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

11/21/2018 0 Comments

Pregnant Holidays - tips and suggestions

Picture
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!
Picture
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!
Picture
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.
Picture
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.

Picture
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.
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.
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

7/8/2018 0 Comments

Baby's First Date: where to go in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids

Picture
Are you ready to get out of the house with your partner but not ready to leave baby at home? We asked local parents their recommendations for where to take their cute little 3rd wheel out on the town. Check out these fabulous suggestions!
NODO Downtown, Iowa City
​
"Inside and outside seating, casual menu, kid-friendly food for older siblings, delicious, and staff have always been very calm even when my youngest has cried or thrown a fit." - Hannah S.
Big Grove Brewpub, Solon
"I’m quite sure both of our baby’s first outings were to Big Grove in Solon. They are incredibly welcoming of families, have private and high backed booths, and it’s typically busy/loud enough in there that a little crying would go unnoticed." - Shona B. M.
Black Sheep Social Club, Cedar Rapids
​
"Black Sheep Social club in Cedar Rapids has a nice changing table." - Corey H.
Picture
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, Iowa City
"We love bringing kiddos to Big Grove in Iowa City as well. The outdoor seating in particular is great for families." - Thea P.

​Mellow Mushroom, Coralville
"We went to Mellow Mushroom a lot when she was little - always found it very welcoming, spacious for stroller wheels and big booths for carseats plus a huge beer list. It's in the mall so not like super classy but you could always stop at Target after as a bonus." - Becca D.
​Bread Garden, Iowa City
"You can sit outside (but inside is noisy and kid commotion goes unnoticed, too) and the food is inexpensive and delicious. Plus, a solid food eating kid can get foods from the salad bar with no wait, and they always have the well-received Mac and cheese, chicken fingers, and fruit. They have high chairs and are right next to the play equipment in front of library. The only hardship can be if you’re the only adult and have to go back inside if you ordered something from the kitchen (like the delicious flatbread pizzas!) and don’t love the idea of leaving the toddler in high chair alone but don’t want to hassle with taking them back inside with you. The owner is always super helpful and so are the workers." - Allison G.
Village Inn, Coralville (& Iowa City)
"Our first outing with our first was breakfast at village inn...which is great if you want a bunch of old ladies fawning over your baby." - Barb D.
Not up for the restaurant scene? Try a picnic!
"We would head to one of the many awesome hiking trails in the area with some yummy food and put the baby up in a carrier for a nice hike. Romantic and super affordable afternoon." - Thea P.
Picture
Not feeling outdoorsy? Try a car picnic!
"[We] liked "car picnics" when she was really little, picking up a Pagliais and eating it in the car while she slept, just listening to music and talking. Doesn't really fit the getting out maybe but it was quite romantic for us and we connected so well being side by side in the car alone - baby asleep and no other people or commotion to distract from talking to each other. It felt like being teenagers. I have great memories of those dates." - Becca D.
Don't see your favorite on the list? No worries! Pack up that diaper bag and give it a try. Here are a few tips.
"I’ve found that everywhere in the Corridor is welcoming of families. We have always taken our babies out from the get go, and have never had a negative experience from staff including the many times I’ve breastfed at the table." - Barb D.

"It’s helpful to try to time a restaurant visit outside of peak hours, not only so it will be less busy/loud, but also to allow you your choice of booths or tables, and to ensure quick seating and service. There’s nothing worse than having to wait forever for a table with a cranky baby. We’ve found that eating outside on a patio/deck, etc. is always more soothing for babe when available, and usually any crying stands out less outside. Also, if you have a baby or toddler who is eating solids ordered from the menu, place that order ASAP, even if the adults don’t have their selections made yet. This will ensure that the LO’s food comes out first." - Grace S.
Still feeling nervous about your first time out with baby? Repeat this pep talk in your head.
"My biggest advice on going out with the baby is to be confident that you belong there, that your baby is welcome, and that other customers are more charmed than annoyed! A lot of discomfort can come from the self-imposed perception that others are constantly watching or judging you, and they're mostly not - they are socializing and eating! One person being annoyed with her spouse and staring off into space can be perceived as a judgmental look at your nursing if you are self-conscious already, so just own it and you'll be fine. If babe starts fussing or crying and you're shushing and rocking and furiously trying to get her to take a paci and cleaning spit up off of your date clothes, 90% of people who notice are impressed that you're getting out and reminiscing about "those days." Anyone who actually says anything negative (god forbid) is a reflection of their poor character. I did always choose restaurants with high chairs and a kids menu when bringing my baby or toddler because I considered that an endorsement of our presence." - Becca D.
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. Connect with Nested Mama on Facebook. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here.
0 Comments

6/21/2018 0 Comments

Practical Pregnancy & Postpartum Recipes: a simple, summery chef salad

Picture
One of my favorite things about summertime in the corridor is all of the colorful, delicious goodness I get to enjoy from our farm share with Local Harvest CSA out of Solon. CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a way to buy local, seasonal, high quality food while supporting sustainability in our community. At the beginning of the season we invest in our share and then once a week, we pick up a generous haul of farm fresh produce and eggs at the North Liberty food pantry. We get a weekly email with updates from the farm and details and recipes to go with the share. After a fun conversation with the farmers each week at pickup, we normally come home with at least a dozen different types of produce. This week we are enjoying Napa cabbage, kohlrabi, zucchini and summer squash, green onions, and all sorts of delicious leafy greens. I love community supported agriculture and we are so lucky to have so many different farms that offer shares throughout the year!


We all know nutrition is so important in all seasons of life and especially during pregnancy and postpartum. During pregnancy, I loved learning to prepare nourishing, satisfying, delicious meals. I loved sitting down to eat and thinking that my baby was enjoying my meal with me. During my pregnancy, I learned to truly love and respect my body and have never turned back. Body love and respect can be so simple- this week I practiced body respect by fixing up this delicious Chef Salad with a lot of the goodies from this week’s share. This salad is perfect during pregnancy- jam packed with veggies, proteins, and dressed with healthy fats. Also perfect for postpartum because, of course, those nutrients remain so important, but it is also such a breeze to throw together! And the balance of macronutrients provides good, sustainable energy.


I pulled out all of the lettuce from one of four bags of leafy greens and washed and chopped it up. We have been enjoying our CSA for three years now and I am still astounded by the amounts of produce we get each week!
Picture
Lettuce straight out of the bag, before washing and cutting. So pretty!
Picture
A big bowl of green leafy goodness.
Picture
Then I chopped up some cucumber and cherry tomatoes (didn’t get these from our farm share but once we start getting them, we will get them by the hundreds it seems), shredded some carrots, and added chopped up some peas we got from our farm share-I left them in their pods for some extra crunch. This recipe would work with whatever vegetables you have on hand, the flexibility is another reason I like it so much!
I hardboiled four eggs that also came from our farm share. Local Harvest CSA has several partners so you can add to your share- eggs, coffee, bread, fruits and jams, and local pastured pork, beef, and turkey. We love our farm share eggs! (Fried egg sandwich with a slice of fresh tomato was a constant pregnancy craving!) I boiled these eggs a little longer than normal but 8-minute farm share eggs are always so beautifully yellow.
Picture
Bag of peas straight from the farm.
​For some more protein, I added some turkey and ham and chopped up some bacon. We like our animal proteins in our house but chickpeas or avocado would be delicious alternatives. I also added some Monterey jack and cheddar cheese and some seasoned croutons. (I wanted to make some homemade croutons but I was just loving the quickness and easiness of this recipe too much!)


When I make salads I love to line up all the toppings before mixing just to appreciate the colorful beauty. I made up a quick dressing too using ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and generous shakes of paprika and black pepper. Perfectly creamy and zesty.
Picture
So summery and satisfying.
I cannot recommend Local Harvest CSA enough. It is a simple way to fuel your body with fresh foods without wondering where they came from. A weekly farm share made feeding my body and growing baby during pregnancy easy knowing I would always have an abundance of safe, fresh produce accessible. And now in this season of life, I get to share the goodness with my baby earthside! For more information on Local Harvest CSA, visit their website here.
Picture
Picture
Emma lives in North Liberty, Iowa with her seven month 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. 
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

    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