Chicago Family Doulas

What Chicago Family Doulas does

Chicago Family Doulas is a privately held, founder-owned doula and newborn care agency headquartered at 205 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, founded by Anna Rodney in 2010. The company operates a 400+ vetted doula network — comprising birth doulas, postpartum doulas, and newborn care specialists — delivering in-person services across 20+ Chicago-area hospitals and 35+ suburbs. Core service lines include birth doula packages (starting at $1,850), hourly postpartum daytime support ($25–$50/hr), overnight shifts ($250–$450/night), and 24/7 live-in newborn care with custom pricing. The company has reportedly supported 10,000+ families since inception and carries 505+ five-star Google reviews. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via phone, web intake, and recurring Baby in Bloom open house events, supplemented by in-network status with employer benefit platforms (Carrot Fertility, Maven Clinic, Progyny) and insurance reimbursement through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Aetna.

Under the Birth & Baby University sub-brand, the company sells certified labor and postpartum doula training ($550/course), cross-certification programs ($175), continuing education ($47/course), 6-week mentorship ($300), a Doula Agency Owner Mentorship ($600), and a $5,000 bundled 'Start or Grow Your Agency Package'. A three-tier Affiliate & Educator Program extends class distribution to external instructors at 50% commission. The 18-person admin team supports the network through specialized intake, communications, events, HR, and partnerships functions, while operational infrastructure is limited to standard e-commerce (ThriveCart) and a BeHerVillage baby registry integration — no proprietary technology platform or AI capabilities are disclosed. The business carries no disclosed venture or institutional funding, no M&A activity, and no leadership turnover beyond founder continuity.

Name

Chicago Family Doulas

Legal name

Chicago Family Doulas

Website

https://chicagofamilydoulas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chicago Family Doulas is a privately held, founder-owned Chicago-area doula agency operating a 400+ vetted doula network that delivers birth, postpartum, overnight, and live-in newborn care to families across Chicagoland, and runs the Birth & Baby University training sub-brand for aspiring doulas and agency owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maternal and Newborn Care Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (6244), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Overnight Newborn Care & Sleep Support (NCS) (HSAAACAB), High-Risk & Medically Complex Newborn Support (Non-Clinical NCS) (HSAAACAG)

Keywords

• Birth doula services
• Postpartum doula support
• Newborn care specialists
• Childbirth education classes
• Doula certification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Birth Doula Support Packages: Flat-fee birth doula packages providing continuous labor support. At Chicago Family Doulas, birth support starts at $1,850 per package. Nationally, birth doulas range $800–$3,500+. Packages typically include prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and postpartum follow-up. One-time fee per birth engagement.
2. Postpartum Doula Services (Daytime): Hourly daytime postpartum support billed at $25–$50 per hour. Families book by the hour for daytime help in the early weeks/months postpartum.
3. Overnight Doula Shifts: Per-shift overnight newborn care billed at $250–$450 per night. Families book overnight shifts to get sleep while the doula cares for the baby.
4. Live-in Newborn Care: Around-the-clock in-home newborn care, scaled over weeks or months. 24/7 live-in care for as long as needed. The most comprehensive and highest-cost service tier, potentially running into tens of thousands over a full engagement.
5. Birth & Baby University Training Programs: The company runs Birth & Baby University, which offers certified doula training programs for aspiring doulas. Training programs include Certified Postpartum Doula Training ($550), Certified Labor Doula Training ($550), Certified Childbirth Educator Training (Coming Soon), and Cross-Certification programs ($175). Additional continuing education courses ($47 each), 6-week mentorship ($300), and Doula Agency Owner Mentorship ($600). Also offers a Start or Grow Your Agency Package for $5,000.
6. Gift Cards & Baby Registries: Gift cards available for purchase for baby registries. Families can fund postpartum hours or labor support as a gift. Additionally, BeHerVillage online support registry allows friends and family to contribute toward doula support or classes.
7. Affiliate & Educator Program: Birth and Baby University runs a three-tier affiliate and educator program. Tier 1 (Virtual Educator) allows selling virtual classes through an affiliate link for 50% commission. Tier 2 (aspiring educators awaiting certification) also offers 50% commission on virtual class sales. Tier 3 (certified childbirth educators) can sell both in-person and virtual classes, set their own prices, and earn 50% commission on virtual classes. Revenue comes from affiliate commissions on virtual class sales and workbook fees for in-person classes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Chicago Family Doulas is a full-service, premier Chicago-based doula and newborn care agency that provides birth doula labor support, postpartum doula services (daytime, overnight, and 24/7 live-in), and birth and baby classes to families throughout Chicagoland. Through its sub-brand Birth & Baby University, it also sells certified doula training programs, continuing education, mentorship, and an affiliate/educator program for aspiring and practicing perinatal professionals.

Product overview

Chicago Family Doulas is a full-service doula agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of maternal and newborn care services across Chicagoland. The core offerings include birth doula support, postpartum doula services (daytime and overnight), and 24/7 live-in newborn care. Educational products include Birth & Baby Classes (in-person and virtual), Spanish-language classes, and eBooks & guides. The company operates Birth & Baby University as a sub-brand offering certified doula training programs (labor, postpartum, childbirth educator), perinatal professional continuing education, cross-certification programs, mentorship programs (6-week doula mentorship, agency owner mentorship), and an Affiliate & Educator Program with three tiers. Additional offerings include gift cards, baby registries through BeHerVillage, and community events like Baby in Bloom. The company also offers a Start or Grow Your Agency Package for aspiring doula agency owners. Services are available to families with employer benefits through Carrot, Maven, Progyny, and insurance coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Birth & Baby University: Doula training and education platform offering certified doula trainings, perinatal professional classes, mentorship programs, and affiliate/educator programs for birth and postpartum professionals.

Products and services

• Birth Doula Support Continuous labor support provided by experienced birth doulas at over 20 Chicago-area hospitals and birth centers. Supports VBACs, unmedicated and medicated births, with prenatal visits and postpartum follow-up included. Starting at $1,850 per package.
• Postpartum Doula Services Daytime and overnight postpartum care providing support for both baby and parents, including breastfeeding assistance, newborn care education, meal preparation, light household tasks, and sibling care. Daytime billed $25–$50 per hour; overnight shifts $250–$450 per night.
• Live-In Newborn Care 24/7 around-the-clock in-home newborn care for as long as needed, providing continuous support for infant care while parents rest and recover. Pricing customized per family.
• Birth & Baby Classes In-person and virtual childbirth education and newborn care classes including comfort measures, breastfeeding, infant feeding, bringing home baby, and newborn care instruction. Available in English and Spanish.
• Certified Doula Training Programs Certified Labor Doula Training ($550), Certified Postpartum Doula Training ($550), and Certified Childbirth Educator Training (Coming Soon). Programs are Carrot and Medicaid approved.
• Doula Mentorship and Agency Owner Programs 6-Week Mentorship for Birth & Postpartum Doulas ($300) covering professional development, plus Doula Agency Owner Mentorship Program ($600) covering everything needed to run a thriving doula agency.
• Start or Grow Your Agency Package $5,000 comprehensive business package including 16 Birth & Baby University doula trainings, 2 customizable onboarding trainings, 6-week mentorship, 2 personalized 1:1 sessions, and 10 prenatal workbooks.
• Affiliate & Educator Program Three-tier affiliate and educator program allowing participants to sell Birth & Baby University classes through their own affiliate link. Tier 1 (Virtual Educator) earns 50% commission on virtual class sales; Tier 2 (aspiring educators) also earns 50% commission; Tier 3 (certified childbirth educators) can sell in-person and virtual classes.
• Gift Cards & Baby Registry Gift cards available for purchase for baby registries allowing friends and family to fund postpartum hours or labor support. Includes BeHerVillage online support registry option.

Quantifiable outcome

• Families supported: 10,000+ families served since 2010
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carrot FertilitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Family Doulas is in-network with Carrot Fertility, an employer benefit platform covering fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Families can use Carrot benefits to cover birth doula, postpartum doula, and newborn care services. The company is also Carrot Approved for its Birth & Baby University training programs.
• Maven CliniccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Family Doulas is in-network with Maven Clinic, a virtual women's and family health clinic offering employer benefits. Maven-covered employees can use their benefits toward Chicago Family Doulas services. Maven has recognized Birth & Baby University training programs.
• ProgynycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Family Doulas accepts Progyny employer fertility and family-building benefits for doula services. Progyny-covered employees can submit invoices for reimbursement for birth and postpartum doula support.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS IL)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Family Doulas works with BCBS IL for insurance reimbursement. BCBS IL featured the company in collaborative care content about doulas supporting families, with the company offering complimentary classes supported by BCBS IL to help families through pregnancy and postpartum.
• AetnacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Family Doulas accepts Aetna insurance coverage for doula services. Families pay upfront and submit itemized invoices for reimbursement through their Aetna plan.
• Nurture TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNurture Therapy is a mental health practice featured at Baby in Bloom events as a partner vendor. They provide perinatal mental health support to families in Chicagoland.
• Blooming Bellies BoutiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlooming Bellies Boutique 3D Ultrasound serves as the venue partner for the Baby in Bloom open house events. It is a Chicago boutique where parents see baby for the first time via 3D ultrasound. Located at 5851 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634.
• La Casa Flores LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Casa Flores LLC runs the on-site Bloom Bar flower arrangement activity at Baby in Bloom events. Families pick their own stems and style their own arrangements.
• Grazing TableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrazing Table provides light breakfast bites, fresh fruit, and pregnancy-friendly beverages at Baby in Bloom events.
• Photobooth PrintzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotobooth Printz provides the in-house pregnancy photo booth at Baby in Bloom events, with photos printed to take home and sent digitally.
• All Advocate HospitalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Family Doulas supports families at all Advocate hospital locations throughout Chicagoland. The company has established relationships with Advocate healthcare facilities for birth doula support.
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital / Prentice Women's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Family Doulas doulas attend births at Prentice Northwestern, with 80–90% of the company's families delivering at this hospital. The company has deep relationships with the nursing staff and protocols at this major Chicago birth center.
• Rush University Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Family Doulas supports families at Rush and Rush Copley hospital locations. The company has established relationships with Rush's family birth center staff.
• UChicago MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Family Doulas supports families at UChicago Medicine's Family Birth Center in Hyde Park.
• UIC (University of Illinois College of Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Family Doulas supports families at UIC's Family Birth Place hospital location.
• Surrogate StepsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSurrogate Steps is a licensed surrogacy agency partnered with Chicago Family Doulas to support families pursuing surrogacy. The partnership directs intended parents to Chicago Family Doulas for birth and postpartum support.
• ConceiveAbilitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConceiveAbilities is a surrogacy and egg donor agency with a referral partnership directing clients to Chicago Family Doulas for perinatal support services.
• 4th Trimester Baby (Jennie Meyer, IBCLC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Board Certified Lactation Consultant providing home visits for lactation support in Chicago and nearby suburbs. A referral partner for families needing breastfeeding support alongside doula care.
• Aloha PumpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDurable medical equipment business dedicated to supporting expecting mothers with insurance-covered breast pumps and other essential maternity items.
• AMK CounselingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapy practice in Chicago (Lincoln Park and Ravenswood locations) with a special focus on women's health and perinatal mental health. A referred partner for families needing clinical counseling alongside doula support.
• Kelly Murray Sleep ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSleep consulting service specializing in helping families worldwide obtain restful sleep through holistic, mindful, and customized sleep programs. Partners for families needing infant sleep support alongside postpartum care.
• Dr. Galina (Naturopathic Doctor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based naturopathic doctor and functional medicine practitioner offering compassionate, root-cause care exclusively through virtual tele-health, specializing in supporting women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and hormone balance.
• Pulling Down the MoonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolistic wellness practice offering acupuncture, therapeutic massage, nutrition counseling, and yoga classes for families in the Chicago area. Partners for complementary wellness services alongside doula support.
• Prenatal FitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFitness studio specializing in prenatal and postnatal workouts for women before, during, and after pregnancy, serving the Chicago market.
• Division Chiropractic and AcupunctureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrenatal, postpartum, and family chiropractic care practice serving the Chicago area. Partners for complementary physical care alongside doula support.
• Birth Guide ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerA comprehensive guide and reliable resource to help families navigate and connect with doctors, midwives, and pregnancy and childbirth care providers across the Chicago area. Mutual referral partner.
• BeHerVillageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline baby registry platform that allows friends and family to contribute toward birth doula support, postpartum doula support, or classes with Chicago Family Doulas. Drives new customer acquisition through gifting/referral.
• Prepped n PlatedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFresh, healthy meal delivery service partnering with Chicago Family Doulas. Families receive a 20% discount using code CFD. Supports postpartum nutrition and meal needs.
• AnyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPostpartum product company supporting mothers through the postpartum journey with guidance and product solutions. Code CHICAGODOULAS15 provides a discount for CFD clients.
• WholenestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-natural postpartum products for external use for healing and recovery in the 4th trimester. Code ANNAMARIE15 provides a discount for CFD clients.
• The Milky WaveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-natural, nutrient-rich lactation treats and beverage mixes designed to support breastfeeding mothers. Code CHICAGOFAMILYDOULAS provides a 15% discount for CFD clients.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Maven Clinic: Virtual women's and family health clinic covering fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric care through employer benefits. Channel partner for CFD and adjacent competitor in digital maternal health; both share employer benefit platform customers but Maven delivers virtual care while CFD provides in-person services.
• Carrot Fertility: Employer-benefit fertility and family-building platform that includes Chicago Family Doulas in its provider network. Not a competitor but a key channel partner and comparable adjacency: both operate in the employer-paid maternal/family care ecosystem, and Carrot's expansion into postpartum benefits directly drives CFD demand.

Direct peers

• Birth Day Presence: New York City-based doula agency offering birth and postpartum doula services, childbirth education classes, and placenta encapsulation. Direct peer because both agencies operate multi-doula service models in major metropolitan markets with similar service portfolios, hospital coverage, and class/training offerings.
• Nightingale Night Nurses: Multi-city overnight newborn care and night nurse agency operating in several major U.S. metros. Direct peer on the overnight newborn care positioning, with comparable service model and similar customer profile of affluent, professionally-supported new parents.
• Boston NAPS (Newborn and Parenting Support): Boston-area doula and newborn care agency offering overnight postpartum support, newborn care specialists, and birth doula services. Direct peer due to matching multi-doula agency model in a major metro with focus on overnight newborn care — the closest analog to CFD's overnight and live-in services.
• Doulas of Capitol Hill: Washington DC-area doula collective providing birth and postpartum doula support, newborn care specialists, and childbirth classes. Comparable agency structure with multiple doulas, in-person service delivery in a major metro, and similar tiered postpartum service offerings including overnight and live-in care.
• Doulas of LA: Los Angeles-based doula agency providing birth and postpartum doula services across the LA metro. Direct peer operating a similar agency model (multiple doulas, intake process, in-person service) in another major U.S. metro with comparable pricing and service tiers.
• Mother Me (formerly Birth & Beyond): Network of doula agencies providing birth and postpartum support across multiple U.S. markets. Direct peer as a multi-market agency operator with comparable service tiers (overnight, daytime, live-in postpartum) and similar agency vs. solo positioning.

Emerging players

• Tranquility by HeHe (formerly HeHe Doula): Boutique doula agency offering birth and postpartum support in a major metro, with growing emphasis on overnight newborn care and agency training. Emerging peer with partial overlap — comparable overnight/postpartum services but smaller scale than CFD's 400+ doula network.
• Bundle Birth Professionals: Education and training company for labor and delivery nurses and doulas offering certification programs, mentorship, and agency resources. Comparable to CFD's Birth & Baby University sub-brand — both monetize the training and professional development side of the doula industry rather than competing on direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@birthandbabyuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/chicagofamilydoulas
• Instagraminstagram.com/chicagofamilydoulas
• TikToktiktok.com/@birthandbabyuniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Family Doulas