Doulas
Mother Me's doulas are trained professionals who guide and support women through the profound journey of late pregnancy, childbirth, and immediate postpartum. These dynamic women offer education, pain management, and comfort techniques through a relationship built on respect, trust, and continuity of care.
Rita Di Rito Surgal
Rita Di Rito-Surgal, CMT, CIMI, CLA, the founder and director of Mother Me, Inc., is one of Chicago's pioneers in bridging the gap between age- old traditions and modern medical approaches to the birthing experience. For over ten years, she has implemented and directed massage, doula and childbirth education programs at leading obstetrical and nurse midwifery practices.
Rita is well-known in the community for her dedication and attention to the individual and diverse needs of each expectant family. Her approach is shaped by the belief that in order to achieve a satisfying birth and parenting experience, one must build a strong foundation of emotional, physical and spiritual support.
A massage therapist and specialist in bodywork for the child-bearing year, Rita is also a doula, educator, and mother of three.
Casey Gabel
Casey began her education at the University of Iowa. For the last 19 years she has worked and traveled, experiencing different cultures and ideas. Drawing on these experiences, Casey believes that trust and a strong sense of community are essential to a satisfying birth experience and is committed to honoring the empowerment of birth.
Casey is a skilled communicator and listener and has a deep understanding of a woman's physical and emotional needs. She is experienced with massage, acupressure, aromatherapy, crystal therapy and waterbirth.
Casey is the proud mother of two children, both birthed in water tubs (the first in the hospital and the second at home). Casey began attending births in 2008, and currently lives in Chicago with her family.
Jen Gooze
Jen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in early childhood education and an emphasis in Spanish and special needs. She taught kindergarten and first grade until her first child was born in 2000.
Jen has three children, and has experienced both a medical hospital birth and a natural hospital birth. Jen eagerly attended her first birth in 2005; later that year she had the great honor of attending the birth of her adopted daughter. Through these experiences, Jen became passionate about the birthing process and the variety of choices essential to every laboring woman.
Jen connects with women and their partners; she is a compassionate, nurturing caretaker. She has been a yoga and pilates enthusiast for many years and shares the benefits of these disciplines during pregnancy and postpartum.
Jennifer Netzky
Licensed Massage Therapist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jennifer has worked with families and individuals since 1994, living locally and internationally to improve opportunities and services offered to children and women. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and her degree in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork from the New School for Massage in Chicago. Her practice integrates a combination of Massage Therapy, Bodywork, emotional release techniques, and education to manifest health, comfort and strength for mom, baby and the whole family.
Jennifer respects and encourages your personal birthing and parenting beliefs, preferences and traditions, working together to achieve your desired goals. She offers a gentle touch and dependable strength to support you and your family throughout the transformative and joyful journey of birth.
About Doulas
The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and is now used to refer to a woman who helps other women during the childbearing year. A doula gives emotional, physical and informational support as well as providing continuity of care.
A birth doula is a labor assistant who supports women and their families in achieving the birth they desire.
A postpartum doula assists the family with the transitional time after the baby’s birth and offers in-home support.
Long term benefits of birth and postpartum doulas include:
- Improved breast-feeding
- Decreased postpartum depression
- Greater maternal satisfaction
- Better mother-infant interaction
Studies have shown* that having a doula may decrease
- Epidural use by 60%
- Cesaeran birth by 50%
- Pitocin use by 40%
- Narcotic use by 30%
- Forceps use by 30%
- Length of labor by 25%
*based on the published works of Dr. John Kennell and Dr. Marshall Klas
If you choose to use doula services, we recommend contacting a doula early in pregnancy to ensure that you receive optimal care.
For details and additional information, call us at 773.588.8440 or .