Holly Press
Beautiful Birth, owner
CertifiedPalos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Harbor City, Long Beach, Gardena, Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, California
Services provided
- Elite Labor Doula
- Labor Doula
Meet Our Doula
Background & experience
I, myself, have birthed 5x in a hospital setting to 6 kids, have been a certified Natural Childbirth Instructor, Birth and Postpartum Doula since 2009, and carried twins as a surrogate and birthed them at 39.5 weeks, vaginally, have taught hundreds of couples, worldwide, how to hope stay healthy and low risk in pregnancy, and best navigate whatever system they are choosing to birth in in order to have the most positive experience with the least amount of harm or regret, helping them understand that regardless of how it all transpires, their feelings about it matter and are very long lasting, with the ability to affect their closest relationships. I have been present in all birth situations including the hospital, Birth Centers, home and even accidental unassisted in a car. I have borne witness to 100% natural, vaginal, spontaneous labors and births, inductions, c sections, long and short labors, vertex and breech, 100% physiological births with no interventions and those with augmentation and a very high level of medical involvement. I have been present for a uterine inversion, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, extreme and unusual tearing, as well as labors that literally have no need of any repair. I have been present for births of quite small or even premature babies needing NICU assistance and vaginal births of quite large babies that needed no assistance to be born. I have a lot of experience with VBAC and extensive training in irregular labor patterns. I have worked with clients of many varied and diverse cultural backgrounds, from all over the world, as well as single moms and other surrogates. I have had clients birth breech babies vaginally. Seeing all of the diversity in the human population, as well as the desires of each family, have made me extremely well rounded and non judgmental when it comes to work as a birth professional and even in life at large. To hold safe space for another as they do this transformative work of bringing forth another human is awe inspiring and never gets old:)
What led me to become a Doula
It was thru my own pregnancy journeys and education path and preparedness, that I discovered my passion to help inform others of the possibilities of birth being beautiful and so radically different than what Hollywood portrays on the big screen. After my own incredible birthing experiences, it began as sharing casually with any mom who happened to ask (many did not, and I was not one to volunteer unsolicited advice, as I recall how annoying that was for me when pregnant). Those few, went on to have remarkably beautiful experiences birthing, as well, and it was actually my husband who said "you seem to really get lit! Why don't you consider becoming a teacher?" So I did! I went to an in-person, in depth training for three days and then it took 2 years for me to get thru all of the qualifying births and prerequisites, all while raising 4 very young children and carrying twins as a surrogate! Then I was certified as a Natural Childbirth Instructor and Birth Doula. I'll never forget my first group of learners...one of the families is still very close friends of ours, all these years later. We were both pregnant with twins at the same time! Teaching others really lit my fire! Then one of my class couples invited me to join them in hopes of a VBAC. I thought I loved teaching...but to also get the opportunity to walk out the entirety alongside of another couple?! I was thru the moon! And my obsession continues to grow every year. I get so excited to have people feel good and empowered on as many levels as possible, with their birth experience, and have seen it lead to incredible postpartum outcomes as well. Families staying together, breastfeeding not being a major issue, excellent recovery of mom and less infections and depression and other such common postpartum ailments.
What people say
Holly is super detailed & responsive & will get back to you via email, text or call with great information & answer all the questions you may have in a very timely manner. - Holly is an absolute gem! We completely underestimated how important a doula would be in our pregnancy and natural birth journey. Her capable, calming presence during labor and birth was incredible; she was the sturdy and experienced person we needed to be there for us the entire time, especially since we did a natural birth with zero medical interventions. - We are forever grateful to Holly for helping us navigate the turbulent weeks right after birth and providing the emotional support we so needed during the fragile time. Our birth experience would not have been as positive if not for Holly! - Could not recommend Holly enough. As much or as little information as you'd like from her she will offer. She carries a calming and steady presence about her and was a rock for my wife and I during our 11 day hospital stay. In the end, we had a healthy Mamma and healthy Baby... we could not have asked for more. - If you want a natural birth, Holly will guide you & your partner in making your aspirations a reality. I felt supported and honestly so much relief with Holly's positioning, breathing exercises, and encouraging words. This labor guru knows so many techniques that truly made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in my active labor. We love you Holly & couldn't recommend you enough!
-XO first time mama to a big healthy baby - I am confident our birth experience would have looked very different if it wasn't for Holly. - Holly was truly the support that held us together through the whole journey. She has such a gentle and sweet presence that immediately makes you feel so safe. She took the time to answer any and all questions/concerns. She made herself available, felt genuine in being excited for us and was eager to help. By the time the birth date arrived, we had built such a wonderful rapport that we both felt so supported and as ready and educated as we could be.