The Doula

Michelle Engleman (she/her)
Certified Full Spectrum Doula

I first became curious about birth work when I was pregnant with my son and learning all I could about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. I had so many questions — and the more I spoke with other parents, the more I realized I wasn’t alone! I quickly became passionate about helping families to feel capable and prepared when approaching these big life transitions. I believe that birth and the postpartum period are opportunities for incredible transformation for families when they have the support and resources necessary to thrive.

Prior to becoming a doula, my career was in fundraising and sales, where I learned to be curious about my clients’ individual needs, desires, and visions. This expertise informs how I approach birth and postpartum work, providing nonjudgmental support and validating the individual preferences of each family. I approach each conversation with empathy and use evidence-based information to help families make informed choices that support their priorities. In addition to the birth and postpartum support I provide, I love connecting families with community - whether through local opportunities to build their village or provider referrals to address physical, mental, and emotional health.

Providing inclusive care is central to my practice and I’m passionate about reproductive justice and birth equity. On a volunteer basis, I partner with Chicago Volunteer Doulas to serve vulnerable communities in Chicagoland. I also offer sliding scale options to increase accessibility to doula services.

I’m a lifelong learner, and in my free time you’ll find me reading fantasy and fiction, books on birth and parenting, and whichever book my toddler has on repeat this week. I live in Evanston with my husband, son, two cats, and dog.