Sadly, I cannot speak to Kate's abilities with regard to the birthing process, since she was…read morealready booked for my due date. I am, however, able to discuss her nature, her knowledge, and her dedication. I suffer from a rare condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. It's a condition that had me hospitalized on three occasions, and on bed rest for six months. I lost my job, I was unable to connect with friends and family, I was too sick to speak, and I was on anti-nausea meds that kept me asleep or too groggy to think most of the day. To compound matters, I'm fairly new to LA and didn't have the social resources to help me through that incredibly difficult time. When I finally emerged from the fog, a friend recommended I research doulas for additional support, which is how I found Kate. When reaching out and explaining my situation, other doulas were "all business." Most let me know they were already booked, and explained that I should have researched doulas earlier (thank you for your wisdom). Kate was the exception that took note of my difficult situation and all but rushed to my rescue. While she was already booked for my due date, she reached out to her vast doula community to help me find someone who was a good fit. Because of my condition and the after-effects of being in solitary confinement for six months, my needs are high--and specific. So, helping me find another doula was no small feat. Kate also set me up with a slew of other resources to help me manage the mental and physical stress I had been going through. She also welcomed me into her new mom community, which seems to be exclusively made up of kind, cool, welcoming women. Kate has been nothing short of a Godsend to me. It's hard to express in a Yelp review just how desperate I was to feel supported. Somehow, in my six sentence inquiry email that was overlooked by a handful of other doulas, Kate saw through the fog and saw a woman in need. I am eternally grateful to her and anyone would be lucky to have her on their side.

Kate was our Doula for the birth of our second child just over a year ago and I could not have…read moreasked for more beautiful perfect support. I wasn't sure I was going to have a Doula the second time around. I felt that my husband and I already had a pretty solid birth partnership and because it was going to be a home birth we'd have lots of constant support from our midwife and her assistant. When we decided we wanted the extra love/care, we knew Kate should be that person. Perhaps what stands out most in my memory of Kate on that day is how she seemed to know exactly what was needed in each given moment. As a Doula myself, I'm aware that each birth is unique as is every couple and family. Sometimes a Doula needs to be very hands on, and sometimes not as much - more as a supportive presence in the room from a distance. Kate just totally took our cues and because of my husband and my relationship, because we'd done this before and because it was a shorter and easier labor...we did a lot of it on our own. But in the moments I needed Kate and didn't even know it, I'd look over and there she was - whispering the most perfect motivating and inspirational words in my ear, or massaging my neck and shoulders with lavender oil. I feel honored to have Kate in my life. It is clear that supporting new families is her true calling, and I can say from experience that any couple considering using her services will most definitely have a more peaceful and positive prenatal, birth and/or postpartum experience with Kate by their side.

Maggie was such a supportive and nurturing doula to me with my first baby. 3 years ago as a fellow…read moredoula, I resonated with Maggie's spirit and motherly aura. My labor was very long and presented many challenges that caused for change of plans and Maggie road the waves with us like a champion doula. She went above and beyond her role as a doula by also photographing our labor journey as well as taking our maternity photos which still hang in our daughters room. Maggie is a compassionate soul who knows the right things to say or not to say in those high pressure moments and supported us from home to hospital to operating table to home again. We will forever hold a special place in our hearts for this amazing woman and rockstar doula!

Maggie is the BEST…read more I can't recommend her enough! My labor was over 26 hours and she was in constant communication with my sister in getting my placenta over to her. Even though I delivered at 2-am I wasn't worried that everything was being taken care of. When I got home from the hospital she was available at a moments notice for any questions I had. She is kind, knowledgeable, and Grounding. You are in excellent hands with Maggie!

Mrs. Ofelia gave my wife and I, as new parents, three priceless gifts: knowledge, confidence and…read moresupport. From the moment she walked in our door, Mrs. Ofelia's expertise was unmistakable. Our son arrived earlier than expected and was on the smaller side, so our primary concern was setting him up for success in gaining weight and robust health. The day after our discharge from the hospital, Mrs. Ofelia helped my wife navigate breastfeeding strategies and techniques. Mrs. Ofelia also helped us set up a schedule for his eating and sleeping, suggested ideas to make our space more baby friendly and taught us methods for burping, soothing and bathing. Even though she has been working with babies for decades, Mrs. Ofelia underscored that we were the ones who would know our son's needs best. Her consistent advice was for my wife to use her intuition to understand what to do. Because of the foundation of information she provided and her constant encouragement, we were able to feel sure about our choices and more assured that we'd make good decisions after she left. Mrs. Ofelia's emphasis on us taking the time to learn our baby extended to her assistance with household tasks that didn't go away just because we had a newborn. She never stopped working. Her efforts let us focus on taking care of our baby and resting and recovering. We could give our son the energy and attention he needed and that we wanted to provide. We almost began our sessions with Mrs. Ofelia a week after our son's birth. We were so thankful that we decided to start early. My wife and I joked that if we hadn't, we would have spent our initial days with Mrs. Ofelia unlearning our errors made before she'd arrived. Instead, with Mrs. Ofelia by our side, we know we provided the strongest start we could give our newborn. Our pediatrician was impressed by his growth and we are more confident parents. Last, we have to mention that Mrs. Ofelia simply loves babies. She filled every interaction with our baby with tenderness and care. This work is Mrs. Ofelia's vocation. We cannot think of anyone who could better have supported us and our son in the first few weeks of his life. We give her our highest recommendation.

It's hard to put into words how much Miss Ofelia helped me as a first time mom. She was an…read moreincredibly beneficial presence in my home, and I never had to worry about anything when she was here. I had a very difficult postpartum period (as everyone does) and Miss Ofelia was there to help every step of the way. She taught me how to breastfeed, helped us establish a routine with our newborn, and most importantly was very loving with our daughter. I can't stress enough how important Miss Ofelia has been for our family. We miss her everyday!

I knew I wanted to hire a doula for my first pregnancy/birth, and I'm so glad I found Stacey. She…read morecame highly recommended by two friends, and after our initial phone call, I knew she was the one! Stacey brings a calming yet empowering presence, something that can be hard to find in a hospital birth setting. That, paired with the incredible preparation and education she provided to me and my husband, gave me the confidence I needed going into my unplanned induction at 41 weeks. Her support didn't end after birth. Stacey continued to check in with me during those early postpartum weeks and connected me with resources including the lactation consultant and perinatal therapist who became hugely important parts of my postpartum support system. One thing worth noting is YES Stacey is busy and YES your prenatal appointments may be rescheduled (possibly multiple times, which stressed me out beyond belief as a first time mom who had insisted to her husband that investing in a doula would be worth it). However, I learned that this just comes with the territory of working with a doula who is on call for other births and (rightfully) prioritizes a client in labor over a prep appointment. This was hard for me to sit with but I ultimately chose to trust that when it was my turn, she would show up as she said she would, and she did. Be patient and trust the process, because Stacey's superpower truly shines in the birthing room, supporting you as you bring your baby earthside and in those early hours post-birth. I'm so grateful for her support and can't imagine my first birth experience without her!

As both a perinatal mental health therapist and a birth doula myself, I cannot recommend Stacey…read morehighly enough. I truly can't imagine both my birth experiences without her--yes, Stacey has been my doula x 2! From the moment we met, Stacey brought such special energy. She exudes a grounding presence that helped me feel supported, informed, and safe. There was a moment right before my son was born when his heart rate dropped and things got intense--but Stacey remained so steady and composed. Her energy helped me stay grounded in what would have otherwise been a scary moment. I'll never forget it, and I'll always be grateful. Because of the incredible care I received, I've referred many friends and clients to Stacey and will continue to do so without hesitation. She embodies exactly what birth support should be: intuitive, compassionate, and unwavering.

Leyla and Virginia round 2!…read more If you read my first review, you know that Leyla and Virginia cared for my son and have become family. Fast forward to 2 years later, I was giving birth to my daughter amid a raging pandemic (August 2020). I had a very difficult and complicated pregnancy this time, with the last few months especially challenging and worrisome. Right off the bat, my daughter had issues with feeding, sleeping, and colic. The trifecta! Day after day, night after night, Leyla and Virginia showed up for my family. They calmed me down when I was worried and emotional, and took the burden off of me. When they feared I was a little too anxious, and even crossing into PPD/PPA territory, they went one step further and spoke to my husband and me about concerns, urging me to get professional help. Thankfully, I listened and nipped that in the butt before it spiraled out of control. Leyla does not only bring her incredible knowledge, experience, education, and caring to the job, she will go above and beyond each day even when she's not with you. You will get the impression that she's constantly thinking about you. She will also be honest if she is concerned about something and will have those hard conversations that most would avoid. I must also mention, because of these times, just how far they went with covid safety. They were masked (not easy to do on 12-hour shifts) and lived their personal lives as if they were on lockdown 24/7 (LA wasn't at the time). Virginia even lived apart from her husband because of the covid risks of his job. Anyway, I could go on and on and on. I love Leyla and Virginia, and will truly be indebted to them for the great work they did both times. My husband talks about how it's the best money spent; you can't put a price on the well-being of your entire family. Lastly, I am happy to report that my daughter is now a happy, thriving girl. And, so is this mama.

Leyla & Virginia are exactly what we needed as first time parents to twins…read more In the crucial first weeks, having Leyla there was a godsend. She not only cared for our little twins but was an amazing partner to my wife and I through those long nights in the first few weeks. Leyla has a lot of built of wisdom from years of caring for infants and she shares her wisdom kindly with just enough information that it's not overwhelming for the 2am brain. A few times we decided not to follow exactly what she recommended only to realize she was 100% correct but Leyla was kind enough to not be over bearing in the moment. :) If you're looking for a night Doula that can be your "el capitan" to navigate you through the wildly conflicting advise of baby books, family members, fellow parents that are 2 months ahead of you, and random older gentlemen on the street; I recommend you go with Soto Doula Services.

Ms. Maggie Decker is fantastic! I had my fourth child last summer. My birth was fast and a bit…read morechaotic. If Maggie wasn't there my sons birth would of been so much harder. I was shocked on how much she was able to help me. This last birth was by far the hardest and most painful. Thank you Maggie for everything!

Maggie was my doula for the birth of my first baby in October (who is the cutest baby in the world…read moreobviously). Maggie drove all the way from LA to San Diego in the middle of the night! She left as soon as I gave her the heads up. Maggie was happy to answer any questions or concerns I had about the birth throughout my pregnancy with thoughtfulness and kindness. As a new momma I was a little freaked out about everything that was happening to my body but Maggie provided me with reassurance. I had a natural birth (but only because the baby came too quickly for the epidural), and Maggie was non-judgmental about my choices, even though of course my birth plan (which Maggie helped with!) did not go as planned (do they ever??). She also does placenta encapsulation and is a total clean freak so you know your placenta pills are being handled with complete care. In choosing a doula or person to do placenta pills, do not hesitate in contacting Maggie! She will make you feel comfortable and well cared for. I will be using Maggie for a home birth with my next child!

I can't express how thankful my husband and I are to have Jana as our doula. My husband was…read moreoriginally doubtful about spending the extra money but was so impressed with her at our delivery that he told me after that "she was worth her weight in gold. From our first initial consultation, Jana provided a wealth of information and lent me books. Due to some complications, my Drs recommended inducing me early and Jana was flexible in being there for us. During my labor, Jana helped me with the excruciating back labor. She braided my hair, gave me back pressure and helped my husband in supporting me. Because of Jana, we were able to have the best birth experience possible.

We were expecting our first child and I knew I wanted a natural childbirth experience. Both my…read morehusband and I agreed that we would be more comfortable with having a doula present, who could help us navigate through these unchartered waters. After researching and speaking with many doulas, we decided to go with Jana. She was extremely professional, organized, knowledgeable, and most importantly, listened to what we wanted and even asked us questions that made us think about aspects of the birth we had not considered. At our first visit, she gave us a very comprehensive overview of what to expect and how to best prepare for the big day. When my contractions started, we were in constant communication via text and phone. She immediately recognized that the baby was not in a favorable position and was causing me immense pain. She suggested exercises and positions to try and get baby to turn. At the hospital, Jana worked very well with our nurse and was our advocate and spokesperson when we needed her to be. She was prepared with snacks (juice can only go so far) and other comfort items like a vaporizer with essential oils. Throughout the almost 12 hours at the hospital, Jana struck a balance between knowing when to step in and suggest positions to my husband and I, when to back off and let me do my thing, and when to push me to drink or rest. Having someone we trusted there to help guide us was invaluable, especially in allowing my husband time to get food or rest. Without Jana, I wouldn't have had the natural childbirth experience I wanted. The week after my son was born, Jana followed up to check in on us and also stopped by for a visit. It was re-assuring to have her there to answer any questions and be a resource for us first time parents. I strongly recommend her doula services and she will be my first call if we decide to add to our family!

I couldn't have asked for a better experience than the one I had with ForMama Birth. After…read morestruggling with infertility and finally getting pregnant with my second baby through IVF, I was filled with excitement, but also a bit of fear regarding the birthing process. My first birth experience was a long time ago, and there were parts of it that left lasting emotional and physical scars. However, after taking classes with Shaina, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, peace, and readiness. She not only helped me feel prepared mentally but also reminded me of the strength we have as women. The course was incredibly informative, and I walked away not only with a calm mind but also with a beautiful binder that we went through in person -- a perfect reference to keep me grounded as I prepared for labor. I highly recommend taking the course with your partner! I initially thought I was just bringing my husband along for some insight, but it turned out to be so beneficial for him to see things from a different perspective and ask the team any questions he had directly. ForMama offers exceptional pre-delivery classes and post-birth services where I never once felt unheard or unsupported. From preparing my body for labor, physical exercises, mental focus, creating a birth plan, and learning breathing techniques to understanding the best foods to nourish ourselves during the process, I felt fully cared for every step of the way. One of the most memorable quotes from the class that resonated with me was, "Giving birth is like running a marathon, and we must feed our bodies with that mindset." That insight truly helped me power through. We are beyond grateful for the support we received and wholeheartedly recommend ForMama Birth to any mama-to-be. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Long review, but worth the read!!!! I signed up to take the…read moreone-on-one Guided Course from Formama, and I am in AWE of the experience. My husband and I are expecting our first baby soon, and before this course, we were feeling so overwhelmed and discouraged by all the things we didn't know. We had tons of questions and no idea where to even begin. I'd been following Formama on Instagram for a while, and when I saw they were offering a childbirth education course built on the strongest foundations of truly preparing for this journey, I knew I had to sign up. Shaina came to our home and walked us through the entire course step by step, with so much care and clarity. She helped me reconnect with my "why," reminded me that my body is fully capable and made to give birth, and gave me space to process and stand strong in what I believe in for our dream birth (which yes--is totally possible). One of the most helpful tools was the beautifully organized binder they give you--packed with amazing, solid information that you get to keep and come back to throughout your season. I've learned SO much in such a short amount of time, and yet I've never felt overwhelmed or overloaded. It's truly the most comforting, grounding course you can take. After every meeting, my husband and I felt more relieved, more confident, more connected, and genuinely excited for the birth of our baby! Shaina was incredibly patient and communicative with my husband too, giving him real tools and ways to support me both during pregnancy and in the delivery room. This course is absolutely worth it. I would recommend it to every new mama--and even seasoned mamas--for an uplifting, nurturing, loving, educational, and truly empowering experience. You can feel the heart, passion, and intention these mamas poured into this course. They show up for women because they deeply believe in you, your body, and your baby. 10,000/10 -- DO IT!