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 in 2013, and has since also trained and certified with ProDoula® (2016) and Hypnobabies® (2018). In addition to having top quality training experience in the birth industry, Kelsey also has personal experiences in multiple birth options and scenarios. She has attended over 150 births and with her multiple doula partners throughout the years, supported over 300 families. 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 homeschooling her children and supporting transitioning families, you can find her enjoying the outdoors or with her nose in a book.

Meg Smith, CD(DONA), CCE, HCHD, CD-PIC, SpBCPE

Birth, Postpartum & Infant Care Doula, Certified Spinning Babies® Parent Educator, Certified Breastfeeding Counselor

Meg Smith is a DONA Certified Birth Doula and has attended over 360 Births, She is a ProDoula Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula. She has provided over 1700 hours of support for families. She is also a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator. Meg is a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor and is a Peanut Ball Trainer with  knowledge through Premier Birth Tools to utilize the peanut ball in labor and birth. Meg is also  an HCHD Hypnobabies® HypnoDoula 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 adult children that have both attended Illinois State University. Go Redbirds!

Teri Hatfield, CD (DONA), CD-PIC, BBCI, SpBCPE

Birth & Postpartum Doula, Birth Boot Camp Childbirth Educator, Certified Spinning Babies® Parent Educator

Teri Hatfield holds many trainings and certifications including Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Birth Boot Camp Childbirth Educator and Certified Spinning Babies® Parent Educator. 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 & Postpartum Doula, Prenatal Yoga Instructor, Birth Your Way Childbirth Educator

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 doula (ToLabor) in 2016 she knew she was fulfilling a deep calling within her to nurture and empower families throughout their entire pregnancy, birth and postpartum 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.

Dana Watson, CPD, PES

Birth Doula, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist

Dana has always been a helper, nurturer and problem solver. Intuitively knowing what those around her need.

After the birth of her second baby, she had her placenta encapsulated and noticed such a difference in her emotional and physical recovery. This prompted her to train and certify with Tranquil Transitions Placenta Services in 2014 and quickly after with ToLabor and ProDoula in both birth and postpartum doula support as well as childbirth education.

Outside of her work life, you can find Dana immersed in the homeschool community or watching her girls master Taekwondo. She enjoys spending time gardening, crocheting or doing crafty things.

Dana feels there is a need in our society for more holistic birth and postpartum care. As a mother of 3 girls, she hopes to help be the change for new mothers and families. She looks forward to being a part of your team!

Chaka Wade-Cuadra, CD(DONA), CLC

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Chaka is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist, Certified Lactation Counselor and a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist who has been supporting families in the Western Suburbs since 2014. She believes in informing, empowering and supporting families prenatally, during birth and postnatally. Her passion for birth work started when she was looking for a doula for the birth of her second child. After working with her birth clients, she realized the need and importance of also providing postpartum support. Chaka enjoys working with all family types and sizes and specializes in the care of families with multiples.

Chaka received her birth doula certification and postpartum doula training through DONA International, trained as a NCS through the Newborn Care Specialist Association, certified as a lactation counselor through the Healthy Children Project and trained as a placenta encapsulator through PBi. She also has a BS in Animal Science/Biotechnology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Chaka recently moved to St. Charles from Naperville with her husband, Moses, and their two children. In her spare time, Chaka enjoys crocheting, cooking, participating in outdoor activities and her guilty pleasure of watching reality TV. She also loves caring for their two cats and two dogs.

Elle Mercado

Postpartum Doula

Elle started her career supporting families as a preschool educator in Glenview, IL. After 5 years in the classroom, Elle transitioned into the mental health field as an emergency room social worker. Elle holds a bachelors in social work and is working towards a master's in social work. During her Child Advocacy research in her undergraduate years, Elle discovered the shortcomings all parents face during pregnancy; this inspired Elle to complete doula training in 2021. Elle prides herself on the research and education that brought her to birth work.

Elle's trauma-informed approach uses a social work model to deliver an interdisciplinary approach to birth work.
Elle's mindset with all clients has allowed her to remain a student while supporting families "I firmly believe I have something to learn from your experience. I am here for you, without bias or judgment, here to ensure you feel supported."

When not at work, Elle can be found teaching free community Zoom yoga classes, trying new plant-based recipes, discovering trails in the Chicago suburbs, or spending time with her partner and cat, Lt. Dan.