"We couldn't have been happier with our choice of Kate as our doula for the birth of our daughter Noor Isadora.  And if we have another baby, there is no one we would rather have accompany us on our journey than Kate!"
~Nina & Mido

What Doula Support Looks Like with TBC

Currently Booking for September 2020 and beyond
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Birth doula support - starts at $1200
Additional prenatal visits - $100 + travel time

I'm interested in doula support. Now what?

 Awesome.  I am, too.  Once you contact me, I'll email you to set up a time to connect. I love to half a brief chat on the phone because I find it helps potential clients get a better sense of who I am.  Don't feel like we connect? No problem - I don't want to waste your time.  Feel like we totally hit it off and I'd be an amazing asset to your birth?  Great! We'll set up a time for an in-person or video interview with you and your partner.  Either way, both of these are no-pressure points of contact that enhance our working relationship if you decide to hire me.

I must have you as my doula. Tell me how!

Wonderful!  Signing my contract and submitting the retainer fee reserves your spot on my calendar.  Until those things happen I don't consider myself booked by you, and my schedule may fill up with other clients.  I always encourage prospective clients to take their time (finding the right doula is important!) but do jump into action once you know I'm the one for you. Besides, the earlier we start working together, the more I can offer you.

We've hired you! Now what?

As soon as you've booked me for birth support, I'm... your doula!  You can call/text/email me with your questions and concerns, and I will provide you with resources, referrals, and information as needed.  Just need a listening ear?  I do that, too.  Sometimes having a landing place for All The Thoughts is just what's needed.  Perhaps you and your midwife or OB didn't get to all your questions in your last prenatal; I can help you with those.  Looking for a chiro/acupuncturist/yoga recommendation? I got you.  Prenatals are generally scheduled for the third trimester. If you are interested in additional prenatal visits, contact me for rates. 

What goes down at a prenatal?

Prenatals tend to be one part chatting, one part education, and one part therapy (not really - I am not a therapist nor do I play one on that recent Netflix show). My goal is to continue to get to know you and your partner better (and have you know me better), provide you with tools and confidence to sail through early labor on your own, and hear what's on your mind regarding your labor.  We also go over how and when to be in touch with me when you think labor is starting.  Hopefully when I leave you feel at peace and even a little excited about what's to come!

What's a doula interview like?

Interviews generally last 30-60 minutes and can be in-person or over Skype or Zoom. It's another point of contact for you to get to know me a bit better, catch your partner up on our initial chat (s/he will hopefully be present as well), and ask any follow-up questions.  I love to ask some questions to get a sense of what it is you're hoping for in your birth experience and how you see me being a part of that. If you're ready I'll send you my contract afterward, or you can follow up with me when you've made your decision. If you're not sure what to ask in a doula interview, you can Google "questions to ask a doula" and you will be inundated with options.  Choose the ones that are important to you!
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What's included when I hire you?

,Once we're committed to working together, I am available to you as a resource for all things pregnancy and birth.  I have a lending library with lots of books for you to borrow if you'd like.  We'll have one or two prenatal meetings (depending on your preference and how close to your due date you book), and then I go on-call for your birth starting at 38 weeks.  I always work with a back-up team in the event that I'm struck by the plague or have multiple clients in labor (always ask about back-up when you are interviewing doulas!), and you are welcome to connect with them.  When you're ready for in-person birth support in labor, I'll meet you and your partner either at home or at your place of birth, and  support you in birthing your baby.  After the birth I stay with you 1-2 hours, support you in the golden, or first hour, help with initial breastfeeding, pack up your placenta if you're encapsulating, and answer any questions that you have. I check in with you via text over the next week or so, and you are always welcome to contact me with any questions you have.  We'll do a postpartum visit when you're ready and I continue to be available to you via text, phone, or email for six weeks.

We want a doula... without the doula!

You love the idea of having emotional and informational support during your pregnancy.  You love talking through various questions, concerns, or other birthy phenomenons with a knowledgeable person.  But, you just aren't sure about having a doula at the actual birth. Can we still work together? Absolutely.  I am happy to offer "Everything But the Doula" support.  Contact me and I'll put together a package that meets your needs.

Should I take a birth class?

Yes, yes, yes, a thousand yesses!  And by birth class, I don't mean what's offered through your hospital.  While these birth classes are great at telling you what to expect in giving birth at that specific facility, they don't typically talk birth the way an independent class talks birth.  In a hospital birth class you are more likely to hear things based on policy: "When you arrive you will receive an IV".  In an independent birth class you will hear more about options: "While some hospitals like to place an IV upon arrival, you may decline as this will provide you with more mobility to move during labor".  Big difference.  In fact, I am such a proponent of childbirth education that if you can either hire as doula OR take a class, I advocate for taking the class.  Take the independent birth class! (And yes, I have referrals for you.)

Contact kate now

Areas Served

Evanston, the Northshore,  Arlington Heights, Northwest Community, Evanston Hospital, Condell, Liberyville, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Illinois Masonic Hospital, Prentice Women's Hospital, Presence Resurrection Medical Center, Northbrook, Chicago, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glen Oaks, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, Niles, Glenview, Near Northside, Rogers Park doula, Elmhurst Hospital, Hinsdale Hospital, Rush-Copley Aurora, Rush Medical Center, and more! ​