Wyld Garden Doula Services - BirthGuide Chicago

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The content on BirthGuide does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. The Complementary Care Directory is a paid membership directory. Members provide the information in their listings, which is not vetted by BirthGuide. The listing of an individual or entity in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BirthGuide. By using this directory you agree to be bound by the BirthGuide Terms & Conditions of Use. If you do not wish to be bound by these terms and conditions, please do not access the directory.

In the Birth Room

I love being a jack of all trades because what I learn in one setting ends up benefiting clients in another. I am always excited for a home birth with midwives, but I can advocate during a high risk scenario, too. I’ll rotate you like a rotisserie chicken during your epidural to get your baby out. I’ll teach your partner how to do the very best counter-pressure for your unmedicated birth. I’ll do reiki on your feet, set up your altar, and give your anxious sister a job to do. I can bring my goofball to distract, but I also know how to wade into the rhythm of heavy labor. I’m a chameleon, changing colors to match the energy of the room.

The only thing that is the same across all births is my awe.

Birth Packages

All Birth Packages Include:

Prenatal Support & 1-2 Meetings

call/text support from signing of contract
meeting(s) at 32 & 36 weeks
library of resources from childbirth educator

Continuous Labor Support

on call 24/7 & back up doula
hands on support & personalized comfort measures
birth photography

Postpartum Visit

lactation & infant feeding support
birth debrief
vetted referrals, connection to community

Cost of Services

Container Garden Package

Unlimited text & calls
1 Prenatal visit
Labor & birth
1 Virtual postpartum visit
Birth photography

good for second+ births

$2000

Full Garden Package

Unlimited text & calls
2 Prenatal visits
Labor & birth
1 Postpartum visit
Lactation & infant feeding
Birth photography

Full Garden Package + BRM

Same as Full

+ personalized plan based on your unique alignment and the

Body Ready Method

physical prep

$2400

If cost is prohibitive, please reach out. I offer discounts for queer families as well as birth center & home birth clients. If you’re not sure, please ask.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES WE OFFER

Classes, Workshops & Support Groups

People

Mel Haley

Birth doula, childbirth educator, placenta encapsulator

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

Mel Haley

I’m an east coaster at heart (Mass in the Midwest!) who trained to be a doula in Brooklyn in 2019. The only thing I love more than the ocean is my Midwestern partner. I spent several years teaching and leading in an elementary school, and then coaching teachers at Teach For America, before making the switch to birthwork full time in 2022.

In high school I happily gave rides to Planned Parenthood in Boston (abortion is healthcare!). I’ve been passionate about reproductive justice ever since.

Certifications & Degrees

Body Ready Method Certified Pro 2025-2026

Requirements: 6 months of intensive training, including weekly instruction, hands on practice, and quizzes. Passed a final written test and skill demonstration to qualify. Skills include checking pregnancy alignment, moves to help with baby position, and birth specific techniques for more efficient labor.

Birthing From Within Childbirth Educator 2024

Requirements: 140 hours of training in self-paced work, in-person presentations, video submission and feedback, one-on-one and group mentoring, and designing a curriculum and submitting for feedback.

Infant Feeding & Lactation Specialist 2022

Requirements included 12 week training with Tanya Willis and Sarah Lovell at Manhattan Birth, weekly homework, case studies, group work, 2 supervised lactation visits, and a final exam.

Full Spectrum Birthworker 2021

Requirements included Seven week biweekly training (14 sessions) with Ancient Song Doula Service in Brooklyn, NY, Infant CPR, bodyfeeding training and certification, HIPAA certification, social justice book reports, and 5 supervised births.

Childbirth Educator May 2021

Requirements included submitting teaching demos for feedback and writing a full childbirth ed curriculum, plus 12 week training with Cornerstone, by Nickie & Juli Tilsner and community leaders covering anatomy, trauma-informed care, HAES, comfort measures, advocacy & more.

VBAC Doula 2020

Self-paced program through the VBAC Link on supporting trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) for those desiring a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

Testimonials

Always there, always fully with me in every moment. Mel has a gift for this work. I admire so much that they are always learning, always growing, and so deeply committed to showing up for each, very individual, client. I’m endlessly grateful to you Mel. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and in Ellis’ story.

Chelsea, 2024

“I specifically searched for a doula that was queer-affirming. Mel has a calm and open energy, and I knew I’d be in good hands. They brought so many cool educational tools to our prenatal visits! From a model pelvis and baby to show what’s happening during birth, to showing me how to use all three different types of baby carriers I was gifted, to SO much info about birth… the list goes on.

Cut to… labor! I’m still anxious even thinking about labor, but Mel made it more bearable. The midwives loved working with them, even asking Mel for advice at one point! When someone you find for pregnancy and birth support feels like family, you know you’ve won the jackpot.

Renee,

“We couldn’t have done this without Mel” was the most common refrain in the first weeks following birth. My partner and I were so, so thankful for all the work Mel did supporting us in the run up to birth and throughout the birth. Mel was always generous with their time and afforded us dignity when asking questions big and small. They were an incredible educator and mediator when we met with them to discuss our birth plan. I was so grateful they had such a holistic approach and asked questions beyond the scope of what the birth looks like. Helping us plan for ways to cope with stress and care for ourselves in the weeks following birth was a part of the birth plan that we had neglected. This was our first birth and Mel was really our guide in helping us find books and podcasts to help us prepare and were endlessly patient with our questions.

On the day of the birth, Mel was incredible. One of the reasons we chose Mel was becasue they were recommended by both the Chicago Birth Center and Burr Ridge Birth Center midwives. Mel is an active, hands-on support who worked collaboratively with the midwives to ensure my partner’s well-being as best as was able. Mel had suggestions for helpful repositioning and was able to help us understand how the pregnancy was progressing. Ultimately, we had to transfer from the birthing center to a hospital for non-emergency reasons. We were so, so thankful to have Mel as a consistent part of the team between settings. Having one consistent person throughout the process was invaluable.

If you are looking for a doula, Mel deserves consideration. They were everything we could have hoped for in a doula and they were an incredible resource and support for us.

-Su

In the Birth Room

Birth Packages

​Cost of Services

Full Garden Package

Full Garden Package + BRM

Mel Haley

Mel Haley

Certifications & Degrees

Cost of Services