Feedback from Satisfied Clients
Lamaze Class & Placenta Encapsulation Client
Brooke and Sheila were so wonderful! We did both the childbirth education classes and placenta encapsulation with them. We learned so much and felt well prepared going into birth! After our daughter was born, the placenta encapsulation process was so seamless. Thank you!!!
— Hailey B.
Lamaze class clients
We attended Lamaze classes through Modesto Birth and Beyond and believe that the classes were invaluable for labor, postpartum, and taking care of a newborn. We referred back to our notes leading up birth and felt like we were informed and ready to make decisions about the kind of birth we wanted. We highly recommend using their services!
— Connie S.
We used Modesto Birth and Beyond for a Lamaze childbirth class and then again for lactation support services. This team of women are some of the most encouraging and supportive people I have ever met. The effort they put in for every family to have a successful, positive and happy birth and postpartum experience is one of a kind. I am so grateful for their services they have provided and continue to provide for my family.
— Katie C.
birth Doula clients
Initially, I was very uninformed about the services that doula's provide and wondered if it was something I really needed. I reached out to MBB to learn more about it after a friend casually mentioned it and was extremely impressed. After meeting with Sheila & Brooke, my husband and I saw the value in so many ways. The educational classes were extremely informative and provided us both with evidence based information regarding breastfeeding/lactation, labor/delivery, and comfort measures for prior to and during labor. I was overdue with an upcoming induction date and Sheila and Brooke consistently checked in with me and gave me options to consider to help induce labor naturally, such as acupuncture. I was not familiar with it but had a wonderful experience after their recommendation! Labor started naturally and I was able to labor at home with the help of Sheila prior to heading to the hospital which was one of my goals. They also provided a TENS machine to help through contractions and that was a game changer for me. It was the most effective for me during early labor and I would not have known about that technology without their help. During labor, Sheila was so encouraging, supportive, and truly an advocate for me. She helped me to feel in control of the situation and calm throughout such a major mental and physical event. The postpartum support is also so crucial as I found it more difficult to prepare for that aspect of having a baby. Throughout this entire process, Sheila and Brooke worked to ensure that I had the type of birth that I had wanted and that was invaluable to me. My husband and I agree that hiring Sheila and Brooke was the best decision we made during our first pregnancy and plan to do the same for subsequent pregnancies. We truly had an amazing experience with them and would highly recommend them for others looking for a doula as well as those who are unsure and want to learn more about the amazing services they provide!
— Jenny T.
At the beginning I was very reluctant to want to hire a doula after we would already be paying the hospital for everything. My thinking was isn't this the type of things that the nurses should be doing...? My wife continued to say that she would like to use their services and I obliged. It was the best decision we made! Sheila and Brooke provided very informative educational sessions to help prepare both myself and my wife for the upcoming birth. It was most helpful however to have them during the labor process both at home and in the hospital. Sheila was so helpful on laboring techniques to help my wife and help me to better support her. While the nurses were doing their paperwork and other duties she was able to stay and give us her full attention. It was a true lifesaver and I would have felt considerably more helpless without Sheila's support. I would 100% recommend their services and feel that she was not only very helpful for my wife but considerably more helpful for me than what I expected!
— Patrick B.
I had a traumatic birth experience with my first child in 2013. I did not have the knowledge or the tools to labor successfully so it ended with an emergency c-section and brutal recovery. When I got pregnant with my second early 2021 I knew I wanted a different experience. I found Modesto Birth and Beyond, and from the first phone call My husband and I knew it was a great fit. This doula team coached me, encouraged me, educated me, and worked with me through 72ish hours of labor! I left with an overall positive birth experience, and a dramatically better recovery. I wish I had them during my first pregnancy! I highly recommend them!!
— Victoriah A.
Not enough words to express how great Modesto Birth & Beyond is. Sheila and Brooke from the start were extremely helpful in answering all of my questions and helping me feel at ease about labor and delivery. Highly recommend the Lamaze classes they offer, so much was learned! Brooke was an amazing doula and helped make my labor and delivery a beautiful experience. I would highly recommend Modesto Birth & Beyond to anyone who is expecting and wants that extra support.
— Megan K.
I cannot recommend these ladies enough, I dubbed them the Doulí (as there’s two of them).
This was my first birth experience but my wife’s third, I didn’t even know this role existed so I was a skeptical about paying for someone to be there when there are doctors & nurses etc. All I can say is don’t be!
These ladies met with us long before the actual birth; gave us soooo much great information and resources, trained both of us on various stretches and positions that really helped my wife and me during the later stages of the pregnancy and were so helpful with any questions we had, they were always on the end of the phone or text.
They really engaged with us on the birth plan we wanted and helped us to ensure we had everything we needed going into the birth.
I felt so prepared for the birth process that when it came, I wasn’t stressed, I was empowered to help my wife through it, to advocate for her in the moments she couldn’t herself and just be a great partner for her. This was all thanks to Brooke and Sheila!
— Simon C.
I’m so glad I had had Sheila and Brooke as my doulas! Delivering my baby in 2020 during COVID-19 made things scary and complicated. These women were there for me! They were professional, caring, and knowledgeable! I highly recommend hiring their Doula services!
— Heather N.
At first I was skeptical of the concept of doulas and felt maybe it was unnecessary. But after the incredible support, education, and understanding that we gained from Sheila and Brooke I would highly encourage it. Your wife will thank you, and you will thank yourself.
— Samuel D.
“Brooke was my doula for the birth of my daughter in 2015. She was the best recommendation I have EVER been given. She answered the many questions I had with patience and was calm, kind and very knowledgeable. I tend to not want help in most situations in life and especially when in pain (I usually want to be left alone), but having Brooke was exactly what I needed. She made me feel capable and strong, but most importantly she made me feel heard. She kept our birth plan with her and made sure it was stuck to. She reminded me how to breathe and relax every part of my body. I birthed a healthy 9lb 1oz baby girl with Brooke’s guidance and I do not think I would have gotten through labor as smoothly as I did if it were not for her. I highly recommend having a doula for your birthing experience. I would do it all again in a heartbeat!”
— Kourtney M.
I am beyond grateful to have had Sheila with me during the labor and delivery of my first child. After deciding that I wanted to labor and deliver naturally, I sought Sheila's services. Upon meeting her for the first time, my husband and I were comforted and impressed by her warmth and gentle nature. I had no doubt that she was an answer to my prayers. I cannot imagine going through labor and delivery without her by my side. She was knowledgeable in a variety of natural pain management techniques and knew exactly what I needed and when. For example, she knew when walking would be best, when a tens unit would be helpful, and when the warmth of the shower would help me through the contractions. Because of her broad skill set, my birthing experience was positive and incredibly empowering. This was not only beneficial to me but also to my new daughter.
She is encouraging, inspiring, and above all, nurturing. She entered into our lives for just the right reason and at just the right time. I appreciate her immensely and highly recommend her services as a doula. She has found her calling and executes her work with such a loving grace. I am forever thankful!
— Christina S.
postpartum Doula clients
Honestly...the best decision I made in this birth and postpartum process, for my family and my newborn. The support, the friendship, and their knowledge has surpassed my expectations.
I was nervous about reaching out for help after the birth of my son...as it can sometimes feel as if we as Mom’s are failing. However, my son had horrible reflux and we were getting little sleep. This team of ladies reassured me, supported me and my family, and has helped us get much needed sleep and given us encouragement and educated us with their wealth of knowledge.
They are life savers! Reach out to them! EVERY MOM, EVERY FAMILY could use support. They have helped us enjoy our newborn baby and feel empowered. Thank you Modesto Birth and Beyond! ❤️
— Amanda M.
birth + Postpartum clients
Sheila and Brooke at MBB are truly the best thing that happened to me in my pregnancy journey. This was my first pregnancy and I was terrified of it all. I met another pregnant woman that told me about MBB and I knew nothing about a doula. I was very nervous to contact them because I knew I wanted an epidural /medicated birth and most likely wasn’t going to breastfeed and was worried about being judged. I thought they were going to push me to try to do an unmedicated birth and breastfeed. Everything I thought about them was wrong. It became clear early on that they are a very non judgmental team and want the best for their clients.
MBB educated and empowered me in their Lamaze classes. They helped prepare me for the unknown and ease my fear. Sheila and Brooke gave me the knowledge and tools I needed to get me ready.
My birth would have gone so differently(in a negative way) without them. When the nurses and Dr. were pushing for things I didn’t want, (Pitocin, vacuum and starting c-section paperwork) they were there to advocate for me and explain to me what was going on and what we could try/do to get baby out the way I wanted to. which I was able to do and avoided a cesarean.
We also used MBB for postpartum care, this is an invaluable service. I don’t know how we could have done it without them. They came to our house the first night we brought baby home so we could get some rest. Brooke and Sheila taught us everything we know. They did not push breastfeeding when it did not work out for me, they did not tell us how to parent, they guided us to help us be the best parents we could be. These ladies are truly the best!
— Aly F.
I honestly don't know how we would have gotten through our 9 month pregnancy, 45 hour labor and now going on 7 weeks of having a newborn at home without these AMAZING LADIES. They've been there every step of the way when we had questions about what to expect in certain stages of pregnancy, in the moment when my wife felt defeated and wanted to throw in the towel during labor and now at home for our sweet boy so that we are able to catch up on some much needed rest.
From the first call to inquire about their services I could tell that they would be a great fit for us. Sheila answered all of my questions and offered to have a in home consultation with my wife and I. Their main goal is to make sure that you have the most positive birth experience of your life. Regardless if you are planning a natural home birth or a more traditional hospital setting, all they care about is making you comfortable and fulfilling your birth plan. These ladies are worth their weight in gold! They are so knowledgeable and they have so many great resources. Weather you are a expecting first time parent or your pregnant with your fourth baby, EVERYONE should utilize Modesto Birth & Beyond services. The level of care that Brooke and Sheila show throughout the whole process from start until recovery is unbelievable. Of course they physically help you throughout your whole journey but the emotional support that they provide is invaluable. During my wife's pregnancy as a husband, knowing that these ladies only wanted the best for my wife was so comforting. Now as a father, having them help overnight with our son and seeing how amazing they are with him is incredibly heartwarming and gives me immense peace of mind. They really are genuine people who love what they do and it shows. Please do yourself a favor and call these amazing women, you won't regret it.
— Bobby C.
‘The pre-birth and birth guidance from Sheila and Brooke helped put our daughter in a more optimal position, making my last month of pregnancy bearable, and resulted in a completely natural, fast, and healthy birth, from which I recovered more quickly than with my first birth.
Having postpartum support at night saved us! Izzy, Sheila, and Brooke helped us rest with peace of mind between nursing and made the breastfeeding experience significantly better than with our first child. The best investment we ever made!”
— Alicia & Kelly Madsen-McMurray
lactation clients
Izzy is absolutely incredible. I had been having some serious issues with breastfeeding and was ready to give up on it before I found her. She set up an appointment and came to my house!! Right away she was on a mission to help me be successful with the breastfeeding relationship between my son and I. She found that he had a tongue and lip tie, which I had long expected but no doctor had caught, and she referred us to a fantastic specialist. She is so incredibly knowledgeable and a mommy herself, which I feel makes her an even better advocate in your corner. She stayed in contact with me every step of the way. I don’t know what I would have done without her, but I do know that I probably would not still be breastfeeding my child. Thank you so much, Izzy, for helping my son and I. We appreciate you so much!!!
— Amanda G.
Izzy was amazing as my lactation consultant! I just love her and appreciate her nurturing demeanor when I was so overwhelmed with my breastfeeding journey as a new mommy. She is also so supportive and available via text. Thanks to her I am exclusively breastfeeding pain and worry free!
— Bianca R.