Meet The Team

Nearly 12 years ago, Lisa was pregnant with her first child and noted feeling clueless about how that child would make his way out. But then, fortunately, she took Bradley Method childbirth classes, switched from a hospital obstetrician to a home birth midwife, hired a doula, and had a fantastic birth–despite it taking 51 hours! It could not have gone better than it did– but it would not have worked that way had Lisa, and the people she was surrounded by, not had faith in her body and trust in the birthing process.  

This experience sent Lisa on the journey of a lifetime. She became a Bradley Method ® instructor and has taught classes to hundreds of couples over the years, helping them gain the knowledge and skills needed to have a great birth experience. Later, Lisa became a birth doula and then a DONA-Approved Birth Doula Trainer, training hundreds of doulas and teaching them the tricks of the trade. She has been pursuing midwifery and working with Gentle Birth Care since the practice began and loved every minute of it.

Becky jumped into the birthing world back in highschool to help a friend with her birth, and was forever drawn to the energy of holding space for women as they bring their babies earthside.  Her pathway to CPM has been an eclectic mix of homebirth apprenticeship, birthing center internship, CNM and CPM birth assistant, certified nursing assistant, doula, and an Associates Degree in Midwifery from Southwest Technical College in Wisconsin.  After having been licensed in 2 other states, she is now helping to expand licensing of CPMs in Illinois as well.  Current president of the Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives, a chapter of National Association of CPMs, and Vice-President of the Midwives Alliance of North America.  Ongoing project manager for one granddaughter, several knitting works-in-progress, and a complex genealogy tree.  

Vanessa was born at home, and grew up in a community where home birth was the norm. Her passion for birth stems as far back as she can remember, and she became a DONA trained doula at the age of 16. After attending births in all settings (hospitals, birth centers, and home), Vanessa realized how truly special homebirth midwifery is, and started her journey to become a Certified Professional Midwife in 2018. She is a firm believer in the holistic approach to evidenced-based care that midwifery offers. Vanessa also works as an Emergency Medical Technician and finds it incredibly rewarding to be involved in the wide range of care provided.

Vanessa joined the Gentle Birth Care team in May of 2021 and is honored to care for, and hold space for each client she meets. She recognizes the vulnerability and sacredness of every birth, and values making sure every client and birthing person feels safe, heard, and respected.

Tynece has been an active birth worker and Placenta Encapsulation Specialist since 2018, servicing Chicago and the surrounding areas. She is currently a midwifery student on the path to becoming a licensed Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).

FOUNDER

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