Find a Birth or Postpartum Doula Near Me in Illinois

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 🍄☕.

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.

Bull Valley, Illinois

Annette Yen

7 years of experience

Responds within an hour

I'm a certified birth doula and perinatal patient advocate serving the McHenry County area and surrounding counties. I believe birth is natural and that no matter where you're birthing, with preparation and support, you can create and environment for a physiological birth! I'm dedicated to empowering mothers through physiological labor, and uplifting couples with faith-filled, personalized continuous care. I value communication, fully informed consent, and personalized, focused support. When you choose me for your doula, I'm 100% yours. I work exclusively with one client at a time.

Annette Yen served as a doula for both of my pregnancies. She had several conversations with me leading up to labor and delivery to understand my medical history, the nature of my pregnancies, and any fears or concerns I had along the way. Annette was able to provide me with encouragement as well as practical support through resources and studies on questions I had. My youngest daughter flipped between breech and cephalic positions several times to where she was breech the week leading up to her due date. Annette provided me with much needed encouragement during this stressful time. She also did exercises with me, provided me with guidance and resources, and lent me tools to help with getting baby to turn. I am happy to say that my baby had flipped just in time for delivery!! Once I called Annette to tell her I was heading in to the hospital, she dropped everything and was promptly in the labor and delivery room with me. During labor, she guided my husband and mom in ways to assist me in pain management and she empowered me to listen to my instincts. Annette also made sure my wishes for delayed cord cutting and immediate skin-to-skin time were carried out which allowed me and my family to fully embrace the moment of our daughter’s birth. Annette is a wonderful, caring person with an excellent bedside manner and I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of a doula.

- Blessed Mama

Chicago, Illinois

Rachel Bolin

6 years of experience

Accepts insurance

Responds within an hour

Hi, I’m Rachel! I am 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. I’m also able to bill insurances with a superbill using my NPI number. 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!

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.

Rockford, Illinois

Mikala Books

9 years of experience

Accepts insurance

Meet Mikala: Your Dedicated Birth Worker With eight years of experience as a certified birth worker, Mikala has supported over 125 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 6 to 15. 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.

Mikala was the doula for my induction. She was amazing. She was really encouraging, always available over text to answer my questions, and came at 2:00am. She was so helpful throughout the whole journey and she is really knowledgeable. She’s passionate about her work and very caring. I highly recommend her!

- Stefanie W.

Skokie, Illinois

Ann Marie Linton Shields

15 years of experience

Accepts insurance

Hi my name is Ann Marie i am a USA citizen certified doula for over 15yrs caring for newborn babies 0-7yrs babies with tongue tie experience premature babies.i am very caring an awesome doula who is willing to go above and beyond for your family needs seeking a private family to work for preferably north suburban area please feel free to reach out thank you

Certified flexible affordable doula currently available for work honest caring professional working with family across Illinois please free to reach out

- Ann Marie L.

Chicago, Illinois

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.

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.

Glen Carbon, Illinois

Ashton Webster

9 years of experience

Hi everyone! 🤍 I’m Ashton Webster, a certified full spectrum doula based in Glen Carbon, IL, serving families throughout Illinois and Missouri. I support families through both birth and postpartum. I have a special passion for helping parents feel informed, prepared, supported, and confident in their choices. With a background in nursing and a strong heart for advocacy, I bring a calm, knowledgeable, and nonjudgmental approach to every family I work with. If you’re expecting, newly postpartum, or simply looking for resources and support, I’d love to connect! 🤍

Ashton was my doula for two of my three births, and I’m so grateful I had her there. She was kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive throughout the experience. She helped me feel informed and confident, and when things got hard, her calm presence reminded me that I could do it. I would absolutely recommend Ashton to any mom looking for a supportive and encouraging doula!

- Kaylee T.

Libertyville, Illinois

Responds within a few hours

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.

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.

Chicago, Illinois

Mayra Buitron

12 years of experience

Compassionate birth and postpartum doula hoping to provide holistic culturally sensitive and evidence-based support. Spanish and English speaking.

Mayra Elisa was my Doula about 2 years ago to assist me with the delivery of my first baby. She was amazing! I have been a Labor & Delivery Nurse for 8 years and while I have a wealth of knowledge and debated getting a doula in the first place, I'm SO glad I did. I was able to have someone on my side that validated and supported me. She helped me labor prior to getting an epidural so that my husband could take a nap. This 2-3 hour nap recharged my husband so he could be present for the birth and him being well rested contributed to him gently reminding the the team my accurate pushing time as they thought I had been pushing longer than I had been, preventing me from getting a C-section. Also at the very end prior to giving birth it was likely that I was going to need a C-section as her head was slightly sideways so she wasn't coming down the pelvic outlet enough for a safe vacuum assisted delivery after almost 4 hours of pushing. Thankfully my baby was doing well and not in distress and I had no fever but I understood if we needed to have a c-section it made sense. Mayra had then suggested one last pushing position we hadn't tried yet (We had tried EVERYTHING) and directed my nurse and husband into that pushing position (closed-knee! its a great position!) 4 pushes later my baby's head turned and got past the pelvic bone and I was able to have a vaginal delivery!! Even with all of my clinical experience having a doula by my side helped me so much. As a disclaimer- You are not guaranteed a vaginal birth just because you have a doula, a C-section may be the safest way for you to give birth. However, an experienced doula will definitely improve your chances of a vaginal delivery and regardless of how you choose or how your labor/baby chooses your delivery for you, Mayra is amazing. She respects your wishes and validates you and helps you come up with questions for your midwife and doctor and helps inform your partner and yourself on what to expect next and helps answer your questions. She has experience guiding people through C-sections, Complicated labors, hospital and home births. She offers you her thoughts on the different options for giving birth, but never imposes one agenda and helps you based on what you are looking for. She also can answer your questions on breastfeeding, pumping and formula feeding and doesn't make you feel like you need to pick one way or another and just supports you all the way with your choices. Also, her being bilingual (Spanish speaking) and bicultural was such a plus. Having her in the labor room with me was important to me, while I was born and raised in the U.S. my first language is Spanish and my family is from Peru, so having her by my side felt like having a sister or aunt with me and she was familiar with a lot of the cultural remedies and ideas.

- Sheila B.

Chicago, Illinois

Sherica "Rica B The Doula " Blakey

11 years of experience

Welcome to RBLL DOULA SERVICES RICA B'S LABOR OF LOVE LLC WHERE PASSION&PURPOSE INTERTWINES RBLL offers compassionate support to expectant families, regardless of whether it is their first or tenth child, Rica provides personalized care tailored to individual needs, including prenatal consultations, labor support, and postpartum guidance once you are back home with your newborn. Rica B. is committed to ensuring that every birth is a positive and empowering experience. NOW OFFERING FULL SPECTRUM DOULA SERVICES.SELF PAY & PRIVATE PAY ASK ME ABOUT MEDICAID ELGIBILITY!! PHONE: (708)477-2227 RICABLABOROFLOVE@GMAIL.COM

Rica B the Doula was amazing She was there for me my entire birthing experience and made this journey so much easier for me to navigate. I Would hire her again and I recommend her 10 out of 10

- Briana Y.

Village Of Lakewood, Illinois

Amy Patel

3 years of experience

I am a DONA certifying birth doula who is passionate about changing the birthing experience for expectant parents by providing emotional and physical comfort and presence during your sacred transition.

I am grateful for Amy Patel beyond words. Despite being unable to provide her with the compensation she deserved, she still agreed to be our doula. This shows her love and care for her clients. She took the time to listen to my story, understand my needs, and advocate for me as a soon-to-be mother of two. Amy respected my family by asking questions and getting to know us before the birth experience. She was attentive and took notes, ensuring she remembered our shared information. Amy helped me plan for my C-section when it was confirmed that my daughter was not turning. As I was occupied with my doctoral program, she even helped me write a birth plan and pack my hospital bag. On the day of the C-section, she arrived on time and stayed with me throughout, except for the surgery itself. She even remembered to bring chapstick and rubbed my feet while we waited for the surgery room. She held my hand as the nurse tried to insert my IV and post-surgery, she hugged me and rubbed my shoulders as I cried after a pediatrician disrespected me. She even stayed overnight so my husband could care for our daughter at home. Amy continued to check up on me via text in the weeks following my hospital discharge and even visited us one last time. I highly recommend Amy Patel as a doula. She is empathetic, respectful, and genuinely caring towards her clients.

- Lydia D.

Park Ridge, Illinois

Jenn Mills

5 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, and I am here to provide informational, emotional, and physical support. 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. Teen moms, mid-life moms, non-binary families, surrogates, full-figured moms, and adoptees are very much welcome!

I'm writing this 14 months removed from having Jenny as my doula. I think about the trauma of my birth experience often which means thinking about Jenny often. Her strong advocacy of my needs, her unwavering support, and her creative techniques got me through the most scary yet most beautiful experience of my life. She is an incredible mother herself and supports other mothers with sage wisdom and tenderness. She will tell a nurse to back off if they overstep when she sees you are too vulnerable. She will talk you through making difficult choices with a measured firm love that only very special people can execute. I look at my son and know that we are both still here because of 3 things; 1. Several fiercely dedicated nurses 2. Whatever divinity exists that was looking out for my son and I 3. Jenny. The love for my son goes hand in hand with my love and appreciation for Jenny.

- Marissa C.

Mount Zion, Illinois

Gracie Lee

3 years of experience

Responds within an hour

I am a mom of 3! I am a photographer and doula. Located in Mt. Zion, IL! I do travel for an additional fee. After having 3 completely different labor and deliveries with my babies my love for all things birth has grown tremendously! Check my Facebook page out for client testimonials as well as my birth photography. I can’t wait to meet you and your babies!!❤️

Gracie went above and beyond when it came to being by my side for the delivery of my son. We went in thinking October 28th was the day only to find out that it was not. Not only was she there that day by my side to get that news and discuss options, but she was there the 2 days we were sent home, and then there again on the day we were scheduled to go back. While at home the 2 days she was constantly checking in on me and helping me with exercises and things to try to get baby boy to flip back head down. We were successful and she was one of my biggest cheerleaders during that time. When it came to labor and delivery she had so many tools to help me get as far as I possibly could without pain medication. She was my voice when I didn’t have one with the doctors and nurses. I am so IN LOVE with my birth pictures. It was something I didn’t know I needed or wanted until getting them done. I can’t recommend her enough as a birth doula and photographer!!! If you are looking for amazing support throughout the birthing process I would highly recommend hiring Gracie to be by your side!!!

- Abigail R.

Chicago, Illinois

Kelly Smolen

2 years of experience

My name is Kelly, and I’m the doula behind Doula Kelly. I’m so glad you’ve found this space! My hope is that you’ll find all the information, support, and resources you need as you navigate your journey. I strive to be an all-around helpful and caring person, and I would truly love the opportunity to support you, answer your questions, and be a source of comfort along the way.

We worked with Kelly four or five days a week from when my baby was 3 weeks allll the way until 16 weeks, and she continues to be someone we trust deeply for occasional help with our baby. Kelly brought with her a wealth of experience, calm, kindness, and hard work. Anyone would be lucky to have Kelly helping out during such an important and chaotic time in their lives!

- Jemma

Bull Valley, Illinois

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 .