Samantha Exner

Oswego, Illinois

Samantha Exner

2 years of experience

I have a BA in pre-medicine and I am currently working towards a master's degree in reproductive science and medicine, which I expect to complete in June 2025. I am planning to apply for physician's assistant programs next, with the goal of working as an OB/Gyn provider. Being a doula allows me to connect with and support the women in my community while I am in school to become a medical provider. Because of my background in science and medicine, my practice as a doula is research-based. I provide clients with personalized, accurate information to help facilitate conversations with their doctors so they can make the best decisions for their birth plan. I support hospital-birth clients, and I aim to eliminate the stigma surrounding medicated births.

Evelyn Bello-Schrag

Libertyville, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Evelyn Bello-Schrag

3 years of experience

Hi, I'm Evelyn – a mama to two beautiful kids, a nature lover, and an advocate for women. While I didn’t plan to become a doula or childbirth educator, I now know that it’s my true calling. Growing up in a close-knit Mexican household, I was always drawn to community and mentorship, especially for girls. After earning my degrees in psychology and Spanish, I worked with survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. Becoming a mom ignited my deep curiosity about pregnancy and birth. I became fascinated by the process, eager to learn everything about labor and advocate for my own birth experience. After having profoundly empowering births, I realized that every woman deserves a birth that is powerful and free from trauma. This curiosity soon grew into a passion for supporting other women in my community. In my journey as a home visitor, working with Spanish-speaking moms, I saw firsthand the lack of resources and perinatal education available to them. It fueled my desire to help these women advocate for themselves, find their voice, and feel empowered in their birth experiences. After the birth of my daughter, I took a step back to reflect on my passions, and that’s when I discovered the amazing combination of doula and childbirth educator. And so, La Vid was born – a community for mothers to feel rooted and empowered, from pregnancy through motherhood. I believe in the strength and connection of women, and my mission is to empower you through your entire journey, so you never have to walk alone.

Recent review

One of the things that I loved the most was that Evelyn offered online birthing classes on Saturdays. This was my 3rd pregnancy and I had never attended any birthing class. Knowing what to expect for birth, I was amazed at how much she goes over in her classes that the content is real and raw. Before my birth she set time to get to know my birth stories, know me, and discuss her role as my doula. I really appreciated that she listened without any judgement. Evelyn always listened to my concerns and actually validated them. In the last weeks of pregnancy, she would check on me and give me tips to be ready for when it was time to head to the hospital. Her words and knowledge would always calm my nerves and anxiety. During my birth, she was ready to help me voice out my needs and was not afraid to roll up her sleeves to help. She provides so many words of affirmation and was part of my successful birth. I would definitely recommend Evelyn to any mom looking for a doula. She is also so kind, humble, and really knows what it takes for a mama to birth.

- Melissa C.

Lynn Morley

North Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Lynn Morley

9 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Lynn began her indie doula and photography practice in 2018. Her background is in reproductive health and non profits as an educator, direct care professional, and in state policy and project management. She has a BA in Gender Studies, is a certified birth, postpartum, and full spectrum doula, a childbirth educator, and a member of the Queer Doula Network. She hangs her fanny pack in Andersonville where she lives with her wife Mercedes -- a deep-hearted middle school teacher she's spellbound by, and with whom she shares the creative practice called home. Weaving together modern and traditional approaches, her support with families focuses on body literacy and agency, trauma and healing, educating and preparing for birth and postpartum, collective care, caretaking and parenting, honoring transitions, and nurturing relationships (including sex and intimacy). Knowledge building is a collaborative mixture of education, experience, and intuition. At the heart of it: you belong to yourself and are the expert of your own experience. She is committed to trauma-informed practices and co-creating safer spaces by being body- and sex-positive, anti-racist, pro-choice, queer and gender affirming, and welcoming to solo, poly, blended, or communal families. Your care should be designed for your comfort, needs, and wants. It should see you in your full context – your stage of life, unique body, lived experience, culture, community, ability, desires, and dreams.

Recent review

Liam is an extremely caring, intelligent and respectful doula. She sat with me in a lot of grief and anxiety in my fifth pregnancy, (my last one, following three miscarriages.) She rode through the dark moments with me and really helped me mentally prepare for giving birth to a living baby, which I had struggled to mentally accept as possibility. She made sure that I was comfortable enough to take my last birthing experience into my own hands. I truly couldn’t have done it without her experience, care and dedication.

- Amy R.

Shauna Davis

Woodstock, Illinois

Shauna Davis

3 years of experience

Hi! My name is Shauna and I am a DONA International certified birth doula located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago - Woodstock to be exact. It is my honor to support families that are giving birth in home, birth center and hospital settings. I have five years of experience working in obstetrics and gynecology, which facilitated my love for all things pregnancy related. While I thoroughly enjoyed supporting my patients in a clinical setting during their prenatal and postpartum phases, I truly wanted to be more involved in supporting women throughout the birthing process. I 100% believe all women should be supported and have the right to birth as they want, whatever that looks like for them. I believe women's bodies are remarkable and amazing. As a mom of three myself, I know first hand the power a woman's body has, from growing a baby, to delivering that baby, and then to be able to nourish that baby. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks with my husband and our two dogs. I also enjoy reading and staying up-to-date on all things pregnancy, birth and lactation related.

Dawne Herbert-Withers

Salem, Wisconsin

Dawne Herbert-Withers

15 years of experience

I believe every person has the right to informed care and the right to birth their baby with respect and dignity. I meet my clients where they are at, and walk alongside them, helping them to navigate through their journeys to parenthood. It is an honor and a blessing to hold space for the families I support during these pivotal moments in their lives.

Kristen Walles

Riverside, Illinois

Kristen Walles

12 years of experience

Hi! I'm Kristen. I am a graduate of Chamberlain University, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. My nursing degree has taken me down a path I was destined to be on. I always knew I wanted to work with mothers and babies, and after graduation, I began working as a private nurse for postpartum families. I would be their support system during their personal postpartum journey while educating their entire family on how to navigate the new territory of bringing their baby (or babies!) home. It was during this time I learned how motherhood is such a beautiful experience, yet also one of the most difficult without the proper support system. I began to specialize in infant sleep and obtained my Pediatric Sleep Consultant certification through the Family Sleep Institute. I have worked with countless families in Chicago, as well as virtually, to help them find the rest their whole family needs in a way that works for them. I had a baby of my own last year, and being a mother myself has brought even more empathy and compassion into my work.

Elle Mercado

Oak Park, Illinois

Elle Mercado

5 years of experience

hello birthing persons, i’m elle, a DONA certified birth doula, yoga instructor and social worker based in oak park, IL. I became a doula after four years of working in childhood education and fully understanding the impact birth has on everything—my pedagogies are rooted in epigenetics.

Brittany Hourston

Broadview, Illinois

Brittany Hourston

2 years of experience

Hello Friend, my name is Brittany Hourston. I am a Postpartum Doula located in the Chicagoland area. The facets of encouraging, educating, and caring for newborns and their moms. I'm always curious to learn more about how I can be a great asset to the pair. Coming from an educational and nonprofit background, I believe the growth of a child starts at the beginning stages of early childhood, and establishing a positive atmosphere with great strategies will help to get there. My agency works to establish a judgment-free zone for all parents seeking informational and emotional support.

Angie Runyan

Brookfield, Illinois

Angie Runyan

22 years of experience

As a mother myself, I know first hand the value of kind and informed assistant in the days following the birth of a baby. I was blessed to have experienced support following the births of my now grown three children and know how valuable it is. I have provided support as a lactation consultant, doula and postpartum doula to many families. It is an honor to provide new parents with the help they need while adjusting to parenting a new born.

KARA ALEXANDER

Chicago, Illinois

KARA ALEXANDER

9 years of experience

My name is Kara, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as an Advanced Newborn Care Specialist, CAPPA trained Labor and Postpartum Doula, Lactation Educator, Baby-wearing Educator, and Certified Childbirth Educator. With over two decades of dedicated experience nurturing children, I've found immense joy in providing exceptional care to families like yours. My approach revolves around delivering not just outstanding care, but also fostering a supportive, judgment-free environment. My goal is to empower and guide parents, ensuring they feel refreshed and confident as they embark on the early stages of parenthood. Knowing your newborn is in safe hands allows for a sense of ease and security during this precious time. Before specializing in newborn care, I spent thirteen years in daycares and as a nanny, caring for infants to school-age children. This diverse background has equipped me to handle a wide spectrum of needs, including preemies, singletons, and multiples. It's a privilege to support families as they navigate the exciting journey of new parenthood, always tailoring my approach to meet individual needs and expectations.

Kate Brooks

Chicago, Illinois

Kate Brooks

Trained postpartum doula with experience in supporting and caring for newborns. Previously nannied for five years and worked at an early childhood center in the enfant room for four years. Love to support and care for parents postpartum and find best ways to create systems of support for parents postpartum.

Mia Willis, CMA

Chicago, Illinois

Mia Willis, CMA

5 years of experience

It’s great to have you here. Let me introduce myself. My name is Mia Willis, CMA and I have served as a Prenatal and Postnatal Doula and Childbirth and Infancy Care Educator. I am a Chicago native and Northside College Preparatory High School Alumna. Like most, I stumbled into my role. Enduring the gestational hardships of my pregnancy led to my passion for wanting to empower and educate others during this delicate transition into parenthood. This passion led me to pursue a comprehensive education in the field of maternal support. I hold a certification in Medical Assisting with a background in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 2021, I became a Certified Doula through the Black Womban Doula Course, ensuring that all of my sprouts receive the highest level of care and expertise. I am dedicated to continually expanding my knowledge and staying current with the latest evidence-based practices in maternal health and care.

Darnicia Holt

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Darnicia Holt

9 years of experience

Hey! I’m Darnicia, a full-spectrum doula, birth mindset educator, and reproductive justice advocate. TL;DR From organizing protests and fighting for social justice to shutting down systemic abuse, violence, and oppression in the medicalized perinatal care system. My passion? Teaching incredible birthing people — like you — how to trust your intuition❤️‍🔥 and advocate for your autonomy,🗣️ so you feel ✨empowered to be the authority of all your reproductive experiences✨ — fertility to postpartum (or not being pregnant at all). 👀 A little more info… To me, birthwork is inherently linked to social justice and activism. Birthwork is advocacy, and advocacy follows you through every aspect of your life. Therefore, advocacy isn’t something you learn; it’s who you are. I’ve taken what I’ve learned in my years as a social justice organizer and have applied it to birthwork. Sometimes, the fight for my clients to have the reproductive outcomes they desire mirrors the intensity I’ve seen when organizing for human rights. When necessary, I use the same energy it takes to shut down streets and apply it to protect my clients’ experience. What does this mean for you? I have the heart and the skills to fight for your dream birth or whatever support you need. But no worries, I’ll only fight to whatever extent you need or are comfortable with. ☺️ The foundation of the doula role is about the person you are. I am an advocate. Fun facts: I’m a wife and Mom of two. I’m a HUGE Marvel/MCU fan. I L😍VE Thai Iced Tea and mushroom coffee 🍄☕.

Recent review

Darnicia helped us with postpartum care for our newborn and we are grateful beyond measure for her support and expertise. She is very kind, calming, and has a high degree of knowledge. She is such a warm person and we felt well cared for alongside our baby. In the matter of a few weeks, we went from frazzled new parents to having a baby who sleeps through the night multiple nights per week. I highly recommend Darnicia for postpartum care for anyone who is looking to establish healthy routines for their baby and wants to feel very supported in the process.

- Katie J.

Seyi Akinwale

Chicago, Illinois

Seyi Akinwale

3 years of experience

I’m Seyi. I have over 15 years of childcare experience in a variety of settings such as a babysitter, nanny, teacher, and now birth and postpartum doula. I am passionate about the field of birth work. After witnessing and hearing about many of the difficulties and abuse of power in hospital settings, my passion for helping people navigate these settings was ignited. It is impossible to guarantee a “perfect birth” but I believe that you should have the opportunity to be prepared for whatever may or may not happen. This includes being aware of medical interventions, having the best people for you in your birthing space, establishing and enforcing necessary boundaries, and ultimately doing the best for you! Childbirth is a beautiful process that is both natural and spiritual.

Elly Hernandez

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (4 reviews)

Elly Hernandez

4 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hey there! My name is Elly and I am a certified full spectrum doula and a mama to three littles. I offer fertility, birth and postpartum support. I'm located in Jefferson Park and I'm a born and raised Chicagoan. I am a nursing student with a Bachelors in Health Science, and I bring my background knowledge in maternal health disparities into this work by working on a sliding fee scale for families with a tight budget. I am passionate about serving moms and dads in whatever way they need. I strive to provide high quality, compassionate and personalized care to families. No two families needs are the same and through great communication and a never-ending willingness to learn, I do my best to provide a fully curated experience. When I'm not busy at a birth or educating families at a prenatal, I am chasing after my three little gremlins be it at a forest preserve or around the toy section at target, haha. I love being active and cooking. Don't be surprised if I show up with a tin of cookies or a pot full of soup at your prenatal or postpartum visit. I love feeding my families! Thanks for taking the time to read a little about me, and I can't wait to serve you and your family in your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Recent review

Elly was an absolutely integral part of my successful natural VBAC labor and delivery. Through active labor, she suggested movement patterns and positions that were not only helpful for pain management but also helped improve the baby’s position and descent. She explained everything and always offered it in a helpful way rather than being pushy or demanding. I felt like she anticipated many of my needs and wants during labor before I even needed to ask. I also really appreciated the amount of involvement she encouraged from my partner. He really wanted to be supportive and the tactics that Elly provided allowed him to be so much more purposeful and helpful. Overall, Elly was truly supportive of my birth plan and did everything she could to ensure it became a reality. I would recommend her to absolutely anyone looking for a positive, empowered birthing experience, but in particular I would highly recommend her to mamas who want to go natural!

- Hannah V.

Kerri Honeywood

Chicago, Illinois

Kerri Honeywood

7 years of experience

Hello Everyone, My name is Kerri Honeywood. I am a Holistic Practitioner, Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula located in Chicago, IL. I want to take the time to learn who you are and what will help you and your family to feel comfortable, informed and prepared, through the ever-changing moments of the birthing process from conception to postpartum. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my fab five (kids), Meditating under a new moon and learning more by staying up to date with maternal health.

Yhwdith Yhadath Dinah Yasharahla

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Yhwdith Yhadath Dinah Yasharahla

7 years of experience

Hello my name is Yhwdith-Yhadath! I am a certified doula and have been for about three years. I am also a medical professional with NURSE AIDE CERTIFICATION in 10 states and counting and 3 classes down for my LPN LICENSE.

Recent review

Yhadath was amazing !!! Handled everything in a very professional manner I couldn't be more happy with her service. I would recommend her to family and friends!! All needs where met thank you soooo much

- Shmahyah I.

Niki Flood

Chicago, Illinois

Niki Flood

15 years of experience

Life is made of moments. Some of these moments will be easy, while others will be harder to navigate. No matter the ease or difficulty within that moment, it is still YOUR moment. As your Doula, I want to be there to help navigate the moments that may be a bit difficult, very difficult, or even the easy ones. Communication is very important, and I feel it is one of the main components to making sure that you, as a whole, are being seen, heard, supported, and appreciated in each and every moment. I am currently working on my certification through Doula Trainings International (DTI).

Jennifer Allen

Chicago, Illinois

Jennifer Allen

8 years of experience

Hello! I am a scrunchy mom of two, and I have lived in birth world for the last 5 years serving dozens of families. I support all birth, postpartum, and feeding journeys. I have my bachelors of science from DePaul University with research focus in infant gut development, and I am certified for birth work through DONA. I am happy to support you and your family throughout your story!

Tabresha Posey

Chicago, Illinois

Tabresha Posey

5 years of experience

My name is Tabresha “Breezy” Posey. I am a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula living in the Chicagoland area. As your doula, it is my practice to create opportunities for birthing people and their family to be informed, emotional and physically supported throughout this intimate experience. My goal is to ensure the birthing person feels safe, empowered, respected, and heard throughout the pregnancy, labor and delivery experience. My background consists of an A.A.S in Early Child Development, B.A Humans Services along with Certified Labor and Delivery certification. I am a student of life and learning; and have a Life Coach certification and I am working on my 200 hr.Wellness, SELA and Yoga certification. In my free time I love to travel, walk in nature and spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren. I also love solitude, reading and daydreaming.