I switched to working with Faith about halfway through my pregnancy when I realized I wanted to…read morebirth at a birth center and not the hospital. Faith and her team were so helpful during my appointments, helping me make sure my body and pregnancy stayed healthy. She guided me in improving my nutrition and keeping my blood sugar managed, and she connected me to a maternal fetal medicine provider for extra monitoring since I had an IVF pregnancy. Faith took my birth plan seriously and knew how important it was to me to have a water birth, so when she let me know my labor wasn't progressing enough and told me I needed to transfer to a hospital, I was able to trust her judgement. She remained available over text message for questions as well. Then in our postpartum visits Faith was so kind in hearing me as I processed the birth experience I had in the hospital and how it really wasn't what I had wanted/envisioned. She offered me a rebonding session in the birth room where I could basically redo my golden hour. It was such a healing experience. Faith and her team also helped me with filling for disability and completing that paperwork, which was super important to support me on my maternity leave. I'm grateful for the support and treatment I received at Mind Body Birth.

I'm now almost five months postpartum, and I wanted to wait until I had some distance from my…read morepregnancy and postpartum experience before writing this review. There were parts of my experience with Faith and her team that I genuinely appreciated, as well as parts that were difficult for me and ultimately made my pregnancy more stressful than I had hoped it would be. Earlier in my pregnancy, communication was sometimes a source of stress for me. There were quite a few times when messages I sent through the chat went unanswered. One situation that particularly concerned me happened around Christmas, when I was told that my lab order might not be put in on time. I was supposed to have my progesterone checked every two weeks, and because I had experienced two prior miscarriages, going even a few days beyond that timeframe made me anxious. As my pregnancy progressed, I also struggled with some of the expectations around my care. At one point, I was told I could be put on probation for not consistently attending my chiropractic appointments, despite communicating that I was struggling financially at the time. I was required to see Sarah specifically, rather than having the option to see a chiropractor closer to me who was more affordable. The visits were also expected weekly, even during times when I felt sore afterward and felt that my body needed a break. The financial aspect became increasingly difficult for my family during the middle and later parts of my pregnancy. My insurance at the time did not cover the ultrasounds I was required to receive, so I was paying approximately $600-$900 per ultrasound on top of payments for Faith's care and chiropractic visits. There was also a $12 valet charge each time I came in for an appointment. My husband and I own a business, and we experienced a slowdown during my pregnancy, so these combined expenses became difficult to manage. I do appreciate that Faith offered me a payment plan through Credee, which helped when the costs began piling up. There were other moments when I felt more pressured than supported. I remember feeling stressed about my baby not being head-down by a certain point in pregnancy. I personally felt that my baby still had time to turn and wanted to trust my body, so the concern around it added anxiety for me rather than reassurance. I had a similar experience with recommendations around drinking 15 cups of water per day and taking herbs after some of my lab numbers were one or two points elevated. I'm personally very cautious about taking herbs or medications unless I feel they're necessary, so I declined the herbs. I sometimes felt judged or pressured when I wasn't meeting those recommendations, rather than feeling that my preferences were fully respected. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I unexpectedly learned during an ultrasound at Keck Medicine that my baby was measuring small, and I ultimately needed to transfer my care to a hospital. This was an overwhelming time, and I really appreciated Faith's support during the transfer. She helped calm me down and reminded me that I still had time to choose the hospital where I wanted to deliver and that I still had a say in my care. That helped me feel like I had some control during a situation that changed very quickly. Tahira was also incredibly helpful during this time. She researched different hospitals for me and helped me explore my options, which ultimately allowed me to choose the hospital where I felt most comfortable delivering my baby. My postpartum experience with Faith was much more positive. She came to my home to check on both me and my baby, and I found her much more pleasant and supportive during that period. After feeling like there were so many expectations I needed to meet throughout pregnancy, postpartum felt like a huge relief because I no longer felt that same pressure. I also want to mention Tchala, who was consistently calm, supportive, and pleasant throughout my experience. I really appreciated her demeanor and the way she interacted with me. Overall, I'm grateful for the support I received during some of the most important moments of my pregnancy, particularly during my transfer and postpartum period. At the same time, I wouldn't describe my overall pregnancy experience as the calm and supportive experience I had hoped for. The combination of financial pressure, required appointments, communication issues, and feeling pressured around certain recommendations created additional stress during an already vulnerable time. I'm sharing this because I think experiences with pregnancy and midwifery care can be very personal. Some families may appreciate a more structured approach with clear expectations, while others may prefer more flexibility and autonomy. For me, I would have benefited from more flexibility, responsiveness, and understanding of my individual circumstances and preferences.

Simona and Evelyn have now brought 2 of our 4 children into this world. Both of our girls were…read moredelivered at our home from Simona. As a dad I never thought this would have been possible. I can not think of anything more crazy than this. To me it is like jumping out of a plane without a parachute. But if the baby is healthy and mom is enough weeks along NOTHING in this world makes more sense than having your baby at your home. America has made it very apparent that you should be in a hospital and to not deliver there makes you stupid or naive. I can never thank Simona enough for making it all possible. I was able to help deliver my baby with my wife into this world. This is something so few people will ever be able to experience. I am forever grateful for Simona's experience and calm caring demeanor.

My husband and I had our first baby at home two months ago. We had no clue what to expect, as most…read moreparents do with their first labor. Simona and her assistant Evelyn were so amazing and supportive... I had precipitous labor and the baby came in under 4 hours! Simona handled what could have been a stressful situation with so much grace and calm and I felt so safe. My husband and I are so happy we found her and that we chose to birth at home. Thank you Simona and team for giving us the most magical experience from start to finish!

I've worked with Christian on my hormones over the last 3-4 months to prepare for queer conception…read moreand improve my intense pmdd symptoms. I appreciated that she could do bloodwork in-office and her recommendations were doable for me (she didn't want me to change every single thing and understands when new routines can cause more stress than it's worth -- her approach is balanced.) After 4 months my pmdd symptoms/hormones have improved a lot and we did our first iui! The IUI was more peaceful and gentle for both me and my wife than I could have imagined. Now, we wait :) Thank you so much, Dr Christian!

Thank you for all of your help and guidance, we feel so positive moving forward! You are always so…read morepersonable and professional. I appreciate you answering all of our questions and finding solutions.

Completely unprofessional and neglectful. My experience with Jennifer as a midwife was truly…read moredisturbing. This was my first pregnancy and I was relying on Jennifer to guide me through birth. A couple hours after my contractions became constant and increasingly intense, I called her. She told me to lay down and get some sleep, that it would be at least 24 hours. When I asked if I should let her know when contractions reached a certain timing, she told me not to time them at all. I asked when she would know to come, and her answer was: "I'll hear it in your voice." Apparently that means when you can't speak then she'll come. Four hours later, I gave birth. During that time, I labored alone--scared, confused, and unsupported. Jennifer did not check in with me by text or phone. The doula Jennifer referred me to was also no help during labor. I called her 4 times to please come but she kept saying it wasn't time yet and only telling me to keep breathing over the phone. I felt helpless. Finally, after the fourth call she came and arrived at 10:30, by 11:20pm I gave birth. Jennifer didn't arrive until 12:30am--well after my baby was born. I was worried because she lived over 40 mins away but always told me she would be there. She reassured me she never missed a birth which is obviously a lie. Afterwards, when I tried to express how traumatic this was for me she took no accountability. She claimed she did everything right and only blamed the doula for not communicating with her. She also put the blame on me claiming my labor was just "too fast." She had always told me to wait until she arrived for the tub because she would set everything up. So everything we planned was pointless, I gave birth standing up over my bathroom counter. She said there were absolutely no refunds and never apologized for what I went through. I was robbed of my water birth experience. This was supposed to be a supported, empowering home birth. Instead, it was the most frightening experience of my life. I'm now terrified of ever getting pregnant again. I could never recommend Jennifer as a midwife she will not be there when you need her the most.

Johanna made our home birth experience one that we will never forget. After talking to over a dozen…read moremidwives and looking even in other states for the perfect match, our last phone call was from a referral to Johanna. Her gentle and confident approach made us feel safe. Johanna is never in a rush whether it be during her pre-and postnatal visits or with a question over the phone, she is always there and present when you need her. She is reliable, accommodating, always on time and keeps her word. Johanna's visits taught us so much and answered many questions that we never would have known who to ask them to. The prenatal visits made us so much more prepared as first time parents not just for a healthy and satisfying birth, but also with questions such as sleeping arrangements, breast-feeding support, pregnancy clothing, and postnatal support to name a few. Johanna seemed to know exactly what we wanted out of our birth beyond what we even knew, and made the birth experience memorable and very enjoyable. With her vast experience as a second generation midwife, she has seen it all and is full of options that makes her a truly one-size-fits-all midwife! Through the time we spent together, Johanna became not only a friend, but a genuine part of our family. As very strategic and prudent people, Johanna truly exceeded our expectations of what a midwife could be and the services she provides. We hope to have the privilege of using Johanna again if we have the blessing of another birth in the future. Words can't express how valuable and what a gem she truly is. Obviously, we highly recommend her.

As a first time mom, choosing Gracefull was the best decision I could have ever made! The entire…read morestaff from the girls at the desk to the midwives, student midwives, and even Elizabeth the owner herself went above and beyond to give us the best chance at having a smooth, successful, empowering birth experience. What I learned at Gracefull has left me with invaluable tools for not just motherhood but life in general, like gaining a newfound ability to trust in my own power and surrender to the unknown. So glad I did my research :) TRUE HOLISTIC CARE I've been diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety which made me question my ability to be a mother at all. I was terrified about postpartum depression, not bonding with our baby, and repeating intergenerational trauma. I was looking for a birthing team to help me heal, gain courage and become an adequate adult over the course of my pregnancy. This wasn't an easy task but somehow they helped me feel totally prepared in that holistic mind, body, spirit way. The childbirth education classes included with the birth package were all we needed, and the postpartum visits set us up for success. All the bases were covered in a warm, friendly but professional way which was a completely different vibe from the gynecologist we started off with. THE MIDWIVES Every midwife and student midwife at Gracefull has such a unique vibe and style and they are all AMAZING! My pregnancy was a rollercoaster and energy wise, every meeting felt serendipitous in terms of what was needed. Even if I showed up in total panic, I ALWAYS felt held, heard, supported and never rushed in safe nonjudgmental space. I would leave each meeting with a sense of relief and confidence, and my husband felt the same :) There was a lot I wasn't able to communicate with him and he appreciated the midwives translating my concerns and being able to hold me accountable in ways he couldn't. LABOR AND DELIVERY We ended up working mostly with Heba who was a total ROCKSTAR. She comes from a nursing background and we appreciated her very practical way of approaching things. My husband especially needed her support when I was in labor and our doula kinda dropped the ball. Heba's top notch communication and professional experience was the reason our delivery went smoothly when it could've easily been a total mess. Not only that, but when my fears and emotions were so out of control nearing the birth that I was veering into suicidal territory, she made the call for us to set up a meeting with the owner Elizabeth to do some last minute trauma work with me and my husband a WEEK before the delivery which completely turned the tide on my mental state. "If the 16 year old in you births this baby, you're going to get transported. The 33 year old HAS to birth this baby," she said. This meeting seriously rewired my brain, and I feel like everyone was able to tell -- she even told the other midwife in the room (Dana) at the end "well, we may have just prevented another hospital transport." It was nice to feel so BELIEVED IN which helped me have the confidence to believe in myself as well, when at that point I really wasn't sure I'd be able to do this. IS THIS THE RIGHT OPTION FOR YOU? Something to understand about this process is that a natural childbirth isn't guaranteed. There's definitely luck involved but everyone at Gracefull is so genuinely invested in your success that they do their very best to keep you low risk to have the birth you want. That means YOU have to do the work too though and I can see how that might not be for everyone. I was ready and willing to do ANYTHING for a serious transformation into motherhood, and the midwives met me where I was at. The more honest, vulnerable and willing to do what they say you are, (I had to walk 5 miles a day and totally change my diet) the more they'll bring. If you're that kinda person, you're gonna absolutely love this experience. I still can't believe I was able to get naked and push an actual human out of me after a 40 hour labor completely unmedicated. I used to always cringe at the mention of childbirth and be disgusted with the whole concept (and my body). Now after being a mom for over a year, I can say that it's surprisingly the best thing I've ever done. I'm so grateful that that this is the birth story my entire family will carry into the future because it really does feel like a conscious choice to end negative cycles -- such an empowering reminder that change is possible. Gracefull truly is a magical place and I'm SOOO glad it exists...and takes insurance!!

From the moment we decided on having a birth center birth, to my 6week post partum visit, the…read moremidwife team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, cared for, and safe. We received outstanding care every step of the way, and had the most positive out of hospital birth experience one could ask for. Both Heba and Dana spent every visit with us making sure all of our questions were thoroughly answered, our worries were addressed, and our baby was healthy throughout my entire pregnancy. My 12 hours of labor was comfortable and all of my wishes and needs were met, and they helped me bring my beautiful baby girl into the world in such a special way. If you're looking for a beyond special birth center experience, the entire team at Gracefull will help you achieve that.

Birthing Rhythm is truly the gold standard when it comes to midwifery. We were so impressed with…read morethe level of care we received from start to finish. Beth Cannon has a wealth of knowledge & treats your entire family with such compassionate and excellence. She and everyone in her circle are incredibly skilled, trustworthy & a joy to work with. Prenatal appts are so comprehensive and never rushed. You have access to loads of information and resources to help you navigate the different stages of pregnancy and beyond. Options & recommendations are offered and your decisions are always respected. ***If you have concerns about the possibility of an emergency during labor/birth, please know you are in the BEST hands with Beth and her team.*** They are educated, equipped and prepared to manage urgent situations while maintaining clear communication, respect, and gentleness every step of the way. In my case, I had a retained placenta and a postpartum hemorrhage, but Beth, Jen & Mikki went above and beyond to care for me and my family through it all. They calmly communicated my options, took swift action, and gave tons of extra support and check-ins until I was fully recovered. I truly don't think any other midwife would have gone to the lengths that they did so seemingly effortlessly. Couldn't imagine having anyone else They say it takes a village, and in hiring Birthing Rhythm, you get a village. Beth has a vast and thoughtfully built community of experts, specialists and sincere care-givers to come alongside you in whatever your journey brings!

I don't even know where to start with Beth, Jenn and team because "amazing" doesn't feel like a big…read moreenough word. I went into this birth after a previous C-section, really hoping for a HBAC but honestly not fully trusting that my body would get me there. After a few days of what felt like never-ending contractions (turns out it was prodromal labor), I was completely exhausted and starting to spiral a bit mentally. Beth helped us figure out what was actually going on--baby had flipped posterior--and gave us really clear direction on what to do next. No pressure, no fear, just calm, grounded guidance. By the time active labor hit, I was in a pretty raw place. Tired, emotional, unsure. When Beth and team arrived, everything shifted. She was so calm and steady, and I could feel that she trusted my body even when I didn't. Things moved fast after her arrival . At one point baby's shoulder got a little stuck and I remember hearing timing being called out, but Beth handled it so calmly and confidently that there was never panic in the room. Within moments, he was in my arms. It was intense, messy, beautiful, and honestly one of the most empowering experiences of my life. Every birthing person deserves the kind of experience Beth and her team provide. Coming from a previous C-section, the difference between my two births couldn't have been more opposite. This time I felt seen, respected, and truly taken care of in a way I didn't even realize I was missing before. Forever grateful for her. Would choose her again a thousand times.

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 want to share my experience to be able to help future mothers and especially first time mothers…read moreto have the best experience possible wether its for birth or postpartum as mine wasn't what I wish It would have been. I wanted to feel supported and try for a VBAC for my second birth so I decided to work with Andrey for the birth of our daughter. Everything went good at the beginning, we had our in person interview, shortly after that meeting we decided we would be a fit for each other. After that she came over one more time and afterwards she told me she had a family oversees she was working with and would be available via phone/zoom and if needed to she would introduce me to a back up doula incase she wasn't back in time for my birth. The way she introduced us was thru text (no phone call or even an effort to do a zoom call so me and that back up doula could meet each other) no professionalism. My prenatal care was very limited nothing close to what Andrey promotes. Then I asked for a list of what to bring in my birth bag, she said she would send, I had to ask about 4 times until she sent and the reason I didn't get it was because she had sent it to a 'Victoria' how do you forget your clients name especially when you are a part of one of the most vulnerable times in their life. Fast forward to my birth Andrey ended up not being there. I ended up working with the back up doula & my first time meeting her and talking to her was her walking in my room while I laid in my bed clothe-less in pain as I was going thru my contractions (not the most ideal setting to meet someone for the first time who is going to be a part of a raw and emotional intimate time) a few days later Andrey lets me know shes back in LA and is coming to see me & baby to help with postpartum care. Then texts me cancelling because her car is in the shop (She could've taken an Uber) and cannot make it and she can come another day. She comes over a couple days after that for a few hours and tells me she will be back @10am the next day to help us some more. The next morning @9:35am she txts me she cannot make it and isn't available until the following week. I had cancelled help from my sitter to help with my newborn and toddler and my husband had left to work because we had relied on having help from Andrey that morning. At that point I was feeling extremely upset. The care and support I was expecting which Andrey advocates heavily on was nowhere close to what I was given. What was supposed to be a time in my life where I should've been given unwavering love and support turned into a time of grief and sadness for me. I decided to have a conversation with Andrey and let her know how I was feeling and I no longer felt comfortable working together. She apologized and told me I was a client that 'fell thru the cracks.' Simply she overcommitted and I was put in the back burner or was her last option sadly. She offered to bring some postpartum stuff to help with grief and overall just to help me emotionally and would drop it off in the next couple days, she never did. Unfortunately Andrey constantly overpromised and underdelivered.

Absolutely incredible experience with Andrey! From the moment we met her, her calming presence put…read moreus at ease. She brought not only warmth and reassurance but also deep experience and medical knowledge that made us feel completely confident in our birth plan and, most importantly, safe--both for mom and baby. Andrey was the advocate we didn't even realize we needed, always prioritizing our best interests over the hospital's. We genuinely cannot imagine going through the experience without her. If you're considering a doula, stop searching--Andrey is the one. Cannot recommend her highly enough!!!! Thank you Andrey!!!

Our review for Shelly and Seannie is simple...AMAZING! They understand everything from A to Z…read moreabout home birth. How it should go smoothly to what to do if things don't go so smoothly. Veterans, talented, experienced and skilled that comes with a 5 Star rating on professionalism, personality and spirit! They brought in both of our daughters, magically. I would recommend Child Birth at Home for anyone who is looking for the 'right way' to go. With their coaching and guidance we were able to achieve our goals of having the most amazing and beautiful home births for both our daughters!

Shelly and Seannie were exceptional and such an important part of our birth experience. I can't…read moreimagine the journey without them ! They create the most welcoming, elevated, relaxing and warming environment for expecting and new mothers and partners, which I found so important. They gave me the confidence and guidance I needed to make my natural birth the most beautiful experience. I trust them whole heartedly. I can't recommend them more.

Words can't express how happy I am that I found TLC Midwifery. After a frustrating first birthing…read moreexperience in a hospital, I knew that I wanted an empowering, respectful experience for my second. From the start, Davi and Michelle were incredibly warm, thorough, and supportive - not to mention knowledgeable and experienced. And at every step options were presented and discussed, and my decisions were respected. I was treated as a whole human being, rather than one in a long queue of patients to get through. Davi even dropped everything on a holiday weekend to check on me and my baby after I had a scary fall in my second trimester. My pregnancy and birth were everything I could have hoped for thanks to Davi and Michelle, and I'll miss seeing them now that I'm finished with my pre and postnatal appointments!

I will be forever thankful to the universe that I came across Davi…read more This was my first baby and I knew I didn't want to give birth at a hospital after hearing horrible stories from my traumatized girlfriends. I interviewed a couple of midwifes and was deciding between giving birth here in the US or going back to Europe. Im glad I ended up staying in LA. Davi was amazing from day one and I honestly can't imagine a better person to bring my baby to the world. Every time I think about my birth I tear up. It was such a beautiful and positive experience. Thank you Davi and Amie Ray