Had our second with Michele and couldn't imagine this chapter without her and the team. We love…read morethem so much

very condescending and pretentious. when meeting in person and on the phone responded with "um do…read moreyou have a question?" Without explaining much or any of her process. Asked for my name and email about 5 times and still butchered it. after visiting a few other midwife's I was told by a few not just one, that she doesn't attend most of her births! she called one day to cancel me and I responded with "that's ok I found another midwife" she was upset I wouldn't tell her who it was and proceeded to inappropriately laugh. If you don't get a warm fuzzy from her even through a phone call there's a reason! trust it.

I had such an amazing experience at Acorn Community Birth Center. From the beginning to the end and…read moremy postpartum visits, it was just such a wonderful experience. I was first greeted by Cristi, the executive director and midwife. She made me feel at ease and made me and my husband feel very comfortable. The birth center itself is in a peaceful community in Fallbrook. It has 3 birth rooms to choose from that are themed differently. I believe I chose the green room which acquired to my liking and it was extremely peaceful. The rooms are a good size and very comfortable. My birth experience was just perfect thanks to my midwife Debbie and the student midwives, Azure and Mel. They were so patient, kind, and so knowledgeable. I believe I met most of the midwives and they are all lovely. I love how you get to do your birth, your way, and the midwives guide you while following your lead. I don't trust traditional hospitals and I would much rather do a holistic birth with midwives, just as it has been done for ages. I would choose Acorn over and over again if I were to have more children. I even had to switch my health insurance just so I could give birth at the center versus a hospital and it was so worth it. It was such a beautiful experience.

This review has been long overdue. My first 3 were in the…read morehospitals with epidurals and my last two experience was unmedicated at Acorn. I never thought I would ever do a natural birth... but here I am! I will start by saying, natural birth is HARD. I went into my first unmedicated birth not knowing what to expect but I prefer it that way but boy was I determined!!!! Second time around I was nervous, anxious.. all the things! My first experience was great, although after labor I experienced some hemorrhaging. Once staff figured what was wrong they acted fast and I was relieved. It was a little traumatic for me but it didn't taint my experience with Acorn. I came back for round two!!! 2nd time around two years later! I delivered my baby girl on February 20th, my experience from start to end was amazing. During labor the team gives you and your partner space, during those moments were truly special. And probably one of my favorites. I had Cristi Sedona and Kyra for my team! And I would choose the same 3 every-time. Each of them brought a different vibe, but it was a mix that you need on your team! I can't thank them enough for making each experience so special, For me my husband and my family! If I was having more kids, no questions asked... I would do it again.... and again....

Dara is an absolute angel. She's knowledgeable, sweet, helpful, and meets you where you are at. I…read morehad an oversupply and overactive let down AND my baby had a shallow latch. Dara helped with all of these circumstances and made me feel so comfortable. She showed me different feeding positions that specifically would help my baby. My baby is over four months now and he has never had to take any formula Because of her guidance and expertise I am a confident breastfeeding mama ! Thankyou Dara!!

While my pregnancy was wonderful and healthy, it was also frequently wrought with anxiety. I lost…read moremy mother just three months before discovering we were pregnant, and I had always envisioned that she would be there by my side, along with my husband, to deliver my first baby. In addition to desiring the type of nurturing and support only a mother can provide, I also wanted to have an unmedicated labor and delivery. Enter Dara, who instantly made me feel comforted and supported just after a few video calls. When my husband and I met her in person, we felt reassured and excited to have her by our side as we approached our due date. Dara was always available and easily accessible throughout the pregnancy for questions and provided me with an incredible amount of evidence-based childbirth information to help guide my birth plan and help me feel that much more prepared. And while nothing can truly prepare you for such an intense life event, I went in with much more confidence than I would have had without Dara's help. Once we were finally in active labor and called Dara into the hospital, she jumped right in with getting me moving and changing positions to help labor progress and get the baby in a good position. She also helped my husband support me by gently guiding him and educating him throughout the process. While I ended up getting an epidural close to 9cm, she remained active in positioning my body, keeping me hydrated, and helping both my husband and me get some rest before pushing. What I will remember the most from this entire experience is how Dara seemed to embody my own mother's energy with her tenderness. It was as if she knew exactly what I needed, when I needed it the most, without me needing to say a word. We delivered our sweet baby boy with Dara by our side and will never forget what a beautiful experience we had together. -Frances If there is one thing you do to prepare for your child's birth, pick up the phone and schedule a consult with Dara. As a first-time Dad, I had no idea what to expect at the hospital, even with the childbirth classes and e-learning videos. Nothing prepares you. While I initially thought the nurses would be there to support my wife, they're busy working. They don't have the bandwidth to be fully present. Dara was there every step of the way to help her emotionally and physically. Even with our relatively healthy childbirth with no complications, Dara stepped in. To watch her in action was such a relief because I knew my wife was getting the best possible care. Dara also didn't take over the reins. She made sure I was a part of the entire process. You can't put a price on that peace of mind. If I had to sell an organ to pay for Dara's services, I would. She's the most amazing, nurturing doula in north county. -Steven

We took Rachel's class as second time parents after a difficult birth of our first child. She took…read moreextra time to talk with me about my previous birth and helped me understand what happened. I cannot thank her enough for her expertise and kindness and I left her class feeling so empowered. I was able to achieve the VBAC I so badly desired and I credit so much to Rachel's class. Cannot recommend her and her hypnobirthing class enough!!

Rachel's hypnobirthing class is amazing! Even as second time parents we learned sooo much (we wish…read morewe took the class before our first birth) and feel so much more confident and knowledgeable going into this second birth. The classes gave us such great tools to have in our toolbox and helped us understand so much about the birth process so that we feel more empowered. We would recommend this class to all expecting parents!

Finding Shauna was one of the greatest blessings of 2024! We are new to CA with no support system…read moreand our baby came three weeks early. Thankfully I had already booked Shauna for postpartum doula services; wow, those first few days home from the hospital were HARD. Immediately Shauna came to our house several times a week and truly got us through the thick of it: she was the ONLY person I didn't feel like I needed to clean up for - a stupid thing to think about those first few weeks but still! She'd come on time, let herself in, greet our boisterous dog, and take the baby from me like she was my own sister :) I can still remember the feeling of the sun on my face when my husband and I took our first walk to get a coffee alone - I'd been in the house with the baby nonstop for a week and she gave us a few hours of real peace to reset and get our sanity back! Her expertise was also critical to navigating early breastfeeding and gastric reflux issues. She taught my husband to swaddle like a pro and we still start sentences with, "Shauna recommended X," or "Shauna taught me Y...!" If you're looking for an experienced doula is going to jump right in and make life a lot easier, Shauna is it. She's nonjudgmental, professional, and highly flexible. Icing on the cake: she brings some much needed humor and perspective into the house during those oh so tough early days!

I called Shauna my fairy godmother doula for a reason - she's magic! I have no idea how she gets so…read moremuch done in such a short time span but she is incredible with babies, very clean, so comforting and in tune with unspoken needs. Shauna was the best post partum decision I made for my family!

Jaqulynn is THE best! She is a jack of all trades and can support you through all aspects of birth…read more She offers massage, lactation consulting and placenta encapsulation. If you are pregnant she is the support you are looking for to guide you through this life changing experince. Can't recommend her enough!!

I would recommend to every mother!!! Receiving personalized, top-quality care before and during the…read moreearly stages of motherhood is so impactful and wonderful! Jaqulynn is so knowledgeable and supportive! Loved having her support

Words cannot express how thankful I am to have met Karen and have taken her class. Though it was a…read more1 to 2 hour drive (with traffic) for me to get to her, it was well worth it. My profession deals with medicine and she taught me more than I've learned in school, things that schools don't teach in conventional medicine (which is why some of these thing are unheard of when you ask doctors about it). I worked with a natural doctor who advised me to look into hypnobirthing. That's when I jumped onto yelp and found Karen. My husband is extremely all about research/data based practices and Karen has educated him to change his vision when it comes to birthing. Thank God for her he's now more understanding and will 100% support my instinctive/natural birth. What I really respect is that she has had a "typical" birth prior to her education and knowledge. Her own experience with a doula, with her second child, is what inspired her practice and passion in what she preaches and practices. She's currently pregnant now and will venture with a home birth next. She can basically say, "I've done it all!". She can relate to different births and/or she can share stories of those she see has seen/experienced first hand. She has so much to share and she has so much to give. Although she was pregnant, preparing and teaching a couple classes, has 2 and 1/2 kids, and in the middle of a move, she'd pick up the phone as if she was sitting around waiting for your call to answer any questions you had. I called her prior to class starting to inquire about her class. She was on vacation and still picked up my phone to talk to me for a good 20 minutes probably. I had a question late at night at 9pm or so and she still responded to my text message. She was busy putting her children to bed but got back to me right away to let me know she needed a minute to respond. Her classes offered some activities to allow us to practice "real life" scenarios. It was definitely good practice and allowed us to ask questions while we were doing it, in case it came up when we finally went into labor and Karen wasn't around. You basically get to practice what she teaches. Hands-on practice is always the best way to learn. I never imagined I would learn so much, especially in just 5 classes. This is my first birth and I'm so glad I learned what I learned from her before my first experience. I love her positive aura and personality overall. She's beautiful too! Very enjoyable to be around and learn from. She even offered little snacks for our growling tummies and cute little prizes. Totally unexpected and not necessary for her to do, but that's what also makes her so awesome! I Totally wish I could have her as my doula but she's so far away, it wouldn't be a good idea. She'll also be on the tail end of her maternity leave by then. She offered her full support and open availability if my husband and I needed anything. I appreciated that so much. We both know that she's just a phone call away. I wish everyone could learn what I learned from Karen. It would better prepare all women (and partners) out there for a more natural and unregrettable birth for them and their child and more likely prevent regrettable birth experiences.

I happen to stumble upon this class on Facebook. I won a 30% off Hypnobirthing class contest. I was…read moreearly in my pregnancy and didn't really have a birth plan in place yet. Meeting Karen and taking this class was one of the best things about my pregnancy and birth. Karen gave us all the tools and information we needed in order to have a beautiful home water birth. After already taking all the hospital offered child birth classes during my first pregnancy 6 years ago, I can honestly say, this is by far the best one my boyfriend and I have ever taken. More information than I have ever learned about childbirth ever before. Thank you, Karen! I highly recommend this class to every pregnant couple out there!

After having so many frustrations with breastfeeding, I knew I needed to get professionals…read moreinvolved. Upon my search for a lactation consultant via Yelp, I was really hopeful that Ms. Sara accepted Tricare, and low and behold she does! I checked one day for availability and realized the next day that she fills up fast! What I have to say is if you have any breastfeeding needs, then MAKE YOUR APPT ASAP WITH SARA. She has an extensive pre-visit form which gives her an idea of what we are looking for. I had issues with latching & my pump supply, and she provided coaching, encouragement & hands on assistance at the very first visit. She is educated, relatable, fun & just an absolute delight. It feels so nice to have someone like her to come to my house when I was feeling so hopeless and lost about my breastfeeding needs. As a new mother, having someone like her is a god send. I had nothing but smiles when my baby latched. For Sara, it was like leading a moth to a flame. She also provides follow up documentation that details what we went over, any resources related to breastfeeding (apparel, creams, etc) and her # for any follow up questions. I am so thankful to have met such a wonderful person, and am positive she will help so many others w/ their needs. Thank you Sara!

I'm a new dad, and I am so thankful that my wife called you for lactation services. I went with…read moreher to another lactation consultant who made us feel terrible and essentially told us that there was no hope for our son to be breastfed. You not only came to our home and worked with my wife, you provided a plan and guidance that was so desperately needed. You showed her the exercises to give our son, and different techniques. I am proud to say that our son is 100% breastfed, and is very happy and healthy. I cannot thank you enough for the peace that has come from your services.