The best vagina inspector I've ever been to. Melissa (listens to me and) tells me that I'm…read morebeautiful inside AND out. She's a real gem. :)

Melissa French is as good as it gets!…read more Call for an appointment now. I should send flowers to the friend that referred me to her. I recommend Melissa to everyone I know (and they thank me for it). She is wise, kind, down to earth, knowledgeable and has the most amazing way of putting you at ease during what is let's face it... The dreaded yearly vah-jay-jay "inspection"! We hit it off from my first appointment a few years ago. Perhaps because she is not an OB/GYN (but can been seen instead of one, for annual exams) she never rushes me. She takes the time to get to know her patients (which I have found incredibly rare these days). She makes sure she has addressed all of my questions and concerns before I leave and then calls & follows-up (when needed) like no one I've ever seen. When you are with her Melissa makes you feel like you are her most important patient, and I love that. We're lucky she practices locally!

As a new parent, the postpartum period is challenging enough without having to deal with the stress…read moreand disappointment of a difficult agency. While Stork and Sprout does have some excellent doulas on its team who provided great support and coaching, my experience with the agency's leadership was overwhelmingly negative. We had a particularly difficult time with Brittany. She demonstrated a pattern of manipulation, gaslighting, and lying, both to us and, from what I understand, to her own employees. Our contract promised consistent coverage, but the scheduling was erratic and communication was poor. We were left to wonder many nights if we would have support, and for several weeks, we only received 1 to 2 days of support instead of the 6 to 7 we paid for. When we requested a refund for the services not provided, Brittany refused and even fought our bank with out-of-context emails and more lies. She claims she "offered a refund" but is even today refusing to honor it as she says in the response. The lack of professionalism extended to some of the staff as well; one sick doula was sent to our home and intentionally caused our newborn physical pain. Brittany treated us like we were the difficult ones and responded with empathy-less chatGPT emails to manage the situation. We were also led to believe we would have one primary doula with a backup, but over the course of our service, we had seven different doulas come to our home. This complete lack of continuity made an already difficult period even more stressful. Based on my experience, I would advise new parents to skip Stork and Sprout and work directly with an independent doula. You will not only save the 30-40% extra fee the agency charges for scheduling, but you will also avoid the toxic and difficult management. This experience is unacceptable for a service that costs tens of thousands of dollars and demands payment upfront months ahead of providing the service. We were not able to switch easily due to the inflexible Carrot reimbursement process through the employer.

I truly couldn't have accomplished my VBAC goals without the incredible support of the Stork and…read moreSprout birth doula team. From the very first moment I needed them through labor and all the way until I was settled into the maternity floor with my new little boy, they were there every step of the way. Their calm presence, deep knowledge, encouragement, and advocacy made all the difference during such an intense and meaningful experience. I felt supported, empowered, and never alone. I am beyond grateful for their care and dedication and would wholeheartedly recommend Stork and Sprout to anyone preparing for birth--especially those pursuing a VBAC.

To clarify.... I have received several messages, from Ms…read more Newburn. Informing me about Hydration, and saddened that I thought her a stranger. While I appreciate the empathy being attempted, below is a link that soundly states that if a person is afraid, then labor being stalled is a possibility. (As a professional midwife she should have come across this information. ) Now I don't get naked in front of strangers (it's not my thing) :) and when Ms. Newburn came to my house she was a stranger to me. She was in an intimate and sacred space, and was trying to help me :) I did not want her help as I did not trust her since I did not know her- (I did point out that i was at fault as well, for not making sure that i met her.) The possibility exists that the tension of this could have cause me to have feelings that are not advantageous to laboring. I am sure Ms. Newburg will in the future do her best to meet all her clients. So i will not edit my review in the sense of retracting anything...One thought though, if you look at Ms. Suns review, it seems she assumes that I was cranky and unmedicated during my labor...That's a strange assumption to make unless Ms. Newburg spoke to Ms. Sun about my birth-I am sure that would not have happened as it is against the law. You know HIPPAA and all. Here is the link...http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0814.asp

Thank you Kathryn, that baby girl you delivered at 1:20 am in 12/94 is a very cool 22 year old. I…read morefound you after I'd delivered 3 babies, at what was then Mills Peninsula in San Mateo. A midwife was on staff for my first child, born in 1988 but from then on, my deliveries were never the same experience-the doctors didn't care or were too "busy", they left me alone most of the time and mine were easy deliveries! I decided to have my 4th child at home because the hospitals were doing nothing I couldn't do at home with a great mid-wife. Kathryn, you were amazing. I and my daughter both love telling the story of how she was born at home! For the record, the two "strange" reviews below make me wonder what is wrong with some people. Your assistant was lovely and I really appreciated both of your loving care.

After reading Shannon's beautiful and transformative book Born Far From Home, I felt so drawn to…read morehaving a homebirth. I loved reading about Shannon's journey to Islam and birth work, and how her faith and spirituality intertwined with her midwifery care. I also enjoyed reading the compelling birth stories and the beautiful way in which she writes about birth. I especially felt connected to her book as a Muslim woman who was curious about homebirth, but wasn't sure if it was for me. Once I finished the book and had my first appointment with Shannon I felt confident, reassured, and excited about having a homebirth for my first baby. Since the start of my prenatal care with Shannon, I felt so comforted by the amount of time and personalized care she dedicated to us by listening to our concerns, answering our many questions, and providing the guidance we needed during this special time in our life. Her level of knowledge and expertise combined with her warm and comforting presence brought us ease during such a delicate time. I also have the same great things to say about Tara who was the second midwife to be present at the birth and meet with us for the postpartum appointments. Tara also has such a warm, beautiful, and comforting spirit and has been such a pleasure to meet with. When expressing the troubles I have with breast feeding, she has been so sweet and reassuring and I really appreciate the level of care she not only provides for our baby, but to me. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have had a successful and empowering homebirth with the utmost care and support from Shannon and Tara and I highly recommend them. I am so grateful to have been in their care.

I don't have enough good things to say about Shannon and her business. She was absolutely…read moreincredible from start to finish. From the very first phone call I felt so comfortable and genuinely heard. She took the time to answer every question and listen to my previous birth story and never made me feel rushed. She listened with understanding and compassion and for the first time I truly felt like a care provider was really listening to me. For my first birth, I had a typical hospital birth with a typical OB. Although I did not have a traumatic experience, I wanted something different for my second time around. I found Shannon and it truly was a blessing. The level of care and attention to detail was above and beyond anything I had experienced before. When the day came to give birth, having her there made me feel so safe supported and empowered. If I was ever to do this again, I would not hesitate to use Shannon and her team and have another home birth. It truly was a defining experience and something that I believe that all women should be able to experience. If you're looking for a quality Midwife service that treats you like family and truly listens to you look no further. I cannot recommend Shannon enough!

Where can I even begin with Sharon Economides? First, I am the husband here writing a review. I am…read morethe family Yelper, but know that my wife is in agreement with 100% of these words. This was our 3rd child, 1st homebirth. Demeanor: She is gentle, wonderful, knowledgeable, ever patient and clearly an expert. You would never decide to have a home birth with someone who isn't a de facto expert, and Sharon certainly is. You can read more about her training and background on their site. Visits: She was available, punctual, friendly, NEVER rushed, so kind. Answered every question, and followed up with anything we needed. She was always available via text, email or phone. Billing: She has a medical biller that is handling EVERYTHING. Love it. Whatever the insurance doesn't cover we pay. Fair enough - and before we did anything, she called and verified the coverage. Preparedness: She had a full on mid-wife as her assistant (Shannon) in delivery for my wife who was also wonderful. She dropped off the birth kit and didn't make us buy a laundry list of items. Most of what she asked us to have was super reasonable and we didn't need to order any "home-birth kits" - she brought it all a week or two before our due date. Chill-factor: 10 of 10: i'll go into it in a second, but Sharon is so "chill" so relaxed, peaceful -Zen even. It matters so much. And for us it definitely mattered. A portion of our birth story. I'll be writing a longer post for my personal blog, but want to share that our birth presented - at the very last minute - breech. It was crazy. We actually had hospital care through around week 30. The baby was perfect, in position, all good. When we switched to Sharon, the baby was still good. We believe that during labor, the baby flipped, all we know is that what seemed like a head ended up being a butt. The birth was so far along, that we decided to just go.... (baby was born about 6 minutes later)... Sharon had been present for a breech birth before so she kept the cool like I have never seen - i on the other hand was quietly losing my mind without my wife noticing. Long story short - perfection. yes folks, we delivered a breach baby, with no tearing, no issues, no complications, naturally, at home. To be clear, had we known this was a breach we would have gone to the hospital, but we didn't - but we are grateful that we had such a professional at our side. It was also key that she had another midwife with her for delivery. So awesome. After Birth: Sharon and Shannon (the other midwife) cleaned up everything, did laundry and stayed for awhile to ensure everything was okay. And it was. Baby latched in minutes, nursed well, pooped, peed, the whole nine. Postnatal visits: Sharon came by almost daily, recorded weight, checked the baby and mama. she kept GREAT records! Our pediatrician was completely impressed at the detail and regularity of visits for the baby. So were we! Bonuses: Sharon brought books over for our kids to prepare them for a home birth - it was awesome! They were so helpful. Details to mention: Sharon considered almost every angle in our birth plan, she was super inclusive of me in the process. She cared COMPLETELY that my wife always felt comfortable. She was never pushy, always calm and supportive. She likes to allow women to birth on their own and gently encourage during the process. She is a "birth-whisperer" - case in point, she barely spoke at times, she would almost communicate with touch and just breathing, helping my wife focus without words at times. In case I didn't say this enough - she was so calm that even when the baby presented breech - not one tone changed. She was the stoic honest person you need by your side. If you are thinking about a home birth just call Sharon, ask her for books and videos to watch. For us we decided on the home birth after 27 or so weeks of hospital care - so it's really never too late to do it. We whole-heartedly recommend Sharon! Pierre & Sonya

Sharon Economides was my Lactation Consultant when my newborn was having trouble latching, due to…read morewhat was assumed to be flat nipples. I had been using a shield recommended to me, but my baby was not putting back on her birth weight. On the first visit, within the first few minutes Sharon was able to get my baby to latch properly without the shield! Just by making a few simple suggestions around my babies position and using a pump to help pull the nipple out a little more, my baby was able to latch and begin to nurse properly. Sharon is not only very knowledgeable in her field, but she has a really good vibe to her, making mama and baby feel comfortable. With her down to earth personality and her calm presence, she is able to communicate the information she needs to relay with great ease. Sharon was also very helpful by phone, text and e-mail and was quick to respond when questions which came up between the few sessions we met. I highly recommend any new mama to Sharon. Nursing is not intuitive and if you are having trouble getting started, you will be happy you contacted Sharon so that you and your baby can begin a nursing rhythm that will bring you both great joy and love.

When I first found out I was pregnant with my second baby I knew that I wanted to attempt a home…read morebirth. I search online for the best midwifes in SF and Maria popped up. After my first in person visit with Maria and Suzannah I felt confident in my decision. My husband, who was apprehensive at first of a home birth, also felt more at ease. Throughout my pregnancy, Maria was there for me physically and emotionally every step of the way. The student midwife/photographer, Suzannah, was even able to schedule a maternity photo shoot for me! Once it came time for my labor I was met with a hands on team, compassion, and professionalism. Since I had a toddler at home, my husband had to take care of the little one for parts of the labor. Maria filled in the gaps that were needed when my husband couldn't be present. Overall, having a home birth was such a special, intimate, and pure moment. It was the best decision I could have made for myself, my baby, and my family. I did not anticipate how fulfilled and proud of myself I would feel. Thank you Maria and Suzannah for supporting me through my pregnancy and labor. You both helped create such a calm and safe environment for me to bring my baby into the world. The support I felt from other women during this journey is unmatched. I could not have gotten this type of support and compassion in a hospital setting. I will definitely be reaching out to Maria when we're ready for baby #3!

We used Maria for our two boys, one born in 2018, and one in 2021. Both experiences were great…read more Through both pregnancies, we had ample time in appointments to get to know each other. She had calm and thoughtful responses to our questions, and a refreshing openness to discuss benefits and concerns at any stage without giving any feeling of pressure. By the time my wife was in labor with our first boy, we had complete trust that Maria could encourage and guide us through labor and delivery at home. We chose a home-birth for our second son, too. Maria always stays steady, clear, and calm, exactly the type of person you'd want at such a special and transformative event. Just like all the other reviewers, we can thank Maria enough - she is a true gem!

Jen is such a sweet, kind person. She is definitely someone you want to have on your team when…read moreyou're in the midst of what might be the most exciting, yet vulnerable time in your life--the birth of your child. Jen was the apprentice midwife for my home birth but she might as well have been a regularly practicing fully certified midwife because she was as much involved in my check ups and the actual labor and delivery of my baby as my main midwife , Sue Baelen (also amazing! Highly recommended!) Jen has a very calm presence, and even though she is young, it's clear that she possesses so much wisdom that it feels very natural to trust her. She has a lot of experience with birth, having started as a doula. I always felt completely safe and honored in her care, both in the visits to my house for check ups and at the birth of my son. One of the best parts of the care I got from Sue and Jen were the check ups leading up to the birth. They came to my house and it felt like a combo medical check up and therapy session! They were always curious to hear how things were going, answer any questions I had and take care of my emotional and spiritual transition to motherhood, not just the physical. I loved getting to know Jen in these sessions and it created a lot of trust and closeness. The birth was everything I hoped it would be. It was hard, of course, but I knew I could do it in great part because of the support I had with my awesome team. I felt very safe with Jen and Sue, and they gave me a lot of confidence. Another best part was the after care. Jen and Sue came to our house several times over the 6 week period after my son was born. It was so wonderful to have them here checking on us, answering questions, sharing in our joy and alleviating the inevitable worries. Jen also did the prep and encapsulation of my placenta, which I also recommend. My recovery was remarkably quick and easy and I think the placenta pills really helped. Jen is a wonderful, kind, smart, caring person. You'll be well taken care of if you choose to work with her.

It is with such a grateful heart that I write this review about Jen. Jen played an invaluable role…read morein the birth of our child. She is hands down one of the warmest, intelligent, passionate, and strongest women I've ever met. And there's no way that I (in this case Dad) would have ever gotten through the labor process without her. I'm not exaggerating when I say this; and, I'm forever grateful. I hope that any future Dad reading this understands that Doulas are just as much for them as they are for their wives. (Btw, my wife is equally grateful for Jen, but just wanted to provide a different perspective, writing this from a Dad's point of view). Jen has the unique ability to take control of high-pressure situations while not offending or alienating anyone (and this is especially unique and effective given that she was dealing with someone, me, who is a super Type A, SF resident, on the cusp millennial). This demeanor really enabled constructive dialogues to occur between everyone in the delivery room (Mom, Dad, Nurse, Doctor) during multiple high-pressure situations. Jen understands that all Mom and Dad want to know are 1) what is going on, 2) what are their options, and 3) is Baby alright. Her empathetic approach enabled us to get through a very difficult delivery (40 hours of labor) and come out with a positive attitude. I highly recommend Jen and feel so privileged to know her. (Please reach out to me if you'd like more information about Jen as it relates to our delivery).

We had an outstanding experience with DOULAS by the BAY. They matched us with Mary Ann Cherie…read moreWolowski, who was with our family for the first eight weeks after our baby was born. She started right on the day after delivery while we were still at the hospital. This was incredibly helpful because it allowed my partner to focus on caring for our toddler while I recovered from my C-section and bonded with our newborn. Mary Ann was exceptional in every aspect of newborn and postpartum care. With her background as RN and an experienced nanny, she confidently took charge from day one. She handled everything--from swaddling and keeping the baby on a feeding schedule to making sure I stayed on track with pumping. She always had my pump parts cleaned, sterilized, and ready to use, which made those early weeks so much easier. She also gave me invaluable breastfeeding support. Thanks to her guidance, I established a full milk supply within just three days of my C-section, and I'm still successfully breastfeeding. She also referred us to an amazing lactation consultant who was an absolute game changer. Mary Ann was meticulous about everything baby-related and followed best practices in every detail. Her logging and tracking were incredibly thorough, giving us complete peace of mind. She was professional, respectful, organized, and kept everything spotless. The greatest gift she gave our family was rest. There were moments when it almost felt unreal how much recovery time my partner and I were able to get because we trusted her completely. She would even bring me a glass of iced water wherever I was--a small act of kindness that made a huge difference in my recovery. Because she took care of so much, I was able to focus on postpartum healing and even carve out time for simple self-care, like getting a haircut. Although her primary responsibility was caring for our newborn, she also formed a wonderful bond with our toddler and always made him feel included. She consistently went above and beyond by helping keep our home clean, making countless trips up and down the stairs without ever complaining, and never leaving before everything was tidied up--even if it meant staying a little past the end of her shift. We're incredibly grateful to Doulas by the Bay for matching us with someone who fit our family so perfectly. The agency made the process smooth, and Mary Ann exceeded every expectation we had. We wholeheartedly recommend Doulas by the Bay to any family looking for expert postpartum support. They gave us the gift of rest, confidence, and a much smoother transition into life as a family of four.

I reached out to find a birth doula and the initial meeting giving an overview of how they work was…read moreclear and straightforward. Doulas through this company are employees (not independent providers) and they stress that this is really good for always having a backup. We were then matched with 2 doula candidates and the scheduling process was easy and professional. However, we ultimately felt that these candidates were not properly trained or vetted. We never received any materials such as CVs for the doulas. The first doula said right away that she had never been a birth doula before and we would be her first birth. Her only experience was that she had been a night doula before. I was shocked that she had never even shadowed another birth doula as part of her training as a company employee. Bless her heart for being honest, but I did not want to pay to be her guinea pig. After this, I requested an additional candidate, but I was told the other one should be great. The second doula was also not a good fit. She kept emphasizing that at previous births hospital staff did not believe she was a birth doula (and thought she was just a family friend). It became clear why. I asked about her qualifications and she said she's working on her bachelor's degree even though she already has a master's degree. I thought this was strange and asked some follow up questions and ultimately could not determine what degree she had (maybe an associate's degree) or didn't have (definitely did not already have a master's). I also asked some basic medical questions about pain control and epidurals and she was not able to answer them. Ultimately we were able to find a wonderful birth doula through another matching company - experienced and with a real master's degree (in public health).

Have you ever met someone and thought to yourself, dang, that human was born to do this kind of…read morework and has a real gifting for it? That was my thought about Lauren after meeting her for the first time (she taught our 6 week birth prep course). This woman was in her element. She cared, she was knowledgeable, and and she lit up the room. To our pleasant surprise and an epic answer to prayer, she ended up being our doula and what a gift she was in that space for us too. Lauren knew when to say or do something and the art of not saying or doing. We ended up having a dream birth and I'm not sure I would have been able to do it without her support. She was a part of the dream birth. She came along and partnered with me and my husband in a way that complemented and strengthened. Lauren helped me to trust myself and my body. There are no guarantees with birth. I don't love Lauren because I had a dream birth; I love her because of who she is and am so grateful she was with us and for us in the tender, sacred space of birth. No doula is for everyone, but if something about her resonates with you, book a call to see if there's a match.

Lauren is incredible! She helped me bring both of my babies into the world and I couldn't imagine…read morethe birth experience without her. She brought such a truly compassionate, intuitive, calming, and empowering presence to the experiences, and navigated all of the twists and turns with us. She felt like part of the family, and made us feel so held throughout the entire process from prenatal to postpartum. I couldn't recommend Lauren more highly. I almost want to have another baby just to be able to work with her again! If you're considering hiring her, DO IT! She's the absolute best.