My husband and I have attended multiple classes through Main Line Family Education during our…read morepregnancy. Every class has been fantastic! We have learned so much useful information related to childbirth, parenting, and child safety and feel as prepared as possible for everything that lies ahead. Not only are the classes very helpful, but they are also fun and engaging. Nicole and her co-educators present the material in a way that makes the time fly by. We fully intend to participate in more classes with MLFEd to further our education and know Nicole will continue to be an excellent resource for tips and recommendations. I highly recommend MLFEd for any expecting individuals or new parents!

From the owner: - Childbirth Preparation Class - Newborn Basics Class…read more- Nutrition for Pregnancy Class -Breastfeeding 101 Class - Infant & Child CPR Class -Tummy Time Class - Starting Solids & Cups Class - Achieving Milestones Class - Newborn Sleep Class - Child Sleep Class - Preparing for Motherhood Class - Pelvic Floor, Core and More Class - Partners to Parents Class - New Moms: Support & Connections Group - Managing the Meltdowns - Potty Training Simplified

I solicited Rachel's services for the birth of my second son, Griffin. Upon first meeting her I…read morefelt drawn to her calm demeanor and warm presence. She distributed an educational binder full of materials I found to be more honest and thorough than the information my OB had given me. For example, OB's won't distribute a list of medical interventions you may face during a hospital labor, but Rachel did. It was essential information I wish I was armed with during the hospital delivery of my first son. Emotionally, Rachel was very encouraging when I expressed doubts regarding my ability to tough-out a med-free labor. She helped instill the courage I needed to make the switch from the hospital to my local Birth Center. She helped me believe in myself and saw a strength in me I did not see. Physically, Rachel would have been an enormous help with pain management by providing soothing massage and counter pressure during labor. My labor was mercifully short, however, and I had to rely solely on my husband for pain relief during active labor. He did a great job providing this relief by utilizing the massage and counter pressure techniques that Rachel taught him. Thanks to her guidance, he was able to be an active participant in my labor instead of just a spectator! She was a calming, guiding voice during the pushing stage of my labor and very helpful with my initial breastfeed as well. Rachel will be all the things you need during the emotionally turbelent time of pregnancy and delivery. She will be a supportive friend, a motherly figure, an educator, an advisor, a listening ear, a guiding voice and a soldier ready to fight for you. She's a nurturing old soul with a backbone of steel. A beautiful doula both inside and out. You can't go wrong soliciting her services and I can't recommend her highly enough. I wish I had given myself the gift of a doula through my first labor!

I was referred to Rachel by my midwife since I had such bad anziety about labor. I was terrified of…read morethe pain as well as getting an epidural or an IV since I don't do well with needles. I'd cry thinking about having to deliver my baby and wasn't enjoying my pregnancy because of my anziety. My husband and I had VERY different views on labor. His answer to everything was. "Get an epidural, you'll be fine." He thought anyone who didn't want an epidural was crazy. He didn't see anything wrong with interventions and thought they were there and you should take full advantage of it. Originally I wasn't against interventions, I was just really scared of them because of the needles. Over the couple months of communicating with Rachel and reading the materials she suggested I decided I wanted to try to have a natural birth. My husband still maintained that his ideal labor would be a scheduled c section. With Rachel's help he finally was on board to give the natural birth a shot, although I'm pretty sure he didn't think it would actually happen. Rachel got through to him about the cycle of epdidural/pitocin and how once you start one intervention it just creates a snowball and odds are, you're getting more. I went into labor and I labored at home and got to the hospital at 10cm! After 2 hours of pushing, my daughter was born without any interventions! Rachel gave us the knowledge/tools to be able to labor at home as long as we did. I believe that made all the difference in being able to have a natural delivery. I would have had a VERY different labor if i wasn't for Rachel. At the hosptial she was great! With Rachel by my side I felt as if i could take on anything during labor. My husband is so happy we hired her. He said if we had another baby we'd do it the same way. She's worth every penny. Her posituve attitude can get you through anything! I think about my labor every day and couldn't be more happy with it!

I have had 2 fantastic massages with Jess at the MWC. She made me feel incredibly comfortable,…read moreworked at the right pressure for a wonderful whole body experience. Jess was thorough in understanding ahead of time any areas that needed particular attention. The environment is super calming - it's like being on a mini-retreat. I can't wait for next massage!! It was true bliss.

I went for a massage not knowing what to expect and I was so happy with the massage that I got from…read moreJess. She was a really knowledgeable practitioner and communicated with me so she knew if I had any injuries and the pressure I preferred for my massage. I felt very relaxed and generally great after my hour massage and scheduled my next with her and can't wait for that. I would definitely recommend her for a therapeutic massage.

I delivered my son naturally at the BirthCenter and I could not have done it…read morewithout care and attention of my nurse and midwife. I had a very intense and fast labor and they were with me every step of the way. My first birth experience was very long and horrible in a hospital setting. However, this time around I felt in control and empowered to deliver without medical intervention. I delivered my son on the toilet and into a room full of love. Thanks Lifecycle!

I transferred my care from an ob to Lifecycle because I knew people who had delivered here. I…read moredidn't want to feel like my pregnancy/birth was just something that happened to me. Throughout my journey I appreciated their patient education, empowerment, and support so I could make informed decisions about my care. I like that my prenatal visits were longer than I could expect with an ob and that they provided a binder for me to bring with assigned homework each visit. Rather than having a "birth plan" (because they usually don't go as planned anyway) we were encouraged to think about our hopes and dreams. Everyone I've met here from the nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, lactation consultants, the clinical director, etc. have all been wonderful to me and if I could do it all over again I would have become a patient here sooner. I had many questions along the way so I'm going to be detailed here so others may know what to expect. Before you can become a patient here you have to attend a seminar to learn more about their midwifery model of care, the differences between a birth in their suites vs. at Bryn Mawr Hospital nearby (you can plan to deliver there or there may be reasons you are transferred there the day of, the nurse midwife on call has the clearance to deliver there), postpartum care, and next steps to become a patient. After attending the seminar, I had to sign a medical release forms to have my records transferred from my previous provider before I could schedule any appointments. They have two locations (Bryn Mawr and South Philly) and prenatal visits could be with the same provider or different providers. The first prenatal visit is longer and billed separately while the rest of the appointments are billed to insurance together under their global plan after delivery (not after each appointment). During my regular prenatal visits they measured my fundal height and would feel my bump for the baby's position while estimating weight (they were pretty good at that)! I had to pay for lab tests and non-stress tests separately. While I had to do my formal ultrasounds elsewhere, they had the equipment to do informal ultrasounds just to check on the health of the baby and seemed to be training their staff to do these more. I was required to schedule several classes to prepare for childbirth (series of 4 classes), about lactation essentials, and about navigating your first days at home after birth. The instructors really encourage asking questions and participation, so it was helpful to have this intimate space for that. The dates and cost of these classes are available on their site but you can't schedule them until you're confirmed as a patient. After your delivery they will follow up with you (home visit if you delivered at the birth center or phone call if you delivered at the hospital). There will be a 6-weeks postpartum visit to examine you and make sure your body is recovering but also to check on your mental health (so necessary and important)! They also have weekly lactation support and new parent support groups that were happening on Zoom, I think they are also now offering in-person options too. I could tell from the session I went to that the other families really found this space helpful and were wanting to offer encouragement to newer parents like me while sharing about their knowledge/experience. Cara, one of the lactation consultants, facilitates the virtual groups and is amazing! I hope all this information helps anyone who is considering becoming a Lifecycle patient because the last thing a pregnant woman should have to worry about is the quality of care she is receiving.

Cat's birthing class was amazing prep for my husband and I. We love information and having full…read moreunderstanding of what is going on, so feeling very ready to take on any birthing scenario in the hospital was important to us, as we live in a large metropolitan area. This class was informative and Cat is super enthusiastic, engaging, and down to earth, so it was very relatable and easy to take in the very detailed info. Information is all evidence based and designed to be able to participate fully in your own birthing care, advocate for yourself, and have full understanding of the birthing process. My hospital birth ended up needing many medically necessary interventions, and this class empowered us to make confident and fearless decisions for ourselves. Because of what we already knew from this class, we felt very comfortable with our care team and the information exchanges surrounding the events. Without this class, this experience may have been scary and traumatic, but the education we received in preparation made it feel very empowering and seamless. I 100% recommend this class to everyone interested in becoming well educated before their birthing experience.

My wife and I took Cat's EBB class and it was amazing! We learned a ton and now feel so empowered…read moreheading into our baby's birth. Cat was energizing, engaging, and very informative. We had many friends who took other birth classes with other instructors and none seem to have walked away feeling as calm and prepared as we did after our course with Cat.

Emma Yoder is an incredible doula. She is by nature one of the most kind, caring, and compassionate…read morepeople I have met, making you feel as comfortable as possible during all stages of the birth process. During such a vulnerable period, Emma is a continually comforting presence who guides and supports you through any questions and challenges. I could not think of a better person to be my doula, and I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of doula services. She is also very reliable and accommodating to changing schedules, and often available with short notice. Above all, her positive attitude and warm presence have made every interaction with her pleasant and I couldn't recommend her highly enough!

Emma is an excellent doula. She is young, passionate, caring, devoted, impressively experienced and…read moreresourceful. I took prenatal courses from the hospital, but I still found consultation session with Emma gave me more personalized tips a formal course didn't provide. Emma gave me advise on natural induction, preparing hospital bag, eating, exercises, many of which I never heard from other places. I had questions about my own detailed yoga and walking exercises design from 37 weeks on; news of dilation from 38 weeks check-up; news of 39 weeks ultrasounds , etc, it felt great to know there is a person to talk to anytime whenever I have something comes up. This makes my journey much less lonely! In the postpartum period, I had perineal pain and breastfeeding issues, Emma gave me consultation with tips of increasing milk supply I never knew. Overall I am very glad I had Emma by my side in this lonely journey of childbirth, she gave me so much valuable supports! I definitely recommend Emma.

this was one of my works experience I paid the doula for no service she arrived to the hospital…read morelate when I told with enoug time that I started my labor I don't recommend Christina Duff as a doula she just care about your money the meeting we had were always virtual with the excuse of covid

I have used Om Mamas for both of my births. With my first we did everything we could to have a…read morenatural delivery but my son was large, 42 weeks, and determined to stay put despite a two day induction. While I was initially devastated at the thought of a C-section Chelsea was there the whole time, helping me ask the right questions of my providers and allowing me to feel heard and part of the decision. When my baby's heartrate started dropping and he was born with severe torticollis it was clear that he was in a very bad position and the surgery prevented what could have been a very serious outcome. With my second I was determined to have a VBAC, but any C-section mama will tell you, this can be an uphill fight when it comes to your provider. Chelsea and Lauren were available to talk after every appointment. I could vent, and ask questions, and figure out exactly how to put myself in the best possible position to have a vaginal delivery. I'm so pleased that I was able to have a VBAC this past April with my second son and I know that a huge part of it came down to the support of my doulas! These women are so dedicated, staying with you for hours and hours, sitting with you on the floor, holding your hand, wiping your sweat, and squeezing your hips. This is the type of support all birth moms deserve!

Great experience working with Elizabeth for her natural birthing class. Everything was explained…read morewell and gave great insight into the process and expectations of having a natural unmedicated birth.

Recently finished a 5 class package with Linda. First time ever using a sewing machine. I feel…read morelike it was enough time to get a good foundation to spring board into a new hobby. She has a variety of machines to try out which is nice if you're deciding on purchasing one. Linda also is super flexible with projects and customizing the classes to your needs and wants. I was a bit ambitious and picked a pattern so I would be able to learn how to read patterns as well as use a machine, and I feel like those skills were accomplished, and after 5 classes I feel like I progressed quickly with my comfort using the machine. Also, the classroom is a room in her home and it is lovely. Highly recommend! Thank you, Linda.

From the owner: Individual and Group Instruction Classes…read more Sewing - Cooking - Jewelry Making - Mosaics - Furniture Refinishing -Origami **Wardrobe Consulting** I love to teach others what I know and am willing to share my knowledge and expertise. Mother and daughter classes are encouraged.