Tag: iowa doula agency

January 9, 2017

Bellies, Babies & Beyond a Postpartum Support Group

A strong passion of mine is supporting and connecting families with resources, whether this be details about events and activities, product and service reviews or information about my personal experience on certain topics. I feel the more information we are given and the more opportunities that are available to us, we can make the best decisions for ourselves and families.

Since the beginning of my postpartum doula journey, I have envisioned a place where mothers can come together in a safe and open place to share their concerns, thoughts, laughter, tears and just feel loved.

Beginning in February 2017, I will be hosting Bellies, Babies & Beyond twice a month. This group will be just that. I will be there twice a month to chat with you, answer your questions, and give you additional resources if needed. Do you not have any concerns or not sure what you want to talk about? That is okay too! Just come and be with us! This is a great opportunity to get out of the house and be with other mothers in the same place as you.

I will be holding Bellies, Babies & Beyond twice a month:

The 1st Thursday of the month; 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at the Iowa Doula Agency located at 120 5th Street, West Des Moines.

The 3rd Saturday of the month; 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at Balance Chiropractic & Wellness located at 6611 University Avenue, Windsor Heights.

Feel free to come to both each month! This will be an open house style group. Feel free to come late and if you need to leave early, that is okay too! Registration in not required. Newborn babies to 12 month are welcome!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me here!

Note: Bellies, Babies & Beyond is registered with Postpartum Support International.

March 10, 2016

Why I am the Postpartum Doula For You!

You may have already heard the exciting news! I am working with the Iowa Doula Agency as a postpartum doula!

I am so excited to support mothers after birth. My dream is for every mother to have that one BEST friend after they birth their child. An individual who will be there to support them emotionally, physically and give evidence-based support for the mother and family.

It is wonderful to have your spouse, family and friends around to help; but it is so beneficial to have an educated individual to assist. A postpartum doula’s focus is the mother.

You can be extremely prepared to have a baby. You can have freezer meals made, washed all the babies clothes, shopped for essentials, baby room prepped, and so on. Each birth and each postpartum period is different. There will be questions that need to be answered about your newborn or yourself. A postpartum doula will bring comfort and ease stresses.

I will (just a few and not limited to!):

Encourage mother-baby bonding
- Help with skin-to-skin
Provide basic newborn care
- Swaddle
- Bathe
- Change diapers
Provide physical help so mother can recover
- Rest and sleep for mother
- Healthy snacks
- Ice packs
Basic household care
- Light house cleaning
- Errand running
- Folding laundry
- Meal preparation
Help provide sibling care

As a postpartum doula, I do not dispense medical advice, diagnose medical conditions, interpret medical diagnosis, perform medical clinical procedures, or prescribe/administer medications or treatment.

I am a resource tool! If you are concerned about breastfeeding and need to find a lactation consultation or need to find a mom’s group to socialize, I have many resources for you! If I cannot do something you need, I will help you find the perfect person to help you.

There is always a free consultation. At our consultation we will chat about what your concerns are and what you feel you may need the most assistance with. If you feel that I am the right fit, we will create a plan that we both are comfortable with!

I want to help every mother create and enjoy a special bond with their newborn.

Have questions? Want to meet? Feel free to e-mail me at Erin@iowadoulas.com

October 19, 2015

Iowa Doula Agency: Iowa’s First Statewide Doula Resource!

If you have been following Midwest Mom & Wife, you know that I believe it is very important to hire a doula!

Living in Central Iowa, we are blessed to have many doulas available and the Iowa Doula Agency is Iowa’s first statewide doula resource.

Image Source

The Iowa Doula Agency’s (IDA) goal is to connect expecting parents with doulas that best fit their specific needs. It is important to know, that not one doula may be the perfect fit for every family. The IDA strives to help guide you and make the right choice for you.

Here are a few reasons why hiring a doula through the Iowa Doula Agency is best:

Some women when they hear the word doula, feel that a doula is only needed if they plan to have an at home birth, an un-medicated birth , or cesarean birth. The IDA provide doulas for every type of birth. The doulas provided “are free of judgement and provide judgement-free birth information”.
Reaching out and hiring a doula when you discover you are pregnant, can be the best thing for your pregnancy and birth. The doulas provided by the IDA provide evidence-based information. When you become pregnant you may not know what you want. A doula can help share all the information with you and you can work together to create the plan that best fits you. At any point, your doula
A doula encourages you to use inform consent throughout your pregnancy and birth. It’s important to remember you are in charge of your pregnancy and birth. Your doula is there to help make your voice heard.

Check out The Scope of Practice of doulas from the Iowa Doula Agency. This will give you a detailed explanation of what you can expect from your doula.

Another great benefit of hiring a doula from the IDA is you can get discounts and deals from local businesses including: Fadeaway Floatation Center, The Family Tree Yoga & Massage, Powerful Mamas, Basking Babies, Blessings Photography & Birth Services, and Balance Chiropractic & Wellness. After you contract with IDA, you will receive a welcome packet that has all the details!

Right now, IDA has seven contracted doulas! Check out their bios and introduction videos here.

Pricing varies on experience. The IDA provides a great chart, that breaks down price categories and descriptions of each category here.

Are YOU expecting and ready to hire a doula for you!?! Every second Monday of the month the IDA hosts a Meet the Doulas. This is a great opportunity to meet all the doulas, ask questions, and get more information!

Make sure you follow Iowa Doula Agency on Facebook!