Chicago/Evanston Doula Recommendation?

[kitchensqueen]

We live in Rogers Park in Chicago, and will likely deliver at Evanston Hospital (part of the North Shore University Health System). We'd like to have a doula at the birth. Does anyone have any good recommendations? And how should I interview prospective doulas?

[aphel]

You should contact Birthways in Ravenswood. They have a variety of doulas in different price ranges based on levels of experience. I don't know how far along you are, or if this is your first, but they have a fantabulous childbirth ed class taught by one of my most favorite ladies ever.

I had a great delivery at Evanston, good luck!

[kitchensqueen]

Thanks for the recommendation; I'll check them out. This is my first and I'm about five months along, so I'm basically clueless. :-)

[DoulaSam]

The way I am usually contacted in through email where people give me a brief bio about them(a mix of due date, hospital, type of birth, pregnancy info and why they want a doula) and then ask some questions which usually include:

-price and what that includes

-availability

-if I go to their area

-how many births I have attended

-views on the type of birth they are hoping for

These are some good ways to search as well

You can type in your zip and it will give you doulas who cover your area and also has most doulas websites connected

http://doulamatch.net/default.aspx?doulatype=Birth

These are different certifying agencies and most have listings

http://www.dona.org/

http://www.tolabor.com/

http://www.cappa.net/

http://www.birthworks.org/site/

http://www.icea.org/

[kitchensqueen]

I know cost depends on a variety of factors (location, level of service, experience, etc.) but what are the typical price ranges to have a doula attend a birth?

[DoulaSam]

It really is a huge range, but this is kind of the basic

Doulas working on certification are usually free or only charge the cost of gas and parking(though tipping them more if possible is a really nice thing to do). If you are looking for in training you can call DONA and ask for their list of in training doulas.

Newer doulas tend to be cheaper then an experienced doula I think a safe guess would be $300-400

Experienced doulas are usually in the $600-$900 range depending on location and services. Some charge more to go to city hospitals vs suburb ones because of the extra parking, also some include extra things with their services as well which makes it on the higher end.

Really experienced doulas or doulas in wealthy areas are $1000+ and some are even $2000 depending services

[lucypch]

I'm pat of a doula board. PM or email me with your info and I can send out a request for your area. They can contact you and you can go from there.

Lucy Coria CBrE
Brio Birth Childbirth Educator

[Imprint]

So far, my only experience is in trying to find, meeting, and hiring a doula, but I did so through Birthways, but, like aphel, would recommend them, thus far.  I have really liked the content in their website; phone, email and personal contacts with administrators and the doula we chose; the variety of experience and price levels, desire to find a good match, and willingness to work with our circumstances.  Whether you use them or not, I hope you find someone equally satisfying and encouraging for your own labor support!

[jgracefrank]

My midwife (CPM) is also a doula. She is FANTASTIC. If you PM me, I'll get your her info.

Also-I'm a Rogers Park mama! We're near Pratt and Ashland. Are you close by?

[rachieface]

I work for Birthways, so I'm totally biased....but they're an awesome group of doulas.   BTW, Chicago mommas, you should join our weekly Mothering.com playgroup!  We usually meet once every week or every other week in the mornings in the Irving Park area.  It's so great to make friends with similar mothers!

[aphel]

P.s. kitchenqueen, I have not forgot about you! Will pm soon . . . .