"Birth support? Isn't that my job?" -My husband when I told him I wanted a Doula. Oh how little we knew! Mathilde was so much more than birth support. She helped us plan for a natural birth, taught us comfort measures in the peace of our own home, and when we went into labor she beat us to the hospital with a giant bag of helpful goodies and tips! She made sure the room was dim, music gently playing, and reminded the nurses of our desires... But most importantly, she made sure I was comfortable so my husband and I could relax, take deep breaths, and focus solely on the most beautiful moment of our lives. ​ I am very fortunate to have a partner who was with me every step of the pregnancy and birth, and we were very fortunate to have a doula who supported both of us throughout the entire process. Mathilde added to the positive and loving energy in the room. And on an incredible side note- Captured all of the amazing moments for us as well! Her photography is genuinely beautiful and heartfelt. ​ Thank you, Mathilde, for being the most amazing doula and now friend! Words cannot express our gratitude... But baby Jack cuddles can come close! read more

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If you are looking for a great doula with a very professionnal and yet so chilled style, I definitly recommend Mathilde. We have been more than gratefull for her te be with us during our first months as parents ! She has provided with so many advices while being very flexible and friendly. 10/10 ! read more

Wow, I don't even know where to begin. Let me just start by saying that as a first time mom, investing in Mathilde for both birth and postpartum doula was by far one of the most important decisions I made as I embarked this truly incredible journey into parenthood. I had a relatively smooth pregnancy, but my labor was long and tough. Reflecting back on my labor, I realized how important Mathilde's support was in helping me get through it all. I am so thankful to have had her during such a challenging time, and to be my support alongside my husband through my very first experience with childbirth. Postpartum is a whirlwind of challenges - most especially for first time moms. Figuring out sleep, breastfeeding, bathing, clothing, and most importantly, RECOVERY, along with a myriad of things that you need to adjust and figure out was so overwhelming to us first time parents. Mathilde supported us in every aspect of our life as we slowly figured out our new life with our newborn. Mathilde was always thinking one step ahead, making sure that we were well nourished and fed (she is a fantastic cook!), giving us space to process our birth experience, helping brainstorm ways to help settle our newborn for sleep, and teaching us all the normal day-to-day things that go with taking care of a newborn. Now that I'm reaching the end of my last 3 months of postpartum with her, I've been reflecting on it all and can say that I feel so much more confident in this journey into parenthood - all because of Mathilde. She helped me figure out pumping, breastfeeding issues, sleep (oh, man - this one is important), focusing on my mental health, giving referrals for all types of support (lactation consulants, chiros, therapists, PTs) - all while reminding me to enjoy every moment of it all since our babies will grow up quicker than we imagine. Mathilde will always hold a special place in our hearts, as she was such a key person in helping us become the parents we are today. I wish we could keep her around us forever, and can't recommend her enough to any future parents looking into birth or postpartum care. Your investment in her will be worth every penny. read more

My french doula - Mathilde teaching us bedtime routines with our newborn. - Doulas Near Me

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We are so grateful that we found Mathilde. She was always one step ahead in knowing what we needed help with and always took initiative to get things done. A few wonderful things she provided are help with bath time, breastfeeding and cooking us wonderful meals. She really made this journey easier on all of us. Merci Mathilde! read more

Our experience with Mathilde as our Doula & birth photographer was nothing short of exceptional. We can't put into words the gratitude we have for having had her support during such a transformative, challenging, & precious event. Initially my husband couldn't fathom the concept of a "Doula" & why I thought we should have one. He's an RN & has much knowledge & experience of the medical/hospital world, but I told him it's going to be different. When the person you love is a patient, it's not the same. I would need him to be there for me as my main supporter not in nurse mode. I had a gut feeling that we would need/want extended support & advocacy (Ladies always follow your gut!) He was still on the fence. From what I've gathered it's very common that men don't always realize or conceptualize the potential rollercoaster of the birth process, especially first time dads. All the information, opinions, options, techniques, medical vs holistic, etc etc etc it's SO OVERWHELMING for the pregnant person physically & mentally. The last thing we want to worry about even more, is our most vulnerable state - child birth. It's beautiful but terrifying, especially for first time mothers. It can be a very unpredictable process & potentially not go as smoothly as we wish. And no matter how loving & involved your partner is, even if they're Superman like my husband - a doula like Mathilde is a great idea. Eventually he was on board. She came to our home for a prenatal consultation (postnatal as well) which was pleasant, professional, & very insightful. Since I had wound up having PROM things began to get medically complicated. She helped us begin to make informed decisions & to advocate for ourselves based on our birth preferences which were specific but open. Nothing was really off the table but I did want to allow my body to experience the process as naturally as possible prior to all the medicinal interventions. However with an initial complication it becomes scary with a lot of pressure to make executive decisions & medical staff also having differing opinions esp when your Dr. isn't there. Her expertise was a guiding light, ensuring we were not only informed but actively involved in decision-making throughout the process. She navigated the dynamics of the birthing room, providing physical & emotional reassurance. Her presence was very grounding in moments of uncertainty. She brings a professional camera & captures amazing candid moments. I never felt uncomfortable during any photo taking, in fact she navigates it so well I barely noticed her taking photos. The photos she took are beautiful. She captured irreplaceable moments that we wouldn't really have been able to attain ourselves.I felt relaxed & assured knowing we could live in the moment. It's a blessing that she offers both Doula AND Birth Photography services. As a team, she worked seamlessly with us & the medical staff-fostering a harmonious environment & did not intrude upon the hospital staff's duties. Her advocacy for our preferences was very respectful. After 3 days of labor & 5 hours of pushing, we collectively decided an emergency C-section was necessary. I felt at peace with knowing we had tried every other option, position, you name it. Baby's vitals never wavered during the entire process & I honestly believe it was in part because of the support I felt & never lost myself in a panic even during the most stressful or painful moments.In the end we welcomed our perfectly healthy son & I'm so happy one of the first faces he got to see was Mathilde's who truly helped bring him into the world! Her joyous spirit & commitment to our well-being elevated the entire experience. She helped me feel safe, supported, & grounded in ways no one else could at times. My husband requests me to add, "I could not imagine having gone through it all without Mathilde & if any other partners are on the fence about it,to absolutely do it." We wholeheartedly recommend Mathilde to any expectant parents seeking not just professional assistance,but a caring, knowledgeable guide who enhances the journey of childbirth in the most positive way. It was an honor to have her services & support. read more

I was 3 months postpartum and looking for help with my newborn. I found Mathilde's website and decided to reach out to her not knowing if I would receive a response. In less than 24 hours, she replied back and offered the most sincere advice about my situation. Even though I did not personally receive services from Mathilde, she was able to offer compassion and a referral for my needs. She didn't have to do that, especially since we never met in person. But because she did, it tells you a lot about her character. If I had known about her services previously, I would heavily consider her as my doula. read more

Writing a review is the very least that I can do. Mathilde is simply amazing. The very few times I am lost for words when describing a positive experience. Mathilde became family right away due to her loving nature and strong support. Wife and I have been asked a dozen times about the birthing experience and without fail, our French doula makes her way into the conversation. We really are so incredibly grateful to have had the support of Mathilde, something we will remember for the rest of our lives. We highly recommend Mathilde for anyone considering a Doula. read more

Words can not express how grateful we are to have had Mathilde be our doula. She was our birth and postpartum doula and our newborn/family photographer. We just loved having her around our family during such a transitional (and emotional) time! Mathilde always took her time and went above and beyond to guide us both in the birthing and postpartum process. She was easily available, knowledgable, and always kind. A safe person I could process becoming a 2nd time mom with. Our life was very chaotic and Mathilde made us all feel calm. We loved working with her and I tell all my pregnant friends to reach out to her! read more

I cannot say enough good things about Mathilde, she's been an amazing resource for our family. We contacted her for help with our daughters sleep, and it was a seamless experience. From the consultation to the actual implementation she held our hands virtually and it made a huge difference in the outcome. This was in April, and she has slept through the night since then. We've gotten off track a few times with travel or Illness then she goes right back yo her routine. Life has been much less stressful knowing we gave her to contact if we run into any sleep trouble with our little one. read more

Where do I even start? Mathilde is a wonderful doula! The minute my husband and I met with her we hit it off and I knew she was the right one for us. We had so much fun getting to know her and introducing her to our families and sharing our cultures. She is so knowledgeable and it put my fears and anxiety to rest as we prepared for the big day. Then once the day arrived she was a grounding presence and was able to seamlessly slip in and out wherever she was needed. My mom and she often teamed up and it was so helpful having the extra support. Even after the birth Mathilde was right there helping take down our birthing tub and getting the nursery back in order. I'll never forget when the first doula I called told me I should keep looking around to make sure I find the right one since my doula would become like a sister to me. At the time I thought this statement was hyperbole, but honestly, after going through the process, I am so grateful I kept looking and found Mathilde! She is a wonderful friend and I am so grateful for all of her help and support! read more

This is a review for Mathilde as a postpartum doula. She is amazing! My husband and I were completely overwhelmed the first week after we brought our baby home. We were not getting any sleep because we had to wake her every two to three hours to attempt to breastfeed, finger feed, and then pump. This all took so long that - by the time we were done - we had barely any time before we needed to start over again. Mathilde helped us get our sanity back as a nighttime doula. She finger fed the baby all night and brought me the pumping materials in bed when needed. So my husband got to sleep through the night and I only had to wake 20 minutes to pump. Mathilde also did housework and cooked. In addition to all of this, Mathilde gave us valuable advice and a full report on how the night with the baby went. We have since hired Mathilde several more times - even after we no longer needed to pump and finger feed - when we felt like we needed to catch up on some sleep and get help. The first night we hired Mathilde, I told my husband how strange it felt to leave our baby in the hands of a stranger. But it was the best decision - and she is now a trusted go-to. read more

Mathilde is worth her weight in gold. I was extremely anxious during pregnancy and had many fears about birth. I desperately needed a professional to "hold my hand" throughout the journey. Mathilde was able to put my fears to rest. She is an invaluable resource and knows just about everything in the realms of pregnancy and birth. And if she doesn't know, she goes the extra mile and invests a lot of time on your behalf, to find out the latest research. Not only warm and caring, she is unbiased in her advice. She is highly professional, thorough and organized. There is no detail or concern that she did not address. Her temperament and demeanor is exactly what's required in the delivery room. I had a 40 hour labor and she was a godsend; helped me through contractions, made sure I had enough liquids and gave me massages so my husband could rest. If you have a hospital birth (we delivered at St John's in Santa Monica) you cannot rely on the rotating nursing staff to be compassionate and listen to you as they are focused on following protocol. Mathilde will be your advocate and will tend to your needs, like a dear friend. She will support you and do what it takes to make your delivery experience incredible, just as you and your partner envisioned. Mathilde is also a seriously good photographer and will take photos of your birth if you wish. I am SO glad she captured those tender moments for us to cherish forever. Icing on the cake! She is the real deal and I cannot recommend her enough! Thank you Mathilde! read more

Mathilde is an absolute GOD SEND. I don't know what we would have done postpartum without her help and guidance! I gave birth in May 2021, and have been recommending her to everyone ever since. She tidied our house, cooked for us, made sure I was eating regularly, made herbal baths for me, gave me foot massages, let me process the birth experience with her over and over again... and so many other things. She is an incredible postpartum doula. She was also our birth photographer and did an equally fantastic job with our photos. They are breathtakingly beautiful. I'm so glad we found Mathilde, she really made all the difference for us read more

If you're looking for a Doula, look no further, you found the best one with Mathilde. I got pregnant during COVID and needed support. Doctors appointments were short, I was far from family and friends, and needed someone I could turn to to ask questions and get ready for birth. I interviewed a few Doulas and decided to go with Mathilde. Her calm demeanor, extreme professionalism and comforting skills made the difference. Mathilde is an evidence based doula. You can ask her anything, she will either have the answer or look into it for you. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, she couldn't be with me for the birth but was available on the phone during the whole process, helping me to advocate for myself and making decisions that were right for my baby and I. She also provided ressources when needed after the birth, such as lactation consultant contact and so on. We loved her so much that we also hired her as a post partum Doula. And let me tell you, she was absolutely the best at it! Mathilde takes initiatives, she helps with house shores without you needing to ask for it, cooks for you (and she is excellent at it!) and gives you invaluable support. She succeeds perfectly in giving you enough space and yet be very present. Every time she left our house we felt like a big load of worries and chores was off our shoulders. It's still a mystery for us how someone can achieve so much work in a few hours of time, while still being calm and nurturing. My husband gave her the nickname of " Magic Mathilde ". We could not recommend her enough, she is simply the best person we've ever hired at any job given. Thank you Mathilde! read more

Mathilde has been such an incredible help during our pregnancy journey. She came to our home multiple times before the delivery to coach us on everything we needed to prepare for the babies. She was also present during the delivery which was amazing and has been following up since. It was such a comfort knowing we had someone who was kind, knowledgable and understanding of our needs as expectant parents. I would highly recommend her! read more

Short of the decision to have a child in the first place, hiring Mathilde as both a birth and postpartum doula was probably the best decision my husband and I made in our journey to becoming parents. She has been there for us through deciding whether or not to induce labor, labor itself, an emergency c-section, the postpartum experience, and, most recently, sleep training. Here are the things I love most about Mathilde: 1) She is supportive of the choices you make. She doesn't push for natural birth, breastfeeding, etc. She is simply there to support you in the birth, postpartum and parenting experience you want. 2) Any recommendations she makes are evidence-based, and she will send you her sources. 3) She is French and provides a perspective outside of just U.S. norms and practices. My husband and I have LOVED learning about French/European perspectives on different elements of parenting. (For example, parents in Europe as a whole seem to do a better job of finding balance as a family and not making absolutely everything revolve around the baby.) 4) As a mom herself, she can share a lot from her own experiences. We asked for recommendations on so many things (formula, diaper bags, sleepsacks, you name it), and we have loved everything Mathilde has recommended. She has saved us hours of research. 5) Mathilde is a genuine, lovely person. I have appreciated how caring and funny she is. I cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

I am so glad I found Mathilde as my doula during my pregnancy and birth! She has a wealth of knowledge that I could tap into to be as prepared as possible for the big day, and when the time came, she made the experience as wonderful and stress free as possible! She even brought props that made the birth a lot easier for me and that the hospital didn't have. All in all she is a wonderful doula and you can tell she really loves babies! read more

Working with Mathilde was such a blessing. She asks the right questions, challenges you without judgment to think about what you would not have normally thought about. She was able to accompany us during the entire process and provided extremely valuable information from getting the hospital bags ready, to which bottles to buy to very technical and personal birth related questions. In the few instances she didn't have an answer to our particular questions she came back a few days later with extensive research, which we really appreciated. She is kind, compassionate, has a good sense of humor and is very patient. Highly recommend working with her. read more

I can't say enough good things about Mathilde. She has been an incredible help for my wife and I during the pregnancy and when our little girl was born. She listened to our concerns regarding any aspect of the pregnancy, and was very reassuring. Good for first timers like us :-) She came home regularly to talk with us and prepare us for the big day, giving advices based on scientific studies which was a huge plus, and she was also aware of the latest pain management techniques. When we called her for the actual birth, she was there in less than 20 min!! She came with us to the hospital and helped my wife with all kind of different techniques to ease the pain, most of them quite efficient, and she was able to delay the epidural. She was very supportive with me as well, guiding me through all the little things I could do to help my wife, which I really appreciated . When our baby was born, she came home several times and gave us so many advices that helped with breastfeeding and bonding with our daughter. I was quite skeptical about hiring a doula, but I have to say I am really impressed and for sure we will hire her again when the time comes ( not now though !!!! Haha!) read more

Mathilde is truly such a special doula to treat yourself to on your journey of motherhood! Her passion, knowledge, and self-confidence in you is something I can not vet for enough. When pregnant I was fearful of what to expect in labor and wanted to make sure I would have the support in the delivery process to make the right decisions... Malthide was there throughout my pregnancy bringing my husband and myself so much ease. I love her research based knowledge, genuine care and commitment to having you have the best pregnancy experience. Instead of having a labor filled with a bunch of unknowns and possible outcomes that I didn't desire, I left feeling empowered, loved and thank care of - having Mathilde at my labor was the best decision I could have made, she really made the experience one filled with joy and informs you to make your own decisions based on the labor YOU want! My husband and I love her endlessly - we will be using her for our next baby, no doubt about it!!! read more

Mathilde was my Doula for my third baby. For this pregnancy, I aspired for the most natural birthing experience, and I sought Mathilde's thorough knowledge. I couldn't have found someone more ideal ! She is very warm and easygoing, I was very comfortable asking her anything. Like Mathilde, I'm also from France, so I appreciated her understanding of pregnancy care of both countries. Unfortunately, she wasn't present for the birth. The labor was so fast and I birthed at home, we were not able to call her on time. Still, her advise and care afterwards was just I needed for this natural birth. My baby is 2 months now, and I had some difficulties with breastfeeding, she gave me really precious advise! I highly recommend her for free and natural birthing experience. read more

I can't wait to have my second baby so Mathilde can be there with me. Ok, actually...I kind of can wait since my first baby was born less than 2 months ago, but you catch my drift. Mathilde is the sweetest. Just pure heart. She was my birth doula for our first baby. My husband and I had met with a few different doulas before meeting Mathilde and we just knew she was it. She has a positive radiance about her and a calm spirit that puts you at ease immediately. What really sold me with her is when I had told her my ideal birth plan, followed by "But I know things can go wrong and--" She stopped me in my tracks and said something along the lines of, no, you don't need to say that, focus on what you want, and that's what you will have. Other doulas I met with were very much about - yes, sure, that's ideal, but you have to be prepared for this and that in case this and that doesn't pan out, blah blah blah...Mathilde knew (after we talked about it) that I was thoroughly preparing myself for anything that could happen (by reading the books, watching the videos, etc.) and so I guess she realized what I needed the most was to stay confident in my vision for the birth I wanted. And guess what? I had the birth I wanted:))) Mathilde is also psychic. Ok, well, sort of. She knew I would go into labor before I did! It happened to be a full moon the night before. The next morning, when I told her my water broke, she said she had gone to bed early that night knowing that I was going to go into labor so that she would be well-rested. Psychic? Later that day she came over exactly when I needed her. We labored at home for several hours before going to the birth center, where we labored some more before the baby was born in the bath. Mathilde helped me so much. Holding me through contractions, massaging me, reminding me to breathe and how to breathe, helping my husband...just everything. Her support all the way around was exactly what my husband and I needed. From the thorough pre-natal sessions to the labor and birth itself and then postpartum (she cooks yummy nutritious food and makes the most delicious teas), Mathilde is kind and knowledgable. What I love about her the most is her overall attitude about things - just easygoing all the way around, putting you at ease, reminding you that the most important thing is to trust yourself as a mama, that instinctively you know what's best, and not to sweat the small stuff. Just exactly what a new mama needs to hear. So I lied. What I love about her the most is her French accent. Adorable. read more

I'm a first-time mom, expert worrier, and obsessive researcher with a demanding full-time job. I knew as soon as I found out I was pregnant that I needed an expert coach and mentor to help me prepare for the kind of birth experience I wanted--calm, safe, informed, and with as few interventions as possible. My partner and I found Mathilde in a list of resources for the birth center we began our prenatal care with, and after our first conversation with her, we knew that she was the right fit for us. She had the knowledge and experience we were hoping for, and was very personable and supportive. We hired her right away. As my pregnancy progressed (and got more complicated), she was at our side. Rather than telling us what kind of birth we should have, she asked questions, listened, sent resources, checked in, and gave us exercises to try in preparation for labor and delivery. She helped us navigate the transition from midwife care/birth center to an OB/hospital birth plan (and even helped us find providers that met our needs!). I had contractions for days before I delivered our baby, and she was present via text the entire time, talking me through what was happening and offering strategies for managing my emotional and physical experience. She met us at the hospital and immediately got to work helping me implement my birth plan. Because Mathilde was present, I was able to focus completely on my laboring, and my partner had the support he needed to support me. I felt confident, empowered, and uncharacteristically relaxed the whole time. She followed up with us after the birth, reaching out frequently. She came to our home to talk through the journey and to cook us a delicious and healthy meal during the rough newborn days. I recommend Mathilde to all of our expecting friends. If we were ever to do this again, we'd get on her schedule as soon as we saw the positive test. My only regret is that we didn't hire her for postpartum care, but perhaps it's not too late! read more

Mathilde has been such an incredible blessing to our family during postpartum with my second child. She was our postpartum doula for a couple nights a week for 9 weeks. I was nervous bringing somebody in to help with my newborn but the first day Mathilde showed up she put us at ease and made us so comfortable. She is incredible with our daughter, taught us so many great newborn tips which has allowed me to successfully breastfeed, get more sleep, and be so much less anxious. She doesn't only focus on the baby but takes such good care of mom as well. Recovering from birth is such a tough time and Mathilde is so caring, kind, and was so encouraging. My husband has commented so many times how this postpartum period has been so much better than it was with our first, and we know that's all thanks to Mathilde. If you are at all thinking of getting a doula, we couldn't recommend her more. If we have any more children in the future we will absolutely be choosing her again. read more

We hired Mathilde for the birth of our second child, we found her very available (before and after the birth), very kind and supportive. She came several times, and was very flexible with her schedule. Also, she was really with us when she was at our place (dedicated and not looking at the clock). With Mathilde, it was easier to get back to the pregnancy and birthing mindset, and to mentally project ourselves to having a second child. We are french speaking and were looking for somebody with experience with American healthcare for birthing (not only because it is in English, but also because just so different from anywhere else in the world) For the birth, our child arrived very fast, and we synchronized all together so that we met at the hospital. Mathilde presence during the birth was a valuable asset as I felt supported, especially as the birth was fully natural and the medical staff was a bit overwhelming. We really want to thanks Mathilde for her help, and we hope to stay in touch. We highly recommend her as we were very happy to have Mathilde with us. read more

How Can I start? The day I delivered my baby was the most beautiful day in my life and Mathilde played a big role in this. Being French I had never heard about Doula in my life before moving to USA. When my pregnancy started I knew I would not have an epidural during my delivery and I was starting to stress a little bit until someone recommended me Mathilde. I contacted her and she became the most important person during pregnancy, she was my main support and became a real close friend of mine. She was always here during my whole pregnancy, recommend me to use some self-hypnoses to manage my pain during the Big day and be more peaceful and it worked!!! During my labor she was here helping me to manage my contractions. She guided my husband too, it was our first kid and he did not know what to do exactly to help me, she helped him be active and gave me the best support I could have never imagined. Three of us were working as a team to welcome our little Salome the best way possible. Everything went smoothly thanks to the work we had done before and during the day our baby arrived. I had no complications, the pain was not as hard as I imagined and I know if, I did not meet her this would be very different. When I came back home, she was here too... For a few days until my family arrived, she supported us, gave me a lot of tips and helped us for this new life. If you are looking for a Doula you just found her!! I have no word to describe how amazing she is, she is the best, friendly, understanding, she will always help you with the choices you made to make this day unforgettable and peaceful. I highly recommend her for every pregnant woman, she sill support you and help you before, during and after your pregnancy. read more

I did a photo shoot with five children at a restaurant downtown with Mathilde. I was late and stressed and when I showed up she was exuding calm and so joyfully set about the shoot with my kids while I did the last ones' hair. She is so naturally joyful and lovely; she sets all at ease while facilitating a wonderful time. She may be the most genuinely happy person I have ever met. Her photos are exceptional. I will treasure her photos fifty years from now. The fact that she offers a mini photo option with her doula birth services is unheard of and...awesome! If you have the chance to do that you're so lucky. If I go for a sixth child I would fly Mathilde in to be with me in birth no matter where in the world she is. She is so kind and reassuring; effortlessly exceptional and always full of joy. If you have the opportunity to have her be one of your newborn's first relationships as a postpartum doula or a help to you as a birth doula you are very blessed. I'm sure my births would have had different outcomes under her gentle and wise care. Wish I could give her a sky full of stars instead of five. Have just met her twice and am already dreaming of that next photo shoot. read more