Family Picnic provides much more than just doula services, childbirth and breastfeeding classes. We offer a sanctuary where expecting mothers and families in the greater Chicago area find support, education, and care for pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
At Family Picnic, we understand that the journey to parenthood is a unique and profound experience. Our childbirth classes are designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to be at the center of your birth experience.
Why Choose Our Childbirth Classes?
Family Picnic provides classes to prepare pregnant people and their partners for childbirth. Our benefits include:
Take the first step towards a confident and informed childbirth experience. Reach out to Family Picnic today or request a call back at your convenience.
The Power of Birth Childbirth Class Options
Our childbirth classes are available in a paced five-week series or a comprehensive weekend intensive option.
During our five-week series, we provide a thorough understanding of the childbirth process. We delve deep into the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and labor and emphasize the importance of trust in your body. Our classes also provide a supportive environment for you to address your fears, worries, and expectations about pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. With Family Picnic, you’re not just attending a class; you’re joining a community.
During The Power of Birth Weekend Intensive Class, we help prepare pregnant people and their partners for childbirth. Through the examination of how a woman’s body prepares for, labors, and gives birth, you will discover the amazing changes that will take place and how trust in your body is paramount. Moms and partners leave class feeling confident in her ability to birth her baby.
A workshop for pregnant people
Taught by Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Natalia Avelar, DPT, PRPC
This class offers an in-depth introduction to the pelvic floor, focusing on its crucial role during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the pelvic floor functions during labor and delivery, and learn techniques to optimize your birth experience. Through guided practice, you’ll learn:
– breath and pelvic floor coordination to prepare for pushing
– explore ways to soften and lengthen the pelvic floor and perineum for smoother delivery
– the benefits of perineal massage starting at 34 weeks
– labor positions that enhance hip and pelvic mobility to aid in labor progression
– essential tips for initiating a strong postpartum recovery.
This class is designed to compliment our 5-week or weekend intensive Childbirth Classes and empower you with the knowledge and tools for a confident, empowered birth.
At Family Picnic, we understand the journey of pregnancy and childbirth is a unique and transformative experience. Our dedicated doulas are here to provide you with the support, information, and care you need throughout your pregnancy, labor, and early postpartum period.
Why Choose Doula Services?
Your level of satisfaction with the outcome of your labor and birth can significantly increase with the assistance of a labor doula. Your doula is there to assist both the laboring person and their partner during pregnancy, labor, and the birth of their baby. During your labor both at home and at hospital, doulas will provide their assistance through physical and emotional support, comfort techniques and positions for labor, and so much more. Doulas may assist a couple in making some of the difficult decisions during labor and birth, helping the couple to feel more secure and supported, and staying at home for longer. They will also work hard to help the birth partner comfort and support the laboring person which can create a more safe and nurturing birth environment.
Choosing doula services from Family Picnic brings a myriad of benefits to your childbirth journey:
Co-Founder
Sue has a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on conception through the early childhood years. She is a Certified Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Educator as well as a Birth and Postpartum Doula. Throughout her career Sue has worked with children and families, supporting emotional development, literacy and literature for the very young, and learning through play. Previously, she taught Child Development at UIC and City Colleges and was Director of Hug-a-Book, an early literacy organization, and Chicago Volunteer Doulas. Sue is delighted to now be concentrating on the earliest periods of development and helping families determine what the right choices are for them. Sue and her daughter, Rebecca Nguyen, have long dreamed of starting an early childhood organization together. They hope that Picnic: A Gathering Spot for Families with Young Children will offer support to families for many years.
Co-Founder
Rebecca holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Before having her own two children, she taught preschool through 3rd grade for ten years becoming a Master Teacher, supporting other teachers in reading strategies and using high quality children’s literature. With the birth of her children, Rebecca became interested in the earliest period of development, becoming a Certified Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Educator. Rebecca and her mother, Sue Gottschall had long dreamed of starting an early childhood organization together. Combining their skills to open Picnic: A Gathering Spot for Young Families is the culmination of this dream. It will offer Rebecca opportunities to teach new parents about childbirth and breastfeeding and provide many opportunities for her to support parents as their children grow and learn. She is excited and enthusiastic about the possibilities
DONA Trained Birth Doula
(Rebecca is Currently Taking Births for 2025)
“I chose to serve as a doula three years after the birth of my daughter in Boulder, CO, in 2012. Giving birth was the most empowering experience of my life. I hope to share my personal wisdom and remedies that helped me have a natural birth with other mothers. I’m a yoga teacher-trained practitioner and spent many years in Los Angeles devoting my time to meditation and mindfulness, so my guidance is based upon mind-over-matter techniques. I am privileged to be able to serve families as they transition from one chapter of life into the next as mothers and parents. I am passionate about empowering women to have the most informed, personalized, and intimate birth experience possible.
I’m a single mother to a fiercely independent 11-year-old girl and love to work with all walks of life. I have been through many personal hardships and have the humility and flexibility to meet you exactly as you are at this moment in time. I have served teen mothers, LGBTQ+ families, as well as ESL clients. I have attended births at Swedish Covenant Hospital, North Shore/Evanston, Northwestern, and Sinai, as well as home births. I spend my free time attending concerts, playing frisbee, and hiking in the woods with my pup Sunday, and you can also find me as an actor in nearly every TV show filmed in Chicago.”
*Rebecca is vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
**Rebecca is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Experienced Doulas’
Trained Birth Doula With Mama Glo and Matrona
(Jacinda is Currently Taking Births for 2025)
“Healing arts and radical wellness have been both a necessity and a passion of mine for many years. Birth Work Support is one of many tools I cultivate for contributing to and building up a healthy, brave, and resourced community. Rather than giving support to multiple families, I commit to one or two births per month. Limiting my availability allows me to be fully present and available to hear, see, accept, feel, and receive each birthing person as they need.
I personally have been pregnant six times and delivered three babies. I have a 25, 20, and 15-year-old, each of whom was brought earthside vaginally and breastfed. With my birth work experience and training, I have received much guidance and an array of concrete techniques to help facilitate a radical care practice during pregnancy and labor, as well as after. I have used tools that include divine comforting touch, aromatherapy, breath, journaling, movement, and mindfulness.
As a practicing Muslim and the daughter of a Choctaw and Appalachian mother, my support is here for all beings. I support anyone doing birth work, however, I prioritize my availability to birthing persons, support persons, and their families who may not otherwise feel safe or able to access the benefits of a doula. My energy seeks to be inclusive of Muslim, Black, and Indigenous-identifying parents. I believe financial ability should not stand in the way of you receiving the support you deserve. If you need an adjusted rate, this option is available to you.”
*Jacinda is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Very Experienced Doulas’
Bilingual Latina Doula and Childbirth Educator, Certified with ToLabor and CAPPA
(Mayra is currently taking births for 2025 and beyond (she is not taking births during the month of May)
“Through my work as a birth and postpartum doula, I hope to support parents through their transition into parenthood with evidence-based knowledge and culturally and spiritually sensitive tools.
I am originally from Ecuador, and my native language is Spanish. After becoming a mother for the second time, I was motivated to become a doula and help families navigate all the different choices for their birth and postpartum journey. I have supported families in all settings, including home births, birth centers, and hospitals.
My trainings include labor, postpartum, and bereavement support through toLabor, CAPPA, and Stillbirthday. I have acquired additional knowledge through other training with Spinning Babies, Birthing From Within, and with Postpartum Support International.”
*Mayra is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Very Experienced Doulas’
M.Ed., Full Spectrum CD (Ancient Song), CBE, Infant Lactation, and Feeding Specialist
(Melissa is currently taking births in July 2025 and beyond)
“I was a doula long before I knew the word, and I officially trained in Brooklyn in 2019 before relocating to Chicago to be closer to my wife’s family. I’m the oldest of five and a former elementary school teacher, so my practice is informed by child development. I am here to support you and your birth team through this transformation that is pregnancy, birth, and new parenthood. I do this work because I believe that every person deserves true informed consent and bodily autonomy during their birth.
I believe in the sacred and the scientific. My practice includes research and evidence, rituals, herbs and plants, and deep listening. I’m always learning (HypnoBirthing, Bradley Method, Evidence-Based Birth, VBAC, Spinning Babies, and more). Expect personal touches, book and podcast recommendations, clear communication, grounding energy, and fun! I’m queer and love to work with LGBTQIA+ folks. I have attended births at Prentice, Swedish, Evanston, and West Suburban, as well as at birth centers and homes. When I’m not at birth, you might find me in my garden, crocheting, reading, or walking my naughty little dog, Coconut. You can also find me on Instagram at @wyld_garden.”
*Melissa is vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
**Melissa is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Very Experienced Doulas’
DTI Certified Full Spectrum Doula; Certified Childbirth Educator (DTI)
(Kassie has some availability for late July births and is then available for due dates in late September and November 2025 and beyond)
“I felt my first calling to birth work during a birth class while pregnant with my first child. I was completely in awe of the beauty and strength of reproduction, pregnancy, and labor, as well as the community borne from it. Then, after the empowering births of my two children, I knew birth work was the space in which I belonged. I am certified with Doula Training International (DTI) as a full-spectrum doula as well as a childbirth educator and trained as an integrative lactation and feeding specialist. I have had the honor of supporting many families on all walks of their reproductive journeys.
My joy is in creating a safe space for families to grow and providing them with the most intentional and compassionate evidence-based care. My purpose is to support and encourage each family’s intuition, to provide calming reassurance in their power and autonomy, and to help them own their own experience by holding space and providing unbiased information and support. I bring warmth and compassion, along with judgment-free care, to every family I support, and I pride myself on my anticipation of others’ needs. I bring a wealth of knowledge to help families with the new transition of postpartum life, both from working with children and families for 10+ years and raising my own.
I’m here to create and nurture my community, to live a life of continued education, and to fight for justice within the birth world. I can’t wait to help you on your journey, in whatever form it takes.”
*Kassie is vaccinated against COVID-19.
**Kassie is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Very Experienced Doulas’
DTI Certified Full Spectrum Doula
(Tiffany has limited availability in spring 2025, is booked for June 2025, but otherwise taking births for 2025 and beyond)
“I entered birth work after the birth of my daughter, feeling the support and empowerment of a partner, doula, and provider who believed in my ability to choose the birth that was right for me. The experience was humbling, and I walked away with the knowledge that an empowering birth can look so different for every birthing person.
Before my birth work, I was a makeup artist and manager for a retail cosmetics company in Chicago for over 15 years. My main clientele was young people of color, and while completing makeup applications, they would share their birth stories. It was my first experience hearing of the black maternal health disparities, and I was drawn to becoming a doula to assist people in my community with their birth outcomes.
I trained with Doula Trainings International in the summer of 2020, choosing their Full Spectrum training. Their values aligned with my desire for inclusivity and working with clients of varied backgrounds and demographics. The training has prepared me to walk with you on your reproductive journey, from fertility support to birth and postpartum. I walk into our meetings without preset biases for how your birth and postpartum should look. This is the birth of your baby, and you know what is right for your family.
As a makeup artist turned doula, I bring a sense of calm and reassurance to the room and can help you vocalize your preferences for your birth with your provider while maintaining a relaxed environment in the room. I work closely with you to understand your options during the labor and birth process and prompt additional conversations with providers when more information is needed. I hope to connect with you and learn about your wishes for the growth of your family!”
*Tiffany is vaccinated against COVID-19.
**Tiffany is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Very Experienced Doulas’
Purple Lotus Trained Doula
(Sai is currently available for births in 2025 and beyond)
“Hi! My name is Sai, and I am a queer birthworker, abortion companion, and sexual and reproductive health educator. I became a birth doula in 2020 when I trained with a doula organization in St. Louis called Purple Lotus Doulas. I became interested in birth work in 2018 when I saw a documentary film called Seahorse. It’s a film about a transgender man who becomes pregnant and gives birth.
Seeing the film changed my life on the spot. As a queer and transgender person, I had been feeling disconnected from the idea of pregnancy and having my own family. But once I saw this film and saw this transgender person carry a pregnancy and give birth at home, I instantly knew I wanted to go into birth work.
Now, as a birth doula and aspiring midwife, I most enjoy working with other queer people, but I have found so much joy in working with all kinds of people. As an individual and as a practitioner, I am grounded in abolition, anti-colonialism, gender expansiveness, and body inclusion. I take a client-centered approach to my work as a doula, meaning I do everything I can at every step of the way to center my clients’ desires and needs. I am honored to be a potential part of your birth story, and I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!”
*Sai is vaccinated against COVID-19.
**Sai is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Experienced Doulas’
To labor, CAPPA and DONA trained birth and postpartum doula
(Lindi is Available to Take Births and postpartum clients in 2025 and beyond)
I’m Lindi, a full spectrum doula trained through toLabor, CAPPA, and DONA, with additional training in pregnancy loss support from The Institute of Birth, Breath and Death.
My work is rooted in the belief that birth is a profound, sacred journey—an interconnected web that includes our relationships with each other, the land, our ancestors, and the living world around us. I offer compassionate support to families navigating the transitions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum (hint: it’s forever!). My approach centers on supporting marginalized communities, especially Black women and birthing people, as well as the queer and trans community.
I see myself as a guide who holds space for the full spectrum of human experience: the joy and the grief, the pleasure and the pain, the birth and the death. My goal is to help you experience birth not just as an event, but as a transformative process of healing and connection. I integrate somatic practices, therapeutic touch, plant medicine, and food-as-medicine into my work, while advocating for culturally competent, trauma-informed care and an inclusive, de-industrialized approach to birth.
I support all family structures and methods of family building, embracing the diversity of how families are created and nurtured, with a special place in my heart for queer families (however you define your family!).
When I’m not supporting families, I enjoy hiking and camping with my family, playing video games with my 5-year-old, reading escapist novels, and dabbling in fiber arts like crochet and quilting.
I would be honored to walk alongside your family during this transformative journey.
*Lindi is vaccinated against COVID-19
**Lindi is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Experienced Doulas’
Trained Doula through Bebo Mia
(Leila is Currently Taking Births for July 2025 and beyond.
I am a birth and postpartum birthworker and ovulation cycle specialist. I have been an educator my whole life, and have a passion for helping people use their own skills and strengths to empower themselves, in birth and in life. I completed my doula training through Bebo Mia, and am currently training in the FEMM Fertility Management Program. I am also training in Childbirth Education through Cornerstone Birthwork Training.
My experience as a doula includes postpartum support helping first and second-time families as they adjust to life with a newborn. I specialize in navigating changing family dynamics, meal prep/house organization, and emotional and physical support for postpartum life. I believe that my compassion and focus on non-judgmental and evidence-based support is what makes me an exceptional doula.
Before I transitioned careers to birthwork, I was a middle school Social Studies and Reading teacher. I love families, and believe in the power of community to build each other up, hence why my career choices have focused on community and care! In my free time, I love playing games, reading books, cooking for friends and family, and exploring Chicago! My list of resources and things to do is extensive!
*Leila is vaccinated against COVID-19.
**Leila is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Experienced Doulas’
DONA Certified Birth Doula, LMT, PTA, HBCE, Reiki, ZB Practitioner, and Trained in Cranio-Sacral Therapy
(Georgina is Currently Taking Births for July 2025 and beyond)
“I became a doula because of a childhood dream of being a midwife and for my love and fascination with babies and birth. My mother birthed five babies at home. I learned from her to respect birth and that birth is a natural function of our bodies. Becoming a doula at this stage of my life has provided me with so much fulfillment. Supporting women emotionally and physically and advocating for them during pregnancy and birth is the most satisfying. As a birth doula, I see women reclaiming their birthright and empowering themselves to give birth the way nature intended.
I believe pregnancy and birth to be sacred and unique. I will support you and your partner’s needs, discuss comfort measures, introduce relaxation, discuss concerns and special circumstances, and reinforce what you learned in your childbirth education classes. I will honor and respect your choices and decisions without judgment so that you can birth your baby in the most comfortable, easy, and safe way. This is your birth; there is no other like it!
I facilitate a mindfulness group and enjoy yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and keeping healthy. After working in physical therapy for over 25 years, I trained as a HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator. This training impassioned my love of birth and reinforced the idea that birth is a natural, instinctive process.
I am grateful and privileged to have attended over 75 births during the 7 years I have been a doula, including cesarean and VBAC births, which I have personally experienced.
I support families in the Chicago land area, including the south side.”
*Georgina is vaccinated against COVID-19.
**Georgina is designated as one of Family Picnic’s ‘Very Experienced Doulas’
