A friend introduce me to this mommy and I class when my baby was 2 months old. I have attended…read morethese classes since then and my baby is 9 months old now. I highly recommend the Butterfly center. Rina is very knowledgeable, caring, patient, and friendly. These classes have helped my son become more social and these have also helped ME be better prepared as a new mom. It can be isolating staying at home taking care of a little one (and quite scary not knowing what to do as they grow). These classes have given me peace of mind and both my son and I get a lot from them. It also offers and opportunity to see other moms and learn from each other's experiences. Highly recommend!

We LOVE The Butterfly Center! I have taken 3 different series of classes with Rina and loved every…read moreone of them. I don't know how I would have gotten through the first year of my daughter's life without the guidance and support of Rina and all the wonderful moms that I have met through this program. Highly recommend!!

If you have been considering a natural home waterbirth as a possibility for your next birth…read more Seriously... you can look no further. Pick up the phone and call Birthwell... RIGHT NOW! Words can not begin to describe the appreciation I have for Mari and her team. The care I received from Birthwell exceeded all of my expectations and I felt like I was in this big bubble of love during every visit. I know that sounds a bit sappy, but when you have been working so hard being pregnant and preparing for that perfect birth, feeling supported with love and acceptance really makes a difference. And that is exactly what I was blessed with- an absolute perfect birth. I had been receiving prenatal care through my insurance provider at a local hospital, not very happy with the rushed, impersonal experience of being there. After my first ultrasound, doctor after doctor told me that my placenta was too low for a home waterbirth- it wasn't quite a previa, but "too close for comfort" in their eyes. At 36 weeks they were adamant about scheduling me a c-section (the last thing you want to hear when you had been committed to a natural birth), so I demanded one last look. I had been praying so much that my placenta move just the 2 millimeters out of the way. My OB really didn't think it was going to in only two weeks since the last ultrasound, but low and behold, it had! I took this as a sign to get a Midwife and do it the way I wanted from the beginning - at home and in the water. Mariposa of Birthwell was recommended to me by two difference sources - coincidentally the first two people I had asked. I knew that choosing a midwife was a very personal and important decision, so I did my research and looked at all the different midwifery service providers around LA. Before I gave Mari a call, I went on to her website to check her bio. The second I saw her amazing eyes, I was overflowing with tears. I knew right away she was the one. It was a great bonus that she ended up having so much Labor & Delivery experience and that she was super-sweet an empowering. I don't think I've even told her this, but she had me at the online photo :-) After an in-person meeting with her and my partner, we "tied the knot" and she put me to work. There was so much preparation my body needed for the birth that I had no idea about. I was shocked my OB hadn't told me even a fraction of tricks Mari filled me in on. From the yoga moves, to the borage oil, to the squats- I was on a daily regime that got me ready for the big day. One night at around 10:00pm, just after finishing Mari's prenatal yoga video and downing some fresh coconut juice, it started. The contractions were happening every 6 or 7 minutes, but they were pretty manageable. I called Mari up and she told me to call her every hour to tell her how far a part they were at each hour increment. I was pretty surprised, considering it was already so late at night and worried I was going to keep her up all night with phone calls until it was time for her to come (I have a family history of 30-40 hour labor "marathons", so I knew it was going to be a while). After a few hours, I ended up falling asleep somehow. At 5:30am I woke up to my water breaking in bed (luckily Mari had given me a checklist for preparing my home for the birth- including a full waterproof bed pad we had on the bed ready to go!) I called up Mari and she said she was on her way over. She lived pretty close and was at the house within 20 minutes. The contractions weren't that bad, but they were happening every 2 minutes or so. She checked me and we both couldn't believe that I was already dilated 8 centimeters! I got in the water (we had a hot tub prepared on the deck) and she called her assistant to come. Less than 3 hours later, our precious little girl was born. It went so perfect in every way and Mari & Beth were a true blessing. Mari taught me how to breath, low and slow, and she made me feel fearless and so powerful. I was able to birth my daughter in the water and Mari talked me through how to birth most of her by myself- something I really wanted to do. It was the happiest moment of my life. It's been 3 months and, safe to say, Mari is definitely a part of the family.

The level of pre and postnatal care I received from Mari was beyond my expectations. I began my…read morecare with Birthwell at 10 weeks pregnant and just delivered my healthy, beautiful boy on 7/21. He was born at home, in the water, drug free-Just how I imagined. If you want a beautiful, empowered, natural birth with a practitioner who brings the energy of a professional nurse as well as a supportive best friend-She is your girl.

This is the best local all stop everything baby shop! Not…read moreonly do they have all the best baby gear, but super knowledgeable and friendly staff. They have Classes, Mommy and me, it's a literal find you village type of place. Free mommy mixers, awesome deals, baby friendly store, they even rent hospital grade pumps and sooooo much more! If you or someone you love is expecting this is the place you need to explore for real support. I wish there were more locations and I can't say enough good things!

Victoria was AMAZING for prenatal yoga!! The store is so lovely, full of so many goodies and I…read moreabsolutely loved the yoga room! Everything was clean, relaxing, and Victoria was so attentive to me and my pregnancy needs throughout the session. I can't wait to go back!!

We are SO grateful to have had Lauren's help with caring for our newborn during the early…read morepostpartum weeks. As first-time parents, we were anxious and sleep-deprived upon coming home from the hospital with our baby, and having Lauren there during that first night at home was absolutely life-saving -- I felt so grateful and relieved to see her walk through the door. She was so warm and reassuring, and I knew that our baby would be in good hands. Each night that she came, she would answer all our random questions that we had written down, teach us how to soothe and care for our new baby, and give us the opportunity to catch up on much-needed sleep while she looked after the baby overnight. Then before leaving each morning, she would always give us a summary of how the night went, including anything notable about the baby's health or behavior and any relevant advice. It's clear that Lauren is an expert at what she does, and it was amazing to have her as our trusted advisor on all things baby-related. She is a patient and professional teacher, and her guidance has helped build our confidence as new parents. Anyone would be lucky to work with her! Thank you, Lauren!

We kept calling Lauren "Mary Poppins." Not only was she practically perfect in every way - she is -…read morebut she was just what we needed when we needed it. Coming home from the hospital as first time parents and knowing Lauren was there to support us helped relieve our "newborn" stress. Lauren adapted her style to our needs. She is extremely experienced and anticipated what we would need before issues arose. She is attentive, attuned and communicates well. She helped us grow in confidence for caring for our child so that by the time she left, although we missed her company, we felt equipped for parenthood. Before I met Lauren, I was hesitant to accept that a night doula could fit into our family. Those first few months are so intimate, and I didn't want to have anyone around that would dampen the experience. Well, that worry was unfounded with Lauren. Lauren helped me be able to focus on my son better than I could have without her help. If you are thinking of hiring Lauren, don't take my word for it - see for yourself.

YUMMY!!!!! I received my lactation cookies from Shani and took one bite! I was in cookie heaven,…read morethey are soooo good. I ate 5 cookies in one sitting, after each cookie I told myself THIS is the last one...LOL. I sent Shani a text message to let her know how much I enjoyed them and that I had already eaten FIVE!!!! She was happy to hear that I enjoyed them but also made sure that I didn't eat so many at once as I would wake up the next morning with an overflow of milk production. To be honest, I didn't think that was possible. Until I woke up the next morning with FULL MILKIES!!!!!! I am 13 months into breast feeding (now on demand), and was able to pump 6oz from "Righty" and 3oz from "Lefty" and had plenty left over for our daughters regular feedings. Thank you Shani your cookie are truly a blessing

Shani was amazing! She encapsulated my placenta and gave me such great guidance throughout my…read morepregnancy and labor. My first call to her I had soo many questions and she answered them all. I got my placenta pills, lactation cookies, & a tincture. My next baby I'm looking to have her as my postpartum doula. She made me feel really comfortable and I'm glad I trusted her with my placenta.

I'm not sure I have the words to fully describe how incredible Mary is. After our daughter was…read moreborn, my husband said that the three birth essentials are diapers, wipes, and Mary--and I couldn't agree more. Mary's prenatal yoga classes are incredibly calming and create such a beautiful sense of community. You meet wonderful moms and moms-to-be, and Mary has a gift for transporting you into a place of peace and relaxation during a time that can feel overwhelming and uncertain. Her prenatal doula appointments are never rushed and provide invaluable education, guidance, and preparation for birth. Throughout my pregnancy, I was able to text Mary with questions, concerns, and fears, and her insight and support were always incredibly valuable. When it came time to give birth, Mary was truly indispensable. She started as a calming presence during contractions, helping distract me from the intensity, keeping me focused, and providing constant encouragement. During pushing, she guided me through different positions and became my biggest cheerleader. After 4 1/2 hours of pushing, I had reached a point where I felt completely defeated and ready to give up. Mary never let me lose faith in myself and helped me find the strength to keep going. I truly believe that without her support, my birth experience would have looked very different and likely involved more interventions. Her care didn't stop after delivery. During postpartum visits, she arrived with delicious homemade goodies, checked in on my recovery, and continued to provide reassurance and guidance when I needed it most. Mary is a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and support during one of the most transformative, vulnerable, and sometimes scary experiences of your life. Having her by my side was one of the best decisions we made, and I genuinely cannot imagine going through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum without her.

I cannot recommend Mary Skinner enough. She is not just a doula--she is an angel sent from heaven…read moreto make your labor and delivery experience as smooth, supported, and empowering as possible. From the moment we connected, Mary's depth of knowledge, warmth, and intuition put me at ease. She met with my partner and me before delivery, spending hours walking us through what to expect, how to prepare my body, and how my partner could actively support my experience. No question was too small, and she answered my endless stream of inquiries with patience, wisdom, and zero judgment. When it came time to labor, Mary was by my side every step of the way. Even though my birth was not what we planned, Mary advocated for me and created a calm and sacred space with soothing massages, body oils, and sound bowls. When I think back to my labor and birth story, I literally see her face... she practically labored WITH me through her hands on support, coaching, encouragement, guidance, and unwavering empowerment. It carried me through. And her care didn't stop there. Postpartum, Mary showed up at my home with a bundle of thoughtful recovery goodies. She not only provided a healing full-body massage and prepared a soothing sitz bath, but she also cleaned my (very messy) postpartum bathroom--without hesitation or judgment. Her level of care, both physically and emotionally, is unparalleled. Mary was truly a godsend during my first pregnancy, and I will undoubtedly hire her again for every one of my future births! If you're considering working with her, don't walk--RUN to book her. She is simply the best of the best.

I knew I wanted a home birth if I had kids since someone told me years ago that they had a home…read morebirth and they didn't even give me any details. When I got pregnant and did research on it, it just confirmed that I wanted it. I wanted someone who would spend more time and get to know me so that they could feel confident and I could feel confident to safely give birth at home. I just didn't think a doctor at a hospital was going to get to know me or make me trust in them to be safe. My husband was scared of the thought of a home birth and I was scared of the thought of a hospital birth. He has turned around and would do the home birth again. So many of my friends were telling me horror stories of their births and the interventions they went through at hospitals. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand up or question why if a doctor wanted to do an intervention and that I may regret it after so I chose to do a home birth where an intervention was not an option. My sessions with Shelia were an hour long and I completely trusted her to take care of me and if she had told me to go to the hospital or have an intervention I would have because we built that type of relationship. At each session she did my vitals, asked about diet, exercise, sleep and emotions I may be feeling before measuring my abdomen and listening for the fetal heart. She always gave me information about each test that was standard care and let me decide if I wanted to do it. I always felt like I was in control of my health. Our appts got closer together as I got further along and honestly I loved going to them and listening to the baby. It never felt like a doctors office and I never waited in a lobby. She has a beautiful office and welcomes anyone that wants to join which my 6 year old niece did a couple of times and it was great. When I was ready to give birth everything went well and although it was really long, I never once felt scared or regret in my choice. Shelia was monitoring the baby and giving me advice on positioning to get moving along. When my baby was born she put him on me right away and made sure we were both doing well before cleaning up, making me a large batch of concentrated sitz bath tea she saw I had purchased, adding it to some of the pads and froze them to help with the pain (she really didn't have to do) and then clamped the baby's umbilical cord and did all the exams. I would have Shelia again if I were to give birth again in the future. She really took care of me and made me feel safe and I was really happy through it all.

We made a late switch to Lotus Moon Birth and decided upon a home birth for our second child after…read moreour health insurers told us they were unable to make any guarantees about supporting natural childbirth, or permitting anyone else aside from the mother at the hospital. We interviewed several midwives and immediately felt relaxed when talking to Shelia and decided to work with her and her team. This was undoubtedly the best decision we made during the pregnancy. Shelia and Donna were an amazing team, knowledgable, calm, reassuring and above all quietly competent. We had a fantastic birth and were able to greet our daughter in the comfort of our own home. Pre and postnatal care was also brilliant, despite some complications with our daughter's tongue tie making breastfeeding complicated, and Shelia always made herself available to answer questions or provide support.

My husband and I chose Sharon from Doula Diligence after scheduling interviews with Doulas from…read morethree different companies. Before the interview we read her DoulaMatch profile and were automatically drawn to her science background. As a black woman, it was most important to me that our doula have extensive knowledge about the intricacies of the pregnancy and birth process. From our first meeting with Sharon, it was clear that she possessed that knowledge. At our first meeting, Sharon was very warm but professional. She answered all of our questions in depth and with follow ups we had not considered. Her company Doula Diligence provides very structured educational programs along with birth support. We walked into the delivery room feeling confident that we had the information to advocate for ourselves if needed. The birth plan we created with Sharon during our meetings was very clear and multiple nurses told us that it was the best birth plan they had seen. During the birth itself, Sharon provided invaluable guidance and support. From the first text messages we sent to her to inform her I was being induced, she kept in touch and followed up with us until she was able to make it to the hospital. When she arrived, I was in active labor with a epidural that failed. Sharon instantly got to work making the room a more inviting place and providing me with massages and counter pressure to take my mind off the excruciating pain I was experiencing. At a point the anesthesiologist suggested removing and replacing my epidural. But after talking to Sharon, I decided to tough it out as our baby was already crowing. With Sharon's help with breathing techniques, I pushed her out within 20 minutes with minimal tearing. I've recommended Sharon and Doula Diligence to multiple people in my personal life because I could not imagine going through this experience without her. I do not intend to give birth again, but if that were to change, I will be using her services again. I highly highly recommend you choose Doula Diligence as a birth doula. They even have other services such as night nursing and sleep training guidance (which will be using when the time comes). TLDR: 10/10 experience, would hire these doulas again.

Sharon is amazing! There's not one bad thing my husband and I can say about Doula Diligence. From…read morethe first meeting we had with Sharon to the most recent one, everything has been great. She is so reliable, informative, and trustworthy. She was present when I delivered my baby, I had a c section and she was so helpful in every possible way! She feels like family to us now! We learned so much from her. I trust her opinion and as new parents we really needed someone we could trust. I would definitely recommend Sharon and Doula Diligence to my family and friends. Thank you so much Sharon!