Johanna made our home birth experience one that we will never forget. After talking to over a dozen…read moremidwives and looking even in other states for the perfect match, our last phone call was from a referral to Johanna. Her gentle and confident approach made us feel safe. Johanna is never in a rush whether it be during her pre-and postnatal visits or with a question over the phone, she is always there and present when you need her. She is reliable, accommodating, always on time and keeps her word. Johanna's visits taught us so much and answered many questions that we never would have known who to ask them to. The prenatal visits made us so much more prepared as first time parents not just for a healthy and satisfying birth, but also with questions such as sleeping arrangements, breast-feeding support, pregnancy clothing, and postnatal support to name a few. Johanna seemed to know exactly what we wanted out of our birth beyond what we even knew, and made the birth experience memorable and very enjoyable. With her vast experience as a second generation midwife, she has seen it all and is full of options that makes her a truly one-size-fits-all midwife! Through the time we spent together, Johanna became not only a friend, but a genuine part of our family. As very strategic and prudent people, Johanna truly exceeded our expectations of what a midwife could be and the services she provides. We hope to have the privilege of using Johanna again if we have the blessing of another birth in the future. Words can't express how valuable and what a gem she truly is. Obviously, we highly recommend her.

Completely unprofessional and neglectful. My experience with Jennifer as a midwife was truly…read moredisturbing. This was my first pregnancy and I was relying on Jennifer to guide me through birth. A couple hours after my contractions became constant and increasingly intense, I called her. She told me to lay down and get some sleep, that it would be at least 24 hours. When I asked if I should let her know when contractions reached a certain timing, she told me not to time them at all. I asked when she would know to come, and her answer was: "I'll hear it in your voice." Apparently that means when you can't speak then she'll come. Four hours later, I gave birth. During that time, I labored alone--scared, confused, and unsupported. Jennifer did not check in with me by text or phone. The doula Jennifer referred me to was also no help during labor. I called her 4 times to please come but she kept saying it wasn't time yet and only telling me to keep breathing over the phone. I felt helpless. Finally, after the fourth call she came and arrived at 10:30, by 11:20pm I gave birth. Jennifer didn't arrive until 12:30am--well after my baby was born. I was worried because she lived over 40 mins away but always told me she would be there. She reassured me she never missed a birth which is obviously a lie. Afterwards, when I tried to express how traumatic this was for me she took no accountability. She claimed she did everything right and only blamed the doula for not communicating with her. She also put the blame on me claiming my labor was just "too fast." She had always told me to wait until she arrived for the tub because she would set everything up. So everything we planned was pointless, I gave birth standing up over my bathroom counter. She said there were absolutely no refunds and never apologized for what I went through. I was robbed of my water birth experience. This was supposed to be a supported, empowering home birth. Instead, it was the most frightening experience of my life. I'm now terrified of ever getting pregnant again. I could never recommend Jennifer as a midwife she will not be there when you need her the most.

If you are looking for relatable, zero judgement, super informed and extremely supportive and…read morehelpful midwives, Maggie and Andrea are it! We were in their care for our first pregnancy and they made us feel so much care and love throughout. I loved having a personal connection with them. We really enjoyed every appointment and I'm really sad we have "graduated" out of care and moving on to our pediatrician/family doctor. A few things that stood out and I particularly appreciated about their practice: 1. Their office is small and cozy and a few minutes from our home. 2. Labs were ran through an in network provider, so I didn't have to pay out of pocket. Even though they are not in-network with anyone. Also results always came back super fast. 3. They have referrals for just about everything related to pregnancy and postpartum and some in-network providers. 4. Most appts are an hour long and they are extremely responsive/communication is always top tear. 5. They are also lactation specialist, so no need to hire someone else if you need help or have questions once baby is born. 6. They are a great balance of holistic/western medicine and have a great relationship with Ventura County Medical if you need to go to the hospital for any reason at any time during your pregnancy, delivery or postpartum. 7. They are super down to earth, funny and relatable! We will def. be reaching out again for future pregnancies! Love them!

My husband and I couldn't have chosen a better care team for our family. Andrea and Maggie…read moresupported us through our entire first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We left each prenatal visit excited and without worry. They are both so knowledgeable and have great energy. My birth experience was so special. They came to my house early morning and by early afternoon my son was in my arms. Maggie coached me through contractions on the phone allowing me to relax until they arrived. Once they arrived at my home, they set up quietly and quickly making sure not to disturb me. Throughout my labor, they massaged my back with essential oils and made sure I stayed hydrated and energized with water, juice, and snacks. They encouraged me as I pushed and helped move me into different positions when things got tough for me. When my boy was born, they handed him directly to me for skin-to-skin. Within the first two weeks after the birth of my son, Maggie and Andrea helped educate us on tongue ties(while still recommending we do our additional research). They referred us to a specialist who successfully cut our son's ties(tongue and lip). We saw Andrea and Maggie shortly after and they were able to demonstrate how to properly stretch the wounds. At about 5 weeks postpartum, I went to the emergency room for pain and ended up getting surgery to remove my gallbladder. While I was in the hospital my son ran out of breast milk. My husband reached out to our midwives and they were able to help us get donor milk. Once I was released, I noticed a dip in my milk supply and they saw us for two additional visits to help me increase my supply and then to confirm our baby was transferring enough milk. Andrea and Maggie are wonderful midwives with so much knowledge. They truly care about the families in their care, not just the moms and babies but the dads too. I am so lucky I found them and would never do a birth with anyone else. If you or someone you know needs quality people on their care team, Andrea and Maggie are the best.

Jennifer was a complete blessing for my hub's and my first baby--she went above and beyond to help…read moreus make the best decisions we could with all the information and research she shared with us. I really wanted a home birth, and I'm so thankful Jennifer helped make that happen. Postpartum care was unmatched in my opinion, that was really another huge highlight for us--so much more personal and helpful than our visits to the cold and sterile doctors office. Jennifer also helped me figure out which supplements and natural herbs/tinctures were safe for me during pregnancy in addition to postpartum. So thankful for her kind and skilled care!

Best decision we made hiring LA Midwife Collective. I transferred to their care 7 months into my…read morepregnancy. Though initially going for a Hospital Birth since I was 43 I was immediately put in the 'High Risk' category and all the shenanigans that come with that. So, at the encouragement of a friend of ours (Natural Birth Instructor) and with my husband fully on board, we decided to take control and started interviewing Birth Centers and Midwives. What attracted us to LA Midwife Collective was that we were getting 2 licensed midwives with years of experience. The moment we met Monica and later Jennifer, we were drawn to their professionalism, knowledge, and comforting approach. They made us feel so comfortable and empowered that we knew were in capable hands for the birth of our daughter. I loved that each visit was not rushed and not just about our baby but me...what was I eating? How was I feeling? Emotionally, physically? Exercises to do and foods to add. When decisions had to be made, they made sure we had all the information needed (pros/cons) so we could make an informed decision. Jennifer & Monica quickly went from strangers to family. The birth of our baby couldn't have gone better. Though Jennifer was off that weekend our doula, Johanna who also was their birth assistant, helped with the delivery of our baby. There were moments during the pushing stage where I started to panic and doubt myself, but Monica was right there saying exactly what I needed to hear. And after the birth as my husband and I were getting acquainted with our daughter Monica was in our kitchen making us something to eat. The care didn't end at the birth when issues came up with breastfeeding Monica was extremely quick to respond to our concerns. We loved the visits made to our home 1 day and 1 week after along with the office visit at week 3 and 6. The level of care we experienced exceeded anything we could have imagined. After this experience I now believe that regardless of one's birth plan every woman should have access to this type midwifery care.

If you are even the slightest bit open to a birthing center/home birth please do research and…read moreconsider this option. I watched "the business of giving birth" (2008 documentary) a decade ago and this was the start of potentially being open to this option (midwife/birth center/home birth). (Highly recommend this documentary, wish there were more!!!) Robyn is phenomenal. She is an expert. She knows what she's doing and is an excellent midwife and human. What a blessing My experience was her being extremely responsive and supportive. Ask ALL the questions!!! Sometimes we don't know what all to ask which is okay too, she informs you on so much. Especially home aftercare. Regardless of what decision one makes on giving birth it's a magical and empowering one. Sending health and happiness to all mothers and expecting mothers. If anyone has questions I'd love to be an advocate for this hospital alternative so please send a message.

We are so Glad we decided to go with Robyn as our midwife. I had a horrible birth experience with…read moremy first child and needed something positive for the second. She is so knowledgeable in what she does, does not rush you and respects all your decisions. I had a vbac at the birth center and was beyond pleased with how smooth it went. Thank you Robyn for giving us a great birth experience!

She's the best. I don't know what to say. The level of care she has for her patience is unmatched.read more

Dr. Phabby is the OB/GYN of my dreams. She was exactly what I needed during my pregnancy, birth,…read moreand postpartum. So loving and compassionate, perfect bedside manner, excellent service. It was only an added bonus that she makes house calls and takes my PPO insurance. She recommended that I deliver my daughter at a local, private hospital and she was absolutely correct. I received personalized care and felt like both, a dignitary and a family member. I highly recommend Dr. Phabby to loved ones and friends.

I had the most wonderful experience at Pure Births! From the moment I walked in for the info…read moresession and tour I knew I was in the right place and that I would be birthing my baby there. I didn't even felt the need to look into any other birthing center. I transferred my care from an OBGYN to Pure Births a little after I was 20 weeks pregnant and they helped me make sure all the paperwork was completed quickly and smoothly. I felt cared for and supported by everybody at Pure Births through each prenatal and postnatal appointment. I literally cannot imagine how I would have gotten through my pregnancy without them. They listened to my every little worry, reassured me that everything was okay, and encouraged my preference of wholistic care. Pure Births also works with a lactation consultant and a childbirth educator that provide classes at their facility to help you be prepare for when your baby comes - these classes were so informative and they helped me feel lees nervous about becoming a new mom and breastfeeding my baby. I am specially grateful for Angela, she did my intake session and was the midwife on call the day I gave birth, I felt so safe, understood, and cared for with her. You will all forever hold a special place in my heart!

I had the most beautiful experience at Pure Birth. From the prenatal visits, the guidance, the…read moreclasses - to the actual birth of my first child. No words can explain this experience. The midwives were amazing, it was very personal and intimate, I kind of want to get pregnant again just to give birth at the birth center again lol! I am beyond grateful for the team of midwives and the birth center. I'll never forget it! So professional, spiritual, holistic, I wish every momma will get to feel what I felt giving birth there. Truly magical.

Words can't describe the vibes & energys that was on our birth room ..my wife was having her birth…read moreexperience to the fullest and exactly like her birth plan and all of that couldn't happened without Cynthia's services Cynthia is well educated in all of birth world and know everything about woman's needs in this precious time of newborn coming to the world she made our birth room look like a yoga class in a spa and our minds clear of fear allso as a husband i felt much more confident and secure to have a professional educated and highly sensitive doola that listen to my wife's needs ( and allso giving me my sleep time :) .. me and my wife moved into California not long time ago and our families are over seas it was so important to us to have a natural birth experience she was giving birth in a hospital and we were afraid to deal with medical intervention i really believe and know that we couldn't do that without Cynthia's help Thank you Cynthia for giving us the opportunity to have an amazing experience of life

From the owner: The Birth Whisperer, Cynthia Marie, PhD, has a passion for the birth process and wants to support…read moreevery woman in having the birth they choose with as few interventions as possible. She encourages each client's partner to be involved as little or as much as they are comfortable with. She offers doula and lactation support during conception, prenatal, birth, and postpartum She supports all births including Natural/Non-Medicated/Minimal Interventions, VBAC, C-Section, Home Birth, Water Birth, HypnoBirth, and Birth Center. She offers special sessions in Couple’s Birth Preparation, Childbirth Eduaction, Child Development, Reiki Energy Healing, The Fourth Trimester, The First Forty Days, Attachment Parenting, Safe Bedsharing, and Effective Child Discipline. Clients may attend sessions with a partner or solo. Birth the way you choose... Get attached to your birth plan... Happy mama, happy baby, happy family.

If you have been considering a natural home waterbirth as a possibility for your next birth…read more Seriously... you can look no further. Pick up the phone and call Birthwell... RIGHT NOW! Words can not begin to describe the appreciation I have for Mari and her team. The care I received from Birthwell exceeded all of my expectations and I felt like I was in this big bubble of love during every visit. I know that sounds a bit sappy, but when you have been working so hard being pregnant and preparing for that perfect birth, feeling supported with love and acceptance really makes a difference. And that is exactly what I was blessed with- an absolute perfect birth. I had been receiving prenatal care through my insurance provider at a local hospital, not very happy with the rushed, impersonal experience of being there. After my first ultrasound, doctor after doctor told me that my placenta was too low for a home waterbirth- it wasn't quite a previa, but "too close for comfort" in their eyes. At 36 weeks they were adamant about scheduling me a c-section (the last thing you want to hear when you had been committed to a natural birth), so I demanded one last look. I had been praying so much that my placenta move just the 2 millimeters out of the way. My OB really didn't think it was going to in only two weeks since the last ultrasound, but low and behold, it had! I took this as a sign to get a Midwife and do it the way I wanted from the beginning - at home and in the water. Mariposa of Birthwell was recommended to me by two difference sources - coincidentally the first two people I had asked. I knew that choosing a midwife was a very personal and important decision, so I did my research and looked at all the different midwifery service providers around LA. Before I gave Mari a call, I went on to her website to check her bio. The second I saw her amazing eyes, I was overflowing with tears. I knew right away she was the one. It was a great bonus that she ended up having so much Labor & Delivery experience and that she was super-sweet an empowering. I don't think I've even told her this, but she had me at the online photo :-) After an in-person meeting with her and my partner, we "tied the knot" and she put me to work. There was so much preparation my body needed for the birth that I had no idea about. I was shocked my OB hadn't told me even a fraction of tricks Mari filled me in on. From the yoga moves, to the borage oil, to the squats- I was on a daily regime that got me ready for the big day. One night at around 10:00pm, just after finishing Mari's prenatal yoga video and downing some fresh coconut juice, it started. The contractions were happening every 6 or 7 minutes, but they were pretty manageable. I called Mari up and she told me to call her every hour to tell her how far a part they were at each hour increment. I was pretty surprised, considering it was already so late at night and worried I was going to keep her up all night with phone calls until it was time for her to come (I have a family history of 30-40 hour labor "marathons", so I knew it was going to be a while). After a few hours, I ended up falling asleep somehow. At 5:30am I woke up to my water breaking in bed (luckily Mari had given me a checklist for preparing my home for the birth- including a full waterproof bed pad we had on the bed ready to go!) I called up Mari and she said she was on her way over. She lived pretty close and was at the house within 20 minutes. The contractions weren't that bad, but they were happening every 2 minutes or so. She checked me and we both couldn't believe that I was already dilated 8 centimeters! I got in the water (we had a hot tub prepared on the deck) and she called her assistant to come. Less than 3 hours later, our precious little girl was born. It went so perfect in every way and Mari & Beth were a true blessing. Mari taught me how to breath, low and slow, and she made me feel fearless and so powerful. I was able to birth my daughter in the water and Mari talked me through how to birth most of her by myself- something I really wanted to do. It was the happiest moment of my life. It's been 3 months and, safe to say, Mari is definitely a part of the family.

The level of pre and postnatal care I received from Mari was beyond my expectations. I began my…read morecare with Birthwell at 10 weeks pregnant and just delivered my healthy, beautiful boy on 7/21. He was born at home, in the water, drug free-Just how I imagined. If you want a beautiful, empowered, natural birth with a practitioner who brings the energy of a professional nurse as well as a supportive best friend-She is your girl.

The doctor is amazing! I had a great experience. He was very knowledgeable, caring and made me…read morefeel extremely comfortable. His staff is very professional. I plan on coming here annually for as long as I live in the area.

I've had an overall disappointing experience with this practice, and unfortunately I can't…read morerecommend them. The midwives themselves have been great. They are kind, knowledgeable, and supportive, but the front office and administrative side has been consistently frustrating. The administrative staff is disorganized and unprofessional. They frequently mix up appointment times, give conflicting information, and make even simple tasks feel unnecessarily difficult. They don't use email or an online portal to send updates, test results, or appointment confirmations, which makes it almost impossible to keep track of anything. Everything has to be done by phone, and the communication is often curt or dismissive. Another major frustration is that any time I need bloodwork, I have to schedule a completely separate appointment with a third-party lab instead of being able to do it in-office. This makes routine prenatal care far more inconvenient than it needs to be. I really wanted to have a good experience here, especially since the clinical care from the midwives has been positive, but the front-office management has caused so much stress and confusion that I'm choosing to switch practices. I hope they improve their administrative processes and communication in the future.