Finding out you are going to welcome a new little one into your family is exciting and often overwhelming all at once. If you are a new mom (or not), there are so many things to plan for and try to “figure out” throughout your pregnancy and obviously for the new baby haze. I have created this handy Iowa City guide for New Moms to put together community resources together to help you navigate your journey into and through motherhood.

I found myself scouring the internet, asking friends, and searching Facebook groups to try to find resources.

When I was pregnant with my first two, I didn’t live in Iowa City, so I felt like I was kind of starting over when we added my third to the mix (and not to mention the 6 year gap between my little and youngest). I felt like everything was new including all of the new baby gear. Navigating motherhood “take’s a village”. Its cliche, but also true.

So this Iowa City Guide for Expecting and New Mamas isn’t just for the first time mom, but really anyone. Hope you enjoy!

Pregnancy and childbirth can truly be a time where you appreciate your body on a whole new level, while also not feeling like yourself. It’s really so important to take care of yourself and your body during these transformations. For me, prenatal massage and getting into a prenatal yoga class were some of the best things I did for myself. What was your must-do during your pregnancy?

Prenatal Massage

• Spa Bilancia (Deb, Gracie)
• Balanced Birth 
• Zen Salon + Spa (Tatiana)
• Robinson Family Wellness (Kimberly Hendricks)

Prenatal Yoga

• Hothouse yoga (Mara Cheney)
• Toula yoga (Cedar Rapids) M + Th 5:00-6:15

Alternative Medicine and Physical Therapy

• Acupuncture: Twig and Needle-Alice
• Chiropractor: Robinson Family Wellness (Kimberly Hendricks)
• Breathe Physical Therapy: prenatal, postnatal, pelvic pain, etc (
• Team Iowa Physical Therapy (Kim)
• UIHC PT: Carrie Everhart

Breastfeeding and Lactation Support

• Balanced Birth
• Cedar Rapids Leaky Mamas-Facebook Group:
• Naturally Nourished (home visits)

Childbirth Education/Preparation

• All Bodies All Births: courses offered: “Birth Prep and Planning, “Comfort measures for Labor and Delivery”
• Kind Roots Doula: courses offered: “Creating Your Birth Plan 101”, “Moving Through Labor” “Postpartum Prep”
• UIHC-Virtual
• Naturally Nourished Lactation and Childbirth Services: personalized/in-home courses on childbirth
• Mapleseed Birth: “Mindful Birthing” (hybrid virtual/-in-person)
• Bliss Hypnobirthing & Doula Services: “Hypnobirthing Livestream Course” 

Birth Support

• All Bodies All Births: Doula
• Kind Roots Doula
• Nested Mama Doula (per website, not accepting new clients, but worth checking back in)
• Birth Moon Midwifery
• UIHC Midwives

Postnatal Support:

• Pregnant and Postpartum in the Corridor: Monthly in person meet ups (various topics i.e. meditation. baby wearing); online Facebook group
• Mapleseed Birth (postnatal midwifery care)
• All Bodies All Birth: doula support, meal prep etc.
• CR Ob-Gyn Specialists: mental health services
• Kind Roots: Postpartum doula

Getting fresh air, seeing other moms, celebrating wins (i.e. getting out of the door), laughing the pure chaotic craziness of motherhood. Here are a few ideas of ways to connect with fellow mamas…

Mommy + Me Groups/Fitness

• Hike it Baby Iowa City: outdoor based group for families with babies and young children
• Fit4Mom Iowa City: stroller barre, running groups, book club etc
• Toula Yoga: Baby + Me Yoga class-Cedar Rapids 
• Book Babies Storytime-Iowa City Library for ages 0-2

Do you have any local faves or resources to add to this Iowa City Guide for New Moms? I would love to make this a running list (and will do my best to keep it up-to-date). Please comment below or reach out.

Also, shameless plug here. If you are looking for a photographer to capture these beautiful moments of motherhood from pregnancy, through fresh 48/birthplace to newborn I would love to chat! Contact Jess

Are you wondering if Fresh 48 or Newborn Photos are for you-check out these related blog posts!