My wife and I heard nothing but great things from our in-laws about their experiences with their…read moredoula, so we were interested from the beginning of our pregnancy in finding one. We had spoken to one early on, but she was booked by the time we tried to hire her. Luckily for us, she recommended the services of Jordan Allen at Bella Vita Doula. My wife and I were able to take a number of parenting classes through our hospital, but it was all very broad. It was absolutely invaluable having Jordan there to fill in the blanks we had from class, as well as providing a fuller, more comprehensive overview of the basic facts learned in our hospital classes. While our classes provided information about "most babies", Jordan's instruction felt more like we were talking about "our baby". Much of the information we got from other sources -- classes and our OB -- felt very medical, very textbook, and very impersonal. Jordan provided research based, data driven information, which empowered my wife and I to believe in ourselves, not just as individual parents, but as a team, soon to be in charge of a little life. Speaking in my own experience, being a soon-to-be-father can often feel very alienating. Most folks -- family, friends, medical staff -- are rightly preoccupied with the health of Mama and baby, and the journey they're undergoing together. Lots of jokes about "you just helped with the fun part" can make it easy to feel like the non-birthing parent doesn't have a place in this journey, or in labor and delivery. From our first interaction, Jordan made me feel the opposite; that I was in fact one of the most important parts of "the care team", as she put it. I don't think it's an understatement to say that Jordan was one of the bigger parts of my support system during the pregnancy journey. We also had the privilege to have Jordan for two postpartum visits, in which she provided lots of tips and tricks for new parents, and most valuably, how to find further support if needed, be it lactation consultants, parenting resources, and further explanations on the sterilized information we gained from class. Jordan's pricing was very reasonable (I would say she should charge more) and was always available for my wife and I, be it for small questions, or broader conversations about something we had heard from one source or another. By far, the most valuable service Jordan provided was her unflagging certainty in my wife and I that we can do this. Due in no small part to her, we have. You could do no better than Jordan Allen.

I can't thank Jordan enough for her support, positively, and wealth of knowledge about pregnancy,…read morebirth, and postpartum! She really made me feel comfortable through the birthing process and I didn't think that was possible. She is someone you really want on your birth team to empower you through the journey! If you need someone to advocate for you & support you -- she's your girl! :)

As a first-time mom, I knew I wanted a doula. After the first call I knew Laura was the right fit…read more Her warm demeanor and openness made her feel like a friend right away, and I appreciated how deeply she cared not only about me, but about including and supporting my partner. Laura took the time to come into our home and explain everything in detail, helping us feel informed and comfortable. During the pregnancy, she was always just a text away, especially when I was feeling impatient for the baby to arrive. She was right by my side during the birth of our son, and continued to be a steady source of guidance during the roller coaster of postpartum. We are so grateful to have had Laura as part of this journey and would absolutely choose her again.

I had a bad experience with this Doula when she was based in San Francisco Bay Area. I had a rough…read morepregnancy with complications and early induction and felt like Laura was more concerned with payment than my care. I paid the full amount and eventually opted not to have her attend to the birth after some texts I found insensitive. (I'll never forget the "sorry I triggered you" text.)

Anna is an incredibly grounding and knowledgeable resource. She is available to answer questions…read moreany time and is super flexible with her schedule. She has such an approachable demeanor and is able to educate without it feeling overwhelming. She gave me so much confidence and is an amazing calming presence. I would recommend her to anyone to make their experience a lot easier.

I cannot recommend Anna enough for lymphatic massage and women's care. From the moment I stepped…read moreinto her space, I felt completely nurtured and cared for. She took an extended amount of time working on me, and the results were nothing short of miraculous. The very next morning, I woke up feeling completely refreshed--no soreness, no fatigue, full range of motion in my arms, and I literally hopped right out of bed. I felt like myself again--rejuvenated, energized, and so at ease in my body. I recently had my one-month post-op appointment, and I can confidently say that Anna's work made a huge difference in my recovery. Having to go back to work just two weeks post-op was brutal, but the care and attention she gave me was absolutely mesmerizing. If I could have given her $500 for the magic she worked, I would have in a heartbeat. Anna's hands are pure healing, and her dedication to her craft is unmatched. If you're looking for true, intentional care, you need to book with her. She is truly a gift.

Becca was an absolutely amazing Doula! We had such a better experience thanks to her! We had a 36…read morehour labor and about every complication you could get and she stayed by our side the whole way through. I would recommend her 20 times out of 10. Thanks again Becca

I've had the privilege of getting prenatal care and using the Certified Nurses Midwives to give…read morebirth to 2 of my children. The whole staff has been helpful in setting up my appointments, checking me in, and getting all my measurements before seeing the midwives. I've always been proactive with my care and if I had any questions, they were all answered and I always felt they really cared about my well being and my baby's well being. Also, the staff and midwives always made sure that my kiddos (if they had to come along with me to my appointments, that they were treated well also. When it came me being in labor and delivering, move over doctors and nurses... the Midwives came out like a boss and seriously they knew what's up. They truly respected what you wanted and what your birth plan states. They are that third voice (2nd being my hubby, of course) encouraging you and helping you get that baby out! The first time I was so ready for the epidural, but upon finding out I was already 8cm dilated, no need for an epi! That baby came right out. The second baby was more labor intensive, and I'm not kidding when I say that I was ready to be cut open because I was just so tired. Once again, the Midwives came to the rescue, let us know what our options were and they did what they had to do. I gave birth to my 9 pound baby without a c-section, and I am so grateful for that!!! There is no doubt that my family has been blessed with the Midwives at St Joe's. If you are a Mother-to-be or are expecting another child... This is definitely where you want to go!

I had a phenomenal experience doing prenatal care and birth with the midwives. They were all super…read moresupportive and were so amazing about giving me the birth experience I wanted. I got the impression that they would be supportive (and were) about whatever safe choices I made with my birth, and they made me feel completely safe and supported the whole time. The midwives were available and present intermittently throughout the birth, and were obviously invested in my birth. The first on-call midwife insisted on finding out about the outcome after she had to leave, and the midwife who delivered me was super excited to see my baby and I for my six week postpartum appointment. I cannot recommend this practice enough.

I credit Karina with making my birth experience positive, empowering and exciting. My husband and I…read morewanted the experience to be private, just us and our doula. But we were wary of a doula that would overstep or feel intrusive. Karina was absolutely amazing! She was there when I needed her but she would also sit out of the way patiently waiting for those situations. She was never pushy, she would gently guide me with suggestions and we found what worked for me together. She knew just what to do, helping me sit on the ball, massaging my cramping back, offering encouragement at just the right time. My plan of going unmedicated didn't work out, and when I made the decision to get an epidural she asked if I was sure, then supported me through that. Even after getting the epidural she was invaluable. As unexpected events came up she supported me through them. She eased so many of my fears and pain with her calm presence. My labor was very long and difficult. She was right there with me from breaking my water to delivery. My labor was over 24 hours in the hospital. Karina was with us the entire time. She played an invaluable role. It was by far the hardest things I've ever done. I can't imagine having gone through it without Karina. She truly couldn't come more highly recommended, except maybe by my husband. He was on the fence about a doula at first but now he sings their praise and tells everyone they are a necessity. We both recommend Karina to all our friends and coworkers. We can never thank her enough for what she did for us that day!

Ambrosia was my doula for my daughters birth in 2022. And I don't know what I did right in my life…read moreto deserve her but my goodness is she an angel. Ambrosia was a relatively new friend before she became my doula, but as soon as I found out I was pregnant I felt comfortable enough calling her and asking her to meet me and explain what to do next. At the time I had no idea what a doula was, the difference between doctors and midwives, even just what the first steps after finding out you're pregnant are. All I knew was that she was involved in the birth space and that she made me feel comfortable enough to call her and ask her all this stuff. She was so sweet from the beginning, and made me feel truly supported no matter what I decided throughout the whole pregnancy. She even encouraged me to interview other doulas so I felt secure in my decision to hire her. She took time to answer any questions I had throughout the pregnancy, and spent time with my husband educating us on what would happen during labor and birth. She always had a chill, relaxed attitude which saved me because I was stressed about knowing everything and making every single decision. She made me feel like everything was okay at all times. She gave me a lot of peace. I can't express how supported she made me feel in my choices. I was interested in a fully natural, unmedicated birth (that terrified my husband and mom and mother-in-law, everyone really). But she encouraged me to listen to my heart, to really listen to what I wanted, and made me feel like I could do it if I wanted to. And that was hard because I am such a people pleaser. Long story short, I was supposed to get induced (which scared me so much, but again-- she let me know I didn't HAVE to do anything if I didn't want to and if I chose to get induced, I could own that as my choice). I went to the hospital to start the induction and didn't end up needing to because my labor started spontaneously (so that was a little miracle). She was in constant contact with me, checking in on how I was doing, if I was eating/drinking/moving/resting. And then she showed up at the hospital and I swear the energy in the room shifted. She had a lot of experience in the hospital I was giving birth and she walked around like she knew where everything was. She moved me into positions that helped give me comfort that I would have never thought to do on my own. She pulled out a stool for me to sit on from the hospital closet that even the nurses didn't know was there. She helped my husband know exactly what to do (ie "now is a good time to go hold her" versus "maybe let's take a step back and let her be"). I swear she helped preserve our marriage that day because I left thinking my husband was perfectly what I needed during that entire experience. Ambrosia knew my birth preferences and as soon as someone asked something that didn't fit them-- she would look at me to say what I needed-- often a "NO" or "okay" and then she would fully back me up on that. The biggest thing that stands out to me was i felt my body start pushing, I was on my hands and knees on the floor and the nurse wanted to check my dilation and she wanted me to lay down. At that point in my labor I would rather die than lay down. So ambrosia kind of negotiated with the nurse who ended up checking my on my hands and knees on the bed. (SURPRISE I was fully dilated with baby's bead right there and the doctor was at least 15 mins away). Even when everyone started panicking and running around trying to get ready for baby to arrive, she was near my calming me saying it was all going to be okay, that there is an on-call doctor, that everything is happening as it should. Everything happened so fast and the baby arrived quickly. When I was pushing baby out was the only time I got a little scared, and again, Ambrosia was there talking me through it, calming me down, coaching my husband (AND taking videos and pictures). It was such a relief that I had as able to deliver how I wanted -- unmedicated, on my hands and knees (even though the hospital staff did not love that), and all in 6 hours). I could go on and on and on about how incredible Ambrosia was, but then this would be a novel. If you're thinking about hiring her, DO IT. I recommend her to everyone I know. I am going to fly her out to me to be my midwife if I have another baby. She is an angel and she has the most incredible energy and she is so knowledgeable. She gave me such confidence in myself by simply telling me to look within. I love her and I will have such wonderful memories of my first birth largely because of her. Thank you thank you Ambrosia for doing your work and being so good at it. Love you!!

1000% recommend!!! Ambrosia is amazing!! She was so kind, informative and helpful! She made me feel…read moreso comfortable with my placenta encapsulation experience. She even made us a little heart with the umbilical cord and a placenta print. Truly went above and beyond! We are very blessed to have found her. I wish I would've contacted her sooner and knew all the other services she provided.

Our experience with Braving Doula Collective is one that is hard to put into words. Both Mac and…read moreSkylar were incredible throughout not only during our birth, but also just as much during weeks leading up to the big day. Prior to meeting with Braving Doula, I was convinced that we didn't need any extra assistance. However, my husband felt strongly that the added support would be beneficial for both of us. I am SO happy that I listened to him because hiring Braving Doula was the best thing we could have ever done! Nothing about our birth went as planned. There were endless scary twists and turns, and we got limited information about what was going on from the doctors. The doula's were essential in helping us understand what was going on and emotionally guiding us along the whole way. They are not only fabulous doula's, but inspirational people. I would recommend them to anyone whether this is your first birth or 10th!