100% recommend. All I can say is WOW. This was a service I never knew I wanted or needed so…read moregreatly. Robin was an angel and a confidant. Real and trustworthy. She was there for me, my son, and my husband before, during, and after birth. Having her as part of my birth story will be something I'm forever grateful for and if I'm blessed enough to have another child, I'll want her on my team again. Ps: She offered to snap photos of when I gave birth, capturing moments I would never have had without her. What a gift.

I really wanted a great doula for a complicated pregnancy. But Robin slept through my son's birth,…read moreeven after I told her at 5 pm I was checking into the hospital the week of my due date. When I talked to Robin, she said she was at an event and didn't have a car with her so she couldn't leave to come to the hospital at that time, because she was dependant on someone else for a ride. She assured me she would come and said she'd never slept through a birth. She also told me most mothers labor for 12+ hours and not to worry since I wasn't dilated at all. I was given Cervidil. In the middle of the night my son's heart rate started dropping. Cervidil was removed, my son's heart rate stabilized and I was given two options: Do a more controlled C-section or try to labor longer and then likely have an emergency C-section. I tried to get ahold of Robin. She slept through the text and phone call. So I opted to do a more controlled C-section which took a while since I couldn't have an epidural and it took more than 30 minutes for the spinal to take. Robin never showed up to the hospital and it took weeks, months, to get a partial refund. I never got a full refund. She also didn't call a back-up doula. She made a really frustrating situation -- of sleeping through my son's birth -- even worse by having to spent weeks of back and forth emails (and my son was a NICU baby) trying to get some of my money back. More troubling she also sent an NDA to me -- which I didn't sign -- to try and make sure this wasn't disclosed. Accidents happen but the follow-up was more problematic. Yes, her father died in the weeks after my son's birth and that is awful, but sending an NDA to try and cover-up the situation of sleeping through a birth was really awful and weeks of emails to get a partial refund difficult as I was recovering from a difficult pregnancy and delivery was troublesome. This happened in the summer of 2017. It's taken me a long time to process everything. I'm sure most births aren't like this, but other expectant moms need to be aware. I would hate for anyone else to go through something like this.

I can't say enough great things about cloud nine! We worked with the Kelsey/Valerie team and their…read moresupport was unmatched. Valerie came to our house first to talk about physical support and labor prep. She could not have been more kind, understanding and knowledgable about birth prep. Both continued to check in weekly towards the end and we're always willing to answer questions. When it got to be birth day, Kelsey knew exactly when to come before I had to ask and was the best support. She was intuitive, comforting and even in the midst of the unexpected kept things calm and gave me exactly what I needed. I cannot recommend this team enough! They truly care about making sure clients have the birth they desire and are able to support both the birthing person and support person.

Kelsey and Valerie were my doulas and they were fantastic. They were both super quick to respond to…read moreany questions I had throughout my pregnancy and they gave me tons of ideas at the end to help baby descend. Kelsey was present at the birth and she was amazing. She pushed me forward when I felt like giving up and listened to all my requests with so much love and respect. She also took a ton of beautiful photos that we will cherish forever. I did not have a doula for my first baby and let me tell ya, it makes a world of difference. Especially if you are a bit scared of birth and wondering how you will manage the pain and/or any unforeseen circumstances that arise, a doula is a fantastic way to ease that anxiety. And of course - I highly recommend choosing Valerie and Kelsey

We decided to go the home birth route after researching our options in the early months of…read morepregnancy. Our Midwife gave us a few choices, Sam was one of them, which we interviewed and ultimately chose Sam. The main reason was she was so down to earth that I knew she could get along with my fiesty husband and take charge at the same time if something was to go wrong. We also liked the fact that she could still come along with us if we had to go to the hospital to give birth. We were impressed and comforted by her great amount of expertise which we learned from taking one of her child birth classes. The day of the birth we called Sam at 2 am and she comforted our anxiety and asked us questions that would help her understand how far we were. As the labor progressed she came over and gave me little exercises like going up and down the stairs and swaying my hips to help move the baby around. She was the one who passed along the info to our midwife of how far along I was. My midwife came over and 30 minutes later we gave birth to our son. Sam was there adjusting my pillow, helping me drink water, and encouraging me while I pushed. After the birth, she checked on us frequently and gave us tidbit of info to help that we still use today. I would recommend Sam to anyone whether home birth or hospital birth to have by your side. We will use her again in the future and wouldn't think to go elsewhere!

We hired Samantha as our doula for the birth of our first-born, who arrived this past February. I…read morecan honestly say that had it not been for Samantha...despite my best intentions...I would not have had a natural childbirth. Although my labor was relatively short for a first-born, it was very intense and happened somewhat suddenly. Within an hour of me calling her to let her know I needed her, she was at my home and helping me work my way through it. The biggest challenge for me was fear, and she had a number of different techniques to keep me focused and relatively composed. Also, she incorporated my fiance into everything as well. It was such an amazing experience for him as well. By time we reached the hospital, I was fully dilated and our son was born just two hours later. Without Samantha, I would have given up and gone to the hospital much sooner and probably given in to getting an epidural. In case you have any doubt about whether you should go natural or not, within 15 minutes of giving birth I was up and walking around. My recovery time was quite short, which allowed me precious additional time to get to know my baby and adjust to my new life as a mommy. She was wonderful from start to finish, and I couldn't be happier with how things turned out. Thank you, Samantha!

This review honestly won't do any justice in explaining how happy me and my wife were with working…read morewith Chaka as our Doula. I'll first say Chaka was extremely professional with all of the services she provided us as we unitized her doula services and placenta encapsulation service. Most importantly she did a great job by making us feel comfortable as this was our first child and there is a certain level of anxiety that comes with that, also by providing us educational material to prepare us for what's in store on our journey and educating us on potential risks. She also helped us draft a birthing plan which really helped us be more prepared which later really came into play. Once we were close to our due date she was constantly in contact with us and updating us on her schedule and even rescheduled some of her other clients as she puts her doula services as top priority! During the delivery process she provided excellent support for my wife and did a great job at advocating for her which was greatly appreciated. Even after our son was delivered Chaka remained in contact with us checking in to answer any questions we had and that level of support is not normally available. If you want a doula that truly cares about you and your baby Chaka is the right woman for the job. Thank you so much Chaka for everything we really appreciate everything You've done for us!

Chaka was everything I had hoped for in a doula. She was so supportive and helped me feel that my…read morevoice was heard by my providers during my pregnancy and birth experience. I had a planned epidural and wondered whether a doula would be worth the cost but it completely was and I would do it all over again. She got my birth moving by turning me back and forth and using the peanut ball, she explained to me everything that was happening (at my request), and made me feel in control which was all that I could hope for as my first birth felt very out of control. I would recommend a doula for every birth and definitely recommend Chaka!

It has been almost 2 years since I've me Lara Lasky. On summer 2020 as soon as i decided to have a…read morehome birth I was in a search for midwife and doula. As always I listened to my intuition. So first doula I found didn't click, but second one was perfect match for me. Lara was nice, very informative from our first conversation. With her help I found a midwife. I was totally new in homebirthing, very excited aboit my first pregnancy though. Lara gave me lots of information. We had signed contract at our first meeting and it was pure pleasure to deal with her. During my pregnancy we've been since each other for reiki session, for reflexology session that she does. She was always enough, non judgmental, soothing and elencouraging,, positive, fun and very much helpful whenever I had guestion or concern. With my husband we attended her birth class where she explained and showed in details what is going to happen. Even though I was tired to listen, my husband remembered it all. And in time when it's happening mind goes to rest and great spirit works in cooperation with woman's body. It's an epic experience I can say. When time came Lara arrived very quickly in the middle of the night. And then she showed her power, knowledge in action!! She was there for me all the time, somehow she also manged to support my husband in the process. She brought ger own stuff. So there was essential oils to relax me, music to calm us all. She did amazing things with my back, supporting me everywhere, keeping me hydrated. We had moments of laughter. After my son was born I was exhausted and surprisingly for me I had to give birth to placenta. Lara saw me and felt me so good. She was holding my hand and I could lean on her like she was my mother without words she showed me that deep compassion and love in her eyes. I'm beyond grateful for Lara being with at birth of my son. She also helped me with afterbirth time. She did and teach us bending. She took care of my son, so I could sleep, prepared food for me and helped with laundry. I was surprised with how much she could do for a short period of time. Another important thing that we were texting when I was struggling with motherhood first months. And again she was there for me, once she even came late evening, when what I needed was a HUG and little talk, while I was at home by myself with my son and not being able to put him to sleep. Lara is truly a Gift for mothers who needs help with birth and afterbirth. Lots of blessing to her and her family!

Working with Lara was the best decision I made for my delivery. As last minute as I was(SUPER LAST…read moreMINUTE), she made it all work with me. I'm so happy she was there, as soon as she was, I felt more at ease and more comfortable. I turned to her for knowledge and solace. It was my first baby and I had no idea what to expect and my anxiety was through the roof. She was extremely patient with me and was there every step of the way. She made sure to look out for my best interests in labor and delivery, my golden hour with my babe and helped me with latching and breastfeeding. After delivery, she came to check on us and always sent a text every now and again to see how we were and if we needed anything. I've recommended her to family and friends whenever anyone has asked for a doula. And I will continue to recommend her and her business to anyone! Thank you to this wonderful practice!

UPDATE 3/20/26: This is now my second time using Chicago Family Doulas and I'd give alllll the…read morestars if I could! Another amazing experience. We were paired with Tiana for sibling care and she was everything you'd want in someone caring for your children - kind, caring, professional, intuitive and FUN. My 5 and 2 year old loved spending time with her. She was extremely communicative before, during, and after her time with us. She sent us regular updates with videos and photos too. The whole team is very engaged and responsive including the admin team and the owner. You can tell they all care deeply about this work and their clients. I would not hesitate to use this team for any type of doula service in the future and I recommend to anyone considering these types of services for their family.

We had a great experience with birth doula and postpartum doula support. Erin and Brittany were…read moresuch great guides for us as first time parents and made us feel supported through each step in the process. Thank you!

We enjoyed working with Lindsey as a birth doula for my recent birth. She is very calm, friendly,…read moreknowledgeable about pregnancy and infant care and familiar with navigating the hospital environment. She helped me during a hospital birth where I made use of tub and tried to avoid interventions. During labor, she assisted by putting heat packs on my pressure points, guiding me into different positions to make laboring easier and effective, making use of a tub for labor, and creating a calm, reassuring and positive atmosphere. Her experience, knowledge, confidence and personality make her a great doula. She also has kids of her own and can relate to moms.

I wish I could give a 6th star. I was nervous to give birth so I opted to get a doula…read more I can't say enough good things about Holly--she was truly a lifesaver during my birth experience. From the start, her calm, grounded energy helped me feel supported and confident, even when things didn't go according to plan. When my labor stalled, Holly guided me through exercises that actually got things moving--my water broke soon after, and she also shared positions that helped my baby flip. Her pain management workshop gave me tools I leaned on hard during some intense moments. And when my epidural failed (twice!), Holly didn't miss a beat. She advocated for me when I was in pain and made sure I felt heard and cared for. I honestly don't know what I would've done without her. She played a huge role in turning what could've been a traumatic experience into something empowering. If you're considering a doula, do yourself a favor and call Holly. She's the real deal.

I couldn't say better things about Rebekkah, if I did it would come off like a stalker. I love her,…read moreI have had her for both of my son's births. One with an epidural and one without. Her comfort of knowing what I needed and when I needed it was unmatched. Her knowledge about birth and positioning was amazing. She held what I valued and needed to a standard. And she was the strength I needed to continue on.

I found Rebekkah (supported serenity) through the Birth Center of Chicago's referral list, who…read moreworks in tandem with Amber (Lorelei Lu Doula), and after browsing many doula websites, I knew right away that they were the team I wanted by my side. They supported me through my entire prenatal, birth, and postpartum journey with such steady care.When the Birth Center of Chicago temporarily closed due to a staffing shortage, I had to transfer to Burr Ridge Birth Center (also wonderful!). Amber and Rebekkah ensured the transition was completely seamless, and I still felt fully supported during such a major change at seven months pregnant. Throughout my pregnancy, they offered calm reassurance and evidence-based guidance that truly prepared me for birth. I felt confident, grounded, and ready. Rebekkah attended my birth and later encapsulated my placenta--she even delivered the capsules with homemade cookies. During labor, her clear explanations of what was happening helped me stay present, focused, and connected to what my body was capable of. I'm endlessly grateful that I found them. I cannot recommend this doula team enough!

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.

Nina was phenomenal! She stayed with me for my whole 39 hour labor and I don't think I could have…read moregiven birth without her there. She was also amazing prior to my birth! I am a person who has a ton of questions about everything and freaks out over stuff. She answered every question and concern with compassion and understanding. She never made me feel stupid or like I was bothering her. I highly recommend her! She's the best!

Nina helped my husband and I welcome our son last October and we have been SO grateful for her…read morehelp. She was a great source of information in the time leading up to the birth, a huge supporter during the birth, and has been a caring voice checking in during the months after. This was our first child, so we were learning as we went along. Nina got us thinking about things that we weren't even aware of for our birth plan, but that ended up being really important to us. She was a calming voice and a soothing touch when it was most needed. And, she collaborated with our midwife to help us have a great birthing experience. I can't recommend Nina enough and I hope that we will be able to work with her again!