Our team is the longest-running doula team in Iowa! We started in 2018 and have supported hundreds of families through labor support, postpartum support, and classes. We recognize that welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most incredible experiences, often accompanied by a mix of joy, excitement, and challenges.
For our Iowa families, I wanted to offer a wide range of support options, which is impossible as a solo-practice doula. As a team, we are able to provide a continuity of care from pregnancy through postpartum, something that today’s culture doesn’t really offer. Because we have a team model, you will get to know your small doula team (one or more doulas depending on the care you need) that has a big network of support behind her!
Our mission is to provide compassionate, personalized care that allows families to find their confidence in birth or with their new baby(ies). By offering a range of services—from labor to postpartum daytime support to full overnight support—we ensure that our families feel supported, informed, and confident in their journey.
If you would like to learn more about labor support and postpartum support, please use these links. We always offer free consultations to ensure you are completely comfortable with your support. We look forward to chatting with you soon!
Professional Support
Every doula on our team…
- has received training from the industry leaders in doula support
- are experts in their fields: labor support, interventions, postpartum changes, newborn care, etc.
- has experience and comes highly recommended by parents
- values on-going education to learn current evidence-based information/best practices
- works well within the birth/baby team (parents, providers, etc.)
- has a great network of back up doulas in needed
- postpartum doulas have been background checked through the state of Iowa and are infant/adult CPR certified.
Katie Nyberg, Founder, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, Educator, & Lactation Support
I am the owner of The Iowa Baby Lady and have loved serving hundreds of families throughout Central Iowa as a labor doula, postpartum doula, and childbirth/new parent educator.
The Iowa Baby Ladies Team is something I am very proud of creating for families in Iowa. Our doulas have all been professionally trained (most likely by me!) and hold very high professional standards when working with our clients. I know you will love working them!
Finally, I absolutely LOVE working with our families too! If I can provide extra answers, do your car seat checks, be your childbirth/new parent instructor, or help in any, please feel free to contact me.
Allison Jarrett, Postpartum Doula
I have a love and passion for working alongside new parents as they transition to life with a new addition to the family. Having supported my own family through this amazing period in life, I knew I had more to give, which led to a career as a postpartum doula. I live in Ankeny with my husband, and we have 3 grown children, 3 granddaughters, and a grandson. Throughout my career as an IT Professional, I have always had a passion for working with infants and their families. I have years of experience supporting family members and friends who have become parents. I have also spent years volunteering in the NICU.
I look forward to sharing my experience and training with your family as you learn to navigate life with a newborn. My support focus is on rest and recovery, learning to trust your instincts, and building confidence.
Professional training: CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, Adult/Child/Infant CPR Certified through the American Red Cross; Breastfeeding “Dos” for Doulas training w/ Angela Swieter of Basking Babies.
Des Moines Area
Arianna Christensen, Labor Doula & Postpartum Doula
Hi I’m Ari, a Certified Labor and Postpartum doula. I live in Norwalk with my husband and our two children. I began my journey into birth work after the birth of my rainbow baby. It gave me a new perspective on our current maternity care state and a passion to support and educate ALL birthing people. Everyone deserves to feel supported and empowered not only during their birth, but during pregnancy and postpartum as well. I would be honored to support you through those precious moments.
Areas of specialty: pregnancy after loss, size inclusivity, LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Professional trainings: CAPPA Labor Doula Training, CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, Adult/Child/Infant CPR Certified through the American Heart Association; Breastfeeding “Dos” for Doulas training w/ Angela Swieter of Basking Babies.
Des Moines Area
Bethany SyWassink, Postpartum Doula
Hello! My name is Bethany, and I’m a postpartum doula serving Central Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Ames, Des Moines, Marshalltown) with a heart for helping new mamas and babies. I feel so honored to help families make the transition into parenthood as smooth as possible. I am naturally caring, attentive, reliable, and ready to listen to the parents’ needs and what they want for their baby during this important phase. As a twin mom myself, I specifically feel passionate about serving families with multiples! I can’t wait to connect with you, and support your growing family find new rhythms and make new memories.
Ames, Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids Areas
Brooklyn Schmidt, Postpartum Doula
Hello! My name is Brooklyn, and I reside in Polk City with my husband and our little one. After experiencing the positive impact that a doula had on my birthing journey, my desire to support and empower families during a transformative period in their life grew. With a degree in Human Science and experience in infant care, my approach is holistic, evidence-based and personalized, focusing on each family’s unique needs. My goal is to create a supportive space where families can thrive. Whether it’s through hands-on help or education, I am here to ensure that the postpartum journey is as joyful and smooth as possible!
Des Moines Area
Claire Carlson, Labor Doula & Postpartum Doula
Hello! My name is Claire Carlson. Personally, I am a wife, an aunt, a friend, and a dog mom. Professionally, I am trained and work full-time as an epidemiologist focused on understanding and improving health outcomes for mothers, babies, and families. The cornerstone for this work is my belief that every family has inherent dignity and deserves a healthy start. During my graduate studies, I learned about the immense benefits associated with doula support for laboring and postpartum women. I knew I wanted to do more than study the benefits of doula work, I wanted to serve families firsthand as a doula. So, I became a CAPPA-trained labor and postpartum doula. As a doula, I center the goals and desires of each family in order to provide evidence-based, exceptional, and warm care as mothers labor for and welcome their newest, most beautiful additions.
Des Moines Area
Grace Downs, Labor Doula
Hi there! My name is Grace and I am a CAPPA trained labor doula living with my husband, daughter, and pup on a small acreage in Stratford, Iowa. After attending all of my sister’s births and having a daughter of my own, I developed a deep passion around childbirth and infant development.
As your doula, I will honor your unique birth wishes and hold space for all of the anxiety and excitement that come along with child-birth. I recognize that each birth, each baby, and each birthing person are proudly unique in their own way. My goal is to help you feel informed, empowered, and connected to your birth experience.
Jessie Sramek, Labor Doula & Postpartum Doula
After having my first birth without a doula I knew I needed to do something different the next time. I used a doula for my 2nd & 3rd births and they were such a wonderful & different experience from my 1st birth I was inspired to become a doula to provide this important service to other parents.
I am honored to attend births and experience the miracle of a brand new person entering the world. I am amazed every single time at the beauty of birth. I also love helping new families get settled as a postpartum doula, helping parents feel confident in their parenting & care of their new baby.
Areas of Specialty: Gentle & Positive Parenting, Anxiety During Labor & Birth, and Babywearing
Professional Trainings: CAPPA Labor Doula Training, CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, Adult & Child CPR Instructor, CNA & Medication Aide, Professional Food Safety Training
Katie Nazzaro, Labor Doula & Postpartum Doula
My name is Katie and I live in Des Moines, IA with my husband and three little boys. After having a Doula with my last baby, I was drawn to the work of supporting people through their labor, birth, and beyond.
It’s important to me that you feel strong, positive, and well informed about your birth. I’m committed to holding space for you and your feelings, for helping you overcome fears you may have surrounding pregnancy and childbirth and replacing them with confidence, calm, and readiness. It’s also important to me that in the days and weeks following your birth, you feel supported and confident in feeding and caring for your baby and that you are well cared for.
Areas of specialty: Multiples, VBAC, Unmediated birth
Professional training: CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, CAPPA Labor Doula Training, Adult/Child/Infant CPR Certified through the American Red Cross; Breastfeeding “Dos” for Doulas training w/ Angela Swieter of Basking Babies.
Kelsey Clarken, Labor Doula
Hello! I am Kelsey Clarken, professionally trained CAPPA labor doula and lactation educator. I am married to my college sweetheart and together we are raising our three beautiful children on a century farm in North Central Iowa.
Each one of my own unique pregnancies has molded me into the passionate birth worker I am today. No one pregnancy is the same, but each pregnancy is deserving of support. It is my deepest honor to walk alongside you, helping you feel nurtured, resourced, and confident in pregnancy and birth.
I love getting to hear your story and learn how I can serve you during this exciting and transformative time. I provide all my clients with completely individualized and unbiased support, ensuring you get the most from my doula services.
Specialties: breastfeeding, mindful birthing, unmedicated birth, baby-wearing, tandem nursing, VBAC
Kimberly Isburg, Postpartum Doula
My name is Kimberly Isburg, and I live in the Des Moines area with my husband, Sam, and our two boys. I studied journalism at Drake University and worked as a writer and editor before starting my postpartum doula business.
I was fortunate to have wonderful labor doula support during for of my births, but found the postpartum experience to be more challenging than I expected. I decided to become a postpartum doula to help make the transition to parenthood easier for other families by providing physical, emotional and informational support. I love helping new parents process their birth experience, get to know their amazing new baby and have some time to focus on resting and recovering. I also love playing with older siblings so parents can spend some time focusing on their new baby!
Areas of Specialty: Breastfeeding, Babywearing, Helping with older siblings
Professional Trainings: CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training; Adult/Child/Infant CPR Certified through the American Red Cross; Breastfeeding “Dos” for Doulas training w/ Angela Swieter of Basking Babies; Center for Pediatric Sleep Management’s Newborn Sleep Seminar for Postpartum Professionals, Treasurer for Central Iowa Doula Association
Lisa Jordan, Labor Doula and Postpartum Doula
Hello! My name is Lisa and I wear many hats, mom being my favorite! I reside in Ankeny, IA with my husband, two boys, and our fur babies. We are also expecting our third son in the fall of 2024. I discovered my passion for supporting other moms early in my own motherhood journey and went on to launch my life coaching business in 2019. In the spring of 2022, I trained under Katie as a labor and postpartum doula, booked my first client two weeks later, and never looked back! Over the last two years, I have had the honor of providing doula support for 60+ families-I feel incredibly blessed each and every day to do this work! I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you as I work to educate and empower families in birth, postpartum, and beyond!
Megan Swanson, Labor Doula and Postpartum Doula
Hello! My name is Megan Swanson and I am a birth and postpartum doula in Eastern Iowa. I currently reside in Cedar Rapids with my husband and son.
I decided to pursue a career as a doula after experiencing the sanctity of my own home birth in September of 2023. Since then, I have discovered my passion for serving other families and ensuring they have the birth experience they desire. I trained with DONA International in December of 2023 and have had the honor of supporting families through their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences since then.
I look forward to connecting with you, learning more about your desires for your birth and postpartum period, and supporting you through the most vulnerable and exciting moments of your life!
Michelle Clark, Labor Doula and Postpartum Doula
Hi! I am Michelle Clark, I am a Certified Postpartum Doula, Birth Doula, and Placenta Encapsulator. I am originally from Des Moines, Iowa. I have been supporting mothers and families in Doula roles since 2016. First, in Iowa and for the last three (plus) years in Nashville, TN. I am thrilled to be coming back home and to be working with the Iowa Baby Ladies. My interest in Doula work developed when my sister was pregnant with her first baby and I witnessed how amazing her experience was with her Doula. I transitioned out of a career in the fitness industry to begin to support families during their postpartum and birth experiences. I believe all women should be supported, throughout these precious times, so that they are able to heal, rest and bond with their baby. I am happy to offer that support.
Mindy Mrowka, Postpartum Doula
I am Mindy Mrowka, I live in Urbandale with my husband and 2 boys. Having experienced such wonderful and invaluable support throughout both of my pregnancies with our birth doula, I grew an appreciation for the community of women who are dedicated to supporting families during these transitional stages of life.
During my Postpartum Doula training I learned the CAPPA vision statement, which includes the line;
“Imagine a world…Where everyone is equipped to embrace parenthood with confidence. “ As a postpartum doula I believe giving new Mothers and families opportunities to rest, heal and bond with their new baby is paramount to embracing parenthood with confidence. I will also provide unbiased support as families learn their new rhythms and continue to gain assurance in their journey.
Olivia Gray, Postpartum Doula
Hi, my name is Olivia! Currently, I reside in Des Moines, where I recently married my high school sweetheart of 13 years! We share our home with two adorable Golden Retrievers who bring endless joy to our lives! We love spending time with them, playing, and taking long walks every day.
In addition to enjoying an active lifestyle, working out, and spending quality time with friends and family, I have a profound passion for maternal and infant health. My interest in this field was sparked during my time at the University of Northern Iowa, where I pursued a degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Women’s Health graduating in 2020. A pivotal moment for me was taking a course in maternal and infant health, which deepened my understanding and love for postpartum wellness. Having supported a few family members during their postpartum period has been a great joy and led me to pursue my CAPPA certification in becoming a Postpartum Doula.
I’m deeply committed to nurturing and educating women and parents with evidence-based information, providing comprehensive care and support, and helping them build confidence.
Areas of specialty: Babywearing, new mothers/parents, and advocacy
Sarah George, Labor Doula & Postpartum Doula
My husband, daughter and I call Ankeny our home and share our space with our two cats and rabbit. I discovered doula work through a client while serving as their personal chef, and immediately knew it was my calling. I feel joy as I help others, and the magic of birth has fascinated me ever since seeing “The Business of Being Born” at 16 years of age.
Holding space for a laboring person and helping guide them through their journey is a treasure. Through my doula support I bring reassurance, empathy, and a pillar to lean on as the birthing person taps into their most powerful self.
Specialties: Size Inclusive Births, Unmedicated Births, VBAC
Professional Trainings: CAPPA Certified Labor Doula, CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, CAPPA Labor Doula Training, ServSafe Food Safety Certified, Adult/Child/Infant CPR Certified through the American Red Cross, Spinning Babies Training, Member of the Central Iowa Doula Association, Professional Chef
Sarah Wall, Labor and Postpartum Doula
My name is Sarah. I have a passion for birth, babies, growing families, and helping others. I found my calling as a birth doula in 2021 after giving birth myself for the 6th time. I have three children and had the honor of being a surrogate 3 times. With each pregnancy I found myself immersed in learning more about pregnancy and birth, researching evidence based information, signing up for classes, talking to and encouraging other pregnant friends, family, or co-workers. I learned first hand the drastic difference it made to have a doula and the right support during my own births.
My ultimate goal as a Doula is to help provide you with education, support, comfort techniques, partner support, eliminate any fears you may have, and help you enter your birthing experience with a sense of Serenity; the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
Areas of specialty: Unmedicated Birth, Physiological Birth, Multiples, Breastfeeding, Babywearing, & Cloth Diapering.
Professional trainings: CAPPA Labor Birth Doula, Spinning Babies, Dos for Doulas Lactation Support, Hypnobabies, Nutrition for Pregnancy, Comfort Techniques, Understanding Birth, Breastfeeding Basics, Centering Pregnancy Program, Body Ready Method-Better Birth.
Interested in joining our doula team as a labor doula, postpartum doula, or educator? We would love to meet you!
Please send a copy of your training certificate, resume, and references to katie@theiowababylady.com. Thanks!
