Colleen Curry Doula Profile

My husband and I took Colleen's 12 week birth course at Cutie Poops and Bottoms which was well worth the time and money.  We both learned so much and learned how important was to work together as a team.  My husband learned what his role was and realized that he didn't have to be the guy in the backround.  We decided to hire Colleen as our Doula and we are both so glad we did.  Colleen truly cares about her clients and was very easy to get a hold of whenever I had a question about any of my concerns.  Colleen has a lot of patience  

We wanted a doula because (1) we wanted to give ourselves the best possible chance to have a natural birth and (2) we figured that during the most stressful, most important time of our lives, we should have someone knowledgeable who could help us out and alleviate our concerns. We met Colleen at the pre-birth class that she teaches, and we felt comfortable that she had both the experience and personality to fit our needs.

Colleen was definitely a great comfort during labor. My wife had very intense back pain, and Colleen did a fantastic job helping manage this pain, both by getting my wife into a number of different positions and by directing me where best to massage to relieve the pain. My wife is confident that Colleen is a big reason that she was able to persevere and give birth naturally.

Even though Colleen was not feeling well physically (she had recently had back surgery), she was still helping me massage my wife to relieve her pain. However, she felt so bad about not being able to fully participate physically that she brought in another doula to assist. We were so lucky to have two great doulas at our birth.
 

Colleen was a key part to us having a fantastic birth experience. We are very appreciative of her contributions.
 

I met Colleen during a 6-week prenatal class through my OB/Midwife group, OMG Women's Healthcare in Hindale.  The class was great, she discussed everything we needed to know from prenatal care to labor and delivery to taking baby home.  She was fun and enthusiastic.  Luckily, we signed up for the class early in our pregnancy, so she was still available at our due date to attend our birth.  We kept in touch during my pregnancy and she answered questions that I had along the way.  

Since my baby was breech when I went into labor, I had a cesarean, so I didn't get to experience her wonders in the labor and delivery room.  But, she did come visit me in the hospital after the birth and saw me in the office for my 1 week postpartum checkup.  

Her energy, devotion and spirit come out in everything she does.  This is a woman who truly loves her job, and she should be proud of the terrific services she provides.   

Colleen was my doula as well as my childbirth class instructor.  Her class was wonderful.  Because of the things we learned in her class, we decided to switch providers for the birth of our baby and it was the best decision we ever made.  Furthermore, the environment that Colleen creates in her class is very friendly and relaxed, encouraging any and all questions that arise.  I still keep in contact with the other mamas from our childbirth class on a near-daily basis.  

On the day of my daughter's birth, Colleen arrived at the hospital and took charge of the situation, ultimately helping me avoid unnecessary intervention from the nurses until my midwife arrived.  Colleen was a calming, empowering, and encouraging force throughout my labor and delivery, helping my husband and I to have the natural childbirth I had dreamed of.   

Colleen's help did not end there.  I had much difficulty with nursing and Colleen was a huge support for me at that time.  She helped with with my difficulties and referred me to a wonderful lactation consultant.  

Colleen's help did not even end there.  I ended up having postpartum depression and Colleen was a huge support for me to get the help that I needed for that.  I got help quickly and got the PPD under control quickly.    

Now, 8 months later, we have our perfect baby girl and we could not be happier.    

 I found Colleen through an acquaintance, and was excited to see that she also taught Bradley classes. We were very impressed by her knowledge of the material, her fun personality, her professionalism and her ability to work well with nervous new parents. Colleen’s class was full of realistic expectations: Sometimes birth is messy, sometimes it’s amazing, and sometimes it has a bad outcome. She prepared us for every possibility, even ones we couldn’t comprehend at that time.

We hoped to have Colleen attend our birth, but due to an injury, we thought it would be impossible. She recommended a fellow doula and we proceeded, believing that our birth was likely to be as problem-free as our pregnancy had been.

However, at 40-weeks, our daughter had no heartbeat and we were faced with the unimaginable task of giving birth to a stillborn child. We reached out to Colleen who, despite her pain, came and supported us.

This birth was nothing like I would have wanted: I was induced and given opiates to soothe my physical and emotional pain. However, Colleen was there every step of the way, encouraging with positions, rice socks and every possible comfort measure. She faced our pain and grief head on and helped us give our daughter Maura the best possible entry into the world. When the nurses brought Maura to us for the first time, it was Colleen that set my beautiful, ten-pound girl into my arms.

Colleen has continued to support us; maintaining a personal connection without losing her professional manner. She talks of Maura accompanying her now when she brings healthy babies into the world, a thought that gives us great honor and comfort.

When it is time for Maura’s sibling to come into the world, there are two people that will be by my side: my husband and my doula. And no matter what happens, big sister Maura will be in our hearts, that day and always.
 

I was referred to Colleen by my Bradely teacher while she was still a student doula for my son's birth. My hope was a natural birth, even though I was being induced. Though things didn't go quite as expected, she was right there helping me and my husband every step of the way. She addressed each step in my labor emotionally, physically, and mentally. I felt completely fortunate to have her support while meeting my first child. So it was an easy decision when I found out that I was pregnant again for her to help me see my daughter into the world as well. She again was there for me through every step of my pregnancy and labor. With her help I was able to have my dream labor, which turned into a unceremonious, but extraordinary delivery. As grateful as I was to have her there for my labors, my husband was doubly. He helped to address his needs when he was busy addressing mine. When choosing your labor support, both personality and professionalism are important. Colleen has both, incomparably. Our family is immeasurably appreciative to have Colleen's services at both of our children's births.

Colleen was the instructor at our birth class at OMG women's health in Hinsdale.  Like many first time parents, my wife and I were nervous about the experience of labor, and although we knew we had the best doctor (Daube) and hospital (Hinsdale), we still felt uneasy. 

Colleen did a great job teaching the class, and as the weeks passed, Hope and I began considering hiring her as our doula. 

I'm sure I speak for a lot of fathers with this.  I was very scared personally about how I would be in the delivery room.  If things got a little scary, as they tend to do, I didn't want my wife to look up at me and see me scared, nervous or panicked.  In our final class, she mentioned the power of the "reassuring wink", and I was sold.  While that seems simple, it was her confidence in us, and my confidence in her, that made the delivery go so smoothly.

Aside from the emotional support she provided, her "bag of goodies" really eased Hope's labor.  From birth balls, to fruit snacks, she thought of everything we didn't, and everything even the best nurse (rightfully) wouldn't have time for. 

Personally, I think Colleen did as much for me as she did for my wife.  Hope saw the confidence in my eyes during the hardest parts of labor, and knew she could do it.  That confidence was the direct result of Colleen's calm, caring, and dedication.

We can't thank her enough for her time, energy, and genuine support.  She has been there for us in the weeks after the birth, and even visited our place to spend time, talk, and share our birth story.

If you're looking for a doula who will be an advocate for your and your partner, while not forcing any of her personal beliefs on you, Colleen is the perfect doula for you.  Please don't hesitate hiring her.  I couldn't imagine Adelyn's birth without her. 

Jay Zawaski

I heard about Colleen from a friend who couldn't say enough about her at her birth of her daughter.  And, as this was out first child, I thought it might be  good idea to have someone else around to support me and my husband in the delivery room, advocating for a natural birth.  So, next thing I knew we took Bradley classes from Colleen as well, which was a double blessing because she was so informative and we became comfortable as we got to know each other for the big day.  Trusting those in the delivery room is the most important need you can meet ahead of time, and it all worked out so well with the hospital staff listening to our wishes and keeping to them!  What a Godsend she was!  My labor was 36 hours, and Colleen was ever present, by phone every hour to check in until it was time to go the hospital, which was twice in our case.  Between the words of encouragement, aromatherapy she used, technical discussions of my labor with our midwife, and the support which she gave my husband and mother...I am at a loss of words to express how valuable her presence was.  For me personally, I know my labor wouldn't have gone as smoothy without her.  We had a few birth plans change due to meconium and irregular contractions, and with Colleen present, I still had my natural birth, which may not have happened without her encouragement.  My midwife loved her, (as did the nursing staff) and I consider her an extrememly passionate and professional doula who is sincere and willing to do ANYTHING she has to for the best scenario possible.   Her follow up care is also sincere and shows how dedicated she is to this very important job.  Whether you are birthing at home or in a hospital setting, having a doula like Colleen is WELL worth the value of what you are getting in return. 

My husband and I would highly recommend Colleen. We wanted a natural, unmedicated birth and the experience, knowledge and professionalism that Colleen provided before, during and after labor was second to none.
Colleen provided me with explanation of what was happening to my body, what was normal during labor and how I was progressing. These are things the doctors don’t take the time to explain. She was very comforting throughout the entire process.
Colleen provided my husband with the support he needed when labor was getting difficult and he was having a hard time seeing me in pain. He needed the extra guidance from her to let him know that I was ok.
We were very grateful to have had Colleen attend the birth of our daughter and would hire her again in a heartbeat.
 

I knew that I wanted to give birth naturally since before I got pregnant.  I had a lot of people telling me that I was crazy and to just "get the drugs".  I was so glad to have a birthing coach that gave me the strength and resolve to stick with my initial plan.  Skip forward to me giving birth, Colleen had not yet arrived and I was really wanting an epidural and letting everyone around me become aware of that fact.  However, I somehow found the strenght to tell the nurses to hold off until my doula got there.  Once she arrived, she completely put me at ease with going forward naturally, as I had planned.  She seemed to do just the right thing throughout the birth, massaging my legs with oil, putting cold washcloths on my forehead, calm my husband, etc.  My husband and I were worried about how the nurses would take someone "invading" their space, but our fears proved unfounded because Colleen worked so well with all of the nursing staff and, at the same time, let my preferences be known and helped all to adhere to them.  My husband, our daughter, and myself are all so fortunate to have been able to work with Colleen and are so grateful for all of her help before, during, and after the birth.  We will definitely use her again in the future!!   

Colleen was just what I needed. She understood that even though I had a lot of "book knowledge" about pregnancy and birth that didn't mean I didn't need or want help and answers. She soothed my fears before labor and birth and was emotionally supportive throughout my homebirth. She made sure I was fed and watered through the labor process and when we needed to transfer baby to the hospital, she was right by my side.

From the fun parts of labor like doing the Macarena to the scary parts like hospital transfer, Colleen was there providing amazing support the whole way.

Since before I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to give birth to my future children naturally. After much persuasion my husband agreed to take Bradley Method classes- having come from a very traditional, middle-American, conservative background- natural childbirth and of all things a DOULA (!!!) were completely foreign ideas to him. During the interview process though Colleen won Hubby over instantly- her warmth, compassion, concern for both parents and what seems like endless wealth of knowledge made my husband and I feel completely at ease. Once labor began Colleen was our rock to lean on, a calm voice urging us forward, a gentle reminder that what we were doing was so much bigger than us, and an extra pair of hands to help hold us steady. Colleen is an endless well of enthusiasm and support not only for the birthing process but also the laboring parents. I am 100% certain that we were able to have the birth we’d envisioned in large part due to Colleen’s presence and guidance during labor!

When my husband and I got pregnant, we were both on the same page in wanting a natural and unmedicated child birth. We knew that we would be able to accomplish this by having an awsome birth team. We choose to have a Doula on our side as well as a midwife. I am a very high strung person and I need a lot of support. Colleen called me and took the time to answer all of my questions before we met with her. I liked what she had to say on the phone and my husband and I met with her the next week. She spent about two hours with us answering all of our questions and made sure we were both on the same page with how we wanted our birth to go. Colleen also teaches Bradley and we wanted to see where she was coming from (every teacher is different) so we took her class towards the end of our pregnancy. It was very helpful tro take more than one class with more than one Doula. We hired Colleen at the beginning of my pregnancy and she was very supportive, loving, and compassionate about me and what she does. No matter what time of day she made herself availabe to my husband and I. She arrived at the hospital 5 minutes after we did. She was exactly what I needed to get through my labor. I would reccomend Colleen to anyone wanting a natural birth or just to have in the delivery room. Only a woman in labor knows how important it is to have a lot of support and sonmeone there to explain what is going on if complications arise. She was the strength that I needed during labor. I would compare her to the most supporitve husband/ coach that you could have during you labor/delivery. She did a post pardom visit where we talked about the birth and what we would have done different.  She also printed up on beautiful stationary a detailed layout of the birth of Cole so I can have a keepsake for years to come.I do not think that I could have made it through the pregnancy or birth without Colleen.