🌿 Homebirth Doula & Photographer 🌿 Here to inform & empower you during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum

The Birth Zone is an agency serving families from Chicago through Milwaukee with childbirth education and birth doula services. We specialize in providing non-judgmental support for all families. We serve all kinds of births including hospital, home, medication-free, epidural, water birth, and land births.

I am a photographer who strives to catch the heart-warming moments of life with every click of the shutter. My goal is to capture those milestone moments for you and your family: the unexpected gurgling smile of your breast feeding newborn, the somewhat spicy over the shoulder glance in a boudoir shoot, the joy invoking smile of seeing your beloved for the first time on your wedding day, the fierce concentration it takes to breathe through contractions, or the crazy fun that can ensue with a toddler at a family photo shoot. I love what I do and I feel strongly about photographing families who want to remember important phases in their lives. Time flies by; as any mother knows, therefore my mission is to offer my clients something concrete to look at and remember the times that are most important to them.

I combine education, evidence-based research, and hands-on support to help you have an entirely different kind of labor and birth. Whatever kind of birth you are planning, I am here to support your choices. I work at hospital births, home births, and birth centers. Some of my clients choose an epidural for pain management, and others choose to go med-free: I'm here to support whatever YOU choose. I serve many high-anxiety clients, as well as high-risk pregnancies and VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). Many of my clients are international, and English is often their second language. My team and I value diversity and inclusivity.

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.

Hello! I'm Jenny, a certified and experienced Childbirth and Bereavement Doula based in Chicago. I am also available to support your journey virtually. My passion is pregnancy and childbirth, and I'm especially in love with creating exactly the space and mood that my clients want for their labor and delivery. I am a judgment-free zone, so whether you want a med-free birth or one with an epidural, a home birth or one on the labor & delivery floor, I'm equally thrilled to be part of it. Providing informational, emotional, and physical support is what I do, and what I love. I'd love to talk with you more about it!

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.

I have been a nanny/ ncs for the last 12 years. During my career I have worked with all ages of children. To families I am known as the perfect helping hand. I have worked with children on the spectrum which has helped me further my education to help parents. Recently I have been working with newborns. With my experience with working with many children, I have compassion, empathy, respect and I am very responsible. From helping the mother breast feed to cleaning pump parts. I am a well rounded nanny.

Hi I'm Dr. Sam O’Brien (the apostrophe is the bane of my existence)! I am the co-owner of The Hive Wellness Center. I adore treating pregnancy & pediatric patients and I get especially *nerdy* about correcting musculoskeletal dysfunction & functional movement. I'm love the outdoors, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family!

Michelle has a bachelors and masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She is a registered OT in the state of IL. She has a love for working with children of all ages and who have varying needs and diagnoses.

Hi! My name is Nefertia Jones and I am a Newborn Care Specialist and Postpartum Doula serving families in the Chicago North Shore area. I am passionate about supporting parents as they adjust to life with a newborn, providing both practical guidance and compassionate care to help make the transition smoother and more joyful. With a background in medical training, I bring a strong foundation of clinical knowledge alongside years of hands-on caregiving experience with infants, toddlers, and families. My approach is centered on creating a calm, supportive, and judgment-free environment where parents feel empowered, confident, and well cared for. Outside of my work, I enjoy fostering kittens, visiting new restaurants, and spending time with my husband and our cat.

Crossroads Speech Therapy provides pediatric speech and language and occupational therapy. Each session is individualized and provided by a therapist who is experienced, licensed, and who holds their American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence or National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Crossroads Speech Therapy serves children from their first year of life through adulthood. Katie, owner and Director of Crossroads Speech Therapy, is passionate about providing the highest quality speech therapy and occupational therapy to each child the practice sees. She is also a mother of three young children and one of her children has childhood apraxia of speech (CAS,) he has now overcome it. Katie has been licensed and practicing since 2008 and has extensive experience treating children and adults with speech and language delays and disorders. Since that time her services have been in high demand and many schools, daycares, and doctor’s offices refer to her and her expertise in the field. In 2016 Katie opened Crossroads Speech Therapy. Since then, Katie has hired a wonderful team to serve the Chicago and suburban Chicago community. Each team member is handpicked by Katie and has a caring, personable, and engaging personality, is from an incredible program, has great experience, and is knowledgeable as well as skilled, and loves to communicate about your child. Katie received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and hearing Science at the University of Illinois in 2006 and her Master’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Saint Louis University in 2008. Katie is a certified speech and language pathologist in the state of Illinois and Maine, a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, Advanced PROMPT trained and hold her Level 2 certification in PROMPT, is on the Apraxia Kids website as a provider for childhood apraxia of speech, holds her PEL license for Illinois, and owns Crossroads Speech Therapy in Chicago. She specializes in childhood apraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, feeding/swallowing, and expressive and receptive language disorders. She is energetic, fun, and kids love working with her! Children enjoy sessions with her and meet their goals quickly when working with her. Katie loves being a part of the community and is always there to help and support clients and their families.

Since 2016, I have been a doula, childbirth educator and maternal child health specialist supporting families in their journeys to growing their families. I am a care giver and a learner at my core and I strive to provide each family that I work with access to all the support and knowledge they need to become empowered, confident parents.

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.

Naadirah is professionally trained full spectrum doula with over a decade of experience in birth work. She has worked with families throughout Chicago and area suburbs. Naadirah comes to birthwork with a background in child development, family studies, social services, education and nursing. Naadirah is trained and certified in first aid, domestic violence support, CPR for healthcare workers, and mental health first aid.

I am Chicago based childbirth educator, doula, and soon-to-be midwife. I am passionate about supporting undisturbed physiologic birth. I believe in healthy-at-any-size. I've been teaching Evidence Based Birth for two years and I recently finished Midwifery school (to be licensed in 2026). I adore working with queer families, trans folks, and families who have used fertility support. My expertise spans home birth, birth centers, and hospital birth. Most people who take my class are at a birth center or hospital. Many want an empowered low-intervention birth, but most also want information about the benefits of epidurals, and when is the best time to get one. I am passionate about you having the birth YOU want, and having agency over your body and birth, no matter what this journey brings. I provide evidence based information, grounded energy, and listening ear.

Hi! My name is Amanda, I am a DONA trained birth doula, and I am ready to support you on your journey to parenthood! Whether you're planning a home birth, a hospital birth, or anything in between, my goal is to empower you with information, encouragement, and advocacy every step of the way. I believe in honoring your unique journey and preferences, offering non-judgmental support that respects your decisions and desires. I would love to connect with you for a complimentary consultation! Let me buy you a cup of coffee/tea or we can schedule a zoom/phone call.Booking with me will include one in person pre-birth meeting around 36 weeks, on call birth support, and one in person postpartum visit. Text and phone support available starting at time of booking through postpartum visit.

Hi! I’m Melanie Chervinko, a wife and a mother of two beautiful girls. I started my interest in birth work and holistic prenatal and postnatal care long before I was pregnant, but having my girls changed that interest into a passion. I read many birth books, attended hypnobirthing classes , and the most eye opening- watched the documentary The Business of Being Born. I took midwives brew to start both of my labors , 1st @ 42 weeks 2nd at 41. I had my first baby naturally after 23hrs labor and pitocin, my husband catching her. My second came naturally after 7 hours labor, my dream water birth in a birth center , into my arms . Both times I was completely amazed at what my body was capable of. The strength we find in birth and continue to find postpartum is so empowering and unbelievable. I saw my placenta , the perfect tree of life pattern on it- and fell in love. Only encapsulating after my second , I could feel such a difference in my mood and the speed of my healing process , which was much needed having a 1 and a half year old toddler while being postpartum. I love the relationships I form with expecting mothers and I am always available for any questions or advice I can lend ! I believe all women should feel support and warmth during their postpartum journey, and I’m here to provide that.

Doula Service, Newborn Care Specialist & Breastfeeding Consultant and Sleep training. With over 25 years of experience in newborn care, I am a British educated maternity nurse recently relocated to Chicago, Illinois. My career spans both medical settings and private households, including 20 years in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), two years of midwifery training, and extensive work across hospitals on multiple continents. As a certified newborn care specialist and breastfeeding consultant, I offer expertise in: • Doula support, birth support, and postpartum care. • Sleep training for babies as young as six weeks, helping parents establish healthy routines. • Supporting families with newborn care, including feeding challenges, reflux, intolerances, and tongue-tie management. • Providing hands-on assistance or virtual consultations tailored to your family’s needs. I specialize in teaching foundational parenting skills to ensure a confident and positive start to your parenting journey. While I have worked with agencies in London, I am currently seeking local families in Chicago to support directly as I establish my business in the area. If you are preparing for delivery, navigating early newborn care, or facing challenges with your little one, I’d be delighted to assist.

Sarah Baker is a mom of two little boys (one being a hypnobirthing baby), Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator, Internationally Accredited Meditation Teacher, Postpartum Doula and Holistic Health Specialist. Similar to you, Sarah wanted to feel prepared, confident and calm during her labor, no matter what twist or turn took place. Finding a childbirth education class that provided not only in-depth knowledge on everything that goes down during labor, but proven methods that help you feel calm, confident and empowered (that did not consist of just pain management interventions that hospitals offer), was something that Sarah had a hard time finding in the Chicagoland area. Sarah started Asana Mama to provide parents in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs an incredibly engaged, premier Childbirth classes, both private sessions and group classes: (currently being held completely remotely). Sarah brings almost a decade of practicing as a Holistic Health and meditation specialist with a heavy emphasis on helping women navigating preconception, pregnancy and postpartum.