When I found out I was pregnant, many people told me to take labor and breastfeeding classes. After some research, I found that there weren't any classes locally offered to new moms, other than at Henry Mayo Hospital. And of course, their classes were only offered once a month. Unfortunately, they didn't work with my schedule. My main concern being a new mom was breastfeeding. I went online and tried finding a doula who would offer me a private class. Alas, I found Cali. What immediately impressed me was how quick she responded to my intro email. She was open to come over to my house, teach me the basics about breastfeeding and offer her advice postpartum. Cali was helpful, professional, and caring. Having my first baby with Cali's support made the experience that much better. So glad I found Cali! read more

Tender Bees Doula Services - Thanks Cali! Eva loves breastfeeding! - Doulas Near Me

When my husband and I found out we were expecting, we immediately started planning the type of birth we wanted. It wasn't long until we felt very overwhelmed by all the decisions and challenges that faced us. One of our friends recommended that we hire a doula to help us with the process... and so the search began. We met with a few different doulas, however as soon as we met Cali, we knew she was the perfect fit for our growing family. We felt very comfortable with her, she was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions, and her beliefs aligned with ours about the ideal birth. In addition, she offered us private parenting classes since our schedules were always conflicting with the hospital's classes we were interested in taking. In all of our meetings before the birth, Cali came prepared and ready to work. However, I always felt like I was meeting with a good friend. When my water broke 1 month early, Cali dropped everything to be at my side (even though it was her birthday!!) She even came to our house first to help pack for the hospital, keep me calm until my husband got home from work, and even installed our car seat (since we were so unprepared for such an early arrival!) I was a little unsure that I was going to be able to follow the birth plan we had put together, to keep things all natural, with no medical intervention, but with Cali's help, I was! She was calm and encouraging through my entire labor, and provided support for my husband as he coached me through a successful, all natural birth. We could not be more grateful. After the birth, Cali constantly checked in on us, and offered advice and help when we were having some difficulties with breast-feeding during her postpartum visit. We are so thankful that we can look back on our labor in a positive light, and we have Cali to thank for that. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a Doula. read more

Tender Bees Doula Services - Cali visiting Sawyer for the first time after she coached us through an all natural birth! These two are birthday twins!! - Doulas Near Me

My husband and I welcomed our first baby earlier this year. As a first time mama, the birthing process was an unknown for me but after talking to plenty of other moms who had both pleasant and unpleasant birth experiences, one thing became clear to me... I wanted to try to do this naturally. I did my research and met with a few doulas and found Cali. I immediately felt like it would be a good fit and so did my husband. We both felt calm and comfortable talking with Cali and while we wanted natural and she seemed to be 100% on board with that, she also stressed the importance of a safe labor and delivery for both mom and baby. That was important to us as well b/c we had every intention of remaining flexible if the birth plan could not be followed. We are so glad we chose to hire a doula and so happy it was Cali. I can say with great confidence that if it had not been for Cali and her support during my 12 hrs of labor, I would not have had the natural birth I wanted. She coached me through each contraction, involving my husband throughout the process, and I was able to stick to the plan. Now a couple months later I have such positive, powerful memories of the labor and delivery of my sweet boy. After birth, the postpartum visit was even more helpful than I anticipated. Even though I had not had latching issues and breastfeeding seemed to be going great, I still learned a ton from Cali -- she has a wealth of knowledge and is such a great resource for new parents. Before saying goodbye, she swaddled our baby boy and we posed for a quick picture (uploaded here). Our little guy smiled so big -- even he loves Cali! :) read more

Tender Bees Doula Services - Doulas Near Me

Cali is fantastic! She is a resourceful, knowledgeable advocate that is always available. During the pregnancy she came to visit and kept in touch regularly. She gave us "homework" assignments, documentaries & other helpful resources to assist us in achieving our birth goals. My wife and I knew before we got pregnant that we wanted to have a natural birth, without medication. She was not only very supportive of our birth wishes, she helped us develop and articulate a rock solid birth plan that was respected by every healthcare professional the day of our birth. Looking back on the 4 days of labor, this would not have been possible without the constant support and guidance from Cali. Thru the birthing experience a bond was formed with Cali stronger than I imagined it would be. She will be invited to my family barbeques, social gatherings and life events of our son. And of course, if my wife and I decide to have more children, Cali will be involved! On a final note, Cali is worth so much more than she charges. I can attest to the fact that the services she provides are fueled by her passion and respect for the birthing process, not the paycheck she receives. Cali is one of the most genuine people I have ever met and I highly recommend you seek out her services. Thank you for everything you have done for us Cali :-) read more

Tender Bees Doula Services - Cali & Elijah - Doulas Near Me

See all

We hired Cali 2 years ago as our birth doula and I have to say that it was one of our best decisions. I knew I wanted a natural drug free birth and took hypnobirthing classes in preparation, but having Cali there along the way definitely played a huge role in making my dream birth a reality. In the weeks and days before going into labor she was an amazing support via phone and text. I remember talking to her several times crying and stressed after some of my Ob visits. She always knew what to say to help bring me some calmness and make me feel empowered again. she was in contact with me via text and phone at the start of my labor and was able to provide advice on what to do at home to keep things progressing comfortably. She joined us at our home and stayed with me for several hours before heading to the hospital. There she was our advocate, not only being a help to me, but also to my husband. She was my only pain relief providing counter pressure at every contraction. I honestly don't even remember speaking to her as things got more intense. She just knew what to do, such as bringing me sips of water, using cool wash cloths, fanning me, aromatherapy. Cali was simply fantastic and we cannot thank her enough! Our little girl will be turning 2 next week and we are currently pregnant with our second. I know the world is different now with the pandemic, but if circumstances permit we definitely would love to have Cali involved with our next birth. read more

3 years ago when my (only) son Damien was born we used the services with Tender bees, and I must say, I couldn't even imagine a better experience. This review is 3 years too late, yet all of the information I learned from TB, is as fresh as if I had learned it yesterday . Thank you till infinity ! read more

Cali was our labor doula for the birth of our first baby in June 2013. We (my husband and I) both appreciate Cali so very much for helping us achieve the birth experience that we had hoped for. Cali was recommended to me by a friend. Upon meeting her we immediately found her to be intelligent, well spoken and passionate about her work. She is also knowledgeable, reliable, helpful and truly a star in my book! I felt very safe and well cared for during my labor. My husband tells me that he also felt great having Cali with us in preparation for labor and during labor. Please do not hesitate to meet Cali in person to determine if she would be a good fit for your family. We sure had a great experience working with her! read more

Cali is AWESOME! My wife and I hired her to be our doula in addition to private birthing classes and for placenta encapsulation. The birthing classes were once a week for six weeks and we learned A LOT! My wife was already pretty sure she wanted to have a natural birth and the information we got from Cali helped my wife clearly make up her mind to do that and to feel good about the decision. However, Cali is supportive of however a mother wants to birth - if my wife wanted an epidural or whatever, that would have been the method Cali would have supported. When it came down to labor time Cali was absolutely amazing. I was completely exhausted (we went to the hospital at 2:30am after laboring at home for about 6 hours). Cali, on the other hand, was good to go. She was on top of trying to keep my wife comfortable and was completely supportive and encouraging throughout the entire labor. At some point my wife was in a lot of pain and started to think she needed something to take the edge off the pain. Cali had the nurse come in and explain the drug options. After hearing her options my wife didn't ask again. Cali was able to minimize my wife's discomfort by suggesting different positions, applying pressure to painful areas, massaging, and just supporting her in general. I can't recommend Cali's services enough. read more

Laboring and delivery terrified me. So many unknowns, so many variables. How do I support my wife? How will I ease her discomforts? Not to mention all the questions I had about what's best for baby both in and out of the womb. In came Cali to the rescue. Ever since our first meeting with her we were 100% convinced that she was the real deal. We quickly hired her to support us. Her services include 2 prenatal visits, support throughout the labor and 1 post natal visit. During the first two visits we had a million questions. She answered every one and directed us to research articles as well. She also prepared us for the day of the delivery with very helpful pointers and information. Now to the big day. Labor pains started 4am Thursday. I texted Cali at 7am. She was great about responding and providing support. She joined us at around 11am when the contractions became more frequent. She stayed with us until 5pm Friday (until our bundle of joy came into this world). That was 30 hours of support. She helped my wife make it though every contraction and gave her suggestions as well. Cali was our calm during the storm and also our lighthouse. See you for baby #2 Cali thanks for giving us wings. read more

I had hoped to have an unmedicated birth with my first, but, after 24 of 33 hours of labor, I ended up getting an epidural. As much as I feel as it was needed, it necessitated a bunch of other interventions that I was hoping to avoid. When we got pregnant with #2, I decided to do as much as I could to have the unmedicated birth that I truly believed I could have. So, early in my pregnancy, I contacted Cali. She was prompt in responding to my emails. We met shortly after and immediately, we clicked. She and I shared the idea that every pregnancy and birth is beautiful and she supported me in my goal of having an unmedicated birth. Cali continued to contact me throughout my pregnancy to check in with me and see how things were going. We met a couple times before labor began, which helped to build the trust that was so integral to our doula/mother/father relationship. Towards the end of my pregnancy, we touched base almost every day! She was always timely in getting back to me and answering all of my questions. My water broke at home in the morning of February 17, 2014. Upon receiving my call, Cali quickly came to Simi Valley to be by mine and my husband's side through labor. With her guidance and support, I was able to deliver my son without any drugs or interventions! She gave us the confidence to labor without much interruption by medical staff, even while in the hospital. I cannot thank her enough for all that she did! Cali also encapsulated my placenta and delivered it within a few days of my son's birth. I would also recommend this service as I feel it has helped balance my hormones, helped in my recovery, and increased both my milk supply and energy levels! If you are even thinking about hiring a doula, please contact Cali! She was outstanding! read more

At first when my wife expressed interest in doula services I was skeptical. But after we met Cali all my hesitation was blown away by how knowledgeable and friendly she was. She answered all of our questions to satisfaction and even informed me of things I wasn't even aware of. When my wife went into labor I was at work. And by the time I got home from work Cali was already there massaging and soothing Lindsay. Cali was with us through the whole process and provided us with an outstanding degree of support and empowerment. She is an amazing asset and her continual encouragement and massage techniques was an absolute blessing. We wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula, or even just to better understand the whole miraculous process of child birth. And we will definitely have her help us next time! :) read more

There are so many wonderful things to be said about the services that Cali offers as a labor and postpartum doula. Cali, who was our doula for the birth of our daughter, was physically with us in the labor and delivery ward for approximately 28 hours, as well as for 12-hours of home labor that stalled out a few days prior to being induced at 42 weeks. Her guidance, reassurance, and sense of humor helped me while laboring and her counter-pressure and rebozo-ing did wonders to relieve the pain and pressure of contractions. Having Cali there made room for me to have the most positive experience possible. In the hospital and after doctors' visits in the last weeks of pregnancy, she helped explain what the doctors and nurses were telling us about our progress in terms we could understand, and helped me keep my composure and wits about me when I was exhausted and emotional. Ultimately, after trying every other route to have a natural, vaginal birth, I had to have a C-section. Even though I was not able to experience my "ideal" birth plan, I feel having Cali as a doula made our birth experience so positive, I can really look back on the experience with little to no regret. In addition to the labor and delivery process, Cali advised us prior in resources for easing discomfort in late pregnancy, and offered methods to ensure optimal fetal positioning. She also suggested readings on birthing and pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding, which were unbiased and very informative. Cali connected me with an incredible chiropractic care provider at the end of my term to help labor come about naturally and took extreme care with my placenta which we hired her to encapsulate (which was delivered the day after our birth!!). She was an incredible and positive force throughout my pregnancy, from the second we hired her, and after the birth. Major life events like weddings and births are opportunities to invest in your future, and I can say with utmost confidence that investing in Cali as our doula was worth every single penny. Even though the birth of our daughter did not turn out the way I had envisioned, I still felt incredibly empowered in making decisions the way I wanted to, as Cali's encouragement allowed me to not feel pressured into any procedure, nor was I fearful of the experience, primarily due to the fact that she was there supporting my husband and me along the way. Thank you so much Cali, we are so grateful for you. read more

Hired Cali to be our doula and placenta encapsulator for the birth of our third child. She was professional, wonderful, very supportive of my desires, non judgmental and helpful during labor! I am so glad she was a part of our birth team. She brought our placenta pills as soon as we were home from the hospital and I am so glad we hired her to encapsulate them. I have had the easiest time recovering from birth both physically and hormonally and I am sure that the placenta encapsulation is the reason for that. I highly recommend Cali for both doula services and placenta encapsulation! read more

Tender Bees Doula Services - So glad we had Cali at our birth! - Doulas Near Me

See all

When my husband and I decided to have a second child, I wanted to hire a night nanny. I had a rough recovery after my first c-section (emotionally and physically), and wasn't eager to do it again. Finding one in SCV proved more difficult than anticipated. I hadn't ever heard of a post-partum doula before- and actually had no idea what a doula did- but once I started looking in to what they do it was exactly what I was looking for. Cali came very highly recommended, and when she came to our house to meet us we felt very comfortable with her. She was experienced, knowledgeable, and very professional yet warm at the same time. When our daughter was born, it was during a very busy time at work for our family. My husband would work late into the night, and I don't know what we would have done without Cali. I was able to get the restorative rest that I needed at night, which led to a much more successful recovery. I didn't dread the night time. Even though we didn't have Cali come every night, the nights without her were more bearable because we had her next visit to look forward to. It gave us a light at the end of the tunnel! Our family life didn't suffer- our older son wasn't woken up by a crying newborn, and we were able to be the best parents we could be for him because we were well rested and ready for each day. My husband and I were able to function and communicate instead of walking around like zombies. We set up a bassinet in our living room and Cali stayed with her all night. She left reports of how the baby did during the night- how often she fed, how much she took, her diaper status, and any notes that she felt were important. She was able to answer my questions and concerns- not only about the baby, but regarding my own recovery as well. She also took care of light dishes, like washing the bottles, and always left us with prepared bottles. She is very accommodating regarding time and hours scheduled, and gives great suggestions as to how best to schedule her to get the most out of her time with you. I was concerned that it would be a problem that we didn't want someone full time every night, but it wasn't at all- we ended up doing something for 6 weeks that started as 5 nights a week, then down to 4, and eventually just two. I can't say enough great things about having a night doula help parents through this trying time, and if you're lucky enough to have Cali you have won the doula lottery! read more

When we found out we were expecting our first son I knew I wanted to have a natural birth with a doula. Cali was recommended to me by her own doula who spoke very highly of her. When we met Cali I immediately felt comfortable with her calm, sweet presence. She walked with us every step of the way providing positive support and great information. During labor she helped me stay focused and calm as well as helped answer the question my husband had during all the stages of labor. I couldn't have has such a peaceful, natural labor and delivery without her. AND we couldn't imagine birthing without her in the future! We look forward to having her attend our second birth this August! Cali is calm, educated, encouraging , passionate, reliable, respectful and supportive. She always puts the best for mother and child before everything else. I highly recommend her to all expecting mommas who are considering a doula. I can always call or text her for anything and she gets right back to me. She is always available to answer questions and give support. She is not only our doula but she has become our dear friend. read more

Cali was absolutely fantastic throughout the end of my wife's pregnancy, through the birth, and even post-natal. I can't say enough good things about her. She's KIND, supportive, informative, proactive, and a very comforting communicator. Her fee is ridiculously reasonable considering the amount of time and effort she puts in. If you're on the fence about hiring a doula, don't be. HIRE HER. Especially as a first time Dad she took so much pressure off of me during the birth and I was grateful for it. She filled any gaps where I may have struggled as a husband. My wife loved her and can't even imagine going through a birth without Cali's support and loving touch. read more

I gave birth to my second child six weeks ago and Cali was my Doula again. I am so grateful that we had her there. You think you wouldn't need it after you've already had one. But every birth is different and you still get nervous for each one. So it's nice to have someone there that knows how to support you. This time my labor was fast and furious. Annnnnd it was on Mother's Day! I felt so bad to have to have my birth team come support me when they are supposed to be the ones getting spoiled on Mother's day. But Cali was so nice about it and was like no way it's no problem we are here for you. We want to be here. So it was Mother's Day and my labor was fast and furious. I believe my active labor was only about 2 hours. But Cali got there so fast. I think she was there within 15 minutes. I was in so much pain but right away she was making me feel better. Non stop support. Even though it was like 2 hours it felt like it was like 6 hours because I was in pain even between contractions. She held my hand while I was pushing and I felt bad because I was squeezing so tight. But she kept patting it and telling me to relax. It really helped. I had a homebirth and after the birth she stayed a couple hours and made sure we were all good before she left. It was so nice to have her there again. It felt like family. I'm so grateful I was able to have her at both of my births. She is an awesome Doula. She was totally meant to be one and when she's at the birth you can see how much she enjoys being there. read more

Cali was so helpful during the recovery from my C-section. She was so knowledgeable and informative on breastfeeding and taught me the ropes before hand so I was practically a natural by the time baby Savannah came home from the hospital. She also helped me during the times I couldn't do things on my own such as cleaning up the house, laundry and cooking dinner for the family etc. She was such a lifesaver in the few weeks postpartum. Couldn't have done it without her! Thanks for everything Cali! Xo read more

I had Cali as my doula at the births of both of my sons. She was so amazing when I was in labor with my first baby that, when I got pregnant again 2 years later, I couldn't imagine going through it again without her. Her massage techniques helped me tremendously, and she is such a calming presence. Having someone there to advocate for your wishes is so great in today's busy hospital systems. Fortunately, I was able to have two all natural births, and I truly believe Cali played an important role in helping me accomplish that goal each time. read more

Cali recently helped with the pregnancy, labor and birth of our second boy, and I cannot say enough good things about the services she provides. She is a consummate professional, with a wealth of knowledge readily available. As with the last time, Cali helped us prep for our child's birth process, which gave my wife and me a sense of control and calm going into labor and delivery. Cali was promptly available whenever we had questions in the weeks leading up to our son's birthday, and when that day arrived, she took the time to help us both feel comfortable prior to heading to the hospital. During my wife's labor, Cali was attentive and sensitive to my wife's needs. She also injected humor where she could, which is something my wife and I both appreciated (labor is stressful, and humor helped us both relax, so my wife could focus on her contractions and I could focus on my wife). Cali supported us throughout the delivery, and again took lots of pictures to commemorate the special moment of my wife and I holding our newborn son for the first time. She checked in with us once we arrived home from the hospital to ensure everything was going smoothly, which I really appreciated, since it can be a bit overwhelming once you leave the hospital and come home to a rambunctious dog and a precocious 2 year old! Cali also dried my wife's placenta, and provided it back to her in capsules, and spelled out the word Love with the dried umbilical cord! We couldn't be happier with our decision to hire Cali as our Doula for our second child. She is a fantastic person, with a wealth of knowledge and passion for her work. We can't recommend Tender Bees Doula Services enough! Thanks Cali!! read more

Tender Bees Doula Services - Cali with baby Luke- 9/08/2016! - Doulas Near Me

I am the happy mamma of a beautiful baby girl who came into this world with the loving help of Cali. I got the idea of using a Doula from my sister who has raved about the experience of having the support of a Doula. From the get go, Cali was amazing to work with. She is extremely knowledgable but is not pushy or intimidating. She answered all our questions (and as new parents, me and my husband had a lot!) and was genuinely concerned and invested in us experiencing the best birthing process possible. She truly, truly, truly wants you to do things on your terms and is so supportive of whatever your birth plan consists of. Take her childbirth classes!! They are super informative and will alleviate any anxiety you may have in feeling "not ready." All in all, Cali was amazing to work with and we were extremely pleased with having her as our Doula. read more

This was my first pregnancy and I had no idea what to expect. We called Cali at 3 o'clock and she was at the hospital within 30 minutes! Cali was fantastic. She made the birth experience, as difficult as it was, easier for me. It helped to have her there and her advice - it helped me deal with the medical staff more easily. She also helped my family understand what was going on during the labor. Cali's advice post-labor has also helped me and made me feel better about how things are going I can honestly say that because of the support my doula provided me, I had a beautiful birth experience and I wouldn't change a thing. The big actions and the small gestures made it worth every penny to have the professional guidance by my side. Thank you so much for everything you did to help us with the arrival of our baby! We meant it when we said that we couldn't have done it without you. You are very good at what you do and we would be happy to recommend you to anyone! read more

I recommend Cali as a doula without reservation. She was extremely knowledgeable, caring and dedicated when she was my doula at the birth of my first child in November 2012. Cali is a great educator and had a lot to share on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and newborn care during our prenatal visits. She helped us put together a comprehensive and realistic birth plan and overall made me much more confident as I prepared for delivery. She touched base throughout the process and guided me when my due date came and went. I went into labor 10 days late and was admitted to the hospital early in the morning of her son's first birthday party. I was impressed she dropped everything, even an important family event to join me at the hospital. I found her support invaluable, both physically and emotionally. Her guidance helped me while laboring and her counter-pressure did wonders to relieve the pain of contractions. The situation in the room became tense as I had complications after both my son and I went into distress after several hours of laboring in the hospital. She was wonderful in diffusing a tense situation and her calm and positive attitude was contagious. Ultimately after trying every other route I had to have an unexpected emergency C-section. Even though I was I did not live out my ideal birth plan, I feel a doula made my birth experience so positive and I can look back to the day with zero regrets. I really felt that my entire labor team gave it their all and we did everything we can to try for a nature birth while understanding that sometimes C-sections are an absolute medical necessity. Cali is a wonderful cheerleader for laboring mothers. She worked well with me, my husband, my mother, the nurses, and the doctors in the room. I am so glad I had her with me for my first birth and I wouldn't want to do it again without her! read more

Cali Judson was a wonderful teacher. We initially hired her for private child birth education classes in our home and loved her personality so much that we hired her to be our doula in the hospital. When the big day arrived, Cali's warm and endearing personality kept us calm. Her coaching and guidance during the birth of our daughter was invaluable and I truly believe that our success of having an unmedicated birth with minimal hospital interventions was due to her presence at the birth. I recommend her to any one looking for a doula. She is wonderful. read more

Where do I begin! I was terrified of going through labor and delivery. I knew I needed someone by my side to coach me through it and help me mentally prepare. Cali did that and so much more. From the first time my husband and I met with her, she just brings a sense of calm. Experience will do that. :) She is a wealth of knowledge and goes through a list of questions and scenarios that you would never have thought of. You just don't get that kind of thoroughness from your OBGYN appointments, that's not what the doctors are there for, but luckily Cali is. And don't expect the nurses to be able to hold your hand through the process either. Like the doctors, they are just too busy with the medical side of the delivery. And Cali was so helpful there too, when I didn't understand what the nurses were telling me or asking of me, all I had to do was look at her and she explained what was going on. Having her by my side, starting a couple months prior to my due date, made all the difference in my experience which was even better than I could have hoped for. With all of the horror stories out there, just do yourself a favor and meet with her! You will be so glad you did. read more

This review is long overdue but I hope it is helpful to anyone looking for an amazing doula! Cali is an experienced, knowledgeable, and reliable doula who is genuinely committed to the best care of you and your family. She helped us as a postpartum doula for our twins. The first few months were a blur but I can say without reservation that if it weren't for Cali, we would not have survived that time. She was an investment in our sanity and well being when we were struggling to make it through each day. We had peace of mind knowing that our twins were in excellent care with Cali. Thank you Cali! read more

This review is a couple of months overdue but you know how it goes with a new baby ;) I cannot say enough good things about Cali. I did not have a doula for my first baby so I did not know what to expect, but after meeting with Cali the first time, I knew that she was the doula for us. She was such a great listener and really cared about what we wanted our experience to be. She didn't try to push anything on us at all and really really listened to my desires and fears regarding this birth. Fast forward to a week before my due date....I started having contractions and called Cali. Per our discussions, I went to the hospital as soon as my water broke. Cali was going to meet us there. Fast forward to only two hours and fifteen min after my first contraction...I was wheeled back to L&D (very quickly) and as I was standing up to move from the wheelchair to the gurney, my baby was born!!! Definitely not what we expected, but I got the natural birth I always wanted ;) Even though Cali was not technically there for the birth or labor (obviously not her fault...my baby had another agenda), she provided so much physical and emotional comfort after a very crazy and somewhat terrifying birth. Prior to having this experience I would not think that I needed a doula AFTER I gave birth, but having her there made things so much better and more comfortable. I would highly recommend Cali to anyone looking for a doula who not only loves what she does and is amazing at it, but also one who listens to what you want and tries everything in her power to give you the birth that you want. Thank you for everything Cali!! read more

I felt great during my pregnancy but I was really nervous about the upcoming labor and delivery of my first child. I began seeking a doula to assist me with my labor. From the moment Cali and I first connected, I felt at ease immediately. She explained her services and offered to come and meet me and my husband near our home just to see if we were all a "match". Right away, Cali brought me peace. She exuded a calm confidence and always had just the right answer for my numerous questions. She included my husband appropriately with just the right balance of including him without pushing him. I felt Cali was a perfect match for us right away and my husband did as well. After we made the commitment of having Cali assist us with our birth, she came to our home to meet with us two more times and taught us about the birthing process, what to expect, and even taught us techniques to care for our baby. She took the time to find out what we wanted for our birthing process and prepared us for all possible scenarios. Cali was readily available throughout my pregnancy to answer questions, refer me to other professionals if necessary, and provide reassurance whenever we needed. She provided information when we were faced with numerous decisions. Not once did I ever feel that I was "bugging" Cali. She repeatedly took time to talk to me and send me messages throughout my pregnancy. She would even reach out to me during my pregnancy just to see how things were going. She reassured me that she was "on- call" just for me several weeks before my due date, in case I were to deliver early. I went into labor in the middle of the night and she came to my home right away. She guided me through my labor at home for 12 hours and provided me with exceptional pain relief as well as much needed moral support and reassurance during my most vulnerable moments. As my contractions started to become more frequent we went to the hospital together and she did not leave my side for the next 24 hours. I am so amazed that she was at my side for 36 straight hours. She was my rock during this time. There is no way I would have been able to labor naturally for that long without Cali. She relieved so much of my pain and provided me with pain assistance and breathing guidance with EVERY contraction. At my request, she took my placenta from the hospital and prepared and encapsulated it for my consumption. After my delivery and return home, she scheduled a follow up home visit to personally deliver my placenta capsules that she prepared. She assisted me with breastfeeding techniques and taught me what to expect and how to address any problems I was having. Cali has a tremendous heart and such a giving soul. My husband and I are forever grateful to Cali for helping bring our beautiful healthy daughter into this world. We cannot thank her enough for her support, sensitivity, knowledge, guidance and genuine love and care. We have the utmost respect for her and recommend Cali to all Moms and Dads to be without reservation. read more

Having Cali from Tender Bees Doula Services support us during our pregnancy and birth was one of the best decisions we could have made, especially as first time parents. We went with what we jokingly called "The Queen Bee Package." We wanted to take advantage of all that Cali had to offer. Cali was extremely valuble to us and was also highly recommended by many friends. One of the reasons we chose to hire a doula was to gain that extra support because I live with epilepsy and anxiety. Cali was always readily available for all of our questions and concerns leading up to, during and after the birth of our son. She always showed us the utmost respect and understanding and was such a calming presence. We chose to take the childbirth education classes that she offers. I can't tell you how incredibly informative they were. My husband and I felt infinitely more prepared for the big day. Cali provide a wealth of comprehensive information, but also provided a warm, welcoming environment (and even snacks!!). We loved how she made sure to include both the mom's and dad's-to-be in her interactive classes and injected humor along the way. We both felt relaxed, heard and very comfortable to ask any questions. When I went into labor Cali kept in contact, checking in and answering any questions and concerns we had along the way until it was time for her to join us in the hospital. I truly believe that having Cali present for our labor and delivery absolutely had a positive effect on the outcome of our experience. Having a seizure was a huge concern for us. Cali along with my healthcare providers helped me feel more confident in my abilities and eased my anxieties. We had an amazing, safe, calm and positive labor and delivery. Giving birth while having epilepsy was a huge fear of mine and I feel that Cali's presence and support directly contributed to the success of my birth. She was very knowledgeable about the process and what to expect during each stage and the way the hospital and staff worked. It was helpful to know what to expect along the way. Cali followed up a few days later with a postpartum visit. She taught us helpful information about breastfeeding and I am happy to say that our nursing is going amazingly well! My labor and delivery became a very empowering experience and I am so grateful for that. We also took advantage of her placenta encapsulation services. She provided plentiful information about the process and benefits. She provided us the capsules within three days of our delivery and provided information on taking and storing them and even followed up so see how I was feeling. She also took some beautiful photos of my placenta with the umbilical cord shaped like a heart and then dried the umbilical cord in the shape of the word love! We couldn't be happier with her services. We recently began our postpartum visits by Cali as well. We chose to go with night visits to help us with support and sleep as my husband returned to work. I can't tell you how beneficial her night services have been for us! It has been wonderful to get a little more sleep at night while knowing that our son is in Cali's incredibly capable and loving arms. We wholeheartedly recommend hiring Cali to support in you every facet of your pregnancy and birth. She will be an invaluable resource. read more

Cali was wonderful! It was my first pregnancy and naturally I spent a lot of time worrying about what I needed to do to properly prepare for the birth and my baby. Cali was like a really organized personal assistant who swoops in to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row. She provided me with a sample birth plan and fantastic handouts to keep me on schedule and make sure I had everything done when I needed it to be done. It felt really good to know that I was as prepared as I could be ahead of time. The prenatal appointments really helped calm my anxiety. I liked having someone to talk to who was very knowledgeable, not only from a medical standpoint but also as someone who has been there before and is going to support you whatever your decision may be. Naturally toward the end of my pregnancy I started to get nervous about some of my choices and heard some horror stories from friends... Cali kindly steered me back in the right direction advising me to go into it with an open mind and not to make any decisions based off of someone else's experience and story. She was also extremely knowledgeable.. I consider myself well versed and I read everything I could get my hands on when I was pregnant, but I learned something new and helpful from Cali every single time I talked to her ... Which I really liked. Although my labor didn't go as planned and I ended up having to be induced, Cali arrived at the hospital in the wee hours of the morning and was able to labor down with me before my delivery.. When it was time to push, there must have been 6 people (doctors and nurses and husband) standing around me all talking and telling me different things... But Cali was right next to my ear, with a very calm voice simply telling me to breathe .. I focused on her voice and tuned everyone else out and it worked... I only pushed for 18 minutes! Cali was also in charge of the camera and she captured those first moments with my family perfectly! I was so glad my husband got to focus on the process and didn't have to worry about trying to take pictures! That in of itself was priceless! read more

I always knew that having the support of a doula during childbirth was something I wanted. I spent weeks interviewing and happily met Cali. She was so gentle, kind, calm, positive and support. It gave me peace of mind to know I would have her support during labor. As it would turn out, I ended up going in for a planned c-section for my breech baby. My husband and I decided we did not need a birthing doula and without hesitation Cali was willing to change her role to support me as a postpartum doula. She was wonderful! She was so emotionally supportive, she was helpful and so kind. She was dependable, calm and sensitive to my needs. She helped me around the house, cooked wonderful meals and snacks for me, and helped me discover new natural recipes to make baby wipes and lactation cookies. She allowed me to sit and bond with baby and heal from my surgery while helping to keep a calm and comfortable space in my home. My baby is now 8 months old, I would highly recommend Cali and will definitely be giving her a call for my next pregnancy. read more

Cali was extremely knowledgeable and supportive throughout our pregnancy. She has a great deal of knowledge and expertise and was always happy to share information and provide support in anyway possible. Cali is a very positive, nurturing and calm individual, I imagine she would exude a tranquil nature throughout the birthing process. Unfortunately, our daughter was breech and we were not able to have Cali participate in the birth. However, she was very willing to answer questions and provide guidance leading up to and following our daughters delivery. read more

My husband and I had an amazing experience with Cali. We hired her as our doula and took part in her childbirth preparation classes. Cali is extremely warm, kind, knowledgeable, and professional. She guided us through both the difficult times of our pregnancy and delivery, and celebrated with us during times of excitement. When my birth plan had to drastically change due to health concerns, Cali transitioned with us seamlessly and was a source of support, encouragement, and comfort. She is fantastic, and we would recommend her to anyone seeking doula services. read more

Cali was an amazing part of our pregnancy, labor and delivery experience. She is a wonderful supporter, source of knowledge, coach and advocate for any expecting woman or couple. My husband and I couldn't imagine our birth experience could have been half as wonderful without her. From the beginning of our pregnancy, we knew that we wanted to have a natural, unmediated birth. Cali was recommended to us through an acquaintance. After meeting with her, we knew that she would be a great asset to our pregnancy and birth journey of our first child. When even some of my most supportive friends and family members doubted my endeavors, Cali was always there, cheering me on and supporting my wishes. She is full of knowledge and is very sincere about her work. Throughout my long labor, she never failed to give my husband and I her all to make us as comfortable and relaxed and confident as possible. I certainly plan to have Cali present for the births of any future children we may be lucky to have. read more

It's difficult to put into words just how amazing it was having Cali at the most beautiful, important, and challenging day of my husband and I's life. What I can say with confidence, however, is that hiring Cali to assist in the birth of my first child was hands down the BEST decision I made during my pregnancy. As a soon to be new mom, Cali met with me twice before the big day to discuss birth goals and my overall concerns about parenting a newborn. While those meetings were VERY helpful in preparing me for the life changing event ahead, it was during my 30-hours of labor that Cali's presence was absolutely integral to my birth experience. Cali made it her mission to help make me comfortable and confident throughout this exhausting, exciting, and emotionally trying time. She anticipated my needs before I even knew what they were. And when I was ready to give up, practically begging the doctor for surgical intervention, she gently talked me through my fears and encouraged me to have faith in myself. In the end, her presence and pep talks worked in helping me to achieve the healthiest and happiest delivery I could have hoped for. I will definitely be hiring Cali to assist in the birth of my second child if I am graced with that blessing! I can't imagine going through labor without her. read more

I cannot imagine going through my first delivery without Cali by my side. My husband and I prepared for labor by reading multiple books and attending several classes, but nothing was as useful as Cali's wealth of knowledge. Before hiring Cali we met with several doulas, but were immediately impressed by Cali's professionalism, organization, and attention to detail. She is passionate about her career, and truly cares about her clients. Cali never hesitated to answer my frantic text messages at 4 in the morning; she stayed with us for over 12 hours as I labored, both at home and at the hospital. She helped both me and my husband to relax throughout the entire process, and was helpful and involved without ever being overbearing. I cannot recommend Cali highly enough; thanks to her, my birth experience was almost exactly what I originally envisioned. read more

When I found out I was pregnant I knew right away that I wanted to have a natural labor and delivery with no medical intervention. My sister in law had hired a doula for the birth of her baby and encouraged me to look into it for myself. My husband and I started meeting with doulas in the area and when we met with Cali we knew right away that she was a great fit for us. We also did our birthing classes with her privately in our home which worked best for our schedules. The classes we did were very informative and we learned a lot. Cali was very organized and each week we went over a different topic. During my pregnancy, especially at the end, Cali was always available to answer all of my questions and concerns. She always made me feel so much better about everything. When it came to having my baby boy, I was a week overdue and ended up getting induced. I went into the hospital in the evening and given something to soften my cervix and wasn't expected to start contracting until the next morning. I ended up starting contracting late into the night and I was able to keep in contact with Cali the whole time. She came to the hospital when I felt like I was in active labor even though it was the middle of the night. I had very painful back labor with not many breaks between contractions and there were times, especially towards the end that I really wanted to give in and not be in so much pain anymore. Cali was so great at helping me go into different positions and she had different ways to help me with my back labor pains. She was so great at reminding me it was my plans to go natural and she was also so encouraging throughout the whole process. I was able to have my baby boy naturally with no pain meds and I couldn't have done it without the support of Cali. She even helped my husband support me in a way that worked for us. read more

Cali was great! She was knowledgable and accesible throughout my pregnancy. I had prodromal labor for a few days, and to be able to text her throughout for questions and cheerleading made all the difference in the world. Cali joined us at the hospital after my water finally broke and she was a supportive and calm presence the entire time. I'll definitely call her again if I have a second one. read more

I'm writing this as my 3 week old baby girl sleeps on my chest. Cali is AMAZING! I knew I wanted a doula to help facilitate a natural birth. I was so happy when I met and clicked with Cali during early pregnancy. She is down to earth and full of knowledge. In addition to her labor doula services, my husband and I decided to take the private classes she offers. It was wonderful learning in the comfort of our own home. She was a great support during pregnancy and eased any anxieties that came up. On to labor...Cali absolutely shines! Giving birth was the most amazing AND the hardest physical, emotional, and mental journey I've experienced. I could not have achieved the natural birth I desired without her. I sing her praises to anyone I tell my birth story to. She gives you her all so you can give your all. At one point she wrapped her arms around me just when I needed something extra to get me through. She works so well with the nursing staff...my labor nurse and OB had nothing but compliments for her. I'm forever grateful that Cali was a part of my little girl entering this world. If you are thinking about hiring a doula, you cannot go wrong with Cali. She was also very prompt in getting my encapsulated placenta pills to me, I had them within 2 days of giving birth. Like I said in the beginning, Cali is AMAZING! read more

Cali is such a gem! We had our first child this past November. I was determined to have an unmedicated birth and knew that a doula would be helpful. My husband was reluctant at first but after meeting with Cali the first time he was totally on board. Well... We found out at 37 weeks that our lo was breach and despite doing everything I could to flip him he wasn't going to budge. Cali was beyond helpful! She talked with me and helped me process my feelings around this change in my birth plan. She empathized and never judged or tried to push me in any direction. She was maybe one of the only people who I felt truly understood why the csection was so devastating to me. Because the hospital would not allow a doula into the OR she offered to apply my payments to a postpartum doula package instead. She was a godsend! My husband had to go back to work fairly quickly and I was overwhelmed at the thought of being home alone as anew mom and after surgery! Cali came every morning for a week. She helped cleaning and made sure I was fed and had water! She helped with breastfeeding and calmed my anxieties. When my lo wasn't gaining weight and the dr was pushing formula, Cali helped talk me through my options and seek out a lactation consultant before giving up. She really helped instill confidence in me as a new mom. I'm telling you this is the best money I've spent! She continued to follow up with us over these past months. She will be my first (okay maybe 2nd after my parents) call when we find out we are having another baby. :) read more