We used Parenting Partners to help find a surrogate to carry our second child. After many…read moreinfertility treatments and pursuits, we discovered I could not carry, and so we needed a solution for carrying our IVF embryos. Shirley was terrific to work with. She met with us and quickly learned a lot about what we were looking for and our perspective on surrogacy and very quickly matched us with the most wonderful woman who could not have been a better surrogate. After many years of challenges, this process went smoothly and was so much of a relief. I highly recommend Shirly and the Parenting Partners team.

From the owner: Choosing surrogacy is a very personal experience and taking the first step towards building your…read morefamily this unique way, or offering to help someone become a parent can sometimes be overwhelming. We are here to support you as you embark on this wonderful journey. Our goal is to provide information, education, matching and guidance to our clients from beginning to end. At Parenting Partners we specialize in individualized, and personal arrangements. We will help you navigate the intricacies of the surrogacy process through our extensive experience and dedication. You don't have to go to other states for a surrogacy agency. Our agency fee is only $9,000 in three installments. Easier on your budget. And your lawyer can tell you about getting a pre-birth order so you will be the legal parents from the start. Using a lower-cost surrogacy agency in Illinois has many advantages. "Partners To Parents..." We feel that working together we can reach the goal of helping people become parents through surrogacy.

Jenn was the doula for my second delivery and she was amazing. Since Jenn is a labor and delivery…read morenurse as well as a doula, she really is the best of both worlds. She provides the doula support (emotional, candles, music, aroma-therapy, making everyone feel comfortable and supported) but was also very helpful because of her medical knowledge. She was terrific during the actual labor of advocating for me and helping where appropriate. Jenn was respectful with the hospital staff and did not overstep; in fact, the hospital staff seemed happy to have Jenn there. Jenn also visited our house and provided us all of the education and checklists we needed before the labor and delivery. Jenn also gave us a very nice timeline of the labor so we can look back and remember all of the details. She also took pictures of some of the special moments so my husband could focus on being with me. My husband I highly recommend hiring Jenn as a doula.

We cannot say enough good things about Jenn!! Jenn was our Doula for the birth of our first child,…read moreand we had such an incredible experience! Jenn previously worked as a L&D nurse for 10+ years and is a wealth of knowledge for all things birth (and baby) related! Jenn's three educational classes ahead of birth were incredibly insightful and helpful, plus she shared the slides with us afterwards to refer back to (which we have done several times). During my actual labor, Jenn was my biggest cheerleader! She helped us understand everything that was happening and think of potential questions to ask to advocate for ourselves. She helped me into different positions to help labor progress, she brought jello and bone broth to snack on, she made the room feel cozy and relaxed, she helped me mentally process everything that was happening and made us feel extremely comfortable throughout the entire process. I had intended to deliver naturally, and my birth ended with an unplanned c-section. There were several moments where my emotions got the best of me and Jenn helped me process everything that was happening and be happy with any direction we went. Afterwards, Jenn visited us in the hospital after birth and did a home visit a week after to help with the home transition. On top of all of this, Jenn sent us a time stamped overview of our birth story and it is something I will cherish forever! There is so much I've already forgotten from that day and Jenn's notes are so fun to look back on! Jenn was attentive, reliable and such a joy to work with! Even the staff at the hospital I delivered at were singing her praises! We loved working with Jenn and would recommend her services to anyone! She is the absolute best! :)

: Not a nice person. Be sure to check her return policies…read morefor any items you consider purchasing as the belly binder a is ripped up sheet (muslin) that you can purchase at your local Joann's . This is the video I was given for the technique. I can't include it due to Yelp rules, but it is a regular person's YouTube account, not even one of the doulas or Maura. Search Bengkung Belly Binding on YouTube and a ton of videos will come up. The binder did not help me feel held in. I asked for a refund and was told the price was mainly for the doula coming to my house--which was unnecessary because the YouTube video was the guide. After continued times trying to reach a reasonable resolution, Maura told me that I was harassing her. (What the heck weirdo woman?) What doula worth anything speaks to a mom of a 2 week old that way. Beware!!!!!!!!! This doula is unstable and no new mom needs that. Get a Bellefit binder. It helps without dealing with a psycho doula.

Maura was a joy to work with before, during, and after the birth of my little one…read more She obviously approaches her work with a great deal of professionalism that isn't always present in the birthing world. For example, her email communication is clear and prompt, she is obviously very well organized, and she gave me sweet little new-mama-related gifts at our first meeting, as well as after Baby's birth. But all that is not reason enough to hire a doula, right? When I first met Maura, I must confess I was a bit dismayed by her youth. Although I knew she had lots of experience supporting births and more medical training than most doulas, there was a part of me that wanted an older presence on my birth team. Well, thankfully the rational part of me won out over this other, ageist part, because Maura was wonderful and everything we (my husband and I) could have wanted. And I'm sure she's probably not quite as young as she seemed that first day ;) My labor and birth were pretty quick, uncomplicated, and relatively painless. I don't think I actually noticed Maura much during the process. However, when I watched the video of my baby's birth (which Maura was happy to film and photograph for us), I noticed Maura was the one who'd pick up on how I was feeling and cheer me on when I seemed to need it, and my husband and mom (who I wanted hands-on with me) would follow her lead. She just seemed to have this way of fitting in and being exactly what we needed her to be at the time, even though we ourselves didn't know what that was. After Baby's birth, she provided encouraging support and a postpartum visit to see that all was going well for our family. She was pretty awesome answering my questions via text, about all things from newborn poop to homeopathic remedies. I know that she will soon begin to study midwifery, but if you find her still offering doula services, I would highly recommend adding her to your list of doulas to consider.

I had a tough pregnancy so I decided to get a doula. Sarah and Erika were amazing the whole way…read morethrough. They were quick to respond, informative, and provided actionable steps to make pregnancy manageable. They have complementary styles and I appreciated having their expertise. When I changed my birth plan, they gave me information, support and they advocated for me. Even after I had my beautiful daughter, they checked in with me. They're both such kind, caring individuals. I highly recommend them! Birth was the most vulnerable and empowering experience of my life and I'm so glad I had them on my team!

I love Erika! I called many doulas to help me get through my first birthing experience before I…read morefound her and she was special. She combines intelligence with sensitivity, genuine care and support with medical knowledge. She is both gentle and tough when she has to - gave me the feeling of strength and security during the whole long night. She didn't leave my bedside except to get us beverages, didn't sleep at all for more than 24 hours straight and was alert and actively assisting us all the time. We were changing positions often, used fragrant oils for relaxation, she was massaging me and constantly checking if I or my husband needed anything. She's so amazing - I'd want to give birth just because she'd be by my side I contacted her postpartum numerous times with various baby care, self care and nursing questions and she helped me - and continues helping me even now - almost a year after our contract expired. She genuinely cares and I'm so glad I found her! Amazing doula!