Annika Cowen

Annika Cowen (they/any) is a Full Spectrum Doula and Birthworker, supporting individuals through the prenatal, birth, postpartum period, abortion, and grief & loss stages. Living and working on occupied Peoria land in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Annika provides client-centered care that looks at the whole individual and actively practices being open and aware of the diverse reproductive needs and experiences people have in light of their identity, background, preferences, and lived experiences.

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Annika graduated from their training with For the Village, guided by the revolutionary Sabia Wade. Before becoming a doula, they worked extensively with young people in various capacities, from babysitting and nannying to coaching and running after-school programs. This background, combined with their continuous development of healing and spiritual practices, made the transition into doula work a natural progression for Annika.

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In their doula practice, Annika centers informational, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual support. They aim to bring autonomy, safety, and presentness to each interaction, meeting clients exactly where they are. By listening intentionally, Annika collaborates with clients to cultivate a vision and create the experience each individual desires. With over 10 years of experience in healing practices, Annika uses every resource available within their communities to broaden what their clients can access, ensuring knowledge, wisdom, and healing experiences are accessible.

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Annika’s areas of expertise include reproductive justice, trauma-informed care, queer and trans birthwork and lactation, culturally respectful practices, babywearing, womb healing, herbalism, somatic movement, meditation, breathwork, shadow work, and holistic living. They also have extensive experience working with young people using restorative practices and serve as a life mentor and mentor for alternative structures of love. In their free time, Annika enjoys juicing, nurturing their plants, reading, learning, long nature walks, and spending time with their energetic orange cat, André Leon Diablo.