My husband and I had a wonderful experience working with Alana Corrin through Healthy Mamas,…read moreHealthy Babies. First, learning about the services and speaking with Amber was great. She is highly organized and very responsive. I also loved the online mom support groups with different topics covered each week - these were so helpful! For the doula services, Alana was wonderful. She is very laid back and easy to talk to while also being super knowledgable and attentive. I wasn't sure if I was going to try to have a natural birth or get an epidural and I felt like Alana was ready to support me no matter what option I wound up choosing. Also, my husband tends to be very anxious around any medical or hospital setting so we weren't sure if he would be able to be with me for all of labor and delivery. Our meeting before birth was great because Alana was able to listen to his concerns and talk him through what L&D would be like so he wouldn't be so nervous. We only wound up being able to have one pre-birth meeting because my baby decided to show up 6.5 weeks early! Thankfully, Alana was able to meet us at the hospital within an hour of my husband calling her (around 3am??). My labor proceeded very quickly and we were both overwhelmed because we had not anticipated having our baby that early. Alana remained a calm and consistent presence throughout my labor and for a while after delivery after they took my baby to the NICU. She was also able to ask the nurses and doctors questions we had completely forgotten to ask and kept us up to date with everything that was happening. My husband wound up being able to stay for most of L&D and I think a lot of that has to do with Alana being there - we both felt fully supported the entire time. We had three post-partum sessions with Alana and they were also incredibly helpful. I would definitely recommend her to others and would love to work with her again if we wind up having another baby (hopefully closer to my due date next time, hehe)!

Ok, I gave 4 stars to highlight the comment. I'm honestly not sure what the right number of stars…read moreis. We consulted and ended up NOT hiring her (we had 1 video appointment). She seems to know things well, no concerns there, but we were a bit put off by the very commercial set up, ie, the initial consultation had a charge while all the other doulas were ok to do a free into over video. Then we got cut off because the initial intro appointment was so time limited (I think it was 15 minutes if I recall). Her regular emails are helpful, but we ended up not hiring her just because it seemed so money driven (her prices are on the high end, which looking at the reviews does seem to be somewhat justified).

I reached out to a few doulas and felt an immediate connection with Alexis. From the first moment…read morewe spoke, she was so generous with her time and wisdom, as well as personal anecdotes to help me get a better sense of the types of scenarios we should be thinking through. She also helped me navigate the world of prenatal care - sharing the names of a wonderful birth class, prenatal masseuse and chiropractor that kept me in decent shape up until my birth. During labor, Alexis was a perfect partner to my husband and me. My labor was long, and having Alexis there with us meant that I always had a rested partner to help me through labor. She also helped us navigate the many decisions that inevitably arise during birth, and I can honestly say that while it didn't go according to "plan," it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life and I give Alexis so much credit for that. She's incredibly passionate about what she does and even after birth, was an incredible resource and partner to us in those early, uncertain weeks. We're lucky to have her in the Bay Area!

This is a long over due review. Alexis was my doula for the birth of my second son (7/24/14). My…read morehusband and I couldn't have done it without her. I contacted Alexis late into my pregnancy because I really wanted my second birth to be without an epidural. I didn't have the best experience with my first birth and I really wanted this time to be different. Alexis reassured me that this was a different birth and that my body was meant for this. From the moment I spoke to her I knew she was meant to be a doula. She is super calm and sweet and you can tell she loves what she does. We met shortly there after and I didn't have to interview anyone else (although I spoke to many over the phone). I wasn't too happy with my doctor at the time and Alexis not only knew who he was but helped me research other doctors and suggested many others to me.. She always responded to all of my silly questions and concerns and helped me come up with a birth plan. The day I went into labor I called Alexis and she gave me the option to come over or let me keep laboring on my own at home and meet me later. I felt calm and confident so I stayed in the tub and labored from home and stayed in touch with her. She could tell just by talking to me if I was close or not. When the time came I called Alexis and we met at the hospital. I can honestly say that thanks to Alexis I was able to have an un-medicated birth, my husband said it was the best money we have ever spent (and he was hesitant about getting a doula). Alexis helped me through the contractions and helped me remain calm. She even stayed long after to help in any way that she could. The only regret I have is that I didn't take any pictures with her that day.

We had the best experience with Maureen, one of the many talented doulas at Brilliant Births. We…read moreopted for a private Laboring together class, and it exceeded every expectation. Maureen guided us with so much knowledge, warmth and patience. She gave us practical tools, hands on techniques, and the confidence we needed as we prepare for our baby. We both walked out feeling way more prepared. If you're looking for someone who empowers, educates and genuinely cares, Maureen is incredible. We're so grateful!

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!

We worked with Kaylyn G. during the first 6 weeks with our newborn, and had a really positive…read moreexperience. She was punctual, reliable, and made scheduling and billing paperwork very easy. She provided overnight support so we could get some much-needed rest, and was incredibly helpful knowing we could trust that our baby was in good hands. She would also leave notes for us in the morning so we knew how he did. She also helped with washing bottles, preparing formula, assisting with our newborn's bath, doing baby laundry, and even emptying the dishwasher. She also gave thoughtful product recommendations, offered a helpful pumping consultation, provided sleep training tips, and walked us through using the Huckleberry app. As first-time parents, it was helpful to see firsthand how she changed, fed, and burped our baby, which helped build our confidence. We also appreciated being able to text her with questions between visits--it made those early weeks feel a lot more manageable.

Getting a night doula was one of the best decisions ever. We didn't have one with my first but I'm…read moreso glad we were able to have one with our second child. Jodie M. was our night doula and her presence gave me more confidence, more sleep, and less anxiety during the first weeks postpartum. She is so loving and caring and I feel like we instantly clicked and got into a great nighttime routine with my baby. No evening scaries going to bed and wondering what the night was going to be like! She was there to bring my baby to me to nurse and then she handled the rest! Diaper changes, rocking back to sleep, washing pump parts and bottles, etc. it gave me back some time to get more good sleep--no waking up from postpartum anxiety to check if baby was ok since I was confident she was there to care for him. She really takes the time to understand you and your baby and your particular situation/pediatrician recommendations to put together a feeding/sleeping plan. My baby was underweight which was very stressful in the beginning and she was so supportive through the triple feeding and pumping and had lots of great advice in addition to the recommendations from our pediatrician. I would work with Jodie M. again if we have another baby!

As a first time mom, I can honestly say that I don't know what I would have done without Meleah! In…read morethe months leading up to my due date, Meleah helped me build my birth plan; she provided reading material that discussed the pros and cons of each decision I needed to make and then went through them with me, answering any questions I had, so I could make informed decisions. She even covered contingencies that I hadn't even considered. She also worked with us on techniques for coping with labor pains and guided us through what to expect once I was in labor. When my induction did not go as planned and I completely lost trust in my doctor (who made some very questionable recommendations), I was SO grateful that I had Meleah by my side every step of the way to make sure I understood my options and help me advocate for myself. She was then with me during my c-section, narrating what was happening and snapping pictures when my son was delivered. Then, when he was taken to the NICU for a brief period after delivery, she stayed with me, keeping me calm and relaying any news from my husband who went with our baby. It was definitely not the birth we had planned, but I feel so fortunate that Meleah was there guiding us through it. She also went above and beyond after the birth and was an immense support to us during our first days home with a newborn. She gave us helpful tips on breastfeeding, swaddling, and baby wearing, and helped us locate additional postpartum support when we found we needed it. She really cares about her clients and is amazing with babies! You can tell that she has found her calling and really enjoys what she does.

Meleah is a rock star. It was wonderful having her support throughout pregnancy and the birth of…read moremy first baby. When the pain became intense during my contractions, I was so grateful to have her by my side (I'm not sure what I would have done without her!). During my hospital stay, she was very hands on and a great team player -- she was ready to help the nurses and do everything she could to make sure I was comfortable, being repositioned often, and getting the best care possible. Postpartum, she came to our home and helped us navigate the first few days of newborn life. She brought us snacks, made sure we were doing ok, answered questions, helped us figure out how to wear the baby carriers, and provided us with reassurance as new parents.

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!

We had an incredible experience with Sally for our son from when he was 1-3 months. She was…read moreconsistently punctual, professional, and incredibly kind. Beyond just helping with night feeds, she took the initiative with bottles and laundry, which was a huge help to our family. We felt completely at ease knowing our little one was in such caring hands. In addition, she helped with sleep training. Additionally, the office staff was a pleasure to work with. They were extremely professional and maintained a quick turnaround time on all our requests and paperwork. We highly recommend this team for anyone looking for top-tier newborn care!

Working with Annie was one of the best decisions I made as a new mom. From the moment she stepped…read moreinto our home, I felt a wave of calm and reassurance that I didn't even realize I needed. She brought so much knowledge, patience, and warmth -- not only to my baby's care but to mine as well. Annie gently guided me through things that had felt intimidating at first. I'll never forget the first time she showed me how to bathe my daughter -- she took the time to walk me through each step, making sure I felt confident and safe. She taught me how to read my baby's cues when she was overtired and showed me soothing techniques that helped her go down to sleep during the day, even when she was fussy. When it came to feeding, Annie supported me in introducing a bottle -- helping me find the right position, pace, and environment so my baby could take it comfortably. She also taught me how to play with her in ways that were developmentally appropriate and engaging, which helped me build a real bond during those early days when I sometimes felt unsure. Annie gave me strategies to make tummy time more enjoyable for my daughter-- and even fun! One of the most meaningful gifts Annie gave me, though, was emotional support. Postpartum can be incredibly isolating and raw, and Annie always checked in on me -- not just the baby. She created space for me to share what I was feeling, offered thoughtful reflections, and never made me feel judged or alone. She was a steady, grounding presence during a time when I desperately needed one. Annie is more than a postpartum doula -- she's a teacher, a nurturer, and an unwavering support system. I'm endlessly grateful for everything she brought into our lives.

It's hard to describe what Annie meant to us, but suffice it to say that we recommend Annie with…read moreour whole hearts. She cared for our newborn in a way that not only met his needs but provided love and comfort so he could thrive. And her care for me was essential to my recovery. One of Annie's superpowers is her ability to connect with people, and she brings this to bear in how she approaches her role supporting parents. I really appreciated her interest in getting to know us, how we think, and how we want to parent (and helping us flesh that out at a deeply introspective time). Rather than being prescriptive in her advice, she supported us in figuring out how to do it our way with perspective, knowledge, resources, compassion, and reinforcement. If anyone is having to balance day & night time support - I'd highly recommend seeking some help during the day. It wasn't something I knew existed until our friends recommended Annie, but it turned out to be invaluable. As a first time mom, I didn't realize beforehand that the days can as full on as the nights and there's a lot we need other than sleep. Not to mention that during the day, we greatly benefitted from Annie's expertise and friendly shoulder. And most importantly, it was important to us that our baby have many sources of loving care, and we are lucky that Annie is part of that village. Annie is truly invested in the wellbeing of her babies and mamas (and whole families!). If you have the privilege of working with her, it's a must!

Enricka is awesome! She provided my wife and I great tips to navigate the challenging times of…read moreraising our 1st child. The 1st 6 months are a lot to handle, but Enricka gave us valuable tips so that way we could be more strategic with what we were doing to get her sleep trained! She's also a great listener and willing to lend a helping hand when needed. Thank you Enricka!

Enricka took care of our baby at night for the first 3 months of his life, starting right after we…read morebrought him home. She has so much experience with babies and families with new babies, and she helped us in so many more ways than I hoped for. In the earliest, most difficult nights, Enricka used her lactation training to help us get a better latch for happier, more efficient feeds. She snuggled with baby so I could sleep. She helped us with everything from how to prepare him for sleep, to optimizing a daytime schedule, to YES getting him to sleep all night. Enricka has a program that clearly works, but she was also really willing to work with us when I wanted to try something different. So, yeah, I highly recommend her!!

I can't imagine having gone through the labor and birth of our son without Carole. She came to the…read morehouse twice in the last month of pregnancy to help us prepare, was very patient and super knowledgable and supported us In preparing to have the kind of birth that we wanted. The actual birth did not go according to plan (I'm sure it often doesn't) and she helped us to understand the choices and feel good about the outcome. I was never scared because she was there every step of the way (for 72 hours!). She also got along well with my family and husband which is really important. Carole is the perfect balance for us - she has a deep understanding of the medical side of the process, but really supports and educates on the body's natural ability to give birth. She is caring and wise, and helped us have a positive birth experience.

Carole is an amazing doula with a very warm personality and calming presence. We hired her for my…read moreJune 2016 due date after meeting with several other Marin County doulas. She had more experience then the others I met with and I just loved her positive & calming energy, which is what I wanted for my baby's birth! After calling several of her mommy references, which we're gushing with rave reviews, we hired her. We had several pre due date meetings in our home which were informative, educational and helped us reach our birth preferences. I had the goal of trying to have an unmedicated labor at Marin General Hospital and the books and literature Carole provided to me, helped to educate me on that experience. In the end, I had an incredibly positive, easy and completely unmedicated labor and Carole was there helping me through each contraction. Her pain management techniques proved very helpful for me, especially during the pushing phase. She even took photos of our labor which were incredible to see given you're in 'labor land,' & have little concept of what the birth really looks like. Carole was an amazing resource and support person for me and I can't recommend her enough! At our post birth visit, she brought me homemade food & a lovey for our baby boy - so incredibly thoughtful!

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.