Blissful Births & Babies - BirthGuide Chicago

Blissful Births & Babies - Planning for childbirth

1898 Barrington Avenue
Bolingbrook, Illinois 60490

(630) 723-4031

robin@blissfulbirthsandbabies.com

Visit website

Additional locations listed below

Services in a nutshell

My goal is to create a positive experience prenatally and beyond.

More about us

Hello! My name is Robin Ross. Welcome to Blissful Births and Babies! You will find class descriptions and services that are offered year round which include:

HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Education Classes
Birth Doula Services
Breastfeeding Classes
Baby Basics/Milestone Classes and Workshops
Placenta Encapsulation services
Healthy Living, Essential Oils, and much more!

My goal is to create a positive experience prenatally and beyond.

The birth of a baby is a very intimate and magical time for the birthing family. It is one that should be looked on with great reverence. As a birth doula, I try to provide an atmosphere of calm and peace to help facilitate the birthing family in home and/or hospital. My experience with having my own three children completely naturally, as well as working with over 400 families in their own labor/birth experiences, lends to helping others have a positive birthing experience. Furthermore, my education as a certified childbirth educator, certified lactation educator, certified aromatherapist and early childhood professional also aids my clients from pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

HypnoBirthing® Services

HypnoBirthing® is a childbirth education class that prepares the mind and body for labor and birth. The classes are designed to build confidence in the birthing body and baby through breathing, relaxation, and visualization techniques. These techniques are demonstrated and practiced in class; however, it is the daily practice and conditioning that happens outside of the class that really helps to make this a very positive experience. Below is a general list of what is included when taking the HypnoBirthing® Class:

Your book, HypnoBirthing®– The Mongan Method
5 information-packed class meetings
Body toning exercises and practice
5 professionally written scripts for your home practice
2 CDs
Handouts for planning your Birth Preferences
A set of Birth Prompts for your birth Companion
Demonstration and practice in optimal birth positions
Techniques in building birth confidence and eliminating fears
A Guide to good pregnancy nutrition
Several deep relaxation techniques for use during birthing, plus
Well-paced instruction designed to build your confidence and help you to have a safer, easier, and more comfortable birthing
Special calm breathing methods for use throughout labor and during birthing
Private instruction if desired
Small classes for personal attention
5 – 2.5 hour classes

Group and Private instruction available all over the Chicagoland area, with offices in Elmhurst, Barrington, Bolingbrook, Hinsdale, Naperville, and Chicago.

The class is limited to 5 couples.

To reserve your space visit the following link to see upcoming Schedule of HypnoBirthing Classes or call Robin @ (630) 723-4031.

Labor/Birth Doula services

Consultation describing services and birth preferences at initial visit.
1-2 prenatal visit
Help with formulating the birth preferences
Providing pain management techniques throughout labor and birth such as guided imagery, HypnoBirthing® specific prompts, light touch massage, counter pressure, position suggestions, basic acupressure, aromatherapy, basic massage, and much more.
Back-up Doula services.
24/7 On-call phone availability to client.
Continual physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and birth.
Immediate postpartum support for 1-2 hours after the birth with initial breastfeeding support.
Optional postpartum follow up visit.
Placenta Encapsulation (optional and additional charge)

Servicing the Chicagoland area with locations in Aurora/Oswego, Bolingbrook/Plainfield, Oak Brook, La Grange, Hinsdale, Chicago West-Loop, Naperville, and Niles.

Breastfeeding with Baby Care Basics Class

This class helps to educate mothers with information on how to successfully breastfeed their baby. Proper latch, positions for effective nursing, recognizing issues, addressing concerns, properly storing breast milk, pumping, returning to work, where to find resources, and much more will be discussed in this in depth class. Each mother will receive detailed handouts and resources to help provide them with confidence as they prepare for their breastfeeding relationship with their soon to be baby. Furthermore, we will also include baby basics into this class. Learn how to soothe, bathe, and change your baby effectively while creating a safe and calm environment for your baby to thrive. Cost is $50 per couple. Click on the class calendar to find upcoming breastfeeding classes.

Placental Encapsulation

Placental encapsulation is the practice of ingesting the placenta after it has been cleaned, dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills, which is then taken by the mother and is said to have numerous health benefits. Contact Robin for more information about this service.

Our team

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

Hello, my name is Robin Ross. I have a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education from De Paul University, Chicago. I also have a certificate in birth-3 in Montessori (AMI), Denver, CO. My passion for education and understanding the importance of early childhood development is what led me to seek a more natural approach to birthing my first born. It was my incredible and empowering birthing experience with the aid of my husband, birth doula, and HypnoBirthing®, which gave way to finding me true passion: helping other moms and families have a confident, calm, and empowering birthing experience.

I’m a certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioner affiliated with the HypnoBirthing® Institute , a certified birth doula CD(DONA), and a Certified Lactation Educator (CAPPA). In birthing and rearing my own children (all three born completely natural two in hospital and the last at home), as well as formerly working in a Montessori school as a Directress, my goal is to create positive and empowering experiences. I look forward to working with you in support of your journey through parent hood; prenatally and beyond!

Testimonials

ADDITIONAL SERVICES WE OFFER

Blissful Births and Babies

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS

My husband and I took Robin’s hypnobirthing class together and we are so happy that we took this class! We both felt prepared for labor and it helped to decrease our anxiety and stress associated with all of the unknowns that come along with it. This class teaches you about various topics, from breathing and visualization exercises to the process of being admitted to Labor and Delivery. My husband is non-medical and really felt more confident with his role and what to expect. I am an OBGYN physician and Robin explained everything in a very thorough, clear manner. She went into details which I would not have told my husband, and he was so happy and felt more confident as my teammate. Labor has so many unknowns and Robin’s class helps to prepare you to handle these unknowns. She is knowledgeable and very personable. I ended up needing to be induced over the span of three days, and my husband did great and I used a lot of the breathing and visualization techniques to help with my labor. The health care providers loved my room because it smelled so nice (lavendar oils) and we had nice soothing music and LED candles– which were things that Robin mentioned in order to help make our labor experience more comfortable. Thank you Robin, and we definitely recommend this class to everyone– non-medical and medical alike! – LILJA STURLUDOTTIR STEFANSSON, M.D.

I found Robin’s Hypnobirthing class to be very helpful in understanding the birthing process. Robin is clearly very knowledgeable in this area and inspired confidence. Her class furthered my belief in trusting my body’s ability to do what it needed to do to have my baby. When my spouse and I had to suddenly switch midwife practices due to insurance reasons, we enlisted Robin to be our doula to have some continuity of care and to know that someone would be on our side to advocate for us if need be. Having her to text and call throughout the labor process was very reassuring. It was comforting to be able to let her know what I was experiencing and for her to text me back about what was likely happening and suggesting next steps. I doubt highly I would have gotten such communication from an ob/gyn. Robin was with us at the hospital and gave us guidance during the time right after the birth of our baby. Everyone could benefit from an advocate/guide as they navigate the birth experience and Robin is a great choice to be that person. – Sara

I was pregnant with my first child when I learned about Hypnobirthing classes. Honestly, it sounded like some fad, but a friend of mine- whose opinion I value- had taken the class and highly recommended it. The way she described the class and successful, non-medicated birth spiked my interest; I, too, wanted a natural, non-medicated birth. So after contacting Robin, I talked to my husband, and we decided we’d invest in the class. Robin was easy to get along with, totally honest and fun. The Hypnobirthing class armed us with the knowledge and tools we needed for a successful birth. Our baby came for weeks early, and we were able to give birth naturally– no medications. Hypnobirthing gave me the confidence I needed. Because I believed in myself and my body’s ability to carry and deliver a life, I was able to do it. I will never be able to thank Robin enough; we are forever grateful! I know the class played one of the primary roles in our birth story. It was completely worth it! – Cynthia

My husband and I took Robin’s HypnoBirthing classes, then because she made us feel safe and confident, we also asked her to be our doula. After taking a few classes, I realized I was in control of my birthing experience, to some extent. It was very empowering! I learned that fear and stress creates more fear and stress. I also learned relaxation techniques that I am able to incorporate into my everyday life, not just during pregnancy and birth. My labor and delivery was not technically ideal but Robin was there to remind me that I was doing all I could do for my baby. I remained calm and relaxed during a very scary and painful experience. I ended up having an emergency cesarean, but I was able to push the horrible thoughts of losing my baby away and focus on staying as calm as possible to keep my baby relaxed. I don’t think I could have done that without the practice I learned through hypnobirthing and Robin’s guidance. Now I have a healthy, beautiful baby boy! She even helped me with breastfeeding and coping with postpartum depression. I highly recommend her services. ? P.S. She’s also an incredibly sweet and genuine person! – Dana Zikis

It was my first pregnancy and I was ready! I knew that I wanted a natural child birth and I had heard of some different options to help me achieve this goal. I had also heard that Robin was the go to gal for this! I experienced almost everything Robin had to offer, taking her Hypnobirthing course, having her by my side as my doula, and participating in her breastfeeding class. My husband was on board with all of this and we attended classes with an open mind ready to learn what this experience was going to be all about. Robin was extremely thorough explaining everything from the first signs of labor, visualization and relaxation techniques, birthing positions, how to create your birth preferences, and even postpartum things that no one really tells you about. She provided ideas of what to bring to the hospital that would help support the Hypnobirthing technique, far beyond the list that an OB or Midwife gives to you. She also explained some of the postpartum supplies you would need at home. It was a huge help and made you feel prepared and confident going into your birth. Once labor began Robin and I were in constant contact. She kept checking on my progress and arrived at the hospital shortly after my husband and me. Unfortunately, my birth did not go according to plan. My midwife wanted to break my water and having Robin there as my doula was a blessing. She knew I was not comfortable with this and helped me to ask the appropriate questions in the moment. My daughter had decided to be a little gymnast and flip during my labor. This was a shock seeing as she was in a great position earlier that day and I was already 7 cm dilated. She was now in the breech positon and I had to go in for a C-section. I was devastated, but Robin helped me to stay calm, continue my breathing, and stayed through until I was out of recovery and into my room. She even called the next day to make sure breastfeeding was going well and check in on my family. My relationship with Robin has continued well past my birth. If there is ever a time I have a breastfeeding question, even now 10 months later, I know I can contact her. She’s a wonderful, well-educated woman that you will want to help guide you through this amazing journey you’re about to embark upon! – Lisa Blossfield

Blissful Births & Babies - Planning for childbirth

HypnoBirthing® Services

Labor/Birth Doula services

Breastfeeding with Baby Care Basics Class

Placental Encapsulation

Robin Ross

Complementary Care Disclaimer