Leah is all around an amazing doula to work with! She is knowledgeable, patient, calming, and offers great advice to new parents during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. I knew from the first introductory phone call with her that she was the perfect fit for my needs. My review will go into detail on my labor and delivery experience and how having Leah made all the difference. If you purchase the L&D inclusive package, Leah's prenatal lessons are split up into three sessions so that there is no information overload. Since my pregnancy occurred during a time when all prenatal classes were converted to virtual web based lessons (COVID concerns), having Leah come to our house and show us ball exercises and techniques in person was really helpful for both me and my husband. I went into early labor which lasted for almost a week (baby was late). It was very painful for me with an extremely itchy belly and contractions keeping me up at night. I was in tears at one point just wanting to go to the hospital, and it was helpful to call Leah to consult with her what I should do. She calmed me down, talked me through my options, understood (from my tone) my pain level, and offered positive encouragement to remind me not to give up. Eventually, I found out via a blood test that I had a liver bile complication (cholestasis) which required me to head to the hospital on short notice for an induction. Luckily Kaiser allowed two support people (protocol as of early December 2021), so when I went into active labor, Leah was allowed in the delivery room with me. Without prompting she started massaging my legs/neck/shoulders, tied back my hair, and put a towel on my forehead to help relax me. I chose to go with an epidural, so each time I needed to flip over (so that the medication doesn't pool on one side of your spinal cord), Leah would help adjust the peanut ball to be comfortable so that I could keep on laboring until it was time to push. At a critical point after two hours of pushing, the doctors told me I needed to make a choice between vacuum assist or a C Section, both of which were undesirable to me. There must have been 15 nurses and doctors swarming in my room all trying to talk to me at one time while I was trying to make a decision. Leah helped by offering a middle ground option for me to try pushing in different positions first because she sensed my hesitation to go forward with only those two options. In the very end, I still had to go with vacuum assist, but if not for the extra pushes in other positions, the vacuum attempts would have failed and I would have needed to go to the operating room. Without Leah advocating for us, my husband and I would have likely just listened to the doctor and I probably would have needed the C Section, so I'm very grateful Leah was there to intervene in a sensitive way that didn't undermine the doctors professional judgment. I also purchased postpartum visits from Leah and she is an absolute gem when it comes to being supportive of all the things a new mom is trying to figure out in the first month postpartum. She is like a baby whisperer, always knows how to calm down my newborn (he loves to fuss and cry when it's just my husband and I). I'm very grateful to her for helping with household chores, giving me time to take a nap, watching the baby, and even bringing us hot meals. She also showed us how to give infant massages and a mind-blowing way to change diapers with no hassle and no more messy blowouts. Please trust me when I say Leah is a superstar! You will not regret working with her. read more

Having Leah as our doula was one of the best decisions we made for the birth of our daughter. We weren't sure about having a doula at first, but we heard how beneficial they can be to your delivery and we wanted to learn more. Leah met us at our house for a consultation and a friendly chat. We knew immediately that she would be a great fit for our family. Leah helped us feel comfortable and she showed genuine interest in getting to know us and our expectations for the birth experience. She was warm and kind, but we could tell she would be able to stand up for us if necessary. We especially appreciated Leah's philosophy of healthy mom and healthy baby, whatever it takes. We knew she would be an advocate for our birth plan no matter what. Leah helped make our delivery more comfortable and calm. She provided guidance for my husband and encouragement for me. She came super prepared and stayed with me the entire time to make sure things went as smoothly as possible. She tirelessly supported me emotionally and physically through her words and massage throughout my labor. We were so pleased with our birth experience and we owe so much of that to Leah. After the big day, she came by a few times in order to check on us and show us how to use things like the breast pump and baby carriers (and also get baby cuddles). She's been available to help us with any questions we have had. It was so helpful to have her as a part of our team and we strongly recommend any nervous parents-to-be to think of including her in theirs. We would definitely ask for Leah's help again! read more

Belly Coach - Doulas Near Me

Leah did such a great job that we went with her again for our second child! Even though we had an idea of what to expect in regards to delivery, Leah's presence and services saved the day. She provided us with support the whole way. Her wonderful positive attitude and practical experience made the all the difference. We can't thank her enough. If you are looking for a doula, Leah should be on your list of people to interview. She is amazing! read more

I would highly recommend Leah for anyone looking for birth or postpartum support. We began our search for a doula for the birth of our second child after being disappointed with the birth experience of our first and knowing that the additional support would increase our chances of a healthy birth outcome. Leah stood out above all the rest with her calm demeanor, energetic personality, knowledge, and willingness to help. She felt like a trusted friend right from the beginning and my husband felt very comfortable with her, knowing 'She's the one I would want to call at 2 in the morning!' The prenatal sessions were invaluable, especially because of COVID-19 and knowing I would not be able to have in-person doula support in the hospital. In the weeks leading up to my delivery, she was always available to answer any questions and make recommendations, at any time of the day. In the end, my labor was very fast but Leah was with us for the critical part up to minutes before the delivery, especially helping me while I was laboring in the car on the way to the hospital. I feel very thankful to have been able to have the natural birth I was looking for in the midst of all the COVID-19 limitations and Leah was a huge part of that. Thanks Leah! read more

As a new, first time mom, I get asked all the time if there were any "must have"/"cannot live without" items or tips that helped our family through the first few months of postpartum, newborn life and the journey into parenthood. My husband and I both wholeheartedly agree that Leah was, hands down, the most helpful and most valuable resource we had and one of the best decisions we made as new parents. We are so incredibly grateful we were able to work with Leah for prenatal, birth and postpartum care. She was there for us, with her calming presence and caring, positive (and fun!) personality, every step of the way. Since the moment we met her she's provided support, guidance and extensive knowledge (and she has fielded several frantic phone calls and texts from us at all hours of the night!). And to this day she continues to make herself available to us if we have any questions and want an opinion on raising our infant. Before birth, she patiently walked us through the birth process and taught us exercises to make labor go more smoothly and helped us feel more confident going in. She brought me goodies (essential oils, books, bone broth, etc) and, because she knew I was nervous about specific parts of the labor and delivery process, she personalized our sessions based on that to help me feel at ease and more prepared. During birth, even though she couldn't be in the room with us due to COVID, she was always available and was so helpful in recommending pain relief techniques, explaining what different options we had, calming us down and answering all the questions we had as it all seemed to go out the window once you're in the delivery room! Postpartum she was an absolute lifesaver. She walked us through all the things a new parent might struggle with: how to bathe a baby, how to use a carrier, how to calm a fussy baby, how to feed a bottle, pumping/lactation advice, gas/baby massage, sleep recommendations, product recommendations, you name it! And she had so many helpful tips and tricks she shared. She took care of us as we stumbled through the initial sleep deprived weeks, bringing us her amazingly delicious cooking, allowing us to squeeze in naps and showering us with love and support. Most importantly, she is unbelievable with babies. She was so sweet to our new girl, was able to calm her in an instant, and treated her to luxurious baby massages, essential oil and baking soda soaks and many loving cuddles. We love Leah so much and we're so thankful we found her! read more

Leah is a dream come true! Leah has been our post-partum doula for more than three months -- we initially signed up for 5 weeks, but kept extending and extending because we love having her with us and our son so much. Leah brings not only baby, breastfeeding and post-partum expertise, but also a wonderfully positive attitude, an amazing sense of humor and a very even-keeled, calm way of being into your household. I cannot tell you how much this is needed during those terrifying, sleep-deprived early days when everything is new and overwhelming. Leah took amazing care of my son, my husband and me. She brought us laughter and a sense of security, as well as assurances that we were doing the best we could and that was well. I am back to work in January and we will miss her dearly as she has truly become a part of our family. I recommend Leah with my whole heart! She will make you and your baby's lives better! read more

Highly recommend Leah if you're searching for a birthing doula and PP services. When I originally began my search for doulas in the tri valley I was met with a lot of closed doors (literally due to Covid) but then came across Leah in a lucky happenstance. Since day one my husband and I have felt very comfortable with our decision to hire Leah to join us on our pregnancy and birthing journey. Leah is incredibly kind, caring, sweet, knowledgeable, funny and all around a wonderful woman. Not only did she provide us with knowledge about what we were embarking on but also provided personal insight on what to expect and made us feel so much more comfortable and ready for this next chapter. I was met with a lot of skepticism from family and friends when I would mention wanting to go natural for my birth plan and Leah helped me keep a positive attitude and continue with my plan in the most supportive ways. She constantly was checking in and always offered amazing advice on how to stay active, positive and healthy. When it came time for the birth, mind you I was 12 days late, Leah and my husband turned into my dream team of cheerleaders and I couldn't have done it without them. Leah had so many cool tips and trick, oils and amazing messages to help keep my mind and body at ease during my rather fast and furious (12 hour) labor. Leah was a super trooper and Wonder Woman to say the least and I know that without her, my husband and I would probably never had followed through with my natural birth plan. She is now apart of our small family and that means the world to us. So seriously, if you're looking for a positive energy, Wonder Woman doula to add to your tribe/team during your pregnancy and birthing journey, Leah is your lady! read more

Leah was a huge asset during my first labor and delivery experience and I love that she is a part of our baby's birth story. When I first heard of the concept of a doula, my initial reaction was a bit "what's the point?" as I was not tied to a particular birth plan and pretty openminded to however baby's arrival would happen. But after talking to several new moms who had unexpectedly frustrating birth experiences, I reconsidered. I contacted several doulas from the Mt Diablo Doula Community site and after interviews, I felt the most connected to Leah as she reminded me of a close friend. She came over several times before I gave birth which helped us get to know each other and build familiarity. She gave me light homework to do daily that helped me both physically and mentally to prep for labor. She also checked up on me regularly via text in a subtle, noninvasive way. My labor came fast in the middle of the night and it was like Leah was ready waiting for my call. She planned to come over to my house but my contractions escalated so quickly she ended up meeting us at the hospital. Only my spouse was allowed in the first triage room where I was already pretty far along and in a lot of pain. Once I got into the delivery room, Leah swooped in like a godsend and immediately started applying strong pressure to my back that was exactly what I needed to distract me from the intense pain. From that point on, she provided various types of comfort techniques and oversight that made me feel totally cared for (e.g. I had the shakes for 2 hours and she continuously put warm blankets and soothing pressure to make me as comfortable as possible). She was a warrior on her feet the entire time physically supporting me, along with my husband, as I pushed for another several hours. Leah also came by a few times postpartum providing extra help during our newborn photoshoot and also an extra visit when I needed moral support because my husband was out of town. She was such an asset to us as new parents offering us advice on areas we were struggling with - she gave us empowerment to take advantage of tools that made sense for our family despite the rigid direction of our healthcare provider. Lastly, early on my husband was not onboard with hiring a doula but wisely left that decision up to me. And our experience with Leah totally turned him around to the point where he said he couldn't imagine us going through this without her. She was a great support partner for him as well. We are so thankful we found Leah! read more

Belly Coach - Doulas Near Me

I cannot say enough positive things about our decision to hire Leah as our doula. First of all, she is lovely... Even our picky cats were charmed by her immediately! This was my first pregnancy, and I wanted to learn as much as possible about the birthing process. Leah was able to provide me with some awesome resources, and answered all of my questions along the way! I had a few minor medical issues in late pregnancy that required my being induced, but thankfully I was still able to deliver my baby without pain medication. The likelihood that I would have been able to do that without Leah is slim. She was with me for every contraction over 13 hours. Her wisdom and caring touch were invaluable. She was also adept at supporting the father-to-be through the process as well! And she has continued to check in and support us through these first weeks. In short, Leah has helped make our birth experience and transition into parenthood a memory we will cherish forever. read more

Leah saved me from needing a c-section. My labor lasted four and a half days. There were many times I almost went to the hospital with contractions 3 minutes apart in the days ahead, but asked Leah for advice first. Having seen a lot of births, she could sense the pattern in my early labor of things speeding up and then slowing down and recommended we wait a little longer before going in if we felt comfortable doing so. When I eventually did go in, a midwife said baby's heartbeat was dropping with some of my contractions (not all). Her heart rate was still in a safe range and it was barely falling at all, but enough that they wanted to keep me there. They immediately mentioned pitocin and breaking my water as possible next steps to speed things along. I wanted an intervention-free birth if possible so I asked for more time. I know if I had gone in days earlier like I would have without Leah's advice, things would not have ended well. Leah was extremely helpful through the contractions. She never asked me what I liked or what I needed because she already knew instinctively what would help and she got right to work doing it! It was such a relief! She is the best cheerleader imaginable! We chose her because of her sunny disposition and enthusiasm for mothers and the birth process. During my labor at the hospital, I unexpectedly dilated without intervention from 7cm to 10cm in 13 minutes and pushed my baby out in 10 minutes. I had my husband go to grab breakfast when I was at 5cm and he barely made it back in time for me to start pushing. Things escalated like crazy while he was gone, but I felt comforted and reassured by Leah's presence, even in such a vulnerable time. She made the pain bearable by implementing a number of techniques (massage, TENS unit, etc) that carried me through the extreme contractions. I highly recommend Leah to anyone looking to have a natural birth. She is committed to helping moms stick to their birth plans, but is also committed to safe births and knows when there is value to following the direction of healthcare providers. I always felt in control and safe in her care. This was my last baby, but if I had another, I would hire her again in a heartbeat! I could not have done it without her! read more

Leah was wonderful and does an amazing job! From our initial consult, she provided so much helpful background information to help out me at ease. As a first time mom, I had so many questions and she offered a wealth of knowledge and support before, during and after our daughter's birth. Of course, my labor started on July 4th (this kid has timing!), and she was there at the hospital to help our family out through the birth. A total pro and highly recommended! read more

Leah was absolutely amazing when we had our first baby in June. Compassionate, caring, supportive, knowledgeable, non judgmental and kind. We hired Leah as our postpartum Doula, but Leah also navigated us through the final few weeks of pregnancy and provided invaluable tips and insights into what to expect during our hospital birth and how to seek out everything that would help us get off to a great start with our newborn. This was particularly brilliant during Covid times as we had no opportunities to go to birthing classes or to have 'in-person' support of any kind. Leah helped us through those early weeks and had so much knowledge to impart. She also did a huge spectrum of things for us - from showing us baby caring basics, to baby massage, to enabling us to get some sleep, to bringing us cooked treats and delicious meals and items to help with looking after me and the baby. Leah has it all - a beautiful kind soul and endless knowledge and the most easygoing personality. We felt completely comfortable welcoming Leah into our post-birth lives. Leah was so supportive while allowing us to find our own way and style with our baby. We highly recommend Leah as a Doula. read more

Leah has been a great support to me during my first trimester and first pregnancy! She went with me to my most recent doctors appointment because I was a bit stressed about some potential issues that may arise in my pregnancy and my husband was unable to attend. The docs are keeping a close eye on me but it was great to have Leah there to support me in making sure I asked all the questions on my list, and got the answers I needed. She always shows she cares, and her calm sweet demeanor is very comforting. I am plan on working with her throughout my whole pregnancy and highly recommend her! read more