Having attended births since 2000, I bring the heart, knowledge, and experience of a birth professional who has seen birth unfold in countless ways, trusting the unique strength and wisdom of every woman.

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Name: Isabel Hoskins
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Phone: 773-412-5188
Email address: hoskins21@yahoo.com

Services: Prenatal- • A free consultation/interview to discuss what are you looking for and explain my services. • Two meetings (after our original interview) to discuss your desires and needs and birth preferences. • Referrals to community resources for pregnancy and family issues, if desired. • Explanations of birth procedures, if desired. • Dialogue to explore the journey of becoming a parent, what it means for you, and any fears or concerns you may have. • Phone consultations to discuss pregnancy progress and address questions. During Labor and Birth • Continual attendance during your labor and birth and the first hours postpartum. • Preparing the birth space. • Continuous labor support. • Comfort measures and assistance with pain-coping techniques. • Protecting the birth space. • Help getting started with breastfeeding, if desired. Postpartum • A visit one to three weeks after your birth to see how you and the baby are doing, hear your story of the birth, and answer any questions • Postpartum comfort measures • Explanation of newborn characteristics and newborn care

Qualifications: D.O.N.A. trained and certified.

Personal notes: As a doula I do not ascribe to one particular birth “philosophy”. I recognize that every labor and birth is unique, and I support mothers and their families in giving birth in the way they choose and desire. I have supported births in hospitals and homes; births that involved pain medications and epidurals and births in water; births with doctors and midwives, with whole families present and with only the mother and partner present. My focus is to be present with you on your journey of birth, to trust and support your wisdom. Birth does not always go as expected, but it can be met with informed decision-making and open eyes and heart. Regardless of what you choose or how your birth unfolds, I offer you the dignity of your own experience, feelings, and desires, trusting in your abilities and wisdom. My intention is extend a quiet, trusting presence. I will offer you my confidence in your capacity, acknowledge you for finding your own way through labor and embrace whatever medicine you believe in. I do not subscribe to a particular birth philosophy because I do not want to bring any fixed judgments or assumptions into your birth. I focus on immersing myself in the birth as it is happening, holding the space for you, supporting and honoring you as moment by moment you, yourself, discover how to give birth.