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.

Cygnus was consistently supportive and helpful. We could not have been happier. They were easy to…read moreuse, knowledgeable, and kind during what can be an emotional experience.

If you think lactation consultant scmholsuntant, you have no idea what you're talking about. Do…read moreseek out one! As for Cygnus, Jeannie is fantastic! The place is very well organized, very professional. We learned A LOT! And the price is VERY reasonable, especially for what you get, which is a lot.

My kids have enjoyed individual classes with Claire over the last couple years. Then recently we…read morehosted my daughter's birthday party with Claire. She had a lovely space set up outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather, all the materials ready to go, and a couple projects planned. From age 5 to 40+, all our guests had a great time creating bowls, platters, figurines and projects of their own imagination. We printed designs in the clay, rolled and shaped and stamped, then painted with underglaze. Everyone got to make multiple creations. Can't wait to see the finished projects after they're fired and glazed. As we left, several kids asked me to pass on info about Claire's classes to their parents so they can come back - a sure sign they had a great time.

A great place for any age to learn about pottery. Artistic creativity, lasting mementoes,…read morepractical and useful dishware. Win-win!

Holly's birth prep class is absolutely outstanding. This is my second pregnancy, and my only regret…read moreis not finding her the first time around! She's engaging, funny, knowledgable, honest, and her main focus goes far, far beyond facts and information (which are also rich and helpful). The exercises in pain coping were excellent. They became even more powerful when paired with the exercises for couples to help us to understand our fears, expectations, hopes, etc. Yeah, I think couples therapists may learn a thing or two sitting in on Holly's classes! Discussing the smells, sights, sounds and other details about childbirth are not a regular part of mainstream Midwestern culture. Somehow, Holly made the information and exercises approachable and not at all weird to do in front of a group of other people. Holly is a great facilitator. A lot of great ideas and discussion came from members in the class because she made space for participation, thought, and sharing. This class involves making art. Normally I think that kind of stuff is total hippy BS, but I really enjoyed it. Maybe I had some pent up stuff from my previous birth experience, but whatever it was, it was awesome. I totally surprised myself with that. I uniquely appreciated Holly's class because she was totally welcoming despite the fact that I was the only one in the room that already had given birth once (emergency c-section not at all what was in my "plan"), and also the only one without a partner in class. Holly made it easy for me to be there, and to participate even though there was a lot of partner work. I really looked forward to coming home to share and practice with my partner. Holly also shared information and guided discussions in such a way to help the couples to manage their expectations and understand all of the possibilities and interventions that can occur, including c-section. She also spent time helping folks in the class to understand their emotions and expectations of themselves and each other. I'm paraphrasing, but she focused on helping us to prepare for the birth that gives us our babies, versus the 3-page plan of stuff that we "want." One thing is not "better" than another, only different, and understanding how to navigate it will make for the most positive birth experience. Holly has spent time at all of the area hospitals, so her tips on productive communication with staff and doctors at the hospital, as well as what to remember to ask for ( eg. squat bars, fresh batteries for the fetal heart monitor) were totally awesome. I'm so happy I took this class with Holly. I'm due in a few weeks, and my partner and I both feel far more prepared for how to navigate our way through the labyrinth, whatever path that may be.

My husband and I took Holly's Birthing From Within Childbirth class and really enjoyed it. We both…read morehad read and connected with the book Birthing From Within so the class seemed like a natural extension. We went to Holly's house for 3 Saturdays and covered what to expect physically and emotionally in labor. I was impressed with Holly's overall knowledge and passion and how she was able to get all of the couples to participate so thoughtfully. I recently gave birth to our first child and throughout my labor I was able to connect with things that Holly had said and so was my husband. Even though she constantly told us that labor is unpredictable, I had some mile markers in my head from what I had learned and it was very helpful. I highly recommend this class! Thank you Holly :)

: 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.

Leah Lemelin helped me trust my body more, feel calmer, and more present with what I was…read moreexperiencing. I felt more in command and confident throughout. I thought I wanted a doula just for the day of delivery but what I found was that the work we did together before delivery is what altered the whole experience. It was deeply supportive and prepared me in a way I didn't even know I needed or was possible. So, even if you are an experienced mom, you are having a traditional medical birth, having Leah as your doula will deepen your experience and give it back to you as truly yours in a profound way. I can't thank her enough for walking with me through it and guiding me into myself so I could remember my own agency and power and strength in it all.

Mary has been our lactation consultant for 1 year. She had been part of my support network since we…read moresaw her during an at-home visit when my daughter was 1 month old. I'd count her as one of the women that I've most leaned on as a first-time mother. She is a walking book of knowledge on everything child related. She is kind and passionate and always available. I'm not sure where we'd be without her. We are so grateful to have her in our lives.

It really depends on the instructor and your child, how well they work together. A seasoned…read moreinstructor knows how to develop that relationship with the kids. My daughter fell in love with Jackie right away, although it took my son a few sessions to warm up. They are now both so excited to go swimming with Jackie and eager to do whatever she instructs them to do. I have seen significant advancement in my kids' water skills. The pool, however, is inside Stay Bridge hotel and I wish it would be warmer as an instructional pool. But still manageable. Jackie is also a great instructor for adult swimming lessons.

From the owner: British Swim School offers swimming lessons for kids and adults of all ages, starting as early as 3…read moremonths. Located inside of Lincolnshire, our swim school is open year-round, so you can learn to swim when you're ready and continue until you've mastered the skills. We use gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help swimmers of all levels become safer and more confident in the water. Our safe, fun, and effective teaching methods have made us the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Our confidence-building curriculum and small group swimming classes provide a consistent format and structure with one-on-one attention for each swimmer. Private swimming lessons are subject to availability.