Madalyn Morris

I am so glad I was referred to Madalyn by my prenatal yoga teacher. My husband and I are happy we took Madalyn’s child birth classes this past October. The three sessions were truly insightful and eye opening, Madalyn poors her heart into each class leaving us with a treasure of knowledge and understanding of each other. As a couple, these classes helped us to get over the natural anxiety of becoming parents for the first time as well as visualizing how to work as a team during labor and strive to work even better together during the post partum phase. We will definitely recommend Maddie to friends that will soon embark onto this wonderful journey.

My husband and I took Madalyn’s classes (October 2015) and we cannot sing enough praises about her. The class and the information she presents are the perfect balance of the medical and scientific aspect of childbirth and the emotional part of childbirth.
I came into this class with a lot of anxiety and by the end of the 3 classes I felt confident and prepared. She helps squash all your fears and anxiety about the unknown and really coaches you to know that you can do it!
I loved the small class setting and getting to know other couples and feeling like we were all in the same boat and we were all rooting for each other.
It seems like being at a childbirth class would be the last thing any husband/​partner would want to be doing on a Sunday afternoon. But Madalyn really gets the husbands/​partners involved and informed that they too have an important part in this process.
Being educated about the birthing process is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. And Madalyn really knows how to impart all of this information on you in the best way!
She is even happy to help after the classes end. I have bombarded her with lots of e-​mails asking lots of questions and she always responds quickly and with very calming helpful information.

Madalyn’s childbirth class was fantastic! We took the 3-​part course in October, finishing about a month prior to the due date of our first baby. We learned a lot, including hands-​on practice with movements, which I found quite beneficial. My childbirth preferences are middle-​of-​the-​road (I’m neither greatly opposed to, nor greatly in favor of, various hospital interventions), so I wanted a class that was also neutral in that sense, and this was exactly what I was hoping for. My husband also liked the class and we both feel like he is now pretty prepared for the labor. Still a few weeks away from the due date. Thanks Madalyn!

I am so grateful to Madalyn Morris and her wonderful child birth classes!
Madalyn was initially recommended to me by my doula who didn’t give me a list of options of classes to research: Madalyn was the only name she suggested. It was very reassuring to know how highly regarded she came, in particular from a doula in practice for 20 years.
While I was initially curious about how my husband would engage with the class, I was thrilled to see how he positively reacted. This is due in large part to how passionate Madalyn is during every moment of her class. Additionally, her enthusiasm and knowledge on the subject of childbirth is both contagious and vast. While it’s a lot of material to take in – I know I will revisit the notes I took and the handouts Madalyn provided, which are incredibly useful– the feeling of peace I have within my body and mind is priceless. Madalyn takes the fear out of the unknown and provides reassuring tools I can access both now and during my labor.
I also loved the small class size and the intimacy of sharing our journey with the other couples in the room. It’s such an extraordinary time and the setting with which we could explore and share this, along with Madalyn’s guidance, made this class truly memorable for me. I was sad when it ended and would recommend it to every couple!

There is not enough praise I could give Madalyn for being an extraordinary doula. I met her by chance as she subbed one of my birthing classes connected with her right away, we had a great consultation and our partnership started. Throughout third trimester she was very communicative texting me to see how I was and when my water broke early before my due date she was available even though it was past midnight. My delivery was not the easiest experience and when that happens you hope that you have the best people possible to help you get through it. That’s what Madalyn did she was there every step of the way… from our first snafu when my body would not contract after my water broke so I had to be induced. Pitocin heightens the intensity and duration of your contraction I had wanted an unmedicated birth and Madalyn walked every step of my contractions with me massaging my legs trying to coax dilation. My delivery stalled after I had an epidural and Madalyn waited the night out with me answering questions feeding me coconut water just being there in every way possible. Finally after I was dilated a full 10 cm my baby was still high and ultimately her position was sunny side up as she had flipped in the birthing canal. I pushed for two hours to have her crown and then she went backwards. There are no words for the despair you feel when you hear this as you’re exhausted from not eating for 2 days can’t recognize any of those muscles down there and you’re on bed rest unable to do much beyond wiggle your toes. During this bleak time Madalyn kept on telling me you’ve got this you’re a warrior she counted down every push/​contraction with me giving me something to focus on and her hope, faith gave me strength. If you’re considering a doula Madalyn is your top notch A team that when things go wrong this is who you need and want on your team.

I was initially unsure if having a doula was necessary, but sure glad that we did and particularly glad that we specifically worked with Madalyn. The birth of our son would otherwise not have gone the way that I wanted it to. Her calm strength helped me get further than I would have otherwise without an epidural, which might have helped sped along early labor. We actually thought the birth of our first son would come very quickly because we moved to active pushing pretty fast. But then the baby got stuck and the doctors kept recommending a c-​section. Well, Madalyn helped make the impossible happen. She helped us find different positions until things finally started progressing, very slowly, but after over 6 hours of very intense pushing our son was born. There were times that I wanted to give up and accept the c-​section, but Madalyn gave me strength and energy. She is an athlete and reminded me of my best coaches from my competitive running days who pushed me to be stronger and not give up. My husband and I are very grateful that she was an empowering part of our birthing experience. Then afterwards when I was dealing with some painful challenges, she reminded me that I want to be a strong mother. It was what I needed to hear to get through some challenging days in a way that was best for my son.

My husband and I took Madalyn’s childbirth education course this July (2015). The first thing Madalyn did when I met her was give me a BIG hug and I felt instantly at ease.
The course was informative, evidence-​based while also being mindful of the emotional realm. She brought the significant other’s into the discussion beautifully. I was becoming fearful about the unmedicated birth process and now I feel empowered and even excited about it! What a gift she gave us!
Madalyn is a captivating instructor and she uses her whole body to illicit the emotional journey of birth. It’s enthralling.
You won’t regret taking her course and I’d imagine she makes a brilliant doula as well.

We hired Madalyn for a semi-​private prepared childbirth class with another couple and had a fantastic experience. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was very informative and engaging and the three hours went by very quickly without being overwhelming or with any filler info.
The information she went through was very practical and accessible and backed up with evidence-​based information which I really appreciated.
Both my husband and finished the class feeling much more prepared and ready and I highly recommend her for class.

Her techniques and advice were spot on — and got BOTH of us through a difficult process — and her perspective helped us see the beauty in it as well. She also helped us learn how to advocate for ourselves (and when to surrender control) — which proved extremely beneficial

We hired Madalyn Morris after meeting her when she was the guide on our tour of Cedars. She was obviously familiar with the hospital and its procedures and practices but also seemed to know when and where to advocate for the type of childbirth desired even if that meant pushing back against a suggested procedure.
After the tour we basically hired Madalyn on the spot. She was down-​to-​earth and even before reading her reviews we could tell we were with an experienced and special doula.
Madalyn visited us at our home twice before the birth and once after. We discussed our birth plan and talked about labour and how we wanted things to ideally go. For actual labor things moved so quickly at home that we ended up spending the first and second stages of labour at home, just the two of us, and meeting her at the hospital. However, even though it was the middle of the night, we were able to work with her over the phone prior to getting to the hospital. Madalyn helped my wife to slow her breathing down and relax her shoulders.
When we arrived at the hospital my wife was already fully dilated and Madalyn arrived in mere minutes, before our doctor even.
Madalyn helped during the following couple hours of pushing to help my wife regulate her breathing and was by her side (along with me) the entire time.
We had a completely natural childbirth with no epidural and no drugs what so ever. Of course this is a testament to my wife’s strength and intense focus but also due to the advice from Madalyn to wait a minute after being offered an epidural. Before she arrived we were offered an epidural and instead of saying yes immediately we waited for a second to consider the options (as was our plan prior to birth) and the decision was made to begin pushing with out drugs.
My favorite moment with Madalyn was immediately after birth. Our child began skin to skin with my wife as is the practice now and in 15 minutes Madalyn helped to assist with breastfeeding and helped our baby get a good latch from the get go. That was amazing and completely due to Madalyn’s guidance. What a wonderful way to begin bonding.

Madalyn was our coach in a prepared child birth class. She was thorough and helped make me and my husband feel prepared for labor and for being advocates for a good experience in the hospital. She is genuine and knowledgeable and experienced. She provided a lot of information, but in an accessible way. In a class with people making a variety of birth choices, I didn’t feel even slightly judged or influenced on the many personal choices we all made for our labor plans. While we did not use a doula, I would recommend her highly for anyone looking for a doula.

We met Madalyn Morris for her fantastic and very educational childbirth preparation classes. — being a first time mom and having all my family in France my husband and I needed support all the way through and we found all the support needed with Madalyn! Not only her classes made us feel so prepared and answered so many questions but we lucked out when Madalyn became our doula afterwards!
She is such a caring and nurturing person and what I liked most about her is that she made me feel strong. She helped us make informed decisions and She respected and embraced all of our choices.
I will never forget that this fantastic woman has been part of my son’s journey to the world. Thank you Madalyn ! Our family loves you!

We couldn’t have asked for a better preparation for birth class. Madalyn was there to share and teach and help us through the most exciting event in our life. During the whole labor and delivery my husband kept quoting Madalyn and things we learnt in her class, we referenced notes that we took– and this is what got us through labor and to the hospital on time.
You will not find a better class/​coach in LA!

I loved our prepared childbirth series class we had with Madalyn. Her down to earth demeanor and open mind really helped me understand the beauty behind pregnancy and birth. She took the time to answer and discuss any question we had along the way, no matter how silly it seemed. I recommend her service and expertise to any expecting parents!

The most fantastic birthing coach I could have asked for! I was preparing for a natural unmedicated child birth and she was very knowledgeable and able to put my mind (and my Fiancé’s mind) at ease. Unfortunately, I experienced some complications and needed an emergency c-​section and the next day, while experiencing some fear and disappointment with my delivery, she was there to give me a hug and put a smile on my face. That’s what makes her fantastic!
I have, and will continue to, recommend her services to everyone!