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.

Jessica Dzierzanowski

Naperville, Illinois

Jessica Dzierzanowski

5 years of experience

I am a CAPPA Certified birth doula. I am also a Birth Concierge. I love to serve my community. I have a passion for birth and helping women accomplish their goals of a happy and healthy birth. Everyone deserves the birth that they want and I am here to help you BIRTH YOUR WAY.

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.

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.

Danyale Washington

Bloomingdale, Illinois

5.0 (4 reviews)

Danyale Washington

5 years of experience

My name is Danyale Washington. I graduated with my B.S. in Psychology from Concordia University Chicago. After working for over a decade in various facets of childcare and education —as well as having two children of my own— I have seen countless times, as well as witnessed myself as a parent, the lack of support and resources. My passion for helping others and dedication to children and their families reaching their full potential has always been a big part of who I am. It has continuously fueled me to pursue a career in doing just that–offering my insight and expertise to help those I serve feel confident and well-equipped to foster healthy development in children. My philosophy is rooted in empowerment, positivism, and compassion. It is at the core of all my services. My approach is strength-based and client-centered. It focuses on being an aid to those I provide support to in using the tools and skills they already possess to foster optimal growth and development in children. I believe in empowering individuals as they navigate the more challenging components of childrearing. My role is to be in your corner—cheering you on—guiding and supporting you while utilizing your strengths to achieve your goals. You are the driver; I am simply the map!

Recent review

We started working with Danyale when our son was about 8 weeks old, and we’re so glad that we started so early! We learned ways to instill healthy sleep habits for our baby right from the start. We were amazed at how quickly he learned to put himself to sleep, and sleep through the night! Danyale was absolutely wonderful and it was extremely helpful to have someone to ask questions to weekly and guide us through the process. We are so thankful to have such a happy and well rested baby - thank you so much Danyale! You are amazing, and we are so grateful for you and Sweet Piece!

- Mariana C.

Tymeka Branch

Forest View, Illinois

Tymeka Branch

12 years of experience

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.

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.

Hamdi Hersi

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hamdi Hersi

27 years of experience

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.

JulieAnn Fasse-Bergeson

Schaumburg, Illinois

4.5 (8 reviews)

JulieAnn Fasse-Bergeson

16 years of experience

Meet JulieAnn JulieAnn is a mother, certified Postpartum Doula as well as a certified Antepartum & Bereavement Doula. JulieAnn is also a certified Newborn Care Specialist. JulieAnn has received her certification as a Medical Assistant. She is a certified Early Childhood Education Teacher and is currently pursuing her associate degree in Early Childhood Education. JulieAnn has spent her entire career in the childcare and education field. Supporting families and educators alike. JulieAnn works to empower families, as she provides excellent care, and a foundation to assist in all areas of a child’s development. Her firsthand experience as a mother and ability to “tune in” to new parents needs allows her to approach each family with a conscious and informed approach. JulieAnn is warm, caring, and loving with the newborns she works with. She wholeheartedly enjoys spending time with new parents as they rest and recuperate after birth so they can enjoy the postpartum period. Her empathetic and intuitive nature allow her to be a reassuring presence and hold space for the transformative experience that becoming a parent deserves. Supported birth and postpartum experiences help parents gain the confidence they need to trust themselves and grow with their child. This is why JulieAnn approaches each day with a mindful mindset of the importance of honoring her clients and treating them with dignity and compassion.

Recent review

From the very beginning, JulieAnn proved to be an invaluable presence in our home, providing exceptional care for our baby. One of the things that stood out most about JulieAnn was her excellent communication. After each night, she provided us with thorough updates, keeping us informed about our baby’s sleep, feedings, and overall well-being. Her insights and observations were incredibly helpful, and she always took the time to answer our questions and offer thoughtful suggestions. Beyond her expertise, JulieAnn brought a positive attitude and warmth into our home. She was truly a joy to have with us during such an important and sometimes overwhelming time. It was clear from the start that she genuinely cared—not just for our baby, but for our whole family. She was patient, kind, and always encouraging, which made a world of difference as we navigated life with a newborn. JulieAnn was also incredibly reliable and professional. She was always on time and ready to help, giving us peace of mind knowing we could count on her each night. Her consistency and dependability made a challenging period so much more manageable. We always felt confident that our baby was in the best hands. We are grateful for the care and support JulieAnn provided, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for an experienced, compassionate, and dependable night nurse. She made a lasting impact on our family, and any parents who have the opportunity to work with her will be incredibly lucky.

- Caroline M.

Melanie Chervinko

Lockport, Illinois

Melanie Chervinko

4 years of experience

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.

Kelly Vida

Batavia, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Kelly Vida

7 years of experience

I founded Empowered Mama Fitness after finding a lack of pregnancy-focused fitness options in my pregnancy. I offer pre and postnatal fitness and strength training, as well as workshops for expectant parents.

Recent review

I took prenatal yoga classes weekly with Kelly during my second pregnancy, and it had such a positive impact on my physical and mental health. Kelly was incredibly knowledgeable about how yoga can help during pregnancy and birth. She also helped create a welcoming and supportive community during each class, so I was able to connect to other people who were also on their own pregnancy journeys. Plus, I appreciated all of her recommendations of pregnancy related resources and services in the area!

- Marybeth M.

Hephzibah Egoro

Chicago, Illinois

Hephzibah Egoro

10 years of experience

Hello! My name is Hephzibah Egoro, and I am a caring, reliable, and patient childcare provider based in Chicago with 9 years of childcare experience. I am also a mother of three, which has given me strong hands-on experience caring for children of different ages and understanding their needs, routines, and emotional development. I am CPR certified and place a strong focus on safety, comfort, and attentive care—especially during overnight and night-time hours. I am calm, responsible, and dependable, and I am comfortable with bedtime routines, overnight supervision, feeding support, diaper changes, and providing reassurance throughout the night. As a parent and experienced caregiver, I understand how important trust, communication, and consistency are. I treat every child with patience, respect, and the same level of care I give my own children. My goal is to provide families with peace of mind while ensuring their children are safe, secure, and well cared for. I would be happy to support your family with overnight or night-time childcare needs.

Eileen Joyce

Bartlett, Illinois

Eileen Joyce

16 years of experience
Accepts insurances

For as long as I can remember, I yearned to be a mother. Unfortunately, when faced with multiple medical conditions, I realized that getting pregnant was not going to be easy—even though it seemed like everyone around me was having babies. Eventually, I was fortunate enough to become pregnant-- but why didn’t I feel the effortless joy that seemed to encompass all the mothers on my social media feed? Why was this so hard? It’s often said that no one really prepares you for becoming a parent, but I feel passionately that our society could do a better job. I hold a feminist perspective and challenge societal expectations of how things “should be.” You don’t need to do it all and you don’t need to do it alone. I’ve worked in multiple different settings including crisis home based work with children and their families, partial hospitalization programs with adults, and most recently in a pediatric medical clinic supporting families with children with medical conditions. I have been trained in perinatal mood disorders by Postpartum Support International (PSI).

Jen Mills

Chicago, Illinois

Jen Mills

4 years of experience

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!

Esmeralda Carrillo

Aurora, Illinois

Esmeralda Carrillo

5 years of experience

Hey I'm Esmeralda, the Homebirth Doula & Birthkeeper. My passion is in serving women, not the system. I am here to support you and your birth choices and walk with you on this journey to an empowering and physiological birth at home. I prioritize connection and relationship building prior to your birth and I offer in depth birth education during your pregnancy as well. My passion is birth work and I would be honored to be asked into your birth space. I also offer birth photography and placenta encapsulation services, and host free monthly birth circles for my local community. Feel free to message me for more information on any of the above.

Joanna Russin

Des Plaines, Illinois

Joanna Russin

5 years of experience

Hi! I'm Joanna but everyone calls me Jo (she/her/hers). I am a Birth Doula, as well as a Children and Families Social Worker. I am also a wife and mother. I have ways been passionate about working with people and after having my son I was inspired to empower families during pregnancy and birth. I believe everyone should have a doula. Things I enjoy are drinking a good hot cup of tea, a good book, the smell of the fresh outdoors, finding new adventures to get lost in and just doing things that give me pure joy and adrenaline in life. In my free time you will find me learning new things, cooking, crafting, helping others out, dancing with my toddler and spending time with those I love.

Debbie Izzo

Evergreen Park, Illinois

Debbie Izzo

15 years of experience

I have been teaching Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding for the past 11 years. I am a Mom of 6, a Nana to 3, a Registered Nurse and an IBCLC. I work at a large hospital healthcare system, Advocate Aurora Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. Though our hospital classes are still virtual, I do also teach private classes in your home or other venue of your choice. (I am fully vaccinated and boosted). I also have been volunteer teaching at a local Pregnancy Center for the past 5 years. I love to teach and would love to work with you.!

Carolyn Andrew

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (3 reviews)

Carolyn Andrew

9 years of experience

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.

Recent review

Carolyn was a pivotal person during our entire pregnancy and birthing experience. Carolyn was able to help me talk through a difficult experience with a care provider. Carolyn was able to provide with an open space for venting and helped to ultimately navigate away from a provider who was not the best fit for us. She was a calm force who was able to help us maintain our composure and think outside the box when our labor was not progressing. Carolyn was able to help us digest information about our birth and labor, so we could find our joy and love , even if the labor did not go as planned. I cannot begin to image our birth without Carolyn. We will be forever grateful and thankful for her helping us to bring our son into this world safely.

- Rachel Y.

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.

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.