Joanne Gomez BSN, RN, CD, CCE, CLE Birth & Postpartum Doula in Los Angeles, CA

honestly don’t even know where to begin because words cannot express how grateful I am for Peaceful Passages Birthing Support Center. As a first-time mom, I was excited about having my baby, but I was also terrified of labor and delivery. I had so many questions, fears, and moments when I doubted myself. From our very first conversation, I knew I had found the right team. My doula was absolutely AMAZING! She was patient, compassionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about me and my baby. I never felt like just another client. She checked on me throughout my pregnancy, answered my endless questions, and helped me feel prepared for something I had never experienced before. But it was during my labor that I truly realized how blessed I was to have her. There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore. She never left my side. She held my hand, helped me breathe through contractions, applied counterpressure, encouraged me, and reminded me how strong I was. When things became overwhelming, she was my calm in the middle of everything. She was also incredible with my husband. She guided him on how to support me and made sure he felt included in the entire experience. What really stood out was how knowledgeable and professional she was with the nurses and doctors. She helped me understand my options, encouraged me to ask questions, and made sure I felt heard without ever making me feel pressured. After my baby arrived, the support didn’t just stop. She continued checking on us and making sure I was doing okay physically and emotionally. I genuinely believe my birth experience would have been completely different without Peaceful Passages. This wasn’t just a doula showing up to do a job. This was someone who genuinely cared about me, my baby, and my entire birth experience. If you’re pregnant and wondering whether hiring a doula is worth it, PLEASE do yourself a favor and contact Peaceful Passages Birthing Support Center. I would choose them a thousand times over. They gave me something I will cherish forever: a birth experience where I felt safe, supported, empowered, and never alone.

— Veronica R.

I want to share my experience because I think it’s important for other families to understand not only the care they may receive, but also how insurance and payment arrangements are handled. Before hiring Joanne, I specifically asked about TRICARE. I was told that she accepted TRICARE and that I would be provided with a superbill so I could submit the claim for reimbursement. Based on that information, I felt comfortable moving forward and paid out of pocket for six postpartum doula visits. Unfortunately, when I submitted the claims, TRICARE denied them. The Explanation of Benefits stated that the provider needed to have the appropriate labor doula specialty and a participation agreement on file. When I contacted TRICARE to understand the denial, I was told that the provider needed to have the required participation agreement and that the provider was responsible for submitting the claims. This was very different from what I understood before hiring Joanne. I had relied on the information I was given when deciding to proceed and pay for the services. Had I known there might be an issue with her TRICARE status, participation agreement, or claim-submission process, I would have asked additional questions and clarified everything before paying. I reached out to Joanne to explain what TRICARE had told me and to ask for clarification and assistance resolving the issue. I followed up by text and email, but I have not received a response. At this point, I have paid for the services and have been left trying to resolve the insurance issue on my own, without the clarification or assistance I requested. I want to be clear that my concern is not simply that an insurance claim was denied. Insurance coverage can be complicated, and I understand that reimbursement is not always guaranteed. My concern is that I specifically asked about TRICARE before hiring, made my decision based on the information provided, and then was unable to get a response when the billing issue came up. She has not been helpful or responsive to this matter and has been curt and rude in earlier response and has ghosted me now that I am trying to resolve this. I recommend that anyone considering hiring Joanne get clear, written confirmation before beginning services about whether she is currently eligible to provide covered services under their specific TRICARE plan, whether the required participation agreement is on file, who is responsible for submitting claims, and what happens if a claim is denied. I would also recommend confirming all payment and reimbursement expectations in writing. I’m sharing this so other families can make an informed decision and avoid finding themselves in a similar situation.

— Malia H.

Hiring an overnight doula from Peaceful Passages was one of the best decisions I made for my postpartum recovery. Not only did my doula lovingly care for me and my newborn, she went above and beyond—prepping nourishing meals, providing breastfeeding support, organizing the baby’s nursery, and even helping with my twin toddlers so I could rest. Her calm, professional presence made my healing after a c-section so much easier. I was especially impressed by how seamless everything was—she was professionally dressed, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. On top of that, Peaceful Passages accepted my Carrot insurance and handled all the billing with ease, which lifted such a burden off my shoulders. This service was truly a lifesaver for me and my family. I felt cared for, supported, and able to focus on bonding with my baby. I can’t recommend their overnight doula services enough!

— Bri L.