Candace was a wonderfully supportive lactation consultant, and made my breastfeeding journey with…read moremy first child feel so much more grounded; and I felt so much less alone. She helped me through issues that popped up at various stages, such as an oversupply on one boob that made it impossible for my baby to feed on that side, which meant I was engorged and he wasn't getting enough! And taught me techniques and different positions that worked like a charm. When she was out on maternity leave I visited her partner Wendy, who helped me through a difficult time where my 8-month old was no longer interested in feeding. She offered emotional support and suggestions for things to try. Candace has built a wonderful community around support for mothers and their babies. I met Candace through the weekly lactation support group that she hosts, and not only received frequent care from her, but found comfort in the comeraderie of the other new moms who were going through such a similar experience at the same time--many of which I'm still friends with today. I would recommend her to anyone, no matter where you are on this journey!

After a very difficult journey to get pregnant, I welcome my baby girl just 2 weeks ago but nothing…read morewent according to plan and I felt like I was struggling with everything that should "come naturally" to a mom. I was recommended Candace to help me navigate through all my questions and worries and it was a game changer to say the least!!! Right away she listened to all my concerns and I felt like she was really listening and cared about our family. She went above and beyond in following up and made some amazing suggestions, for feedings, that took away so much stress and frustration. I don't know what I would have done without her! Highly highly recommend!

My birth experience was an absolute dream! I knew I wanted a natural birth, so I interviewed a…read morehandful of midwifes around San Diego county. I highly recommend Mother to Mother! With an entire hour of face time at each prenatal appointment, my questions were always thoroughly answered. I rotated appointments with all the midwifes and loved them all! These ladies really make sure that you and your baby are supported physically AND emotionally. Of course, family and friends thought I was a bit crazy to opt for a home birth. They warned me that "the first baby is the hardest" to birth and that I would need an epidural. I am SO glad that I went with my gut instead! I felt amazingly comfortable giving birth in my own space. Everything went smoothly and I felt safe and supported by my midwives the entire time. It was wonderful to be able to snuggle up to my baby immediately and not worry about traveling anywhere. The midwives even came to my home a few additional times after the birth to check on baby and me. Administratively, the team is organized and has a spectacular office manager who is always quick to answer my emails. She took care of billing my insurance, so I didn't have to deal with any paperwork! How we bring our babies into this world matters. If you are looking for a smart, experienced, loving team, I highly recommend Mother to Mother. My baby is now 6 weeks old and I am happy to report that we are both doing fantastic!

I don't even know where to start... maybe I'll start by saying that The midwives and staff and…read moreMother to Mother midwifery have gone above and beyond all expectations for me as a pregnant woman, during my birth and as a new mother. After watching the business of being born- and my mom telling me her horror story of my birth in the hospital- I began researching my options for a home birth. I decided to do a home birth after meeting with Brooke and Sunshine. Lovely, absolutely lovely people. The whole staff, just so beautiful and kind. Yes, I was worried I would be loud at home while I labored... but the facts are: 1. you labor at home for the most part if you have planned hospital birth anyway and 2. after your baby is born you're going to rethink exactly what it was you ever 'worried' about. During your pregnancy you'll have regular checkups, there is an emergency line to call (which I had to use because of some worrisome braxton hicks, and they were very quick to respond), you can go get a sonogram at a cute little place they'll refer you to, they do all of your blood tests there (Brooke is a certified nurse midwife), any questions at all they answer and even have books they loan you and they also have mixers which are really great to meet new or soon to be moms. They were also really sensitive to my requests to alter the language they used. For example, I wanted to use the word surges instead of contractions. Which seems like such a silly thing in retrospect, but it just goes to show how kind and sensitive these women were to my wants and needs as a patient. My birth was 9.5 hours and I had a 6.5 pound baby. No tears, yippee!!! So.... this was a relatively easy first birth. It was incredibly painful (I'll spare you the details) but I was surrounded by women that I love and trust and that made a HUGE difference. It was exactly what I wanted and had envisioned. The midwives come to check up on you and your baby at your home a couple times, then you take your baby to a pediatrician. It's so wonderful to just stay at home with your baby and not have to worry about getting out of the car to get to the hospital. But in hindsight... I wish I would have hired a postpartum doula. To have somebody there with you to help with the transition, breastfeeding and just to have somebody knowledgeable about newborns can really alleviate a lot of stress and fear. It's like, one day you're a free woman- then the next it's baby, baby, baby... 24/7! About 8 months after my baby was born- I started getting bouts of depression. I asked the midwives about it and they were incredibly helpful. I attended one of their mixers, met some moms and got some information on Postpartum Depression. I was even offered a follow up appointment to talk to Brooke. Midwives are not therapists, or psychologists... but they KNOW and they have TONS of experience with moms. That one meeting with Brooke has helped me receive more clarity and insight into my situation than anything else. You hire these midwives to help you birth your baby. But what you also get is peace of mind, lifelong friends, a loving community and the support you will need as a new mom.

So much gratitude to this amazing doula duo!!…read more From the first time we met with April and Joy we felt comfortable and confident in our decision to work together. We are from out of town and I came down to San Diego first as my husband had to finish work and it was very reassuring to have April and Joy as part of our birth team in case I went into labor earlier than expected. Throughout my pregnancy all the resources, check ins, and words of encouragement that April and Joy provided were much appreciated. They were also very quick to respond to any questions/concerns that I had. The morning of my delivery my surges came in very quickly. I contacted Joy and April right away and shortly after had a phone conversation with Joy to confirm it was time to head to the hospital. She met my husband and I there and it was such a relief to see and have her support during the most challenging part of my labor. Her calming presence, hands on comfort measures were invaluable and she worked so harmoniously with the hospital staff. The photos she captured of our first moments with our second born are truly priceless. After delivery I had unexpected bleeding and I'm so thankful to have Joy's knowledge on the different types of medications. She helped slowed things down and explained the benefits of them for my case and I felt confident in my decision making. I am incredibly thankful for April's belly binding offering postpartum. The foot bath and belly massage was such a treat and it was a lovely way to wrap up our time together with her. There isn't a single thing I would have changed with my birth experience. April and Joy are a fantastic team, highly highly recommend them!

Working with Joyful Roots was truly one of the best decisions we made, and I can honestly say that…read moreJoy and April are the number one thing I credit for helping me have such a beautiful, positive birth experience. Before giving birth, I was someone who felt really nervous and unsure about the whole experience. But after going through it, I genuinely tell everyone that I loved giving birth, which is something I never thought I would say! That is such a testament to the incredible support and care Joy and April provided throughout my pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience. My hope going into birth was to labor naturally at home as long as possible and remain open to getting an epidural once I was at the hospital and further along in active labor. They helped me achieve exactly that. While we were laboring at home, April was the one on the phone coaching my husband and me through contractions, helping us feel safe and calm. She offered different suggestions for positions and comfort measures that made such a difference. My husband shared after that he would have been freaking out much more and probably would have pushed going to the hospital earlier if it was not for her guidance. When Joy met us at the hospital, I instantly felt a huge sense of comfort and relief the moment I saw her. She was tremendously helpful supporting me through contractions with her touch through different comfort measures. After I got the epidural, she continued to be so knowledgeable and helped position me in ways that encouraged baby to be in the best possible position for birth. He was more to the side before but she made such a difference in getting him in a great position. What stood out most to me was how deeply seen and understood I felt by her. She was so in tune with my needs, emotions, and what I needed in each moment in a way that felt different from anyone else present in the room at my birth. Her presence was grounding and incredibly reassuring. Even after I gave birth, when I was feeling overwhelmed by all the emotions and hormones, she noticed immediately and supported me so thoughtfully and gently. That care meant so much to me. I know hiring a doula is an investment, but truly, it was one of the greatest gifts I could have given myself, my family, and my birth experience. If you are considering working with Joyful Roots, I cannot recommend Joy and April enough.

As a dad-to-be, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into a hypnobirthing class. If I'm being…read morehonest, I was a little skeptical at first--"hypno" anything sounded a bit out there to me. But I signed up to support my wife, and I'm really glad I did. This class completely changed how I see birth and my role in it. Instead of feeling like a bystander, I walked away feeling informed, useful, and actually confident in how I can support my wife during labor. The techniques we learned--breathing, relaxation, visualization--aren't just for moms. I found myself using them too, and they've already helped us both stay calmer leading up to the big day. What stood out most was how much emphasis was placed on teamwork. I learned specific, practical ways to advocate for my wife, help her stay relaxed, and create a positive environment no matter how the birth unfolds. It made me feel like an active participant instead of just "the guy in the room." The instructor, Care, was very knowledgeable, approachable, and never made any question feel silly. She made the classes very comfortable and even pretty funny at times. The class also struck a great balance between education and hands-on practice, so it didn't feel like we were just sitting through lectures. If you're a partner on the fence about taking a hypnobirthing class--do it. Even if you're skeptical like I was, you'll come away with tools, confidence, and a much deeper understanding of what your partner is going through. Honestly, it's one of the best things we've done together to prepare for becoming parents.

I gave birth a couple months ago, and decided to go through Care's Hypnobirthing class, and also…read moreuse her for my placenta encapsulation, and I can't recommend her highly enough! From the very first class, it was clear that Care is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about empowering expectant parents. Her approach to hypnobirthing and breathing techniques was not only informative but also calming and reassuring for both me and my partner. We completed it feeling much more prepared and confident for the birth experience ahead. Care provided a wealth of resources, ensuring we had everything we needed to make informed decisions about our birthing plan. She was always responsive to our questions, both during the classes and even after the birth, which made a world of difference in our journey. It's rare to find someone who continues to support you even after the classes are over. Overall, the entire experience with Care was amazing. Her warmth, expertise, and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. If you're looking for guidance and support in your birth preparation, look no further than Care Messer at the Birth Education Center!

If you are thinking about reaching out to Aly at New Wave consider this your sign to DO IT…read moreIMMEDIATELY! It will be the best decision you make for yourself and your new family. From the earliest days of postpartum, Aly met me with kindness, calm, and such deep knowledge that I instantly felt supported and safe. She gently taught me the intricacies of breastfeeding and lactation, helped me understand my newborn in ways that felt empowering instead of overwhelming, and somehow always knew what I needed before I even had to ask. She cared for my baby overnight on several occasions so I could actually rest, but we spent a lot of our time together during the day when she cooked meals, helped keep my space together, and made those foggy early weeks feel manageable and human. But what makes Aly so special is that she never just cared for my son--she cared for me. She encouraged me to take showers, watched the baby while I squeezed in a workout once the time felt right for my body, and slowly helped guide me back to feeling like myself again. Her support was lighthearted and warm, yet deeply grounding. She brought peace into our home during such a tender, vulnerable season, and I will forever be grateful for the way she showed up for our family. Aly is a gift, and anyone lucky enough to have her as their doula is truly in the best hands.

I am a true believer of postpartum doula care after working with Aly and her team! As a first time…read moreparent, I was really nervous about raising a baby and the toll postpartum takes on a new mom. The care I received from Aly's team made a HUGE difference in my experience. We worked with Aly, Naomi, Ledale, and Tori - who provided night support for 6 weeks. I couldn't recommend them enough. Everyone was focused on both newborn education and the mental/physical wellbeing of parents. It was so nice to have someone to talk to about my baby - what her personality is like, care goals to work on, and just providing humor to the whole experience. Naomi, our primary doula, went above and beyond at this and I was sad to see her go after our 6 weeks was up. I wish everyone could have this type of support postpartum because it made the newborn trenches so much better.

I booked her to come out tomorrow. I am completely sleep deprived and have barely gotten any sleep…read morefor the last week. She tells me 24 hours in advance that I need to pay and have the check cleared before she'll show up. Which she never mentioned at all in the months before. Or when I booked her. So 24 hours before she's supposed to come over she lets me know that she would have to get the check and wait for it to cash before she would come out. ​ so you're supposed to trust her with your baby's life. But she can't trust you that your check will cash. Nor will she bother to tell you that she needs you to pay her in advance and have it clear the account before she'll even come over. She lets me know this 24 hours before she's supposed to come when I just had a baby Thursday. Absolutely unprofessional and completely unreliable. I booked her days ago, so I didn't book anyone else because she told me she would be here. I have counted down every second only to have her leaving me hanging because she needs to have all money clear her account by check or zelle before she'll even come out. But didn't tell me that months ago or even when I booked. Absolutely unbelievable. So you could trust her with your child's life. But she can't trust you that your check will clear. And yet won't tell you in advance. She'll tell you this when it's too late to pay her and have the ​ or sell cleared in time. Imagine doing that to someone that just had a baby and sleep deprived

Thank you Stacey for such an amazing weekend of learning! I had no idea what to expect during the 3…read moreday training and was so nervous I wouldn't learn everything in such a short amount of time but my mind was blown at the end of it. I feel so prepare to get out there and start being a trained birth doula. Because of Stacey I have no doubt in my mind. Thank you!

Marjorie is the most amazing woman we've encountered pregnant/postpartum…read more She does it all and we couldn't be more greatfull - baby laundry, tidying up, making momma bear AMAZING salads and snack. Helping me nurse, teaching sleep queues and routines. We love her like family and felt comfortable from her first day in our home. Everyone needs a Marjorie in their life, especially on their postpartum journey. She was a tremendous benefit to my physical health and both mine and my husbands mental health.

WE LOVE MARJORIE!! She worked with us for over 3 months, 7 nights a week as a night nanny for our…read moretwin boys when they were 2-5 months old. Marjorie was FANTASTIC! I was nervous at first to hire a night nanny because it can be uncomfortable having a stranger in your house tending to your babies at night while you sleep, but we felt COMPLETELY comfortable with Marjorie in our house. She was always calm, happy and trustworthy. It was wonderful knowing Marjorie was there to take care of the babies so we could sleep peacefully and wake up fully rested. Honestly, I would recommend her to anyone. She always showed up on time (never late once), she knew what needed to be done around the house without needing to be asked (such as washing bottles & baby laundry), and most importantly, she took excellent care of our babies. Our #1 priority for whomever we hired was that they needed to be gentle and kind with our babies - Marjorie exceeded our expectations. She clearly has a lot of experience, and we could tell during her interview that she was going to be a great nanny for the boys. I'm happy to be a reference for anyone interested in hiring her. We'll DEFINITELY call her for our next round of babies :)

Where do I begin?! This was our second birth and it was honestly just a dream! Exactly how I…read moreenvisioned our little lady arriving earthside and there is no way I could have done it without the support of Meghan. I had used an epidural with our first birth after 40 long hours of labor and feeling like I needed some relief. This time, I wanted to try and go without an epidural but by the time I had arrived to the hospital, where we met Meghan, I was tired and ready to throw in the towel. Meghan gently led me to the birth center room and we quickly ordered nitrous oxide to take the edge off and it was exactly what I needed. With her guidance and my husband's love and assistance, we had our dream birth with a dream baby and I am so very thankful she was there! She has a gentle way about her while still being such a strong presence. During each surge she knew exactly what i needed to hear and was right there for me. I just can't say enough good things!!!!

I used Meghan for placenta Encapsulation a couple months ago. Meghan went above and beyond and…read moredelivered my capsules in 1 day and even included some delicious chocolates and goodies! If you want a quick turnaround time for placenta encapsulation definitely go with Meghan! I'm still taking my capsules and I feel great. Thank you so much!