I found Labor of Love by doing some of my own research online. And thank God I did! My doula,…read moreKaren, was my rock throughout my labor and was 100,000 percent amazing--I'll definitely be working with her for my second! A little backstory: I was overwhelmed and so nervous about finding "the one" person to be a part of the most important event of my life. After doing my research and reading through all these bios, I honestly was left feeling overwhelmed, especially knowing how indecisive I can be. I knew I just had to trust my intuition and my gut on this one! After looking at Karen's bio on their website, I had such a good feeling. Staci (the owner), who was super friendly and professional, helped me get connected with Karen, and I booked an interview right away! Karen was so sweet and asked me about my pregnancy experience so far. We discussed how I wanted my birth to go and any concerns I had. There wasn't any pressure to hire her, and it just felt like she was already invested in me, like I was already family. I even had her video chat with my husband to make sure we both felt comfortable and vibed well together--and we sure did! Overall, Karen ended up being the perfect balance of knowledge, experience, and professionalism. It was the most perfect amount of care I could have asked for. She was also such an advocate for my birth plan to work out. Before, during, and after my labor and birth, she was always naturally in tune with what I needed. She was never overbearing, worked so well with my husband, and gave him space to be a part of my support team as well. I am so grateful to have come across Labor of Love

The business owner is quite the opposite of the type of person any vulnerable new mom should have…read moreto work with. My experience with Labor of Love was almost two years ago now but continues to upset me when thinking back on my experience. We hired Lauren as our doula, who made it clear she expected us to go far past my due date as a first time mom. While it's possible for that to happen, it didn't in my case. At 39 weeks and at 5am while in active labor and getting ready to head to the hospital, she let us know she had Covid. Her backup was Karen, who I wish we hired to begin with as she is far more caring and professional. Though unfortunately our experience still fell short and we ultimately delivered without Karen present. We were left feeling like we invested a lot of emotion and money into this process with ultimately no help. Staci has been incredibly rude to us since then and even revoked our access to watch her training videos, sending me a link to pay her once again when wanting to rewatch for our now second baby on the way. Karen herself even recommended we ask for a partial refund due to our experience, but Staci lacks the professionalism and courtesy to her clients. Truly mindblowing that she revoked access to the training videos after we had already paid for them. I would stay far away and recommend a more experienced and caring doula group.

I struggle to write this review because I hate writing anything but positive reviews; however, I…read morefeel like this could be used as a learning opportunity. Danielle seems really sweet, but I truly wish we just got more out of our experience with her. Similar to what another posting had mentioned... I had really high hopes and was super excited to work with Danielle after the initial consultation. I had only booked 2 weeks of coaching which was $400. The services guide that was given to me says 24/7 support via phone, text, or email. I understand not responding to 4 AM texts but there were days that went by where I wouldn't hear a peep from Danielle. She pretty much ghosted us after week one. About 2 weeks after the initial two week contract, I received a phone call from Danielle apologizing, which I appreciated; however, I would've preferred upfront communication instead of feeling like I got scammed out of $400. She did offer to get my daughter in a good place for sleeping to make up for the fact that she was not really reachable during the two week contract but here we are again... a month and a half later and I haven't heard anything from her. No follow up or "how's your daughter doing with her sleep?" I've almost given up at this point because I still have a daughter who struggles with bedtime and still wakes at night, despite our best efforts and I'm out $400. Maybe she would be better when she's in person but I feel like the coaching package was a waste of money.

I had high hopes for Danielle based off her videos, how she promoted herself and our first…read moreconversation, however, after that, the communication was terrible. I kept having to chase her through text. She wouldn't text me sometimes for 1-2 days and this went on for over a week. Finally, I decided that this lack of communication when it comes to my kids is a no no. If this is how she runs her business, it's prob how she runs her life and that is how it will be with me and my kids and I just won't allow that. I went with Balanced Sleep instead and the professionalism and communication has been night and day.

Nurture Births doula training is absoultely amazing!! I recommend this training to everyone!…read moreWhitney ran the training that I took and she is incredible! We were provided with tons of information, given goodies to help us with our own clients, and there were lots of hands on learning to help us perfect the skills that are essential for being a doula. The women that you are surrounded by when taking this class is unmatchable. They are so kind, talented, and very down to earth.

Do I recommend Whitney and Lauren?…read more Yes. With all my heart, YES. These two women are truly the best. They helped me navigate the choppy waters of my very stressful, last few weeks of pregnancy. They were instrumental in paving a smooth road from a desired home birth to the hospital birth I needed to have. Whitney attended the birth of my beautiful baby boy, and it would not have been the spiritually profound experience it was if she hadn't been there. She was a heaven-sent Angel. An unyielding Advocate. She guided my husband and I on how to have as non-invasive an induction as possible. She came to the hospital when I needed her. During the birthing, she coached me through every step, keeping me grounded and focused, comforting me when I needed it, and urging me on when I needed to hear words of encouragement and strength. I don't know how women go through childbirth without someone like her. Please, if you can, make the investment. Whitney and Lauren are worth their weight in gold.

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.

I didn't know where to start in searching for a doula, and I'm so glad I came across this marching…read moreservice. It was an easy and quick process that helped me find a doula with some pretty specific preferences I had in mind. They gave me several great options and matched me with my doula who I absolutely love!

The Doulas of Orange County is a wonderful service that helped my wife and me out tremendously in…read moreour search for a birth doula. With so many doulas available, it was overwhelming knowing where to start our search. Doulas of Orange County simplified everything by first gathering a list of what we wanted and matching us with the perfect doulas who aligned with our vision and our budget. The process was easy to understand, and they consistently informed us every step along the way to keep us in the loop. Thank you, Doulas of Orange County!

I was so thankful to have had Carly by my side during my 1st birth! My husband and I were both so…read morenervous and not sure what to expect since this was our 1st baby. Hiring Carly was the best decision we made! She worked with me to create a birth plan I was comfortable with and explained options to me since I really didn't know much about the process. She also checked in with me multiple times leading up to the birth and would send me checklists with helpful exercises and other things to help me prepare for birth. Once the day came, my husband texted her, and she arrived at the hospital when we asked her to come. I labored for a long time, and she was there supporting me the whole time! I loved that Carly decorated my room with lights and battery candles. It was so calming especially since I rested for a long time before I started pushing. Creating a calming space was so helpful for me to stay relaxed and rested. She also advocated for me when the nurses would come in and check on me and helped progress my labor with different positions. When it was time to push, Carly was cheering me on the entire time and offered different items to help me feel more comfortable. I was so scared and nervous about birth, but I really believe she made the whole experience a positive one for me. I cannot recommend Carly enough, you'll be in great hands if you choose her as your Doula :). Thank you Carly and The Breezy Doula!

Breezy Doula made finding a doula with insurance easy. They connected me with Valerie Godbout. If…read moreyou're thinking about hiring Valerie as your doula, do it. She was one of the best decisions we made for our birth. From our very first prenatal appointment, she was so easy to talk to. She really took the time to listen to what I wanted for my birth and even typed it up for me. My biggest goals were to avoid an epidural and Pitocin if they weren't medically necessary, and she completely respected and supported those wishes. Our prenatal visits were incredibly thorough. We talked through my birth plan in detail, went over labor positions, and discussed different scenarios so I felt prepared going into labor. When she arrived at the hospital, she completely transformed the room. She turned off the harsh hospital lights, brought a light projector, and even set up an essential oil diffuser that made the room feel peaceful. It immediately created a calming environment that helped me relax. Throughout labor, she was an incredible advocate. At one point, Pitocin was started even though I had already declined it. Valerie caught it right away, spoke up, and voiced her concerns on my behalf. Having someone who was paying such close attention and advocating for my birth preferences gave me so much confidence. She also had so many helpful techniques to keep labor moving naturally. Whether it was changing positions, offering encouragement, or giving me tools like a spiky massage ball and a labor comb to squeeze through contractions, she always seemed to know exactly what I needed. Between contractions, she kept me distracted with conversation and helped me stay calm and focused. I truly believe her guidance and support played a huge role in helping me achieve the birth plan I had hoped for. What impressed me even more was that her care didn't end after delivery. She came to our home about a week postpartum to check on both me and the baby, answer questions, and make sure we were adjusting well. Valerie is kind, knowledgeable, calming, and an incredible advocate. She made me feel heard, respected, and supported every step of the way. I cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone looking for a doula who genuinely cares and will be by your side through every stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Long review short: if you are considering hiring Cindy, you should do it…read more Long review medium: a good friend of mine used Cindy with her kids and recommended her highly. We interviewed her amongst other Postpartum Doulas and we decided to go with a duo team because we thought it would be more reliable if one was unable to make it. Oh boy, we were wrong. That duo ended up being very unreliable despite being two people. It was especially difficult being Postpartum. We were suddenly stuck without any help and just feeling really scared and frustrated. We turned to Cindy, not knowing if she was available or if she would consider working with us. Cindy was already in a new contract (which I'm not surprised by at all). But she welcomed with us with open arms and came by that very night because she had a night off just to help us when we were at our wits end. She offered us any nights she could due to her other contract and has continued to be a source for us in times of need. She is extremely reliable and will always show up when she says (I assume absent a real need) and, for a postpartum mother and father, this is necessary and reassuring. Cindy comes over and immediately takes care of your baby, the most precious thing in the world to you. She actually allows you to get some sleep even if you're breastfeeding and have to get up every few hours. She has tons of expertise and knowledge to help guide you if you want it. On top of it, she made a red date and Goji berry tea and the most amazing Lactation breakfast bars (I woke up to the best smell of delicious baked goods). She folded laundry without being asked and it included some of our stuff, going above and beyond just taking care of the baby. She has provided our family with information and solace as well as a shoulder to lean on with any questions or thoughts. My partner absolutely adores her, as do I. I don't give out five stars lightly, but Cindy is more than deserving.

We hired Cindy as our postpartum doula, and it was the best decision…read more When we first brought the baby home, it felt overwhelming. But having Cindy help us with the baby brought us such calmness. She has such a wealth of knowledge and is so loving and sweet. And not only does she help with the baby, she helped my wife with her recovery as well! If you are at all considering a doula, you can't do any better than Cindy.

We are so incredibly thankful for the support and guidance we had from Tiffany both during…read morepregnancy and birth. We also took her hypnobirthing course to prepare ourselves for birth and found the content very helpful. During the birth process Tiffany was so supportive, calm and reassuring which is exactly what I wanted for my labor. Her experience helped guide me through each phase of labor as she suggested different positions, reminded me of the applicable breath work, and was constantly being a positive energy in the room. I'm so grateful for her as it truly made for a positive birth experience. 10/10 would recommend Tiffany to other people. Thank you Tiffany!

There are absolutely no words to describe everything that Tiffany has done for me and my partner…read moreduring our pregnancy and birth experience. From the first call I had with her, her calming and compassionate energy immediately felt so good to me and I knew I wanted her along my pregnancy journey as my doula. She recommended taking her hypnobirthing class and I am SO happy I did. I learned so much about how beautiful and natural birth and labor can be. I truly had no idea it was even possible to approach birth like this. I ended up having to be induced early and Tiffany was a great support before she even arrived to the hospital, reassuring my partner and I and keeping us calm. As soon as she got there, I immediately felt more calm and ready to go through all the phases of labor. I ended up laboring unmedicated and I truly could NOT have done it without her support and guidance on how to breathe through different sensations. I'm so proud of myself for doing it and she made me believe I really could do it. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else there to witness the birth of my baby. She even took beautiful photos of my partner and I the moment our baby arrived that I will cherish forever. I could go on and on praising her- but overall I would recommend her to literally anyone- she is heaven sent

Angela is a gift and an incredible Doula. We did her Hypnobabies course which was amazing. I felt…read morelike a first time mama, even though this was my 5th baby. My husband and I learned so much in Hypnobabies with Angela. My husband loved it as well. Angela makes the class what it is though. As for Angela, my Doula, wow. We did so much work together in my monthly chats with her. It was like my own therapy session that I didn't know I needed. I did so much healing in the months I worked with her. She prepared my husband and I for birth so well. She has so much to offer! She doesn't leave anything unchecked. She will be your best advocate! She had a big hand in helping redeem all of my past birth experiences. I'll forever be grateful for Angela!

Angela is an amazing doula and educator. She was present in our transition into parenthood. She…read moreprovided tough love in moments when we needed it but also showered us with love and compassion in difficult moments through our birthing journey. She supported me to overcome my fears about giving birth and trusting the medical staff. She provided a lot of information and resources. Although we had a c-section and Angela was not allowed to be physically in the OR, she prepared us well enough to go in with confidence that all would go well. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy this past January. It was a beautiful experience. If you cannot afford her doula services, I highly recommend her hypno birthing class. It prepared my fiance and I on the birthing process. Classes were via zoom which was great for us since we got to learn from the comfort of our home. I am grateful for this beautiful soul. She truly is living her life's purpose. Thank you Angela. If you are looking for a doula, she is it!

Christy is seriously amazing. Finding the right midwife was really important to me because birth is…read moresuch a personal experience, and I knew I needed someone I felt 100% comfortable with. From the moment we met her, we just knew she was the perfect fit for us. This was our first baby, and she guided us through everything. She answered all of our questions, made us feel so supported, and honestly exceeded every expectation we had. I also really loved that she's the perfect balance of holistic, but will absolutely speak up if something medical is needed. You can tell her top priority is always keeping both mom and baby safe. We also took her Bradley Method class, which was so helpful and made me feel way more prepared and confident going into birth. We learned so much, and I've already been recommending it to everyone. I fully trusted her the entire time, which made such a difference for me going into labor and birth. Throughout my labor, she was there at any time of day to answer my calls and questions, and she always helped me feel calm and educated about what was happening. On the day of the birth, she was calm, confident, and completely in her element. She made the whole experience feel so smooth and magical. I recommend Christy to anyone, and I already know I'll want her as my midwife for all of my future babies

Safe, warmth and validation. Three words that I experienced with Honey Midwifery during my second…read morepregnancy and birth that I didn't experience with my first. The team at Honey Midwifery has been cultivated with love and education. Every step of the way we talked through my concerns and we talked about the vision of how I wanted my birth to look. My partner was included at every appointment and together we celebrated each new milestone in my pregnancy with love and guidance from Christy and her team. When it was time for my son to make his earthside debut, Christy and her team created a safe space for me and my partner. It's hard to describe but they knew exactly when to check in and when to respect my space. Christy was right there when I needed her wisdom the most. Her words provided the warmth and safety I needed in my most vulnerable time. Honey Midwifery is committed to not only caring for mothers and their families during pregnancy (and postpartum), but also in providing education so families can make informed decisions. I am so glad we chose Honey Midwifery for our health team!