Carly Ann Braun

Carly Ann (she/her) has been a doula for five years and attended over 50 births. Before becoming a doula she worked in social justice education with teenagers. She began feeling dissatisfied with just talking shop about injustice, and found that doula work was a way to impact people directly, while practicing her values of feminism, empowerment, anti-racism, holistic healing, and community.

She worked as a peer support doula for families with Substance Abuse Disorder at PCC Wellness/West Suburban Hospital. She learned trauma informed care, harm reduction, advocacy and some serious doula skills. Over 2021 she took a year-long training for perinatal education. In 2022 she did a year of midwifery school to become a Certified Professional Midwife. She’s taking a break now but plans to return to school in 2024 and hopes to be a practicing midwife eventually!

Carly loves gardening, riding her bike, playing guitar and cooking. She grows more and more fascinated with the healing power of herbs every day. Her current project is planting herbs for the child- bearing year and making postpartum support infusions. Her biggest hobby is playing roller derby for the Windy City Rollers. She loves the community and that derby keeps her grounded and ready for births. Carly Ann identifies as bi-sexual and many of her derby friends are queer and/or have gone through fertility treatments, so families with those experiences are close to her heart.

Carly Ann’s intention with this work is to empower people to achieve their goals and have a fulfilling, powerful birth experience. She wants people to feel deeply supported and validated no matter how they birth.

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I believe birth is a sacred process that calls for deeply compassionate care. I believe in trusting your body, and trusting yourself- no matter where or how you choose to have your baby. Your family’s needs and goals are my top priority.

Testimonials

“Carly Ann was wonderful and helped make our first birth a positive and empowering experience. Her calm, clear-headed manner and dedicated, tireless spirit make her an ideal guide for birth”- Carla H

“Carly Ann is a god send: she showed up on time, texted to confirm and jumped right in-doing dishes, organizing, kid laundry, support w 3 yr old and baby. jumped in to do everything. She was so reliable and knew how to take care of it all! “ -Alexandra H