Family Support for Young Moms in Chicago & Western Suburbs

A doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to birthing people and their partners during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early postpartum period.

Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people and their baby. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family (dona.org).

According to national research, doula presence at birth decreases medical interventions at delivery and reduces labor complications. Doula-supported mothers are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics, have greater breastfeeding success, have a lower incidence of abuse, and lower postpartum depression rates (dona.org).

At New Moms, pregnant youth can choose to partner with our Doulas, supporting them from 27 weeks pregnant through 8 weeks post-birth, including in the labor and delivery room.

• Support, empower, and encourage young pregnant people as they prepare for birth and early parenthood
• Advocate for moms through confusing and often biased healthcare systems
• Coach moms about the physical, emotional, and mental stages of pregnancy, labor, birth, bonding, and baby-feeding options
• Encourage and guide breastfeeding and bonding
  Put moms in control of their pregnancy, labor, birth, and parenting choices
• …And more!

This group connects pregnant people with their peers and helps them learn about and prepare for the birth of their baby and parenthood. Groups last for 7 weeks. Prenatal support group is open to everyone!

Come to get answers to your questions about:

• Birth choices
• Your baby’s development
• Preparing for labor
• Caring for yourself and your newborn
• Signs of labor
• When to call your ob-gyn or midwife when you’re in labor
• Stages of labor and delivery
• Different delivery methods
• Pain management techniques for labor
• Ways your partner can support you during labor
• Techniques for relaxing and coping during labor
• Information about breastfeeding, postpartum, and newborn care

Young moms are paired with a Family Coach who visits with young moms in their homes to share parenting resources, tools, child development tips, and most of all – social connection and encouragement.

Moms learn about their child’s healthy development, how to troubleshoot common parenting challenges like bedtime routines or potty training, and practice parenting techniques to enhance bonding and family well-being.

Home Visiting also includes Parent Support Group opportunities for connection with peers, facilitated discussion on childhood development, parenting, health and wellness, and parent/child bonding and development activities.

Our Home Visiting and Parenting Education coaches use the Parents as Teachers coaching and learning model to engage young moms, which ensures that our parents, 24 years old and under, become their children’s first, best teachers.

*** Families whose children are ages 0-3 have enrollment priority in Home Visiting.

Our Home Visiting and Parenting Education coaches use the Parents as Teachers coaching and learning model to engage young moms, which ensures that our parents, 24 years old and under, become their children’s first, best teachers.