Mary was my doula for the birth of my daughter and I have nothing but the absolute best to say about her. She was absolutely wonderful and went above and beyond for us before, during and after the birth! As a first time mom with limited prior exposure to the medical system, I wanted to be as prepared as possible: My main priority was having step by step guidance and handholding; Anne and Mary overdelivered! Before the birth -- Both Anne and Mary guided me to ensure I was prepared and knew what to expect; they also answered my every question (including things such as looking at my registry plans). Also, and perhaps most importantly, when a complication arose towards the end of my pregnancy, they were able to quickly explain the recommendation we were receiving from the medical team, provided some (spot on) recommendations given their experience, and gave us an overview of what EXACTLY to expect next. During and after the birth - Mary ended up being my doula for the birth. She went out of her way to ensure my birth plan was met as much as possible. This included helping the medical team that was clearly understaffed during COVID, despite being one of the best hospitals. Mary's involvement didn't stop there. She made sure I had the resources I needed to set me up for a successful nursing journey and checked in on us even a few months after the delivery. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Mary as a doula to my friends and family. Furthermore, the partnership between Anne and Mary is also unique -- They make a terrific team, complementing each other every step of the way. If I could give them 10/5 stars, I would. Thank you again, Mary and Anne! read more

Anne was our doula for the birth of our first son, Jack, and it's not any exaggeration to say that she was nothing short of miraculous. We originally decided to hire a doula to help with pain management upon learning that I may not be able to get an epidural for medical reasons. But after seeing all that she had to offer, we would have been wise to hire her regardless. She was incredibly warm and supportive and non-judgmental. She recognized patterns in how I was laboring that I didn't even recognize, and employed techniques and tools to cope with the contractions that were suited to what I was feeling, what was most comfortable, etc. I don't think I could have gotten through it without her. She is also incredibly knowledgable and accessible. Before labor started, I texted her many times with various non-urgent questions and concerns, and she got back to me almost immediately. Then, once labor started (which was in the middle of the night), she also responded immediately with suggestions and was over in 15 minutes once we told her we wanted her. She is everything you'd want in a doula and more. Perhaps most important is her warmth and genuine sense of empathy. She is so integrated and dedicated throughout the process that she teared up after the baby was born and even during the follow up meeting several days later. She is truly a wonderful person who will give you all her energy--physical and emotional. To find someone like that is rare. read more

Chicagoland Doulas - Anne was a major part of our successful birth! - Doulas Near Me

Anne was my birth doula and Im pretty sure she is the reason that my son made it out into the world. She was incredible for me and my partner both before, during and after birth. She was warm, honest, supportive and was a true pillar through the whole experience. Since working with Anne was so wonderful we reached out again once our son was born asking for postpartum doula support at night and was introduced to Jackie. Another absolute angel of a human. She came into our home during a pandemic and made us feel so safe and taken care of. I will never forget the warm way she took our son into her arms. I was able to get sleep and woke up with all the bottles washed and all the baby clothes folded to a sleeping kid. She has continued to do nights and knowing that she will be arriving keeps me sane on the night when we dont have her. Because of this second major success we reached back out when my partner was unexpectedly called back to work early to see if they has any daytime support available. We were concerned because of the school closures, the increase requests for care happening at this time and the speed with which we were hoping to get support. Within a day we were connected to Mary who responded quickly to our requests and set up a zoom call for the same day. Though we have not met Mary yet (writing this a little prematurely because I am flooded with such feelings of gratitude) I am confident from our brief exchange and her prompt answer to our request that it will be in line with all our other interactions with the folx at Chicagoland Doula. As new first time parents this whole team has been an unmatched resource during one of the more challenging times of our lives. Asking for help has never been my strength but jumping that small hurdle has allowed me space to not just survive the birth to newborn experience but to also ENJOY this time. Reaching out to this thoughtful crew was the absolute best decision we made. read more

I wanted a positive, holistic, and empowering birth for my first child (Jan. 2018), and Anne played a huge role in helping us achieve just that. We chose Anne because she follows the lead of the parents, rather than subscribing to a single method. She is a calming presence in what is a chaotic time, and she is so supportive of every decision, no matter how your birth plays out. I loved how familiar she was with Prentice, so she could grab ice packs or towels or water whenever we needed. She's exactly the kind of person you want by your side, before and after birth--and also during a zombie apocalypse:) We also used Anne for her placenta encapsulation services, and we were impressed with how thorough and attentive to detail she was. Everything was neatly organized and labeled, and our kitchen was cleaner than she found it when she was done. She is responsive (even when your contractions are in the earliest hours of the morning for three days straight) and always knows the right thing to say. I wouldn't change a thing about our birth experience and I tell everyone that having Anne as our doula was the best money we've ever spent! read more

Anne and Mary are the best! Their support was absolutely incredible. They are very communicative, supportive, knowledgeable, friendly, reliable, and all around excellent. Mary supported us during birth and she provided support from start to finish. She provided expert advice in various situations during the 20 hours we were in labor at the hospital. She also had a great attitude throughout the entire process, and definitely exceeded all our expectations. The nurses at the hospital even said that she was one of the best doulas they've ever seen. I would highly, highly, highly recommend Chicagoland Doulas. read more

I was looking into a couple of Doula services, but after meeting Anne I knew right away, that I would trust her and be comfortable with her during my labor. Given this is such a vulnerable and personal time of your life, it was important for me to be comfortable with my Doula at first impression. She provided answers for all my questions (and there were many of them), and showed that she is extremely knowledgeable in her profession. We had a couple of visits prior to the delivery so that both of us could become more comfortable with each other and also she could answer all questions or concerns we had. She also helped us with a few exercises that would help us prepare for labor. When the time came, Anne was by my side as soon as we called her. She was calm, collected, and asking all the right questions, to be sure I was as comfortable as possible. Once we arrived at the hospital and started going through the medical process, Anne was there to be our liaison between us first time parents and the medical staff. There is a lot that is thrown at you and when you are in that much pain it can be overwhelming! I chose to do my labor naturally and Anne made sure that I was moving around, placing me in ideal positions in order to dilate quicker. She literally held me up during the majority of my contractions, while I tried to fully relax in her arms. Due to a few complications, I had to giving into the pitocin and an epidural. As difficult as that was to decide, she was super supportive of the decision and made me feel comfortable with the change in plans. I have to add for all those who's husbands are rolling their eyes, mine was skeptical of hiring a Doula. After it was all over, he was very relieved she was there! Anne cares deeply about being a Doula and taking care of her clients like we are family. I would highly recommend Anne. I know she will be there for my second delivery. read more

Veronica was a joy to have as a doula. Even before going to the hospital, Veronica was there to help us with all of our questions and walk us through the birthing process. We are first-time parents and that help ease our minds to have someone on our team with knowledge and experience. More importantly, she helped both my husband and myself to remain calm throughout labor. She was extremely patient and nurturing throughout the process. I could not have gone through 19 hours of labor without her. Even though my birth plan didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it to, Veronica walked me through the decision-making process. My family is forever grateful and indebted to Veronica for her help along this journey. I am glad to now call her a friend. read more

Anne is an incredible postpartum doula. She was able to read my family's needs each day she worked with us. She assessed whether we needed conversation or care quickly and found ways to enhance her time with us without our asking. Becoming a parent is a challenge and Anne was both an asset and a support coach. She took turns being a guide or a heavy lifter. When you're learning so much so quickly, having an experienced professional reassured us when we had doubts and trained us on new skills. Without Anne we would be much farther behind in our confidence and self restoration. Some family and friends weren't sure what a post partum doula would do, or did, and to that I can say the role Anne exemplified so well was being the support, knowledge, and care we needed to become a well adjusted family. read more

I couldn't have had a better birth experience and I pretty much chalk that up to Veronica (and a little luck, of course). This was my first pregnancy and I was considered high-risk due to a chronic autoimmune condition and history of hypertension. I was told pretty early on in my pregnancy that I would need to be induced at 39 weeks. Being a RN by profession, most of my pregnancy I was pretty sure that I wanted to have an epidural. I had cared for many post-op patients with epidurals and saw first-hand how beneficial they could be for patients recovering from surgery. It wasn't even really a question. It wasn't until I was six months pregnant and visiting my sister-in-law in the hospital during her labor, that I started to reconsider if getting an epidural was actually the best decision for me. My sister-in-law was also being induced and opted to have an epidural. Although she didn't feel pain, she did look very uncomfortable and mentioned that she felt very claustrophobic, because both legs were completely numb. Everything was being done to her, intervention after intervention. It was then that I decided I wanted to do everything in my power to remain an active participant during my labor, even if that meant having some pain. That's where Veronica came in. After discussing what I had witnessed with my husband, we met with Veronica and she listened to what it was that we envisioned for our labor. I immediately felt comfortable with her and knew that she would be a great support to my husband and I. Never, not once, did I feel pressured to labor a certain way - which I really appreciated. Should I have wanted an epidural? She would have supported it, without question. We met with her twice before the induction and we developed a plan. She went over the stages of labor, provided us with reading material/emailed us articles and gave me recommendations on how I could get my body for the induction. We felt prepared going into the induction and ultimately had the birth experience that we wanted, one in which I remained an active participant - thanks to Veronica. read more

Even before I conceived my son I felt empowered in birth. I felt informed and even excited for that day. There wasn't a hint of worry or fear. The credit for this belongs heavily in the hands of my doula and dear friend, Veronica Rottman. Her impact on my pregnancy and birth is still sinking in. I was fortunate to know Veronica for years before labor became a reality that faced me. We were colleagues, each passionate yoga teachers. I loved her thoughtful classes and compassionate demeanor. Soon we became friends and went to Haiti on a partnered trip to spread some Yoga love. It was through those adventures and many hours of heartfelt conversation that I absorbed Veronica's true passion and deep knowledge for all things pregnancy, labor and birth. She knew her shit and she loved it. Her enthusiasm was contagious. I genuinely could not wait to give birth. I had no fear; only trust, only empowerment, only joy, only gratitude for the beauty that awaited me. After our special birth experience Veronica checked in consistently, made multiple visits back to our home, and less than a week after Bodhi was born, she worked tirelessly for many hours, again right inside our home, to encapsulate my placenta. In the weeks to come I'd ingest these pills of my own body's making, feeling grateful yet again for Veronica's work and dedication. I consider Veronica one of Bodhi's most beloved aunts and one of my most treasured friends. If and when I have a second child, I would want nothing less than the magical experience she helped foster again. I know that regardless if it went as beautifully as our home birth did, or if there were unforeseen troubles along the way, she's exactly who I'd want in my birth corner. I'd do it all again and again. I love Veronica deeply and could not recommend her more highly. She is a gift, a tremendous human being and possibly an even better doula. read more

I've been in acupuncture for a few years to address my anxiety. When I became pregnant a big concern of mine was postpartum mood. Without skipping a beat my acupuncturist suggested placenta encapsulation and provided me with a few referrals. I am extremely happy I ended up using Anne for this service! I felt comfortable with her right from the start. I had a few questions about the process and Anne answered all my emails within hours and never pressured me with a decision one way or the other. When the time came, I ended up having a c-section in the early hours of a Saturday morning. My husband made contact with Anne in the 8:00 morning hour (on a weekend) and she made arrangements to come to our home that afternoon to start the encapsulation process. It should also be noted that there was a snow storm hitting the Chicago area at the time as well. The process takes two days, meaning I was able to start taking my pills while I was still recovering in the hospital. You really cannot ask for a faster turn around time, on a weekend, in a snow storm! I am now just over a month post delivery and my mood has been fantastic! I have had no trace of anxiety and my 'baby blues' are nonexistent. It has been such a wonderful experience working with Anne that if we have a second child, she will be one of the first people I contact for this service again! read more

I hired Anne and Kira for birth and postpartum doula support, and I am so glad that I did. They are both angels. Anne and Kira took time to discuss my birth goals with me (this was baby #2), and talking through the "pros and cons" from my first birth and postpartum period was really useful. Because we spent time doing this, I was able to clarify my needs and this time I felt more supported and "seen" than I did with baby #1. Anne and Kira are an excellent birth team for anyone who is looking for truly non-judgemental support. If you are feeling a little sheepish about stating your needs out loud, rest assured that these girls will support and affirm you, and advocate for you to your care team if needed. Anne and Kira are also an excellent team for anyone who needs doulas with experience in trauma-informed practice. Having Anne at my birth felt like having my favorite sister or best friend there to help communicate my needs to my doctors, whisper loving affirmations in my ear, provide guidance and support for my husband, and physically support me through my labor (I think I gave her arms a solid work out--sorry about that Anne!). One way to tell if you're in "active labor" is when you can't talk through your contractions anymore-- this doesn't seem like that big of a thing if you haven't lived through it yet, but I actually find it very overwhelming to be surrounded by activity and questions from doctors, and be physically unable to respond. Throughout this very intense phase, I heard Anne telling my doctors about my medical needs (things listed in my chart but that no one had time to read, since I arrived to the hospital at 9cm and was about to start pushing) and I was so thankful that she was there to step in, since I couldn't. After the birth, Anne stayed to make sure we were all set up in the hospital and to generally keep me company and help me wind down from craziness that is birth. I loved having her by my side to talk to and relax with. For postpartum support, we've had Kira come by several times. Kira is a legit angel who comes and makes your life happier and easier. She is so fun and pleasant to be around, and felt like an old friend from day 1, which makes it a lot less awkward to ask her to wash my laundry lol. Having a postpartum doula was huge on my list of things to do differently than my first birth-- the first time around I skipped this expense because I didn't know how hard it was to get ANYTHING done with a baby in the house. With #1 I ended up overwhelmed, lonely, and buried under a pile of diapers. Having Kira around this time has been clutch. She makes me laugh, cleans my house, and takes care of whichever kid needs something, allowing me to take a shower or spend 1:1 time with my kiddos, or do whatever it is I need to do. TLDR: If you need non-judgemental and trauma informed support during birth or postpartum, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this team. They are amazing. read more

Julie: Anne eased my anxiety, made me feel more comfortable physically and emotionally, and provided a calming voice during the most intense experience of my life. This is all such a natural instinct for her - knowing how to support a family leading up to and during the birth of their baby. I trusted her knowledge and experience instantly and felt more mentally prepared. When I went over a week past my due date and my doctor scheduled me to be induced, Anne helped me work through my feelings about that and understand how she would be there for us during that day. Anne was with my husband and me once labor became more difficult and encouraged me during every moment. Anne offers empathy, support, guidance, and partnership without judgment or bias in any way. She clearly believes her role is to support her client, and her actions do nothing but prove this. Kevin: I thought it was necessary to have someone with us during delivery at all times to give advice on positions, massage, relaxation, etc. Anne was so familiar with the delivery rooms, which allowed her to get anything Julie needed. Her experience made her actions easy and automatic. She had the knowledge and confidence that I didn't have, and that translated over to my wife being much more relaxed and confident. From a husband's point of view I thought it was great having our own coach to get us through our first delivery. Post Partum: Anne came to our house to provide post-partum support twice a week for six weeks. We wanted the companionship and help from Anne as we transitioned to life with a newborn. During her time with us, she helped me with any goal I had - from getting outside for walks, getting a load of laundry done, and organizing baby clothes to finding comfortable positions for breastfeeding, using my breast pump, identifying good vs. problem latches, and dealing with my emotions. I so value and appreciate the time Anne spent with my baby and me. She is truly part of our family. read more

We used Chicagoland Doulas for placenta encapsulation. It was a beautiful experience! Anne came into our home and worked swiftly to transform my placenta into little capsules, crucial to my postpartum routine. Anne spoke so dearly about her passion for postpartum care, and it came through in her work. I was left with capsules, a tincture, information, and the most thoughtful, touching gift. After the ease of practical aspects like communication and payment, in addition to the comfort of having Anne work on the encapsulation process in our home...I cannot recommend Chicagoland Doulas and Anne's work enough! read more

I knew that I only wanted my husband and a doula when I had my child. Based on reviews on Yelp and Google, I was able to narrow my search to two, one of which was Anne from Chicagoland Doulas. I called Anne first and let her know that I'm considering her. After our conversation and even before we actually met her, I knew that I did not have to call my other prospect. Our meeting with her confirmed that she would be our doula so we signed the contract. Her personality matches ours and she exudes warmth and confidence that we know we will need. We met her again once before the scheduled delivery to address questions and concerns we had and reviewed backup plans in the unlikely event that she is unavailable. She gave me pointers on what to ask and how to approach our conversations with my OB because I was hoping to delay my induction. Came delivery time, she constantly checked on us through text messages. When I gave her the go signal, she was at the hospital in no time. The next twelve hours was the toughest for all of us. I hope I didn't break her fingers by holding (more like crushing!) on to her during contractions! I would not last that long in unmedicated state and certainly would not have explored additional positions if not for her. When it came time to push, Anne was there to encourage and tell me how to do it correctly! After two hours of pushing, my OB was convinced that it had to be a C-section. Anne had the right words to make me feel better about the decision. It turned out that the C-section was the right call. Anne stayed in the waiting area during the procedure and made sure all of us are doing great before she went home. She has visited us since and certainly that won't be the last time that we'll see her. Having Anne there was definitely one of the best decisions we've made. Thank you Anne of Chicagoland Doulas. read more

When I first found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted Veronica to be part of my birth experience. A long time yoga student of Veronica's, I've watched her grow as both a yoga instructor and doula over the last six years. She coached me throughout my entire pregnancy and never left my side during my labor (all 28 + hours of it!). Hands down, she was so wonderful. Her nurturing and supportive soul allotted for me to have the natural birth experience that I wanted. Moreover, she helped me find strength in myself that I had no idea existed. I cannot wait to use her again with future pregnancies. My husband and I think she's just the best! read more

Met Anne tonight. She's quite lovely. Should I require doula services in the future, she's my girl. Genuine, sincere, and passionate about what she does. read more

Jenna Phillips was our labor and postpartum doula. During labor I found it very comforting to have her in the room as she made herself available to support my husband and me in any way we needed. It was especially helpful to have her there to suggest moving into more comfortable positions as I labored and having extra hands available to grab things we needed in the moment. Jenna has a calm, non-judgemental demeanor and attitude which made it easy to integrate her into our experience at the hospital. Her presence, knowledge, and calming affect also helped reduce my anxiety as this was my first birth. Our postpartum experience with her has been just as impressive. She helped reassure my husband and me about concerns we raised regarding newborn care and she shared many useful tips from her experience with newborns. I would highly recommend Jenna as a doula as she comes with lots of experience, knowledge, and the right personality for the job! read more

My wife wanted her placenta encapsulated, and Anne was the right choice. I had no problem scheduling time for her to come to our house, and she was friendly, courteous, and professional. Having her come to our home and being able to see the process and the care Anne shows in her work gave me a high level of trust in the end results. Her packaging was lovely and there was even a surprise in there that we didn't expect. I won't give it away, but it was very sweet. If you are thinking of placenta encapsulation, I highly recommend Anne. read more

Veronica was a great help for my wife before and after my wife went into labor. Our questions were answered with care and professionalism and I recommend her highly. read more

Words could never sufficiently say how grateful I am for Anne. From the start her demeanor was professional and calming. This was so helpful to me at the end of my pregnancy and knowing she was available to me to answer my questions at any time was so reassuring as a first time mom. I'm sure it goes without saying though, that it was the labor support that was the most meaningful. With Anne's support and guidance for myself (and my husband) she was able to help me have the birth experience I wanted. She wants moms to feel confident in their choices and provides unwavering encouragment no mattewhat you envision for your birth story. I had twins and though things often feel out of our hands during any labor/birth, she really helped me to continue to be an advocate for myself. She supported me in finding the words I needed to get my questions answered during a long 45 hour labor and helped me have the vaginal delivery for both of them despite hours between the two babies being born. It was easy in the moment to want to give up, to forget why I wanted to avoid a c-section, but when it was over and I didn't have to be recovering from a surgery on top of everything else I could not have been more grateful. I only share these details to point out that despite going through this extremely challenging period and really struggling physically and emotionally, I left feeling empowered and supported. Anne was a silent warrior helping my husband be an amazing birth partner, helping me feel heard, and reminding me that I could do this. Anne was also great with post-partum care. She offered emotional support, breast feeding support, we used her for meal prep and even just getting out for a walk. Anne truly feels like part of the family and I'd encourage everybody that wants help experiencing labor on their terms to speak with Anne about how she can help you do that. read more

It was a privilege to have Veronica as our doula! She was also the teacher for a weekly prenatal yoga class I took, so I had the benefit of taking her amazing class and checking in with her each week in person. Veronica came to our house for two prenatal visits and thoroughly prepared my husband and I for creating a birth plan and going through possible scenarios for the birth of our daughter. She respected our wishes for the birth, while also educating us on options for getting what we wanted out of the labor. She strikes an amazing balance between sharing her extensive knowledge and understanding our wishes as a couple. I felt totally supported by her during my pregnancy, through the educational emails she sent and text message check-ins on my progress. I had a really long labor--which started with two days of on and off contractions at home. During this time, Veronica gave me exercises to do to keep labor going, checking in frequently and even came to my apartment at my request, when I felt ready to head to the hospital, but it wasn't quite time yet. For the actual labor, we could not have done it without Veronica. She and my husband worked as a team to help me through each and every contraction and 6 hours of pushing! There were times when I said I could not do it and Veronica was there to remind me that I could and would. Veronica is well prepared, has such a fun personality that made the whole process enjoyable and also is one of the most positive people I have ever known. I highly recommend her services and would love to talk with anyone in more detail about my experience with her! read more