Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Doulas of Iowa City
  • Home
  • Doula
    • Fertility Support
    • Prenatal Support
    • Labor and Birth Support
    • Postpartum Support
  • Classes
    • Childbirth Ed
    • Yoga
  • Lactation Services
  • Placenta Encapsulation
  • Massage Therapy
  • Sleep
  • Contact Us
  • Doula Training
  • Join Doulas of IC
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Doula
    • Fertility Support
    • Prenatal Support
    • Labor and Birth Support
    • Postpartum Support
  • Classes
    • Childbirth Ed
    • Yoga
  • Lactation Services
  • Placenta Encapsulation
  • Massage Therapy
  • Sleep
  • Contact Us
  • Doula Training
  • Join Doulas of IC
  • Blog
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

10/31/2018 0 Comments

Why I Hired a Doula - Allison's Story

Picture
With baby number four on the way, my husband and I started reminiscing about our past labors with our other three kiddos.

I was induced at 38 weeks with my oldest for pre-eclampsia, my middle came all on his own at 37 weeks, and my youngest (and at the time, we thought last) decided he wanted to make his own statement coming into this world by arriving at just 35 weeks.

With my third child, my water broke around 1 p.m., and I did not start having contractions until 8 p.m. The OB intended to start Pitocin (a medication to induce contractions) but was pulled away to an emergency, and in that time my body decided to kick start itself.

A mere two hours later my little Elias entered the world. During labor my contractions got more intense than the ones before, but when I was not contracting I felt fine and was even joking with my husband, the nurse, and some friends. Because my labor was progressing quickly, when I was about 7 cm dilated my doctor said, “If you want the epidural you better get it now because if we wait any longer there will not be time. There is just a little lip left on your cervix and when that is gone it will be go time, your body will rev up, and you will completely dilate very fast.”

With my other two kiddos, I got epidurals during labor. But this time I wasn’t in as much pain. Had he not scared me with the “now or never” approach, I  probably would have declined pain medication with that labor. But, I was already in an anxious state of mind knowing my baby was coming too early and may need NICU time so I just gave in.

The story of my third labor still makes me disappointed every time I tell it, because I felt I could have continued to labor unmediated, but out of fear I let my doctor's commentary sway me. Now do not get me wrong, I was absolutely in love with him and would have him again if he didn’t move away. I think he was just giving me a harsh reality check that it was now or not at all for an epidural.

After we found out about baby number four, I did some research. I had never had a doula before but had heard about the benefits and how others had positive labor experiences with them.  Previously, I never wanted a doula because I associated that term with midwife which I associated with home births. While that may be the way to go for some, for me, with my history, it was not an avenue I was willing to take.

But after doing research, I found out they are not the same at all. In fact, a Midwife has medical education while a Doula is a non-medical support person during labor. Doulas have training in understanding labor and its stages along with techniques and positions to help support you during labor, but they do not offer medical advice (whereas midwives are trained medical professionals). During my research I also learned many midwives will work in the hospital and are not exclusively for home births.

After sharing this with my husband and talking about it, we decided to hire a doula for my fourth birth.

As I say to potential clients, make sure you interview several doulas and pick the one you mesh with best. We found a local chiropractor that I ended up going to due to my severe SPD. After talking with her more and more, I learned she was also a doula. We got along so well it wasn’t long before we hired her. With her on my side, I felt that I would have the support I needed to continue to push through this labor and make my dream of a medication-free birth a reality.

My fourth labor with doula support left me convinced that everyone can benefit from a doula. I cannot even begin to describe the amount of support I felt from her. I went into labor at 35 weeks (again!) and due to some unforeseen circumstances, my birth plan went out the window (and that itself was very hard for me to grasp). She was there and helped keep me calm when I wanted to just run home and be done with it all. I was able to labor without pain medication even through Pitocin-induced contractions, and I am extremely proud to say that! I absolutely would not have been able to do it without her. (There were a few moments of despair on my end, and I will admit I did ask for some IV pain meds, but I was too close to delivery to receive them.)

Our interactions with our doula did not end there. She offered support postpartum as well, which I firmly believe is so important, and I preach it to anyone I can. Moms always put themselves last, and we cannot keep doing that. We need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of our family too!

After everything she helped me through, combined with my love for labor and delivery, I chose to become a doula myself! I am beyond excited that I chose this path, and  I just can’t wait to be that person to them that my doula was to me.
A version of this blog first appeared on the Divine Doula Services blog.
Looking for a birth or postartum doula to support you in this exciting time?  Join us for our next Meet the Doulas event!

Picture
Allison Carfizzi is a trained prenatal and postpartum doula with Divine Doula Services. She has a history in working in healthcare and offering compassion to her clients. She is a mother of four under 6 and loves spending her time researching and learning anything new pertaining to conceiving, pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum. She will offer non-judgmental support to any family, from all walks of life, through pregnancy, labor & delivery and beyond.
0 Comments

10/24/2018 0 Comments

Why You Need Childbirth Education Classes

Picture
As a birth worker, families ask me in many different ways - Why are childbith prep classes so important? Not to sound like a broken record for those who have already asked me, but here's why I feel so strongly about them. 

Picture yourself planning a big vacation. You may pick a place to go immediately or take time to figure out the best option for your destination. Once you've picked your spot, you figure out travel plans to get there, where to stay, make dinner reservations or schedule tours, etc. You may leave some of your vacation more open so you can relax or decide what to do once you are there. Heck, some of you may take a spontaneous trip and book a flight two hours before it takes off! However, for many of us, flying by the seat of our pants may sound more stressful than exciting. 

Thinking through all the small details you attend to when planning a vacation can help you understand why taking a full-day or 6-week childbirth education course before baby comes is so beneficial for you and your partner. You both will benefit immensely by taking the time to learn more about the journey you will be going on to meet your sweet babe. Also, because most of us didn't grow up around birth, it may make us uncomfortable or fearful of the unknown.

It wasn't always that way. Many years ago (and still in some cultures today), giving birth was very much a community effort. Women helping women, men supporting the community collectively and so on. Our society has gotten away from birth as a community and family effort. As a result, we don't talk much about labor and birth, and we have so many unknowns when it comes to childbirth. 
How do you learn about childbirth? Books? Blogs? Asking parents? While these sources offer advice,  nothing beats a hands-on learning experience from an expert in childbirth education.  A solid childbirth education class will include: 
- Anatomy and physiology of labor and birth
- Stage of labor (physical and emotional)
- Position practice for labor, birth, and optimal fetal positioning
- Hands-on coping techniques, pain management (medical and non-medical), dealing with the unexpected and the role of the birth partner
- Birth videos 
- Handouts including birth and postpartum resources and information
Picture
Picture
No matter what type of childbirth prep class you choose, it is the first step in preparing you and your partner to welcome your baby. You'll learn about the birth process, how birthing parent's body and baby work as a team during labor and delivery, and talk about how to prepare for postpartum. Some  birth classes go beyond that and teach both you and your partner coping techniques (there are many out there!) and how your partner can support you. This can give both of you the boost in confidence that you can birth your baby. You also may learn about various medical interventions and their pros and cons, why they were introduced, and how and when they become necessary.  A good course will present these to not scare you but to empower you to know what your options are, if you may need them. 
​
Now that I've convinced you childbirth education is important, I bet you are wondering where you can find a great course? Several of our member doulas offer childbirth education in both private and group settings that cover labor and deliver, coping techniques, massage for labor, breastfeeding, planning for postpartum, infant sleep education, and more! Find all of these member businesses here.
A version of this blog previously appeared over on the Stacey Schmitt Birth & Photography blog.

Picture
Stacey Schmitt is a mother to her three littles, prenatal & postnatal yoga instructor at Toula Yoga, and a birth doula with Iowa Doula Agency.  Find a full offering of Stacey's birth, photography, placenta, and yoga services here.
0 Comments

10/10/2018 0 Comments

What is a Postpartum Doula?

Picture
In our culture the word "postpartum" often leads to confusion, having become synonymous with the diagnosis of postpartum depression.  However, postpartum is a when and not a what.  That is to say, postpartum simply refers to the time after a birthing parent gives birth.

A postpartum doula, then, is a professional who has training and experience supporting families in the days, weeks, and even months after baby's birth.  While different doulas define their postpartum services differently, many (including myself) consider their postpartum doula services applicable to anytime in the first year after baby's birth - as the complications from birth and challenges of parenthood don't stop at a certain number of weeks. A postpartum doula supports you as you heal from birth, gain confidence in your parenting, and meet the ebb and flow of life transitions with a new baby.

As I've written about elsewhere, our current culture seems to turn the postpartum period into a race back to "normal," lauding those who "bounce back" with praise. But, as traditional cultures demonstrate, there exists much value in treating the time after baby with care - nourishing and supporting the birth parent as well as encouraging and supporting the rest of the family.

What services do postpartum doulas offer?
Each doula defines her terms of service a bit differently, so it is worthwhile to meet with and interview several doulas to find the perfect fit for your family's needs, including daytime and/or overnight support.

While the specifics of support may vary, you can expect your postpartum doula to help you meet your needs for rest and tend to baby with confidence.  This may include assistance with meal preparation, light housework, connections to resources, informational support, infant feeding support for breast and/or bottle, babywearing tutorials, and a nonjudgmental, empathetic  ear to listen as you process your birth and this leap into motherhood. 

You doula may also bring additional training into her work including breastfeeding support, infant sleep education, massage, and more.

While you can hire a doula at any point, reaching out to interview prenatally will give you the time to find the perfect fit and guarantee your spot on your doula's calendar. As with a birth doula, a postpartum doula doesn't guarantee a specific postpartum experience, but having the support you need to rest and heal can help you feel more empowered and cared for in the transition into parenthood.

What are the benefits of hiring a postpartum doula?
When you hire a postpartum doula prenatally, you can go into birth confident that you will have the support you need to rest and recover from birth.

If this is your first baby, you'll likely have lots of questions about whether or not baby's eating and sleeping habits are normal.  Having an experienced doula can provide lots of reassurance about biologically normal infant behavior, especially in the 4th trimester when babies have an intense need to stay close to caregivers.

If this is your second or more baby, the whole family - siblings included - will undergo a shift as baby comes home. Your postpartum doula can help you manage your busy household or carve out some special time with older siblings.

If you choose to hire a doula for overnight support, your doula can help you maximize rest while meeting your feeding goals - handling diaper changes and additional soothing needs so you can rest as much as possible.

As with a birth doula, the nonjudgmental support of a postpartum doula - feeling heard and understood - can make all the difference in how you experience the challenges and joys of life postpartum. And, should you need additional support outside a doula's scope of practice to navigate those challenges, your doula will be ready with recommendations to trusted providers so you can get the support you need right away.
Looking for support in the days and weeks after baby arrives? Meet our member doulas who offer postpartum services at our next Meet the Doulas event or reach out to any of our postpartum doulas to schedule a consultation.

Picture
​

Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
0 Comments

10/5/2018 0 Comments

Giveaway Sponsors - Meet the Doulas November 2018

Picture
Our last Meet the Doulas of event of 2018 is less than a month away! For this meeting, we're so excited to offer a gift basket of amazing items and gift certificates from Doulas of Iowa City member businesses as well as other fantastic local businesses. Everyone who attends the Meet the Doulas on November 3 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Robinson Family Wellness will have the opportunity enter to win! 
Picture
Thanks to Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT and Doula for contributing this gift certificate for Labor Massage Instruction.

Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT, Doula has been supporting birthing families and teaching massage techniques for healthy outcomes for 20 years in the Iowa City community. This session gives the birth couple the confidence to enhance their birth experience through skills and tools that reduce pain and anxiety. Touch communication is intimate and powerful. It is your primary language with your child.
Thanks to Kind Roots Doula and Birth Services for contributing this wooden and silicone bead teething/nursing necklace!

Kind Roots offers birth and postpartum doula support as well as placenta encapsulation.
Picture
Picture
Thanks to Kimberly Hendricks of Beloved Bonds for contributing this Haakka Pump.

Kimberly Hendricks is a mama to four children and was inspired by her own mothering journey to support women and families through the early years of their parenting journey.

Kimberly is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Certified Birth Doula, and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC).  Kimberly holds certifications in Prenatal Yoga instruction, Hypnosis for birth, Breastfeeding Education, Reiki and Rebozo for birth.

Kimberly facilitates the Beloved Bonds Breastfeeding group. This group is an in person and online support network of breastfeeding mothers.

Kimberly believes that pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding is individual to each woman and that every woman deserves support and compassion along her journey. Kimberly has been providing birth, breastfeeding, and parenting support in the Iowa City area since 2011.

​
Thanks to Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support for contributing a pair of organic swaddles.

Nested Mama's mission is to provide support and expertise that empowers parents in the childbearing year and beyond. Johanna is excited to share with you about her services, including prenatal and postpartum doula support, private and group classes on breastfeeding and childbirth education, and infant sleep education workshops and consultations.

Picture
Picture
Thanks to Willow & Stock for donating a $25 gift card.

Willow & Stock is an independent flower shop located in Iowa City's historic Northside. Specializing in fresh cut flower arrangements and bouquets, Willow & Stock is committed to sourcing flowers as close to home as possible.

​
Picture
Thanks to Robinson Family Wellness for a gift certificate including an initial consultation and 3 adjustments ($200 value)!

​
Thanks to Iowa Doula Agency for donating a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Iowa Doula Agency works with families to connect professional birth and postpartum doulas who provide emotional, physical, and informational support through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.  This includes support from an IBCLC or postpartum support with every birth package.
Picture
Picture
Thanks to Joni Tyrrell Photo + Video for donating 50% off a maternity or newborn session.
Picture
Thanks to Hazel & Thyme for donating 1 Yoga Class Pass for Mamas (good for a prenatal or postnatal yoga class with Lindsey of Hazel & Thyme) and 1 Baby Butt Balm (made with gentle herbs and oils to soothe sensitive skin).

Hazel & Thyme is a mama-owned business whose mission is to support women on their wellness journey by nurturing mind, body, and soul. Hazel & Thyme offers handcrafted herbal personal care products, hosts monthly new moon circles for women, weekly prenatal and postnatal yoga classes for mothers, birth doula support, and energy work.

Thanks to Naomi's Kitchen for donating a $25 gift certificate!
Picture
Picture
Thanks to OB/Gyn Associates of Iowa City & Coralville for donating a goodie bag for our giveaway!

From OB/Gyn Associations:
"Our mission is to provide exceptional obstetric and gynecologic care to area women. We strive to attract and maintain patients based on the outstanding care and concern provided by our doctors and staff. Our clinic offers a rewarding workplace in a positive environment and is a leader in women’s healthcare."
Thanks to (Em)powered by Birth Doulas services for donating a journal for the birthing parent.

(Em)powered by Birth Doula Services will be donating The Birth Journal, a keepsake journal that comes with a supportive birth story writing guide to allow moms to connect with their birth stories while also creating an heirloom to pass on to their children.

​
(Photo from @thebirthjournal on Instagram)
Picture
Picture
Thanks to Iowa City Birth Services for donating this gift set!

​Iowa City Birth Services, LLC is owned and run by doulas Emily Piette, Hannah Sandler and Grace Swartzendruber. Together they have a combined 18 years of experience supporting families in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor. Iowa City Birth Services offers a wide range of services, including group and private childbirth education classes, prenatal support, labor/birth support, sibling support, postpartum support, and placenta encapsulation. Iowa City Birth Services is pleased to provide unbiased, personalized support to all. We look forward to talking to you at Meet the Doulas!
Want to meet our member doulas and enter to win this great gift basket?  Join us on November 3 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Robinson Family Wellness!
0 Comments

10/3/2018 0 Comments

When to Hire a Postpartum Doula

Picture
 When I tell people I am a postpartum doula in response to the "what do you do?" question that is so common in small talk between two people getting to know each other, most people follow up almost immediately with another question - What does a postpartum doula do?

If you've found way over here to the Doulas of Iowa City blog, I'm guessing you may have a bit more familiarity with the way in which postpartum doulas support families as they transition into parenthood with a new little bundle of joy. Skilled and experienced in the needs of postpartum recovery and newborn babies, postpartum doulas provide a cushion of nonjudgmental support.

If the conversation goes further and I share about day and overnight visits (that include physical, emotional, and informational support as well as partner reinforcement and encouragement as new parents learn to be their own advocates) the most common response is that the person who posed the initial question expresses a wish - a wish that they had received that kind of support in their parenting journey.

For many families, the thought to hire a postpartum doula doesn't cross their minds until they find themselves overwhelmed and exhausted in the early days and weeks postpartum. If that is the case for you, this is certainly the right time to reach out to a postpartum doula! Whether it is holding your baby so you can take a nap, troubleshooting breastfeeding, or joining you for night feedings with words of encouragement, a postpartum doula may be just what you need to take a breath and feel empowered in your journey.

If, however, you are reading this blog before your little one arrives earthside, you are in the perfect position to set yourself up for a more blissful and less stressful postpartum experience. By hiring your postpartum doula prenatally you guarantee your spot on a doula's calendar. For example, I take 1-3 postpartum clients per month in order to make certain I have the availability they need.

Inviting a postpartum doula - or anyone - into your nest after baby's arrival is an intimate thing. Taking the time to interview several doulas prenatally will help you make certain that you and your chosen doula are a perfect fit.  Additionally, each doula may vary in the services she offers or how she structures her packages - thinking through those considerations now will make for less questions later.

And, many doulas offer gift cards or can work with you to include doula support on your registry.  This is an awesome way for friends and family to lift up and support your new little family.

Now that you are considering hiring a postpartum doula, I bet you are wondering how to find one?  Don't worry - I'm here to help with that, too! Coming to one of Doulas of Iowa City Meet the Doula events is a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and chat with a whole group of locals.

Can't make the Meet the Doula event? Reach out to any of our postpartum doulas today and set up a consultation.

Picture
​​Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
0 Comments

10/1/2018 0 Comments

Massage Before, During, and After Birth - learning from Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT, Doula

Picture
One of the best parts of bringing our member businesses together in Doulas of Iowa City is the chance to gather for continuing education from experts in our community as well as experienced member doulas.  This month we had the opportunity to learn about massage before, during, and after birth from Kristin Bergman of Conscious Caring.
Picture
Kristin Bergman brings together vast knowledge and over 20 years of experience as a doula in her work with clients. A licensed massage therapist, she specializes in pregnancy massage, instruction in self-healing, and family wellness. Kristin is also a licensed professional nurse offering respite care and assistance with recovery after hospital stays.  Taken altogether, Kristin draws on a variety of skills, techniques, and knowledge in her work with clients, expectant couples, and families.
We met with Kristin in the location of her massage practice, which also happens to be her home. Greeting us with coffee and tea, Kristin immediately made us feel welcome and at ease, and I could tell that such warmth and hospitality is what clients meet when they enter, as well.

Before demonstrating some massage techniques she uses when working with pregnant, birthing, and postpartum clients, Kristin shared a bit about the philosophy informing her approach to client care.  
Picture
Here are just a few takeaways that illustrate what makes Kristin's "conscious caring" significant:
​
  • Kristin encourages each client to develop their own intuition or "gut sense." She teaches self-healing and helps her clients explore their tension and where they find resistance in order to recognize it and make choices to feel safe.
  • Even more than touch, massage is about listening - not fixing or telling how to fix. It is about witnessing the process.
  • In her birth work, Kristin helps her clients move from a state of fight/flight to one of love and openness. Pregnancy and birth, in particular, hold a special opportunity. While there is no magic fix to our problems, pregnancy brings with it flexibility - this can be a magical time where we can ask ourselves what we can do with that openness.
  • For Kristin, excitement comes in helping client find their healing path. The loving, compassionate presence in doula work and massage is all about giving power back to the client.
When we moved to her massage space, Kristin graciously allowed us the opportunity to hop on her table so we could feel her information as well as watch and learn. Here are a few specific suggestions she shared for massage before, during, and after birth:
  • With pregnancy the center of gravity shifts, so we need to look for where we are taking on that tension and change.
  • Pillows and support - Kristin demonstrated the way in which a variety of pillows and rolled blankets can be used to aid the pregnant person in achieving a relaxed state. (Pro tip: a roll of masking tape can be used to shape sheets or blankets into the perfect support pillows while in labor and delivery!)
  • Effleurage - means "feather"- these light strokes, always directed to the heart, can assist with circulation and lessen fluid retention.
  • Hands and feet are a great location to massage for relaxation between contractions.  Make sure to move small bones apart and find the soft tissue in between.
  • Glutes and feet are like the slaves of the body - they work so hard even though you aren't always aware of their effort, making these key areas to attend to for relaxation.
  • Always revisit and check in with the pregnant person - this is an awesome way for the pregnant person to practice telling everyone what feels good and articulate preferences.
  • In massage as in yoga, you are looking to find your edge, see if you can move it, and breath is a powerful tool.
Some key details to note about the fabulous services Kristin offers:
  • Massage instruction for the birthing couple - offered privately or in a group class coming up in October and November at Heartland Yoga
  • Postpartum massage - newborn babes welcome to attend and breaks for nursing welcome as needed.
  • Gift cards available - a great addition to your registry or to give to an expectant parenting!
Want to learn more about Kristin and the fabulous services she offers?  Head on over to Conscious Birth Iowa!
Thanks so much to Kristin from all of us at Doulas of Iowa City for this continuing education presentation and letting us share a bit on the blog, too!

Picture
​​Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula, childbirth educator, and sleep educator with Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
0 Comments

    Author

    The Doulas of Iowa City blog contains guest posts by Doulas of Iowa City member businesses. We are excited to share with you about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding communities and to help you connect to fabulous local resources.

    Archives

    May 2021
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All Babywearing Birth Doula Books Classes Doula Spotlight Fall Fitness Food Holiday Local Meet The Doulas Postpartum Postpartum Doula Pregnancy Prenatal Self Care Self-care Winter Yoga

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly