Blogs for you!

Uncategorized · June 12, 2023

Postpartum Doula vs. Night Nurse in Des Moines

One of our recent new moms said that she originally struggled to find postpartum support. She mentioned that she was…

Uncategorized · April 19, 2023

Do We Really Need a Doula? The Difference Between Partner Support and Doula Support

I remember being pregnant with my first son and the discussion about doulas came up. This was many years ago…

Uncategorized · April 10, 2023

Differences Between Doula Support and Nurse Support

Doula support and nurse support are both important forms of support during pregnancy and childbirth, but they differ in their…

Uncategorized · January 31, 2023

Shop Local for Baby!

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Uncategorized · January 26, 2023

How Much Postpartum Doula Support Will We Need? A Guide for Expecting Families

Many new families in Iowa realize that bringing a new baby–or babies– home can be overwhelming and are looking for…

theiowababylady

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theiowababylady

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Jul 21

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It's Crystal's birthday! Crystal does it all. She supports families through births and also as a postpartum doula. She's continually learning and provides amazing support for our Baby Ladies families! We are so thankful for her!

Happy birthday Crystal!

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theiowababylady

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Jul 20

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July 19-25 is Birth Trauma Awareness Week.

As a doula, we love when births are positive and empowering. However, many aspects of birth are so unpredicatble. Over these past few months, we've talked to parents who struggled with how the birth ended up, how they were treated in birth, extended family opinions, and more.

Not every difficult birth is traumatic, and not every traumatic birth looks the same. Birth trauma is personal and can happen after a vaginal birth, cesarean birth, uncomplicated birth, or a medically complex one. Also, birth trauma can happen to either parent and/or anyone present at the birth.

Sometimes birth trauma is related to a medical emergency. Other times, it's about how someone was treated, whether they felt heard, informed, respected, or safe during their birth experience.

If your birth still feels heavy weeks, months, or even years later, you're not alone.

Questions worth reflecting on:
• Am I avoiding reminders of my birth experience?
• Do I feel anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed when I think about my birth?
• Do I find myself replaying what happened over and over?
• Would talking with a mental health therapist help me process my experience?
• Would a trauma-informed therapist trained in EMDR be a good fit for me?

Healing is possible, and asking for support is a sign of strength.

If you're looking for support, we highly recommend Postpartum Support International (PSI). They offer free virtual Birth Trauma Support Groups led by trained peer facilitators, educational resources, and referrals to perinatal mental health professionals. Simply Google "PSI Birth Trauma" or download the app to get started.

#BirthTraumaAwarenessWeek #BirthTrauma #PostpartumSupportInternational #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalMentalHealth #EMDR #TraumaInformedCare #TheIowaBabyLadies #DesMoinesDoula #IowaDoula #BirthSupport

July 19-25 is Birth Trauma Awareness Week.

As a doula, we love when births are positive and empowering. However, many aspects of birth are so unpredicatble. Over these past few months, we`ve talked to parents who struggled with how the birth ended up, how they were treated in birth, extended family opinions, and more.

Not every difficult birth is traumatic, and not every traumatic birth looks the same. Birth trauma is personal and can happen after a vaginal birth, cesarean birth, uncomplicated birth, or a medically complex one. Also, birth trauma can happen to either parent and/or anyone present at the birth.

Sometimes birth trauma is related to a medical emergency. Other times, it`s about how someone was treated, whether they felt heard, informed, respected, or safe during their birth experience.

If your birth still feels heavy weeks, months, or even years later, you`re not alone.

Questions worth reflecting on:
• Am I avoiding reminders of my birth experience?
• Do I feel anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed when I think about my birth?
• Do I find myself replaying what happened over and over?
• Would talking with a mental health therapist help me process my experience?
• Would a trauma-informed therapist trained in EMDR be a good fit for me?

Healing is possible, and asking for support is a sign of strength.

If you`re looking for support, we highly recommend Postpartum Support International (PSI). They offer free virtual Birth Trauma Support Groups led by trained peer facilitators, educational resources, and referrals to perinatal mental health professionals. Simply Google "PSI Birth Trauma" or download the app to get started.

#BirthTraumaAwarenessWeek #BirthTrauma #PostpartumSupportInternational #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalMentalHealth #EMDR #TraumaInformedCare #TheIowaBabyLadies #DesMoinesDoula #IowaDoula #BirthSupport ...

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theiowababylady

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Jul 19

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National Ice Cream Day is July 20! 🍦

Do pregnancy cravings really mean your body needs that food?

Sometimes, yes... but not always!

Here are a few fun facts:
• Sweet cravings are incredibly common during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters.
• Hormones can change your sense of taste and smell, making certain foods irresistible.
• While calcium needs do increase during pregnancy, craving ice cream doesn't necessarily mean you're low on calcium. Sometimes you just want ice cream... and that's okay.

The Iowa Baby Ladies' favorite local ice cream spots include:
🍦 Mee Mochi in Waukee (See photo--it's a Nyberg family favorite!)
🍦 Home Sweet Cone
🍦 Corner Cone in Dallas Center
🍦 Snookies Malt Shop
🍦 Black Cat Ice Cream
🍦 Over the Top Ice Cream
🍦 The Outside Scoop
🍦 The Creamery

Pregnancy craving or not, we're always happy to support local businesses while supporting local families.

Your turn! What's your favorite locally owned ice cream shop in the Des Moines area? Drop it in the comments. We may have to send one of our doulas to "investigate." 😉

#NationalIceCreamDay #PregnancyCravings #DesMoinesMoms #TheIowaBabyLadies #SupportLocalDSM #DesMoinesDoula #IowaParents #PregnancyFun

National Ice Cream Day is July 20! 🍦

Do pregnancy cravings really mean your body needs that food?

Sometimes, yes... but not always!

Here are a few fun facts:
• Sweet cravings are incredibly common during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters.
• Hormones can change your sense of taste and smell, making certain foods irresistible.
• While calcium needs do increase during pregnancy, craving ice cream doesn`t necessarily mean you`re low on calcium. Sometimes you just want ice cream... and that`s okay.

The Iowa Baby Ladies` favorite local ice cream spots include:
🍦 Mee Mochi in Waukee (See photo--it`s a Nyberg family favorite!)
🍦 Home Sweet Cone
🍦 Corner Cone in Dallas Center
🍦 Snookies Malt Shop
🍦 Black Cat Ice Cream
🍦 Over the Top Ice Cream
🍦 The Outside Scoop
🍦 The Creamery

Pregnancy craving or not, we`re always happy to support local businesses while supporting local families.

Your turn! What`s your favorite locally owned ice cream shop in the Des Moines area? Drop it in the comments. We may have to send one of our doulas to "investigate." 😉

#NationalIceCreamDay #PregnancyCravings #DesMoinesMoms #TheIowaBabyLadies #SupportLocalDSM #DesMoinesDoula #IowaParents #PregnancyFun ...

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theiowababylady

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Jul 18

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Please help us wish Leah a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Leah is currently splitting her time between new parent support and preparing to be an IBCLC. We are so thankful to have her talents and caring heart on our team!

Happy Birthday Leah!

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theiowababylady

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Jul 15

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This is a very special post to write. This month, I had the opportunity to be a birth doula for a long-time friend, Cassie. Supporting family and friends has always been the highlight of being a doula!

With this birth, we really focused on what I called "Old Fashioned Birth Support" where Cassie was surrounded by a team of amazing women just as it would have been a few generations ago. At various points leading up to birth and during her baby's birth, she was supported by her own mother, a doula, a doula in training, her friends, two photographers (one maternity and one birth), nurses, and her OBs. What a team!

Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your birth team, Cassie! We are still in awe of your incredible strength in labor!

Photo shared with permission from everyone in the photo. :)

This is a very special post to write. This month, I had the opportunity to be a birth doula for a long-time friend, Cassie. Supporting family and friends has always been the highlight of being a doula!

With this birth, we really focused on what I called "Old Fashioned Birth Support" where Cassie was surrounded by a team of amazing women just as it would have been a few generations ago. At various points leading up to birth and during her baby`s birth, she was supported by her own mother, a doula, a doula in training, her friends, two photographers (one maternity and one birth), nurses, and her OBs. What a team!

Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your birth team, Cassie! We are still in awe of your incredible strength in labor!

Photo shared with permission from everyone in the photo. :) ...

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