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5/23/2021 0 Comments

DOIC Member Spotlight - Meet Grace Swartzendruber

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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 Grace Swartzendruber of All Bodies All Births Doula Services.
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What clients say about Grace:
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During virtual prenatal visits due to COVID, Grace helped us with our birth plan and shared many resources. She walked us through what to expect when arriving at the hospital to birth our baby which helped us feel more confident and prepared. It was clear Grace had attended many births and was very informed about staff and procedures at the hospital we would be going to. Most of the staff at the hospital knew who Grace was and were elated to know Grace would be attending the birth. I understood it was important to have a “village” of support during my pregnancy and birth and Grace was at the center of it. She connected me to a chiropractor, acupuncturist, lactation consultant and prenatal massage therapist and also went above and beyond by communicating with my midwife. 

Grace kept in close contact in the days leading up to birth and arrived at the hospital at just the right time. She provided many comfort measures (my favorite was rolling a lacrosse ball on my rear and lower back while on all fours!) and offered many suggestions for birth positions. When the birth was grueling Grace offered encouragement and affirmations. She supported us while we made difficult decisions about how to get our boy out. When our son was finally on my chest Grace was there to help with his first latch. 

When the birthing gets rough Grace knows how to bring love into the room and bring you back to yourself. She is the master of unconditional positive regard, has no judgement providing only support, and is the Validation Queen. Two and a half weeks out from birth Grace continues to check in, normalize how I feel, and directs me to resources. I feel like I hired a doula and ended up with a friend!"

Services Provided:
Pregnancy & Birth Support, Postpartum Support, Specialized Support - VBAC preparation, cesarean birth prep, cesarean birth recovery, induction preparation. She offer both in person and virtual support.

Three things about Grace outside of her doula work:
In addition to her work as a full spectrum doula, Grace advocates for birthing people across the state as a representative and advocate for the Iowa Maternal Quality Care Collaborative through the Iowa Department of Public Health. Additionally, Grace helps to facilitate Pregnant & Postpartum in the Corridor, a online and in-person support group and resource for local parents. Grace is also a founding member of Doulas of Iowa City, a local professional networking and continuing education organization for doulas. In her free time she enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling and also good old-fashioned Netflix binge.

How long have you been supporting families?
Since November 2016

When did you first know you wanted to work with families in the time around birth?
After the traumatic birth of my first child in August 2015.
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Three words that describe your approach to working with families?

Compassionate. Non judgemental. Empowering.
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Anything new you are excited to share about your business?
​I plan to launch a limited collection of postpartum care boxes that will include local, handmade products to support post birth recovery and the transition to parenthood.

Looking to connect with Grace 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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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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10/1/2018 0 Comments

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

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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 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.
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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.  
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Here are just a few takeaways that illustrate what makes Kristin's "conscious caring" significant:
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  • 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!

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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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9/12/2018 0 Comments

What is a Birth Doula?

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What is a birth doula?

A birth doula is a trained professional for who offers informational, emotional and physical support throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth. Doulas are not medically trained and do not perform any clinical tasks. As such, doulas are also not a replacement for a care provider such as a midwife or obstetrician. Doulas provide knowledge and resources as you explore your options for labor and birth and will assist you in creating a birth plan. Doulas can teach and provide you with comfort measures for pregnancy and labor, such as positioning, relaxation, visualization, and other pain coping techniques. Doulas provide a calm, caring presence and a familiar face during the uncertainties of birth, especially in cases where you do not know who will be on call when you give birth. 
What services does a birth doula provide?

Everyone's birth package looks slightly different, so it's important to talk through the details with the doulas you interview and carefully read through their package description and contract. Typically once hired, birth doulas meet with the birthing person or couple several times throughout pregnancy to get to know them and their wishes for labor and birth. Your doula is available via phone, text and/or email when questions arise and is a great source of emotional and informational support throughout the many changes that take place during pregnancy.

Doulas are also a great referral source for local resources and typically have networked to create relationships with many providers in your area. Once your labor is established at home or the hospital, your doula will join you when you feel like you need additional support. The doula remains with the birthing person/couple throughout labor and birth, and typically until 1-2 hours after baby is born to help the family adjust to the immediate postpartum and assist with breastfeeding if that's one of the family's goals. Usually a birth doula will also have one postpartum follow-up visit in the client's home about 7-10 days after the birth to check in, make sure things are going well, assist with feeding if needed, and refer to any outside resources.
​What are the benefits of a doula?

Doulas serve many purposes, but for me personally, the primary doula purpose is to have that constant support during labor and birth which can be full of unknowns. You typically won't know which nurse, resident, midwife, doctor, etc. will be on call when you give birth, and over the course of a longer labor and birth, these providers will change shifts so you may have multiple different nurses and midwives/doctors. I know, for me, I feel much safer and more secure knowing there will be at least one person beside me who knows me, my partner, and my wishes for birth.

Experienced doulas can also be very helpful since they are usually familiar with your birthing location's staff, procedures, and protocols and can help educate you in advance and also during birth when you have questions. Doulas work together with birth partners as a team to support the birthing person, and can tag in and out to offer continuous support while also taking care of personal needs such as eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom.

Doulas provide a key role of holding space for the birthing person, especially during a long and/or difficult labor and birth. They provide compassion, empathy, and unbiased support when difficult decisions have to be made and when things don't go according to plan. Doulas help remind you of your goals and priorities, but are completely nonjudgmental when things change.
You may see research or statistics that indicates the presence of a doula will lower your chance of having an epidural, cesarean, and/or other interventions, but I personally don't like to make that claim because sometimes those interventions are wanted and/or needed, and that's totally okay. It doesn't mean you have failed or your doula has failed - doulas are there to support you however your birth unfolds.

​Your satisfaction with your birthing experience is usually more related to your involvement in the process and decision making than the outcome. To loosely quote January Harshe of Birth Without Fear, the goal of a doula is to make sure you know your options, that you feel supported, and are respected.
Looking for a birth doula? Join us for our next Meet the Doulas event or reach out to one of our member businesses directly to set up a consultation.

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​Grace is a trained birth and postpartum doula at Iowa City Birth Services, and provides unbiased, non-judgmental support to all birthing people. Grace is passionate about supporting and empowering families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Grace is the mother of a spirited three-year-old son and is expecting her second child in September 2018.
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8/29/2018 0 Comments

Classes and Events - fall/winter 2018

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​Check out all these awesome upcoming classes for expectant parents as well as free events where you can meet and chat with Doulas of Iowa City member businesses. We hope to see you soon!
October 5 - Dream on: the Art and Science of Infant Sleep
Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support
A prenatal course designed to set up healthy expectations and habits surrounding infant sleep.
Taught by Johanna Tomlinson, PhD, MCPCD, MBE, MCE

November 3 - Meet the Doulas
Doulas of Iowa City
A free, open-house style event where you can chat with the member business of Doulas of Iowa City.

November 4 - 
Planning for Postpartum Workshop
Nested Mama Prenatal & Postpartum Doula Support
A prenatal workshop designed to strengthen your partnership and prepare for a better postpartum. 
Taught by Johanna Tomlinson, PhD, MCPCD, MBE, MCE
**Save a combined $30 when you register for this and ICBS's November 10 childbirth education class**

November 10 - 
Birth: The Process, the Pain, and the Positions
Iowa City Birth Services
A one-day comprehensive childbirth education class - evidence-based and judgement free.
Taught by Hannah Sandler, CLD (CBI)  and Emily Piette, CLD (CBI) 
**Save a combined $30 when you register for this and Nested Mama’s November 4 postpartum planning course.**

Fall TBD - Breastfeeding from the Beginning

Beloved Bonds Birth & Bodywork
Breastfeeding your newborn from birth through the early months. 
Taught by Kimberly Hendricks, LMT, CLC, CD
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to our member businesses directly with any questions. Private classes and consultations available. You'll find a full listing of our members and services here.
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7/13/2018 0 Comments

Doula Support and Mom's Mental Health: a visit with Shannon Wilson, LMHC

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This past week Shannon Wilson, LMHC of Murray, Wilson, and Rose Counseling shared a continuing education presentation on Perinatal Mental Health for Doulas of Iowa City member doulas. Shannon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with women as they experience the shifts and challenges of pregnancy and postpartum. She brings together a wealth of knowledge from both her training and years of experience in the counseling field, and as a mom of three, she brings empathy and understanding to her work, as well. Shannon graciously allowed me to share some of my notes from her information-packed presentation on this important issue.
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​Shannon Wilson, LMHC
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What is considered normal in terms of emotions after having a baby?

As Shannon shared with us, in the first few weeks after a baby is born it is common for mothers to experience what is termed the "Baby Blues." During this adjustment period mothers experience huge hormonal shifts and with that come changes in mood. 

Baby Blues by the numbers
  • experienced by 80% of mothers
  • begins in the first week after birth
  • lasts up to week 3 after birth
  • treatment is not necessary and the Baby Blues will subside by week 3 postpartum

If feelings of emotional disquiet continue after the 3rd week postpartum, it is a good idea to consult a professional for an assessment.
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When we think of mothers and mental health, we most often think of Postpartum Depression. But, PPD is just one among many diagnoses that fall under the category of PMADs - Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. 

This is significant because many women may be struggling but assume that since their experiences don't match up with what they typically think of as depression that there isn't support or understanding for what they may be experiencing. 
The statistics around PMAD are staggering.
  • 15-21% of all perinatal women may experience PMAD
  • 1 out of 7 women have depression in the year after they give birth
  • Those in lower socioeconomic areas are twice as likely to suffer from PMAD
  • A woman is 7 times more likely to require a psychiatric admission in the first few weeks after giving birth than at any other time
  • Only 50% of women who receive a referral for mental health services follow through on receiving support
  • ​70% report a decline in marital satisfaction in the first year of parenthood

What do all the numbers tell us? Pregnancy, birth, and the following year postpartum are a vital time for women and families to receive support.
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We no longer live in tribes, extended families, or tight-knit communities, meaning that the challenges parents face as they negotiate childbirth, sleepless nights, and changing identities occur behind closed doors without the vital support networks they need.  According to Shannon, doulas can provide a critical level of support and intervention for moms and families during this pivotal time of transition. 
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Why does doula support matter?

Are doulas trained mental health professionals? No. But, the Doulas of Iowa City member doulas who were able to attend this continuing education presentation are now better equipped to screen for PMADs among clients we serve.

Doulas offer evidence-based resources. Do you have a question about pregnancy, birth or life with baby? Your doula can connect you with the resources you need to feel confident in your decision making. 

Doulas offer non-judgmental support. Do you want to have an epidural? To birth without medication? To breastfeed? To formula feed? Your doula will support you in your journey.

Doulas offer referrals to trusted providers. Do you have a concern about something outside your doula's scope? She will refer you to a local practitioner who can provide you the support you the care you need.
Many thanks to Shannon for sharing offering Doulas of Iowa City members continuing education on this important subject! If you are looking a mental health professional to support you in pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, you can find information about Shannon and Murray, Wilson, and Rose Counseling here.  

Looking for doula support? Join the Doulas of Iowa City for our next Meet the Doulas event.
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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. Connect with Nested Mama on Facebook. Read more of Johanna’s writing on pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting here
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6/21/2018 0 Comments

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

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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!
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Lettuce straight out of the bag, before washing and cutting. So pretty!
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A big bowl of green leafy goodness.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. 
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6/6/2018 1 Comment

Why Prenatal Chiropractic: A visit to Robinson Family Wellness

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Have you heard your pregnant friends or acquaintances mention visiting the chiropractor during pregnancy? Are you curious about what prenatal chiropractic looks like and why you may want to do it?  Read on, my friends, because I’ve got the answers!

A few weeks ago we held our quarterly Meet the Doulas event in the beautiful studio space at Robinson Family Wellness in Coralville.  Before the event, Dr. Jordan Long graciously gave a presentation on prenatal chiropractic care and answered all our questions.

Here are the highlights of that talk, just for you.

Why consider prenatal chiropractic care?

The pregnant body shifts in order to accommodate growth and hormones make muscles relax. All of that can make for significant discomfort for the birthing parent. And, if there is constraint in the pelvis, that can lead to less than optimal fetal positioning.
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In other words, if you are feeling uncomfortable or baby isn’t in a ideal position, chiropractic can be a great, gentle option to consider. As we learned from Dr. Jordan, receiving early and consistent chiropractic care can promote optimal fetal position from the start as well as help curb sciatica and round ligament pain. 
What does a prenatal chiropractic adjustment look like?
At your first visit, Dr. Jordan will use gentle tools to assess your body. After sharing the results of the assessment with you, she will offer gentle chiropractic adjustment. The adjustment begins with the patient lying face down on special pillows designed to accommodate a pregnant belly and then continues with the patient on their back.  

With pregnant patients, Dr. Jordan pays careful attention to the pelvis. Her low-force, gentle adjustments aim to help the pelvis stay balanced.
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How often do you need an adjustment?
The number of adjustments you receive throughout your pregnancy will vary based on your goals (reducing discomfort, optimal fetal position, etc.) and your needs. Because pregnancy hormones relax muscles, frequent adjustments may be needed if your goal is to reduce discomfort as much as possible.
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Why Robinson Family Wellness?
We are so lucky to live in an area with lots of options for chiropractic care. When you walk in Robinson family wellness, you immediately get a sense of a calm, peaceful vibe where children are most welcome. Dr. Jordan even has a room set up with a baby scale, changing table, and lots of toys for little ones. This makes for a low stress visit, even if you have little kiddos in tow!

Have more questions? Check out the Robinson Family Wellness website to learn more!
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Johanna Tomlinson is a mother to three little ones and a doula and childbirth 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.
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4/7/2018 3 Comments

Why Prenatal Yoga?

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What is all the talk about prenatal yoga? Is it a workout fad? How will it benefit me in my pregnancy and labor? What if I have never done yoga before? Do I need my doctor/midwife approval first?

All valid questions. All I have been asked time and time again, so let's go through these questions and understand the importance of yoga during pregnancy and how it could influence your baby's birth.

1. Yoga is a mind, body, and spirit practice; however, in prenatal yoga we take it a step further and add baby into the mix.

2. Workouts trends tend to eb and flow; however, women will always be having babies and yoga is a wonderful exercise that prepares mamas both physically and mentally for labor. Many mamas find the poses introduced in prenatal yoga helpful in labor. Sometimes they even birth in a yoga pose, too!
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3. Anyone can do yoga, so anyone can do prenatal yoga. I'm sure you know from first-hand experience or from a friend or family member that has gone through labor - it is a lot of work. Labor and delivery is one of the most rewarding, physically demanding, and emotionally draining experiences. You do need to prepare your body for what it is going to go through and help it heal post birth, too. Always consult your midwife or OB when doing any form of exercise, but know that breathing and meditation are two amazingly simple ways to prepare for baby. ​

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Intros before prenatal yoga class
4. Community. When you come to prenatal yoga each week, you will meet other mamas on the same journey. It's like a club, and just by showing up, you are a member. Ask questions, share stories, laugh, and cry with one another. You will immediately know who to turn to once baby is in your arms because you met some amazing women in prenatal yoga. Bonus: you can meet all your fellow mamas’ babies in BYOBaby Yoga and continue together on this amazing journey of motherhood together.
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5. Why not? Why not come to class and give it a try, you have nothing to lose!
Looking for Prenatal Yoga in the Corridor? Check out these fabulous options:
Cedar Rapids
Toula Yoga (schedule)
Mercy Hospital
Coralville
Balance Yoga (schedule)
Iowa City
Zen Den (schedule)
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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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