My Postpartum Doula Workshop experience was truly life changing. It was positive, eye opening,…read moreinspiring, and, at times, overwhelming in the very best way. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in such a safe, welcoming space. The energy was incredible, and being surrounded by such a wonderful group of women made the experience even more special. There was so much learning, sharing, encouragement, and connection. And Kathrin, our trainer, was absolutely amazing. Her knowledge, passion, the way she guided us through the workshop made such an impact on me. She created an environment where I felt comfortable learning and truly taking in everything this beautiful work has to offer. Honestly, I would do this workshop all over again not because I needed to, but because I would love to experience that same energy and connection with another group of women. Every group brings something different, and I can only imagine how beautiful each experience can be. I highly recommend Kathrin's Postpartum Doula Workshop to anyone who is interested in becoming a postpartum doula. It is an experience I will carry with me as I begin this new chapter. Lizette

Ana Paula is a wealth of knowledge and compassion. She's a beautiful mix of warm and calming with a…read morefun energy and the utmost professionalism.

Taking Hypnobirthing with Alisha Tamburri in March 2020 was one of the best decisions I made while…read morepreparing for the birth of my first child that July. The tools and techniques I learned in her class gave me the confidence and calm I needed--and I used them again when I gave birth to my second child in June 2023. Both births were completely unmedicated, peaceful, and empowering. I wasn't afraid--I actually enjoyed the experience. Alisha is incredibly warm, kind, and grounded. Her presence alone is calming, and she was always able to soothe any fears or anxieties I had. I even called her while in labor, and she guided me through breathing techniques that helped me stay centered. With my first, I arrived at the hospital already 9 centimeters dilated after laboring at home most of the day. It was a beautiful experience. My husband took the class with me, which was so helpful. He knew exactly how to support me and understood the birth experience I envisioned. Because I had such a positive experience, I even reached out to Alisha while my sister was in labor. Although my sister hadn't taken the course, Alisha generously offered to speak with her and provided much-needed reassurance during a stressful time. To this day, I still use the calming techniques I learned, and I'm teaching my children the importance of mindfulness and meditation. Alisha's guidance has truly had a lasting impact on me and my family.

Alisha's Hypnobirthing course took all the fear and nervousness out of the picture and changed my…read morewhole mindset going into labor. I had an extremely long labor and my husband and I were so lucky to have Alisha in the room with us for the entire thing. She was such a calming presence throughout. In the end I needed to get an episiotomy and Alisha put me into hypnosis during the proceedure and I barely even felt it. I couldn't believe it. After it was over, the Dr. who was a neo-natal surgeon (and wasn't too sure about hypnobirthing) was so impressed, he took Alisha aside in the room and said he'd never had a patient so calm while he was suturing them. I will always be grateful she was there with us and all the training she gave us ahead of time made an incredible difference. I cannot recommend her enough!

I feel so fortunate to have found Janet and Rachel and the The Birth Co-Op. It has been a unique…read moreexperience to navigate pregnancy during Covid and I was a bit apprehensive to take our parenting classes via a Zoom class. I was very pleasantly surprised by the format and really enjoyed getting to know our group over the course of the 4 sessions. The class was informative and inclusive. Janet and Rachel's love for what they do and deep knowledge birth and labor was informative and heart warming. Janet and Rachel are very careful to underscore that each birth experience is unique, and that choices are personal. They present well rounded information and resources that helps guide you rather than tell you something is right or wrong. I especially liked the guest speakers (a midwife from Kaiser and a lactation consultant) who spoke about their practices and answered questions. I feel so fortunate to have found the Birth Co-Op. I feel more informed going into my birth, and know that I have an amazing resource in Janet and Rachel as questions come up in my pregnancy and after the babe arrives.

Great service, had to be done virtually and Rachael was awesome. Glad I found the birthing coop, it…read moreprepared me mentally for natural child birth also prepared me with child care. I'm a FTM and didn't know how to do so many things.. even change a diaper.. , so this was definitely a huge help. Diaper changes actually come very naturally now, after doing it so many times lol.. and Rachael did put my mind at ease on so many things I had questions on. Even on finding other services like doulas/midwife's/prenatal/postnatal masseuses etc.. very well connected. Thank you!

I'm SO thankful I found this birthing center! Being able to have the water birth I had always…read moredreamed of AND have it covered by my insurance, was truly such a blessing. From the beginning, I loved that they focused on natural options, education, and helping me feel confident and informed throughout my pregnancy. They're very upfront that they don't offer epidurals, but honestly, the way they empowered and prepared me made such a difference. When it was finally time to give birth, I KNEW I could do it without one...and I did! ‍ The entire staff was amazing, supportive, and genuinely cared about me and my baby. They do have stricter requirements than a hospital, but I came to understand that it's because they want to make sure every mom is in the safest position possible to receive the best care. I'm so grateful for the experience, the education, the support, and especially for getting the birth experience I always prayed for. Thank you for helping bring my baby into the world in such a beautiful and empowering way!

Choosing a birth center for my first baby was one of the biggest decisions I've ever made, and I…read moretruly couldn't have asked for a better experience. From my very first prenatal appointment through postpartum care, every midwife made me feel heard, respected, and genuinely cared for. As a first time mom, I had countless questions, and this team always answered them with patience, kindness, and without judgment. A special thank you to Midwife Angela, who delivered our son. Throughout my labor, she demonstrated an incredible balance of clinical skill, calm confidence, and compassion. When I became dehydrated and experienced cervical swelling that was actually working against dilation, she carefully monitored both me and my baby and allowed us the time and space we needed at the birth center rather than rushing interventions. She diligently checked our baby's heart rate throughout labor and remained calm and reassuring every step of the way. When it came time to push, there was a moment when our baby's heart rate dropped significantly. Angela calmly encouraged me to give one strong push, and with that push, our son entered the world safely. It's a moment I'll never forget, and I'm incredibly grateful for her guidance and expertise. After delivery, I needed stitches for a tear, and Angela repaired them with such care and gentleness. Even during one of the most physically demanding experiences of my life, she managed to keep the atmosphere light with her wonderful sense of humor, which helped me more than she probably realizes. I'm also so thankful for Midwife Tiffany, who came during the hardest part of my labor to offer encouragement and then to welcome our baby into the world. Her support meant so much during those moments. This entire midwife team provided so much more than medical care - they offered reassurance, tender hands, respect for my choices, and unwavering support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They helped make my first birth experience one that I will always look back on with gratitude. Thank you for helping us safely welcome our beautiful baby boy into the world. We will always be grateful.

Words can't describe the vibes & energys that was on our birth room ..my wife was having her birth…read moreexperience to the fullest and exactly like her birth plan and all of that couldn't happened without Cynthia's services Cynthia is well educated in all of birth world and know everything about woman's needs in this precious time of newborn coming to the world she made our birth room look like a yoga class in a spa and our minds clear of fear allso as a husband i felt much more confident and secure to have a professional educated and highly sensitive doola that listen to my wife's needs ( and allso giving me my sleep time :) .. me and my wife moved into California not long time ago and our families are over seas it was so important to us to have a natural birth experience she was giving birth in a hospital and we were afraid to deal with medical intervention i really believe and know that we couldn't do that without Cynthia's help Thank you Cynthia for giving us the opportunity to have an amazing experience of life

From the owner: The Birth Whisperer, Cynthia Marie, PhD, has a passion for the birth process and wants to support…read moreevery woman in having the birth they choose with as few interventions as possible. She encourages each client's partner to be involved as little or as much as they are comfortable with. She offers doula and lactation support during conception, prenatal, birth, and postpartum She supports all births including Natural/Non-Medicated/Minimal Interventions, VBAC, C-Section, Home Birth, Water Birth, HypnoBirth, and Birth Center. She offers special sessions in Couple’s Birth Preparation, Childbirth Eduaction, Child Development, Reiki Energy Healing, The Fourth Trimester, The First Forty Days, Attachment Parenting, Safe Bedsharing, and Effective Child Discipline. Clients may attend sessions with a partner or solo. Birth the way you choose... Get attached to your birth plan... Happy mama, happy baby, happy family.

I don't know how I would have survived my pregnancy or birth without Jaquelin's help!! From the…read morebeginning of our relationship (while I was still pregnant), she was very supportive and helped me learn more about what I was going through via personal meetings, phone calls, email & web articles. She has a very calm and attentive nature (and I love her South African accent!) During my labor & delivery (32.5 hours!) her assistance was invaluable, since my husband did not want to be in the room at all - since he was afraid of passing out...lol! She knows what she is doing to keep you and your family comfortable and to move the process along. I don't remember a lot about that weekend as I was exhuasted, in pain, & eventually took some drugs to help with the pain, so it was great to have Jaquelin's story of my birth, with all of her notes! She also took some still photos with my camera, so I would remember this important moment in my life! If you are even thinking of hiring a doula, look no further! Her postpartum visit was also very nice & I can honestly say that she was much more than just another body in the delivery room...I now consider her a family friend and we stay in touch often. She is well worth the money that she charges for her services...I only wished that insurance would cover it. Either way, if I did it again, I would still use her. She made the whole experience as comfortable as it could be! :)

I was newly sober and pregnant!! I was warned about the dangers to my sobriety that could come from…read morebeing given prescription pain relievers after giving birth. Especially when C sections and medical interventions are at their highest. I was told to do some research on how to avoid unnecessary C sections and this eventually led me to a doula. I was planning to move back home to California from Florida. I looked up doulas in the area. When Jaquilin returned my phone call I was a mess and nervous over becoming a new mom & screwing it up! She brought peace to my heart answered ALL my questions which brought hope for what was about to come. I was not sure if I could even hire a doula and still living in Florida at the time. I can remember standing in one the isles of a grocery store in Florida. I was so concerned over fish oil in DHA inside the prenatal vitamins. I called Jaquilin, feeling silly because she hadn't been hired yet, but she returned my phone call over such a silly question like that or, "I ran out of my prenatal vitamins and it's only been 2 days. I'm worried about the baby!" She was there and helped bring peace to me! I knew then, standing in the middle of the store that she was the doula for me! I moved back to California, finally at 7 months. When I hired Jaquilin and started the lamaze classes with her they were intimate, small and fun. Very "homie". As well as extremely informative. I felt free to ask any questions. Any! Our choice for birth was for it to be all natural, but in a hospital (we chose the UCLA midwives Westwood. Also an A+ experience) As I'm writing, I'm thinking there is just too many wonderful things and experiences with jacqueline to to say! So I'm writing a list of the 1st ten things hat come to mind below!! My experience far superseded what I paid for and what I expected. I have the most memorable, REAL and intentional birth to thank from her support! 1. She was there for me after the birth, more than she "should" have. In regards to me being at risk for post Partum depression. Supported me all the way through & called in to check up on and make sure I made the phone calls I needed. 2. Jaquilin came over at exactly the right time during my labor. Supported me in all the ways I wanted and needed in order to move into active labor and through the pain. 3. Helped me with my birth plan and met me For walks in the park. 4. Helped me find organic and holistic approaches to many things. 5. The birth!!!! The birth was exactly what I asked for. Exactly!!!! She believed in me the whole time and I in turn believed in my bodies ability to do exactly what it needed to do. 6. I used her experience and knowledge with birth as my guide. I needed her to know when I was ready to go the hospital (I know I would have gone way to soon if I didn't have her!) and because of that there was no need for the hospital to do "hospital things" I was ready! 7. I showed up at 7 centimeters. (All the nurses and the midwives were impressed) I couldn't have done that without the support from my doula Jaquilin. 8. An hour after arriving I gave birth to Liam! Beautiful, all natural, healthy and strong! 9. She was there the whole way through, to the end & then some. 10. I didn't receive any narcotics or epidural. No medical interventions. I was aware. My birth was intentional and I was empowered. Thank you Jaquilin for helping me achieve the birth I was meant to have

When I found out I was pregnant, many people told me to take labor and breastfeeding classes. After…read moresome research, I found that there weren't any classes locally offered to new moms, other than at Henry Mayo Hospital. And of course, their classes were only offered once a month. Unfortunately, they didn't work with my schedule. My main concern being a new mom was breastfeeding. I went online and tried finding a doula who would offer me a private class. Alas, I found Cali. What immediately impressed me was how quick she responded to my intro email. She was open to come over to my house, teach me the basics about breastfeeding and offer her advice postpartum. Cali was helpful, professional, and caring. Having my first baby with Cali's support made the experience that much better. So glad I found Cali!

When my husband and I found out we were expecting, we immediately started planning the type of…read morebirth we wanted. It wasn't long until we felt very overwhelmed by all the decisions and challenges that faced us. One of our friends recommended that we hire a doula to help us with the process... and so the search began. We met with a few different doulas, however as soon as we met Cali, we knew she was the perfect fit for our growing family. We felt very comfortable with her, she was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions, and her beliefs aligned with ours about the ideal birth. In addition, she offered us private parenting classes since our schedules were always conflicting with the hospital's classes we were interested in taking. In all of our meetings before the birth, Cali came prepared and ready to work. However, I always felt like I was meeting with a good friend. When my water broke 1 month early, Cali dropped everything to be at my side (even though it was her birthday!!) She even came to our house first to help pack for the hospital, keep me calm until my husband got home from work, and even installed our car seat (since we were so unprepared for such an early arrival!) I was a little unsure that I was going to be able to follow the birth plan we had put together, to keep things all natural, with no medical intervention, but with Cali's help, I was! She was calm and encouraging through my entire labor, and provided support for my husband as he coached me through a successful, all natural birth. We could not be more grateful. After the birth, Cali constantly checked in on us, and offered advice and help when we were having some difficulties with breast-feeding during her postpartum visit. We are so thankful that we can look back on our labor in a positive light, and we have Cali to thank for that. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a Doula.

[Acknowledging the gaslighting undertones of the owner's response. Fluffy messaging, sidestepping…read morecore issue.] Working with Princess, the owner of BelliBind, was one of the most unprofessional and distressing experiences I've had. For a long time I suppressed the memory and didn't leave a review in December 2021 because I was overwhelmed postpartum. However, receiving a recent automated email from the company brought the experience back, and I feel it's important to share a word of caution for other mothers -- especially those whose postpartum experience may not be smooth or well-supported. Like many mothers, my daughter's birth did not go according to plan. I nearly lost her, she required hospitalization in the NICU for respiratory distress, and when she came home she had an extremely severe case of colic. She could not be soothed by anyone except me, including my husband, and the situation in our home was incredibly stressful and overwhelming. When the BelliBind employee came for the first session, she was kind and genuinely tried to help. I have no criticism of her personally. She attempted to support me by assertively requesting that my husband manage the baby so I could have the appointment. Unfortunately, the reality of our situation made that impossible. Our baby was extremely distressed, tensions escalated, and I simply could not relax or continue the session. I ultimately asked to cancel the remainder of the visit. My concern arose afterward when I contacted Princess to request a refund for the remaining unused sessions. I made it clear that I was completely willing to pay for the first visit, but asked if she could consider a prorated refund for the thousands of dollars of services that had not been rendered and realistically could not be completed given my circumstances. At the time, I was in a very fragile psychological state postpartum, experiencing severe depression and even suicidal thoughts -- something I could clearly recognize as an otherwise strong Licensed Clinical Social Worker (knowing postpartum can be suddenly triggering for those who survive childhood abuse/neglect). I communicated this openly in the hope that she might approach the situation with compassion and flexibility. She knew my mission in life was to protect other vulnerable individuals, and I thought in this moment of vulnerability, hers was to look after postpartum moms. Instead, the response I received was shockingly cold and combative. The empathy that had been conveyed earlier in the process disappeared entirely. In my own telephone conversation with Princess, she refused any form of accommodation or refund and communicated in a manner that felt volatile and dismissive. The interaction became so upsetting that my husband ultimately had to step in to try to handle the conversation in order to protect me during an already vulnerable postpartum period. Following our joint attempts to reason with her over the phone and seemingly reaching a mutually agreeable resolution at the time, Princess later emailed to inform us that she decided NOT refund 4 unused sessions, and she requested that I use them in a "2-week postponement period" ... as if our unglamorous situation would somehow magically resolve in 2 weeks. If only the reality of our lives could morph it one of her captivating social media marketing photos in that 2-week period. As referenced in the attached screenshots, she states, "Please note we have offered to provide you with: 2 week postponement of services, once you have more of a handle on your child's needs." Needless to say, the latter comment to "get a handle on our child's needs" was incredibly offensive. Her additional comments were equally perplexing: "I truly believe, as a post-birth professional with a team providing in-home recovery support and newborn care guidance to birthing families for nearly a decade now, that we would be doing you a great disservice by just giving you a full refund opposed to the many options you could use with the care you already have paid for with us." The fact that a business owner of a service directed towards postpartum mothers, could be so rigid, inflexible, and tone-deaf continues to baffle me. Ultimately, I filed a claim with my credit card company, and Chase quickly reviewed the situation and happily obtained a refund for the *unused amount*, as per my request to Princess. This experience was deeply disappointing. Postpartum mothers are often in extremely vulnerable positions, and businesses that market services specifically to new mothers should operate with a basic level of compassion, integrity, and professionalism. Unfortunately, that was not my experience here, and the utter lack of integrity continues to shock me in memory. I can only hope that some version of karma eventually reinforces the importance of genuine integrity, so that other mothers receive what is truly good for them ... even when life has unexpected challenges in store.

This is my second time working with BelliBind and it was just as wonderful as the first. Princess…read moreand her staff are lovely and the service is so necessary for postpartum self care. I've gifted it to friends as well and they have been just as satisfied! Would definitely recommend for the postpartum experience.

It is hard to put into words just how much Jennifer has meant to our family…read more From the very beginning, she made us feel heard, supported, and empowered. Jennifer has an incredible gift for listening to your hopes and helping create a birth experience that honors your wishes while always keeping mom and baby safe. Her guidance, education, hands-on support, and adaptability gave us confidence every step of the way. Whether you're a first-time parent or growing your family, Jennifer meets you with compassion, knowledge, and unwavering encouragement. One of the most special parts of our journey was watching her help prepare our son to become a big brother. She made him feel included and excited to welcome our newest family member. Jennifer created a space where our voices truly mattered especially when they can often feel overlooked in healthcare system. She helped us feel informed, respected, and empowered throughout our entire journey. Now that Jennifer is a midwife, we know even more families will experience the incredible care and advocacy she brings. Jennifer, thank you for helping our family grow and for the lasting impact you have made on our lives. We are forever grateful.

Working with Jen was one of the greatest gifts of our birth experiences (for both myself and my…read morewife). She supported both of us through two births, about two years apart, and each experience was very different (including one with pre-eclampsia and the other with heart rate decels). Her ability to meet each of us exactly where we were, with such calm, confidence, and care, was remarkable. We trusted her completely. From our first phone call, it just felt right. Jen is a powerful advocate for her clients and brought a steady, reassuring presence that allowed us to feel safe, informed, and deeply supported. Her care extended far beyond labor and delivery. Her prenatal and postpartum home visits were incredibly helpful, especially as she guided us through preparing our older child for siblinghood, and she always made us feel seen as a whole family. We also loved how intentional she is about building community among her clients, helping families feel connected to one another and supported beyond their individual journeys. Her work is deeply equity-centered, and as an LGBTQ+ family, having affirming care was incredibly meaningful to us. We are so grateful to have had Jen alongside us during such transformative moments and would recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for compassionate, affirming, and truly exceptional birth support (especially for those whose journeys end up looking differently than initially planned)!

I had blocked ducts. Paula helped me to clear them out . She guided me with the right things to do…read more. My inflammation reduced. My 2 month baby even latched though I didn't plan to breast feed. But I can consider breast feeding I think with her support.

I cannot thank Paula enough for helping me today! I'm a mom of 5, and was able to successfully…read morebreastfeed all 4 of them for 1 1/2-2 years each. But every baby is different and i found myself in so much pain whenever I breastfed my youngest (2weeks old) I would dread breastfeeding him! I thought about getting seen by a Lactation specialist and I'm so lucky I can across Paula's website! She was so patient and informative, she stayed for two hours just helping me and teaching me! I no longer feel any pain and I'm looking forward to breastfeeding my baby. Thank you Paula! You are heaven sent!