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.

Stefanie McMillin

Naperville, Illinois

Stefanie McMillin

12 years of experience

I support women full circle, from conception and fertility to pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Kelly Sijapati

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Kelly Sijapati

15 years of experience
Accepts insurances

My name is Kelly Sijapati, and I am an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I was certified in 2015, and I have served as a volunteer peer breastfeeding counselor since 2011. I have a degree in Psychology and believe that the most important aspect of lactation care is listening closely to the new parent so I can understand their individual situation and feeding goals before working together with them to create a personalized care plan. Having been part of the lactation field for over ten years, my goal is that every new parent feels fully supported during their feeding journey. I provide care in home visits, telehealth, and office visits. I specialize in latch and positioning adjustments for greater comfort in breastfeeding and have expertise in all areas of lactation including pumping, bottle-feeding, tongue tie, weaning, induced lactation, and more. In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with my husband, two children, and our cockapoo puppy, Maple.

Monica Deumic

Des Plaines, Illinois

Monica Deumic

5 years of experience

Hi my name is Monica and I am a sleep coach! I help parents teach their little ones independent sleep skills to get them sleeping through the night and taking solid naps ASAP. Book a free 15 minute call to see if I would be a good fit for your family.

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.

Ashley Lakin

Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Ashley Lakin

6 years of experience

I am an integrative nutritionist helping women in the Chicagoland area address hormones balances to feel their best! As a Certified Nutrition Specialist®, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, and RYT-200 certified yoga instructor, I use my blended education to address the root cause of your symptoms from various angles. I focus on utilizing whole foods, not just nutrients, to heal the body. My area of focus includes assisting women through all stages of life, including prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum.

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.

Chaka Wade-Cuadra

St. Charles, Illinois

Chaka Wade-Cuadra

12 years of experience

Chaka is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist, Certified Lactation Counselor and a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist who has been supporting families in the Western Suburbs since 2014. She believes in informing, empowering and supporting families prenatally, during birth and postnatally. Her passion for birth work started when she was looking for a doula for the birth of her second child. After working with her birth clients, she realized the need and importance of also providing postpartum support. Chaka enjoys working with all family types and sizes and specializes in the care of families with multiples.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.