TLDR: Liat is incredible. If there's one thing I would recommend to help you through your labor,…read moreit's having her by your side. She was the best decision we could have made. My husband and I went back and forth for months about whether we wanted to include a doula in our birth experience. After a lot of discussion, we decided to hire one for two reasons: first, we wanted someone who could help us advocate for ourselves in the hospital so we could stay as close to our birth plan as possible. Second, we wanted someone who could physically support me throughout labor. Liat is truly one of the most incredible human beings I've ever met. She became such an essential part of my birth experience that, looking back, I genuinely don't think I could have done it without her. To make a very long story short, I chose to be induced at 41 weeks after a lot of pressure and fear mongering from my doctors due to elevated amniotic fluid levels. I labored at the hospital until my contractions reached a certain intensity, and then Liat joined us. The moment she arrived, she jumped right in--rubbing my back, talking me through each contraction, and bringing such a calming presence into the room. For the next seven hours, she coached both my husband and me through contractions that were every 2-3 minutes apart. She constantly adjusted my laboring positions to help my baby descend and was incredibly attentive to the fetal monitor. Anytime my baby's heart rate dipped during a contraction, she immediately repositioned me to help him tolerate labor better. Those seven hours somehow flew by. I labored on the birth ball, in the bed, in the bathroom, and even did lunges at one point! Liat was always thinking one step ahead, using every tool and technique she had to help labor progress naturally. Eventually, I reached a point where I decided to get an epidural. I was exhausted, in pain, and my baby was having a harder time tolerating the contractions, with his heart rate decelerating during each one. After the epidural, my labor was paused to help baby, and I was able to rest for about an hour. When I woke up, the nurses wanted to talk about interventions (even the possibility of a C-section) because my labor "wasn't progressing"--despite the fact that they had just given me medication to stop my contractions. Liat immediately stepped in and advocated for us. She calmly explained that labor couldn't progress without contractions and suggested restarting the Pitocin, giving it time to work, and then reassessing before making any decisions. Sure enough, labor picked back up beautifully. A few hours later, I was fully dilated and effaced, but my baby's station was still a little high. Liat spent what felt like hours gently rocking my hips and helping my baby naturally move farther down into my pelvis until it was finally time to push. She stayed by my side every step of the way until our son was born later that afternoon. If you're on the fence about hiring a doula, I cannot recommend Liat enough. She advocated for me every step of the way, helped me navigate unexpected twists in my labor, and supported both me and my husband physically and emotionally throughout the entire experience. Her knowledge, calm confidence, and compassion made all the difference. A few weeks after our son was born, Liat came to visit us at home, and it honestly felt like having family over. Liat, we are endlessly grateful for everything you did to help bring our son safely into this world. We love you, and we can't wait to have you by our side again when it's time to welcome our next baby. Love, The Zimmerman Family

I had the most wonderfully redemptive unmedicated VBAC a few weeks ago, and it is difficult to…read moreoverstate how critical of a role Liat played in making that happen. My first birth had gone much differently than I had hoped (preterm labor that led to immediate C-section due to breech positioning). I had come to terms with that experience, but I was surprised to find in my second pregnancy that it would be difficult to escape those "labels" from my first pregnancy, making it harder to be given a fair shot at having a vaginal birth. Thankfully, I found Liat whose passion for VBACs is infectious and whose no-nonsense approach is grounding. In our conversations before the birth, my husband and I both appreciated the balance of her approach - she strongly believes in the benefits of physiologic birth, but she also recognizes there is a time and place for medical intervention. My primary hope for this birth was that I wouldn't undergo any interventions that I wasn't convinced I needed, and she was a trustworthy sounding board throughout the entire pregnancy and delivery to ensure that was the case. This time around, my baby decided to stay inside long past the due date, so I agreed with my provider that it would be a good idea to induce. This was pretty disappointing for me, but Liat was wonderful at helping me stay in a good headspace in those final days, checking in frequently via texts and calls. When it came time for delivery, she was every bit as exceptional as all her other reviews describe. When she arrived at the hospital, she took one look at me and knew exactly how to change my environment to help me relax. Sure enough, labor accelerated rapidly after she arrived. She massaged my back through every single contraction. She knew exactly what to say to keep my mind present and focused. When she was talking me through my contractions, they were noticeably more efficient. At one point, I almost wanted to give up and she knew exactly how to keep me going. And sooner than I could have dared hope, my baby arrived. I'm pretty sure I professed my love for Liat minutes after giving birth :) And just as she had been for the entire pregnancy and labor, she was a constant comfort and encouragement to us in the minutes, days, and weeks after the delivery as well. Liat takes absolutely no BS, but is also the warmest and most compassionate woman you've ever met. She's exactly who you want at your birth. I know I want her at my next one!

We feel so incredibly lucky to have had Marilou as our postpartum night doula. I ended up needing…read moreto be induced earlier than expected, so we had to arrange support at the very last minute. I was honestly pretty anxious going into it because we didn't have the opportunity to interview or even speak with her beforehand, and we were simply going off her profile that was shared with us. But from the moment she arrived, she immediately put us at ease. She was with us for those first few nights home from the hospital, when I was exhausted, emotional, and very newly postpartum. She had such a warm, gentle, and calming presence, and having her there made those overwhelming first nights feel so much more manageable. She was incredibly sweet and attentive with our baby, but she was equally caring toward me, always checking in and offering thoughtful tips for both newborn care and taking care of myself during recovery. She helped with feeds, baby laundry, and washing and assembling bottles and pump parts, and was always punctual, dependable, and proactive. Most importantly, we felt completely comfortable having her care for our brand new baby during such a vulnerable time. Our only regret is that we didn't find her sooner! Because everything came together so last minute, she was only available to be with us for a few nights, and we absolutely would have loved to have had her for longer. We're so grateful she was there when we needed her and would wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for a kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring postpartum doula. Thanks Marilou and Doulas by the Bay!

We had a wonderful experience with Brenda. She came to meet us before the baby was born, which was…read morereally helpful and gave us a chance to get comfortable with each other beforehand. Once the baby arrived, she was incredibly helpful, especially with tips and guidance on how to soothe him and help him get to sleep. She was so kind, gentle, and caring with our baby, and it was such a pleasure to have her with us during these first days. We're very grateful for all her help and would absolutely recommend her!

When interviewing doulas, I knew Fabienne was the one based on her gentle confidence and lovely…read morepersonality within minutes of meeting her. And when I asked her why she'd became a doula, her answer that she'd had an exceptional birth experience created a vision in me that I too wanted to experience an exceptional birth......and I knew she'd be a big part of that! My husband and I had taken several birth education classes before we had our first prenatal education meeting with Doula. Within 30 minutes of her practical yet lightheartedly humorous instruction, my husband turned to me and said "I've learned more than from her than in 12 hours of classes"! Fabienne was there through many late night texts over several days during pre-labor (as a first time mom, thinking i was going into labor). And when my water broke, she was there inhumanly fast and made us feel so confident, peaceful and yet in control of our experience. When I look back at my birth, I joke that if I had to choose between the three people in the room (my mom, my husband and Fabienne), I'd choose Fabienne to be there. And it's only partially a joke! She so effortlessly was there as my friend, my advocate, my voice of reason, my coach and the glue that bound the beautiful chaos into the happiest time of my life. And she did it through 26 hours of labor!!! Even after our little one was born, her knowledge was instrumental, from swaddling properly (a newborn is very different than swaddling a doll!), to avoiding wet through diapers to properly wrapping for skin to skin. She was the best part of our birth experience outside of meeting our son and we hope to have the privilege of having her there when we have our next child! I can't recommend her enough.....your child is likely the most monumental thing that will occur in your lifetime. And the situation and people surrounding that will forever be part of the fabric of your memories. Having her knowledge, experience and love as part of that will be such a gift.

My husband Ian and I had a wonderful experience with Fabienne…read more We met Fabienne at a "Meet the Doula" night at Blossom Birth and unanimously agreed that Fabienne would be the best fit for us. Over the course of my pregnancy, she was there every step of the way with her non-judgmental, accepting approach; finding humor, fun, and friendship throughout the process. I would recommend her lovely services to any lady anywhere!

I found Lauren through the Evidence Based Birth website. I was so grateful to have a doula who was…read moreup to date on the research and would help support us in pushing against some unnecessary hospital conventions while still being generally pro-medicine. Lauren was very responsive and helpful throughout our pregnancy. We had great prenatal visits and texted and emailed about some concerns that arose. Lauren always replied promptly with great insight and calm. She was just the same way on the day I gave birth. I texted her early in the day that I was feeling contractions but I thought they might be Braxton Hicks. She suggested I focus on other things and time again in a few hours. Later that night it became clear I was going into labor. I waited a bit too long before asking Lauren to come - I had just started to feel the urge to push when she arrived. But I knew I was in safe hands. She drove me to the hospital while my husband grabbed our bag. Along the way she bent over so I could lean on her through the contractions. I gave birth to our beautiful baby girl 40 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. Lauren cooled my face with a cold towel and massaged me through the contractions. She also took lovely photos just after the birth. An hour later, I turned up my husband and said, "I could do that again." It was no doubt thanks in part to Lauren's emotional and physical support. She stayed another 2-3 hours after the birth as well to make sure we were all settled. Lauren has also been helping a new doula Emily train. Emily attended our birth as well and it was helpful to have her extra set of hands!

I sent an inquiry about availability and setting up a consultation for being my birth doula BUT…read moreShe's not accepting clients right now due to being a recent mom. I appreciated her prompt response to inform me.

I'm a second-time mom, and I truly thought I knew what to expect before, during, and after…read morebirth--but I couldn't have been more wrong. Working with Caitlin completely transformed my pregnancy and postpartum experience. From day one, Caitlin brought such deep wisdom, calm, and kindness into every interaction. She guided me through breathing techniques, helpful movements for labor, and thoughtful ways to keep my husband involved and confident throughout the birthing process. Her support didn't stop there--her postpartum guidance was invaluable for my healing and for adjusting to life with a newborn (and she even helped us navigate things with our toddler!). What I appreciated most was how collaborative she was. Caitlin never came in with a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, she listened, offered options, and worked with me to figure out exactly what I needed as a mom--and what would help my baby thrive. I cannot recommend Caitlin enough to anyone looking for genuine, knowledgeable, and compassionate support before, during, and after birth. She is truly a gift.

1000/10 would recommend Caitlin's prenatal yoga, birth prep seminar and doula services across the…read moreboard. Caitlin is accessible, intuitive and knowledgeable. I look forward to continuing to work with her and will recommend her to all other expecting parents I know.

We were incredibly lucky to have Thais as our postpartum doula for the first 6 weeks with our first…read morebaby. From the start, she was thoughtful and well prepared. She even came to our home beforehand to review what we had for the baby and helped us identify what we were missing. Thais truly loves babies and her work, and it shows in how gentle, attentive, and calm she is. She also organize our baby items very well, which made daily life much easier. Before her last week, she checked in to make sure I felt confident caring for the baby on my own and taught me essential skills like bathing the baby and using a baby carrier. As a first-time mom, her support made a huge difference. I highly recommend Thais to any new family.

I feel so lucky to have Thais helping me take care of my first newborn baby!…read more She has been so patient, passionate, knowledgeable and really into the details of everything. She also turned my husband and me into parents who are capable of handling different situations! She gave me good guidance on breastfeeding and pumping. And our cat loves her!

I'd like to give Caroline 5 stars even though I never paid for her services. She was nice enough to…read moregive me some pointers for free, on the day OF July 4th, no less. (Thanks again for taking time out of the holiday weekend just to talk to me!) I was desperate on the evening of July 3rd with my four month old baby going through sleep regression. I found Caroline through Yelp by searching for baby sleep consultants. I scheduled a free consulting call for the next morning through her site. Unfortunately, our timing didn't work out so I didn't end up using her as my sleep consultant - but she was so warm, easy to talk to, and genuinely cared about my situation. We talked for a good 15-20 minutes and she gave me some insights/tips at absolutely no charge.! You kickstarted my sleep training process and I am so much better now.

We used Caroline from the day we brought my daughter home from the hospital till she was around…read morefour months and derived so incredibly much value from that. I am a first-time mom, a former techie, older (42!) and single. Part of what I'm trying to communicate through that sentence is that I had extremely little experience caring for babies. What's more, I didn't really even know what I didn't know. That is, until I got to the hospital and had an emergency C-section for my two-weeks-past-due-date baby. The awesome part about getting a C-section is that you get four nights in the hospital. The best part about that is the team of nurses who are there to help you breast-feed your baby, soothe her, diaper her, swaddle her. Typically babies who are full-term, sleep pretty heavily the first couple of days. This can lull new parents into a false sense of security - "we got this!" Only to have the baby become fussy shortly after leaving the hospital (which is perfectly normal of course but part of what makes new parenting stressful)! Another benefit of C-sections is that you get to witness your baby after they've gone through this stage and are their fussy, wonderful selves! Newborn babies by and large fuss for at least an hour a day regardless of whether you are doing everything perfectly. Some babies fuss much more. Anyway, I had my daughter via emergency C-section on in early January 2016. On about day three or day four in the hospital, my daughter was fussing and fussing and nothing I was doing would soothe her. It was around then that I realized how little I knew about what I was doing. That's when I first reached out to Caroline who was - to my great good fortune - available. I hired her immediately, on the spot, after a brief phone conversation from my hospital bed. It was one of the best decisions I've made. Caroline is an expert in caring for newborns and brings a warm, soothing approach not only to your baby but to someone equally deserving of and needing such care and that is you. Because we had Caroline on our team, the first few months of my babies life or wonderful and incredible and emotional. They were not a nightmare, stressful or very anxiety-producing at all. Of course there were moments but far fewer of them and many more moments of joy because I had Caroline on my team. If you're thinking even a little bit of hiring her, do it. It will be one of the best things you've done for yourself and your new baby - providing support as you get to know one another.

I would not have survived my 43 hr natural labor without Lucia. It was a marathon for both of us!…read more I suffered through prodromal labor (Irregular contractions) for about 16 hrs, with contractions that were anywhere from 3-15 minutes apart that never became consistent. Two nights in a row, Lucia stayed with me to offer support with a TENS unit, a Rebozo scarf around my hips, getting me into the tub and encouraging me to walk and climb stairs to help active labor get kick started. She also had me do some exercises to help turn the baby to the right position. She suspected that my unusual labor might be due to a posterior baby. We even made an emergency visit to the chiropractor to get my hips adjusted (was not bad at all, chiropractor had to pause between contractions). It was not too much longer after that when active labor finally started! She was able to keep me home laboring until I was nearly 7cm dilated by the time we got to the hospital, minimizing the chances of interventions. At the hospital, Lucia pulled out her bag of tricks for active labor - non-flame candles around the room, lavender scent, citrus aromatherapy oils, walking the halls, suggesting positions for labor, etc. She also took pictures throughout my labor, which I really appreciated afterwards. When it came time to push, she suggested a tug of war method that, combined with the OB's pushing suggestion, really helped to speed up the pushing part (I was still having slow contractions!). When the baby's head was finally out, she cried. She told me she cries at every birth - and that's how I really know she really loves what she does (in addition to not sleeping for 48 hrs through my weird labor!). We both agreed it was a birth to remember! And, I could not have done it without Lucia's support.

Lucia is an excellent doula! She was so supportive and caring and an excellent pregnancy and…read morepostpartum resource for my husband and I. Active labor and transition can be a mentally, emotionally and physically challenging experience, and I'm so glad that we had Lucia's expertise to help me stick to my goal of natural childbirth. My husband was grateful for the extra support and knowledge she brought during that long night. After our beautiful son was born, Lucia paid us a postpartum visit to check up on us. I really appreciated being able to reflect and process the childbirth experience. We wholeheartedly recommend Lucia's doula services to any bay area expecting moms out there!

I have received multiple massages from Gracie during pregnancy and postpartum and they have all…read morebeen fabulous. Especially when I was 9 months pregnant, she did a fantastic job making sure I felt comfortable and helping relieving the physical pain of the third trimester. During postpartum, I have received a couple of massages for back pain related to breastfeeding and I always leave feeling rejuvenated and more aligned. Highly recommend

I reached out to Brilliant Births to find a birth doula. They offer a matching service and…read moreconnected me to 3 doulas who work independently (not employees of BB). We were really fortunate to find our birth doula (who we love!), but the other 2 candidates were not very impressive. The first doula missed our appointment with no follow-up communication. We were initially confused and thought she was the coordinator for BB, because she only communicated by text. The actual meeting was just by telephone so there was no face-to-face interaction, which felt strange. We could've easily FaceTimed or Zoomed. So communication and reliability were not great. The second doula abruptly canceled our half-hour appointment when we were 10 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment due to my husband wrapping up a Zoom meeting. During our appointment time, she was responding to my emails (in which I apologized for being late), but insisted she could no longer meet with us. I thought this was a really bad sign about what she would be like to work with - labor and delivery is rarely precisely timed and some flexibility is needed. In addition, her email said that she lives in Portola Valley, but we live Berkeley (also where Brilliant Births is located). This also struck me as strange, because it would take 1.5 hours for her to arrive to meet us at the hospital, which is not ideal.

This review is a bummer to write, but after reading other reviews about communication delays and…read moreissues on the administrative end, it's clear i'm not the only one experiencing this issue and something needs to be seriously addressed. Alicia herself is wonderful, and we used her for placenta encapsulation in 2019. We had an overall good experience, so as we are nearing the birth of our 3rd baby, I reached back out to Alicia as a return client looking for placenta encapsulation again. It took 4 days to get an initial response to my email. Julia (Alicia's assistant) reached out to let me know Alicia is on maternity leave and had a few clarification questions to get the ball rolling with another doula. Unfortunately, I never heard from Julia or anyone else again. I've since left a voicemail and 4 follow-up emails with no response. If Born Doulas is too busy to accept me as a client, I would have appreciated hearing that upfront vs. just ghosting me, especially as a returning client. These types of customer service issues are just unacceptable, and if you are looking for a doula or placenta encapsulation company during the very delicate time of pregnancy and delivery, I recommend looking elsewhere and finding a company that cares about communication.

I can't begin to describe how wonderful, passionate, caring and knowledgeable Alicia is! From the…read morebeginning she guided us during the pregnancy, had many great tips for me, and helped me make my (right) big decisions towards the end. My birth story took longer than we expected, 40+ hours and Alicia was so supportive and strong even till the last seconds, let me correct that, even after the birth! Her stamina throughout the 40+ hours is just amazing! She was always there reassuring me that everything is going well, and making sure I'm hydrated and nourished to go on with the big game. This alone makes me want to tell every women, regardless how supportive your husband is, you still need a doula 100% especially Alicia 10000%! Before and after the birth I had many complications, that caused me to be hospitalized right after my birth, so my newborn was left with my clueless husband and mother. Alicia right away came over and helped them in so many ways, guiding and teaching them how to take care of our baby. She kept checking in on me before and after the birth regarding my condition, and helped me in all kinds of ways, sending over wonderful people to help with my condition, etc. We are eternally grateful to you Alicia! Baby M sending all his love!