Doula care in Chicago, Illinois

Johnie Evans is a birth and postpartum doula whose journey began with her most important role—becoming a parent. Experiencing firsthand the emotional and physical intensity of childbirth and the early postpartum period, she felt a deep calling to support other families through this powerful transition. Based in the Chicago suburbs, Johnie now offers calm, compassionate, and informed care to parents as they step into one of life’s most sacred transformations.

With experience in both birth and postpartum care, Johnie blends evidence-based information with nurturing, intuitive support. Her care is always personalized—whether that means offering grounding techniques during labor, helping a new parent find their rhythm at home, or simply being a steady, nonjudgmental presence throughout the process.

What sets Johnie apart is her commitment to building lasting relationships and providing continuity of care. She walks with families before, during, and after birth—creating a safe, supportive space where they can ask questions, express emotions, and be fully seen. Her approach is rooted in trust, connection, and honoring the unique journey of each parent she serves.

For Johnie, the most fulfilling part of her work is witnessing parents grow in confidence and step into their new roles with strength and joy. Outside of her doula practice, she’s a proud mom who cherishes time with her children and unwinds with a good book. She brings her whole heart to every birth, honoring each story with presence, care, and deep respect.

Telika Howard is a Certified Birth and Postpartum doula through Doula Training International and Certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC) and she has over 20 years experience with helping other parents during birth and breastfeeding. She successfully breastfed 7 children including a set of twins and had a variety of birthing experiences such as unmedicated, medicated and c-section. 

Telika first started teaching about birth and breastfeeding and doing postpartum work as a maternal infant health outreach worker in Memphis, TN, She then went on to volunteer her time educating and sharing about birth and breastfeeding at local community events. She became a board member of Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition and she also worked as a breastfeeding peer counselor in labor and delivery and NICU departments at Regional One Medical Center hospital.

After she moved back home to Chicago, Telika continued her work with birth and breastfeeding through Birthways Chicago doulas, Chicago Family Doulas, Chicago Volunteer Doulas(winning their on-call doula award) UIC hospital and Rush hospital as well as becoming a board member of Breastfeed Chicago and Chocolate Milk Cafe. She also completed advanced doula training with Sister Song Birth Justice organization.

As a mom of three, Sarah is passionate about creating equitable, empowered birth experiences for all her clients. She was inspired to become a labor and postpartum doula after seeing the gaps in support for pregnant and birthing people, as well as new parents. Sarah is passionate about helping to provide her clients with a positive pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience with education, compassion, advocacy, and humor.

In her free time, Sarah is an avid reader, cultivates her vegetable garden, and loves to spend time with her three girls and husband.

Liam Lynn Morley (she/her) is a doula, photographer, and writer who tends to the sacred magic of our everyday lives. 

She has a BA in Gender Studies, is a certified birth, postpartum, and full spectrum doula and a certified childbirth educator. Her background is in reproductive health as an educator, community organizer, and project manager. She has been a doula since 2018 and often works with people who are intrigued by what the birth experience has to offer them and who are interested in both holistic and modern options for managing their fertility, pregnancy, and birth. She has supported families primarily in hospitals (as well as homes and birth centers) supporting varied pregnancy and birth journeys -- low and high risk, unmedicated and medicated, VBAC and cesarean, and many in-betweens. Liam will amplify your voice, help you navigate the health care system, know all of your options, support both you and your partner(s), and hold space as your story unfolds.

She is committed to trauma-informed practices and co-creating safer spaces by being body- and sex-positive, anti-racist, pro-choice, queer and gender affirming, and welcoming to solo, poly, blended, or communal families. Your care should be designed for your comfort, needs, and wants. It should see you in your full context – your stage of life, unique body, lived experience, culture, community, ability, desires, and dreams. She believes knowledge building is a collaborative mixture of education, experience, and intuition. Weaving together modern and traditional approaches, her support with families focuses on body literacy and agency, trauma and healing, educating and preparing for birth and postpartum, collective care, caretaking and parenting, honoring transitions, and nurturing relationships (including sex and intimacy). 

Liam is also a birth, family, and pregnancy photographer who specializes in long form, in-home settings that are often published as editorial essays on the Substack Made of Velvet.

She hangs her fanny pack in Edgewater where she lives with her fiance, Mercedes -- a deep-hearted middle school teacher she's spellbound by, and with whom she shares the creative practice called home. 

Samaria is a certified birth and postpartum doula with a deep passion for supporting families through the transition into parenthood. Her journey into doula work began unexpectedly while working in a daycare, where she naturally provided emotional and mental care to new mothers during after-hours. Seeing the impact of compassionate, judgment-free support, she pursued certification and has now been a dedicated doula for since 2022.

With certifications in birth and postpartum care, as well as CPR, Samaria believes in nurturing the entire family, not just the baby. Her warm and holistic approach ensures that parents feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.

When she's not caring for families, you can find Samaria fishing, sewing, or spontaneously redecorating her home, always bringing creativity and joy into everything she does.

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Bria is a compassionate and skilled birth and postpartum doula who blends her extensive training with a background in clinical mental health. With a deep understanding of the emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of childbirth, Bria supports families through the transformative journey of pregnancy, labor, and early parenthood. Her unique approach combines evidence-based practices, mindfulness, and emotional resilience techniques to ensure her clients feel empowered, supported, and nurtured every step of the way.

In addition to her doula training, Bria's expertise as a clinical mental health professional allows her to provide a high level of emotional support, addressing mental health challenges that may arise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Whether her clients are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply adjusting to the overwhelming changes of new parenthood, Bria is there to provide a safe, non-judgmental space to process emotions and create a sense of well-being.

Bria is committed to supporting her clients with a holistic, person-centered approach. She understands that every family’s journey is unique and strives to create a customized plan of care that is as individualized as each client. Her goal is to ensure that families feel confident, cared for, and ready for the new chapter in their lives.

Renee (she/her) is an experienced doula who is honored to be part of your support team.  Beyond her doula training with ToLabor in 2018 she has been teaching yoga since 2002, is a certified bodyworker through Coaching the Body in Evanston, IL  and a certified Body Ready Method Pro since 2022. These modalities have helped Renee to hone her eye to see compensation patterns that can be balanced through exercise, movement and bodywork. A balanced body will allow baby to find the optimal position for birth!  Renee is a strong communicator and often works intuitively, easing pain points and healing hearts along the way. 

As a postpartum doula Renee loves to mother the new mother through listening and providing emotional and physical support when needed. Taking care of the baby or preparing a delicious soup, snack or bath to help you rest and heal is her priority.  

Renee became a doula after having confident and knowledgeable doulas supporting the births of her 2 children, who are now teenagers. She loves to bike ride, rollerblade, play the violin with the Lakeview Orchestra and relax in a hammock or hot bath. Her family lives on the NW side of Chicago.

Maiiya Luu is a birthworker (doula) who studies in full spectrum support, abortion & miscarriage, and bereavement support. Their heritage comes with teachings taught to them by ancestral midwives. 

Maiiya grew up with grandmothers that taught in a native tongue. They taught her how to see life as a breath of traditions that had vanished. And when the time came, she would help bring back the vanished ways. This essence influenced Maiiya’s desire to embody birth work. It became a place where she could explore her deepest thoughts. While being surrounded by like-minded people. 

Through 2021-2023, Maiiya worked through social justice issues. Including immigration, body autonomy justice, and government vs. land issues. She believes the way birth is handled mirrors our political climate. The time spent in these fields helped create her strong stance as a doula advocate. Maiiya says, “I wanted to have a well-rounded knowledge of birth. For that to happen I needed to be on the frontlines of these issues.” While working with pregnant women and children, she began to see high cases of malnutrition. Families didn’t have enough money for food, diapers, or a place to live. Maiiya set in motion a plan to help meet these needs.

2023, Maiiya opens up her own collective called La Sol Negra (The Black Sun). Dedicated to women and children migrants. And is awarded her first major grant within four months of opening her collective! 

During this time, she trained in specialized nutrition that focuses on families with little income. This even extended to families living in shelters. Maiiya supported families in their greatest time of need. Without judgement, only support. 

To date, Maiiya Luu is a certified Full Spectrum Doula, a Reiki Master (ongoing), and body healer. Animals and art bring her the most joy! She plans to patiently wait for the day she gets to bring birds home (alongside her two cats and child)!

Sandra Adan is a Chicago based birth and postpartum doula. She obtained her Birth Doula certification from DONA International. Sandra holds a Bachelors of Science in Child Development and is an early childhood educator at heart. She has over ten years of experience working with children in formal settings such as daycares and public school classrooms. Her most early experiences working with families and children come from helping her parents raise her siblings.

As a lifelong learner, Sandra believes there are always opportunities for learning and growth. Sandra’s role as a community doula has brought on a passion to help those who are underserved get the education, advocacy, support, and resources they need as they navigate becoming new parent, adding to their families, or adapting to a new country. She believes that everyone deserves a doula regardless of their background or status. She loves learning about other’s cultures and traditions and encouraging them keep them alive for their future generations.

Ari Limon is a Full Spectrum doula based in Chicago, Illinois. Ari is passionate about uplifting marginalized communities and providing much needed support for their communities. They incorporate evidence-based practices and traditional knowledge in order to truly embody Full Spectrum care for every client. 

Ari has trained as a doula in San Diego, California and is currently working towards their Bachelor’s in Social Work, so they are well equipped with a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide supportive care and resources. They have spent most of their transitional youth working as a mentor for at-risk youth and have learned in depth about trauma-informed, culturally competent care through hands-on experience. As a queer disabled Mexican, they have personal experience navigating difficult circumstances and want to use their experiences to help and to connect with other minorities in need of support. 

Ari is always learning and bringing their best to their work as a doula and support person. They have strong leadership skills that allows them to advocate for others and have to ability to adapt to any situation. 

Crystal Arrington (she/her) is a Full – Spectrum Doula born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Crystal brings her passion for advocacy, communication and whole person care with her into the sacred spaces of birth and postpartum care. 

Serving has always been a part of Crystal’s life and when she saw that people were in need of compassion and support, she looked into ways she could be of service. Crystal began working with families in their homes around 2016. This sparked her interest in the birth work community where her journey began with community group meetings. As a Postpartum nanny, Crystal began to see first-hand just how important quality postpartum care is. So, she sought out ways she could help.

Crystal completed her Full-Spectrum Doula Training with Doula Trainings International’s (DTI) training program. Alongside her work in the birth worker community, she is a trained singer. Crystal believes that being an artist helps her approach the world in a way that most would not. She utilizes her musical abilities, knowledge of the body, and training as a part of all her care practices.

Chanel Washington is a dedicated full-spectrum doula with over eight years of experience supporting individuals and families through the transformative journey of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, placenta encapsulation, and beyond. Her passion for this work has led her to expand her knowledge and skills as a current student midwife and certified as a lactation educator in 2024.

Chanel became a doula she believes everyone deserves compassionate, evidence-based, and individualized care. Whether it's navigating the joys and challenges of pregnancy, empowering informed choices during birth, or providing nurturing postpartum support, her mission is to ensure you feel heard, valued, and cared for every step of the way.

As a full-spectrum doula, Chanel holds space for all reproductive experiences, including fertility journeys, loss, and non-traditional family structures. She is honored to walk alongside her clients, helping to create positive and empowering experiences during life's most profound moments.

Let’s work together to support you in this beautiful, life-changing journey.

Ymani Blake, CLS. is a dedicated maternal and child health advocate with over 15 years of experience in empowering and supporting communities in Chicago through health and wellness initiatives. Since 2020, she has been a certified full spectrum doula, lactation specialist, and evidence-based childbirth educator. Ymani offers compassionate, culturally responsive care to families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She is deeply committed to improving maternal health outcomes by advocating for the well-being of families and ensuring they receive the support and education they need during one of life's most transformative experiences. 

Additionally, Ymani is certified in Perinatal Narrative Exposure Therapy, which is foundational in her trauma-informed approach to birth work. Her expertise in this area enables her to provide holistic, emotionally supportive care that addresses the mental and emotional needs of individuals and families. This ensures that everyone feels honored, safe, and empowered as they navigate their journey into parenthood. 

Daisy Ortiz is an artist, mother, and birth worker deeply humbled by the transformative magic of birth. As the daughter of a nanny with over 40 years of experience, Daisy has been involved in caring for children and families from a young age. Her own decade-long experience as a primary care nanny naturally led her to birth work. Originally from Chicago and recently returned after over a decade of traveling around the world, where she continues to immerse herself in her passions. 

Daisy has been an apprentice midwife for the past two years, studying under traditional midwives in Merida, Yucatán. This hands-on training has deepened her understanding of birth and expanded her ability to support families through this profound transition. 

Daisy is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to all underserved communities. She values and respects cultural traditions, and it is her joy to learn about and honor your cultural practices. She is committed to making her services accessible to everyone who seeks them.

Tabresha (Breezy) Posey is a compassionate Full-Spectrum Doula with expertise in parent education, sacred space-keeping, and family support. 

Breezy is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for all families, regardless of their background or identity. She honors each individual’s unique journey, respecting cultural practices and personal preferences while integrating evidence-based care. Her approach blends holistic practices with practical guidance, ensuring that families have the knowledge, support, and confidence they need to thrive.

With her extensive training and ongoing education, Breezy aims to continuously expand her ability to serve families, not only through birth and postpartum support but also by equipping them with the tools for long-term well-being. Through her work, Breezy envisions a world where every family feels empowered, respected, and truly cared for during one of the most transformative experiences of their lives.

Her commitment to reproductive justice and inclusive practices ensures that all families—regardless of race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or ability—have access to the care and support they deserve. By offering education, advocacy, and hands-on support, Breezy is helping to foster a community where families are nurtured and guided with compassion, knowledge, and dignity.

Breezy's dedication to continuing her education reflects her deep passion for supporting families through every stage of parenthood, and her ultimate goal is to foster a culture of care and understanding where every parent feels confident in their ability to raise their child with love and strength.

Naadirah Shapley Muhammad has always been a nurturer. As she transitioned from a 30+ year career as an Early Childhood Specialist into motherhood, she knew that she wanted to continue to support families. She had a beautiful, and empowering, experience with her own doulas. When a friend suggested that she train to become a professional doula herself, she had an ah ha moment. She wants to support other women, and families, as they travel through their own journeys. Naadirah comes to this work with degrees in Family Community Service and Nursing. She has completed traditional labor doula support, lactation support, and postpartum doula support training with Birthing From Within, ToLabor, ProDoula, and DONA International.

 At the center of this work is family. Family is communion with kindred hearts through the journey of life. It's sharing the joys and the challenges. Around Naadirah's house, family is snuggles on a rainy night, picking glitter off of work shirts, kisses on boo boos, giggles over mint chocolate chip ice cream, and family birthday dinners over fondue. Naadirah is a poet, a holder of space, a baker of homemade lactation cookies, and a mama of one incredible kiddo.

Kemeera Nimahat is a radiant guide in maternal wellness. She is a wife, mother, and your go-to expert for all things birth and postpartum. Kemeera shines brightest when helping families prepare their hearts, minds, and bodies for an autonomous birth and a prepared postpartum.

Her brilliance lies in guiding mothers through practical steps toward their goals while fostering deep self-trust. She empowers families to envision their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience in a new light, make confident choices aligned with their goals, and gracefully embrace the unknown. Blending ancient wisdom with modern, evidence-based practices, Kemeera believes every family deserves to feel confident, cared for, and celebrated as they embark on the beautiful—yet sometimes messy—adventure of welcoming new life.

In addition to birth work, Kemeera brings nearly 20 years of experience as a professional dancer and educator. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, she has combined her love of movement with her passion for maternal wellness by teaching prenatal and postnatal dance classes that help moms prepare for a smoother birth and a more efficient recovery.

Kemeera has a gift for creating calm and making families feel supported, even in the most stressful situations. Her unwavering commitment to excellence ensures every client receives the highest level of care, compassion, and guidance throughout their journey.

With twelve years of experience as a DONA-certified birth doula and a graduate degree in social work specializing in maternal infant health and postpartum mood disorders, Dawne offers a deeply informed and compassionate approach to birth support. Having served over 200 families, she tailors her care to the unique needs of each family, focusing on evidence-based, holistic practices that nurture both body and mind. Her dual background in social work and doula care allows her to recognize and address the mental, emotional, and physical facets of the birthing journey, creating a safe, supportive environment that empowers birthing people to connect with their instincts and instill trust in their bodies.

Drawing from an extensive doula toolkit, Dawne incorporates Evidence Based Birth techniques, Spinning Babies movements, Hypnobabies mindfulness methodologies and Body Ready Method tools to compassionately guide birthing people through intuitive, supportive movement to help achieve optimal birth positioning and joyful birth outcomes. Dawne draws on her social work expertise in postpartum mood disorders and enhances her ability to support families holistically, both during labor and in the postpartum period. Families who work with Dawne feel reassured by her warm compassionate comprehensive support, benefiting from her empathetic approach and evidence-based methods that together foster confidence, resilience, and a positive birth experience.

When Dawne is not supporting birthing families she can be found exploring nature with her partner, three children and menagerie of fur babies, or in the kitchen nourishing their souls through their stomachs. 

Rosalina Rashad is a CAPPA-trained birth and postpartum doula based in Chicago, IL, with many years of experience supporting families. She specializes in working with twins and has a wealth of experience with both singletons and busier families with multiple children. Rosalina understands that the transition into parenthood can be overwhelming, and she is dedicated to making the experience a positive one. Families describe her as kind, loving, energetic, patient, calm, a very good listener, and an excellent cook.

Rosalina became a doula because she enjoys supporting families as they navigate the many obstacles and transitions of parenthood. She is always non-judgmental and supports families in a loving way. Seeing families smile when she leaves because the house is tidy, laundry is complete, meals are prepared, mom is rested, and the baby is fed brings her great joy. Rosalina strives to make family life as easy and stress-free as possible, providing comprehensive support that addresses both practical and emotional needs.

In her doula practice, Rosalina focuses on creating a nurturing and supportive environment for her clients. Her approach is personalized to meet the unique needs of each family, ensuring that parents feel confident and empowered during their transition into parenthood. Rosalina's expertise in handling multiples and her ability to maintain a calm and organized household make her an invaluable resource for new parents.

When she is not supporting families, Rosalina enjoys spending time with her own family. Her dedication to continuous learning and her passion for helping families navigate the postpartum period make her a cherished part of the journey for many families. Rosalina's warmth, expertise, and commitment to her clients' well-being ensure that every family she works with feels supported and cared for.

Natalie Miller is a Christian, wife, mother of four children, nurse, photographer, and certified doula based in Chicago, IL. She has 9 years of labor and delivery nursing experience as well as her own varying personal experiences with pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Since 2014, Natalie has also been a professional photographer, providing treasured memories for people through weddings, family portraits, professional headshots, and maternity, birth, and newborn photos.

Natalie has a passion for pregnant women and the care of themselves and their newborns. This passion has led her to provide comprehensive prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum support and education. She combines her medical expertise with her photography skills to capture amazing moments for women and their families to cherish forever. Her approach is holistic, focusing on both the physical and emotional aspects of childbirth and newborn care.

Natalie's goal is to guide and support women through their bodily changes and prepare them with the necessary resources for pregnancy, labor, and newborn care. She aims to empower women and their partners throughout these life-changing experiences, helping them to feel confident in themselves and their bodies. Natalie’s compassionate and knowledgeable support makes her a valuable resource for families during this transformative time.

In her free time, Natalie enjoys spending time with her family and practicing her photography. She looks forward to being by your side through this amazing journey, offering both professional support and capturing precious moments along the way. Natalie's dedication to her clients and her passion for empowering women and their families ensure that every family she works with feels supported and celebrated.

Julie Lambert is a dedicated birth and postpartum doula based outside of Chicago, IL. With a professional background that includes nearly a decade at Accenture in their Change Management and Knowledge Management groups, Julie transitioned to nonprofit arts administration after earning her Master’s in English Language and Literature. Her personal birth experiences, which range from a cesarean due to a frank breech presentation to VBACs and a home birth, have given her a profound appreciation and respect for the birthing process.

Julie’s involvement in the Chicago birth community began in 2006 when she co-founded the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) of Chicago while pregnant with her third child. Julie served as the chapter leader for several years and organized community events, including the Chicago premiere of “The Business of Being Born.” She has completed labor and birth doula training through DONA, completed CAPPA Postpartum Doula training, and volunteered with Chicago Volunteer Doulas, supporting vulnerable communities.

Julie has a special interest in trauma and somatic movement and is currently writing a book on trauma and memory. Julie has also worked with Somatic Experiencing facilitators and taken courses with Kimberly Ann Johnson and Molly Caro May. Additionally, she has trained in Well Woman Yoga Therapy and studied Peaceful Parenting to enhance her understanding and connection with children.

As a lifelong learner committed to improving women's and families' health and well-being, Julie brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to her work as a birth and postpartum doula. Julie continues to engage in additional courses to enrich her clients’ experiences, including “Physiological Baby Care” and “Understanding Trauma for Birth and Death Doulas." She is thrilled to be a doula with Partum Health. Julie lives outside of Chicago with her husband, four children, three cats, and a dog.

Kelly Simkowski is a Chicago area-based birth and postpartum Doula with additional experience with multiples, NICU stays and HypnoBirth training.  She is DONA and ProDoula trained and certified.

She has been led through her own experience with fertility struggles and medicalized births to make birth a sacred occasion. She wants to ensure every birthing mother has someone to support them in claiming their power and in trusting their bodies. Hiring a doula is the greatest way to honor your birth experience and make it unique to you!

Kelly is a born nurturer and loves to “mother” the birthing person during labor and also during their immediate postpartum journey.  She intuitively reads baby language and loves teaching that skill to new parents, so they soon become experts in communicating with their little one.  Her organizational skills help families get in to a gentle rhythm that fits their own unique style.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys travel, hiking in the woods, reading, gardening and hanging out with her 5 children.  She has been know to binge watch Netflix on occasion, too!

Giovanna Otavalo is a birth and postpartum doula based in Chicago, IL. She started her career supporting families as a preschool teacher in Northern Illinois. After 5.5 years in the classroom, she transitioned to higher education administration for two universities over the next 15 years. After the birth of her son, her passion and interest in the fourth trimester increased as she became aware of the gap in care for new parents. In 2014, she became a birth and postpartum doula and started serving families in the Chicagoland area.

Giovanna’s approach to doula work emphasizes personalized care and evidence-based practices. She specializes in fitness and nutrition in pregnancy and postpartum, medically complex pregnancies, and supporting non-traditional families. Giovanna is certified through both CAPPA and DONA International as a Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula, and is a certified CAPPA Childbirth Educator and an Evidence Based Birth Professional Member. Her commitment to her clients' well-being and her passion for education make her a trusted resource for families.

Giovanna is committed to continuing education to further develop her expertise. Her trainings include Hypnobabies Doula, Stillbirthday Doula, Spinning Babies, and the Body Ready Method. With a background in Early Childhood education, she also supports parents during the first year with topics that include breast/chest feeding, introducing solids, sleeping challenges, and beyond. Giovanna's comprehensive approach ensures that families receive the guidance and support they need during the critical early stages of parenthood.

When she is not at work, Giovanna can usually be found exploring local parks and trails with her son, training for endurance cycling races, or preparing for the next marathon. She enjoys trying out new recipes, cooking for her family, and incorporating fitness into her daily routine. Giovanna loves working with families during this special time and takes pride in helping them navigate the challenges and joys of parenthood. 

Briana Oden is a full spectrum doula located in Chicago, IL, who has a passion for helping new and expecting families. After supporting family and friends throughout their pregnancy and feeding journeys for the past eight years, Briana decided to make it official by certifying as a birth and postpartum doula. She prides herself on being patient, respectful, reliable, and emotionally present for her clients.

Briana’s journey into doula work was deeply influenced by her own experience with pregnancy and birth trauma in 2014. This personal experience fueled her goal to help families gain the appropriate knowledge and support surrounding pregnancy, birth, feeding, and the postpartum period. She is dedicated to ensuring that her clients feel supported and heard in all birthing scenarios, helping them adjust to the changes that newborn life brings with as much rest and confidence as possible.

Briana’s approach to doula work emphasizes providing comprehensive support to her clients, from pregnancy through the postpartum period. She aims to empower families with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate their unique journeys confidently. Her dedication to birth justice drives her to advocate for her clients, ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve.

When not fighting for birth justice, Briana is busy homeschooling her two young boys, ages 6 and 8, and being a dedicated soccer mom. She also runs her own handmade bath and body business, as well as an event space. Briana’s multifaceted life reflects her commitment to her family, her clients, and her community.

JoLona Martin is an advanced certified Doula based in Chicago, IL. As a devoted wife and mother, she is passionate about supporting new families as they embark on the incredible journey of parenthood. Her journey into Doula work began with a deep-seated fascination with child development, nurtured through years of dedicated study and hands-on experience.

For over a decade, JoLona worked closely with autistic children in Michigan, honing her skills in empathy, communication, and patient advocacy. Upon relocating to Chicago, she embraced the role of a stay-at-home mom while welcoming her third child into the world. During this transformative period, JoLona encountered unexpected challenges following childbirth, which gave her firsthand insight into the invaluable importance of having a supportive advocate by your side during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

As a Doula, JoLona believes that pregnancy and childbirth, while profoundly joyous, can also present significant hurdles, leaving individuals feeling vulnerable and in need of compassionate guidance. She is committed to offering unwavering support, personalized education, and advocacy every step of the way. JoLona’s approach centers on listening to and understanding the unique needs of each family, ensuring that they feel supported and confident throughout their journey.

Clients can expect not only a warm and welcoming presence but also a wealth of knowledge and expertise to navigate this remarkable journey with confidence and peace of mind. JoLona looks forward to embarking on this adventure together, ensuring that the transition into parenthood is as smooth and empowering as possible. Her compassionate approach and dedication to her clients make her an invaluable partner in the journey of parenthood.

Jahlisa Murphy is a certified advanced trained Birth Doula through Gifted Hands International, a community lactation educator, and CPR certified, based in Chicago. At her core, Jahlisa loves to serve, nurture, and hold space for others. Her mission as your doula is to affirm, serve, support, advocate, and empower you and your partner on your birth journey and during your postpartum recovery. She is devoted to minimizing health disparities and optimizing maternal health outcomes for all mothers and birthing individuals.

Jahlisa graduated from Southern Illinois University with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in social work. With over 20 years of advocacy experience within child welfare, she has also worked in crisis intervention, supporting children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advocating for, empowering, and encouraging others.

As a birth doula, Jahlisa provides emotional and physical support to birthing individuals and their partners and families during labor and delivery. She facilitates communication with care providers to ensure that clients have the information needed to make informed decisions regarding their baby’s birth. Jahlisa offers reassurance and perspective, makes suggestions for labor progress, and helps with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort.

Jahlisa is a professional aunt to 30+ nieces and nephews, a title she holds most dear. Raised on the south side of Chicago by her “sacred village,” including her beloved maternal grandmother Janie B, Jahlisa strives to honor her legacy in her work caring for mothers and families. When she is not attending to birth work, she finds joy in cooking, crafting, learning about plant care, and spending time with her family.

Mia Whitehead is a birth and postpartum doula based in Chicago, Illinois. She is a Chicago native, A Northside College Prep alumna with a Psychology major, Mia is committed to providing a safe and supportive space for her clients. Mia's care philosophy centers on providing personalized, compassionate support to families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. 

Mia's extensive experience as a doula is complemented by her educational background in psychology. This combination allows her to offer unique and supportive care tailored to the individual needs of every family, addressing both the physical and emotional needs of each patient. She strives to empower parents, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to parent at their best. Mia's approach is characterized by her dedication to providing personalized care, helping families navigate the transformative journey of childbirth and early parenthood with confidence.

Outside of her professional role, Mia enjoys spending time with her family. She is the wife to her amazing husband and the mother to her little ballerina. In her free time, Mia loves creating memories, exploring art, embarking on adventures, and trying new recipes with her family. This balance between her professional dedication and personal life highlights Mia's commitment to living a fulfilling and compassionate life, making her a trusted and invaluable resource for the families she supports.

Shantel Powell is a birth and postpartum doula trained through Doula Training International, based in Chicago, Illinois. Shantel’s care philosophy focuses on empowering birthing individuals to feel safe and in control. While also providing comprehensive and compassionate support tailored to each family’s unique needs, particularly during the postpartum period and in handling specialized areas such as spinning babies techniques, placenta encapsulation, and lactation counseling.

Since 2013, Shantel has gained experience working with children in daycare and camp settings, as well as supporting families as a nanny. Shantel brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her birth and postpartum doula practice. She offers both daytime and overnight care, assisting with cooking, cleaning, errands, and breastfeeding support. Her extensive experience with children and families ensures that parents receive reliable and empathetic support. Shantel's doula journey began after recognizing the challenges faced by pregnant individuals in hospitals and being inspired by the widespread use of doulas in Europe during her studies in England. She is committed to elevating the standard of care for families in the US.

Her mission is to help the birthing person feel safe and have full autonomy over their body as they give birth, as well as support pregnant people and parents through their journey welcoming a new baby. She allows families to be heard and will always put the birthing person’s and the baby’s needs first to ensure the birthing and postpartum plans are met.

In addition to her postpartum and labor support, Shantel is knowledgeable in spinning babies techniques, placenta encapsulation, and lactation counseling. She prioritizes the needs of the birthing person and baby, ensuring that families feel heard and supported throughout their journey. Shantel’s warm and professional approach helps families achieve their birthing and postpartum goals, providing a solid foundation for their new chapter.

Rachel Crompton is a Birth and Postpartum Doula in Chicago with a deep love for children and a passion for supporting families. Rachel’s care philosophy centers on empowering parents with the knowledge and skills needed to nurture their children confidently, blending her extensive experience with infants, support for teen moms, and expertise in infant massage and doula services.

Her journey began in 2012 when she moved to Chicago and volunteered at children’s hospitals, engaging with children and holding infants in the NICU. This experience inspired her to become an infant teacher at an early learning center, working with infants aged 6 weeks to 15 months. Rachel’s approach focuses on compassionate and informed support to help families thrive during the early stages of child development.

To enhance her ability to serve families, Rachel earned her Master’s Degree in Child Development with a specialization in Infancy. While in school, she interned with a program supporting teen moms, providing developmental information, home visits, and community resources. She co-facilitated a newborn group alongside a lactation support group and became a certified Infant Massage Educator to facilitate parent-child bonding.

After graduating, Rachel attended a DONA International workshop, starting her journey to become a Postpartum Doula. In 2022, she further expanded her skills by training as a birth doula with DONA. Rachel is committed to equipping parents with the tools they need for healthy familial relationships and child development. Her holistic and continuously evolving approach ensures exceptional care, helping families navigate the challenges of parenthood with confidence and support.

Tamarra Merrick is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, certified by DONA, based in Chicago, Illinois. Since 2019, she is passionate about supporting families as they transition into parenthood. Tamarra focuses on providing attentive and individualized care, ensuring that each family feels supported and well-prepared for the journey ahead. 

Drawing from her training and experience, Tamarra offers emotional and practical support specialized to each family's unique needs during the prenatal, birth, and postpartum periods. Her guidance and care help parents feel supported every step of the way, fostering confidence and well-being in new and expectant families.

Outside of her professional work, Tamarra enjoys homeschooling her children and exploring nature with her family. These personal interests reflect her commitment to nurturing and education in both her professional and personal life. Her passion for birth and postpartum care, combined with her dedication to her family, makes her a trusted and invaluable resource for new and expectant parents.

Daneita Hudson is a Certified Birth Doula through DONA, providing both birth and postpartum doula support since 2016, based in the Chicago-area. Daneita believes that families should be provided the safe-haven and community that empowers, equips, and allows them to thrive. She has developed specializations in supporting birth parents of all ages, families with past infertility challenges, and those navigating substance abuse.

Prior to finding her true passion in birth work, Daneita earned a Certificate in Surgical Technology and worked in customer service in corporate America. Daneita actively serves her community and has been the connection of many community resources. She and her husband were foster parents for over 10 years, which led them to adding to their family by adopting 4 amazing, beautiful, and highly resilient children.

Daneita finds immense joy in witnessing the miracle of life and aiding families in their transition. Her care philosophy centers on empowering families, teaching them that they have a voice and that they are their greatest advocate, not only for themselves but for their baby and future families. Daneita also brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with diverse family dynamics. She emphasizes serving the family as a unit, valuing each member in a way that fosters teamwork and unity. 

When not working, Daneita cherishes time with her five children and husband, creating new memories and stories. She also enjoys shopping and is an avid couponer, a skill that brings her and her family great pride. Daneita’s dedication to her community, her extensive experience, and her passion for empowering families make her a trusted and invaluable support for those navigating the journey of parenthood.

Paris Morris is a  birth and postpartum doula and a student midwife based in Chicago, Illinois. Her journey into birth work began with the profound experience of delivering her first child, which inspired her to support and empower other women in their birthing choices. Years later, during her second pregnancy, she discovered the role of doulas and was inspired to become one herself, aiming to provide the same empowering experience she had. 

Professionally trained through Doula Training and DoulA Certification (DONA) International and currently pursuing certification, Paris has gained valuable knowledge and experience from both DONA and Chicago Volunteer Doulas (CVD). She is also trained in placenta encapsulation and CPR/NRP. Her approach is grounded in the belief that every family deserves a supportive and empowering birth experience. She is committed to providing personalized care that respects each family's unique needs and preferences.

As a student midwife, Paris Morris is expanding her skills and knowledge to further support families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Her goal is to become a midwife, using her extensive doula experience to enhance her midwifery practice. She finds immense joy in being part of the birth and postpartum journey, and her dedication to empowering women and supporting families shines through in every aspect of her work. With a deep commitment to helping others, she looks forward to continuing her journey in birth work and making a positive impact on the lives of the families she serves.