COVID-19 (Nineteen review challenge) Locally owned…read morebusinesses only. Review #3: I hired Fresno Birth and Baby after I had a great interview with them a couple months prior to my daughter's birth. I met with Megan and Melissa and I warmed right up to them immediately. Truth be told, I didn't even meet up with other doulas. They were recommended by my OB, so I figured they were the best (because my OB is the best). We had two prenatal visits at our house with three separate doulas - two came together at each visit. I felt comfortable with all three, and it felt great knowing I had a whole knowledgeable and supportive team by my side. We had a text chain that I had access to 24/7, and I knew I might only have one attend my birth, or all three, depending on how things turned out. Long birth story short, Melissa P was the only doula who came for my short birth. And honestly, I wouldn't have had such an amazing and short birth without her presence. My husband was amazing of course, but I knew I needed a doula and Melissa was definitely the one for the job. She had such a calming presence and I could not have done it without her. She remembered the details of my birth plan when no one else did (myself included), and we stuck to it. I am devastated that under current hospital rules at Clovis Community, CRMC, and St. Agnes, only one visitor is allowed during birth. Like I have said before, I needed Melissa there, just as much as I needed my husband. Anyway, I've given their contact info to my friends and hope that business will boom for them when these rules have been lifted. These women are the best!

From the owner: As doulas, we are educated & experienced guides through pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood…read more We arrange individualized preparation for your unique birth. We know that you will make the best choices for your family based off of your own needs and desires and we will do our best to make sure those expectations are honored by everyone surrounding your birth. We provide hands-on continuous support through your labor and birth. We utilize proven comfort techniques nd continuous encouragement for a safer and more satisfying birth experience. We present you with evidence-based information, and act as a living resource to help you understand your body, your birth, your baby and your choices.

I am so grateful to YELP for pointing me in the direction of Melissa's birthing classes! We had…read moreconflicts with several other birth class dates in the area and she offers private classes that can be scheduled at your time. These are a little bit more expensive, but not a huge inconvenience and well worth it. I started communication with Melissa by completing the interest form on her website, and just a little bit later I got a text message from her saying that we can schedule at my convenience and asking if I have any questions. We were able to hold a date and time with a deposit and we got everything set up over text and through PayPal. We even had a time conflict about a week prior and she was willing to work with us and host the class in the evening from 6pm-9:30pm. The classes are held at her home, and she has a whiteboard, tv and a comfy sitting area. She let me recline in the chair too, which was nice and relaxing. She made sure we were comfortable and offered us snacks, coffee and water. There is a book and videos that goes along with the class, and while we didn't get through the whole book, she does a nice job of pointing out the big stuff and will gladly go over or review what your preferences are. Melissa used to work at Clovis Community and so if you are planning to deliver there, she has the unique experience of knowing the process/protocols. My husband and I left feeling very informed and supported. We did not feel overwhelmed because everything was explained so nicely and at a pace that worked for our understanding. I highly recommend you using Melissa for a birth class! She also let us know about offering lactation classes with her too. This is something we are highly considering! We even have an Infant CPR set up with her in the next week and we are looking forward to it.

I've read all the baby books and figured the class would be more helpful for my husband. Boy was I…read moresurprised! I definitely learned a few things and Melissa was wonderful at answering all my questions. My husband definitely feels more confident being the support person I'll need during L&D. I recommend taking her class, it's educational and helpful. Sign up early enough, I waited until the last minute and I'm lucky I made it right before my due date.

Being a first time mom I knew I had to do everything to prepare myself. My husband and i attended…read morechild birthing classes together and don't regret it. As a female we have so many expectations from our partner which is selfish of us when they have no idea what we need from them. This class helped me realize that we were both walking in blind to this new experience. It was fun to see my husband outside of his comfort zone to learn new things for our new family. I recommend this class to anyone that has an open mind and willing to learn new things. Patty is amazing and makes you feel so comfortable!

From the owner: Compassionate lactation services in the setting of your choice, clinic, home or virtual…read moreappointments available. Over 15 years of experience.

Agreeing with the only other comment left below with 1 star review…read more Joanne was contacted in very early pregnancy by me to be my doula and we had several calls throughout my pregnancy leading up to birth. After me wanting to reschedule one phone call led to a series of short replies by Joanne, coldness, and off putting behavior. I informed Joanne I really would just love the help of doula services during my labor process so we wouldn't have any more missed phone calls or complications on that end. My due date came and went, she never reached out. I messaged her asking when I should contact her regarding when my labor starts, still super short cold answers. Finally I begin labor at 42 weeks after not talking to her for 2 weeks, she never cared to reach out inbetween, I let her know I was in labor and she simply never answered me. I reached out over 4 separate times asking for help with doula services and she completely ignored everything I sent her. I do to believe this was over money or insurance reasonings. What an absolutely horrible act a "doula" would do to her client of over 6 months. Please never use her services or other "doulas" she claims to have. A horrible horrible experience.

Johanne doesn't really care about her clients. She is not giving calls back. She says she will call…read moreyou back and then she forgets. She is over promising things before you become a client but then in practice after you are a client she changes her words and doesn't show any care or compassion. I needed to stop work with her at 38 weeks pregnant and I prefer to give birth alone rather with her. She said in the beginning I will have her or another doula that I got to know virtually and then she said I can get different doula in active labor without getting to know her. She also said I'm different client because I'm through insurance so I also not deserve in person meeting like she promised. Do yourself a favor and find a different doula. Just not this place ! Found myself angry and frustrated during my pregnancy because of her.

I've gone back and forth about writing this review, as a bad review for a small company is not…read moreinsignificant. But after many many months I am still disappointed and angry with my experience. I also learned from my midwife that my experience is not unique and happens to many women who hire Dutchess of Doula. 1. I hired Joytonia under the impression that she was my doula and that she would attend my birth unless some extenuating circumstance came up. This is what she told me. She decided to book a vacation hundreds of miles away on my due date. She told me, "don't worry, your baby won't come on time anyway, I'll be back in time." Well, she wasn't. She sent a doula I had never met to attend my birth. This doula was kind and attentive, but a complete stranger. According to my very experienced midwife, "Joytonia never attends births". My experience, apparently, is not unique. 2. As another reviewer mentioned, the birth class is not worth your time. You read from a packet the whole time and receive outdated, inaccurate nutritional advice. You could get the same quality education from your hospital. 3. Other than my first meeting with her, Joytonia was never on time or, usually, rescheduled the meeting day of. So my husband would take time off work to be at our meetings, only to be told Joytonia couldn't make it and we would have to reschedule. I know birth workers have unpredictable schedules (with babies coming at unpredictable times), but missing our meetings because of attending a birth was never her reason. Her excuse was usually that she double-booked or was too far away to make it to the meeting. 4. I don't care about this one really, but the package included a gift for baby and we never received anything. 5. For a pro in favor of Dutchess of Doula, the price (at the time I paid) was lower than any other local doula. So if you don't mind having a stranger attend your birth, maybe this could work for you. But I would never pay $1000 again for this service. Pay slightly more for someone who cares enough to not go on vacation during your birth. Take a hint from the misspelled name (it's "duchess", no "t"), this is an unprofessional operation.

First off let me start by saying these ladies are so PHENOMENAL! I was referred to by a friend and…read morethe ladies did it disappoint. I was a gestational surrogate in my last trimester, and after some research I decided that having a doula was going to be in my best interest. That way my husband could stay home with our children and I would still have someone for support. Unfortunately, I gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the bright side I had Joytonia there through it all physically and Brandy via video call (and she stayed on the call from beginning to end; a total of 8 hours). These ladies make you feel more like family than a client. After having two of my very own children I figured I knew all about child birth. BUT after taking one of the child birth classes I realized I had knew what society showed. I was always a pro-epidural person. Before meeting Joytonia I had it dead set that I was going to have an epidural just like I did with my own kids. After taking the child birth class and meeting/hearing previous clients' birthing stories I came to realization that going natural is something that our bodies are built for. I also learned that I did not need to get an IV, which is something that I thought was necessary. Needless to say, I learned so much from; meditation, breathing techniques, birthing positions, and oh those God given massages! Overall, I would recommend the ladies 10 fold. I swear I'm so ready to get pregnant again just to "work" with the ladies again! Nothing better than people that are passionate about what they do. Side note: I gave birth all natural, and Joytonia handled my mouthy stubbornness with a grain of salt.

My husband and I recently attended Stacie's childbirth education class. As a birth doula myself, I…read moreknow the importance of being educated and informed going into labor. Her class was so helpful for my husband and I to attend together! Especially for him not knowing a lot about birth, he learned so much from Stacie's hands on activities! And he was an even better supporter and birth partner during my labor because of it. Stacie is kind, sincere and very knowledgeable about all things labor and birth! I would highly recommend any expecting parents take her classes!

Stacie's class was hands down the most helpful, all-inclusive resource I had in preparing for the…read morebirth of my daughter. I took the class with my mom and best friend, who were attending the birth as well. It was the best decision I made, since it not only prepared me more for the experience of labor and delivery, it prepared my mom and best friend in such a way that they felt confident and comfortable stepping in to help during labor. Stacie's class gave my mom confidence to be a huge source of physical and emotional support for me, knowing how to encourage me and when to stay quiet. Because of this class, my best friend also now knew what to expect and was able to document the birth and to run and get things as we needed them. The most helpful part of the class for me as a laboring mom was the visuals of dilation and the stages and phases of labor. Visualizing where I was and how far I had left to go kept me encouraged along the way, realizing the longest and perhaps hardest part of labor was "getting that cervix out of the way" and knowing that once that was done, my daughter was not far away. Partly because of Stacie's class, I can say the birth of my daughter was done naturally, and is a beautiful memory I will look back on my entire life. I am incredibly grateful for having taken Stacie's class, and would recommend it to anyone (considering natural birth or not) in a heartbeat. We learned so much, and were ready and prepared for the biggest, most difficult, most rewarding day of my life.

I contacted a few lactation consultants in the beginning of 2025. Colleen got back to me and I felt…read moremost comfortable with her. She came to our home and made us feel so comfortable asking questions and addressing my concerns around my baby latching properly. After the initial visit I had follow up obstacles that she always made time to answer with care and knowledge. I would highly recommend her to any mother looking for lactation advice or doula services! She was wonderful!!

This was my third birth and my first home birth, and the care I received from Coleen was truly…read moreamazing. Compared to my previous hospital births, the difference was night and day. She made me feel safe, heard, and fully supported in every decision. During pushing, her calm coaching helped me through the toughest moments. Her postpartum care was just as exceptional -- she made sure both my baby and I were doing well, helped with breastfeeding and offered support and reassurance during the early days of recovery. I never felt rushed or overlooked. I'm so grateful for her and wish I had this level of care with my earlier births!

Omg where do I start. I barely met Cristina but she already felt super warm and easy to talk to!…read moreShes so accommodating. I got my placenta encapsulated and I'm so happy I did with HER! She was able to pick it up and drop it off and was there and communicated the whole way, especially since the hospital was telling us they couldn't provide a bucket and ice! Since I am not working and financially it's been hard for me to pay in full (took me some time) Christina was super understanding and supportive about it and gave me all the time I needed. She's awesome. Like I said, I'm glad I got to encounter this experience through her.

I don't normally post like this to review but I have to gush for a moment. We went with Doula Bula…read moreto have my placenta encapsulated in order to supplement for breastfeeding for optimum health. Unfortunately, I couldn't breast feed which was devastating for me. Cristina went above and beyond with her patience with us and gave us out of this world service and keepsakes. I've never seen this much detail and care. She makes it so personal and never like "a product" and we are thrilled. She was extremely accommodating and super responsive. It really made a tough situation feel amazing. For everything she does and what you get it's an amazing deal that any family will appreciate. I LOVE my keepsakes and I definitely recommend her to anyone looking for this service. Even the packaging was adorable and super personal. We will be coming to her again one day I hope!! I can't wait to take my capsules and feel all the nutrients.

We hired Amy in the last month of our 3rd pregnancy and I am so glad we did! That last month…read morepreparing for baby is stressful and she helped bring clarity, peace, and reminded me to rest, relax, and do simple preparations to get my body ready. She is very informative on many topics and will find the information if she doesn't know. My husband and I felt confident in making our birth preferences and being prepared for our 3rd induction. She did an amazing job including my husband in the process when it came to supporting me during the labor. We are so grateful we had her by our side looking out for our needs and best interest!

From the owner: Birth and Postpartum Doula services located in Turlock, CA and serving the Central Valley. I…read moreprovide professionally trained support for birthing individuals, and their families, to help them obtain the best possible experience during labor and delivery, as well as those early weeks of parenthood. I am trained by DONA International and in Spinning Babies techniques. I also offer Reiki energy work for the comfort and recovery of my clients.

Sara is amazing! She helped with the birth of my second child, and she made the entire experience…read moreso much better. I appreciate how she listened to what I wanted, and helped me talk through choices, and respected my wishes. She brought her expertise, but followed my lead. She was a wonderful partner to have in labor, and I appreciate all the support she provided me - and my husband - so much! Sara has such a kind heart and pleasant, calming presence. I highly recommend Sara's services as a doula!

Sara is very kind, patient and knowledgeable in field of pregnancy and newborns. Highly recommend…read moreher to all pre/post partum families