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.

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!

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.

I am forever grateful to Sharon for her care during my pregnancy and birth of my second child. It…read morewas such a world of difference from the first time around. My OB was nice enough, but would spend maybe 5 minutes tops just to check the baby's vitals and then usher me out the door. My OB wasn't available for my first birth, and I ended up with a surly OB at delivery that I definitely wouldn't have picked myself. I decided the second time around that I wanted a more personal level of care, and I'm so glad I went with Coastal Maternity. Sharon always gave me her undivided attention during our prenatal and postnatal visits. She was so thorough and knowledgeable, and she made sure to address any questions I had (or didn't know I had!). She brought things for me like books, tea, website recommendations, etc. She was always available via email or phone if any questions or concerns came up between visits. She also struck just the right balance for me between "crunchy" and conventional, meaning that she could readily recommend holistic remedies like acupuncture while also putting in orders for bloodwork or ultrasounds if needed. Visits definitely involved more than just checking the baby's heartbeat...She also took my well-being fully into account, as well as my husband and toddler. That level of care for my entire family meant so much to me. Personalities can factor into one's decision when choosing a midwife, but Sharon is so warm, calm, and grounded that I would imagine that she could work with just about anybody. She has such a seamless and intuitive way of knowing when to jump in and lead and when to step back and let you take the wheel. This was exactly what I needed during my labor and birth. She was there every step of the way to help me keep my focus and stay strong. She understood and respected my wishes but also knew when to make helpful suggestions and try new things if I was feeling stuck. I ended up with an empowering home birth experience that I will cherish forever. I highly recommend Sharon and Coastal Maternity!

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).

I cannot recommend Marilou at Doulas by the Bay highly enough. She was our postpartum night doula…read morefor the first few weeks after our son was born, and she was incredible. As new parents, the sleep deprivation is real, but knowing she was there allowed us to finally get the much-needed rest we required to function. Beyond just being a set of expert hands, she became a trusted guide for us and taught us invaluable newborn care tips that we still use daily. We trusted her implicitly with our baby from night one which was critical for us as anxious new parents. Marilou's calm, professional, and warm presence made us feel so at ease during a very vulnerable time. We truly loved our time with her and are so grateful for the care she provided. If you are looking for a doula who is knowledgeable, nurturing, and completely trustworthy, Marilou is amazing!

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.

Susie delivered my daughter in 2005, she was great. Although she wasnt the person who followed me…read morethroughout my pregnancy she was patient and respectful of my no-pain meds/no epidural request and was very encouraging during the labor/delivery. I',m back for my second pregnancy and have seen her a couple of times and she is very thorough *** Dr Shapiro delivered my son, and she was great, so thoughtful and respectful of my desires, she almost didnt make it! but that was the baby of course

I had my first annual exam with Susie, circa 2003. After having subsequent exams by Melissa French…read moreand Dr. Joy Zhou, I think Susie is a little rough around the edges. She's not as patient and gentle (gentle is important) as Melissa and Dr. Jo, and she doesn't do as much talking.