality of my labor. She was there with us from start to finish. She was our partner and even though it was a very long day and night, she stuck with us until my baby was with us and we were ready. She kindly took pictures and videos of labor that are now so precious to us. My husband was most skeptical of needing a doula and having someone else in the labor room - here are his own words sent to Alix after our baby was born: "Alix, it was so important to have you there. I always felt so comfortable and safe with you in the room. We couldn't choose a better doula! Thanks for all your support and tips/suggestions you provided throughout the labor process. I love the photos you took of us . So special for us." Thank you so much Alix! Keep doing what you're doing - we all need you!

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.

The owner of the place gives the lesson. Very cool and very Knowledgeble. Simple instructions…read more Very patient. Helped me with which waves and why i should be targeting said wave. He gave me the basics to where i had a good enough idea what to do when i came out to practice on my own the next time. I highly recommend this school. You'll get better from wherever you're starting at. Good price too!

I signed up my 12 year old daughter for her first surf lesson with Better L8 Then Never Surf…read moreExperience. We reached out by email, were given simple directions to schedule a time and sign up, easily found Chris on the beach, and after a safety session my daughter was in the water catching her first waves! She had a great time, was given great instruction, and is excited to get back into the waves again soon. Two thumbs!