Postpartum Care Overnight Newborn Archives

Karina Rodrigues Pascoal

Karina is a Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc. She was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. As the oldest of 3 sisters, her mother worked as a career nanny and Karina shares her passion to care for babies and families. When Karina had an opportunity to come work in the US, she met her partner and started her own family, giving birth to her son in 2014. Through her own birth and postpartum experience, she became consumed by how impactful it is to have the right support in the very beginning of the parenting journey. In 2023 she became a doula, supporting new families blooming in joy, confidence, and so much love. She believes being a doula is without a doubt work of the heart.

Karina’s hobbies are aimed towards finding calmness. She is studying to get a degree in psychology, learning how our minds process information and emotions, and applies that within her doula practice. Emotional and mental health is extremely important to Karina ad she sees how having doula support significantly decrease anxiety, depression or other symptoms of emotional distress that can surface in the beginning of parenting journeys. Karina plays piano and electric organ for relaxation. She can be found walking and spending time in nature, enjoying scented candles and vintage objects to build in her sense of tranquility.

In their own words: “If we want to change the world, we must do it one birth at a time.” Once I learned how much positive and compassionate support, during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, can affect a family in not only short term but also long term, I understood that this work could help change the world. And that be-came my intention.

What clients say:

“When we met Karina, she immediately impacted us with warmth, kindness and wonderfulness all around. She is the best. We never had to worry about anything.” -Angela R.“

Karina is super easy to talk to. She took really good care of our baby. She cleans and straightens up the house so professionally. She would always say “it’s about giving them the best start to their day than they can imagine.” She was our favorite.” -Jen K.

Caitlyn Novakovic

Caitlyn is a Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc. Caitlyn’s passion for working with children and families is longstanding with 10 years working in the education field in addition to her doula work. As a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing she worked with students of all ages as well as families of children 0-5, focusing on language development, mile- stones, advocacy, and parent education. She was called to explore Doula work after finishing her health coaching training and supporting a friend through pregnancy and the postpartum period, witnessing the support that families could really benefit from while navigating the medical system and new parenthood in our society, while also having the desire to call upon her experience in education and working with children and families.

In addition to being a certified postpartum doula, Caitlyn is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Hormone Coach, and Holistic Pregnancy and Birth Practitioner. She takes a personalized approach to caring for, educating, and supporting her clients to meet them where they are, while providing evidence based care during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. She believes the postpartum period is one of the most special and important times in the parents’ and child’s lives that can set the tone for the next few months, years, and beyond. In her free time, Caitlyn enjoys spending time in nature, especially exploring places like the Morton Arboretum, visiting friends in the Pacific Northwest, trying new recipes, or spending time with her pets at home. She is honored to have the opportunity to walk alongside families to provide the care, support, and education they need to thrive.

In their own words:
“I became a doula after witnessing how personalized 1:1 care and support
can truly change the outcomes for a new family and baby. Knowing that I am
helping other tiny new humans and their family have a strong start in this
world reminds me everyday that I have the best job ever!”

What clients say:

– “Caitlyn was so good about asking me what was helpful to me. She under-
stood that it might be holding the baby, or household, or just sitting with me,

watching tv and being in space together.” -Clare X

– “Caitlyn is intelligent, an excellent team player, very integral, super open to feedback, emotionally mature in a way that they have open honest conversation, compassionate and authentic in her pursuits as a doula” -Betty J

Sarah Munoz

Sarah is a certified birth doula with over 3 years of experience providing emotional, physical, and informational support to families during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

As a calm and nurturing presence, Sarah empowers mothers through evidence-based education and continuous compassionate care. Her strengths lie in creating a safe, comfortable birth environment and facilitating open communication between families and medical staff. She has attended over 50 births and is highly skilled in pain management techniques like breathing exercises, massage, and labor positioning.

Clients benefit from Sarah’s background in yoga and movement as well as mindfulness and meditation. She brings a wealth of knowledge of chronic pain and pregnancy, pelvic floor physical therapies, symphysis pubis dysfunction, and postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Sarah is truly passionate about advocating for her clients’ birthing wishes while providing reassurance every step of the way. With a depth of knowledge and a warm, patient demeanor, she helps new parents embrace the birthing journey with confidence, support families through infertility treatments, and hold space for those suffering from pregnancy and childbirth trauma.

Ebony Johnson

Ebony is a certified Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc., providing daytime and overnight support for families in the greater Chicago area. Ebony is a certified full-spectrum traditional birth worker with intention to become a midwife.

With kindness and a nonjudgmental approach, Ebony is dedicated to providing personalized, holistic postpartum care that is focused on both maternal and infant wellbeing. Ebony is happy to share her expertise in West African traditional belly binding, baby soothing techniques, sleep training, self care, meal preparation, and more!

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I wholeheartedly believe that the work of a birth worker is truly divine. It brings me immense joy to witness the incredible transformations and the abundant love that surrounds the miracle of birth.

Emylee Shultz

Emylee is a Labor Support and Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc., serving the greater Chicago area. Her passion for doula work was truly awoken from her own pregnancy and postpartum experience. She believes the new normal for postpartum families includes support, resources, and rest, and she is honored to be part of that reality.

Emylee supports families during this transitional phase in their lives, helping to lay the postpartum foundation that leads to better outcomes for the entire family unit. In pursuit of obtaining her BSN, Emylee continues supporting local families during the postpartum period with a holistic approach to care.

Joy Yama

Joy is a Labor Support and Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc., serving the greater Chicago area. Joy has extensive experience with infants and children, as well as supporting mothers through labor and the postpartum period. Joy is passionate about coaching women through labor and supporting mothers learn to breastfeed, care for their body after birth, and build confidence in caring for their newborn.

In addition to doula work, Joy owns a licensed home daycare business. Joy is honored to be a listening ear, wealth of knowledge for new parents, and an overall support during the labor and postpartum period. Doula work brings Joy peace and happiness, as she understands the love and help needed through the journey of early parenthood.

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It is my passion to help mothers feel safe, loved, and most of all to get through that tough time before and after labor. It is my passion to be there for families that need my help and to respect their home culture, doing what they need to feel safe, confident, and rested to get their body and mind back.

Francine Kazmierski

Francine is a Labor Support and overnight Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc., serving the greater Chicago area. Francine specializes in working with twins, and strives to help moms feel supported and educated through their postpartum journey.

In addition to her work as a doula, Francine is currently pursuing her nursing degree to work in the NICU. She enjoys providing her knowledge to families so that they feel educated, empowered, and confident as parents.

Maia Díaz

Maia is a certified Birth Doula and Breastfeeding counselor at Birthways, serving the Chicago area. Maia has a love of infant care and passion for child rearing. She has witnessed first hand the profound physical, mental and emotional changes that take place for the mother and family during the postpartum period.

Her experience giving birth to her own daughter in late 2022 only intensified her passion, and she feels a profound connection to, respect for, and obligation to support all birthing people every step of their journey.

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My passion for labor support comes from a place of absolute wonderment and awe at what our bodies are capable of, and my belief that pregnancy and childbirth can and should be an incredibly empowering experience. Whether via c-section, induction, medicated, unmedicated, no two birthing experiences will be exactly the same, and at the end of the day, to help bring babies into the world and empower birthing people to do so confidently is both a privilege and an honor.

Akiwele Burayidi

Aki serves the Chicago area as a certified labor support and postpartum doula at Birthways, while also being a certified childbirth educator and yoga instructor. Aki is passionate about maternal health, and has a unique ability to keep people calm and make people feel cared for, even in stressful situations.

In addition to her birth work, Aki is a certified yoga instructor who teaches classes weekly. Her personal yoga practice has taught her so much about mindfulness and somatic awareness. These give her a unique perspective on coaching people through their births and helping birthing people and their partners to deepen connection to their own bodies and needs during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum time.

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My intention is to support people through the perinatal period as they grieve, celebrate, endure, and love. I hope to be one part of a community that uplifts each other to be the best version of ourselves possible, especially in the turbulence of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Chanel Washington

Chanel is a Labor Support and Postpartum Doula at Birthways, Inc., serving the greater Chicago area. Chanel has supported over 400 births in the past 5 years, and is currently a student midwife. Chanel loves meeting families from different backgrounds, and enjoys learning from each one.

As she deepens her calling in this work, Chanel strives to advocate for all her clients, and works to strengthen BIPOC communities in their bodies and births. Chanel understands the importance of unconditional support and encouragement during what can be an emotional and scary time. She recognizes that teaming with the right energies and professionals makes all the difference for you and your baby.

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The mental and emotional support I received during, before, and after birth were more than she guaranteed and truly made my time with her unforgettable. –R Nails

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Specialty: Postpartum Care Overnight Newborn