Esmeralda Carrillo

Aurora, Illinois

Esmeralda Carrillo

5 years of experience

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

Annette Yen

Holiday Hills, Illinois

Annette Yen

7 years of experience

I’m a Christian bereavement and birth doula in the Northwest suburbs area of Chicago and Southeastern Wisconsin.

Bria Williams-Roby

Downers Grove, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Bria Williams-Roby

3 years of experience

Not hiring me as your doula is a disservice to you. I wear two hats with pride: doula and mental health professional. This unique combination allows me to support moms on a deeply personal level, throughout their pregnancy journey and beyond. I love supporting, and empowering people, I have extensive experience working with families from all different backgrounds. I believe that every woman should have a voice in their pregnancy. My job as a doula is to honor and advocate that. I am extremely passionate about this, and work closely with moms and families! I am reliable and will show up for mom! You want me during your birth 😊

Recent review

My services were superb!! I would recommend Bria for all of my children! She’s reliable, informed, patient, & loves what she does!! Would highly recommend.

- Justice W.

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.

Abby Johnsen

Lakemoor, Illinois

Abby Johnsen

7 years of experience

--Continuing my training with BADT for Full Spectrum Doula work-- I started Doula work after my first child was born, when I realized how much I didn't know and how much I wanted to know. I want to help other parents, especially first timers and queer families, feel confident and supported during their journey to parenthood. I'm passionate for advocacy as well and will stand for your choices during birth, whatever those may be. I'm bisexual and love to support LGBTQIA+ families in their parenting journey. I'm learning Anti-Racism and will always stand against discrimination and racism, especially when it comes to the medical field. I believe birthwork is activism and strive to include that in every aspect of my work. I offer free consultations, birth education and support, body/breastfeeding education and postpartum education. I am open to last minute bookings. I offer sliding scale/discounts for lower income families.

Jessica Thuma

Woodstock, Illinois

Jessica Thuma

7 years of experience

Hi, I’m Jessica — a fertility and birth doula, certified lactation counselor (CLC), and prenatal yoga and meditation teacher serving families in and around Woodstock, Illinois. I support individuals and families through conception, pregnancy, and birth with a blend of evidence-based guidance and mindfulness-based practices. My approach is calm, compassionate, and deeply personalized, helping you feel confident and cared for as you navigate the many layers of your fertility or birthing journey. Whether you’re preparing for conception, planning your ideal birth, or seeking clarity and support around lactation, I’m here to walk alongside you with presence and understanding. Together, we’ll create a supportive space that honors your intuition, builds trust in your body, and fosters a peaceful, empowering start to your next chapter.

Raine Black

Mundelein, Illinois

Raine Black

23 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello, My name Is Lorraine. I prefer to go by Raine. I'm a full spectrum doula (birth, postpartum and bereavement), placenta expert/encapsulator, childbirth & lamaze educator and more. I have been providing doula service even before being certified. I've been providing services since I was thirteen. It's part of my culture, It's just naturally in me. I made it official a little under four years ago. I have attended 50+ births. Providing birth and postpartum care. I feel birth is a judgement free zone. I focus on keeping birth peaceful, using evidence-based information and techniques. I am also on my journey to become a Midwife. I enjoy music, spending time with family & friends, reading books & literature and just seeking knowledge. I have upwards of twenty specialties. I can't wait to share with you.

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.

Nefertia Jones

Glenview, Illinois

Nefertia Jones

6 years of experience

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.

Jaime McNamara

Bull Valley, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Jaime McNamara

14 years of experience

Doula-Birthkeeper of 13 years and infant and prenatal massage therapist for 19. I attend births in all spaces for all families with love and consent .

Recent review

Jaime McNamara was my doula for son in 2023 and she was absolutely amazing helped me through my labor with lots of swaying and counter pressure to work through the contractions even with things went differently then we all planned she stayed and made sure my husband was okay and that me and baby were okay as well. Then after baby came she continued to help myself and baby by preforming Craniosacral therapy and baby massage as well. Then now in 2025 she is still working with me as my doula again and she is also doing some much needed prenatal message that has been a life safer for me this pregnancy. She has such a layed back personality but will do exactly what you want to help you get the best outcomes possible and she will stand up for want you labor to be . She an awesome person to be standing in your corner during the beautiful process of labor and birth

- Amber W.

Jenny Mills

Chicago, Illinois

Jenny Mills

4 years of experience

I help women navigate every season of life — from infertility to pregnancy and childbirth to postpartum parenting to peri-menopause and menopause — with compassionate and personalized support. I am a Bebo Mia Certified Maternal Support Practitioner who's a fierce advocate for a woman's right to decide what they want for their body. That includes deciding what's right for you regarding your birth plan.

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.

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.

Naadirah Shapley-Wells

Skokie, Illinois

Naadirah Shapley-Wells

12 years of experience

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.

Sara Duran

Yorkville, Illinois

Sara Duran

5 years of experience

I am a Certified Birth Doula, a Pre and Post Natal Fitness Coach, and a Body Ready Birth Pro. I always knew that my calling would be to help people, but found my way to birth work through the birth of my first baby. I was uninsured and uncertain but found a midwife and doula team who made me feel completely at ease. Despite that birth not going anywhere near to plan, I felt supported, safe, and empowered through my entire pregnancy and delivery. This is the kind of consistent and well-informed support that I brings to my practice. Every baby will come into this world differently and every delivery will be different. I am here to help parents navigate their choices and help them bring about the positive experience that they envision. Sara received her coaching certification so she can combine her own passion for fitness with her passion for birth work. It is important to her that pregnant bodies be recognized as strong and capable. She helps to direct her clients on how best to move safely and with strength throughout pregnancy so that the body is ready for birth and beyond. Acquiring her Certified Birth Pro status with the Body Ready Method allows her to take that one step further by addressing movement patterns with gentle exercises to help alleviate the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. Sara is currently working on the path to become a Midwife.

Carly Ann Marshall-Braun

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (23 reviews)

Carly Ann Marshall-Braun

8 years of experience

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.

Recent review

Carly Ann was our doula for the birth of my second child and she was so incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and her presence was deeply grounding for me. Having her guidance in the hospital room was incredible for my husband and me both, and it just felt like we didn't need to worry about anything with Carly Ann there to remind us of anything or prompt us in important moments! She also came by to support after the baby was born and I appreciated feeling like I could just relax and be cared for by her. Super grateful that we got to work with her and I highly recommend her to anyone interested in working with her!! x

- Nic Strack

Rachel Bolin

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Rachel Bolin

6 years of experience
Accepts insurances

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!

Recent review

Having Rachel on my birth team was the best decision I could have made. She was a rock for me throughout, and was such a source of peace and calm for me. Rachel valued my preferences for my birth plan without judgment and held true to advocating for me at all times. My birth story had many unexpected turns, and Rachel stayed by my side, along with my husband, for the wild ride. I had Rachel with me in the birth center and at the hospital after a transfer was needed. She never missed a beat and took care of me so thoughtfully. From the first interview to prenatal appointments to the actual birth of my first baby, Rachel kept looking out for me and helped me feel empowered throughout my birth journey. She even took pictures and helped transport my placenta for encapsulation, which was so helpful because we remained at the hospital for longer than expected. I felt like Rachel was one of the best parts of my birth story, and I know she would be a wonderful addition to any birth team!

- Harmony Z.

Amanda Nelson

Chicago, Illinois

Amanda Nelson

3 years of experience

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.