By hiring New Lenox doula Colleen Curry to attend their first childbirths, two area women had the best of both worlds during labor.

They had the loving support of their husbands along with the experience and focused encouragement of someone who’s attended many births. In addition, the husbands were more prepared for baby day.

“When my husband, Gordon, was in the fifth grade, he had watched a video on childbirth, and it had scared him,” said Julie Swan, 31, of Frankfort. “But by the time we went to the hospital to have the baby, he wasn’t afraid. We were both ready.”

According to Doulas of North America International, a doula is a "trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth." Doulas do not, however, take on medical duties during births or replace nurses or doctors.  

“At first I thought I would have Colleen just for the first baby," said Karrie Licatesi, 33, of Mokena, who, along with Swan, gave birth at at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. "I figured after that, (her husband) Mark would know how things worked so that the next time, it would be just us two. But as I thought about it, I decided that when we have another one, I’d like to have a doula again. Colleen was able to help me through things my husband couldn’t.”

Gaining Acceptance in the Medical Establishment

Although Curry accepts private clients, OMG Women’s Healthcare in Hinsdale recently contracted Curry’s services, making her one of the rare doulas in the country to be associated with an established obstetrical practice. Certified nurse-midwives are also part of OMG.

“Colleen brings a different perspective to the labor and delivery process,” said Dr. Steven R. Daube, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at OMG. “She’s more of a patient advocate. She’s extremely interested in helping through the process because every experience is different.”

Curry--who is a DONA International-certified birth doula, a natural childbirth educator and a La Leche League-certified breastfeeding counselor--provides a variety of services to her patients. These include labor support, breastfeeding education and support, birth classes, birth plan creation and more. She says she's happy to see the medical community recognizing the value of the labor support doulas provide.

“I’m thrilled that OMG wants to offer this to their patients,” Curry said. “And I’m flattered that they want me to be a part of it. I’m able to reassure the mother, respond to her feelings and build up her confidence.”

Frankfort Mom Appreciated Less Rigid Approach

Swan was already planning a natural childbirth, but after seeing the film, The Business of Being Born, she decided she wanted a doula present, too. Swan posted on Facebook, asking if anyone knew a doula, and Curry was quickly recommended. Swan called Curry, liked what she heard and enrolled in the doula's 12-week childbirth class. 

“She talked about ways to relax during labor without pain medication,” Swan said. “She also taught my husband how to help me during childbirth. She taught about breastfeeding and bringing the baby home, all things that are involved in having a baby.”

Swan was a month away from delivery when she switched obstetricians. She said her original obstetrician was determined to use medical interventions, but after attending Curry’s classes, Swan wanted a less rigid approach.

“It was so different at OMG,” Swan said. “They spent more time with me and answered all my questions. They didn’t push my concerns aside and treat me like a worried pregnant lady or that I was being idealistic and had no realistic view of childbirth.”

The long drive to the hospital coupled with contractions stressed Swan enough to elevate her blood pressure she was admitted. Instead of resorting to medication, Curry dimmed the lights, turned on music and coached Swan through breathing exercises to relax her taut muscles. Swan’s blood pressure soon came down.

After Claire--now 9 months old--was born, Curry helped Swan breastfeed her daughter. Curry also made sure Swan received proper treatment for postpartum depression.

“I really don’t think I could have done the birth without her,” Swan said.

Curry Helped Mokena Mom Through Difficult Birth

Licatesi learned about Curry from a pamphlet she picked up from her friend’s cloth diaper store, Cutie Poops and Bottoms in Orland Park. Licatesi was so impressed by what she read that she contacted Curry and slid into the last opening in the doula's childbirth class. She appreciated Curry’s holistic, yet open-minded, education-centered attitude.

“Colleen empowers her clients to ask questions,” Licatesi said. “You don’t have to accept everything the obstetrician tells you unless it’s an emergency. She gets to know everybody, so she knows just what to say to them. It was almost having the missing piece of the puzzle with her there.”

At the beginning of her third trimester with Kameron (now 8 ½ months old), Licatesi switched to OMG because she wanted a certified nurse-midwife to deliver the baby. Licatesi’s labor was induced because she was overdue, the umbilical cord was pinched, and her amniotic fluid was low. But Curry remained a stabilizing force, Licatesi said.

“At one point I felt like I was going crazy,” she said. “But she got me to focus on her and tell me she knew I could do it. It was enough to get me through it.”

For more information about Colleen Curry’s services, visit www.ColleenTheDoula.com.