We know birth is important- many exercise. What sets us apart is our belief that doulas back up ALL of their clients decisions. We know that there is no 1 right way to give nascence and at that place is no one right way to parent! There are then many choices that you can brand and that is amazing because you lot and your family are unique and deserve support that fits your needs!

BIRTH DOULAS

A labor doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and advisory support to both the gestational parent and their partner during pregnancy, throughout labor, and immediately following delivery.  Doulas work collaboratively with providers to create a positive atmosphere and to raise your birth experience. Our doulas offer their devoted back up to you for your birth whether you desire all the drugs or none of them, whether you desire to give birth in a hospital, a birth center, or in your abode,* and all the other choices you lot will make.

Birth doulas are not medical professionals and do not offering medical advice.

*Iowa Doula Bureau only accepts homebirth clients working with a medical provider such as a midwife.

Postpartum Doulas

Postpartum doulas provide emotional, physical, and advisory support in your dwelling after the babe is built-in.  Postpartum doulas provide care to your growing family that is customized to your specific needs. Postpartum doulas are trained to help with infant care, recovery from childbirth, and the needs of a household with a new baby/babies. In add-on to baby care, postpartum doulas can help with meal prep, light housework, and answering any and all questions you might have.  Whether you are new to parenting and just want help learning the basics like how to swaddle an infant or are a seasoned parent welcoming a new footling one to your family we can help you lot not just survive the first yr with a new baby, but to thrive!

Postpartum doulas are not medical professionals; however, they tin offering insight equally to when to phone call your medical professional afterwards you lot are home.

Lactation Back up

New to IDA is the inclusion of lactation support, provided in your dwelling house, when it'southward needed the about. Angela Swieter, IBCLC, RN (owner of Basking Babies) for Central Iowa and Beth Buchholt, RN, IBCLC, for Eastern Iowa are internationally lath-certified lactation consultants who help non but gear up for the breastfeeding feel simply also run across with yous in your dwelling equally soon every bit possible to appraise your specific needs.

Angela and Beth will help you pace-by-step gear up for your breastfeeding journey by learning about your goals and helping you see them. Together with you, their in-home consultation will address your baby's latch and positioning, how much baby is transferring at the breast, and any issues or questions yous have. Angela and Beth conclude their service to you past following upward via telephone, text, or email a few days after her visit and once again after a few weeks.

Mental Healing

One of the most disquisitional needs of pregnant or postpartum families is mental health back up. Because nosotros want clients to experience not only exquisite nascence but as well postpartum journeys too, we partner with Dr. Mandi Hardy to provide emergent or scheduled mental health support. What makes her practice special is that she comesto you, where you need it most. Dr. Hardy visits clients within a sixty mile radius around Ames and likewise is prepared for virtual appointments.

Dr. Hardy specializes in the pregnancy and postpartum feel. She combines her experiences as a doula, childbirth educator, academic, and therapist to assistance come across the unique needs of families during their nascence year.  Every bit a doula, she's personally attended over 100 births in diverse settings, outcomes, and twists and turns. She has provided a few frequently asked questions and answers beneath.

To schedule an appointment equally apace as possible, email Dr Hardy at: DrAmandaHardy@gmail.com or call her at: (515)-218-9182

Aye, I am in-network with Wellmark and Iowa Medicaid providers.  My awarding is in procedure with United Healthcare.  Some clients chose to be greenbacks only patients as well.

A therapy session is approximately 45-50 minutes.  When I come to your home for a home visit these tin can sometimes last a fleck longer every bit they are frequently utilized every bit "crisis" situations.  Yet, fifty-fifty as such those appointments boilerplate to exist around an hour.

Yes; notwithstanding, my specialization is working with woman (and their partners) during the perinatal menses or what is commonly called the "nativity twelvemonth" (the yr surrounding pregnancy and birth). This does not mean that nosotros couldn't or wouldn't continue a therapeutic relationship outside of this birth year or that I don't meet clients in other demographics, simply to note that this is my specialization and expertise.

I completed my graduate work in psychological counseling in December 2005 and have worked in the mental health profession in various capacities since then.  I opened my individual practice (Amanda Hardy PhD LLC) in 2017, but also practiced privately for years in New Jersey.

I am licensed in the state of Iowa as a Mental Wellness Advisor (LMHC).  I practise not hold a formal certification in PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) as in that location is no such certification; however, I have completed training through Postpartum Support International (PSI) in PMADs.  PSI is considered the leader in the field and is the simply program that offers specific training in this area, at present.

As both a doula and childbirth educator, I've had the opportunity to get to know families equally they set for their individual journeys in parenthood.  As an bookish, I've studied childbirth (from any perspectives), parenting, child development, and the intersection of these 3.  And, finally, as a therapist, I've learned to heed to people when they aren't having the best days.  All of these experiences helped me realize that postpartum families need a different kind of help. This is why I offer house telephone call services for families who are in need of mental health support, but aren't going to be able to come up in for a traditional role engagement for some time while they adjust to their new normal.  I am the only licensed mental health provider offering this service in central Iowa.  I also keep my practice small and ensure that everyone who desires an firsthand engagement will exist seen inside two weeks of contacting me (await times at other practices are often half dozen weeks or more).