GraceFull Birthing is an amazing place. I had a wonderful experience in their community care program from October 2017 to April 2018 culminating in the beautiful home birth of my first child. Midwife Abby and Assistant Johanna were truly the best. The whole team at Gracefull made my husband and I feel so powerful and confident. The classes during my pregnancy and the community care model were super helpful for preparing us for our home birth. My daughter is now 9 months old and several of her dearest friends are the babies of Gracefull community care moms. Our home birth was very smooth and the whole birth team felt like family. Thank you to Jocelyn, Elizabeth, and Chezza for all they do!!! Can't wait to have another baby so I can see them all again... read more

I wish they would call us back. My husband has left three messages and I'm already 21 weeks now. I really wanted to meet these midwives and give birth here. It's a shame they have such poor organizational and customer service skills. Perhaps this will get someones attention..... read more

I had the most wonderful experience with Gracefull! If you are (like I was) looking for an alternative to traditional pregnancy/birth in Los Angeles, this is it. I had the most amazing pregnancy and birth experience thanks to the stellar staff at Gracefull. I met all the midwives on staff through my prenatal appointments. They have a holistic approach to pregnancy, making sure everything is going well at every level - nutritional, mental, emotional, spiritual. The birthing center is an incredible space that is beautifully organized and vibrates peace and serenity. The opposite of going to a medical appointment! I had the birth experience I dreamed of, which every parent deserves! And that is all thanks to the owner Elizabeth and her effort to create a safe space for parents to go through this life changing experience while also creating a beautiful community. If you are still hesitant, go there, meet the staff, feel the vibe, talk to their clients. I also highly recommend taking classes there to expand your community of like-minded parents. Thanks to Gracefull's birthing class, I was able to welcome new friendships into my life with women who are now part of my close circle. This is invaluable as you go through birth and postpartum highs and lows together. read more

Elizabeth, Jocelyn, Johanna and Chezza are all awesome! I had my dream unmedicated water birth with Jocelyn as my midwife and Johanna as her assistant at one of their beautiful birthing rooms. They made my experience as a anxious and nervous first time mom feel so comfortable, relaxed and well supported from the start of my pregnancy till the end at 8 weeks post partum. Beautiful, homey and very clean birthing rooms. Efficient services and very well organized. Overall just very happy with my whole experience. Will definitely birth with them again if I have another baby in the future will just make sure next time I have insurance that they are in-network with and it will be even a bazillion times better! read more

Where to begin?!? I just had my second child at the birthing center on July 28, 2017, and the experience could not have been better! A little background... I had my first child about three years ago in a hospital, and the experience was everything that I was afraid of/expected. I was given Pitocin almost immediately to speed up my labor as my water had broken (maybe a couple of hours before I got to the hospital - certainly not an emergency). Then, despite my repeated requests to be checked/measured for my progress, I felt almost forced into getting an epidural, and the L&D nurse flat out refused to check me until after it had been administered. Of course, at that point I was 10CM dilated and 100% effaced, ready to push! I ended up with an almost 4th degree tear, and the recovery was absolutely excruciating. Fast forward to this pregnancy. Although my pregnancy was much harder than the last, my experience from start to finish could not have been better. From the very beginning I felt completely safe and supported. The entire team at Gracefull understood my concerns from having my son, and they worked diligently to make sure that experience was not repeated in any way. In fact, my labor started and stopped on two separate occasions and my water broke almost two days before I had my daughter. Knowing my concern(s) about ending up in the hospital in the same predicament as with my son, Jocelyn made sure to refer to me the OB they work with for extra monitoring, and performed extra monitoring herself. She even tried a number of things to help get me into active labor, including coming to my home on a Sunday to strip my membranes! By the third time I was in labor, and again stalling, Johanna suggested rubbing castor oil on my uterus rather than making me drink it to "get the engine to turn over" as Jocelyn said. Then Jocelyn and Johanna used Rebozo to try and get my daughter into the optimal position, and Elizabeth even did acupuncture to get things going. I cannot express how worried I was about ending up in the hospital and falling victim to numerous unnecessary interventions again, and I am absolutely sure the efforts made by everyone at Gracefull helped me avoid that. As for the actual birth, it couldn't have been more different than with my son. My active labor was relatively short, and the pushing only took 12 minutes. Even so, I didn't even tear, which I'm sure had something to do with the fact I wasn't forced to lie flat on my back while delivering. Instead, I was able to move freely in one of their amazing birthing tubs and find the birth position that suited me best. From there things could not have been more different from the hospital. I was given the time to naturally deliver my placenta (in the hospital the doctor pulled it out), my bleeding was minimal and my husband and I were given time to calmly bond with our new daughter, rather than having her taken away immediately for measurement and testing. The best part was we got to leave after about three hours, rather than having a two day, sleepless hospital stay. Their postpartum support has been the same. Jocelyn came to our house about a day and a half later to check on us, and monitored both of us at the one week follow-up as well. If you are considering a birthing center, or if you are even on the fence, you will not regret having your child at Gracefull or at home with one of the midwives. You will not be disappointed! The only regret I have is not having my son with Gracefull. read more

It has taken me almost one year to write a review for this birth center. I always think about my experience with this group of women and how my birth went... I had a unplanned pregnancy so when I found out I was pregnant I wanted to definitely go the midwife route as my sister has had four healthy babies at home with a midwife. I received all my prenatal care through this birth center I paid 5300.00 dollars plus another 3000.00 to acupuncture plus parenting classes/infant care classes and purchased some product/vitamins/probiotic etc. I was in it to win it and put my complete trust into these women. I feel the night of my labor I wasn't in good care. I labored at home for 24 hours i was told I was fully dilated 10cm cervix soft and to push, I pushed for six hours and no head. The student midwife was telling me how good I was doing while the midwife was asleep on the couch. Morning came and after 24 hours I was weak dehydrated and ready to transfer to Good Samaritan. We got to the hospital and checked in the nurse told me she was gonna check me READY FOR IT... I was only 5cm and clearly not ready to push for six hours. The nurse asked me who was I in care with and I told her my midwives in the lobby. The nurse couldn't believe this mistake and told me it was neglect having me push for six hours, the damage I could have done to myself let alone to my baby. In the end I labored for 24 more hours I never made it past 8cm. Had to have an emergency c-section. The midwives stayed but I told them to go get some rest at 11:30pm the student midwife was back in my birthing suit checking my monitor/contractions. It seemed so weird! But I believe the birth center sent her to gather information to protect them. They wanted to meet with me and do a debriefing about the birth so I obliged. It was even more strange that elizabeth at one point said oh she doesn't remember... I remember everything from the night of my labor I remember it all and who really knows if I ever would have made it past 8cm but bottom line pushing for 6 hours at 5cm is ridiculous! This mistake should never happen, I had over six nurses at the hospital tell me how many cm I was and not once was there a discrepancy. I only wanted an apology For the mistake that my midwife made I had to ask for it but she admitted it was a mistake and she did measure me wrong. So one would think I paid the birth center to do a job and they failed, did they offer to reimburse part of the fee?? NO they didn't. It was swept under the rug and thankfully my son was safe and very healthy cause it could have been really bad. Since this experience I realize how strong of a woman I am and how much pain my body can withstand. Ask a lot of questions (cause I didn't ask enough)and know your body if something feels off and not right durning your labor transfer to the hospital! Close to 50 hours of labor and a c section! I ended up paying the hospital over 6000.00 dollars so for my next labor I'm gonna stick w Good Samaritan Dr Nicholas Rodgers is wonderful I continue to see him and I loved my experience with all the staff at Good Samaritan, so thanks Graceful for that introduction!! Ps I'm not someone who writes reviews on yelp but I feel my experience may help someone make a better decision! Best of luck w your pregnancy and labor!! read more

I've updated my review to fully reflect my experience. Not recommended at all. This is a group practice of three midwives with a number of students/interns. I came to Gracefull for my second pregnancy because I wanted weekend appointments and a billing service to take care of the insurance. The perceived convenience was not worth the trauma I experienced. I previously birthed at home with a midwife who did not bill insurance and whose hours were less convenient. But it was a true midwife experience in that she took the time throughout my pregnancy to provide the emotional and physical support I needed to birth my child and myself into a mother. The midwives at Gracefull (Kara O'Loughlin, Elizabeth Bachner and Sarah Unkap Smith) were, as far as I am concerned, well intentioned, but inept and lacking in follow-through. The sort of thing that paves the road to hell. In my experience, they repeatedly made promises, but did not ensure they were kept. I was given referrals that lead to dead-ends, or referrals that were well beyond my ability to pay. They repeatedly assured me that they were there "as a resource" but rarely were they able to follow through. They do not communicate well, so my husband and I found ourselves repeating sensitive information to various people, unsure of how their game of telephone would eventually mangle the message. I suffered from severe anxiety and depression throughout my pregnancy but they were ill-equipped to handle this (despite signs from the very start that all was not well). In the end, Elizabeth actually admitted to being more concerned about her license status than anything else and was willing to make my life hell just to ensure she could continue to treat others in her removed and noncommittal fashion. Early in my 3rd trimester, my blood pressure spiked and Elizabeth recommended that I go to the hospital. In my last pregnancy, my midwife fully supported me and even showed up at the hospital to ensure I was cared for and understood what was happening. GF sent their student midwife a few hours after I'd been admitted. A warm body. The nurses had already started an IV and Elizabeth assured me over the phone that the medicine they were injecting was perfectly acceptable (without giving me a sense of the pros and cons). Later, the doctor on call determined that the interventions were unnecessary. GF made no attempt to discuss or talk through the experience, they simply shrugged it off. They also pride themselves in being a modern practice. This unfortunately meant that (in my case) they spent an inordinate amount of time interfacing through email and text. It was cold, impersonal and off-putting. To ensure that prenatal visit notes were documented as quickly as possible, notes were taken on a laptop during sessions. It sounds great and efficient, but was so unnerving in practice. As a "learning environment" they occasionally had students sit in on prenatal visits. It began to feel like a revolving door of random women filing in and out. My husband remarked that he felt like my son's babysitter because they rarely acknowledged or referred to him by name. The insurance billing service they use was not able to properly negotiate an estimate with my insurance carrier. It took months to get the vaguest idea of what I could expect to be covered, all after numerous follow-up emails that eventually escalated to the agency's Executive Director. Elizabeth admitted that this was hugely inconvenient and inappropriate. Things came to a head one weekend when I was at my lowest of lows. The midwives threatened to transfer me out of care unless I submitted to an ER evaluation. I did so without question once I understood the gravity of their intentions. Despite complying with their demand, they ended my contract without discussion. I received a form letter suspiciously dated before they had communicated their intentions with me. It was horrifying. I dare you to find a home birth midwife late into your pregnancy (32 weeks) with whom you must develop a relationship of trust and understanding (while balancing a stressful job, marriage, young toddler, etc.). Be absolutely certain that you trust them. And then question your trust. Interview as many midwives as it takes to make sure you find the right fit. Know that you are going into a GROUP practice, which means you will meet with the midwives and whomever else on rotation. If you find comfort in this arrangement, if you like this idea (it does sound appealing), then go with Gracefull. The glowing reviews from the other moms are obviously testament to the skill I'm sure they possess. However, my experience is my own. Gracefull threw me to the curb at 32 weeks.I remember Elizabeth making an odd remark during my first prenatal visit with her, something to the effect of "there's a reason why many women don't end up birthing with me." It was odd, but I didn't think much about it. I wish I had. read more

I have walked into GraceFull twice and can honestly say the women at the front desk is everything but GraceFull. I never leave reviews, in fact I use yelp everyday and this is my first review ever. It's the rudest experience I have received both times. I'm not sure why I subjected myself to trying to go there. I live in the neighborhood and would have loved to use their services however I will not spend money at facilities with rude, crass employees working at the front desk. This is a complete disappointment and I think the owner should be made aware of the awful front desk representation. Keeping the blonde lady up front is a big no-no. She won't allow customers to ask questions and told me "walk-in's are not allowed" before I even opened my mouth. Questions about how their services work are not welcomed and I hope despite their rude staff that they are able to grow the business as I believe the concept of their business is wonderful and a great addition to the neighborhood. read more

We are writing this review with our 3-week baby in arms, and couldn't be happier with our choice to birth at GraceFull Birthing Center. We worked primarily with Jocelyn but had an opportunity to meet all of the wonderful midwives through the classes and pre-natal care. Jocelyn was an attentive, compassionate, thoughtful, and thorough midwife. We appreciated her evidence-based perspective and the way she created space for our queer family (2 moms here). During every appointment we had all of our questions answered and left feeling informed and empowered about our birth. We took advantage of all of the included classes and particularly appreciated the "creating your birth team" and "first few weeks" classes. The birth of our daughter wasn't easy, but Jocelyn and birth assistant Summer stuck with us, encouraged, offered options, and ultimately helped bring our 9lb baby into the world! We highly recommend GraceFull to any families looking for an out-of-hospital birth experience. read more

When I started to research midwife birthing options, GraceFull Birthing was the fourth or fifth in a long line of other midwife centers I had seen (some very well known in LA and some just single women midwifery practices). While I admit that the "stylish" and hipsterish neighborhood of Silverlake was off-putting, the moment I walked into the office, I was greeted by Shannon and felt comfortable. Upon meeting Sarah Smith, I knew immediately that she was going to be my midwife. Her presence was exactly what I was looking for: kind, firm, friendly, and gentle. I have a strong personality and knew that I needed someone in my birth that would allow for my personality as well as serve as a calming personality for me to birth safely. Fast forward several weeks, I had some very challenging personal problems that arose. I called GracFull Birthing and immediately Shannon spoke to me and Sarah set an appointment for the same day to check the baby and make sure that she and I were both ok. While I wasn't able to get an appointment with Sarah (as she was booked that day), I was able to see Andrey Lemon. This kind of affirmation: emotionally and physically was the cornerstone of my care at GraceFull. I would not have been able to go through my pregnancy as healthy as I did without Andrey. She was my touchstone and I decided to use her as a doula. She attended my birthing classes with me. She continually checked in with me beyond what I thought was doula care. During this time, there was a change in administration at GraceFull Birthing. Despite this, Shannon continued to call and text me and make sure that I was doing well, both physically and mentally. At 38 weeks, I went to get a ultrasound at Sarah's request. She wanted to make sure that the baby was fine and that essentially, my glucose levels did not affect the baby's development. It turned out that the baby was breech but otherwise very healthy. Sarah, Andrey, and Elizabeth presented several options and at the end was able to provide an alternative option for me to continue to birth at the center. My birth had many unexpected twists and turns- but all the while Andrey and Sarah made sure that I, as well as my baby had a safe birth. What I remember and will continue to remember from my birth was Sarah's forehead on mine as she held my hand and Andrey's hands on my back as she talked to me through and around my pain. Sarah and Andrey helped me with the birth of my baby and with her, my birth as a mother. I am blessed that I had Andrey Lemon and Sarah Smith. My beloved daughter is one month old and I continue to get phone calls, texts, and check ups from Andrey, Sarah, and Shannon. This is the kind of care women should get in birth. Every little question is answered by them in a prompt and detailed manner. I am grateful for these women and their continued care beyond the birth of my daughter. During my pregnancy, they were my caregivers for my daughter. And now that I have birthed my daughter, they have provided me care as a mother. I highly recommend Sarah for your midwife. **Update** Unfortunately, Shannon, Andrey, and Sarah has since left the center, so I can't speak of the rest of GraceFull because I don't know the new staff or midwives but Andrey and Sarah are the only two women I would continue to trust with my future care. read more

The way birthing should be. Birth isn't for the faint at heart. Or the fearful or the timid. If you're going to birth a child birth them with conviction. I couldn't ask for a better support system then this entire team of experts in their field. Elizabeth, Kara, Andrey, Megan, Brook, Mechelle, Sparrow were my village and they still are to this day thousands of miles away from LA. When I first found out I was pregnant I found the top "natural" doc at Cedars for my 8 week appt. Less than amused by my experience in the corporation that is the medical world, we started interviewing midwives. I met with Elizabeth and when we walked out of Gracefull, my husband said, "If I were birthing this kid, that's where I would do it." Decision made. I will never forget Elizabeth telling me that intuitively she knew that what I needed that day was for everyone in the room to know what there job was and that I shouldn't have to direct them. From pre-natal visits, to chiro, to acupuncture, this place made my pregnancy easy, comforting and by all means all about ME. I birthed my daughter. They were there for support. At nearly 42 weeks, I birthed in the water. My child was healthy 100% of the time. I left GF after 4 hours. My postpartum visits and calls were at a caliber you simply cannot get in a hospital setting. If I were to do it all over again, no questions asked, this is where it would be. And that's me in the green tank top. Ladies, know your body is fully capable of birthing a child. Tell the universe exactly how you want your birth to look and you will have it. read more

My son was born nearly 10 months ago. Nature has a way of making you forget a lot of the details along with the pain of labor. However, one thing I will never forget is the feeling of gratitude that I felt towards these two amazing women, Elizabeth Bachner and Tiffany Adler-Gallo. 60 hours of early labor and 6 more hours of active labor is no easy thing to endure. Yet never did I feel rushed, pressured or not understood. Two nights in a row these women were faithfully by my side, strong and confident, compassionate and supportive. And when a moment came, like it does for many of us who chose unmedicated birth, when I felt that I could no longer withstand the pain, Elizabeth just held my hand and said in an unwavering voice: "Yes, you can. Remember how much you wanted this. Every minute, every second of pain brings you closer to your son. Very soon you will be holding him in your arms." And when the moment came to empty and refill that huge tub of water ( a daunting task at 4 am in the morning), Tiffany was toiling alongside my husband in patient silence. How lucky was I to have by my side one of the gentlest souls I've ever met?! Yes, birth is a very physical experience and even all the birth classes could not quite prepare my husband (and perhaps myself too) for what was to come. Yet these women made the whole experience sacred to me. I was a Woman, cared for by Women, giving birth to a Child. I could be endlessly fragile and vulnerable. I was cared for. My only task was to birth my child. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for guiding me on the journey I had never taken before. Thank you for helping me bring my son into this world. Forever grateful. Raimonda, mother of Vilius Mattias read more

My beautiful daughter was welcomed with energy to match. The midwives at GraceFull (Sarah, Elizabeth, and Kara) were my saving grace during my pregnancy. My dream was to have a natural birth from the start. I went to a doctor who told me that because of a myomectomy in 2011 I would only be allowed to have a cesarean if I stayed in his care. Needless to say I did not return to that office. I at least wanted the option if it came to a c - section. A friend of mine told me about Sarah who had assisted with the birth of one of her children. I sought Sarah out and found her at GraceFull. Sarah was so warm and helpful from our first meeting. She comforted me of any fear I may have had about my previous surgery interfering with my pregnancy. Sarah, Kara, Elizabeth and Andrey (one of the doulas) all made me feel comfortable. Each offered their cell phone number for questions I may have had at any time. Truly the most available women I know. Each had an explanation for EVERY ache or pain. As a first time mom that was important. On April 3rd I gave birth to my daughter. She was blessed to be born in the joyful atmosphere that Sarah and Andrey were able to provide. With all of the tools GraceFull had during my pregnancy, I was blessed to be cared for by these women. I will come back with my next pregnancy an recommend them to my friends. For anyone with a doubt I say the first consultation is worth it. I knew when I walked into the office with a headache and it dissipated immediately, that GraceFull would offer me peace of mind. Every woman owes it to themselves to have a beautiful experience. I challenge you to find it anywhere else. read more

When I first met Elizabeth, a little over 6 years ago, I first interviewed 8 doulas. When I met her, the calm she brought into the room made me sure that she was the right person to keep me calm in the heat of the moment. After my first birth, where she advocated for me at every turn, I wished I was courageous enough to do it at home with just Elizabeth. At my second birth, the doctor was late and Elizabeth was ready to catch if she needed to, even though we were in the hospital. Again, Elizabeth made certain that preparations were in order and that I was cared for along the way. I had 2 wonderful, comfortable births because of her presence. For my third birth, I called Elizabeth with an "I'm not sure" and she had the instincts that I trust with my life (and my child's, obviously, or I wouldn't be birthing with her.) We went to dinner until the "I'm not sure" turned into a "we need to get to the hospital right NOW!" Again, Elizabeth maintained the calm in the room and allowed me to have an unassisted hospital birth, where 4 residents and the chief stood and watched my child fall out of me (gracefully) onto the bed below. After that, Elizabeth opened her own birth center and I was thrilled. Her staff is professional and wonderful. You are greeted with kindness and warmth. Megan, who works at the front, knows your name and is kind. You feel like you're coming home to your family. I met all of the midwives and the students and they all had their own way of greeting you and interacting with you but the general vibe is the same - calm and welcoming. My fourth birth was incredible. Elizabeth came down to see me for two false labors before I was in actual labor. Again, she had the same instinct where she said "I'll come down just in case, and sleep on the couch." Her assistant came down and watched me birth, exactly as I wanted to, in my own tub. The general vibe of having a baby at home is of calmness and warmth. Being at home while giving birth allows you to trust your body and relax (which allows baby to move down.) Elizabeth and her other midwives know how to encourage your body to relax and do what it was made to do. Having a hospital birth is quite the opposite, with all of their rules, regulations and insistence on checking you constantly (how many cm you are, blood pressure, IV, etc). Gracefull Birthing is not for everyone. Not everyone is made to have a home birth. Not everyone will bond immediately with the midwives on staff there. But go and see for yourself, because I can't imagine working with a more dynamic, caring and warm group of women. Even my husband, who was quite unsure about having a home birth, felt welcomed and comfortable as Elizabeth taught him ways to ease my pain and how to interact with me while in the throes of labor. If we were to have another one, we would definitely birth at home with Gracefull. What a perfect name for this business! read more

Thank you so much to the wonderful midwives and staff at Gracefull!! They are so kind and caring, and have such a positive view of the birth process. I went to many well known birthing centers in the area but other midwives did not have half the positivity and unity as the ones at Gracefull. Only with their help was I able to get through the back labor that I had. Special thanks to Elizabeth, Kara, and Andrey. Love what you girls do. Thank you for your amazing attitude and guidance. Their team effort made my natural labor bearable and they made sure that I did not overexert myself more than necessary by always knowing the best next step/position to help baby make his entrance. Without them, my labor would have been much longer and more painful. Thank you again for all your help and kindness and for a beautiful memory that will last forever. read more

We love Elizabeth, Sara, Kara, Andrey and the entire family at Gracefull. We honored them by giving our daughter the middle name of Grace. I cannot wait for my daughter to grow up and spend time among these extraordinary women. Do not even think about using another center or midwife. You will always feel at home at Gracefull. I was turning 40 and deemed high risk by my regular ob/gyn. I was feeling nervous about the pregnancy thinking something would go wrong with me or my baby. I decided to look for a midwife and was fortunate to meet Elizabeth. From the first prenatal visit, I was made to feel secure, safe and most of all empowered. Even with having to be transported to Good Samaritan because of my high blood pressure and elevated baby heart rate. We were crushed that we were unable to birth at the beautiful center, but the entire team came to the hospital and never left my side. The care continued as I struggled with nursing, etc. We are in such great shape now because of these amazing women. We are forever grateful for their care, love and support. read more

The midwives here are very very sweet. I've been coming here for prenatal care for 4 months. They work with you and your pregnancy brain to make sure that you have a wonderful experience and feel confident in your body and your baby's health. I came in here looking for a very natural, yet informed experience, and that is exactly what I'm getting. I recommend this establishment highly and can't wait to birth my baby here. read more

Our experience with Elizabeth was extraordinary. Her service is impeccable and her spirit is so uplifting. She will go beyond the extra mile with you. She is so knowledgeable and accommodating with all pregnancy and birthing matters. Her sincerity is that of a life long friend, and her emotional support is exceptional. There are not enough adjectives to describe how high of regards that we hold Elizabeth. Her passion for the ease of pregnancy and her approach is a breath of fresh air. Thank you so much; we look forward to the next time our paths cross! read more

GraceFull and their team of incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and supportive staff, have created a beautiful, warm, and inviting environment for moms-to-be and their families. From their cozy exam rooms, to their bright and airy community classrooms, it's a very inviting, and homey space. When I had my daughter 2014, they were instrumental in helping me have the pregnancy and home delivery of my dreams. They genuinely care about women, and their experience, and it shows; from their informative classes, to their extended staff on hand -from chiropractors, to massage therapists, to psychotherapists - everything you need to have your best pregnancy is available at GraceFull. Additionally, I love that the owners have medical backgrounds. As a consequence they base their recommendations on both first hand knowledge and the best science available. I can't recommend them highly enough! read more

I am so glad I chose a birth center birth at Gracefull! The whole family is amazing. The facility is beautiful and close to my home. For me it was just as comfortable as if I were at my own home. Although I would have been happy with either midwife to deliver my baby I am so grateful for Jocelyn. We decided NOT to have any family members at our birth (which on a side note I highly recommend) however Jocelyn was able to fulfill all the roles I needed at the right times. She was as nurturing as my mother, supportive as my sister, as tough (with love) as my coach, as intuitive to my needs as my best friend and as knowledgeable as a doctor. I felt so safe and comfortable in her care and that is why I believe it went so smoothly. I got to have the birth of my dreams, all natural, in the water and only 12 hours of labor (I hear that's low for a first time mom). It will be 2-3 years but I will definitely choose Gracefull Birthing again for our next baby. Oh and I also HIGHLY recommend the classes! These are available to all even if you choose to birth elsewhere. I got so much out of each of them. If you are reading this you are most likely having a baby. I wish you a beautiful and healthy birth story. read more

I have been singing the praises of the GraceFull team all over the neighborhood, and wanted to share with the online community as well! My entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period have been so enriched by the wonderful women of GraceFull Birthing and I highly recommend their practice. As my pregnancy progressed I met with all three midwives in the practice, Elizabeth Bachner, Kara Oloughlin, and Sarah Smith, with my care mostly in the extremely capable hands of Midwife Sarah Smith and Assistant Annie. At each visit I was met with positivity, support, knowledge and enthusiasm that helped me bond with both the midwives and my unborn baby. I enjoyed my appointments so much that I never wanted to leave! In fact, I became so comfortable at the birthing center that we decided to have our birth on site. A wonderful choice, the rooms are cozy and inviting with tons of birthing tools and beautiful tubs to aid in labor. When our time finally came at 40 weeks 1 day, we felt supported completely by the contact we had with the midwives through my water breaking, early laboring at home, and finally heading to the birthing center to welcome our sweet son. Healthy mama and healthy baby we were, but my son was in a position that in a hospital setting would have likely resulted in a cesarian section. I am so grateful to have chosen GraceFull where Sarah, Elizabeth and Annie's patience and incredible wealth of knowledge facilitated my son's unmedicated vaginal birth. The greatest gift that GraceFull gave me through my pregnancy and birth was choice. Elizabeth, Sarah and Kara create a trusting, loving and informed environment in which the mothers and families are given freedom to choose the path that they wish to follow for their births and their babies. The women of GraceFull present an environment that allows mothers to feel safe and supported trusting their bodies and following their instincts. I still feel so connected to the practice, even in my postpartum period. I am so grateful that I chose GraceFull! read more

My heart is full of gratitude as I sit down to write this review for GraceFull and for my midwife, Jennifer. Jennifer has this intrinsic knowledge of prenatal care and birth that is not only obvious, but delivered with exceptional patience, care, and genuine love. Throughout the prenatal care process, Jennifer impressed me with her knowledge (backed by compelling experience) so that I very naturally entrusted myself to her care. All of my questions were answered with evidence based knowledge, presented not to sway, but rather to inform. At my birth, Jennifer was my champion. She was the presence I needed to transform from woman to new mother. Her ability to say and do exactly what was needed in a calm and collected nature allowed me to fully surrender to the birthing process. People always ask me if I would I do it again? And yes, I would, but only with the wonderful team at Gracefull and with Jennifer by my side. I must also express my gratitude to Nicole, the biller who worked with our insurance company. She was a pleasure to work with and helped us get an in-network exception with our insurance company. This was huge because our insurance company ended up paying 90% of the costs. 90%! Thank you Gracefull and thank you Jennifer! read more

Its taken me 11 months to write this review, but I've been meaning to for so long! Jennifer and Elizabeth and all the staff at Gracefull birthing are absolutely AMAZING and I highly highly recommend them (and I have to others!!) I came to Gracefull at around 6months pregnant after a horrible series of prenatal meetings at Hollywood Presbyterian. Unfortunately my insurance didn't cover Gracefull (at the time I had a horrific United Healthcare HMO - though I think it is easier to cover under United PPOs, and I know many others got their insurance to cover having the birth here). But everyone at Gracefull was so understanding, and the billing/insurance specialist was very helpful. The range of services and care that Gracefull offers, in my mind, is unprecedented in this way, and such a refreshing personal change from the bureaucracy of the hospitals and insurance industry. Jennifer was my midwife, and she was absolutely fantastic. Her candidness and honesty, was so refreshing and comforting especially during the third trimester - and of course the actual birth. Up until the birth she made her self available and gave me tons of information on how to ease all the different types of discomfort, and in the aftermath too of the birth she was amazing. I just can't say enough good things about Jennifer and Gracefull birthing. Besides Jennifer, the best part of Gracefull is their amazing birthing rooms (which include birthing tubs, pretty murals, and cool art). For me, I labored at home for almost 14 hours and the pain was unbearable. The birthing tub though - which was what I was most excited about when signing up - cut the pain literally in half. That plus Jeniffer's awesome coaching led to a better birth experience than I could have ever imagined. It was, in a word, perfect. If you're even considering birthing out of the hospital you should absolutely check out Gracefull. They also have super helpful classes, and products. And in general everyone is so lovely. Its a wonderful establishment and I still go back to visit! And should there be a second baby in the future you can bet I will be back at Gracefull - hopefully with Jennifer, though at this point I would trust anyone at Gracefull. read more

I don't write reviews usually, but after seeing a similar review about the rude, bleach blonde at the front desk, I feel justified in offering a second warning to anyone who dares to enter GraceFull, with or without an appointment. When you're working and representing the face of a company by sitting in the front, you should know not to tell clients you are "swamped" or "too busy" or "can't even deal with your question right now." Exact phrases that she not only said to me, but I overheard her say to other clients AND a fellow coworker right in front of me. She made sure I, and everyone in her vicinity, knew she cannot be bothered altho it was very unclear as to what exactly was busying her besides the urgent texting she was doing on her phone. I also made the mistake of coming in without an appointment, which I get needs to be clarified, but not necessarily in such rude way. In fact I just wanted to check out the place for a friend of mine who is pregnant and doesn't live in the area. When I entered, Blondie was "helping" another woman by telling her how she didn't know anything about something that Elizabeth (who I found out later is the owner) had told her and that she was so swamped and couldn't help her and told the woman to contact Elizabeth herself and gave her the contact info, but refused to contact anyone for her. I couldn't help but laugh as I watched her dismiss this poor, very pregnant woman and go back to "work" which was actively ignoring the ringing office phone as she scrolled through her cellphone. Then she turned her focus on me. Her tone was so passive aggressive and impatient as she said, "Sorry, it's just that we don't take walk in's and I'm just so swamped right now that I can't really help you unless you have an appointment." I tried to say I was checking it out for a friend and if they had any info I could give her and got "It's all on our website and honestly I'm just not able to focus on this right now because I'm so swamped and we don't take walk-ins." Well, excuse me! Not only was the place quiet and empty, but even the poor girl that came in before me with an appointment was also getting the same unhelpful response. Note to Gracefull: look for a future front desk person with more grace and class because Blondie is sending your business away one rude encounter at a time. read more

I had my dream birthing experience: A home water birth with Elizabeth Bachner and Tiffany Adler. One of the biggest pluses, for sure, was the service they provided in helping me figure out how to have insurance pay for it. I didn't have to pay in full and wait for my insurance to reimburse me (like nearly every other homebirther has to do.) I paid co-pays just like I was going to am ob/gyn's office. They even helped me get my insurance to cover more of the cost than I expected (my insurance paid 70% instead of 30%!!) I always looked forward to my prenatal visits at the birthing center because it was so friendly and cozy. I'm so lucky that I found Gracefull. read more

I had an amazing experience with Gracefull Birthing. I wish I could do it all over again. The best midwives, with the biggest hearts. They guided me every step of the way and made sure baby and I were always safe. They cared for me during my entire pregnancy and still care for me now. I'm forever grateful! read more

My son is now 10 months old and I'm finally getting some time to write a review! I absolutely loved my experience with Gracefull! The entire staff was always so kind and supportive through my whole process. I had the opportunity to work with Jennifer, Sara and Elizabeth and they were all amazing. Jennifer was my main midwife and she is an absolute gem! During my pregnancy I was dealing with a non-pregnancy related issue and they went above and beyond to help me and get me the care I needed. They were always available through phone, text, email, anytime I needed anything. I always looked forward to the prenatal visits with Jennifer. They were about 30 minutes long so I got to ask all my questions and relieve any fears I had. It felt more like hanging out with a friend. I never felt rushed and I always left feeling peaceful and empowered. I had prodromal labor for a week before I finally gave birth. It was a really tough, painful and tiring week and they were there for me all throughout. I was so exhausted and desperate for it to be over, but they continued to encourage me and come up with new helpful suggestions to move labor along. One night I thought I was finally going into labor but it ended up stalling. Jennifer wasn't in town so Elizabeth stayed with us overnight (even though we knew it probably wasn't gonna happen that night) just to give me a piece of mind that someone was there if I needed anything. That was exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for when I joined the Gracefull family. People who really cared and were passionate about what they do! When I finally did go into labor, Jennifer was absolutely amazing! She was so positive, calm and encouraging and made the whole process so pleasant. She had an incredible way of making my husband and I feel like we had our space, yet she was very present and guided me every step of the way. I couldn't ask for a better birthing experience. Even after I had my baby, Jennifer was there for me anytime I needed her. Aside from the postnatal visits, which she was gracious enough to do at my house because she lived nearby, she was there to calm me through all my first-time-mommy freak outs for the first couple months. I could call/text her with any concerns about the baby (excessive crying, rash, etc.) and she always responded immediately and even contacted the pediatrician with questions if needed. I am so grateful for everything she has done for me and that I have gained a great friend through this process. I'm excited to do it all over again with Gracefull when the time comes! read more

Today was the last day of infant massage class with Sparrow which was amazing. Sparrow has such great energy and really knows her stuff. She was on time, very organized and followed up with an email after each class. You can totally see that she loves what she does and believes in what she teaches. Honesty, I did not know what to expect in this class and was pleasantly surprised at how easy the techniques are and how receptive my son was as well as the others in attendance. The information we learned is invaluable. Signing up and paying for the class series was seamless via Gracefull's online class schedule. The classrooms was clean and kept nice and toasty. There is easy access to the second floor via an elevator so you don't have to carry your stroller up the stairs. I will definitely be on the lookout for other classes. Thank you Gracefull for being a great resource for moms and Sparrow for sharing your gift with moms and their babies. Blessings, Jenny s read more

Love, devotion, inspiration and commitment. The women at Graceful Birthing answered a life's calling to be a midwife and are each a true gift to women about to deliver a baby. My wife and I chose to have a midwife help with the delivery of our first and we felt completely embraced by Elizabeth's positive energy, experience and confidence. It turned out to be a difficult delivery and thus more to the point of why I recommend them. Elizabeth and her team didn't miss a beat, they knew what to do. We arrived at Graceful Birthing for what we expected would be our delivery in one of their cozy birthing rooms, my wife had already been in early labor for a while, but alas... After 48 hours of labor without progress and out of concerns for the safety of the baby, Elizabeth recommend my wife be moved to Good Samaritan Hospital . I was really, really upset about this turn of events. My wife and I had so wanted the intimate setting for our birth and to completely avoid hospitals and the way they often - essentially - take the mother's choices away. However, once we arrived and I saw that Elizabeth and her team were staying with us through the night, I knew we had not been "handed off." That we were still going to have our midwife experience - just on a much grander scale and with the over-sight of the hospital's medical staff. Worth noting that Good Samaritan Hospital embraces the concept of midwifes and has a great one on staff. Elizabeth and her team were able to work with us through to the moment of delivery. Being there with my wife for the birth of our daughter was the single most remarkable experience of my life. And the memory of that joy is inseparable from the experience of Elizabeth and her devotion to her calling. read more

My little family and I had such a blessed experience at GraceFull, I wish all families had the opportunity to have a similar birthing experience. We moved in from out of state, had a change (and delay) of insurance providers, and ultimately had a brief hospital transfer after birth, and STILL managed to have a completely professional yet warm experience. Despite our hectic family schedule and L.A. traffic, Jocelyn always remained patient and understanding with us, while Elizabeth offered us accommodations that suited our schedules. We eventually met and birthed with Yesenia and midwife in-training, Summer. Jocelyn and Elizabeth were communicative about our birthing team preferences, specifically the midwives in attendance, so that I felt heard and comfortable. My birth was serene, swift, and just wonderful, in large part thanks to the atmosphere created inside the birthing center. A few hours after birth, I ended up having a couple of fainting spells and some heavy blood loss, which prompted my midwives to call for a hospital transfer as a non-emergent precaution. I ended up transferring to the hospital, had a series of tests done, and was back with my baby in a matter of hours. During that time: Yesenia drove to the hospital, debriefed my birth and transfer with me, and stayed with my husband and sister in the waiting room; Elizabeth came to check in and brought food for my waiting room team; and Jocelyn and Summer were at the birthing center juggling ANOTHER birth while checking in on my parents, who had stayed behind with our newborn son(!!!!!). Despite our hospital transfer and being away from my newborn for a few hours, this birth was an empowering experience. I know the evidence-based information provided, the caring staff employed, and the home-like setting of the birthing center all played an integral part in our success story... I'm ready to do it again! All our love to Elizabeth and Jocelyn (as well as Yesenia, Summer, Cheza, and God bless the insurance biller, Nicole!), we are so grateful for GraceFull. read more

Joycelen delivered my second baby at home and I cannot recommend her and the rest of the team at GraceFull more highly. They were supportive, loving and careful. They helped me get out ahead of all the issues and anxieties I was experiencing in the months before giving birth, listening to me and reassuring me without fail. During labour Joycelen was unflappable and completely solid. She was calm, confident and very thorough. Post-delivery care was equally meticulous. 5 star service! read more

We had a wonderful experience in the beginning of our pregnancy - when I started to bleed (I eventually lost the baby), they encouraged me to take Progesterone Creme to stop the bleeding. I wasn't aware that if I stopped using the creme (which i did after a couple days) that could potentially cause a miscarriage. Elizabeth later apologized explaining that she suggested something she did not know enough about and if I had known stopping the creme was dangerous I wouldn't have done so. I greatly appreciated her apology as she explained that her expertise was in midwifery not in other areas. I really appreciated her taking responsibility for leading me astray and I don't believe the miscarriage was her fault but sadly I wish I hadn't been given this info. The women are all incredibly supportive overall tho. read more

I don't know that I'd really be able to put in words how amazing my experience was having Elizabeth as a midwife...words just don't encompass how gifted she truly is. I was terrified to give birth when I found out I was pregnant and didn't know much about home births, but with time...I got educated and found it was the best way to go if you're not high risk. I was looking for someone that would care for my baby and not just see her as another moneymaking opportunity, and someone that would treat me with the utmost tender care....Elizabeth was all those things and more. She was also very intuitive and just knew what I needed during the labor without me having to voice it. I felt safe, protected, confident, in control, and at peace the entire labor. I consider Elizabeth family...not just my midwife. In my opinion...and I did a lot of researching different midwives...but she was the best for the kind of heart , compassion, skills, professionalism, and transparency I was looking for. Not only did I receive great support during my pregnancy and labor, but she was great support postpartum. I'm hoping I'm still in California the next time I get pregnant because I couldn't imagine having a better experience with anyone else. read more

GraceFull Birthing - about to birth the placenta while daddy enjoys his little girl - Midwives Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My husband and I chose GraceFull Birthing after much careful thought about birth and what we wanted and needed during this incredible life-changing process. We originally chose Elizabeth because when we interviewed her, she had all the feel-good qualities one might expect in a midwife, but she also was able to talk to us in a very scientific manner, backing up her thoughts and feelings with solid research. To me, she was like the "city girl's midwife". Exactly what I needed. She proved to be more than a midwife to me. She became a friend and a confidante, empowering us through the journey of pregnancy and into parenthood. I don't know what I would have done without her. I am so spoiled with the luxury of the midwifery model of care (my prenatal appointments were between 1-1.5 hours each). And now that GraceFull has this unbelievably gorgeous birthing center, I almost can't wait to get pregnant again! (almost) read more

My daughter chose to have her baby at this birthing center after viewing several other centers in Los Angeles. She was very impressed with the approach to natural childbirth and was herself a home birth with a wonderful NP Midwife. Her birth was the most wonderful experience that my husband and I had out of 4 children. We were so happy that she chose the same approach for herself. She and her partner loved the prenatal care provided by the center and were enthusiastic about the delivery. I and her sister were invited to attend the birth. We were impressed with the birthing rooms and all set for a wonderful experience. Jocelyn was the midwife on the big day. She seemed to be very attentive towards my daughter and her guy, however she had absolutely no skill in relating to family. Her bedside manner towards us was very cold, as if we were intruders. We waited in the waiting area much of the time my daughter was in labor, which was fine with us. When we asked for updates, she used one word answers and would not even break stride for these. As time went on, 11 hours later, my daughter was in extreme distress.( She had labored at home for 17 hours prior to her arrival at the clinic.) By midnight she had labored for 28 hours. She was exhausted and becoming confused. The midwife told my daughter that she was 8cm dilated at 9PM, and that she should be delivering within a couple of hours. By midnight my level of concern was at a peak and I approached the midwife to say that I felt my daughter needed to go to the hospital. Jocelyn was indifferent towards me and said, "well you can discuss that with your daughter", which I immediately did. My daughter consented at once and we drove her to Good Sam Hospital. By the way, I am an RN with 22 years experience primarily as an ER nurse, so my concerns came with a significant degree of medical knowledge. Once we arrived at the hospital we told the L & D nurse that my daughter was 8 cm dilated per the midwife examination. Moments later the midwife arrived and stated that she was not, indeed she was only 6cm dilated. Let me interject here that when she arrived at the birthing center my daughter was 4 cm dilated and went to 6 within a couple of hours. After approximately 9 hours of HARD labor she had not progressed. She was dehydrated and put out less than 200cc's of dark concentrated urine after 2 litres of fluid bolus, followed by a continuous drip. At the hospital she was medicated for her pain and able to finally rest, and regain her strength while continuing to dilate to completion and ultimately deliver her baby 12 hours later. Once mom and baby were on the monitor we observed decelerations of the babys heart rate with contractions and upon delivery the baby had terminal meconium present, signs of distress. My concern with Jocelyn is that either she didn't observe or care that my daughter was flailing, or consider that the baby could be experiencing distress. While in the waiting area I looked up the clinics credentials and it stated that the midwives were trained "the same as an OB MD". I do not agree with that statement. I do not know why the midwife lied to my daughter and her partner about her progress, and am curious as to when and how she would have recognized that her clinic did not have the necessary environment to safely deliver their baby. My daughter did not have any complications at all during pregnancy and is a very healthy woman with no medical conditions. She did take caster oil the evening that labor started to help induce as she was 8 days overdue. My goal in writing this review is to help anyone considering this center as an option for their own birthing experience to beware. Had I not spoken up I am not at all sure that our outcome would have been a healthy baby and mother. read more

Elizabeth was my midwife for the both the birth of my son, born in 2009 and my daughter born a little over six months ago. I always had a dream of birthing my children in a natural, non-hospital setting, and that is exactly what we achieved with our planned homebirths. From the beginning, working with Elizabeth was a breath of fresh air in a world of prenatal stress. In contrast to an appointment at my then OB's office, a visit to Elizabeth was calming and reaffirming. I cannot say enough about the confidence in my own being, my own process that working with Elizabeth has instilled in me. To be able to put aside the fear of the unknown and the fear of the imagined-known is one of her great strengths. When I did have my challenges with the pregnancies, Elizabeth was absolutely there for me, with her signature calm and poise. This is one of her incredible strengths; I feel that it encouraged me to find my own inner reserves when I needed it the most. Without reservation, I highly recommend the services of Elizabeth Bachner of Gracefull Birthing. read more

I'm so exited to leave a review to such a special place. I remember when I learned I was pregnant I just google "birthing center silverlake" and that's how I found them. The website itself just gave me such a good and warm impression that I called and schedule a tour right away. I wasn't even sure yet if I wanted the midwife experience over the hospital one. After the tour with Elizabeth, the owner, I had no doubt that I wanted to birth my son naturally and that I was in the right hands at Gracefull . The journey was so nurturing and safe along the way. They are all incredibly professional, serious, and sensitive in their practice. I also liked how much they help us with our insurance company. My husband and I got a lot of guidance with it. And I was happily surprise to see, later on, that my insurance company covered more than 50% of my bill. The birth of my son was beautiful, natural and safe.They took care of me so well that having my family out of the country wasn't an issue. My husband and I felt truly contained. They also provided me with all the tips and instructions I needed for my baby in all the different stages of the pregnancy and after birth. I remember feeling incredibly lucky for what I was experiencing thanks to such a knowledgable team. They educated me so much on all the related subjects. If you are reading reviews to see if Gracefull Birthing is serious and compassionate in their practice please don't hesitate. It's even more than that! I think a lot has to do with Elizabeth's wisdom and her powerful energy. She took it to such a high level that I'm sure it could satisfied the most hard to please mama on earth. We chose to give birth on their facilities rather than at home and I'm glad we did. They have a lovely bedroom with a big birthing bathtub that I'll never forget. It just made us feel safe and contained. And it was easy and clean, which was a real concern for my husband. I did the placenta pills service they offer and they helped me incredibly for the postpartum. Thank you Elizabeth. Thank you Kara my wonderful midwife. Thank you Annie! our unforgettable birthing from within guide and Andrey for you blissful catch and Doula service! read more

Elizabeth is PHENOMENAL! She's an absolute blessing!! I birthed my first and only child with her Oct 5 and plan on using her for the next birth. She personalizes her care plan for each client and has really good referrals. She also seems to work well under stressful situations. She knows what to do and when to do it, even in chaotic times. She is very hands-off unless there's a problem and even then she always asks permission before. My birth, from plug loss to birth was only 20 hours. Ffrom labor starting (first sign was water breaking) to birth was 16 hours. The pregnancy was super-easy, normal and without so much as morning sickness. The birth was totally different, far from what I had planned. First, I had been up close to 48 hours by the time active labor started. Due to the contractions starting so rough so fast, I needed oxygen a couple of hours before my son was born. I also asked Elizabeth to "stretch" me since I stalled for hours at 4 cm (she did, to 9cm). I pushed to open that last cm, but the baby's heart would plummet when I did, and I ended up needing oxygen for a while due to my blood pressure. So, I did 3 long, hard pushes and out popped my son. An hour later, Elizabeth had to perform her first Manual Placenta Removal due to retained placenta. It was then that we realized I had an undiagnosed Velamentous Cord Instertion (VCI, see below) and unknown vasa previa despite 6 ultrasounds by 2 VERY thorough OBs in the last 2 trimesters, including an u/s by a dr who HATED homebirths and looked for any reason to disqualify you. . Even with a manual placenta removal, I ended up only with a 2nd degree tear, which Elizabeth stitched so nicely that I don't see a scar forming. I've never heard of a manual removal with anything less than a 3rd degree tear/episiotomy! I don't know how, but this woman managed to stay so calm, despite things getting serious the last 20 minutes. She is a miracle worker! VCI is life-threatening for the baby. It's when the cord inserts into the fetal membranes instead of the placenta. Imagine the cord and placenta inside-out with all of the vessels exposed. Typically, you're hospitalized as soon as it's discovered and you have a "special" mandatory CSection at 35 weeks, before labor begins to prevent the exposed vessels in the cord from getting pinched by bone when you push, causing oxygen-deprivation to the baby. The CSection is done very careful so the doctor doesn't accidentally cut an exposed vessel in the placenta, which can be fatal. VCI is NEVER diagnosed during labor, only during a CSection and you'd better hope your surgeon has experience in VCI CSections. read more

Combining depth and warmth, Elizabeth infused our experience of creating life and giving birth with beauty, vital skills, and illuminating knowledge. She provided unyielding support throughout pregnancy and the birthing process which armed us with a comfortable confidence and a flexibility of mind that allowed for humor, meaning, and full presence. Elizabeth embodies her teachings, exuding authenticity and integrity. I cannot say enough good things about her! read more

I cant say enough about the staff at GraceFull. I had the most perfect birth, exactly what I wanted. My midwives: Jennifer and Jocelyn were perfect and were as hands on and hands off as I needed, when I needed. When I first found that I was pregnant I searched for local birth centers that could offer a home birth, being in LA you would think there would be a lot more than the few that are local. Nope, not the case. So, when visiting GraceFull's actual center I was a bit discouraged; its in the middle of a strip mall with TERRIBLE parking, and there is no shortage of homeless people walking up and down Sunset. As most people from LA are already aware. So, if you plan on giving birth in the center, consider you may go into labor and have to battle traffic to get there and park down the street and around the corner. Even though GraceFull has it's own 4 parking spaces clearly marked - I have found that A LOT of people do not care about a sign and park there anyway - it sucks, but you cant control where anyone else parks. Besides the element of location, GraceFull is wonderful. They offer so many services, classes and a truly genuine and welcoming experience. I would have 100 babies if I could have them all with GraceFull. Wait, that's not true. I would not have 100 babies. I would NOT have 100 babies, I dont care who is delivering them. But I do recommend to everyone who is open to the idea of a non-hospital birth to have them at GraceFull. So, on to the labor and birth part, because that's what everyone wants to read. I had my first contraction around 1 am and didnt want to wake anyone up, so I waited until 6 am to text Jennifer. Even though she had told me previously to text her no matter what time and keep her updated. She promptly replied and told me what to expect and to keep her updated. I progressed as expected and made sure to keep Jennifer updated. Around 6 or 7 pm Jennifer arrived (yes, I had a 21 hour labor) and within an hour, Jocelyn arrived as well. They pulled out their midwife equipment and got to work check on my vitals, making sure everything was ok, boiling water (for the birth tub) and just getting everything ready. Active labor set in and thats when the real quality of your midwife shows. Jocelyn grabbed my hand and let me squeeze... I know it was bad but she didnt let on. Jennifer stayed calm and guided me through each contraction, offering different positions and telling myself and my husband what to do and what to expect. My bundle arrived and both midwives got the bed ready and cleaned up. After all was said and done, I was happy with the labor (as happy as I possibly could have been), delivery and my GraceFull's role. read more