Meet The Windy City Doulas Birth Team
Samantha T-Owner, Birth and Postpartum Doula
Samantha is the owner of Windy City Doulas and long time Chicago Doula. Her profile can be viewed here
Desiree Y-Birth and Postpartum Doula
Desiree spent the first 15 years of her career working with families via social services before making the transition to doula work in 2013, since then she's had the joy of working with dozens of new families on their journey to parenthood.
Her approach to supporting families is to meet them where they're at for both birth and postpartum support. This means that Dez provides unbiased support to help her clients achieve their ideal birth experience in all situations whenever possible and making sure the client feels supported in all outcomes. In addition to hands on support for families Desiree prides herself in being a professional support resource as well.
In her spare time she enjoys embracing time and being active with her children and husband in the Chicago suburbs.
Holly R- Educator, Birth and Postpartum Doula
Holly has been supporting families in the Windy City since 2006. She brings compassion, wisdom and unbiased support to help parents find their own way and establish their unique family unit.
Holly not only focuses on hands on support, but has a strong education background. She runs ongoing Birthing From Within classes (KickAss birth!), with an emphasis on birth as a Rite of Passage both at the Windy City office and in the northern burbs.
Holly has three children, all born in Chicago. When she's not waiting on babies, you can find her painting in her art in her studio or enjoying the nature she and her family moved to the northern burbs for!
Tiffany G- Birth and Postpartum Doula
Tiffany Gorman has been working with families, infants and young children for over 10 years. She is an experienced doula and received her training from SMC Full Circle Doulas. Tiffany also has a Master of Science in Child Development from Erikson Institute.
Her passion for young children started when she was a teenager babysitting. She is a mother of one, wife, yoga instructor and aromatherapy practitioner. Tiffany is committed to helping whole families be whole families.
Tiffany has continued her passion for supporting postpartum families by attending multiple new trainings included becoming a certified lactation counselor.
Paris M - Birth and Postpartum
Paris has been working as a doula since 2018 after training with DONA. Paris used a doula for the birth of her 2nd child and was so inspired by the experience she decided it was a career she wanted for herself! In 2021 Paris decided to expand her skill set and has been training to become a home birth midwife and will be sitting for boards soon.
After experiencing almost all birth choices with her own three children Paris is dedicated to helping families find the support and birth choices that align with their specific needs during their pregnancy.
In addition to birth support Paris has a passion for helping parents as the bring their baby(ies) home and adjust to life as a new family. Her goal is to help parents feel supported, educated and confident in their choices while also helping them rest and recover in those early weeks.
When not working with new families Paris resides in the suburbs with her young children and enjoys watching them explore new adventures.
Jessica K-Birth, Postpartum Doula and Education
Jessica firmly believes that the saying "It takes a village" is one of the most important lessons of parenthood, and enjoys helping parents navigate their own individual journeys- discussing what is best for them specifically and recognizing that we all have our own unique sets of needs, hopes, and resources.
She aims to meet every family where they are at, and specializes in families coping with stressors such as anxiety, depression, and recovery from difficult labor and deliveries.
When she is not working, she enjoys making the most of the amazing food in Chicago, relaxing by the lake or in the forest, watching superhero movies with her teenage sons, and cuddling with her daughter.
Briana O- Birth and Postpartum Doula
Briana is a full spectrum doula who has a passion for helping new and expecting families. After supporting family & friends throughout their pregnancy & feeding journeys for the past 8 years Briana decided to make it official and certified as a birth and postpartum doula.
Briana prides herself in being patient, respectful, reliable & emotionally present for her clients. After experiencing her own traumatic birth in 2014 she made it her goal to help families have the appropriate knowledge & support surrounding pregnancy, birth, feeding & the postpartum period. She aims to help clients feel support and heard in all birthing scenarios and adjust to the changes that newborn life brings with as much rest and confidence as possible.
When not fighting for birth justice, Briana is homeschooling her two young boys (ages 8 & 10), being a soccer mom, & running her own handmade bath & body business, plus event space.
Ashley B - Birth and Postpartum Doula
Ashley is a certified birth and postpartum doula, IBCLC student, and mom of four. She knows firsthand that birth and the early postpartum days can be both transformative and overwhelming, which is why she prides herself on offering practical and compassionate support tailored to your needs.
Her goal is to help her clients feel prepared for for birth and specializes in working with high risk pregnancies and those who have had a previous traumatic birth.
For postpartum families Ashley specializes in helping families to achieve their feeding and sleep goals through prenatal planning and hands on education and support after birth.
When she’s not supporting families, shes keeping up with her kids, tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants, or working on her latest crochet project.
Lindsey B - Birth and Postpartum Doula
Lindsey is a mom of three, the oldest sibling of five, and a former nanny with a background in early childhood and infant care. She is also a registered yoga teacher.
Lindsey’s fascination with the beauty of the birthing process began with the birth of her first child, 15 years ago. Since that time, she has supported countless friends and family members through pregnancy and labor. In 2022, she decided to pursue her passion full time and completed her birth doula training.
Lindsey is kind and warm; her patience and ability to remain steadfast under pressure will help you to feel empowered and at ease. Lindsey believes that all birthing people are deserving of a beautiful experience, and will help you to find yours.
Shantel - Birth and Postpartum
Shantel is a full spectrum doula trained through Doula Training International. In addition to her doula trainings she also a certified lactation counselor, and trained in Spinning babies. Prior to becoming a doula, Shantel worked with children for almost a decade as a nanny, daycare teacher and camp setting.
As a postpartum doula, she has experience supporting families with both daytime and overnight care. Shantel enjoys helping with cooking, cleaning, running errands, and sibling care during daytimes shifts and helping families feel more confident while allowing them to get much needed rest during her night time support shifts.
While studying abroad in England, Shantel learned how common doulas were, specifically in Europe and upon returning home began her focus on doula support. Her mission is to help birthing and postpartum families to feel safe and have autonomy over their bodies and babies as they give birth and welcome their baby(s) home.
Mia W - Birth and Postpartum Doula (on leave starting winter 2024)
Mia is a postpartum and birth doula who shares a passion for helping new and soon-to-be families. For the past 5 years she has supported families from a childcare role and as a medical assistant. In 2021 she formally received her doula training through the Black Wombman Doula Course.
Her journey to becoming a doula came with the birth of her daughter. An experience that left her with many questions. After a difficult gestational experience, Mia has a soft sport for other high risk expecting and new parents. Her goal is to bring calm to this season of life as you transition into parenthood.
Mia is the mother to two young daughters and two puppies. When she is taking a break from being a doula, you can find her running to ballet practices with her little one, performing spoken word, finding a new recipe to master, cuddled on the couch enjoying movies with her husband.
Elly H - Birth Doula
Elly is a trained Bebo Mia birth doula with a background in Health Science and a passion for empowering families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She is an Evidence Based Birth® professional with specialized training in Spinning Babies techniques and is currently pursuing a lactation counselor certification to further enhance the support she provides to families.
Bilingual in Spanish, Elly prides herself in being able to care for a diverse range of clients, ensuring accessibility and comfort for all. Elly believes in meeting families where they at, listening to their unique needs, and providing unwavering support every step of the way. She approaches each birth with warmth, empathy, and a deep respect for the individuality of every journey, creating a space where families feel truly seen, heard, and cared for.
In her time away from birth work Elly is mother of three and loves spending time with her family and being heavily involved in their extra curricular activities.