Bay Area Birth Education

(355 reviews)

2.0 mi

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..

See all

Double cuteness:)

Rachel Yellin

(140 reviews)

0.0 mi

We learned so much in the pre-work for Rachel's birthing class that we felt the need to consider…read morealtering our birth plan. Once we started Rachel's class, we actually did change our birth plan and never felt more confident in such a life-changing decision. Her guidance and the education we received EMPOWERED us to plan for an incredibly transformational birth experience with no interventions in the comfort of our own home. My husband and I grew closer and more aligned during the class and after, as we prepared to welcome our first child. The exercises she has you practice and the information she shares should be something every expecting couple goes through. Her audio tracks taught me what I needed and helped me before during and after birth. I was even lucky enough to attend one of her prenatal yoga classes which left me with a sense of calm and space in my belly (which is rare for a pregnant woman in her third trimester)! I highly recommend you make Rachel part of your birth team by signing up for one of her classes.

Video Birth Course Review-…read more My husband and I took the YES to Birth class virtually to prepare for the birth of our daughter. I wanted a natural/un-medicated hospital birth and this class prepared me to achieve that. If I could use one word to describe my birth, I would say it was: PERFECT. Every aspect of it felt so right, and I absolutely said YES to every moment of it. My husband and I used the tools learned in this course to relax, go with the direction of my baby and my body, and have a smooth, unmedicated, natural hospital delivery. Thanks to Rachel for helping us get there!

Counseling, hypnotherapy, and depth hypnosis: A path to physical and emotional transformation.

See all

Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond: An audio relaxation, preparation and support program for expecting and new parents.

Kinspace

(38 reviews)

1.1 mi

TLDR; YES if you're a first time mom considering Kinspace, you need to sign up. It might seem…read moredaunting (another thing I need to do NOW?) but trust me it's worth it. My baby and I started at 2 months postpartum, have done a full year of Kinspace, and just "graduated." We've learned so much! Susan is phenomenal. The community is amazing and supportive. You'll meet local moms with babies of the same age, and together tackle a bunch of parenting "firsts" in the first year. I can't imagine going through it all without Susan and our mom group.

Hands down, this was the #1 best thing I did for myself and my baby postpartum…read more Susan has created such a safe and welcoming place for moms to meet other moms and learn about all things motherhood. Motherhood can be incredibly lonely and isolating and meeting up with the other moms weekly was truly a blessing. We learned so many tips and tricks and Susan always answered all of our questions. I not only came out of the group with so much knowledge but now I have a whole group of mom friends and friends for my son! I am so incredibly happy I joined Susan's group and I encourage every new mom I know to do it too.

Kinspace: your modern parenting village.

See all

Lauren Miller Brown

(62 reviews)

1.1 mi

Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, dang, that human was born to do this kind of…read morework and has a real gifting for it? That was my thought about Lauren after meeting her for the first time (she taught our 6 week birth prep course). This woman was in her element. She cared, she was knowledgeable, and and she lit up the room. To our pleasant surprise and an epic answer to prayer, she ended up being our doula and what a gift she was in that space for us too. Lauren knew when to say or do something and the art of not saying or doing. We ended up having a dream birth and I'm not sure I would have been able to do it without her support. She was a part of the dream birth. She came along and partnered with me and my husband in a way that complemented and strengthened. Lauren helped me to trust myself and my body. There are no guarantees with birth. I don't love Lauren because I had a dream birth; I love her because of who she is and am so grateful she was with us and for us in the tender, sacred space of birth. No doula is for everyone, but if something about her resonates with you, book a call to see if there's a match.

Lauren is incredible! She helped me bring both of my babies into the world and I couldn't imagine…read morethe birth experience without her. She brought such a truly compassionate, intuitive, calming, and empowering presence to the experiences, and navigated all of the twists and turns with us. She felt like part of the family, and made us feel so held throughout the entire process from prenatal to postpartum. I couldn't recommend Lauren more highly. I almost want to have another baby just to be able to work with her again! If you're considering hiring her, DO IT! She's the absolute best.

Lauren Miller, Sue Baelen and Baby Kira Mei 2011

I have a unique connection with each client.

See all

Connecting with a soon to be Mama.

BellyFull Birth

(14 reviews)

2.9 mi

I cannot say enough good things about Lindsey and her postpartum care. She has a wonderful…read moregrounding and calming presence. My husband, babies and I all felt immediately comfortable with her. The oil massage, pelvic steam and food she provides are all so nourishing and healing. She is an excellent cook and her food is truly delicious. I could honestly eat it year round. It also makes it easy to get enough to provide for baby, which can be difficult in the early days. Everything is not only tasty but provides those essential nutrients to help with milk supply, building iron levels and caloric intake. We hired her for both of my babies and it's so worth it! If we're lucky enough to have more we would 100% work with her again!

I am so glad I added Lindsey's offerings to my birth journey!…read more I rented her birth tub which was such a good pain relief method for my unmedicated birth. Pick up / drop off and deposit / payment stuff was a breeze. The abhuyanga massages were such a boon to my physical and emotional well-being. When you have a newborn to care for, even when you know how important self-care is, you can find yourself rushing through things like showering etc. It was so great to have one hour where I couldn't rush things, I just had to relax and enjoy. So grounding and centering at a pivotal time in your life. Also my hair and skin were fabulous from the sesame oil which smells amazing. Lindsey has a warm, nurturing and calming presence which is important when inviting someone in to your home during such a delicate time. She always had such a helpful and never judgmental perspective on questions we had about newborn parenting. Be good to yourself and choose Lindsey, she's awesome.

Ayurvedic Bodywork: Abhyanga Oil Massage

See all

Brilliant Births

(82 reviews)

9.8 mi

My partner and I recently completed the Hypnobirthing three week course at Brilliant Births. We had…read morean absolutely incredible experience, for many reasons--The information we learned was invaluable, but also the instructors' teaching styles and depth of personal experience they offered was appreciated, comforting, and helpful. They clearly have a deep well of wisdom and experience-based expertise to share. We started our class with Keira and absolutely loved her--originally we were a bit bummed to know we would have a different instructor for our last day of the course. However, it turned out that Heidi was equitably wonderful and all things lovely-- instead of only one great instructor and guide, we ended up with two...which leads me to believe you'll be in skilled hands with anyone you interact with at BB. We will definitely be returning to take advantage of their other offerings!

I reached out to Brilliant Births to find a birth doula. They offer a matching service and…read moreconnected me to 3 doulas who work independently (not employees of BB). We were really fortunate to find our birth doula (who we love!), but the other 2 candidates were not very impressive. The first doula missed our appointment with no follow-up communication. We were initially confused and thought she was the coordinator for BB, because she only communicated by text. The actual meeting was just by telephone so there was no face-to-face interaction, which felt strange. We could've easily FaceTimed or Zoomed. So communication and reliability were not great. The second doula abruptly canceled our half-hour appointment when we were 10 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment due to my husband wrapping up a Zoom meeting. During our appointment time, she was responding to my emails (in which I apologized for being late), but insisted she could no longer meet with us. I thought this was a really bad sign about what she would be like to work with - labor and delivery is rarely precisely timed and some flexibility is needed. In addition, her email said that she lives in Portola Valley, but we live Berkeley (also where Brilliant Births is located). This also struck me as strange, because it would take 1.5 hours for her to arrive to meet us at the hospital, which is not ideal.

We offer prenatal and postpartum massage! Reserve a time with our amazing massage therapist on our website.

See all

Collective Hearts Birth

(45 reviews)

3.1 mi

Shannon is everything we could have imagined for a doula--she is welcoming, warm, thoughtful, and…read morehas a lovely sense of humor! You get the whole package (and then some!) with her. As part of her doula services, she comes to your home for 3 prenatal visits, where you get the opportunity to try out practical exercises (from pregnancy massage techniques to pain alleviating exercises, talk through how your pregnancy is going individualizing our care and even review a manual binder that she provides for you. And of course, the main event, true labor and giving birth! Shannon has a way of just blending into your family during such an intense moment and your family's needs, stepping up and stepping down seamlessly, but always right there when we needed her. During labor/birth at the hospital, Shannon's belief and faith in me to surrender and brave through a natural birth never wavered. She really did it *all*--preparing bone broth for me to sip on in the midst of a contraction, acting as head cheerleader, setting the oxytocin mood in our delivery room with string lights, aromatherapy, and music. Oh, and not to mention, the hip squeezes and back rubs she provides in the most intense moments of labor. My husband and I had never been so impressed with a service before! Oh, I'm not done...she even did labor/birth photos for us, and a newborn session in our home two weeks postpartum. *cries happy tears* Thanks to Shannon, I experienced the most FUN and empowering birth. 12/10 recommend investing in her services!

For anyone seeking a birth doula, I wholeheartedly recommend Shannon. In our search, she stood out…read moreduring our initial meeting by not only trying to understand what we cared about but being able to reflect that understanding back at us with even more clarity. It was clear to us that Shannon's approach is personalized, recognizing that not every path to parenthood is the same. Having attended over 400 births, Shannon also brought a wealth of experience with her that shone through in her calming presence, well-balanced guidance, and the articulate birth plan she helped us craft. Her ability to address our worries without ever being dismissive, provide valuable advice at the right moment, and offer a diverse array of resources made our journey as first-time parents all the more enjoyable and helped us be prepared.

Checking in for a postpartum visit, setting up the birthing tub, rebozo sifting

See all

Birthing from Within Childbirth Education

(23 reviews)

4.5 mi

Shannon was introduced to us by our friends, and we approached her for birth doula support as we…read moreheard fantastic things about her. We attended her workshop, and even though my partner and I read many books, her workshop was a must. Here are some of the reasons: I have a good, calm, and composed Obgyn who is also head of her department. Her schedule is messy, and she can't spend 30+ minutes during our Obgyn visits. I joined Centering Pregnancy - thoroughly recommended, but even with all this, Shannon's workshop gave us so much information that first-time parents need. I believe she is knowledgable and genuinely a nice person that everyone should have during their birth. If you are like me, who believes in holistic care and are very curious, take her workshop and ask her to be your birth doula!

I feel blessed that I got to work with Shannon on our birth journey. She is thoughtful, kind, and…read moreextremely knowledgeable. While we took classes through our provider, these classes are what truly prepared me for the birth of our child and how much there is to navigate. Shannon is an expert in helping you think through the many decisions that might be thrown at you, especially when birth is filled with many unknowns. I was grateful for all the exercises she gave us -- both in thinking through the birth itself and also exercises we could engage in with our partners. So grateful to have worked with her. Thank you, Shannon!

See all

Doula Alexandra Daigle

(15 reviews)

1.3 mi

Alex is easily one of the most impactful humans I've ever had the pleasure to come across. I was…read morelucky to have been referred to her by a mom in my pregnancy and new mother's group. She has been an invaluable resource and support on my journey into becoming a single mother of 3. I found her presence incredibly calm and healing, she was so intuitive and really helped me do a lot of soul work. Even her singing voice is captivating and comforting, lulling me into quiet tears. She helped uplift me from a dark place into a transformed mother, self assured and capable. I had suffered through postpartum depression two times before, and I was fortunate to have evaded it this time around with the tremendous care of Alex. Thank you for your profound impact on my family.

Absolutely LOVE Alex! We gave birth to our first baby girl last month completely unmedicated thanks…read moreto Alex. She is extremely knowledgable, takes time to explain every single detail and gives you the information to make decisions for yourself. I was a skeptic at first before hiring a doula, but thanks to my husband's encouragement, it was the best investment spent for our baby. We've also taken all the foundational courses at the hospitals, but none of them compare to just one session with Alex. Alex is hands on, answers any and all your questions quickly and is the best advocate for you and your health and the health of your baby. From the moment we met Alex, we knew she loves her job. When your contractions start, your immediate response is to go to the hospital, but thanks to Alex, she kept me calm at home for an extra 8hrs, well fed and well hydrated and knew exactly when is the right time to go. She provided all the right massages and calming techniques from start to finish. We can't be more grateful to have found her and we'll definitely be using her for all her post delivery services, she is simply the most amazing woman you'll meet.

Yelp decided to wrongfully place this review in the "non recommended" review section. This is a real review from a real client.

See all

Bay Area Night Doulas Collective

(317 reviews)

2.9 mi

Locally owned & operated

Certified professionals

11/10 highly recommend BAND and our night doula Margaret M!…read more BAND: We had a very positive experience using BAND. This was our first time looking for doulas and using BAND saved us time, energy, and anxiety. We provided our details and quickly got matched with vetted doulas. All in all, took us about 2 weeks from initial inquiry with BAND to signed contract. Our night doula: Margaret M helped us for 8 weeks, starting at just under 1 week old. After the first night, we knew we made the right decision for our family (second time parents with a 3yo). Margaret has a warm and calm presence and knows babies. We had forgotten things about the newborn stage but Margaret provided reassurance and shared her knowledge and encouragement. She was always on time, communicated well, recommended items and processes to improve baby's care and safety, helped mom with nursing sessions and later bottle feeding to extend mom's sleep, washed bottles and pump parts and even random dishes. She was flexible and worked with us, whatever came up. After 8 weeks, our baby is sleeping well at night. Mom and dad are well rested, allowing us to actually enjoy this precious time. Even our toddler would ask about Margaret on the nights she wasn't with us. We'll miss having her around! Thank you, Margaret!

I highly recommend Khatherine of Duyan Care! She was the first night doula we've ever worked with,…read moreand immediately put us at ease with her friendly, professional and knowledgeable demeanor. Khatherine took incredible care of our son for three weeks and also helped with breastfeeding tips as we'd been having a lot of trouble with our baby's latch; despite working with multiple lactation consultants, it wasn't until Khatherine observed and provided some helpful feedback that my latch drastically improved and pain subsided almost immediately. Khatherine was gentle and calm with our son, and treated our entire household with care and respect. She would wash our bottles, fold any laundry, leave our space tidy and provide in-depth notes on her night shift which provided invaluable information. It was evident she is passionate about her job and truly cares about the babies and families that she works with.

Frances Weekes Co-Founder & Owner

See all

Apple Tree Children Center

(99 reviews)

2.4 mi

Women-owned & operated

Certified professionals

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had our daughter attend Apple Tree for a short but very…read moreimpactful six months before we moved out of San Francisco. It was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions we made for her early development and happiness. From day one, we had complete confidence in Jasmine and her dedicated team. They made a thoughtful effort to ensure our daughter felt welcome during her transition into daycare--bringing her favorite toys (baby dolls) to her at drop-off to help soothe her. By the third day, she was no longer crying at drop-off and quickly began looking forward to going to school. She regularly talks about her amazing teachers--Chloe, Toni, and Ruby--and all the friends she made in her classroom. One standout example of Apple Tree's incredible attention to detail: during her very first week, they surprised us by celebrating her 2nd birthday with a cake and singing, even though she was brand new. She was absolutely beaming in the photos they shared with us. The classroom activities were varied, thoughtful and based on monthly themes. We loved receiving weekly photo updates that showed all the fun and educational things she was doing. It was clear she was thriving in this environment. A unique and helpful perk of Apple Tree is the monthly Parent's Day--offering full-day weekend drop-in care. This gave us valuable time to recharge, knowing she was in a safe and familiar space where she was happy and well-cared for. We also really appreciated the flexibility Apple Tree provided with our variable weekly schedule, allowing for earlier drop-offs when needed. Since starting at Apple Tree, our daughter's confidence and independence have blossomed. The school gently encouraged her to do things on her own--like putting on her jacket and shoes--which built her self-esteem. We started potty training over spring break, and thanks to the attentive support from her teachers, she was fully potty trained within a month. There are so many more positive things we could say about Apple Tree. We are deeply grateful for the nurturing and joyful community they created, and we feel so lucky our daughter was a part of it, even for a short time. If you're considering enrolling your child here and have any hesitations, let this review be the encouragement you need--Apple Tree is truly a gem.

We have been sending our daughter to Apple Tree for the past year and a half, since she was a baby,…read moreon the recommendation of a friend. Now as a toddler, she loves to tell us about her friends and teachers there. Jasmine and the team are very warm, experienced and communicative, and all the kids look delighted to see them each day at dropoff. They plan an amazing range of activities, usually with a fun "theme" of the week, and we've noticed at home that she picks up practical skills like tidying and putting on clothes. We also appreciate that they have a large outdoor space, and provide meals for the kids. We are very grateful and would highly recommend!

See all

SOMA Daycare & Preschool

(59 reviews)

2.8 mi

We sent both of our sons to SOMA over the course of four years. Our older son was there for three…read moreyears, and our younger son for one. We would have happily kept sending our younger son there longer, but we moved to Berkeley. We had such a wonderful experience at SOMA. Over the years, we built really close relationships with the teachers--so much so that on our son's last day, all of us were tearing up. It really felt like saying goodbye to people who had become part of our family's daily life. Our kids loved the teachers, the activities, and all the little "firsts" they experienced there. They learned how to try new things, make friends, share, work through conflicts, and grow in so many ways. The teachers were also amazing partners for us as parents, helping us guide the kids through changes, transitions, and the normal ups and downs of family life. Communication was another thing we really appreciated. Between Brightwheel updates, photos, messages, and seeing the teachers every day at drop-off and pick-up, we always felt connected and supported. It truly felt like we had partners helping us through some of the most important years of our kids' lives. SOMA set the bar so high that when our older son started kindergarten, it was a real adjustment. No daily pictures? No regular drop-off and pick-up chats with teachers? No easy messaging? We had gotten spoiled. And when we moved to Berkeley, it was hard to find another preschool that matched the warmth, care, and community we had at SOMA. We're so grateful our kids got to spend those four years there. We'll really miss SOMA and the wonderful teachers who made such a lasting impact on our family.

SOMA has been an incredibly special place for our family and, most importantly, for our son . We…read morejoined the SOMA community after moving to San Francisco from Houston, and it was a year filled with big changes and emotions for our little one. From day one, the teachers at SOMA welcomed him with open arms, creating a warm, nurturing, and joyful environment where he could truly thrive. The care, empathy, and intention the staff brings to each child is remarkable. The teachers took the time to understand our son as an individual--his personality, his sensitivities, his interests--and supported him through his transitions with patience and love. Under their guidance, we saw him blossom socially, emotionally, and intellectually. He is always full of stories about his teachers and friends. SOMA is more than just a preschool--it's a place that values connection, creativity, and growth. We're so grateful to the entire team for such a strong and loving foundation. While we're sad to be leaving due to a move, SOMA will always have a very special place in our hearts.

Teacher Ngoc teaching kids about sea animals.

See all

Holistic Seedlings

(13 reviews)

2.9 mi

Massiva, Younes and their family are such warm and supportive caregivers and I am so grateful that…read morethey founded Holistic Seedlings and I feel so blessed that we were fortunate enough to find them online and for our son Camden to be accepted into their program. What Massiva offers at Holistic Seedlings is truly unique. It is clear that running her daycare, in the way in which she does, is both her passion and purpose in life. She an exceptional cook and with her holistic nutrition knowledge she makes the most delicious and nourishing food from scratch for all the children every day. (Breakfast, lunch and snacks). She often shares homemade snacks, dates or freshly baked sourdough loaves with the parents as well! She takes the children to their community garden every week to teach them about where their food comes from, how to tend to the plants and how to harvest and enjoy whatever is in season. Her eldest sons host and teach soccer every Friday afternoon. Their support and influence has had a remarkable impact on my son, who loves soccer and basketball and clearly looks up to the older boys and enjoys playing with them. It warms my heart to see Camden so well taken care of. Massiva and her husband Younes, provide such a warm and loving environment at their home. I trust them wholeheartedly and I honestly could not imagine what I would do without their holistic support. My husband and I felt instantly at ease with them, in contrast to other daycares we visited that just cannot compare. An added bonus is that Massiva an excellent and creative photographer! The regular photos she sends parents through the daycare app are an absolute gift and treasure for us to have. We can see all the wonderful activities she has created for the children and get to witness all of the joy that radiates from their smiling and excited faces. I also keep each of these high quality photos as a document of my son's growth and development. I also so appreciate the bi-monthly mother meetings that Massiva hosts to bring the mums together over a delicious homemade meal to discuss important topics related to our children and how best we can support them and align in our approach. Most importantly it's been an incredible blessing to find someone like Massiva that shares so many of my own concerns and values regarding nutrition and a blend of both traditional and modern, holistic approach to childcare. Her care is not only consistent with our approach at home but supports, amplifies and exceeds any expectations we could have for Camden's health, happiness and wellbeing.

We've had our little one at the holistic seedlings wonderschool for just about six months now from…read morethe age of 11 months. From the moment we met Massiva, we were assured our son would be well taken care of. We have had no problems at all, a testament to how Massiva keeps the kids safe and happy (what more can you ask for?) She fills his tummy with nutritious (and delicious!) food, helped us put him on a regular nap schedule, and she regularly updates us with pics and videos on how much fun he's having throughout the day (indoors and outdoors). Definitely the best option you will find with a home day care in SF.

See all

Cool Valley Kids

(3 reviews)

1.6 mi

We've had such a great experience at Cool Valley Kids! Eli is incredibly warm and caring, and it's…read moreobvious how much attention she gives to each child's individual needs. Stacey and Vika do an amazing job with the food and are always so communicative, which we really appreciate. Stacey also creates opportunities to connect with the wider parent community. It's no pressure, but really valuable if that's something you're interested in. We love getting the daily updates, photos, and videos to see what the kids are up to. It's a bit more expensive than some other options that we looked at, but having meals provided, the overall quality of care, and the super convenient location right off the N line make it totally worth it. Our daughter comes home happy and tired every day, and it's clear she enjoys her time there. I whole heartedly recommend Cool Valley Kids for anyone in the market for a new daycare.

My child went here before switching to another by same owners closer to our house but had to leave…read morea review because they loved going so much! Wonderful loving environment. My child always was happy to go and I cannot thank them enough for being one of my kids first daycare experiences. Made the transition smooth and easy and relieved any guilt I had prior. They thrived! Thank you.

Lots of opportunities for imaginative play

Nap room

Main play room

See all

Building Kidz of Daly City

4.8

(16 reviews)

6.9 mi

Certified professionals

Women-owned & operated

Inquired for daycare services and was routed to so many different locations when I was referred to…read morethe pacifica location and was told by the regional manager there was spaces for my child. Upon arrival for my tour that was not the case... they took a $25 waitlist fee and the rates provided to me over email were not the rates provided to me upon my visit. Also when I did visit the facility the care takers or teachers looked as if there were in some sort of tension or disagreement. All in all it didn't seem like a peaceful environment I would want my child to be admitted to. Unfortunately building kids isn't for me and the can keep my $25 waitlist fee I guess.

We could not love BK more! The teachers are kind, caring, and nurturing, and you can tell they love…read morewhat they do. Parents are kept in the loop and there are regular updates in the school app. Plus the staff plans fun, themed days for the kids.

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

2 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Ashley W.

0

2

0

3 years ago

My husband and I make the trip in from the East Bay to attend Felicia's full-day training in April 2023. It was 100% worth the drive! We both loved the instructors, the pace of the class and the information we learned. Felicia is literally a wealth of knowledge and hearing her perspective and experiences really gave us the confidence to make the decisions we want to make about our birth. There was also a portion about infant CPR that I'm so glad we attended, as well as a breast-feeding portion. Both very informative! We'll give birth to our first baby in July, and I feel a lot more prepared and confident about the journey having taken the BABE class. read more

Magali H.

0

19

4

2 years ago

Felicia and her entire team at BABE are absolutely AMAZING!! I had my first class with her on Saturday, she was so thorough and detailed. No one is prepared for birth but with her guidance I defiantly left feeling so much better and secure with my labor to come. Felicia has gone above and beyond and has recommended Dula services, product for mamma and baby. I say this now, this class is worth investing into! I will continue to recommend her services to any future expecting parents read more

Bay Area Birth Education - childbirthedu - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Bay Area Birth Education also viewed

Collective Hearts Birth

(45 reviews)

Shannon is everything we could have imagined for a doula--she is welcoming, warm, thoughtful, and…read morehas a lovely sense of humor! You get the whole package (and then some!) with her. As part of her doula services, she comes to your home for 3 prenatal visits, where you get the opportunity to try out practical exercises (from pregnancy massage techniques to pain alleviating exercises, talk through how your pregnancy is going individualizing our care and even review a manual binder that she provides for you. And of course, the main event, true labor and giving birth! Shannon has a way of just blending into your family during such an intense moment and your family's needs, stepping up and stepping down seamlessly, but always right there when we needed her. During labor/birth at the hospital, Shannon's belief and faith in me to surrender and brave through a natural birth never wavered. She really did it *all*--preparing bone broth for me to sip on in the midst of a contraction, acting as head cheerleader, setting the oxytocin mood in our delivery room with string lights, aromatherapy, and music. Oh, and not to mention, the hip squeezes and back rubs she provides in the most intense moments of labor. My husband and I had never been so impressed with a service before! Oh, I'm not done...she even did labor/birth photos for us, and a newborn session in our home two weeks postpartum. *cries happy tears* Thanks to Shannon, I experienced the most FUN and empowering birth. 12/10 recommend investing in her services!

For anyone seeking a birth doula, I wholeheartedly recommend Shannon. In our search, she stood out…read moreduring our initial meeting by not only trying to understand what we cared about but being able to reflect that understanding back at us with even more clarity. It was clear to us that Shannon's approach is personalized, recognizing that not every path to parenthood is the same. Having attended over 400 births, Shannon also brought a wealth of experience with her that shone through in her calming presence, well-balanced guidance, and the articulate birth plan she helped us craft. Her ability to address our worries without ever being dismissive, provide valuable advice at the right moment, and offer a diverse array of resources made our journey as first-time parents all the more enjoyable and helped us be prepared.

La Vie En Doula

(29 reviews)

Couldn't recommend leveraging Hanen and her support during your postpartum period more! As a first…read moretime parent who lives far from family, my husband and I were nervous about how it would go. Hanen was with us every step of the way in the early weeks and made my recovery and learning how to properly care for a newborn 10x better and more manageable. Not only does Hanen do what's best for the baby but she also does what's best for the mom which I appreciated so much. My husband and I learned everything from proper bathing technique to umbilical cord care to nail trimming to burping and so much more. Hanen is a great teacher and never leaves a question unanswered. She's also super understanding and flexible if you want to try things a different way to figure out what works best for you and your baby. She goes above and beyond with washing bottles, pump parts, etc and prepares nourishing snacks for early morning feeds or pumps. You will not regret working with Hanen - she loves your baby like it's her own! We will miss her but feel so much more confident now as new parents which is exactly what we were hoping for. Thank you Hanen!!

Bottom line up front: Book Hanen to look after your newborn overnight for the first month. Right…read morenow. Don't question it, just do it. I had always imagined myself being the kind of mom who'd wear her newborn around while also getting stuff done. I didn't expect having a complicated delivery, losing 2L of blood and having a 3A tear. I came home still pretty weak, and overwhelmed about having a newborn. My husband is a huge help with chores, but he was even more overwhelmed about the baby than me! I'm not used to having people take care of me so wholly, but Hanen is also an L&D nurse at UCSF. She was so warm and reassuring that I didn't have to stress. That I should slow down, eat, sleep, and focus on my recovery. Thanks to her advice and support, I healed from my 3A tear very quickly. And I had more sleep overnight than I'd had for the past 5 years! We had Hanen regularly over 4 weeks, and she really set us up for less stressful nights. At 4.5 weeks, baby started sleeping independently in the crib for 3-4 hour stretches overnight, even with just us. I'm not sure how we could have done that without Hanen's help. After week 5, it didn't feel like we actually needed Hanen's help overnight anymore, which is really a testament to her work! Our daughter also started sleeping through the night with no feeds at 13.5 weeks (and never stopped - she's 4 years old now), and I believe that Hanen set us up to do that effortlessly! Hanen also had lots of great advice about scheduling, diapering, baby health, and things to try when baby was fussy. All of it really helped us for the first 3 weeks when we felt really overwhelmed. That included when my nipples started to crack and bleed from breastfeeding. Hanen quickly set up our breast pump and showed me how to use it, so I could pump while my nipples recovered. It was great to know we had options, and Hanen guided us through that journey. She even helped optimize our nursery setup with the crib and changing table. I've recommended Hanen to multiple local friends and relatives who have had babies recently, and all of them rave about her! She is magic!

Serenity Night Doula Services

(4 reviews)

We had the pleasure of working with Jaclyn & team for 8 weeks with our newborn, and I can't…read morerecommend her enough! Jaclyn came to meet us ahead of time and was so knowledgeable and open to our routines, which immediately put us at ease. Her team was incredibly reliable, always arrived on time, and provided thoughtful advice that helped with both my baby's sleep and my own confidence as a second time mom.

Jaclyn and her team (mostly Ana, Larissa, Lucianna) provided night doula services for the first…read morefourth months of my daughter's life. Jaclyn helped to coordinate the schedule and was incredibly accommodating when my daughter had to be hospitalized. The Doulas took great care of our daughter and took the time to learn how to help her given her special needs. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a night doula and would 100% work with them again.

Jen Kiatta IBCLC Lactation And Sleep Consultant

(28 reviews)

Jen provided invaluable support to my during my first weeks of motherhood as a lactation consultant…read moreand later throughout my child's first year as a sleep coach. Jen has a warm and easy connection with her clients. In my time working with Jen, she helped to alleviate many of my parenting anxieties and always provided support that felt grounded in the reality that all babies & families are different. She meets her clients where they are will respect and kindness. Any family would be lucky to work with her!

Jen is amazing! She has been so incredibly helpful as we navigate parenthood for the first time…read more She has so much knowledge and experience about everything: sleeping, eating, temperament, activities... all of it. I would recommend her to everyone I know who is expecting. You won't regret working with her!

Bay Area Night Doulas Collective

(317 reviews)

11/10 highly recommend BAND and our night doula Margaret M!…read more BAND: We had a very positive experience using BAND. This was our first time looking for doulas and using BAND saved us time, energy, and anxiety. We provided our details and quickly got matched with vetted doulas. All in all, took us about 2 weeks from initial inquiry with BAND to signed contract. Our night doula: Margaret M helped us for 8 weeks, starting at just under 1 week old. After the first night, we knew we made the right decision for our family (second time parents with a 3yo). Margaret has a warm and calm presence and knows babies. We had forgotten things about the newborn stage but Margaret provided reassurance and shared her knowledge and encouragement. She was always on time, communicated well, recommended items and processes to improve baby's care and safety, helped mom with nursing sessions and later bottle feeding to extend mom's sleep, washed bottles and pump parts and even random dishes. She was flexible and worked with us, whatever came up. After 8 weeks, our baby is sleeping well at night. Mom and dad are well rested, allowing us to actually enjoy this precious time. Even our toddler would ask about Margaret on the nights she wasn't with us. We'll miss having her around! Thank you, Margaret!

I highly recommend Khatherine of Duyan Care! She was the first night doula we've ever worked with,…read moreand immediately put us at ease with her friendly, professional and knowledgeable demeanor. Khatherine took incredible care of our son for three weeks and also helped with breastfeeding tips as we'd been having a lot of trouble with our baby's latch; despite working with multiple lactation consultants, it wasn't until Khatherine observed and provided some helpful feedback that my latch drastically improved and pain subsided almost immediately. Khatherine was gentle and calm with our son, and treated our entire household with care and respect. She would wash our bottles, fold any laundry, leave our space tidy and provide in-depth notes on her night shift which provided invaluable information. It was evident she is passionate about her job and truly cares about the babies and families that she works with.

Meghan Murphy Doula Services

(38 reviews)

We hired Meghan to take care of our newborn twins and she immediately made us feel comfortable. She…read morewas so easy to communicate with, did a walkthrough of our nursery, and shared great product recommendations even before the babies were born. Once they arrived, she handled their newborn colic and gas with ease. We slept well each night, knowing our babies were in good hands. She always went above and beyond to help, washing and sterilizing bottles, doing the babies' laundry, and even occasionally throwing in a load of our laundry. She sleep trained them towards the end of her time with us, and it was helpful to have her lead the process and give us a detailed plan to follow for naps during the day. She is such a treasure trove of info, I still occasionally text her now, even though our twins are older. If you have a chance to work with her, take it!

We worked with Meghan as our postpartum doula during the newborn phase with our twins…read more As first-time parents, there's an inexplicable amount of anxiety that comes with entrusting someone new in your home overnight, caring for your most precious little ones while you're asleep. From the start, Meghan helped ease that concern. She consistently made us feel that our babies' health and safety were being thoughtfully attended to, which was ultimately the most important thing for us. Meghan is very kind, easy to talk to, and approachable, which made communication feel straightforward and collaborative rather than stressful. She was also punctual and reliable, and on the rare occasion timing needed to shift, she was always proactive and communicative, which we really appreciated. Knowing that Meghan was caring for our newborns overnight allowed us to rest (as much as anyone with twins can), and that sense of security is invaluable in those early weeks. We appreciated her calm presence and professionalism, and would recommend her to other families looking for dependable overnight support, especially those navigating the newborn stage for the first time.

Noreen McCarthy, Night Postpartum Doula

(31 reviews)

We can barely put into words how game changing having Noreen's support was for our new family. She…read morestarted with us on night 1 home from the hospital and immediately jumped into action - bonding with our little girl, helping Mom navigate the breast feeding ropes, and guiding Dad on the best way to support the family. She's professional, incredibly knowledgeable, and SO much fun to be around.

I was referred to Noreen as the guardian angel...and that is exactly what she is. At the time I…read morerealized we desperately needed a night nurse I was 2 weeks postpartum (after an emergency c-section), our newborn had spent 2 weeks in NICU and we had a 2 and 4 year old at home. To say I was feeling overwhelmed and out of my depths is an understatement. Noreen came is with the love, care and experience that put our entire family at ease. Her nurturing ways are perfectly paired with her knowledge and know how - we felt so at ease putting our little one under her care. She also has wit and humor that can lighten the mood at any hour of the night .

Michelle Gunderson, Doula

(44 reviews)

Michelle was my birth and evening postpartum doula for the birth of my daughter. Her nurturing wise…read morepresence eased both the UCSF L&D staff, my husband and myself during a most fantastic birthing experience. She knew when I may have pushed pain threshold too far and gently reminded me of alternative pain relief. Not to mention she used a technique called Spinning Babies to bring my daughter out of an awkward position. Once home, she kindly showed me changes in breastfeeding positions to diminish pain, cleaned dishes and watched the baby so I could take time alone. She held space for this incredible time and we love her like family.

As a first time Dad I was not the one doing the hard work, but for all the dad's out there, the…read morewhole process is not, I'll just say, the most straight forward for anyone involved. Going into the process there is so much unknown and so much that makes you unsure. The most important person to be comfortable in my situation was my wife. In order for her to be comfortable it was very important for me to be comfortable. I understand that having a doula is not necessary, but it sure did help me and my family. The preparation conversations we had made the experience digestible. The advocate we had in Michelle during the process was incredible. The support we had post-partum was so helpful. Michelle has done this so many times and is so familiar with everything going on. To have her on your team allows for everyone to be present and just helps so much. Technically: She knows her stuff. For instance, Michelle is trained in baby spinning and to the doctor's surprise we avoided a c-section at the final hour. It was nothing short of a miracle. Personally: Michelle is solid, levelheaded, caring, fun, patient, prepared and will advocate for you when you need it. She has a short questionnaire to get on the same page earlier on in the process and she stands by what you discuss. I can't recommend Michelle enough, and if you would like to discuss further please ask Michelle to put us in touch.

Lactation Consultant IBCLC & Postpartum Doula -Caroline Kerherve

(97 reviews)

I am sure I *could* have gotten along without Caroline, but thank goodness I didn't have to…read more Caroline is amazing. She's one of the best teachers I've ever met--gently guiding and encouraging you to find your own best answers with unparalleled patience and good cheer. I didn't think I'd need a lactation consultant but hired her as a postpartum doula--I knew a lot of new moms who had trouble with breastfeeding, though, and I am so so glad that I was lucky enough to have Caroline around from the very beginning. With her help I got breastfeeding going smoothly and experienced very little trouble. You'd think breastfeeding is the most 'natural' thing in the world, and it is! But having a friend there to help you over the bumps in the beginning is invaluable. I also joined the new mamas group and loved every minute of it. Whatever reason you have for seeking Caroline's services, you will not regret coming to her. Do it now! You'll only regret any delay once you've worked with her.

Caroline is amazing. There aren't enough words to express or quantify how she has helped us. We met…read morewith her before our baby was born to get advice on breastfeeding after delivery and talk about our questions and concerns. She then came to our house several times after our baby was born. We had a very difficult birth, with several serious complications for both my baby and me, resulting in a week in the NICU for my baby and an extra week in the hospital, including readmission, for myself. We received some lactation support in the hospital, but it paled in comparison to the care and support we received with Caroline. Her advice not only covered breastfeeding, but also in recovering from the physical and emotional trauma of our birth. She also helped me navigate my seemingly low supply and was the only provider to listen to us when we were concerned about our baby's low-ish weight gain. After charting his weight, confirming my output, and checking our baby, she identified that the issue wasn't about supply; our baby had tongue-tie. Even our pediatrician didn't check for this and didn't seem to bat an eye when our baby's weigh was almost the same between two visits that were several weeks apart. After meeting with a specialist and resolving the tongue-tie, our little guy was able to nurse much more efficiently and his weight got back on track.

DOULAS by the BAY