Kelsey Haliti, CPD, HCHD; Birth & Postpartum Doula, Birth Your Way Childbirth Educator

Kelsey has always had a passion for supporting others. After graduating with her Bachelors in Psychology from North Central College, she and her husband found out they were expecting their first baby. It was through her personal experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum that she found her calling in birth work. The validation that proper education and reliable support are crucial during one of the most important events in the lives of new families has been her driving force. She trained and certified with The Bradley Method® to become a childbirth educator and birth doula, and has since also trained and certified with ProDoula® and Hypnobabies®. In addition to having top quality training experience in the birth industry, Kelsey also has personal experiences in multiple birth options and scenarios. Her knowledge of, and passion for, all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum stem from years of professional and personal involvement in the birth work world. Kelsey lives in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with her husband, two children, and German shepherd. Aside from motherhood and all things birth, she enjoys dabbling in photography and leading a holistic lifestyle.

Meg Smith, CD(DONA), CCE, HCHD; Birth & Postpartum Doula, Birth Your Way Childbirth Educator

Meg Smith is a DONA International certified birth doula. She is a ProDoula certified postpartum and infant care doula and a certified childbirth educator through ACBE, a Birth Your Way educator, an HCHD Hypnobabies® hypno doula and a VBAC trained birthworker. It was in supporting her sister in labor and birth that sparked Meg’s passion in this work. She loves helping families turn their dream birth experience into reality and being an important part of their support system in the postpartum period. Meg is a calm and comforting presence in this joyous life transition. Aside from being a certified doula, she has a Bachelor’s degree in social work. Meg lives in Naperville with her supportive husband, Kris. She enjoys peaceful morning walks, hanging out with her grandson, spending time with her son that attends Illinois State and watching her daughter play in her high school basketball games.

Teri Hatfield, CD (DONA); Birth Doula

Teri Hatfield is a birth doula certified with DONA International. Becoming a doula is a second career for her as she also holds a BA in Psychology from Ripon College and an MBA from Olivet Nazarene University. After years in the business world, she found her way into birth work after the birth of her children and helping friends and family through the births of their babies and watching the lack of care provided to them. The decision to become a doula was confirmed after a trip abroad showed the amount of support that can be given to a mother and partner in other parts of the world. She became a doula to be a part of helping mothers and partners to feel supported through their journey into parenthood.

Teri has nurtured all types of families and believes all birthing choices should be respected by those providing care. By giving consistent care to families both before, during, and after birth she hopes that families will find birth a positive experience. She wants the birthing person and her partner to feel heard, supported, and safe. Birth is about new beginnings and the birth of a new family!

In Teri’s free time she enjoys her family, horseback riding, and being outdoors as much as possible.

Valerie Drews, CPD, CYT; Birth Doula, Prenatal Yoga Instructor

Valerie graduated from Central Michigan University in 2005 with a Bachelors in Education. She spent the next nine years teaching middle school while simultaneously pursuing her Master of Arts in Administration from Olivet Nazarene University in 2012.

In 2013 she and her husband, Gabe, welcomed their first son into the world and Valerie began her transition out of the school classroom and into the world of birthing and educating families. Two and a half years later, their second son was born. Her personal birth experiences ignited her desire to support women and their families for the past 6 years. When Valerie became a certified birth doula (ToLabor), in 2016 she knew she was fulfilling a deep calling within her to nurture and empower birthing families throughout their entire pregnancy journey.

Valerie is certified in yoga, vinyasa, with additional training in the prenatal sector. She holds her 200-hour yoga certification from Core Power (2014) and was trained specifically in prenatal yoga in 2015.

Valerie is passionate about helping women as they prepare for motherhood.  She is a wealth of knowledge and a true resource for families in this exciting time of life. She has been told she is both comforting and encouraging. Even in challenging situations, she remains calm and stands strong by your side through your unique birth experience.

Valerie loves to slow down and enjoy life through camping, hiking and spending quality time with her family and friends. You can find Valerie homeschooling her two boys and participating in co-op and community experiences with them.

Valerie believes participating in the pregnancy and birthing process is a privilege and is honored to be a part of your journey.