Wanted to provide an additional update since it's been about 3 months. On October 27,2025 I…read morerequested a receipt for the "services" and Marisol agreed. Till this day I have not received any sort of receipt for the "services" provided. Adding to my feelings of being ignored, since she got what she wanted the payment of $2,800 dollars.

This review truly breaks my heart to write. When I get pregnant with my second child and I…read morecontacted Marisol right away to book her as my Doula. I was so excited to finally meet her in person and I signed the contract right away. I immediately sent over my deposit and I requested that she provide me with a receipt for the deposit . The fact that she was initially declining my request for a receipt because she wanted to wait until after the baby was born was probably the first sign that trouble was coming. I went back-and-forth with her and asked to get my receipt for the money that I had already paid so that I could use that receipt for a reimbursement with my flexible spending account. She still refused to give me the receipt so I reached out to my flexible spending company and asked them if I had to wait for the baby to be born in order to be reimbursed and they said no. Finally, Marisol agreed to give me a receipt for my deposit. I found this quite odd since people generally get a receipt when money exchanges hands. My husband and I meet with Marisol around 36 weeks to go over the birth plan. I tell her that my plan is to have her help me labor at home as much as possible since I wanted to reduce the likelihood of medical interventions. I also asked they she capture some photos for us. Marisol explained that we should not contact her right away if labor starts in the middle of the night, only call when ready. She kept stressing this point and even emailed me a document that says to only call when we are ready for her to come. A couple of weeks later I go into labor late one night. My labor progressed quickly and we called Marisol when we wanted her to come over, no answer. I then texted her. A short time later I told her we were headed to the hospital. Labor pains got so intense that I was not able to monitor my phone so my husband and Marisol were texting. Labor pains were so intense so I requested an epidural at the hospital. Once Marisol got this information , she assumed she had more time. I guess she didn't take into account that that epidural was not completed. Long story short, she didn't make her way to the hospital until after the kid was born. Per her contract, she had 90 minutes to get to me. My labor was quick but she had a 3 hour heads up. I was actually disappointed that she came to the hospital because now it feels like a random acquaintance just showed up for one of the biggest days of your life and now you have to entertain them. She stayed with us until we got transferred to our postpartum room. At this point, Marisol was not a part of my birth story at all and I was angry. A couple days later I immediately requested a partial refund. She denied my request saying she was "available." Instead she offered me one additional 3 hour postpartum visit. I didn't accept that and said we could discuss this matter when she did her postpartum visit. During the visit, Marisol said she could tell that I "felt some type of way" and she asked me to share my feelings. I told her I felt cheated, I'm out a lot of money and she didn't have to do anything. It was her choice to not come to me right away, I followed all of her instructions. Marisol then told me she was actually on her way to me but she needed time to shower, clean her doula supplies and pack her doula bag. Once she heard about the epidural, she returned home to pack snacks. This information infuriated me....she missed my birth for this?!?! This is an area where you don't get a do over. I would imagine that with the nature of this job you would always have your supplies clean and ready. She ended up offering me 12 postpartum hours. I told her that was not what I wanted since I didn't want to think of things for her to help me with. In plus, it's easy to get help during the day. I ended up requesting my money back and threatening legal action since she breached her own contract. In the end she agreed to return 1/2 of my money ($1400) and I was able to avoid legal action. (I didn't mind taking legal action, this was an open and shut case according to the guidance I received). I'd say she still came out ahead, $1400 for 2 short visits to my house and a short 45 minute visit to the hospital after my kid was born. I am beyond bummed about this experience. So yes, I still "feel some type of way!" I'm not sure how you could say you were available yet you missed the birth. And I still can't comprehend the rationale. I'm so confused.

Kimberly has a very calming presence. She was very knowledgable and supportive while I prepped for…read morelabor- she provided multiple PDF and video resources. She continued to check in with me and answer questions. When I wondered if I was going into labor, Kimberly stayed up answering my text messages prepping me when it was time to go to the hospital. After I was admitted, Kimberly came and helped me labor naturally until I decided to get an epidural. She continued to provide emotional support and knowledge in a very overwhelming environment. I would recommend Kimberly for any laboring woman!

Kimberly was my wife's Doula a few months ago. I could not say more positive things about having…read moreher help in the room. I know that the day was (obviously) focused on my wife's experience but from my perspective it was extremely helpful having Kimberly there with us. She was able to advocate for us and interface with the hospital staff and lend them a helping hand, which allowed me to focus on supporting my wife and not needing to worry about the nurses. Overall, we were very thankful for her calm energy and experience!! Also she got a great photo of us in the moment :) Thank you Kimberly!!

I took Lia's childbirth class during my first pregnancy in 2023. I live in South Orange County, so…read morethe drive was a bit of a commitment, but it was absolutely worth it. Being in class with other expectant couples created such a supportive environment, and the course was incredibly comprehensive. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to navigate a hospital birth and make informed decisions about the many interventions that are commonly offered. At 38 weeks, my water broke unexpectedly while I was riding a stationary bike. I immediately reached out to Lia for guidance. Since I wasn't experiencing a fever or any signs of infection, she explained that I had options: I could either go to the hospital right away or stay home and wait for labor to begin naturally. She also educated me about the fact that the body continues producing amniotic fluid and that, in some cases, a small rupture in the membranes may even reseal. Knowing that going to the hospital before labor started would likely lead to an induction (which wasn't aligned with my goal of having an unmedicated birth) I chose to stay home and monitor myself. The night before my 39-week OB appointment, I was feeling anxious. I knew that if my provider confirmed my water had broken before labor had started, induction would almost certainly be recommended. I reached out to Lia again, and she suggested trying the Miles Circuit. I followed the stretches that evening, and to my surprise, I went into early labor around 1:00 a.m. Whether it was the Miles Circuit, my body simply being ready, or a combination of both, it gave me the confidence to keep trusting the process. In January 2024, I welcomed a healthy baby girl through the unmedicated birth I had hoped for. While my hospital experience was unfortunately traumatic, the education Lia provided made all the difference. There were many moments when my husband, my doula, and I had to advocate for my birth preferences, and it wasn't always met with respect. Without the knowledge and confidence I gained from Lia's class, I truly believe my birth could have unfolded very differently. I'm now pregnant with my second baby, and one of the first things I did was sign up to retake Lia's class. One of the biggest perks is that once you've taken her course, you can retake it as many times as you'd like for free. Childbirth education isn't something you only benefit from once, and I love having the opportunity to refresh everything I've learned before welcoming another baby. I'm incredibly grateful for everything Lia taught us. Her class empowered me to make informed decisions, advocate for myself, and approach birth with confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend her course to any expecting parents, especially those hoping for an evidence-based, physiologic birth. Even if you have to drive a little farther to attend like I did, it's worth every mile.

We took Lia's virtual Bradley method class, and would highly recommend it for any expecting…read moreparents. First off, it can be hard to find time to take a birth class, and Lia chooses convenient times, with multiple options to choose from. It's a very comfortable classroom atmosphere where I felt good to ask any question, or add any comment. Lia keeps it fun and interesting, and is a great teacher. Lia is also available outside of class for questions, and she is super responsive. It shouldn't really matter if a doula has been pregnant herself.... But it was really helpful to hear about her first hand experiences and to know that she has gone through it all before. I just wish we in lived in LA so that we could have Lia as our Doula.

Are you kidding me????…read more Sarah was in the top three of the best things that happened to us during the birth of our daughter!!! I've told her time and time again she under charges for her services, since she comes to your house more than once, she is there for the birth and does a follow up. She is the reason my wife was able to go through labor drug free and almost pain free (ask my wife she actually says its not that painful) plus she helped our cousin with a natural birth in a hospital too. Sarah is a certified Hypnobirthing doula, I should add which worked really well for us. So if your flavor is a home birth, birth center or hospital birth she is the one to call since she can work in all scenarios and without getting in the way of the Doctors, Nurses or Midwife. She is respectful of your wishes and your birth plan. Everyone should know she works all over the southland so if you are in Pasadena, OC, Westside, you name it she will likely do it. I'll happily call her for the next baby....if the wife lets us have one ;-)

Sarah is incredible.. My husband and I were referred to her by another doula friend of mine.. We…read morehad interviewed several other doulas but Sarah seemed to fit in with our needs best.. To say I had a difficult pregnancy would be an understatement... We still wanted to have the most natural birth we could and Sarah patiently walked us through all of our questions and concerns. Any time we had a question come up she was right there to walk us through it and if she didn't have an immediate answer she would point us in the right direction. We had an emergency induction and were incredibly scared. Sarah was right there with us every step of the way... This sweet woman slept in her car so she could be there the moment it was go time. There's no doubt in our minds we would have ended up in a C-Section had she not been there in my face keeping me going. She was an amazing support to my husband as well as we were not prepared mentally for what we were going through. After 33 hours of induced labor we still had the natural birth we had so desperately wanted. This woman is a god send. Why doulas arent covered by insurance is beyond me, but our investment in Sarah was worth every penny. Do yourself a favor and hire Sarah, I promise you that you won't regret it.

Pam is an incredible doula. She is knowledgeable, peaceful, caring, thoughtful, patient, and kind…read more She was the perfect doula for my unmedicated hospital birth. I was nervous about all the potential interventions that would be pushed on me so I needed someone who would help me achieve this goal. She did a phenomenal job supporting and encouraging my wishes. When the hospital pushed for one intervention, she was quick to give me research that helped me make my own decision--which happened to be contrary to the hospital policy. Her presence helped me feel confident about the decisions I made, and without her I would have caved into many things and looked back with regret. Even though the birth didn't go as I hoped-- I was in labor for 3 days and ended up taking the epidural and pitosin, I'm confident that without her I would've ended up getting a c section. Instead, I was able to deliver my baby vaginally which was a huge blessing. She supported me by providing research relevant to the circumstances I faced, teaching my husband and I what exercises we could be doing to help me cope with labor, applying acupressure, and bringing candles and lights to our labor. On top of all the things that she did for us, Pam is a really nice person to get to know. I'm grateful for her, and she holds a special place in my heart. She's probably the best doula in Los Angeles and I'm happy I was able to find a Christian doula.

I am SO thankful that God guided us to Pam! I started looking for a doula in my first trimester,…read morewhen I began considering an unmedicated hospital birth. I was overwhelmed with trying to find the right doula who served our area while dealing with terrible nausea. But when I saw Pam's website, I knew she was the one! As a Christian, having a faith-filled, God-centered birth was very important to me. And Pam definitely brought that (and more) to the table. At around 20 weeks pregnant, I was told I had a complete placenta previa. My dreams of an unmedicated and uncomplicated birth were shattered. But Pam was so encouraging and helped me to stay positive. She even prayed with me over the phone before my follow-up ultrasound. I'm thankful that we started working with Pam earlier in my pregnancy, because she was so helpful throughout it all. She always made herself available for a phone call or any questions I had. She also has so much knowledge and gave me many resources such as books to borrow, websites, and even recommendations for childbirth classes. Now for the birth! Thankfully, my placenta previa resolved, so I planned for an unmedicated hospital birth. Pam met us at the hospital, and her presence was so calming and comforting. She made sure to communicate my wishes to hospital staff and even took precious pictures throughout labor and delivery. After birth, she busted out some delicious home made soup that was much needed. Anyway, I'm just blabbing now. But I would 100% recommend Pam!! Her calm presence and wealth of knowledge and resources made my pregnancy and delivery cherished memories. Thank you, Pam!!

My first born was a c-section but I had the opportunity to get my placenta capsules from Angela. I…read moredidn't have any postpartum problems and I breastfed for a year. For my second child I reached out to Angela late in the pregnancy and she agreed to work with me as my doula. It was the best decision of my life! It was a wonderful and intense experience but I had a successful VBAC and I can't thank Angela enough. She was amazing the whole time and if I had another baby I wouldn't think twice before reaching out to her! A true life changing experience. I also had my placenta capsules and like before I haven't had any postpartum issues. Thank you so so much!

After the Long Beach Birthing Center closed unexpectedly, my husband immediately began searching…read moreeverywhere for a midwife who could take over our birth care. From the very beginning, we knew we did not want a hospital birth--both because of the high costs and the increased rate of C-sections. Finding the right midwife felt urgent and incredibly important, especially since this was my first pregnancy. That's when we found Laura. From the first conversation, my husband and Laura connected very well, and after meeting her in person, we knew she was the right choice. Laura made me feel truly welcomed, cared for, heard, and supported--something that meant everything to me as a first-time mom. At every appointment, Laura took the time to explain how our baby was doing, confirmed that she was positioned correctly, and walked us through what to expect at each stage. She guided me on workouts, nutrition, and overall prenatal care, always making sure I felt confident and informed. Anytime I had worries or questions, Laura reassured us that our baby girl was progressing beautifully, which brought us so much peace throughout the pregnancy. When the big day finally arrived, labor began early in the morning but didn't turn active until the following day. At around 3 a.m. in June, our little girl decided it was finally time. Labor was long, but Laura and her team were absolutely incredible. They supported me every step of the way--offering water, snacks, encouragement, and constant reassurance. They regularly checked our baby's heartbeat to ensure she was doing well and never made me feel rushed or pressured. I had planned on a water birth, but my body had other plans--and Laura was so supportive and adaptable, honoring what my body needed in the moment. By morning, our baby girl arrived (quite literally popping out!), and Laura guided me calmly and confidently through delivery. Her presence made me feel relaxed, safe, and completely cared for. Laura and her team handled everything with such professionalism and compassion, allowing me to focus entirely on welcoming my daughter into the world. I also can't say enough great things about her lactation consultant, Chelsea, who was absolutely amazing and so helpful. Laura even recommended our pediatrician and doctor, which made the transition into postpartum care seamless. Because of Laura, I was able to spend extra, uninterrupted time bonding with my baby girl, and that experience is something I will forever cherish. I am beyond grateful that Laura was available when we needed her most. If I am ever pregnant again, there is no question--I would absolutely return to Laura without hesitation. Thank you Laura for all the support you have given us!

I moved to Redondo Beach at 30 weeks pregnant, searching for a midwife for a VBAC after two…read moreC-sections. Despite warnings, I hired Laura because she had experienced a VBA2C herself, which made me feel confident in her abilities. I paid $7,000 before 37 weeks, but from the start, red flags appeared. Laura frequently overshared personal issues- venting about her husband mistreating her and why recent clients were transferred to the hospital. She described one transfer as a mother "refusing to get on her hands and knees despite being in pain." It felt like more of her clients were being transferred than successfully giving birth at her center. Additionally, she and her children were constantly sick, making me worry about exposure as a pregnant mom with toddlers. As my due date approached, she had me sign paperwork with business names from other midwives, clearly copied and pasted, which felt sloppy and unprofessional. When my water broke, she gave me swabs that were supposed to turn bright blue if it was amniotic fluid. Even though I knew my water had broken, the test initially didn't change color, so Laura dismissed it, insisting I had urinated on myself. It took days for a proper swab to confirm it, delaying care and increasing my risk of infection. When I expressed concern, she casually asked if I "wanted to go to the hospital," then told me that legally she'd have to transfer me after three days- completely disregarding the fact that I had been telling her about my water breaking all along. At one of my appointments, she introduced another midwife, Amy, which made me uncomfortable because Laura had previously vented to me about how Amy "wouldn't stop touching her" during her own labor despite being asked not to. She even called Amy the B-word and said Amy walked out on her during labor. Knowing this, it felt extremely unprofessional that she brought her in to assist with my care. Later, Laura accused me of avoiding check-ups, which was untrue and upsetting. I lived three minutes from the birthing center and was always willing to come in. Despite her personal struggles, I had even offered to support her. During labor, Laura's birth assistant, Haika, was the only good part of my experience. She was kind, gentle, and truly passionate about birth work. If you're looking for a midwife, I highly recommend skipping Laura and going straight to Haika. When Haika was present, I was progressing well, reaching 7 cm. But when Laura took over so Haika could rest, everything changed. Her cervical exams were painful, rough, and intrusive. Her energy was intimidating, and I stopped progressing. Eventually, I had to transfer to the hospital, and honestly, I was relieved to leave. At the hospital, I received an epidural, which allowed me to relax enough to fully dilate, but during my stay, I was also sexually harassed by a doctor who is now under investigation at Cedars. After birth, I discovered that Laura had taken several photos of my private areas without my consent. I asked her to delete them, and while she agreed, she never did so in front of me. She also failed to complete my postpartum visits, using her constant illnesses as an excuse, but never reached out to reschedule or check on me or my newborn. Seven months later, she sent me a Mother's Day text, but by then, I had nothing more to say--she never followed through on the care I paid for. It took me a year to write this, but it needs to be shared. My experience was the opposite of the glowing reviews I read before hiring her. Every time she gets a negative review, a friend posts a five-star one, but those of us who've actually worked with her know the truth. I've since connected with other former clients who had similar experiences. If you're searching for a midwife, please reconsider working with Laura. This is a warning from one mother to another- there are far better options. ** and just like i said, immediately after Laura gets a negative review, she asks a friend (or it could be her behind a fake profile) to give a 5 star review. She's extremely toxic and if you work with her- you will 100% see how accurate the negative reviews are. Hire at your own risk!

Tldr: Get the deluxe package. You won't regret it…read more I can't recommend Holly highly enough. I've really struggled to write this review because I can't put my gratitude into words. Before, during, and after my birth, Holly was beyond supportive to both my husband and me. Leading up to our due date, Holly helped us articulate our goals and provided relevant resources that helped us feel so prepared. When we went past our due date and we felt conflicted about what steps to take, she helped us clarify our thinking, gave me the confidence to advocate for myself, and brought so much calm to some stressful situations. During labor, Holly was an absolute master. She got me through labor without an epidural and helped coach me through getting my baby out in only four pushes! She also helped keep my husband calm through what could have been a very nerve wracking experience. Without her, we both would have been so much more scared and uncertain. It was so reassuring to know we had someone we could trust to guide us through such a monumental moment in our lives. After my baby was born, I really struggled. Holly showed up for me in ways that I feel were beyond the call-of-duty for a typical doula. She was truly there for me in the most vulnerable time of my life. Then, at our postpartum well check, she helped me process my birth story. Prior to our meeting, I felt traumatized. After our meeting, I feel lucky and grateful. I don't know what she did to help me reframe the experience in my mind, but I am way more at peace. I can confidently say that Holly made the most earth-shattering experience of my life infinitely better. I don't even want to think what it would have been like without her.

Pregnancy and giving birth was one of the most meaningful and empowering experiences of my life,…read moreand Holly played an extraordinary role in making it that way. Working with her from pregnancy through postpartum was nothing short of transformative. From the moment she took us on as clients, I felt deeply seen, cared for, and empowered. Throughout my pregnancy, she provided a wealth of resources -- from dietary guidance and exercise tips to ways to promote the growth of my baby and prepare for labor -- and helped me process and make informed decisions for myself. She anticipated questions before I even had them and ensured I felt knowledgeable and confident every step of the way about all the decisions we faced. Holly made the entire process beautiful, spiritual, informed, and deeply connected. She helped me get in touch with my own needs and empowered both me and my husband to feel confident and capable throughout. During labor and delivery, she was with us every step of the way -- whether on the phone or coming to our home to assist me in labor and guide us on navigating the transition to the hospital. In those moments of extreme intensity, Holly was so in tune with me; she knew exactly what to say and how to help me navigate each wave. It felt like she, my husband, and I were in a shared trance, and I felt completely held and nurtured. I wanted a natural labor, and Holly championed that goal every step of the way; I truly believe I would not have been able to achieve a natural birth in a hospital without her. Immediately postpartum, Holly continued to be an incredible presence during the intense and sometimes overwhelming adjustment to life on the other side of birth. She listened deeply, advocated for my mental and physical health, and again never imposed her opinions. Instead, she helped us think clearly, process our emotions, and understand our own decisions and feelings, giving us confidence in our new roles as parents. What's incredible about Holly is that she ensures you are informed, know your rights, and understand all your choices -- while always advocating for you -- yet she never makes decisions for you. She is non-judgmental, full of positivity, love, and light, and makes the journey feel sacred, grounded, and empowering. Holly is an exceptional doula and guide -- she truly transforms the birth experience. She is absolutely incredible.