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5/15/2019 0 Comments

Meet the Doulas Giveaway & Sponsors - June 2019

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Our June Meet the Doulas event is almost here! 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. Everyone who attends the Meet the Doulas on June 1 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Robinson Family Wellness will have the opportunity enter to win!
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Thanks to Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support for donating a free class registration to any June 2019 Ready for Baby or July 2019 Ready for Birth single class.

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 fertility, prenatal, and postpartum doula services, private and group classes on breastfeeding and childbirth education, and infant sleep education workshops and consultations.
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Thanks to Kind Roots Doula and Birth Services for contributing a free hour of postpartum doula support when you book a placenta encapsulation.

Kind Roots offers birth and postpartum doula support as well as placenta encapsulation.
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Thanks to Rachel Dolan Wickersham of Transformative Passage for contributing these soothing products by Healing Earth Botanicals.

​Rachel recently relocated to Iowa City from Chicago where she spent the past 25 years serving families as a childbirth educator, doula and, more recently, a certified professional midwife. She also holds a nursing license and lactation certification. She offers DONA approved doula trainings as well as consultations for community-based doula programs. Rachel has three daughters and one granddaughter. She feels a strong calling to serve her community and empower doulas, childbearing individuals and their families by supporting them through the ‘key’ life experiences of childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting.
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Thanks to All Bodies, All Births for the New Mom Essentials set including swaddles, security blanket, and coffee mug.

Grace Swartzendruber is the doula behind All Bodies, All Births and offers pregnancy, birth and postpartum services. Grace specializes in supporting plus size birth, cesarean birth, and vaginal birth after cesarean birth, in addition to her other services. All Bodies, All Births is pleased to provide individualized, unbiased, non-judgemental support to all birthing families in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor.

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Thanks to (em)powered by birth doula services for donating Beautycounter’s Baby Daily Protective Balm! A safer option for babe & mama’s skin!

Emma Benson of (em)powered by birth doula services offers birth and postpartum doula support.

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Thanks to Kristin Bergman, LPN, LMT and Doula for contributing this gift certificate $40 toward a massage.

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. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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4/15/2019 0 Comments

Classes & Events - spring/summer 2019

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​Check out these fabulous classes and events from Doulas of Iowa City and member businesses!
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Gentle Transitions: a toddler sleep workshop
Wednesday, May 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Taught LIVE via small group webinar
​Perfect for families anticipating the toddler stage or already well into it.

​We'll cover:
  • Developmentally normal expectations
  • Toddler emotions
  • Night-weaning
  • Moving from shared to solitary sleep
  • Setting loving limits
  • Self-care for parents of toddlers
  • Plenty of time for Q & A

Register Here

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Doulas of Iowa City - Meet the Doulas FREE Event
Saturday, June 1, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
At Robinson Family Wellness
​Learn More Here

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 Nested Mama's Ready for Baby Series
​Register for a single class or take the full series for a discount!
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Breastfeeding: basics & beyond
LIVE Webinar on Sunday, June 9, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Together we'll cover:
  • The Science of Breastfeeding
  • Breastfeeding at the Start
  • Troubleshooting Challenges
  • Finding Support
  • Working and Breastfeeding
  • Bottle-feeding the Breastfed Baby
Register Here
Dream on: the art & science of infant sleep
LIVE Webinar on Sunday, June 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Together we'll cover:
  • Art and science of infant sleep
  • Creating a nursery that works for you
  • Ensuring sleep is safe
  • Creating a healthy attitude about sleep now for fewer issues later
  • Strategies to soothe baby to sleep
  • Nighttime parenting​
Register Here
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Planning for Postpartum Workshop
LIVE Webinar on Sunday, June 23, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
​Together we'll cover:
  • Finding Joy - acknowledging yourself and your partner
  • Setting Expectations - understanding postpartum recovery
  • Bringing Baby Home - understanding infant behavior
  • Setting Boundaries - charting your vision for postpartum life
  • Intimacy After Baby - deepening your connection as a couple
Register Here

Birth Doula Training ​

June 28 - 30 at Robinson Family Wellness, Coralville
Hosted by Transformative Passage LLC 
This DONA approved workshop meets one of the major requirements for DONA birth doula certification.  For more information about the certification process, visit DONA.org. 
​For information about this workshop, contact Rachel Wickersham @ 630-750-9444. 

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Nested Mama's Ready for Birth Series
​Register for a single class or take the full series for a discount!
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Nested Mama's The Birth Process
​Wednesday, July 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Taught LIVE via small group webinar
Take a deep dive into understanding labor and birth.
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Register Here
Nested Mama's Comfort Measures
Saturday, July 20, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Hands-on Workshop at Robinson Family Wellness, Coralville
​Build a toolbox of comfort techniques for labor and birth.
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Register Here
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Nested Mama's Planning for Birth
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Wednesday, July 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Taught LIVE via small group webinar
Workshop the questions you need to answer to craft your birth preferences.
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Register Here

Don't want to miss out on future Doulas of Iowa City events? Connect with us on Facebook.
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4/4/2019 0 Comments

Physical Therapy in Pregnancy and Postpartum - learning from Kim Blackwell, MPT, RYT

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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.  In March, we were thrilled to have Kim Blackwell, MPT, RYT of Progressive Rehabilitation Associates join our members to share with us about the benefits of physical therapy in pregnancy and postpartum.
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Kim Blackwell received her BS in Exercise Science as well as her Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. She has additional training in treating a variety of issues related to pregnancy and postpartum, along with pelvic floor issues experienced by both men and women.  Outside of her PT work, Kim is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and active with her three children.
As doulas, we interact with clients who experience a range of discomforts during pregnancy and after birth. Kim shared with us a variety of different approaches she has in her physical therapist skill set that can address these common and often painful issues.

Low back pain is a common complaint in pregnancy as joints become more mobile due to hormonal changes. Physical therapists can help address with muscle energy technique - an approach that uses the patient's own muscles to realign problem areas.  Additionally, the posture changes that come with a growing belly can result in discomfort and the use of support belts and Kinesiotape can be helpful.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition of the wrists experienced during pregnancy and physical therapists can provide stretching, splinting, and ultrasound therapy.

Pelvic floor issues during pregnancy and postpartum can include discomfort, incontinence, and pain during intimacy. Often Kegels are the exercise we think of to address some of these issues, but Kim notes that our pelvic floor needs to be able to both tighten and relax, and some issues can require more focus on relaxing than tightening - all this means that it is really worth the time to have a physical therapist provide your direction in how to engage and rehabilitate these muscles.

Diastasis Recti is a separation of the abdominal muscles.  This separation occurs at the end of pregnancy and for some it closes just fine, but others may need physical therapy to address the issue. Kim notes the value of a professional evaluation, because there are different extents to the condition. Many birthing parents desire to return to exercise, but retraining the abdominal muscles and redeveloping core strength is important in order to do so safely.

Scarring from a cesarean birth or significant vaginal tearing can both benefit from a professional evaluation where exercises or scar tissue massage can provide valuable assistance with healing and long-term well being.

As someone who works frequently with pregnant patients, Kim notes that she is always cautious with the modalities she chooses to work with to meet pregnant patients' needs, making certain to choose only those established to be safe and beneficial during this time.

So what does a visit to a PT look like? Kim notes that patients do an initial visit of an hour to evaluate the issue and then follow up visits of 40 minutes. The number and frequency of these visits varies by condition and individual patient needs.

What about insurance? A quick call to your insurance can verify if you require a referral, and in many cases you are able to self-refer.

Do you have some of these complaints or concerns associated with pregnancy, postpartum, or life after baby?  We highly recommend Kim Blackwell - you can find her over at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates.

Thanks so much, Kim, for sharing your experience and expertise with Doulas of Iowa City members!

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​​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.
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2/1/2019 0 Comments

DOIC Member Spotlight - Meet Johanna Tomlinson

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Doulas of Iowa City members bring a wide variety of trainings, skills, and experiences to their work with families in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding communities. We're excited to highlight our member doulas through this series.

Today, meet Johanna Tomlinson of Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support.
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Services Provided:
Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Services, Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding Education, Infant Sleep Education and Consultations.

Three things about Johanna outside of her doula work:
I love hiking and am happiest when exploring the outdoors with my family. I also love lasagna and science fiction movies.

How long have you been supporting families?
I often joke that I've been doulaing for family, friends, and the occasional stranger for a long time. As a business, Nested Mama is now in its second year.

When did you first know you wanted to work with families in the time around birth?
Before I became a doula, I was an academic and taught classes exploring women and children of the past. One I became a mother, I realized how many of my passions were relevant to the present day. When my little ones became a bit older, I felt ready to make the jump into supporting families.

Three words that describe your approach to working with families?
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Heart-centered. Trust. Joy.
 What clients say about working with Johanna:
"Johanna is an extremely kind, gentle, and peaceful presence. I feel as though she truly enjoys everything she does for mamas, even picking up my used nursing pads and putting them in the laundry! You can feel the joy she has for caring for people in their postpartum time of need and it puts you at ease - particularly if you're someone who has a hard time asking for help or feel guilty having others do things for you. She's so authentically happy to help, it is refreshing and relaxing. Johanna is also incredibly easy to talk to and non-judgmental if you have any motherhood questions while she is there." - Becca D.

Anything new you are excited to share about your business?
I'm currently enrolled in a Fertility Specialist Certification course. I'm so excited to support parents on their journey to grow their families.  Look for classes and consultations to be available in mid-2019.
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Looking to connect with Johanna and our other members? You can learn find all our member businesses on our homepage or join us for our next Meet the Doula Event.
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1/4/2019 1 Comment

DOIC Classes & Events - spring/winter 2019

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Yoga For Mamas - 9 Week Session, January 19-March 18, every Saturday at Heartland Yoga
Prenatal yoga 1-2:15 (all trimesters).
Postnatal yoga 2:30-3:45 (up to 2 years postpartum, babes in arms up to full on crawling welcome to join mama)

Contact lindsey@hazelandthyme.com with any questions.

Ready for Baby Series - January 20, Noon-6:00 PM at Robinson Family Wellness
Nested Mama's one-day intensive workshop series help prepare you and your partner for life after baby, including breastfeeding, infant sleep, and postpartum planning. $159 per couple.

Q & A for Prospective Members - January 27, Noon-1:00 PM in Coralville
Are you a doula serving the Corridor and want to learn more about membership in Doulas of Iowa City? Are you considering becoming a doula and want to connect with local doulas? Join us for an informal gathering with light refreshments. For location address, please e-mail doulasofiowacity@gmail.com.

Meet the Doulas of Iowa City - March 2, 2:00-4:00 PM at Robinson Family Wellness
Join DOIC members for this free and informal opportunity to meet our member doulas.
Please note: this event is intended for expectant parents. If you are a doula and want to learn more about DOIC, please join us for one of our informal doula gatherings.

Can't make our events? Find all our services and our member businesses here. Private classes and consultations available from all our members.
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1/4/2019 0 Comments

DOIC Member Spotlight - Meet Kimberly Hendricks

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Doulas of Iowa City members bring a wide variety of trainings, skills, and experiences to their work with families in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding communities. We're excited to highlight our member doulas through this series.

Today, meet Kimberly Hendricks of Beloved Bonds Birth & Bodywork.
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Services Provided:
Doula Services (prenatal, labor and birth, and postpartum). Breastfeeding services (education, clinical evaluation, breastfeeding support group, general support and guidance). Bodywork Services (massage therapy, guided meditations, prenatal yoga).

Three things about Kimberly outside of her doula work:
I’m a mother of four daughters. I love the mountains and I enjoy knitting.

How long have you been supporting families?
I have been providing birth and breastfeeding support for seven years.

When did you first know you wanted to work with families in the time around birth?
As I grew into my own motherhood, I knew my passion was grounded in offering support, affirmation, and care to women. When my triplets began school, I returned to school to pursue education in Maternal/Child health.

Three words that describe your approach to working with clients:
Listen. Affirmation. Unconditional support. (I guess that’s four). 
What clients say about working with Kimberly:
"Working with Kimberly was the best decision we made regarding our son's birth.  She is a dream doula! She is kind, perceptive, strong and skilled, and she made a world of difference at the birth and after.   From the first prenatal consultation to our last postpartum consultation she was consistently there, consistently attuned, and consistently providing insight we couldn't find elsewhere.  I would work with her again in a heartbeat. " - Elizabeth Q.

Anything new in your business you'd like us to know about?
I will be offering in-home breastfeeding visits and postpartum doula services once again!
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Looking to connect with Kimberly and our other members? You can learn find all our member businesses on our homepage or join us for our next Meet the Doula Event.
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11/21/2018 0 Comments

Pregnant Holidays - tips and suggestions

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Pregnant holidays can present some joys and some challenges. Allison of Divine Doula Services, Emma of (Em)powered by Birth Doula Services, and Johanna of Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support collaborated to share their best tips and suggestions for making your way through a holiday season full of expectations!
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Magical and exhausting- two things the first trimester of pregnancy and the holidays have in common! And as an expecting momma it is so important to both enjoy the magic and wonder but also to give yourself grace and time to rest and take care of yourself and baby. It is no secret that the first trimester is rather notorious for bringing on some pretty intense symptoms.

If you are in your first trimester during the holidays and experiencing some of these more intense symptoms- remind yourself that there will be other holidays. Actually, next year, you will be celebrating your baby's first holidays! So for this year, allow yourself to change your expectations and let others take care of some of the extra food preparation and shopping. I found having a routine in the first trimester (and through all of pregnancy) helped so much - consistent meals and frequent snacks, extra hydration, and good sleep hygiene all made my pregnancy more comfortable. So with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, enjoy your time with friends and family but also know the only expectation of you is to care for yourself and baby!

​Many families also spend their first trimester keeping their pregnancies on the DL. A few things with this - there is absolutely no rule or proper etiquette when it comes to announcing a pregnancy besides announcing at the time that is best for you and your partner! You can't announce too early or too late. If you want to announce in the early weeks of pregnancy because it is the holiday season and you have family around to celebrate with you and also support you during this time - then announce and celebrate! (As I am writing this, I just looked up holiday pregnancy announcements and they are just the cutest.) If you and your partner choose to keep your news to yourselves, set up a plan prior to going to any sorts of gatherings to be sure you will be able to get the space and time you need to keep yourself healthy and happy.

This holiday will be unlike any other! Enjoy the beauty of the season, the company of so many loved ones, and the excitement that your little "poppyseed" will be a sweet baby to snuggle by the tree at this time next year!
The second trimester is the most beautiful time of pregnancy according to most moms. You are coming out of the "morning sickness" state (let's be honest- whoever named it "morning" sickness needs a reality check) you're finally getting a noticeable bump AND the most miraculous thing happens. You can feel your baby kick! Starting as tiny flutters and making their way to full blown elbow jabs.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas happening right in my second trimester, I couldn't have been more excited. I was finally able to eat food again. And I wasn't to the uncomfortably huge, cant-fit-any-food-in-my-belly stage, so I could eat and enjoy it. So let's talk about foods you can enjoy at Thanksgiving and Christmas while in your second trimester!
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Eat as much as you would like:
  • Fully cooked meat (turkey, ham, chicken etc)
  • Fruits and Veggies
  • Stuffing
  • Relish trays (pickles, olives etc)
  • P.I.E (apple, pumpkin, you name it)
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Gravy: all the gravy!
With this, just be smart. If you question if you can have any food item, it's best to avoid it until you get further clarification from your medical provider. 

Hold off (until next year):
  • Stuffing cooked INSIDE the turkey. One reason: Salmonella.
  • Soft cheeses: Listeria, no go, sorry mama!
  • Hollandaise sauce: Reasoning? Egg yolks are usually not fully cooked and could contain Salmonella.
  • Smoked Salmon: Again, Listeria.
  • Cider: It is typically unpasteurized and can harbor E. Coli
  • Alcohol: There is no known safe amount during pregnancy, so toast with sparkling fruit juice instead.
  • Eggnog: If it contains alcohol or raw eggs, you need to skip. The pasteurized, nonalcoholic eggnog found in your grocery dairy aisle is considered safe.
Germs seem to make their ways around family get-togethers, too, with many family members all in one tight house sharing food. It can be difficult being pregnant and getting sick. Things like the common cold are hard because there are some OTC medications that you are not allowed to take while pregnant or until your third trimester. Your OB or midwife will give you a an info sheet with all the medications safe for you to take during each stage of pregnancy for varying issues (if they haven't, call them before taking any medication). More serious illnesses like the flu should be brought up to your doctor right away so they can monitor you and baby and watch for signs of dehydration among other things.
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Third trimester - you are almost there, hooray!

If you are still going full steam and want to do all the things, that's great.  But, sometimes pregnant bodies start sending out the message that they need something other than all the things - REST. If your body is sending you that message, heed it and know that there will be so many magical holidays ahead.  For now, going to bed early as well as prioritizing the few obligations that bring you joy and not stress is a perfectly fantastic approach.

In the same vein, prioritizing self-care (which could be rest, a massage, good food, prenatal yoga, chiropractic care, things that bring you joy) is another excellent goal for this last holiday before little one arrives. Pregnancy can bring with it aches and pains, so anything that makes you feel good in your growing and stretching body should be at the top of your to-do list.
As your pregnancy becomes increasingly visible, you may find friends, family, or random people while you are out running errands making comments about your size.  First of all, anyone who says anything to you other than that you are beautiful and glowing needs etiquette lessons. Secondly, know that your body is doing exactly what it needs to grow that sweet little babe, and anyone who assumes that you are "having twins" or "ready to pop" or declares with astonishment that "you should have had that baby already" has no obstetric knowledge and no conversational skill, either.

If you find that people are reaching out to touch your growing belly without your consent, feel empowered to say no - this is your body and no one should touch you without your permission. The work of establishing your little family will certainly come with moments where you have to emphasize boundaries and advocate for yourself. This is the perfect, if totally annoying, chance to practice.  Know that you are strong, and you've got this. And, baby will be here soon!
Feeling all ready for baby? Check out all the services offered by Doulas of Iowa City and see how we can support you before, during, and after birth.

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Emma lives in North Liberty, Iowa with her one year old daughter, husband, and two pups. She is a Montessori program coordinator at La Montessori Nurtury and a birth and postpartum doula with (Em)powered by Birth Doula Services.
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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.
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​​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.
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11/14/2018 0 Comments

Starting Traditions - tips for baby's first holiday season

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There is something truly magical about baby's first holiday season. Seen through the eyes of our children, the lights on the tree take on a whole new kind of wonder.

But, if you are like me, the stress of the holiday season (especially when weathering the witching hours, teething, or developmental leaps with baby) can take its toll.

Here are a few tips for starting traditions that will nourish your family for seasons to come!

Keep it Simple
Often the gift-giving aspect of the holiday season can be a source of joy and stress. Baby's first holiday season is the perfect time to embrace simplicity that will allow you to focus on being together. For example, a three-gift approach - something you want, something you need, and something to read - or a four-gift approach - something you want, something you need, something to grow on, and something to read - offer concise, catchy frameworks for gift-giving for the family

This may also be the perfect time to shake up family traditions. If gift-giving with extended family now includes lots of nieces and nephews, moving to a gift exchange where family members draw names instead of purchasing a gift for every person can make those gatherings less about stuff and more about enjoying time together. 

Start Small
What was your favorite holiday memory from childhood? Seeing the Nutcracker Ballet? Riding the Polar express? Singing carols door to door?

Whatever tradition speaks most to you, if the thought of enjoying it with babe in arms or carrier sounds appealing - go for it. 

But know, too, that traditions will grow, change, and deepen as your family does. Maybe between the middle of the night wake-ups and the pumping at work and the holiday obligations, adding one more thing sounds like the opposite of holiday joy.

So, pick something small, something meaningful, and something you can circle back to each year. Maybe it is hot cocoa by the tree. Maybe it is a winter walk to see the lights. Maybe it is hitting your favorite trail as a family. Whatever it is, make time for it, and forget all the pressure to do ALL the things.

​Your baby isn't holding a checklist - he or she just wants to be close to you and wrapped in your love. It's truly that small and that big.
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Enlist Outside Help
Food traditions are some of the most fun but intensive parts of the holiday season if you've got a little one in arms. If you feel compelled to prepare a holiday meal, enlist the assistance of a friend or family member to help you juggle baby and food prep. Here, babywearing can be a big help, too!

You can also make decisions now to prioritize low-stress choices - ordering a holiday meal from a local vendor can give you the traditional items you crave, ready to heat and serve.

Another option is to reinvent your traditional meal using your crockpot or pressure cooker. You can also turn meals into a potluck, providing drink and desert while your guests bring the more intensive to prepare items on the menu.
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Establish Boundaries
Starting your own family often comes with the task of setting boundaries with your family and friends - and holidays tend to be more the rule than the exception when it comes to this particular work of family making.

Do you know that playing "pass the baby" stresses out both baby and you? Does baby nurse best nestled in the carrier and then stay there for a snooze? Do you need to have baby swaddled and shushed before 6 p.m. or things go sideways, making the 7 p.m. holiday dinner too tricky?

You know your baby. You know yourself and your partner. Trust your instincts for what works for you and establish boundaries that help your little family flourish.

Offer options and compromise when you can - so you can't make that 7 p.m. dinner, but, wow, baby is SO happy in the morning. What about suggesting everyone meet for brunch the following morning so they can get their fill of your beautiful baby at a good time? Be collaborative, be creative, and know that one holiday season soon your now-babe-ever-so-soon-kiddo will be able to stay up and munch on cookies and drink cocoa way past bedtime - but it is okay that this holiday isn't that time. Yet.

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Carve out Space for Rest
Meeting the needs of a new baby in the first year of life is wonderful and exhausting. As you set plans for the holiday season, make sure there is ample time for rest, especially if your plans include travel.

And, if those around  you start asking if your baby is sleeping through the night yet, feel free to say baby is sleeping like a baby, hand baby off to a trusted partner or relative, and head on back to bed. Babies need us day and night - that's good and healthy, too. But, if you've got the support system around you, don't hesitate to give them some one-on-one time with babe while you catch a few extra winks.
Find the Magic
If nothing else let this be your guiding principle - do the things that give you all joy and forget the rest. And truly, holding your little miracle in your arms in the glow of the lights is a magical tradition that you can enjoy for years to come.

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​​​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.
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10/31/2018 0 Comments

Why I Hired a Doula - Allison's Story

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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!

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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.
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10/24/2018 0 Comments

Why You Need Childbirth Education Classes

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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
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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. 
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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.

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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.
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    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.

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