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.

Vallen Webb

Island Lake, Illinois

Vallen Webb

7 years of experience

As a Certified Bereavement Doula, I approach each family I serve with deep compassion, respect, and commitment to their healing journey. I believe that every family’s grief is unique, and my role is to provide a safe, empathetic space for them to process, honor, and navigate the profound loss of their baby. My philosophy centers around offering individualized, non-judgmental support that honors each family’s emotions, choices, and cultural or spiritual beliefs. I am here to listen, to hold space, and to guide gently through the moments that feel overwhelming, offering practical resources and heartfelt care along the way. My goal is to help families find small steps toward healing, to feel seen in their grief, and to know they are not alone in their journey. Together, we honor both the loss and the enduring love that remains.

Angel Prabhat

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Angel Prabhat

6 years of experience
Accepts insurances

As a board-certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), I’m dedicated to supporting families through the beautiful yet challenging journey of parenthood. With over 500 clinical hours under my belt, I've had the privilege of working with clients in their homes, virtually, and within hospital settings. My experience ranges from tackling oral ties and low weight gain to navigating colic, allergies, and even tandem feeding and breastfeeding through pregnancy. As a mother of four, I’ve been in the trenches myself. I've navigated the ups and downs of infant feeding, from supplementing and bottle feeding to addressing breastfeeding aversions. My personal journey gives me a unique perspective that complements my professional expertise. I’m passionate about providing evidence-based information and supporting families in making informed decisions that best suit their needs. My approach is grounded in compassion and non-judgment, believing that all family's choices are valid. Whether you're seeking guidance on a specific issue or just need a supportive ear, I’m here to help you find the path that works for you and your little ones. Let’s navigate this infant feeding journey together!

Amy Patel

Village Of Lakewood, Illinois

5.0 (1 review)

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.

Recent review

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.

Marquita Turner

Lansing, Illinois

Marquita Turner

3 years of experience

Hello everyone, my name is Marquita. I am a Certified Doula with a background as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in the Chicago medical district, specifically working with the precious NICU population. I am also the mother of a former NICU baby born at 25 weeks. As a doula, my priority is to provide a nurturing and compassionate environment where you can feel safe, supported, and respected. I believe in the innate strength of women and their ability to make informed decisions about their own bodies and experiences. I am dedicated to evidence-based practices through continuous research and education.

LaShanna Kimmons

Park Forest, Illinois

LaShanna Kimmons

20 years of experience
Accepts insurances

My name is LaShanna, I’m a IBCLC, I have been practicing lactation for over 17 years. It brings me joy helping parents provide milk for their little one. I have experience with breast pumps, preterm, late preterm and full term infants.

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.

Kristen Jones

Park Forest, Illinois

Kristen Jones

7 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Kristen Jones | Full-Spectrum Doula Faith-Based Birth & Postpartum Support | Serving Chicagoland & Beyond I’m a Christ-centered, full-spectrum doula devoted to walking with women through the sacred seasons of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and everything in between. My calling is to support families in a way that reflects the love, presence, and gentleness of our Savior—offering not only physical care but spiritual encouragement and emotional grounding. Whether you’re navigating your first birth or building your village again, I offer holistic, heartfelt support that honors your story, your body, and your faith. I create safe, prayer-filled spaces where miracles unfold and mothers are reminded that they are never alone—because the journey to new life should always be met with compassion, reverence, and God’s grace. 📍Based in Park Forest, IL | Virtual & Travel Support Available

Nichole Harju

Gurnee, Illinois

Nichole Harju

14 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Hello! I am a licensed physical therapist who specializes in hypermobility (EDS/HSD) as well as pediatrics. My philosophy is to restore the body's mechanics and retrain motion through functional stabilization and strengthening. For pediatrics, therapy is done through play activities and developmental movements such as crawling while teenagers and adults use functional movements that apply to their goals. I believe that therapy should work within a patient's lifestyle and be a positive experience instead of a burden. My goal for every patient is to educate them on the core issues and teach each patient tools to manage and prevent pain. This gives patients independence and empowerment to take control of their pain and lives.

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.

Kari Michniewicz

Dyer, Indiana

Kari Michniewicz

6 years of experience

Hi, I'm Kari! I provide proactive, responsive, and supportive sleep guidance. I am a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Early Childhood Learning Behavior Specialist. Feel free to check out my reviews here (or on google): https://www.pediatricsleepteacher.com/reviews https://www.facebook.com/thepediatricsleepteacher/reviews

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.

Chrishon Reed

Griffith, Indiana

Chrishon Reed

8 years of experience
Accepts insurances

As a Full Spectrum doula, I provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families during the transformative journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and the early postpartum period. I provide a calming presence, offering personalized care that respects each family’s unique preferences and values. I am here to ensure parents feel empowered, informed, and nurtured, focusing on building trust, reducing stress, and guiding them toward a positive experience. My philosophy is grounded in a belief in the power of informed choice, advocating for families to feel in control of their birth experience. I support a range of birth preferences, from medicated to unmedicated, hospital births to home births. At the core of my philosophy is a deep respect for each family’s wishes and an emphasis on creating a compassionate, safe, and supportive space. I value a gentle, patient approach, trusting in the natural birth process while also being open to the ways medical care can support it when necessary.

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.

Tracy Benson

Bristol, Wisconsin

Tracy Benson

21 years of experience

I help exhausted parents teach their children to sleep independently through the night so they can approach their days with focus, energy, and joy.

Kristin English

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kristin English

7 years of experience

Hey, there mama! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristin, a Wisconsin native, wife, friend, and doula! In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time with my family. I have been "doulaing" since I can remember in the sense that I have always been passionate about serving, comforting, and supporting new moms and their sweet babies! I have been professionally trained by DONA International and CAPPA to provide continuous and unwavering support to you and your family before, during, and after your birth. I am a firm believer that every birth is a sacred time that displays the amazing strength of the human body and that every woman deserves to be heard, informed, and empowered during this wonderful time.

Andria Smith

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Andria Smith

15 years of experience

I am a dedicated and caring newborn care specialist with over 14 years of experience. I have provided exceptional care from newborns to teens in home settings, vacations, church outings, mission trips, and extracurricular activities. Skilled in creating a safe and nurturing environment, implementing educational activities and fostering positive relationships. I will care for your kids as if they were my own and give them my full divided attention.

Gwen Alderks

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Gwen Alderks

16 years of experience

Mother of 8, grandmother of 8 (so far), aunt, sister, daughter —that’s Gwen! Teaching childbirth and Spinning Babies® classes, mentoring new doulas, facilitating a birth worker collective, and attending births has been my passion the last 10+ years. How can I serve you?

Ashleigh Richmond

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Ashleigh Richmond

12 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Guiding Mothers Lactation is an IBCLC lactation consultant practice offering both home and office visits. Service coverage includes Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Lake County, IL. I am Ashleigh Richmond and I would be honored to have you choose me to assist you on your breastfeeding journey. I believe that all families, no matter how they choose to feed their babies, should be given all the information needed to make informed decisions and to be supported in those choices. It is this knowledge that gives you the power to do what is right for your own family.

Nicole Santana

Rockford, Illinois

Nicole Santana

7 years of experience
Accepts insurances

Our practice provides lactation support from pregnancy to weaning and beyond. With additional training in pumping and oral restrictions. Our goal is to help you to reach your goals.