Doula support from pregnancy through parenthood.
Find out how a doula can help you thrive at every stage.
Labor & Birth
Postpartum
Education
Lactation
Bereavement
What is a doula?
Whatever comes your way, the experience is always better when you and your partner know you have a solid person to lean on.
A doula (from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves”) helps you navigate a barrage of information and a whole spectrum of emotions; grief, fear, stress, joy and more so you can make informed decisions that make sense for you. No judgement (it’s not our style).
Trust us: you need a compassionate, calm, and approachable in your corner. Someone who listens. Someone who understands the complexity of what you’re going through. Someone trained in pregnancy, birth and postpartum who can be a mama (figure) without all the drama.
They say it takes a village, but it takes the RIGHT village.
No matter the circumstance, we're here as your guide and helping hand as you adjust to your new life. We support families across all spectrums and backgrounds:
Fertility challenges
First time parents and repeat parents
Trauma and abuse survivors
Hospital births (with a home birth feel)
VBAC
Multiples
Single Parents
Miscarriage, Stillbirth & Pregnancy after loss
LGBTQIA+
How Can We Support You?
INTERESTED IN DOULA SUPPORT? LET'S CHAT!
Labor & Birth Doula Support
45 minute consultation
Postpartum Doula Support
45 minute consultation
Lactation Support
30 minute consultation
Bereavement Support
One hour session
Meet Our Team
Julianne Curtis (she/her)
CLD, CCCE, CNPE, CLC, SBD, CAPPA Labor Doula instructor
Julianne has nearly 30 years of experience in nurturing families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Founding the Northern Colorado Doula Collective has been her dream. With humor, empathy, and expertise, she supports clients from preconception all the way through parenthood. She also facilitates many of our support groups and is responsible for the birth education we provide. Her specialty is helping parents navigate bereavement and grief after miscarriage and infant loss.
Katie Piccolo (she/her)
BSW, CLD, Hypno-Doula, Hypnobabies Instructor
Katie is one of the founding members of the Northern Colorado Doula Collective. She's a CAPPA Certified Labor Doula and Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor. Katie channels over 15 years of professional experience into her passion for guiding families through their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. She's committed to providing evidence-based support and respecting each family's unique birth experience.
Chloe McCarthy (she/her)
Postpartum Doula
Meet Chloe, a dedicated mom, wife, and postpartum doula from Northern Colorado. Drawing from her own experiences and her work in health education, Chloe offers a nurturing, non-judgmental space, ensuring families thrive with her guidance. Whether it's meal prep, sibling care, or sharing knowledge, she's committed to empowering diverse families to confidently embrace their postpartum chapters.
What Working With Us Is Like...
Here's what others have to say.
"Julianne really is your doula for life. She's a great support and advocate during pregnancy, birth, and after."
- Rebecca
"Throughout the entire journey into parenthood Katie always encouraged my husband and I to follow our instincts, and I think that is what makes her unique."
- Riley
"We had an idea of our ideal birth, but she gave us ideas and thoughts that allowed us to make an even more informed decision.
- Nicole
Birth Education
LOOKING FOR BIRTH EDUCATION THAT MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE?
Want to get more personalized birth and postpartum education? You're in the right spot. If you're a client, these workshops are included with your package. If you're not a client, we would love to have you join us!
*Please note that these classes are not meant to replace prenatal classes, but are built to enhance them.
Labor Prep &
Birth Support
Monday, February 26
Monday, April 8
Monday, June 3
In this workshop, we will cover writing your birth preferences (not a birth plan) preparing your body for birth, labor interventions, and support through both unmedicated and medically managed labors.
Feeding The Baby
Monday, March 25
Monday, May 20
Monday, July 29
In this workshop, we will cover best practices for feeding your newborn, addressing expectations and feeding challenges, and advocating for both you and baby in a hospital setting.
Planning The
4th Trimester
Monday, March 11
Monday, May 6
Monday, June 17
This workshop was designed to help you thrive in the early postpartum days and weeks after your baby is born. I'll cover how to best care for your postpartum body, tips for getting sleep, good nutrition, the transition back to work, childcare, and how to nurture your relationship with your partner.
Not Your First Rodeo (Birth)
Monday, April 22
Monday, August 5
Monday, June 3
Not your first birth but feel like you could use a refresher? Wondering how this birth will be different from your last birth? Want to know how to prepare siblings for a baby? Then this group is for you.
Or maybe this is your first birth using a doula? In this workshop, I will help prepare you for all the things you need to know for a different birth from your first/last.
Our Media
How to Make Labor More Fun (Or At Least Manageable)
How to Make Labor More Fun (Or At Least Manageable) from Your Fort Collins Birth Doula
As a seasoned Fort Collins birth doula, I’ve been in a labor and delivery room a few times. Okay, a loooootttt of times. And I’ve noticed a thing or two about what makes some deliveries more fun… or at least, more tolerable than others. I’m going to talk about that today.
Having a baby is hard work… there’s no way around that. It’s going to be hard, and you’re going to be pushed to your limits, but I promise you, it doesn’t have to be awful. In fact, it can be so beautiful, fun, and empowering.
I know, I know. You’re probably reading this and think I’ve lost my mind using fun and birth in the same sentence, but I promise I haven’t. Aside from any major medical emergencies or extenuating circumstances, labor can actually be fun. And that’s what we all want right? A beautiful, fun, and sweet delivery.
If you don’t believe me yet, keep reading. I promise there’s a way to ease your mind in a way that will allow you to enjoy the experience. As a Fort Collins birth doula, here’s what I’ve noticed that makes labor go smoother:
Working to break free of fear… I know this sounds easier said than done, but what sometimes happens in birth is that you can’t enjoy the goodness of it all because you’re so focused on the fear of it all. This looks different for everyone, but breaking that fear cycle can free your mind. This will look different for everyone but before labor even starts, work to change your mindset, get your questions answered, address your fears, find what makes you feel the safest, assert control over the things you can have a say in, and work to reset your thoughts about the whole process. Pam England from Birthing From Within has a great fear clearing exercise I recommend everyone does before birth. You can find it here:
Practicing mindfulness – As you prepare for labor, mindfulness training is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You’ll learn how to be in the moment, how to meditate, and train for the delivery of your baby. This will give you the tools you need to make it more peaceful, and ultimately more enjoyable.
Packing your music! As a Fort Collins birth doula, I always recommend you pack a speaker or headphones in your hospital bag. That way you can sing, dance, and shake those hips during delivery. When you dance and sing, your body will naturally increase more endorphins that will help you feel better and be happier. And if you don’t feel up to DJ’ing your own birth playlist there are lots of already made playlists one many of the music stations.
Doing what feels good – Unless there is a medical reason not to, I always recommend my clients listen to their own bodies and change positions frequently. Using a good balance of rest, standing, squats, movement, walking, and stretching can not only shorten your labor but also make it more comfortable too. Honoring your body and its cravings will help you through your labor.
Repeating your mantras – As part of mindfulness training, I always recommend clients pick a few mantras that they repeat over and over to themselves during labor. They might be sayings like – this is temporary, or good things are coming, or my body was made for this. Whatever sayings feel right to you will help you get through labor.
Playing your favorite podcast, book, or album – Another thing you can do to make the time pass and to help take your mind off things is to listen to your favorite podcast, book, or album. These can all help center your mind and give you something else to think about. I particularly love the story “Wonder” that Matthew Mchonachy reads on the Calm app. His voice is like butter.
Relying on humor – As your Fort Collins birth doula, everyone knows I love humor. It’s a great way to lighten the mood and help everyone relax. Telling jokes, sharing funny stories, or quick quips during delivery can all help everyone enjoy the moment a bit more.
Labor is hard work, but it’s my sincerest hope that these few tips will make your birth just a bit more enjoyable.
And as a Fort Collins birth doula, I know the secret sauce to most happy births is parents who are willing to go with the flow and surrender to the process just a little bit.
Sending you all my love,
Julianne
If you have any questions or if there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, I would love it if you followed me on Facebook and Instagram for more content (and jokes!).
