Hi, I’m Clare VanderWeele, an ICEA-trained birth doula in the western suburbs.
My journey to becoming a birth doula began with my own birth experiences. I have three children and have walked the path of both hospital and home births, each time with a doula by my side who showed me the profound difference that gentle, knowledgeable support can make.
The experience of giving birth awakened a raw maternal instinct in me that opened my understanding to just how transformative and sacred this time can be. What began as my own journey through motherhood became a calling I couldn’t ignore—to offer that same presence and support to other families.
Why Gathered Nest Doula Care?
The name “Gathered Nest” reflects the natural nesting instinct that awakens during pregnancy and the gathering of resources and support that creates the foundation for confident birth. Just as birds carefully gather materials to create a sanctuary for new life, I believe in gathering the care, knowledge, and tools that help families feel prepared.
I’d love to be part of your birth story
I believe that the more we understand about the beauty of how our bodies were designed for birth, the more we can trust the process and find peace within it. I’m also a writer, and I’m drawn to the stories that unfold in birth—each one unique, each one powerful. In my daily life, I homeschool my children and have learned that growth happens best in environments of trust, patience, and gentle guidance.
This same philosophy flows through my doula work. I’m trained through ICEA and supported by a network of incredible birth doulas who share this vision of birth as something to be honored, not feared. Walking alongside families during this sacred time feels like the most natural expression of who I am.
Gathered Nest Doula 