Hello. I am an experienced and qualified Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) who is dedicated to nurturing and caring for newborns while providing education and support to parents. I am committed to following the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) while creating a safe and nurturing environment for infants that aligns with each family’s values and preferences. As a qualified NCS, I possess comprehensive training and experience in newborn care. I am well versed in the most effective techniques. I provide expertise, guidance, support, hands on assistance, allowing parents to catch up on much needed sleep while their baby is safe and well cared for. My goal is to ensure parents feel confident and connected with their baby. As a mother myself I believe in the importance of a supportive community and would be honored to be a part of your parenting journey.

Illinois Medicaid–Approved Provider (Self-Pay Also Accepted) My name is Parul Patel, and I am an Illinois Medicaid–approved Birth and Postpartum Doula, nurse, and holistic practitioner devoted to transformative, whole-person care. My work is grounded in the belief that healing occurs when the mind, body, and spirit are supported together, especially during life’s most pivotal transitions. Drawing from my professional background in nursing, mental health, and naturopathic alternative medicine, I bring a balanced and integrative approach to doula care—one that honors both evidence-based practice and ancestral, intuitive wisdom. My lived experience and years of hands-on support allow me to meet clients where they are, offering care that is compassionate, informed, and deeply respectful. Birth Doula Support As a Birth Doula, I support individuals and families throughout pregnancy and labor by providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support. My care is rooted in non-judgment, advocacy, and presence. I utilize a holistic toolkit that may include:     •    Comfort measures and therapeutic touch     •    Labor positioning and movement     •    Breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness     •    Non-pharmacological pain management techniques     •    Informed decision-making support My goal is to help clients feel safe, empowered, and heard, while honoring the body’s natural birthing process and the family’s unique vision for birth. Postpartum Doula Support In the postpartum period, I provide nurturing, practical, and emotionally attuned support as families adjust to life with a newborn. My postpartum services include:     •    Newborn care education and support     •    Emotional and mental health check-ins     •    Support with postpartum mood disorders     •    Guidance through identity shifts and family dynamics     •    Gentle nutritional and holistic wellness support I understand that postpartum healing is not linear, and I hold space for families with patience, compassion, and care. Life Doula & Transitional Support As a Life Doula, I support individuals through major life transitions beyond birth. I serve as a grounded, neutral space holder, offering presence without judgment and support without agenda. Whether navigating singlehood, relationships, career changes, grief, or personal transformation, I walk alongside clients as they move through change with clarity and resilience. My Commitment I am deeply committed to serving underserved and marginalized communities and addressing disparities in maternal and mental health. Through Divine Wellness, my mission is to create safe, supportive spaces where individuals feel empowered, informed, and connected to their inner wisdom. Why I Accept Medicaid I believe access to compassionate, high-quality doula care should not be limited by income or circumstance. Accepting Illinois Medicaid allows me to serve families who are often overlooked while helping reduce disparities in maternal outcomes. My Philosophy of Care Birth, healing, and life transitions are sacred experiences. My role is not to direct, but to support—offering knowledge, presence, and advocacy so clients can move forward feeling confident and supported. Who I Serve I support first-time parents, experienced parents, single parents, blended families, and individuals seeking holistic and culturally responsive care.

Hi, I’m Rachel — a doula, birth photographer, and placenta encapsulation specialist proudly serving the Chicagoland area. I grew up in small-town Kentucky and moved to Chicago five years ago. Since then, I’ve been deeply rooted in the birth world, supporting families through every stage of their journey. I’m a full-spectrum certified doula through Sokana’s Full Spectrum Birth Justice Training, with extensive education in lactation and over four years of personal breastfeeding experience. I’m also certified in First Aid and CPR. I accept Carrot clients and will soon be accepting Medicaid, because I believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, personalized support. That’s also why I offer sliding scale payment options for those in need. My approach blends evidence-based care with a holistic touch, holding space for whatever birth looks like for you. Outside of birth work, I’m chasing around my two toddlers, trying new recipes, camping, fishing, and checking out new restaurants — I never say no to a good steakhouse. Let’s schedule a consult and see if I am a great fit for your birth team!

I am a solo practice Certified Nurse Midwife with over 10 years of experience attending births and providing well person care in various settings in the Chicago area. Half of my midwifery career has been in several different types of hospitals; and the other half in home birth and at a free-standing birth center. My passion is to provide individualized, holistic, trauma-informed care to individuals and families seeking personal, loving support on their pregnancy, birth, and reproductive wellness journeys. Clients in my care will note that I am very knowledgable, warm, confident, and offer my service in the spirit of partnership with my clients. Anti-oppression is very important to me, and clients will find that my practice is inclusive, aware of the impact of social issues on health outcomes, and that I embrace a Health at Every Size approach. As a solo practice midwife, I keep a low volume, so as to provide excellent focus on my clients; and I offer extensive postpartum care to protect this vulnerable and important time.

I am a career nanny with seven years experience four of those years with newborn care, experience and overnight care. I’ve experienced with ages newborn to 13 years of age experience with multiples as well. I have RT experience and Spanish-teaching experience. If interested, I am looking forward and hearing from you and your family.

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.

At Stateline Birth Keepers, our goal is to support and empower families through life's most transformative experiences. Founded in 2024, we combine our unique experiences and expertise to provide compassionate, personalized care. We recognize that pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are deeply personal and emotional journeys, not just medical events. By pooling our skills, we offer holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and informational needs of the families we serve in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. My journey into birth work began in 2015 when I was supported during my son's birth by a doula. Inspired, I pursued certification and have since worked with diverse families in various settings across four states. As a mom of two earth side kids, one angel baby, I have personal experience with breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, and baby-led weaning. My son was born in a hospital with a failed epidural, and my daughter had a dramatic, unassisted yet absolutely beautiful home birth. Passionate about self care, my specialty and focus space is overnight newborn care support. I work with non-traditional families, and assist with trauma healing, I support single parents, LGBTQIA+, many different families with a variety of spiritual beliefs, supporting families through pregnancy losses, terminal diagnoses, stillbirths, and chosen losses. An adoptee myself, I also support adoption processes. Outside of Stateline Birth Keepers, I advocate for local foster youth, coach youth sports, and engage in the public educational system. I enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and paddle boarding, and I also enjoy crafting and thrifting during colder weather. Life’s an adventure, and I embrace every moment with a big smile and an open heart. I look forward to being a part of your unique and beautiful journey.

My name is Peggy Yeboah. I have been a nanny and newborn specialist with 27 years of experience. I love educating parents whether its your first time or third. I am dependable, responsible and love babies.

I am Alexa, the founder and owner of Brighter Days Breastfeeding! 💛 As a Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified NICU nurse, I’ve helped many moms feel confident and empowered in their breastfeeding journey. But my passion for this work comes from my own experience… the grief of undiagnosed tongue ties and exclusive pumping with my first son, the barriers out of my control leaving me feel completely unsupported with my second son (hello global pandemic) and the sweet healing my third baby brought of a successful breastfeeding journey. My goal is to make sure no mom feels alone, overwhelmed, or unsupported. I am here to empower you to feel confident in feeding your baby and encourage you there are still brighter days ahead ☀️💛

Hello, I'm Rebecca, and I have nurtured and helped children aged six weeks through school-age succeed in learning for the past 20+ years. While working with infants exclusively for the past 13 years, I have found my passion. After raising two children, I am following my dream of caring for infants, newborns, and their parents. I'm also passionate about helping parents successfully return to work while breastfeeding. As a result, I created and implemented a training for daycare teachers entitled “Supporting Breastfeeding Parents in a Daycare Setting.” I believe empowering parents to be their child’s first teacher is essential for keeping children happy and healthy. I am a trained Newborn Care Specialist and a Postpartum Doula. I have taken a “Lactation for Doulas” class, a sleep conditioning class, and have attended a training on perinatal mood disorders. I look forward to supporting parents and other family members as they care for their new charges. Outside of work, I am a published author, and I enjoy writing about everything from infant care to Science Fiction. I love reading and have an extensive library of children’s books.

Hi, I’m Megan Winfrey – and I’m here to support you through one of life’s most powerful moments. As a certified birth doula with over four years of hands-on experience, I’ve had the honor of walking alongside many families through a variety of birth experiences—natural births, cesarean births, and even NICU stays. I understand that every birth is unique, and my mission is to help you feel empowered, informed, and deeply supported every step of the way. My approach is compassionate, calm, and grounded in evidence-based care. I offer emotional, physical, and informational support to help you navigate your options and make decisions that feel right for you and your baby. Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, home birth, or something in between, I’m here to advocate for your wishes and create a space of peace, confidence, and joy. I’m also currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Chamberlain University, further deepening my understanding of maternal and newborn care. And beyond my professional journey, I’m a proud mom to a vibrant one-year-old boy who inspires me every single day. Becoming a mother myself has given me an even greater appreciation for the strength, beauty, and vulnerability of this sacred season of life. You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s create a birth experience that reflects your values, honors your strength, and welcomes your baby with love. Warmly, Megan Winfrey Birth Doula | Student Nurse | Mother & Advocate

Hi! I am Rebecca Stiglitz from Bolingbook, IL. I started my postpartum doula journey when I lost my teaching job due to my school closing. As a postpartum doula, I am blessed to mother the mother. My job is to take care of you first, the baby second, and then the rest of the family. Think of me as your best friend that comes in and gets right to work. I believe that mom needs rest and if mom is well rested, the family will be at peace.

Meet Mikala: Your Dedicated Birth Worker With five years of experience as a certified birth worker, Mikala has supported over 100 clients, guiding them through their unique birthing journeys. Her passion for this work shines through in every interaction, ensuring that you feel supported and heard every step of the way. Mikala believes in the importance of inclusivity and makes it a priority to involve everyone you wish to have as part of your birthing experience. She respects and advocates for your desires, helping to create a personalized and empowering birth environment. Mikala is well-versed in attending all types of births, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a calm presence to each situation. She understands the significance of listening to moms and honoring their individual needs and preferences. A Little About Mikala: Mikala is a mother of four, with children ranging in age from 4 to 13. Her personal birthing experiences include two medical hospital births and two free births, giving her a well-rounded perspective on different birthing options. This diverse background fuels her mission to ensure every mother feels validated in her choices and confident in their body’s capabilities. She has breastfed all of her children for a combined total of 9.5 years, an impressive milestone that speaks to her commitment and expertise. Mikala has navigated various parenting approaches, from using disposable and cloth diapers to using premade canned baby food to practicing baby-led weaning. When she's not supporting families, Mikala enjoys homeschooling her children and managing her homestead, embodying a holistic and nurturing lifestyle. Mikala’s Expertise Includes: Thriving in all birth settings Baby-Wearing Cloth Diapering Breastfeeding PLC Childbirth Education Postpartum Care Placenta Specialist Rebozo Techniques Bereavement PAILAdvocate LGBT+ Friendly Some Spanish Speaking Blessingway / MotherBlessing Neurodivergent Support Mikala is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support, ensuring that every family she works with feels empowered and understood throughout their birthing and parenting journeys.

Hi, I’m Marlene, a certified postpartum doula based in Chicago. With over 15 years of experience supporting children and families, my background spans early education, professional nannying, international au pair work, and specialized newborn care. These diverse experiences have shaped my holistic, compassionate approach to supporting new parents as they navigate the early days of life with their baby. I was DONA-trained and certified through Birth and Baby University’s cross-training program and am pursuing a Holistic Infant Sleep Certification to better serve families in the early weeks. Raised in Mexico, where caring for new mothers is a shared community responsibility, I bring that same compassion and reassurance to my practice. I’m CPR and First Aid certified and NICU-trained, supporting each family with warmth, expertise, and heart.

The Latch Link was founded to give mothers access to skilled, personalized lactation care that goes far beyond basic breastfeeding support. After experiencing firsthand how difficult it can be to find high-quality guidance, the practice was created with one goal in mind: to make expert, compassionate lactation care easy to access for every family. Today, The Latch Link is a nationwide virtual lactation practice providing evidence-based breastfeeding and infant-feeding support from highly trained consultants. The team combines clinical expertise with a whole-mother approach, focusing on both feeding and the emotional and physical realities of new motherhood. All visits are conducted via secure telehealth and are typically covered 100% by major insurance plans, allowing families to meet with their consultant from the comfort of home with no added stress. From pregnancy through weaning, The Latch Link supports parents with everything from latch and milk supply to pumping, bottle feeding, oral function concerns, and more. The mission is simple: to give every mother the clarity, confidence, and support she deserves — no judgment, no confusion, just truly skilled care.

I’m a Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) night and day and Newborn nanny, Birth Doula and Certified Postpartum Doula with over 10 years of experience taking care of newborns and toddlers, I also have experience with twins and triplets. I have experience with assisting moms with breast feeding, transitioning from breast to bottle, colic, fussing babies, reflux, sleep conditioning and sleep training. I’m a mom to my awesome 3 year and half year old son, in my spare time I enjoy taking my son to amusement parks and sporting activities. I also volunteer at HPNClub in Hyde Park.

Hi! I'm Jessica and I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner. I founded HUDDLE to connect with families for pediatric and postpartum support. We offer in-home night nurses (all Registered Nurses), in-home and virtual lactation support, virtual pediatric telehealth, and virtual postpartum and family mental health counseling. I love connecting with families and supporting them through all of the ups and downs of parenthood. My company is small, and I will be your first point of contact from your discovery call to all of your 2am baby questions.

Hi, I’m Ashley Robinson, a certified birth and postpartum doula passionate about supporting families through one of the most powerful transitions in life—welcoming a new baby. My goal is to create a calm, informed, and empowering experience for every family I serve. I offer emotional, physical, and educational support throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. When I’m not assisting new moms, I enjoy learning new ways to nurture wellness and strengthen family bonds. I believe every parent deserves a positive and supported birth experience—and I’m honored to be part of that journey. 💕

I’m a Full Spectrum Doula, newborn care specialist, and boy mom. My infant care journey, trainings, and previous role as a nanny has allowed me to gain a plethora of knowledge about caring for both mothers and their newborns. It has also given me the privilege of supporting moms through the sleepless but undoubtedly euphoric times of the postpartum and newborn stages. I accomplish this by educating and encouraging my families while also providing evidence based care and comfort to their newborn. I know this is an immensely delicate time for every family but its my delight to help transition from womb to room.

Anna Rodney, Owner and Founder of Chicago Family Doulas Anna has supported families as a doula since 2009 and is committed to providing families with professional, compassionate, and personal support. Anna gives 200% in all she does in life and brings this commitment and passion to every aspect of her work as a doula. Anna has had the reputation of being a kind, calm, and loving person for as long as she can remember. She has always cared deeply for people and strives to support and care for all around her. She has worked with children and families since she was a teen and later on has supported families in the role of a nanny, preschool teacher, Americorps worker, respite worker, special education teacher, and finally as a birth and postpartum doula. Anna was a special educator for ten years prior to becoming a doula and owner of Chicago Family Doulas. Being a life long learner, Anna earned her Master’s degree in Education as well as multiple degrees in Special Education. She is certified as a labor doula through DONA and CAPPA, as a postpartum doula through ProDoula and CAPPA, certified to teach Hypnobirthing, a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator, a Certified Newborn Care Specialist, and is a certified Happiest Baby on the Block instructor. Anna is committed to sharing her vast knowledge with the families she works with. She is also committed to training doulas as a labor and postpartum doula trainer through CAPPA and also as a certified CAPPA Childbirth Educator Trainer. As an agency owner, Anna is committed to handpicking the most amazing doulas that the Chicagoland area has to offer. The doulas that work with Chicago Family Doulas are kind, caring, informed, non-judgmental, professional, and 100% committed to the families that they have the honor of supporting. Anna and her team will be an incredible addition to your birth team and postpartum team.