Darnicia Holt

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

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 🍄☕.

Recent review

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.

Kyra Patton

Taylorville, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Kyra Patton

3 years of experience

Growing up as the middle child of six the topic of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding was never something I had to wonder about. I watched my mother grow my younger siblings and got to witness the incredible bond she had with them as she breastfed them. I always knew I wanted to be surrounded by the birth space whether it be my own or someone else’s. Twenty-something years later…here I am! Welcome to my corner of the internet- I’m Kyra. I’m a wife, mother of two beautiful girls and birth obsessed! In Kindergarten, my teacher assigned our class an art project that I would remember forever- to draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up. The other kids drew pictures of firefighters, teachers, doctors and police officers. I drew a picture of myself in a wedding dress! I knew that I wanted to get married and have babies and take care of my own home. I wanted to be my mom! Not long before I got married I found the picture I drew and wished I could have told little six-year-old me that I would get to be exactly what I wanted. After being told I would probably never be able to conceive and carry my own babies I fell pregnant. I was able to grow and birth that baby, I felt so blessed! Fast forward another nine months and I’m pregnant again- an even bigger surprise. I was able to grow and carry and birth that baby too. I was fortunate enough to have two very healthy pregnancies and was able to have unmedicated water births in a freestanding birth center. After my first birth, I decided to stop making excuses and pursue something I’m passionate about. That brought me here to you. It’s such a privilege that I get to be a role-model for my daughters in this way. I get to raise them knowing that birth is normal and isn’t something to be feared. I get the privilege of supporting the strongest women as they grow and birth their babies. I am so grateful to do this work. Thanks for being here.

Recent review

Kyra was our doula for pregnancy and birth. She provided us with so much knowledge and care! She stepped in for birth classes, answered all questions I had, and made me feel confident to birth my baby. She stayed by my side the entire duration of my very very long labor and was so supportive!

- Kailey L.

Kemeera Nimahat

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Kemeera Nimahat

10 years of experience

Hi Friends! I'm Kemeera, a radiant guide in maternal wellness. My brilliance lies in guiding mothers through practical steps toward their birth goals, fostering a deep self-trust that enables them to envision their pregnancy and birth in a new light and make confident choices aligned with their birth plans while gracefully surrendering to the unknown. My doula style seamlessly integrates mental and physical birth preparation and empowerment techniques and blends ancient principles with modern innovation to help moms claim their right to a dignified birth and avoid a W.T.F. birth story. I was called to birthwork before I ever heard the word “doula” and have nearly 10 years in the game and over 15 years as a dance instructor. I love learning and expanding my knowledge and training so that I can best serve you. Additionally, my own four births have taught me things that no doula training ever could and I bring my complete self to you while also honoring the fact that this is your journey, not mine. Your body, your baby, your choices. It is always an honor to support a family through one of life’s most precious and sacred transformations and I do not take that lightly. I look forward to meeting you.

Recent review

I gave birth to my beautiful now little toddler girl back in December of 2021. I had not been pregnant for 13 years and I knew for this pregnancy I wanted to hire a doula for pre and post-natal support. With this birth I was determined to have a natural, unmedicated birth. I knew this was going to be a big commitment, but I was so determined to do it with proper preparation and care. This is one of the main reasons I hired Kemeera to be my doula. I wanted a birthing experience where I could exhibit control over my experience and feel alert and connected to my body in ways I never felt before during labor. Kemeera helped me achieve these goals, helping me feel totally empowered about my ability to give birth naturally and overall feel strong and confident about the challenges in birth and becoming a mother again. From the moment I interviewed with Kemeera I felt a warm instant connection. She was welcoming, allowed me to talk about my prior birth experience and was attentive to my goals/needs. When I hired her, I did not think I would gain a permanent friend/ally in the birthing community, but I did. She helped me throughout my pregnancy with prenatal visits where we strategized about natural birth scenarios, pain techniques etc. We even had a dance session that was so fun, unique, and made me feel sexy 8 months pregnant big as ever lol! She incorporated my entire family, strategizing with my husband and older son about how they were going to support me during and after birth. It really felt like she cared and became committed to my entire family. She helped me create a birth plan that I was comfortable with and after birth she remained a constant. She helped provide lactation support when my milk was a little delayed in coming in and honestly, we still check in to this day from time to time. Not to mention she was my unofficial birth photographer and took the most memorable photos of myself, baby, and husband right after birth. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking to hire a doula. She is really committed and passionate about this work. She cares immeasurably about her clients!

- Lesley D.

Mikala Books

Rockford, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Mikala Books

9 years of experience
Accepts insurances

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.

Recent review

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.

Molly Mejia

Glenview, Illinois

5.0 (2 reviews)

Molly Mejia

17 years of experience

Hi parents! I am here to support you and your family in whatever way I can to make your experience of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum easier. I am trained as a full-spectrum doula meaning I can confidently support you during pregnancy, at your birth, and in the postpartum period day or night. I have dedicated my life to showing up for mothers so this unique season of life can be filled with magic, support, and re-birth for you. Support on this journey makes a world of difference. Should you run into any issues I am also a licensed therapist and take on clients to help them navigate the sometimes unsettling and roaring seas of unexpected troubles. You are not alone!

Recent review

Molly went above and beyond my expectations helping my family prepare and welcome our new baby. She created a safe space for me in such a vulnerable, stressful, and uncertain time of my life. Molly is reliable, trustworthy, exceptionally smart, and very in tune with her surroundings. She has a kind and comforting energy around her that requires little, if any, need for adjustment. I felt validated, listened to, and understood. Molly helped me feel capable of myself, loved and cared for, and answered to my needs without having to ask. I would not be in the same place that I am without Molly as our doula. I highly recommend her services and couldn't ask for a better person to guide me and my family.

- Madeline H.

Rebekkah Carney

Hoffman Estates, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Rebekkah Carney

7 years of experience

Hello! I’m a birth doula serving Chicago and surrounding areas. I specify in supporting clients through unmedicated births at birth centers, home births, and midwife-led hospital births. I am also a VBAC certified doula.

Recent review

I cannot recommend Rebekkah enough. She was my doula for my 2019 baby, and I knew that I had to rehire her for my second birth. My goal with my second was to have an unmedicated birth and knowing that is something Rebekkah specializes in helped give me the confidence that I could do it. When my labor started, she was readily available to answer any questions and confirm when it was time to head to the hospital. She had techniques to help ease the pain such as the use of her TENS unit (which helped tremendously) and using counter pressure. She coached me and encouraged me the entire time, even when I was completely ready to give up, which I completely believe helped me achieve my unmedicated birth goal. After going through PPA/PPD with my first, I knew that I wanted to have my placenta encapsulated, which Rebekkah was able to do and made the entire process seamless. She worked with the hospital to make sure that my placenta was stored and ready to take home, and once she finished encapsulating it, she delivered it to my home (along with a keepsake from the cord). I truly believe that it made a huge difference in my recovery. Rebekkah was an asset to my family during my pregnancy, delivery, and post partum. She is a wealth of knowledge and truly helped me reach my goals and deliver a healthy and happy baby exactly how I wanted to.

- Amber D.

Sherica Blakey

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Sherica Blakey

11 years of experience

Welcome to RBLL DOULA SERVICES RICA B'S LABOR OF LOVE LLC WHERE PASSION&PURPOSE INTERTWINES B. 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

Recent review

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.

Destiny McGee

Plainfield, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Destiny McGee

2 years of experience

Hi, I’m Destiny, your nurturing and down-to-earth doula ✨ I support families with emotional, physical, and spiritual care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My goal? To help you feel seen, safe, and completely supported during your journey into motherhood. 💗 Reach out for a consult — I’d love to connect with you.

Recent review

My experience with Destiny as my doula was absolutely wonderful. She is caring, loving, and incredibly thoughtful. Throughout my pregnancy, she created a safe and nurturing space where I felt truly seen and heard—not just as an expectant mother, but as a whole person. She guided me through yoga poses to help with my baby’s positioning and ease hip tightness, while also teaching me how to listen to and communicate with my body. Destiny educated me on pregnancy, labor, delivery, and even the benefits of placenta encapsulation, which has helped me avoid postpartum depression. She supported me in healing past traumas so I could better bond with my baby, and she was a strong advocate for me both during pregnancy and at my bedside while giving birth. Destiny’s kindness, attentiveness, and wisdom made this journey so much smoother and more empowering. I am beyond grateful for her services as both a healer and a doula, and I would recommend her to anyone without hesitation—10 out of 10.

- Ashley J.

Gracie Lee

Mount Zion, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Gracie Lee

3 years of experience

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!!❤️

Recent review

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.

Simone Graham-Bickham

Champaign, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Simone Graham-Bickham

4 years of experience

I am a certified yoga instructor turned certified Full Spectrum Birth Justice Doula, here to serve you through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.

Recent review

My family and I are so blessed to have had Simone support us during our VBAC. Simone was highly spoken of by our Doula, as she prepared to call Simone in for backup after 12 hours of strenuous labor. Simone showed up and jumped right in with no hesitation. She supported both physically and mentally and helped me stay encouraged to see my birth plan through. The counter-pressure she applied during contractions was extremely helpful and provided alot of relief. She was persistent with offering water, as that was the last thing on my mind but definitely needed. She was very respectful of our space and provided a very calm and peaceful experience. She stuck around after delivery and discharge as well to provide continued support. I’m so thankful for Simone and helping us achieve a successful VBAC.

- Regine M.

Malika Crosbie

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Malika Crosbie

12 years of experience
Accepts insurances

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.

Recent review

We are incredibly fortunate to have had Malika as our nanny during our child's first year. Her kindness, patience, and genuine love for our son gave us peace of mind every day. Her calming presence, professionalism, and dependability made our transition back to work seamless. We couldn’t have asked for a better caregiver and highly recommend Malika to anyone seeking a loving, thoughtful, and experienced professional.

- Leah K.

Jnai Truitt

Chicago, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

Jnai Truitt

11 years of experience

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.

Recent review

We had a wonderful experience working with J'Nai as our postpartum doula. She jumped in immediately just a few days after my son was born until he was six weeks old. It was important to me that whoever we worked with felt like a part of our family and never made my husband or I feel uncomfortable. From the beginning, we felt at ease around J'Nai. She has an incredibly calming presence and took such good care of our son. She helped us with little things too - teaching us how to put diapers on properly to prevent leaks, creating a bedtime routine, and sharing words of wisdom that kept us sane during the newborn stage. I am grateful to have worked with J'Nai.

- Stephanie B.