Here's why you might want to consider taking a private childbirth education class:

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Private classes can be scheduled with Birth:  Before and After at your convenience. Classes can be scheduled for daytime, evening or weekends.  Classes can also be held at our office in Elmhurst or at your home. 
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You can pick and choose topics of interest to you. Do you have a special need? VBAC? Planned cesarean? Planning on utilizing pain medication or an epidural?  Planning on having a medication free birth? Private classes will fit your individual needs. You won't be spending 4-10 weeks or more learning things you do don't want to learn.  Is visualization your thing and you want to practice several different styles? GREAT! We've got you covered! Are you no nonsense and just want the facts? GREAT! We've got you covered for that, too!
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Wait, what?? Sometimes in group classes you feel like you are the only person like yourself there which can be uncomfortable. Do you have a room full of people planning a home birth and you are planning a hospital birth? Are you the only same sex couple in class? The only single person in class?  That list can go on and on. In a private class you don't need  to worry about that because it's all about you and your preferences. There is no judgement. You'll be met where you are and get the information that truly matters to you.
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Have a time crunch? Maybe you just decided to take classes at 38 weeks and don't have time for a long series. Maybe you or your partner work long hours and a series or even all weekend class just doesn't work. Without several other students in the class, the material covered goes much quicker because it's only what you want.
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There are no embarrassing questions in childbirth education. With a private class, you don't need to be concerned about asking in front of a room full of strangers.
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Interested in finding out more about Birth:  Before and After's childbirth education? Contact us at [email protected] or call us at 815-867-0087.

With our individualized approach, you guide your birthing plan your way.  From innovative, specialized labor and delivery services, including midwifery care at Elmhurst Hospital, to private birthing suites, deluxe family amenities and highly equipped nurseries, our Family Birthing Centers combine state-of-the-art technology with personalized expert medical care wrapped into the comforts of home.

This isn't your mother's pregnancy circle. The Elmhurst Area Pregnancy Mix and Mingle gathers for a special mom-to-be mocktail of the month and appetizers to make friends and get to know others with similar due dates. There is no judgement here whether you plan to birth with an epidural or planned cesarean or choose a medication free birth. We eliminate the mommy wars and enjoy meeting others who either choose to work or stay at home.  Some of these in person events will be purely fun, others will have topics to learn and explore.  Check out upcoming events at Meetup.com. 

Birth:  Before and After offers individualized childbirth education and postpartum support for the modern family through a variety of classes and one-on-one support. We offer nonjudgmental support no matter your birthing and parenting preferences.  

Achy, Sore, Radiating, Numb, Leaking! These are all words that many women describe as feeling during or after pregnancy.  These symptoms are often accepted as a "new normal".  While the feelings are common, it's not normal and help is available.  Our personalized treatment plans incorporate physical therapy, education, and exercises to help patients restore health and wellbeing. Call Vitality Woman's Physical Therapy and Wellness if you are pregnant or postpartum and experiencing discomfort or difficulty moving.

Kate Jensen is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works in private practice in Elmhurst and surrounding areas.  Kate specializes in perinatal (both pregnancy and postpartum) anxiety, mood disorders and prenatal loss. Kate also specializes in family and relationship counseling surrounding transitioning bringing a new family member into the home and other relationship areas as well. 

While many expecting families interview a care provider and a doula, many do not interview the placenta encapsulator they intend to hire.

Here is a list of important questions to ask your potential encapsulator and why you should be asking them.

What training have you had?

Training is important! There is so much more included in a great placenta encapsulation training than how to put a placenta on a dehydrator. A great class should include safety aspects of encapsulation, guidelines to follow, when the placenta should not be encapsulated, proper equipment and more.


Are you currently certified or pursuing certification? Why or why not?

This question also speaks about the training organization. Is there even a certification option?  If your encapsulator is choosing not to become certified that could be a red flag. Does the encapsulator not wish to follow the guidelines laid out by the training organization?  If there is no certification agency there would be no where to report a questionable encapsulator. 

Have you taken a bloodborne pathogen training?

Here's the flat out truth on this one. The placenta contains blood and your encapsulator better know proper techniques to protect her/himself and you from the dangers of cross contamination of blood from one placenta to the next and proper sanitation of equipment.

How do I know the pills I am getting are my own?

The only way for you to know for sure the placenta you get back is your own, is to keep it in your own possession. 

Does any of your equipment get used for personal use as well?

A professional encapsulator will have equipment and supplies that are only for the encapsulator's business. 

What safety precautions do you take?

Almost all encapsulators wear gloves, but are they covering their hair, so there is no chance of hair getting into your capsules? Are they wearing a mask, so that they are not breathing onto your pills? Are they wearing eye protection for bloodborne safety when working with the raw placenta? Are they taking all steps to ensure there is no cross contamination? 

How is the equipment being cleaned and sanitized?

The equipment must be handled with bloodborne pathogens (BBP's) in mind. Bleach (and a few other substances are BBP approved. While sometimes we aren't thrilled with the use of chemicals, this is the time it's a necessity for safety. 

Can I watch the process?

Why on earth ask this question?? You may or may not actually want to watch the process, but if the encapsulator is following all the safety precautions and doing everything correctly, why would they mind? It's a question that provides an additional layer of comfort for you (even if you know for sure you do not want to watch the process).

What kind of follow up do you have?

This is a nice little question. While many encapsulators leave you with,  "Well, you can call me if you have questions."  You should hear that the encapsulator will offer basic postpartum support and guidance while they are processing your placenta and have some pre-set check ins to make sure things are going smoothly for you.


Be assured that Birth:  Before and After welcomes all these questions and more!

Deb is the owner and trainer for Placenta Training Company and teaches the importance of each of these questions.

​Have questions?  Contact Deb via email or phone at 815-867-0087


Authored by Deb Pocica

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Mother's Day (May 8th) is fast approaching! Still searching for the right gift or activity for Mom?

Try these great suggestions in Elmhurst!

How about a brunch?  

1. Cafe Amano 
2.  Flight 112  
3.  OMG Brunch and Boutique 

Need a bouquet?

4.  Check out Carousel Flowers
5.  Or try something unique at Edible Arrangements 

How about something sweet for mom?

6.  Kilwins has a large selection of candies and treats for mom. 
7.  Courageous Bakery has wonderful baked goods including gluten free options. 

What about something more active for mom?

8.  Fitz Spare Keys offers bowling 
9.  If mom is super adventurous how about Sky Zone! 

 Searching for something special for the mom that is expecting?

10.  Now through Mother's Day (May 8th 2016) save 10% off Postpartum Planning Sessions at Birth:  Before and After. Many times we plan for pregnancy and birth but forget that mom needs some care and pampering after the birth as well. Learn tips to make the postpartum a smooth transition for mom.

As I grabbed a book from the bookshelf today, the thirteen year old asked why I was grabbing a children's book.  I responded that I was writing a blog about it.  She then demanded that I use her favorite book from childhood, Small Pig.

I have probably read/heard this story over a thousand times.  As I re-read it today, I was filled with memories of my children being young. The ability I used to have to comfort them with a kiss or nurse them to sleep.  How I was their entire world.

  How things have changed over the years!

Now my parenting is filled with discussions on driver's licenses and  on which swim suit will be appropriate, yet fashionable enough for a 13 year old girl.  A kiss won't fix the hurts they experience anymore. I'm only a guide now rather than the director of their lives.

 Don't get me wrong, I love teenagers! I own three of them right now. But every once in a while, it's fun to look back and remember days that were a little more simple. When a kiss and a hug were magical.

Life is about finding comfort in the small things.

So just like Small Pig, who gets comfort when he "sits down and sinks down into the good, soft mud." I get comfort in the memories of a children's story.



​authored by Deb Pocica

  I have hips AND I'm a little on the short side.   Combining the two makes jean shopping a challenge to say the least.

I would love to hire a professional jean shopping doula!

My professional jean shopping doula would support me through the entire jean shopping experience.

She would first be able to educate me on which stores to shop that fits my personal wants and needs. Many stores stop clothing sizes at 12 or 14 and I need a size 16. She would be able to look at my body and tell me what styles look the best. Do I want the skinny jeans, the wide leg trousers, the boyfriend cut? Then what shade of jeans?! I had no idea how many choices there were!

 I'm sure she would ask me questions like, "Where do you want to wear your jeans?" so she could guide me in making the best decision for myself.  She would also talk with me about having jeans potentially shortened (I never even thought about that! Thanks, Jean Doula!) and gives me a few references for the job.

Then the big jean shopping day would come! First she would come to support me at home by looking through my closet to see what I already own and what tops I might be choosing to wear with my jeans. Then when we decided I was ready, we would head out to the mall!

She would have our day planned out, knowing which stores to avoid and which stores to head inside. This is where my jean shopping doula would start the physical support.  She would go through the racks for me to find the correct sizes and bring them to the dressing room for me. If I needed a size up (or maybe even down) she would  grab them for me, so I didn't need to come out and get them.

She might even bring in some belts or grab some shoes that would look perfect with THAT pair of jeans. "WOW! I never even thought about a belt with those. It totally makes the outfit!"

 I don't know about you, but after about 5 or 6 pair of jeans don't fit me right, the overwhelm starts to set in. I start questioning myself and my jean decisions! "Can I really find a pair that fits in the length, but doesn't have the ugly gap in the back?"  "Maybe I should just give up and come back after I loose that 10 pounds?"

​My jean doula sees what's going on and starts the emotional support.  She reassures me that I do NOT need to wait to loose that 10 pounds and that we will find the perfect pair of jeans for me. She brings me some water and a bite to eat, which allows me to take some time to refresh and start anew.

Finally we find them! They are perfect! They fit in the waist without that gap. They actually flatter my figure! She helps me take them to the car. We hug and she's off. I did it!

Here's a few things that my professional jean doula would never do:

Tell me I need to wear a certain style because that's her style. Even if she personally thinks that straight leg trousers are the worst idea ever, if I like straight leg trousers, then she supports me in my decision.

Tell me that I need to loose weight or change my appearance prior to purchasing my jeans.  She supports me where I am at in the process.

Just purchase the jeans for me. This is MY process, so she's supporting me along the way, but not taking over.

Now, don't you wish you had a jean doula, too?!


Authored by Deb Pocica 

They say (whoever *they* are) that a business should re-brand and update to keep up with the times! So that's just what happened. But first who are we and where did it begin?

Deb Pocica has been around the birth business block now for almost a decade.  She began as a doula in 2008 as www.DoulaDeb.net. She quickly fell in love with childbirth education and placenta encapsulation.  These became her mainstay for business, which led to a new and improved business www.PlacentaChicago.com.  

In 2013, she stopped working as a birth doula to focus on training new placenta encapsulationists and running her own placenta business.  In 2015, she partnered with ProDoula to create Placenta Prep to train birth professionals and others to have the highest standards in the industry all the while continuing to build her personal business.

While Placenta Chicago served her well for 5+ years, she realized it was time for an update!

Presenting to you   Birth:  Before and After and owner Deb Pocica

Birth:  Before and After's focus is on childbirth education, postpartum planning, and other postpartum services including placenta encapsulation.

Thanks for stopping by,

Deb Pocica