I consider hiring Marie-Paul Baxiu as my birthing instructor one of the best decisions of my life. She is much more than just a teacher, she is a person that wholly believes in what she does and infects positive energy to everyone and everything around her. She is extremely knowledgeable and very effective as a hypnotherapist, doula and childbirth educator. She taught my husband and I everything we needed to know to prepare for our birth and trust the natural birth process. I cannot say enough about how she went out of her way to answer questions and provide the support needed to guide us through the uncertainties and angst that accompany a pregnancy and birth.

Marie-Paul was there even when it wasn't in the plan. My water broke at 36 weeks; I had to go to UCLA Hospital where I spent the night without much happening. She showed up as soon as we called and assisted me in getting into labor after a whole night spent in the hospital without any movement/contraction or sign of labor. We needed to make the birth of our child as unforgettable as possible, and she was there to make sure it happened. We only stayed in the hospital one night following the birth because the baby was strong and didn't have to go to the ICU since no medical interventions occurred or drugs were used. It was a totally un-medicated birth! Her hypnosis techniques helped me relax and focus throughout my pregnancy and assisted me during labor and birth.

I felt empowered by the way Marie-Paul fed my emotions and self-esteem, making me believe that I was capable of anything and then at the end proving to me that this was true. Marie-Paul made my birth experience comfortable and provided a warm, nurturing environment despite the hospital setting. She mothered me and kept me focused on the reward. I am happy to say that I gave birth to a healthy baby boy at the UCLA Medical Center on June 21, 2008 without the intervention of any drugs. It is an experience that has changed my life forever. Without a doubt, Marie-Paul is doing what she was destined to do. This is her life calling.

Thank you so much,
Karina Amaya, 
Residency Administrator of the Dept. of Psychiatry at UCLA,
and Alfredo Amaya, 
Project Manager with a Security Equipment Manufacturer