Connie Hogendyk

Germantown, Wisconsin

Connie Hogendyk

3 years of experience

Hello! My name is Connie, and I am a passionate doula dedicated to supporting families through the incredible journey of childbirth. Birth work is not just my profession; it’s my calling. I believe in the power and beauty of birth, and I am committed to providing compassionate care, emotional support, and evidence-based information to help you have a positive and empowering birth experience. It is an honor to be part of such a transformative moment in your life, and I look forward to walking this path with you!

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.

Rachel Ennes

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Rachel Ennes

4 years of experience

My journey to becoming a postpartum doula and lactation counselor began after experiencing the lack of support from medical staff when my first son was born. This personal experience ignited my passion to ensure that other mothers do not feel the same sense of isolation and overwhelm. I am dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive support to new mothers. My goal is to help women heal from their birth experience, feel confident in their new role, and not feel alone during this crucial time. Through my services, I strive to create a nurturing environment where mothers can thrive, bond with their babies, and access the guidance they need for a successful breastfeeding journey.

Clarissa Mesquita

Riverwoods, Illinois

Clarissa Mesquita

3 years of experience

Hello, My name is Clarissa Mesquita and I'm a mother and doula. Olá! Meu nome é Clarissa Mesquita e eu sou mãe e doula.

Jenny Hadler

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Jenny Hadler

2 years of experience

HI! I'm Jenny, a birth doula dedicated to helping families feel informed, supported, and truly seen throughout pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum days. With a calm presence, evidence-based guidance, and hands- on comfort techniques, I walk beside you so you never feel alone in your birth journey.

Jasmine Sassack

Barrington, Illinois

Jasmine Sassack

10 years of experience

The Birth Zone is an agency serving families from Chicago through Milwaukee with childbirth education and birth doula services. We specialize in providing non-judgmental support for all families. We serve all kinds of births including hospital, home, medication-free, epidural, water birth, and land births.

Jasmine Sassack

Barrington, Illinois

Jasmine Sassack

23 years of experience

I combine education, evidence-based research, and hands-on support to help you have an entirely different kind of labor and birth. Whatever kind of birth you are planning, I am here to support your choices. I work at hospital births, home births, and birth centers. Some of my clients choose an epidural for pain management, and others choose to go med-free: I'm here to support whatever YOU choose. I serve many high-anxiety clients, as well as high-risk pregnancies and VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). Many of my clients are international, and English is often their second language. My team and I value diversity and inclusivity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cassandra Hawkins

Slinger, Wisconsin

Cassandra Hawkins

7 years of experience

Cassandra trained with CCI in Winter Garden, Florida in 2020 & spent the following 3 years gaining experience serving birth & postpartum clients. Cassandra has supported families during pregnancy, labor, childbirth & through navigating postpartum. She holds a passion for supporting women going into parenthood alone, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals struggling with or in recovery from substance abuse. Cassandra is currently offering services in-person & virtually in & around Slinger Wisconsin. Virtual support is available to anyone across the USA or internationally. "It is my hope to show up for my clients with grace & love; to walk with them; to be of service during a magical & vulnerable stage of our human experience."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Stefanie Waldorf

Chicago, Illinois

Stefanie Waldorf

2 years of experience

Focused on spiritual and physical support that follows evidence-based guidelines and empowers self-advocacy in hospital births.

Natalie Miller

Elgin, Illinois

Natalie Miller

4 years of experience

My name is Natalie Miller, and I’m thrilled to have you here! Allow me to share a bit about myself. I’m a Christian, a devoted wife, a mother of four, a nurse, a photographer, and a certified doula. With 10 years of experience in obstetric nursing and my own personal journey through childbirth, I bring a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the care I provide. Since 2014, I’ve also worked as a professional photographer, capturing cherished memories ranging from weddings and family portraits to maternity, birth, and newborn photography. My passion lies in supporting women during one of the most transformative times in their lives. That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to providing comprehensive prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, paired with the opportunity to document these unforgettable moments for families to treasure forever. My mission is to empower women and their partners throughout pregnancy, labor, and early parenthood. I aim to equip you with the resources, education, and confidence you need to navigate these life-changing experiences while celebrating the incredible capabilities of your body. I am honored to walk alongside you on this amazing journey, providing guidance, support, and encouragement every step of the way.