Please help me congratulate six new doulas! They will be serving various parts of Iowa and Nebraska!
Three postpartum doulas (Iowa) and three birth doulas (Nebraska)
It was fun to train in Omaha again! A huge thank you to Omaha Birth & Babies for coordinating this training and to The Pelvic Physio for letting us use your incredible space! Omaha friends, be sure to check out both of these organizations!
We have two trainings left this year. One is an online postpartum doula training (Nov 12, 17, 18) and one is an in person birth doula training. (Nov 21-22). www.theiowababylady.com/labor-doula-trainings.
PSA for Today! Check your insurance benefits to see what is available to you for doula support! (Or lactation support/pelvic floor PT/etc.) While many plans do not include doula support, it may be included in "adjacent" programs like fertility plans. Ask your HR director or call your insurance company today to see what`s available!
Please help us wish Meagan a very Happy Birthday! Meagan is an amazing example of balancing being a mom with a career as a doula. If she`s not supporting postpartum families (especially those that live south of Des Moines!), you can find her cheering for her kids!
Pregnant or breastfeeding and wondering if you have to give up your morning coffee? Good news: you probably don`t.
PREGNANCY: ACOG recommends keeping caffeine intake below 200 mg per day during pregnancy. That is roughly the amount in one 12-ounce cup of coffee, although caffeine content can vary quite a bit depending on the type and where you buy it.
BREASTFEEDING: Caffeine does pass into breast milk in small amounts. The CDC considers about 300 mg or less per day a low-to-moderate amount that usually does not adversely affect a breastfed baby. ACOG offers a more conservative guideline of about 200 mg per day.
A few coffee-loving reminders: • Count caffeine from ALL sources, including coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, energy drinks, and some medications. • Coffee isn`t standardized. One "cup" from your favorite coffee shop may contain significantly more caffeine than another. • Newborn and premature babies process caffeine more slowly. If your baby seems unusually fussy, jittery, or has trouble sleeping, consider cutting back and talking with your baby`s healthcare provider.
So yes, for most mothers, coffee can still have a place during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Just keep an eye on that total caffeine for the day.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
ACOG: Caffeine During Pregnancy https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-coffee-can-i-drink-while-pregnant
CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.
With the birth of my first son, it was a weird experience where labor took a really long time, but anytime I had to make a decision, it felt like it had to be made quickly. If you`ve given birth before, maybe you can relate. Birth can be one of those moments where you know what you want, but suddenly everything is happening at once and it is hard to think clearly. This is why having a doula is so important!
With a doula, you are still in charge of your birth. You just do not have to figure everything out in the middle of it alone.
Plans can change. Questions can come quickly. Decisions may need to be made while you are tired, uncomfortable, or processing a lot of information. Your doula is there to help you and your partner slow things down, remember the questions you wanted to ask, understand your options, and feel supported while you decide what feels right for you.
We do not make decisions for you. We help you feel more prepared and supported while you make them.
