Blossom Birth

Current Maternity Care Legislation Supports the Principles of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative

2011-07-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

This month at Blossom Birth we are highlighting Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative (developed by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS), an evidence-based, wellness model of maternity care that is a comprehensive response to birth advocates' analysis of the serious gaps in maternity care services of the time. The information below is taken from the latest CIMS e-newsletter- it is a comprehensive summary of the current and upcoming key health care legislation, a great way for us to follow the progress of these very important bills and encourage our Senators and House Representatives to support them. After more than a decade birth advocates are finally seeing maternity care legislation that promises to address the health needs of mothers and infants.

Started in July 1996, 31 individuals and 26 organizations representing over 90,000 members ratified the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI). The MFCI outlined several areas that still need improvement today: higher perinatal morbidity and mortality and a higher maternal mortality rate than many other industrialized countries; disparities in access to care and health outcomes; high rates of cesareans and inductions of labor; lack of access to midwifery care; the routine use of non-evidence based birth practices which expose mothers and newborns to avoidable harms; increased use of technology which undermined womens confidence in their innate ability to give birth; lack of support for breastfeeding and birth practices that met providers needs rather than womens needs.

Current health care law and forthcoming legislation is now addressing the very issues highlighted for change in the MFCI. CIMS is proud that many of our organization members are actively involved in developing and promoting pending maternity care legislation. They include AABC, ACNM, Birth Matters Virginia, Childbirth Connection, Citizens for Midwifery, AWHONN, MANA, NACPM, NARM and The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590)
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. This bill includes major provisions to increase women's access to healthcare insurance, evidence-based care and maternity care providers of their choice. The far-reaching bill eliminates health insurance practices that discriminate against women and recognizes the importance of focusing specifically on women's health needs by creating and funding federal offices of women's health. In addition, the bill does away with several Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement inequalities against midwives and birth centers across the country.

Included in H.R. 3590 are these key provisions:

Women will have direct access to the obstetrician/gynecologist, certified nurse midwife or certified midwife of their choice;
Women will have access to insurance coverage before, during and between pregnancies;
Women will no longer be denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions such as being pregnant, having had a cesarean section, or being a victim of domestic violence;
Low-income women and their children can now benefit from prenatal and postpartum nurse home visits;
Employers with over 50 hourly-wage employees now have to provide nursing mothers the opportunity to take unpaid breaks to pump breast milk in an appropriate and private place on location;
Women will be covered for a range of preventive services including screening for diabetes and heart disease as well as mammograms;
Freestanding birth centers in all 50 states will be reimbursed for providing care to women covered by Medicaid;
All licensed caregivers who provide services in licensed birth centers for women with Medicaid will be reimbursed;
As of January 1, 2011, the Medicare Part B reimbursement rate for Certified Nurse Midwives increased from 65% to 100% of the fee schedule.
Funds will be made available to cover screening, education, treatment and support for postpartum depression;
To ensure that women's particular health needs are addressed in all Federal health initiatives Women's Health Offices will be created in five Federal agencies: the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration.

For a summary of the bill see OpenCongress.

For a comprehensive assessment of the impact of this bill read U.S. Health Care Reform Legislation Offers Major New Benefits to Childbearing Women and Newborns by Carol Sakala, PhD, MSPH on Childbirth Connections new website, Transforming Maternity Care.

Partnering to Improve Maternity Care Quality Act of 2010 (HR 6437)

This bill, introduced by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) in November of 2010 is being amended and has not yet been reintroduced in the 2011 session of Congress. This legislation is designed to promote optimal maternity outcomes by making evidence-based maternity care a national priority.

If passed it would:

Ensure the development of national, evidence-based quality measures for maternity care in Medicaid, as well as a process to collect this data;
Create and implement a national patient survey of women to assess their experience of maternal care
Establish a demonstration project to develop effective alternative payment models aimed at simultaneously improving health outcomes and reducing costs;
Authorize an Institute of Medicine report to identify a package of essential evidence-based services for childbearing women and newborns.

This bill includes many key provisions recommended in two Childbirth Connection reports: Evidence-Based Maternity Care: What It Is and What It Can Achieve andBlueprint for Action: Steps Toward a High-Quality, High-Value Maternity Care System.

Follow the progress of this bill on OpenCongress.

MOMS for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 5807)

Introduced by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, the Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services for the 21st Century Act places a national focus on evidence-based maternity care practices to help achieve the best possible maternity outcomes for mothers and babies.

This bill would:

Expand federal research on best maternity care practices;
Authorize a public awareness media campaign to educate the public about the best proven maternity care practices;
Pinpoint areas with shortages of maternity care providers and create incentives for providers to fill those gaps;
Improve the maternity care workforce by developing interdisciplinary core curriculum for training and increasing workforce diversity.

Follow this bill on OpenCongress.

For additional information see Amnesty International,Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the U.S.A.: One Year Update

Maternity Care Improvement Act of 2010 (H.R.6318)

Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced this bill.

If passed it would:

Increase government accountability and coordination of efforts related to maternal health by designating a national coordinator of programs related to maternal health;
Create a national registry of maternal and infant health data, and ensure that data is collected in a way that is standardized and disaggregated by race;
Improve the maternity care workforce by enhancing education and training for nurses, creating an interdisciplinary maternity care core curriculum to promote best practices in evidence based, woman-centered, culturally competent, collaborative care that will prevent complications and reduce disparities;
Improve the diversity of the maternity care workforce by awarding grants to increase recruitment of underrepresented minorities into the maternity care workforce.

For additional information see Amnesty International, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the U.S.A.: One Year Update

Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 (H.R.894)

This legislation was introduced by Representative John Conyers (D-MI) on March 11, 2011 and referred to a subcommittee on health on March 11.

If passed the bill would:

Provide funds for States to establish Maternal Mortality Review Committees, to collect data on pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths;
Identify ways to lower maternal mortality rates
Require that states reduce or eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes;
Health professionals and facilities would be required to report pregnancy-related deaths;
A national definition of severe maternal complications would be developed;
Each maternal death would be investigated
All findings and recommendations would be disseminated.

Follow this bill on OpenCongress. You can also join MomsRising in writing to Congress in support of the Maternal Health Accountability Act.

For additional information stream Childbirth Connection's Webinar, Disparities in Maternity Care

Access to Certified Professional Midwives Act of 2011 (H.R. 1054)
Introduced on March 10, 2011 by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-MN), the bill provides access and reimbursement to certified professional midwives (CPMs) for services provided to women enrolled in the Medicaid program. Congressman Rodney Alexander (R-LA) will be the first Republican to cosponsor this important Medicaid payment legislation.

This bill adds the services provided by Certified Professional Midwives as a new category of mandated health service under the federal-state Medicaid program.

If passed, it would:

Require all states that license, register, or legally authorize CPM practice to make CPM services available to all pregnant women who receive Medicaid;
Add the services of a Certified Professional Midwife as a new category to the existing categories of providers (such as hospitals, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and birth centers) eligible for Medicaid payment.

Only CPMs who practice in a state where their services are "legally authorized by State law" would be eligible for Medicaid payment. Licensed or registered direct-entry midwives who are not CPMs would not be eligible.

Follow this bill on OpenCongress.

The PREEMIE Act of 2006
The PREEMIE Act was signed into law on December 22, 2006 and will expire at the end of 2011. It is designed to reauthorize P.L. 109-450 and expand research, education and intervention activities related to reducing preterm birth - the number one killer of newborns.

If reintroduced in 2011 and passed the specific provisions of the bill would:

Expand and coordinate federal research related to preterm labor and delivery, and the care and treatment of preterm infants;
Require the development of a Preterm Birth Research, Education and Intervention Programs Action Plan for the Department of Health and Human Services;
Authorize demonstration projects to test promising preterm birth prevention and treatment interventions;
Establish a National Educational Media Campaign to promote healthy pregnancies and help prevent preterm birth.

The Senate champion of the PREEMIE Act is Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and the House champion is Anna Eshoo (D-CA).

Take Action
Take action to help pass the legislation that you support. Contact your senator and your congressman or congresswoman in the House of Representatives to encourage them to pass these important bills.

Report published on increasing Maternal mortality rates in California and the U.S

2011-04-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

Last month, as part of the Blossom's Achieving Quality Maternal Care Lecture Series we had Christine Morton, PhD join us to talk about the work of California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) and the rising rate of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in California. The report of the study that she and her colllegues have been involved in is now out! Also, join us this Saturday May 30 at 6:30pm for the next talk in our series by Henci Goer, Limits of Evidence Based Care

The California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (CA-PAMR): Report from 2002 and 2003 Maternal Death Reviews.

Read the report online.

The California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (CA-PAMR) is a project of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Program in collaboration with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC), the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Health and Aging (IHA), and the Public Health Institute (PHI). CDPH/MCAH and the CA-PAMR project are fortunate to have the voluntary service of the CA-PAMR Committee, a statewide, multidisciplinary Committee comprised of leading clinical experts in maternal and perinatal health and public health. The CA-PAMR Committee serves to determine the causes of maternal mortality and to make recommendations concerning quality improvement opportunities in maternity care and public health strategies to prevent maternal deaths in California. Funding for CA-PAMR is provided by the Federal Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant Funds.

Mothering with Mindfulness Yoga

2011-04-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

After the birth of my son, when my daughter was just 22 months old, the days were a mixture of elation and exhaustion. The physical and mental challenges of keeping up with the routine while attempting to adopt “best” practices in diapering, sleep routines, communication, potty training, etc., etc., were overwhelming. Navigating the myriad of choices and philosophies during the first years felt complicated and annoying to me. I yearned for something that felt solid, old, and normal, for something reliable and familiar, something that was the total opposite of the universe that I had entered.

Through the practice of mindfulness, I found huge freedom from the “shoulds” and gained access to a vast reservoir of inner wisdom, intuition, truth and clarity. As a long-time yoga teacher and practitioner, I wanted to share this source of freedom and contentment with other moms and created “Mindful Mama Yoga.”

In the Mothering with Mindfulness Yoga session at Blossom's Mother's Day Celebration on May 7, we explore what it means to cultivate mindfulness and how to open to the wisdom that allows us to deepen our connection to our children, our families, ourselves and our community. The class is a blend of yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation focused on opening the energy channels of the body to better access the insight, inspiration and guidance that is available to us in any given moment.
Now my children are 3 and 5 years old and the mindfulness practice continues to be my guiding light. I walk a crooked path; but I have a reliable radar to come back to over and over again. When I start to stray, I remember this lovely quote by Thich Nhat Hahn that grounds me and brings me back to center. He says, “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

Grace Kendrick
Mindful Mama Yoga and Ayurveda, Founder
www.mindfulmamayoga.com

Over the coming weeks we are featuring articles about the inspiring, rejuvenating and relaxing offerings at our Mother's Day Pampering Celebration on Saturday, May 7, 9am onwards. Come join us- sign up for a massage with Verde Touch, enjoy a great self portrait by professional photographer Rosalinda, participate in our workshops and celebrate a fun evening of music with Rockin'Moms! It is a double win: all funds from the event support Blossom's work with new and expectant families and you get to have a fun day celebrating being a mom or mom-to-be! RSVP today!

Eight Steps to a stronger back and better posture!

2011-04-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Esther Gokhale, and I am the author of 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back and creator of the Gokhale Method, which provides life-long tools for healthy, pain-free posture. The Method was the culmination of my long journey from constant pain and the threat of surgery, to an active life without pain or physical limitation. After undergoing back surgery after my first pregnancy, I hoped my back troubles were at an end. In spite of following the advice I was given, I had a relapse of unbearable sciatic pain that made sitting and lying down for extended periods impossible. Doctors advised both a second surgery and that I refrain from having any more children. Determined to find an alternative path, I set out to understand and address the root causes of back pain.

One of the foundations of my work involved studying cultures around the world in which back pain is virtually non-existent. I also studied the transformation of posture through the last century and before, through art and photos. I was also fortunate to work with experts in posture, movement and physiology. These elements led to the development of the Gokhale Method, which has successfully guided thousands of people away from back pain, neck pain, sciatica, repetitive stress injury and other musculoskeletal ailments that plague our modern world.

I am especially happy to be participating in this year’s Mother’s Day Celebration at Blossom Birth on May 7, because mothers can have a huge influence on the posture of their children. The most important thing in carrying your child is to periodically lengthen the child’s spine and to support a healthy forward-tipped (not tucked) pelvic position. Babies are born with excellent posture and fantastic instincts. In fact, we can learn a lot from simply watching the way they sit, sleep and move. Unfortunately, the beds, stroller, bouncy chairs and backpacks we carry them in often distort their natural good posture. Umbrella strollers are an excellent example of this. Their rounded shape forces the baby’s spine into a C-shape, encouraging the head to drop onto the chest, reducing circulation throughout the body and compressing the lungs.

Another helpful technique for mothers is to engage the inner corset--the abdominal and back muscles closest to the spine. The inner corset is a natural way for pregnant women to tone their abs and will be invaluable for carrying your baby.

I will also answer your questions about healthy posture-- including how to hold your baby, selecting baby furniture, and other ways to stay vital during your pregnancy.

See you soon!

Esther

My youngest daughter, Monisha, sitting with a stacked spine and a healthy, anteverted pelvis.

Over the coming weeks we are featuring articles about the inspiring, rejuvenating and relaxing offerings at our Mother's Day Pampering Celebration on Saturday, May 7, 9am onwards. Come join us- sign up for a massage with Verde Touch, enjoy a great self portrait by professional photographer Rosalinda, participate in our workshops and celebrate a fun evening of music with Rockin'Moms! It is a double win: all funds from the event support Blossom's work with new and expectant families and you get to have a fun day celebrating being a mom or mom-to-be! RSVP today!

Get Your Body Back, Get Your Self Back

2011-04-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

If you're a mother, then you probably know how it feels to surrender your body, your time, and your life after you've brought a child into the world. Things like sleeping, taking a shower or brushing your teeth become variables rather than constants in your day. After giving birth and breast-feeding you've also given up your waistline and even your breasts. They're not just for you anymore...they are part of your child's basic needs.

Your body and your life have gone through massive shifts, and you may be left wondering, “How do I take care of myself after baby?” Here are the top three ways for new moms to get nurturing they need.

1) Get support.
You’ve heard the saying, “it takes a village” – and it certainly does! This new phase of your life is truly magical but it can be depleting, too. Getting the support you need in this time of change is crucial. Ask how can you create a team of friends, healers, or coaches to assist you. Who could help you stay calm, relaxed, grounded and at ease? Find ways to be replenished, revived, and ready to take on the tasks of being a parent.

2) Create structure and establish routine.
Make sure that “you time” is part of your routine. Even a few minutes makes all the difference.

Clients in my mind body boot camp say that one of the greatest things about the work is having designated time just for them. It's something they can count on. In boot camp we meet on a weekly basis for 1-4 months. It's incredible what can happen with a little structure and designated “you time.”

3) Heal & align your body.
Mind and Body are connected. After you have a baby your posture and body has changed. The low back automatically pulls forward with the weight of baby. The pelvis has expanded and contracted. If your body is off and out of alignment, it's only natural that you will feel off. Taking care of your body brings you back into balance and alignment in all areas of your life.

Bodywork and the habits of the physical body are critical in the work I do. We release tension and tightness to restore the body's natural posture. Join us to discover what’s happening with your alignment and try sample alignment exercises at Blossom's Mother's Day Pampering Celebration on May 7th. You’ll come away feeling relaxed and inspired about being a parent and about being YOU.

Be well,
Rebecca

Rebecca hosts a mind body boot camp to address the physical, mental and energetic needs of women. She creates structure and accountability and paves the way for profound shifts--leaving clients inspired and powerful as an individual, spouse or parent. Rebecca uses a unique blend of coaching, bodywork, & energy work to clear away blocks, balance and align clients on all levels. http://www.aligntheself.com/

Ina May Gaskin on maternal healthcare in the US

2011-03-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

This recent post in Babble.com has a wonderful article by Ina May Gaskin who shares 8 ways in which she believes maternal healthcare in America needs to change:
http://www.babble.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/maternal-health-care-midwives-birth-ina-may-gaskin/

Breast Pumps and Taxes: good news!

2011-02-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

Taxes - they are often a subject to avoid and fear - however today, thanks to some great pro breastfeeding advocates in our national legislature, the IRS has reversed its previous decision and is now allowing breast pumps to be reimbursable expenses on FSA and tax returns.

This is great news - the majority of women in the US return to work after giving birth and the breast pump has become an essential part of that equation. Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization for all children under six months. Quality, efficient pumps for working moms range form $200 - $350 - this expense is now reimbursable. Formula will cost the typical American family $3500 per year, the breast pump enables moms to provide a superior product and now the cost of doing so will be reimbursable - very proactive and good for us all - delighted to see this in the news today.

Currently, twenty-four states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace; fully 43 states and the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have laws which allow women to breastfeed in any public or private location.

Work place laws paired with reimbursable breast pumps - it's getting better all the time!

--
Wendy Wright, MBA, IBCLC (Blossom Board)
Lactation Navigation, LLC
wendy@workplacenursing.com
650-868-5318
www.workplacenursing.com

Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

2011-01-21T09:53:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, the Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin released a significant policy document that will hopefully have far reaching effects for the support for breastfeeding.

The Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding outlines the barriers to breastfeeding and steps to eliminate them in the United States.

Highlights of the press release include:

- Communities should expand and improve programs that provide mother-to-mother support and peer counseling.
-Health care systems should ensure that maternity care practices provide education and counseling on breastfeeding. Hospitals should become more “baby-friendly,” by taking steps like those recommended by the UNICEF/WHO’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

- Clinicians should ensure that they are trained to properly care for breastfeeding mothers and babies. They should promote breastfeeding to their pregnant patients and make sure that mothers receive the best advice on how to breastfeed.

- Employers should work toward establishing paid maternity leave and high-quality lactation -support programs. Employers should expand the use of programs that allow nursing mothers to have their babies close by so they can feed them during the day. They should also provide women with break time and private space to express breast milk.
- Families should give mothers the support and encouragement they need to breastfeed.

According to the “Call to Action,” breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop asthma, and those who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese. Mothers themselves who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

A study published last year in the journal Pediatrics estimated that the nation would save $13 billion per year in health care and other costs if 90 percent of U.S. babies were exclusively breastfed for six months. Dr. Benjamin added that, by providing accommodations for nursing mothers, employers can reduce their company’s health care costs and lower their absenteeism and turnover rates.

“I believe that we as a nation are beginning to see a shift in how we think and talk about breastfeeding,” said Dr. Benjamin. “With this ‘Call to Action,’ I am urging everyone to help make breastfeeding easier.”

Blossom is committed to supporting moms and their partners in their breastfeeding journey. In addition to being a welcoming space to come relax and take care of baby, Blossom also offers the following resources:

Breastfeeding Basics: A three hour workshop offered frequently at Blossom to prepare pregnant moms and their partners for breastfeeding. Participants receive practical information and support to enhance their breastfeeding experience and help them anticipate and overcome common stumbling blocks that new nursing mothers often encounter. ($69/couple)

Blossom Breastfeeding Support Group

Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00pm |$15, drop-in rate; or purchase a Parent-Baby Group pass for $105: 3-months unlimited; $195: 6-months unlimited

Returning to Work: preparing yourself for the next step

One 3-hour class, Sunday, Feb 6 2:00- 5:00pm ($59/couple)

Blossom Lactation Consultations

Blossom Birth provides comprehensive lactation support, offering individual lactation appointments, phone and email support. We provide care and support in the full range of lactation issues, including proper latching and positioning, milk supply, weight gains/losses, pumping, supplementation, alternative feeding methods. We also offer breastpump rentals and basic supplies. Lactation appointments and support are provided by our lactation consultants, with appointments available at a variety of times most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and some Saturdays and Mondays. Rates range from $99 to $179, depending on length of the appointment and whether you meet our lactation consultant at Blossom or in your home.

To contact Blossom's Lactation Department, please email blossomlactationsupport@gmail.com or call our general office line at 650-321-2326. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am- 1:00pm and we check messages daily at 7:00pm. Most calls are returned within 24 hours. If you have an urgent matter, please let us know- we will do our best to return your call by 9:00pm on the day we receive it.

Contributed by: Wendy Wright, IBCLC (Blossom Board Member) and Co-founder of Lactation Navigation.

In Lieu of a Blog Post!

2011-01-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

It is my dream to be able to have the time to actually write someday. I'd love to be one of those moms that can write a story about their day, or an experience they had in relationship to what they're feeling or thinking.... the words are continually moving through my mind, but alas, not enough time to really sit down and write..... hmmm... maybe a 2012 goal to work towards!

By then, my little guy will be 3 and maybe a little more manageable, my oldest will be 6.5 and only have 1st grade homework to deal with..... one can only dream about what extra time I may have ; )

In the meantime, I wanted to share with the Blossom folks, some of the most inspiring blogs that I've been reading the past year.

Birthing From Within Creatress Pam England: A place for parents and birth people to meet for conversations. Currently she is exploring 50 ways to change birth in our culture and it has led to some fabulous conversations

http://www.birthpeeps.blogspot.com/

The Happiness Project: One Woman's quest for happiness without perfection.

Written by Charity Terry Lorenzo (first ever Blossom Office Assistant)

http://imperfecthappiness.wordpress.com/

Breathing in this life... Support for Women and Mothers: Fit and Fearless Living: Currently she listed her most favorite posts for the year.

http://www.gingergarner.blogspot.com

I hope you are inspired as much as I am by these women and their stories.

Mendy Thijssen

Blossom Volunteer and Instructor

Blossoming into 2011!

2010-12-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

Happy almost 2011 from all of us here at Blossom Birth! I hope this finds you enjoying the holiday break with your families and friends.

As an update, this week at Blossom we’ve been busy: out with the old and in with the new. I’m happy to report the old carpets are out, walls painted, and new carpets going in today. A dedicated band of volunteers are coming in this weekend to put everything back in place so we can welcome you and your families back next week.

Thinking about all the changes at Blossom, it reminds me of a quote from a favorite columnist, Ellen Goodman:

“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.”

As you’ll see next week, we’ve been able to start working down our list of work to be done and we are planning additional improvements in 2011 to serve you better. Its potential? Serving a growing and welcoming community of expectant and new families and helping them through the precious – and challenging – years of pregnancy and early parenting.

I know how important Blossom’s support was for my own family. Blossom helped me through some very difficult early months when my daughter was born. Now that she’s three years old, we’ve “aged” out somewhat, but I continue to volunteer my time and my money to see Blossom reach its potential.

That’s why I ask you to join me in making a donation to Blossom today. Thank you to each of you who has already contributed. Working together we can increase the potential for Blossom to serve you, your family, and the community in which you live. We can’t do what we do without YOUR support!

Lend a Hand Campaign

An ideal way to help today is to make a donation to Blossom’s Lend a Hand Campaign. We launched this campaign specifically to help us make needed improvements at the Center. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on community contributions from folks that support lower class fees low and many free offerings. We run a lean organization and need your support to make investments in the Center. Gifts of any amount are welcomed and are tax-deductible. For the Lend a Hand Campaign, to thank you for donations of $100 or more we will present a tile to your family or business to decorate and display in a mural at Blossom. A tile is a great way to leave a lasting memory of your family’s time at Blossom and each tile becomes part of our history. We’re extending the campaign through January 15^th, please lend a hand today!

Why is Blossom Important to You?

Community members tell us Blossom is important to them. Why is it to you?

As an unemployed single mother, [Blossom] helped me by giving me a scholarship for classes that I would not be able to afford anywhere else at all, and treated me with care, compassion, and respect.

Wow, I just can't say enough about Blossom. We took all of our birthing classes here and it became even more important to me after the birth of my daughter. The mommy and baby yoga class got me out of the house with my newborn!

Blossom provides a lifeline for pregnant and new mothers and all the challenges they face. The center's resources were extremely helpful for overcoming my postpartum depression by giving me information, support, and a caring community.

Blossom helped me tremendously throughout my pregnancy and the early weeks after the birth of my daughter. The preparation, support, classes, networking and advice they provide are extremely valuable to our community.

Great classes and support groups to serve families. And Blossom is always welcoming - whenever I'm in the area I know I can stop by with my baby for a diaper change, nursing, or chatting with other parents.

We invite you to come visit us in 2011 and see the many fixes underway! A very happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

Best wishes,

Holly Van Houten

Blossom Board Chair

Get Yoga! Best San Francisco Yoga Resources for Moms

2010-11-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

Get Yoga! Best San Francisco Yoga Resources for Moms

The Benefits of Sign Language with Older Toddlers

2010-09-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

Baby sign language gives parents the opportunity to communicate with children long before babies can verbalize their wants and needs. More than two decades of evidence based studies studies show that signing with babies accelerates language acquisition, reduces frustration and aggressive behavior, and as children mature, results in a greater interest in reading. Signing with your baby is a wonderful way to deepen the bond between you and your child and jump starts his or her verbal skills. But are there benefits to signing with toddlers after they become verbal? The answer is, "yes!"

As your child matures and starts to verbalize she will go through a transitional period, speaking some words and signing others. Around 19 months of age, a child will often drop the sign as soon she can say the word. It’s so much easier to say “Mommy” than to sign it.

However, even at two or three years old, it’s not always easy for parents to understand what their child is saying. Using sign language bridges the gap and gives your child a way to communicate with you. Asking your child if she can use her hands to tell you what she wants can reduce her frustration and minimize temper tantrums, making the "terrible twos" not so terrible. Signing is also great to use at a noisy playground, reducing a parent's need to shout. You can get your child's attention by whistling or making eye contact and then signing what you need your child to know, whether it's a five minute warning before heading home or a reminder to be careful.

Signing is a good thing for all age groups. Fingerspelling helps children as they learn to read. Many children are visual learners and sign language helps this type of learner to integrate new information. Parents and children can fingerspell the letters as the child sounds out the words.

Sign language is also beneficial for kinesthetic learners - those who learn by doing. Signing allows children to channel their physical energy into communicating a thought. Children have said that when they are practicing for their spelling quiz that it helps them “feel the phonics” when they fingerspell each word.

When an individual signs, language is processed in the auditory, visual and kinesthetic brain centers and memories are stored in different parts of the brain. Therefore, when a child signs, he is utilizing different neural modalities, thus accessing more brain power, so to speak.

Touch Blue Sky's Baby Sign Language Director, Bill Austin-White tells a story of being out on a stroller walk with his son, Liam. Liam was a toddler and had be speaking verbally for a few months now. About five blocks from home, Liam said, "Mush mush!" Bill increased the pace thinking that his son wanted him to go faster like a dog sled (watching The Discovery Channel was a family activity). Increasingly frustrated, Liam said "Mush mush!" again and again. Bill stopped the stroller and requested Liam to say it slower. Liam replied, "Muuuushhhh." Bill then asked, "Can you tell me with your hands?" Liam signed "gorilla" and Bill instantly understood what Liam wanted - Gorilla Munch cereal, which was located in a container in the bottom of the stroller. Signing averted a potential melt down. Liam (and Daddy) were happy all the way home.

All that said, signing is just plain fun. At times, it gives our family our own little “secret language.” Be careful what you sign though. American Sign Language is one of the most popular languages in the nation!

Join us at Blossom for the upcoming workshop and playgroup:

Introductory Workshops

Wednesday, September 29, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Playgroup Series

Six Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

October 6 to November 10 (Playgroup Zoom)

For information on baby sign language classes please visit Blossom Birth.

Contributed by: Touch Blue Sky's Baby Sign Language Director, Bill Austin-White

Blossom's Summer Fundraiser: fun ideas for a great cause!

2010-08-04T15:24:00.000-07:00

On July 4, Blossom kicked off its Summer Fundraising Campaign from Independence Day to Labor Day: symbolizing the importance of independence and birth! Thanks to your genoristy, in one month, we have raised over $2,000 to help us continue to be a welcoming and empowering place for expectant and new families to prepare for, celebrate, and nurture their children. Please help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 over the next month as we approach Labor Day weekend.

Blossom offers many services for free and keeps class fees low to support as many families as possible. That’s why we come to you a couple of times a year to ask for an additional gift so we can continue providing the best information there is about pregnancy, birth and parenting without regard to institutional agenda or retail sales. As an independent non-profit organization, gifts to Blossom are fully tax-deductible.

Please make a donation TODAY. Your generosity makes a big difference. Thank you!

Want More Ideas About How to Raise Funds for Blossom?

Blossom families have come up with creative ways to help raise money for Blossom, here are three examples:

Junk we treasure!

The Mestel family first came to Blossom in 2006, when Hannah was pregnant with Rebecca, now 3. When it came time to purge their home of all of the accumulated "treasures" of 4 moves in 5 years, they chose to hold a yard sale -- and in the process, they were able to raise over $500 for Blossom! We asked Hannah why she chose a sale rather than dropping everything at Salvation Army or the like, and she explained: "we really wanted to know where our donations were going -- and by holding a garage sale, we were able to turn all of our junk...I mean treasures...into cash that we could then give to an organization we really believe in!" And since Hannah and Craig’s employer match donations, their gift will raise another $500 for Blossom! Way to go, Mestels!

Run Baby Run!

Serena and Isaac started coming to Blossom Birth in 2008 when there were only two of them (and a dog). The Bradley Method Childbirth Prep course and prenatal yoga that they took were essential in preparing for the planned unmedicated birth of their wonderful daughter, Adah. Since Adah's birth, they have attended many of the fabulous groups, including the new parent groups, mom-baby yoga,Book Babies, the breastfeeding support group and Music Together. In fact, Serena has given severalBlanket Babies talks and now facilitates the monthly Babywearing group.

This October 17, Serena is preparing to run the Nike 1/2 Marathon as a fundraiser to support Blossom's work! Serena says: "When I decided to run the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon this year, raising money for Blossom seemed like a natural thing to do. Blossom has become invaluable to us and fundraising while training is the least I can do to give back to such a great community resource. I can't wait to get to know the other mom's on the Blossom training team, get back in shape, raise money for Blossom and in the end run 13.1 miles through San Francisco!" Visit Serena's fundraising page and every dollar will come directly to Blossom!

Shop 'til you drop!

The Laprocina family joined the new parent group in 2007 after Holly gave birth to Victoria. Husband Patrick is a big online shopper. Holly now has him going through Good Shop for every purchase, in the process generating $128.38 for Blossom in the last six months at no cost to the family.

Holly says: “If we’re going to do so much online shopping, I get him to add the couple of extra clicks it takes to earn funds for Blossom. Most online retailers we like make donations through GoodShop. I buy things for my business, he buys things for his work, we order stuff for the dogs, baby, etc. It is really easy, once you set your mind to it.” Learn more about Blossom’s affiliates.

Thank you Hannah, Serena and Holly: for your inspiration, support and creative spirit!

Please help us reach our goal of $10,000. Your support will help us continue to grow and help new and expectant families blossom! No amount is too small and be sure to check with your employer to help double your donation! We thank you for your support.

Forward this message to a friend

Warm Regards,
Mora and the Blossom Staff, Instructors and Board!

PS: Show your support, join our cause on Facebook!

Maintaining Milk Supply when Mother and Baby are Apart

2010-07-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

Some mothers overflow with milk no matter what they do. Others have more trouble maintaining milk supply when they are regularly apart from baby. Here are some ideas for keeping your milk supply up.

Give yourself two weeks to store milk and practice different feeding methods before returning to work. Remember that there are lots of ways to get milk into a baby so if your baby refuses a bottle, consider using a sippy cup or medicine spoon.
Consider returning to work on a Thursday so you only have to prepare for a couple of days before you have a weekend to recover.
Try an automatic double pump. For some mothers the pump doesn't matter, for others it really makes a difference. Some manual pumps have bubble inserts that help massage the breasts during pumping. These inserts can also be used with electric double pumps.
Pump frequently during the day, at least every three hours, every two hours if your milk supply is declining. Shorter frequent pumping sessions will produce more milk than longer pumping sessions further apart. When figuring out how long your day is, be sure to include commute time: an 8 hour day can stretch to 10 hours if you have a long drive.
Often more frequent, shorter separations are easier to manage than fewer, longer separations. For example, if you are working twenty hours per week, four five-hour days will be easier than two ten-hour days.
Applying heat to the breasts or massaging the breasts can stimulate let-down. Some mothers say that keeping a picture of their baby in front of them while they're pumping can help stimulate letdown.
Take a break during pumping to massage, stroke, and shake your breasts. This will sometimes stimulate another letdown.
Have your baby at your breast as often as possible when you're at home. Many mothers who are away during the day find that nighttime nursings are essential in keeping milk supply up. This is a time to let other projects, housework, gourmet meals, etc. go by the wayside for a few months.
Can your baby’s caregiver bring your baby to you during the day? Your baby is more efficient at getting milk than any pump, so a lunch time nursing break will make a big difference.
If you can, take a nursing vacation. One or two days with baby at your breast can make a tremendous difference.
Some herbal preparations have been reported to increase milk supply. Herbs from www.sweetherbmedicinals.com are available for purchase at BlossomBirth.

Some of these recommendations sound like they'll take a lot of time. But in just a few months, sometime around the middle of your baby's first year, you'll start introducing solid foods and a few months after that may find that you don't need to pump at all during the day. This is less time than you were pregnant.

Cindy Howard, IBCLC

Blossom Birth provides comprehensive lactation support, offering individual lactation appointments, phone and email support. For more information, see our website: http://blossombirth.org/lactation_support.html. We also encourage you to come to our Breastfeeding Support Group, which meets every Wednesday from 1:30-3:00. $15 drop-in or free with a current Parent-Baby Group card.

Blossom welcomes and honors Dads this June!

2010-06-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 28, we had the pleasure of hosting a talk with Suzanne Arms, author, birth activist, mother, and grandmother. She brought her usual passion and vigor to the topic “How did our experiences at the start of life shape us today?” I have known Suzanne personally for many years and have heard her speak both formally and casually on similar topics. As always, her words got me pondering (as I have since becoming a mother) how to heal from my own difficult first birth, what happened at my own birth that shaped who I am as a person and the relationship I have with my mother, and even how my mother’s experience of birth shaped how she experienced my daughter’s birth! During this particular talk, however, a new question arouse for me…what about my husband’s role in all of this? Is it possible his own birth had an effect on how our daughter came into the world? What may have been difficult for him in becoming a father that has shaped everything that has come after? Does he have something to process as we get closer to the birth of our third and final baby!?

While I have always considered Kevin such an important part of my birth team and admire his dedication and involvement as a father, I had never before considered his experience of birth and how it may have had an affect on our own birth experiences and everything that followed. I don’t mean to sound so self-centered, but it has almost felt like he was just a “supporting role” in my personal “movie” about my experience of birth. Suzanne acknowledged that men, of course, can have birth experiences to process, whether their own or that of their children, but they do it in a completely different way than women do. And often, they are completely at peace with their experiences of birth, but have other challenges as they navigate the seas of fatherhood. This turned out to be the case for Kev.

Blossom is not just a place where women are supported as they become mothers. We are a place for the entire family to grow. Dads are involved in most of our prenatal classes, from Breastfeeding Basics to Childbirth Prep (actually, as a prenatal educator I’ve always said birth classes are more for the dad then the mom), and they are welcome to participate in our Parent- Baby Groups in the postpartum. That said, it has been a rare occasion when I have seen a dad come in for our Parent-Baby Groups, and it has always been to accompany mom. The truth is, dads just have different needs and different concerns than new moms. And so, with this in mind, we started our BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Dads’ Gathering and found an experienced father of two, Ollie Moore, to lead it.

Since I’m not a dad, I’ve never attended BYOB, but I hear that all sorts of topics come up. It’s definitely a place where dads can ask their questions, make friends with other new dads, and give mom a couple of hours all to herself. BYOB happens monthly on the third Sunday at 11:00am, except for June. This month, we put the group on hold for a week, since it falls on Fathers’ Day and we figure many dads will have special plans with their families. The following Sunday, however, we honor our Dads with our first annual BYOB Dads’ Day Hike.

Most dads don’t get an opportunity to do “dad stuff” with other dads- here’s the chance to get out in the fresh air, hang out with other dads and kids and just plain have a good time. The hike is Sunday, June 27 at 10am at the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve in Cupertino, just 20- 25 minutes from Blossom. The trail offers gorgeous views of the South Bay, yet is easy enough for toddlers and all-terrain strollers. For a $25 donation (just $20 until June 15), dads will participate in the hike lead by Ollie, receive a cool BYOB T-shirt, snacks, a light lunch, and a ticket into our Dads’ Hike Raffle. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or 3 for $10 with cool dad prizes like a DadGear Diaper Bag (worth $90), a San Jose Giants family pack worth $134, a $100 gift certificate to the NFL shop and more! (We will call the winners afterwards, so if you can’t make it to the hike, you can still participate in the raffle.) For more Hike details, please visit our Dads’ Day Hike webpage.

As Fathers’ Day approaches, we at Blossom honor all of the dads in our community. We remind our families that we are here for all of you, mom, baby, and dad alike. Have a current Parent- Baby group card? Dad can use it to attend BYOB! And if there is any other way we can serve our dads, don’t hesitate to let us know! We look forward to seeing you at our Dads’ Day Hike and hope your entire family has an awesome Fathers’ Day this June.

How Did our Experiences at the Start of Life Shape us Today?

2010-05-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Blossom Birth is excited to welcome Suzanne Arms, author of Immaculate Deception and founder of Birthing the Future to present on the topic:

How Did our Experiences at the Start of Life Shape us Today?

Please join us for this fascinating discussion on:

Friday, May 28, 2010
7-9pm
at Blossom Birth, 299 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Suggested Donation $10-$25

Please RSVP to Blossom at 650-321-2326, blossom@blossombirth.org.

Suzanne Arms will present groundbreaking scientific evidence which supports ancient indigenous wisdom about the life from conception to the first birthday. She will also present on preventing and healing birth-related psychological trauma.

Suzanne Arms is a familiar name to many from her 7 groundbreaking books (on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and adoption), films, photographs, and the hundreds of talks she has given at conferences worldwide since 1975. She has been an inspiration behind the Birth Movement. Her 2nd book, Immaculate Deception was named a New York Times Best Book of the Year and inspired thousands of midwives, nurses and physicians, as well as parents-to-be.

Arms is an advocate for holistic, sustainable health policies and practices and conscious parenting. Her focus - and the focus of Birthing The Future, the U.S. non-profit she founded in 2003 and directs - is birth and the mother-baby connection, which lays the foundation for love and trust, health and resiliency, cooperation and community. Arms presentations range from large multi-media events, using films and her photographs, at conferences and colleges to workshops for professionals and students, and intimate sacred circles for healing and deepening community. She weaves a tapestry of knowledge from ancient and cross-cultural wisdom to modern science (cellular biology, neurobiology, psycho-immunology and attachment theory), with ecology, feminism and spirituality. She is currently finishing a television documentary called "Birth."

To learn more about Suzanne, see her website at or Mothering Magazine's June/ July 2009 Living Treasure.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Blossom Birth invites you to celebrate Mother's Day with us!
Open House
Saturday May 8, 2010
www.blossombirth.org/pamper

Join us for a day full of fun, relaxing and informative classes
especially designed for moms and moms-to-be. We will also have a
silent auction, door prizes and a raffle every hour between 9am and
5pm, so bring a friend, come on by and celebrate being a Blossom Mom!
You must preregister for these free sessions. Space is limited, first
five people to register for each session will receive a gift bag worth
over $50.

Sessions with a few open spots include:
Work Life Balance (11am)- come explore the ever vexing challenge of
balancing it all and finding time for yourself.

Prenatal Nutrition and Stress Reduction (noon) - simple techniques to
enhance your diet during pregnancy.

Yoga and the art of Surrender (1pm) - take yoga off your mat and into
your life. What do you do with your photos (1pm) - great tips on
taking your 1000s of photos from digital to print.

BabySpirit Meditation (2pm) - connect with your baby in a soul nurturing way.

Eating for Conception and Good Health (3pm) - recipes, samples and
more to start you off on a healthy road to conception.

Women's Red Tent (5:30pm) - Join us for an exploration of motherhood.
Thousands of women around the world have joined each other under the
Red Tent to inspire, empower and celebrate each other- we are excited
to bring you our own version of this amazing gathering!

Online Pampering Store Open Now!
www.blossombirth.org/pamper
Browse through our Online Pampering store to find the perfect gift for
yourself or the one you love! All the products in our pampering store
are generously donated by local businesses, so every dollar you spend
will support Blossom’s services for new and expectant moms. Keep
checking back regularly as we will be updating the lists often.

A big thank our sponsors for their generosity:
Supporting Sponsors:
Whole Child Wellness, Watercourse Way, Barefoot and Pregnant

Community Sponsors: Naturell, Align the Self, Cypress Natural Medicine, SwaRay,
Karen Amor Photography, Heshmat Pain Management Clinic, Patricia
Weltz, DO, Anna Hurty, Laurie Schmiesing, Bug and Bean Photography,
Peninsula Ultrasound, Mammography & MRI, PhysioFit, Hygeia
--

Transforming Birth in the Web 2.0 Era: A Workshop for Advocates

2010-04-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Join Amy Romano for a workshop on Monday, May 10 from 7-9pm at Blossom Birth on the topic of "Transforming Birth in the Wed 2. 0 Era"

I have gone from a vague understanding of social media to a deep conviction that, leveraged properly, it represents one of the most potent threats to our dysfunctional maternity care system. I have come to believe that power is up for grabs in our new connected world, and consumers and their advocates are in a better position than ever to seize it." - Amy Romano

The internet has been called a disruptive technology because it has shifted power and altered the economics of doing business - whether that business is selling books or providing health care.

Web 2.0 has accelerated the pace of disruption by enabling interactive information sharing and blurring the lines between the "producers" and "consumers" of knowledge, goods, and services.

Find out what these trends mean for those of us advocating for safer, healthier, and more mother-friendly maternity care. In this interactive presentation, evidence-based maternity care expert and social media consultant, Amy Romano, will discuss several case studies that demonstrate the power of social media to "bend the curve" toward safer, healthier birth. She will also discuss effective use of the current crop of social media tools: blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. Whether you're a social media guru or these concepts are brand new, come find out how we all can work together to push for change.

Amy Romano is a midwife, mother, and author of the Lamaze research blog, Science & Sensibility. She coordinates blogger outreach for Lamaze International and won the 2010 National Advocacy Award from the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services for her social media efforts. She is co-author with Henci Goer of the second edition of Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities and co-editor of the 9th edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves, both due out in 2011. Her work has been published in several peer reviewed journals, and at RH Reality Check, e-Patients.net, DrGreene.com, The Unnecesarean, and Our Bodies Our Blog. You can find her on Twitter at @midwifeamy.

Suggested donation between $10-$25. Space is limited, please RSVP on Facebook or directly to Blossom at 650-321-2326 or blossom@blossombirth.org

Blossom's Mother's Day Pampering Celebration

2010-04-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

Long gone are the days when I get to stay in bed and sleep in – I’m a mother now. My cute, adorable alarm clock, also known as my 5-month-old daughter, wakes me up around 5:00am to start our day. This consists of round-the-clock feedings, diaper changes, playing, napping, going for a walk, laundry, bath, story time and bed. Our days can also include melt-downs (sometimes her, sometimes me). It’s a 24/7 job, no vacation time, but lots of perks (like the smile she greets me with each morning, hearing her laugh and squeal with delight, and our “chatting” time while she’s on the changing table).

While motherhood has been one of the most rewarding experiences, I sometimes miss components of my former pre-baby life such as curling up for hours with a good book, taking a nice long shower, and dressing up. Now my daily wardrobe usually consists of sweats (with one of a kind designer spit-up patterns) or maternity wear (I still don’t fit my pre-pregnancy jeans, or as I now call them, my “skinny jeans”). Winter has given way to spring and I can no longer use the excuse that the hair on my legs will help keep me warmer when the reality is I can’t find my shaver or the time to use it! Sleeping a consistent 5 hours has become like a little slice of heaven. And pooping is now a glorious event in our house, complete with a song and dance! Maybe it’s just me, but some days I’m still in my morning pajamas when my husband gets home from work in the evening. Yup, life sure is different – in a good way!

Through it all, I keep hearing “mothers also need to take care of themselves.” With all the care-taking and giving mothers do, it’s sometimes easy for us to forget to give to ourselves (you know you’re a new mother when basic grooming has become a luxury!). I understand the need to indulge once in awhile, it’s just the actual follow through that gets lost in translation. Lucky for us mothers and mothers-to-be, Blossom has the solution. It’s that time of year again – Blossom’s Mother’s Day Pampering Celebration!

This is an annual event held in honor of mothers. It’s a chance to celebrate and pamper ourselves – and support Blossom all at the same time! There are two components to this year’s event: an Open House and an Online Pampering Store.

Blossom’s Open House on Saturday, May 8^th provides the perfect opportunity get together with other moms and soon-to-be moms for a little R & R! Throughout the day, enjoy workshops designed to de-stress, enrich, and support you on your journey to and through motherhood. Topics include

· Prenatal Yoga

· Body Talk

· Birth Practice

· Prenatal Nutrition and Stress Reduction

· Yoga and the Art of Surrender

· What do you do with your photos?

· Organic Garden Facials

· BabySpirit Meditation

· Eating for Conception and Good Health

· Women's Red Tent: Welcoming the Great Mother

If you’d like to sign up for a session, do so by going to the Open House webpage and clicking on the registration button to the right of your chosen workshop. All sessions take place at our Blossom office. Workshops are free of charge, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Your registration includes a free gift bag filled with goodies and coupons valued at up to $50.

Can’t make it to Blossom for the Open House, or want more pampering? Check out Blossom’s Online Pampering Store. It’s packed with wonderful gift certificates and products all generously donated by businesses in the area. Any dads or dads-to-be in need of a little help finding the perfect mother’s day gift for their special woman? There’s bound to be something for every mom, with services and products in several categories. Choose from Spa and Massage, Baby Products, Health and Wellness, Around Town, Dining Out, Gift baskets and Blossoms, Household Products and Services, Birth and Early Parenting Services, and Miscellaneous Fun. All the proceeds from the pampering store directly benefit Blossom’s work to support growing families – so go on and splurge, and feel good about it!

In the spirit of honoring mothers, join us by coming to the Open House and/or pampering yourself, Blossom style! Thank you to our event sponsors: Whole Child Wellness, Watercourse Way, Barefoot & Pregnant, Naturell, and Align the Self.

Other ways to celebrate moms and help Blossom keep its doors open and its programs and services expanding:

Make a donation to Blossom in honor of a special mom in your life
Shop Blossom Affiliates – Blossom receives a percentage every time you purchase goods or services through our merchant affiliates

So, mothers out there, for all you do – give the gift of pampering to yourself (or better yet, let your significant other give it to you!) Hope you can join us! Happy Mother’s Day!

Michelle de Jesus

Registration Coordinator

The Benefits of Infant Massage

2010-04-09T14:04:00.000-07:00

My son Michael and I took Reenie McCaffrey's Infant Massage Series here at Blossom when he was a baby. We both really enjoyed this four week class, as Reenie made each class supportive and informative for the moms, and the environment calming and nurturing for both the moms and the babies. The Yoga Room was transformed each week into a sanctuary. The lights were dimmed, the room was warm and there was beautiful quite music playing in the background. Reenie is so great at setting the tone in the room, and in her class, into a safe and nurturing space for moms to bond and connect with their babies, as well as for the moms and Reenie to connect and get to know each other.

Infant Massage is a wonderful and powerful way to bond with your new baby. It has also been found to have many benefits for infants and babies, including: assisting with relief from Colic and constipation, aid in digestion, improve blood circulation, stimulate neurological development, help to reduce stress hormones and to release oxytocin, the nurturing hormone.

There are many benefits for parents as well when they give their baby a massage. Here are some of the many benefits: assists you in learning your babies cues through their body language, helps parents in feeling more competent and confident in caring for their babies, it relieves stress for both the parent and the baby, it enhances your ability to understand your babies unique needs, and it is a special way to bond with your little one.

It was such a great experience for me to learn how to do infant massage in class, and then to practice doing it at home with Michael. We started a beautiful bonding ritual at home of taking a bath and then doing the massage with grapeseed oil. Michael really responded to the massage and I feel that he really enjoyed receiving it and it was so relaxing for us both. When we would return to class, during the four week series, we would learn some more massage strokes and techniques from Reenie and we were able to ask questions that came up for us during the week. Needless to say, I highly recommend this class!

Please join Reenie with your baby for her next Infant Massage Series at Blossom which begins on Wednesday, April 21st or for her Infant Massage Workshop on July 17th. To register for this class, you can do so online or by seeing us in the office at Blossom during our office hours, Mon-Fri 10am-1pm.

Rachel Cooley

Community Outreach Coordinator

Safely wearing your newborn in a sling

2010-04-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

As if you don't already have enough stuff to worry about as a new parent, there has been a recall of several slings and warnings about carrying your newborn in a sling. When my daughter was a newborn, being able to carry her in a sling was crucial. There were days when she did not want to be put down, but I really needed to go to the bathroom or do the laundry. I also really believe that being able to wear my baby helped her feel more secure in those early days out in the big wide world.

While there are some slings and positions that do pose a hazard to your baby, there are a many options available for safe, comfortable babywearing. The recent warnings are in regard to a specific style of sling, called a "bag sling", basically a baby duffel bag. These slings include the Infantino Slingrider, Munchkin Jelly Bean Cargo Sling , Eddie Bauer Infant Sling , Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling and the Boppy Carry in Comfort (examples are shown about half way down this page: www.sleepingbaby.net/safety.php). These slings are dangerous because they cause babies to be positioned in such a way that their airway is compromised and they are unable to breath. This occurs in several ways - the baby is curled up into a c-position, which causes their chin to be too close to their chest and closes off their airway (which is only the size of a drinking straw), the baby rolls to one side and their nose and mouth are pressed against the fabric of the sling and their caregiver's body or the baby is completely covered by the sling fabric, decreasing the amount of oxygen available to the baby. In addition to the dangers to your baby, bag slings are also quite uncomfortable for the wearer because the baby is held at hip level, instead of at chest level at/near the wearer's center of gravity.

So, now that you know what to avoid, which baby carriers are safe? There are many, many options for newborns - ring slings, pouches (both fixed and adjustable), stretchy wraps, woven wraps , mei tais and soft structured carriers , which can all be used with older babies as well. Since ring slings and pouches are the most similar to bag slings, in that the baby can be in a reclined position and they are worn on one shoulder, I will focus on those. The preferred position for a baby in a ring sling is upright, although a reclined/cradle position can also be used. In the upright position, the baby's head should be close enough so that you can kiss the top, their face should not be smooshed into your body and their body and back should be well supported by the ring sling. Stretchy pouches, such as a Kangaroo Korner adjustable pouch, can also be used to carry your baby upright, but provide less support for your baby's body. Instructions for the cradle carry in both a pouch and a ring sling can be found here (warning - it's a pdf, but the best information I've found). Here are the important items to remember when wearing your newborn baby:

you should always be able to see your baby's face and no fabric should cover their face
you should be able to fit 2 fingers between their chin and chest (ie. their neck should be straight and not bent or curled in any way)
your baby should be well supported so that their head can not roll into your body or the fabric of the sling

There are numerous additional resources available to help you figure out if your baby is safe in your sling. The best way to make sure that your carrier is safe and that you are using it correctly is to get in-person assistance. Blossom Birth has a 2 hour Slings & Things Workshop on April 18th and June 27th and also holds a more informal monthly Babywearing meeting on the 2nd Monday of every month (next meeting, Monday, April 12 between 2:30 and 4pm). In addition to the resources already mentioned, here are a few more:

Here's to many months and years of safe babywearing!

--Serena Weingrod, Blossom Volunteer and runs our monthly free Babywearing meeting.

Neither Blossom nor Serena were paid to endorse any baby wearing manufacturer for this blog. We have no affiliation with any particular babywearing company or website mentioned above.

VBACs - making a come back

2010-03-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

This month, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a conference to review new findings on Vaginal Birth after Cesareans (VBACs). An important conclusion from this conference was that - given the available evidence, Trial of Labor (TOL) is a reasonable option for many pregnant women with a prior low transverse uterine incision. This shift in medical thinking is a promising start to return to more evidence-based practices that can help women understand their options for birth.

Data on births in the US show that in the mid-nineties, there was a steady increase in women having access to VBACs. In 1996 VBAC rates peeked at 28.3% while the cesarean rates were at 20.7%. Most recent data from 2005 show that VBAC rates have dropped to 7.9% while cesarean rates have soared to over 30%. Today, one in three women in the US is giving birth via c-sections with fewer options to attempt a vaginal birth for future births. Unfortunately, reasons cited for VBAC plummeting by the late 1990s have more to do with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) restrictive recommendations and guidelines on VBACs and increased malpractice insurance fees, than with evidence-based assessment of each woman’s unique birth experience and circumstance.

Consumer advocate groups like the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) and Coalition for Improving Maternal Services (CIMS) provide strong voices to educate parents to make informed decisions on birth choices and preparing for subsequent births after a Cesarean. Similar to many aspects of childbirth, we moms must continue to do our research and be our own best advocates. Good starting points include educating ourselves, finding community and support, and exploring options with our healthcare provider early in our pregnancy. Below are a few suggestions for getting started:

Educate ourselves:

Blossom Birth now offers a new VBAC Refresher class, an opportunity to explore the reasons for and feelings about your previous birth so that you can more easily move towards a successful trial of labor and VBAC. This class provides a comprehensive birth refresher class, including reminders of stages of labor, physical and emotional comfort techniques, questions to ask your care provider and helpful tips for partners.

Find community:

ICAN San Jose Chapter holds free monthly meetings on the second Tuesday evening of every month at Blossom Birth. ICAN’s website also provides an online community and other educational resources.

Explore your options with your healthcare provider:

CIMS has recently published an updated factsheet on “The Risks of Cesarean Section” and “A Checklist for Expectant Mothers” to help expectant parents explore options with their healthcare provider.

-Mora

Preparing for Birth Beyond the Physical

2010-03-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

With all the medical assessments in pregnancy- blood pressure, weight checks, ultrasounds, and more- it’s really easy to focus on the physical experience of pregnancy, labor, and birth. But what about the emotional and spiritual sides? As pregnant moms, we rarely get the opportunity to slow down, connect with the divine being growing inside of us, and consider our own emotional needs as we approach parenthood. Nevertheless, it’s an extremely important part of pregnancy and unresolved issues can often create obstacles during labor. (See Ina May Gaskin's books Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery, both available in Blossom's Lending Library.)

Recent scientific research supports the connection between mind and body. When one stops to think about it, it’s really no surprise that emotional issues play a part in how labor unfolds. Yet most women put much more emphasis on preparing physically for the event. Chances are, most women just don’t even know where to begin to prepare emotionally. Few health care providers draw attention to the importance of emotional health during pregnancy and friends and family may not know how to approach the issue either. And while many birth classes will bring up the mind-body connection, it’s not usually the most appropriate forum to “do the work.”

Prenatal yoga is an excellent starting place, with time to “go inward.” Meditation techniques practiced in yoga class help the mom-to-be to notice what her mind tends to do and how it may affect her body. And for many moms, it may be the only place where they can let everything else go and just BE pregnant.

Having already given birth and having years of supporting other moms through prenatal yoga and childbirth education under my belt, I wanted to do something special as I awaited the birth of my second child in 2008, but wasn’t sure what. Most of the birth classes available to me, I was qualified to teach and I felt completely prepared on a physical level. Fortunately, just before conceiving I met Elisabeth Manning, who expressed a desire to offer her services at Blossom. By my sixth month, we had BabySpirit Meditation scheduled. It was the best preparation I could have done during my second pregnancy, and I welcomed the opportunity to commit to connecting with my baby-to-be. What I didn’t bargain for was how profoundly the experience would affect other areas of my life, particularly my challenging relationship with my first child. Through Elisabeth’s group, I was able to recognize our underlying issues, and find a new direction to repair the disconnection we had suffered in our relationship.

Currently, I am awaiting the birth of my third child due this July. I have returned to BabySpirit with Elisabeth to take that special time to just be pregnant and connect with myself and my baby. This time around, I am giving myself the gift of going even deeper and doing some private sessions with her as well. I am amazed how much I learn about myself, my children, and our relationships with each other with Elisabeth’s amazingly intuitive guidance. My birth experience with my son two years ago was incredible and I am confident that the work I am doing on a spiritual and emotional level will benefit my next birth experience as well.

I encourage all moms to spend some time preparing for their birth beyond the physical realm. Getting in touch with “old wounds,” spending the time to listen to your baby’s spirit, and considering the connection between all family members is so important during this transformative journey. Pregnancy can be an amazing time of introspection and heightened intuitiveness- take advantage of this gift! In addition to Prenatal Yoga and BabySpirit Meditation, Blossom’s Prenatal and Postpartum Moods and Challenges group is a safe place to find emotional support. There are many providers on Blossom’s Provider List as well that can help- from Counselors to Coaches to Blessingway services (a ceremony to honor the transition into motherhood) and more. And if you would like to explore this side of pregnancy, but you are not sure where to begin, don’t hesitate to give us a call- we can help point you to resources that will serve you best. May your journey to parenthood be emotionally rewarding and full!
-Jeanna

Mother Friendly Childbirth Forum 2010

2010-02-27T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hello from Austin, TX where I am attending the annual Mother Friendly Childbirth Forum organized by the Coalition for Improving Maternal Services (CIMS- pronounced with a K)! There have been some amazing speakers at the event sharing very exciting new and evolving research on improving maternal services and what we can do nationally and in our own community.

CIMS was created in the mid-1990s as a coalition to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and sustainably reduce costs. CIMS has developed the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI) to promote five main principles:

Normalcy of the Birth Process
Empowerment
Autonomy
Do No Harm
Responsibility

These principles underlie the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care that make a hospital, birth center or home birth services motherfriendly. You might want to share this information with your care provider to see how many of the steps they have implemented.

At the conference, Childbirth Connection, based in DC presented on improving the quality of maternity care through research, education, advocacy, and policy. Childbirth Connection has recently published a Blueprint for Action informed by the MFCI, emerging from a multi-year, multi-stakeholder collaborative process called 2020 Vision for a High Quality, High Value Maternity Care System. This groundbreaking work is helping to influence language used in the current healthcare bills being debated in Congress. The document also has very practical and detailed strategies for eleven areas where consumers, care providers, educators can begin to implement some of the findings such as their recommendations for Decision Making and Consumer Choice.

Another important way to help inform maternity care today is to fill out The Birth Survey . This survey was created around the 10 Steps of MFCI and quality indicators, to provide higher transparency in maternity care so that women can share their experience with where and whom to birth with, California is one of the target states for this project, so if you haven't filled out the survey, please do so today! Also, if you are pregnant, check out this searchable database for care in your area. The co-chair for The Birth Survey, shared some of the data collected, with 3008 entries CA tops the list of surveys filled out so far! Let's keep that gathering data from the grassroots so we can do our part to improve maternity care and empower all women to know their options and make informed choices.

Stay tuned for more!
Mora

Our TV Celebrity Moms

2010-02-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

We are excited for Heather and Mendy, who were interviewed for a special report by NBC-Bay Area about Placenta Benefits, aired on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010. Below is a note about the report from Heather and Mendy! Congratulations to both!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/video.

Heather's Note:
Hello Moms!

I thought I’d share this link from NBC about a segment they did on placenta encapsulation (for those of you who are pregnant this is a MUST these days!). It aired this last Tuesday night at 11pm. They interviewed the person who does the process (Mendy) and myself right after my son was born in December. It was fun seeing me on TV yet the segment’s message is the most important piece!

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/After_Birth_May_be_Key_to_Bouncing_Back_After_Birth_Bay_Area.html

Below is more information about the process. I HIGHLY recommend for anyone having a baby. It’s fairly inexpensive and so, SO worth it. I agree with everything Mendy says below – there was a HUGE difference between my first and second postpartum experiences (both were c-sections) - my recovery time was a lot less, I had MORE energy (even though there were 2 kids and I was getting less sleep) and I felt great.

Mendy did my encapsulation for me and I can’t say enough good things about her. She was prompt, friendly and professional. I recommend having her do encapsulation. Please pass her name along to others around the Bay Area that you know who are pregnant. She will do a great job for them and/or you!

Much love,
Heather :)

Mendy's Note:

Hello all,

I wanted to share some interesting news about something that I've been doing for the last 8 months.
After the birth of my second babe in December of '08, my midwives prepared and encapsulated my placenta for me to use medicinally. It was incredible for my hormonal balancing to fight the baby blues, and for iron supplementation to battle the fatigue of less sleep and more kids ; )
I was inspired by the profound difference in postpartum healing I had in comparing my experience with baby 1 in '05 and baby 2 in '08.
In April of '09 I trained to become a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist with Placenta Benefits (www.placentabenefits.info; http://www.placentabenefits.info) I've been providing these services to clients now since June of '09.

The organization I trained with (PBi), recently began doing a lot of national marketing, and last month I was contacted by Bay Area NBC in regards to doing an interview and story about this new (well they think it's new) unique process!

I'm very excited (and a bit nervous) about this interview being aired. My intention and hope from this experience is that more women will become informed about the use of placenta medicine and this form of healing will become a bit more understood.

I'm so amazed (laughing out loud!) at the thought of watching this on TV, and that I'm even doing this unique work!

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in learning more about placenta encapsulation please feel free to contact me!
mendy@placentabenefits.info, my colleague Traci Moren and I are serving clients all over the Bay Area. We are also looking to build and train a team of specialists, especially those who are able to serve Northern Marin area, Outer East Bay Dublin/Livermore and Morgan Hill/Gilroy area.

You can also view a couple of interesting video interviews about it on my website at:
http://www.elementsofmagic.com/ElementsOfMagic/Videos_and_Articles.html

Best,
Mendy

KQED report on Pregnancy Related Deaths in the Bay Area and Sandy Caldwell's response

2010-02-14T00:09:00.000-08:00

On KQED's FORUM, Thu, Feb 4, 2010, Michael Krasney did a show entitled Pregnancy-Related Deaths on the Rise?

The audio file is available for download at: http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R201002040900

In response to this show, Sandy Caldwell, well loved Doula in our community, has highlighted important information and resources to help us all educate and inform our community about pregnancy and birth. This list was originally posted on the Redwood City Mom's Club.

Email from Sandy Caldwell (doula):

I work with families during the childbearing year(s). As a birth and postpartum doula, I want to make families aware that we have a very active birth community in our region. These are doctors, midwives, doulas, chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists and others who support a mother's choices as much as possible, and who are practitioners who also are committed to mothers avoiding
unnecessary interventions. These people practice evidence-based care.

There's so much I could share on this topic but want to get some key information to you on what you can do to take care of you during your childbearing year so I will not say more than my original intent for this email, now.

Besides keeping yourself healthy, one of the key things that make a difference is whom you choose as your care provider. My feeling is that when a birth is 'easy' almost anyone could be your care provider, however, when a birth is more challenging, that is when whom you've chosen makes a world of difference. Some care providers are much more skilled at keeping a challenging birth not only safe but with as few interventions as possible.

Of course, I (perhaps many of you), are truly grateful that these same interventions are available when truly needed.

Since there are so many, I share a few of the main ones, primarily to ensure that you have what you need while you are birthing your child:

LOCAL:
Bay Area Birth Information (chapters on the Peninsula and the South Bay)http://www.bayareabirthinfo.org/

Blossom Birth Services (Palo Alto)http://blossombirth.org/

Harmony Birth and Family (Campbell)http://www.harmonybirth.com/

NATIONAL:
Coalition for Improving Maternal Serviceshttp://www.motherfriendly.org/

Helpful documents from CIMS here:http://www.motherfriendly.org/downloads.php

Articles:

Things to do to avoid a cesarean:http://www.ican-online.org/pregnancy/things-you-can-do-avoid-unnecessary-cesarea\;
n

Additional resources are on my links page:http://doula-la.com/Links.html

Taking this to another level, one of the things we, who work with birth everyday, know, is that the most powerful changes happen in the US when consumers (parents) get passionately involved and vote with their dollars and with their legislative votes.

This news is an opportunity to help make powerful changes in California and the US.

One thing you can do if you have given birth since 2005 is complete survey about your birth at The Birth Survey. The Birth Survey is a nationwide project to increase transparency in maternal health care. Go here to complete the survey:http://thebirthsurvey.com/index.html

If you are pregnant you can use the survey results to learn about the care your doctor or midwife has provided to others, too.

Another thing you can do it inform yourself regarding midwives (home and hospital-based). Midwives are trained in 'normal' pregnancy and birth. In general, they practice what is known as physiological birth.

Today, most midwives (whether practicing at home or hospital) are not totally integrated into our health care system. This limits their freedom to practice and their incomes. Home birth midwives are available in the region.

One place to find them is on home birth midwife Ronnie Falcao's websitehttp://www.gentlebirth.org/local/midwives.html.

There is also the California Association of Midwives:http://www.californiamidwives.org/

And, there is the Midwives Association of N. America:http://mana.org/

Currently there are midwives practicing at Mills Peninsula, Kaiser Redwood City, El Camino (Mountain View and Los Gatos). In all but at Kaiser, there are only 1-3 midwives in each of the other locations.

Hope this helpful and would love to hear others' thoughts as well.

I would be happy to speak or be a resource to the group on birth or postpartum topics such as this at any time.

Sandy Caldwell
www.doula-la.com

Breastfeeding & The Working Mom

2010-02-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

I recently received an email from one of my doula clients asking about pump rentals for after the birth of her baby. Like so many women these days, she is planning to return to work following her maternity leave, but still hopes to feed her baby breastmilk. Studies have shown that breastfeeding strengthens babies’ immune and digestive systems and reduces the number of childhood allergies. Breastfeeding also reduces the risks of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers. But perhaps the biggest reason mothers choose to breastfeed is for the simple pleasure of bonding with their babies. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least six months, maternity leave in America is often only about 12 weeks. So what’s a working mom to do?

Another of my clients who has been back at work for the last two months says that she started out at home renting a pump through her insurance from Kaiser. However, when she went back to work, she found that the hospital pump was a bit unwieldy to carry back and forth. She was able to obtain a Madela Pump n’ Style, which she now uses two-to-four times a day at the school she works at.

When I asked Michelle Paul-Vogel, an IBCLC certified lactation consultant and Blossom instructor, for some advice, she said that going back to work can cause significant amounts of stress and so moms tend to experience a decrease in milk supply. The best things that they can do are to be prepared and get organized. Michelle’s new class at Blossom, Breastfeeding and the Working Mom (next class: Feb 21, 1-4pm), will address this issue as well as how to pump and store breastmilk and how to nurture yourself as you make the transition back to work. This class is for new parents, and you’re more than welcome to bring your baby, too!

In addition to the Breastfeeding and the Working Mom workshop, Blossom also offers a wide variety of lactation services, including Breastfeeding Basics (for pregnant moms/couples), a Breastfeeding Support Group (Wednesdays, 1:30pm) and a La Leche League International Lunch Group (Second Fridays, 12:30pm). We also sell Momma’s Milk Tea through Sweet Herb Medicinals to help increase and support breastmilk production.

If you’re looking for more personalized support, check out our lactation consultants on our online providers list, or in our provider binders (located in front of the yoga room). Our lactation consultants are available to meet with you at Blossom or at your home.

And of course, you are always welcome to come in to Blossom and breastfeed your baby! We have a quiet space, big, comfy couches to sit on and a scale to weigh your baby. We’re hoping to expand our lactation services even further in 2010, so keep checking back for new offerings!

Light,

Audrey Muto

Blossom Staff

Love A Local Business Delivers Grant to Blossom Birth

2010-02-05T12:39:00.001-08:00

Love A Local Business Delivers Grant to Blossom Birth

Posted using ShareThis

Cesarean Preparation and Support

2010-01-29T12:08:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were elated at the news of our pregnancy. Working at Blossom, I hear so many women’s birth stories and was truly excited to experience my own. We planned for a natural birth without medication and took Blossom’s Bradley childbirth course. We learned a lot of valuable information and gained wonderful tools to use in labor. We also took Blossom’s Practicing for an Active Birth workshop, which gave us more tools to add to our birthing toolbox. In addition, we hired a doula to assist us in labor. My husband was excited to be my birth coach and I felt confident and supported for the journey ahead.

Around my twentieth week of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a low-laying placenta. I was told that there was no need to be alarmed as the placenta’s placement usually moves up as the uterus grows. An ultrasound at 32 weeks confirmed I had a placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, obstructing the baby’s exit through the birth canal. Another ultrasound at 36 weeks verified that the placenta was not moving up and that a cesarean delivery was the only option for us. Going into labor posed the risk of hemorrhage, so a cesarean was planned at 38 weeks. This was not the direction I wanted to go, or the scenario we had so diligently planned for, but it was necessary for my safety and the safety of our baby.

Grudgingly, we got ready for our cesarean birth. I was filled with so many emotions. I was relieved to know that my baby would be born safely. On the flip side, I felt anxious at the thought of undergoing major surgery. I also felt sad and disappointed that I would not get to deliver her naturally. I felt like I was missing out on an amazing rite of passage and had to mourn the idea of not going through labor to deliver my baby. Many well-intentioned people told me that I should just be happy that we were both safe and healthy. I was happy for our health and safety, but I also had to acknowledge the other emotions that I felt. For me, recovering from a cesarean was emotional as well as physical.

Fortunately, being a part of Blossom’s community offered a lot of support to prepare for this twist of events. Talking with instructors, reading books and watching videos from our lending library helped me to learn what to expect for my cesarean delivery. Connecting with other Blossom moms who had cesarean births was also invaluable. They understood my mixed emotions and provided comfort and support.

While my husband and I knew ahead of time that this was our path, many expectant parents do not prepare for this turn of events. Many don’t believe it will happen to them. Others feel that the small mention of cesarean sections in their childbirth class will be sufficient. It is true - for many, it will not happen, and for many, the limited cesarean information from a childbirth class may be just enough. On the other hand, for others, devoting focus to this possibility, however undesirable it may be, can cultivate tools, awareness, and groundedness in the face of a cesarean birth.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2007 the national cesarean rate was 31.8%. With one in three births in the United States ending up in a cesarean delivery, planning for this possible event can be a helpful addition to one’s childbirth preparation. Cesarean sections are the most common surgery for women in North America, according to medical author and local birth activist, Henci Goer. Many of these surgeries are done unnecessarily, and can often be avoided - see the Childbirth Connection article on tips to increase your likelihood for a vaginal delivery. A cesarean section is major surgery, and knowing what to expect as well as cultivating tools and resources for the birth and recovery can make it a much smoother experience.

Our own Blossom community has offerings to prepare and support moms regarding cesarean deliveries. Blossom now offers a Cesarean Awareness Workshop. This two-hour class focuses on:
• Mindfulness techniques to use for stress and pain coping during delivery
• What goes on behind the O.R. doors
• What decisions you can make that aren't dictated by medical routine
• How your partner and other support people can help
• Welcoming your baby
• Coping with healing, including mom and baby's physical wellness
• Ways to get good start on nursing
• Honoring this rite of passage into new parenthood
• Wisdom, ideas, and resources from other parents who have gone before through the unknown of cesarean delivery.
This in-depth workshop is a must-have for expectant parents and is now offered at a discounted price if registering for a childbirth prep class or Blossom discount package.

In addition, Blossom hosts a monthly International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) group. This free group meets the second Tuesday evening of the month. It is a place where women can feel supported as they share experiences and knowledge surrounding cesarean births. The ICAN website is a wonderful resource for information including articles about VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean), things you can do to avoid an unnecessary cesarean section, and how to plan for a family centered cesarean.

Here are some other resources that may be helpful:
VBAC.com
Birthing From Within - Cesarean in Awareness
Childbirth Connection - Cesarean
Mothering Magazine - Cesarean & VBAC

If you are a mom who would like to connect with other cesarean moms, or if you are a mom-to-be looking for cesarean information and support, stop by Blossom or join us for a workshop or group. In whichever ways our births unfold, preparation, support, and opening to the unexpected eases the journey.

Warmly,
Michelle De Jesus
Registration Coordinator

My Blossom Journey

2010-01-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

When I first came to Blossom I was at the beginning of my second trimester of my pregnancy with my son Michael. The classes that I started taking were Prenatal Yoga on Saturday mornings. It didn’t take long for me to love this Saturday class, and I made it a Saturday morning ritual which I loved. It was wonderful to not only do the Yoga but to also connect with other pregnant women. I loved this form of community. Which is the main reason that I love Blossom, for it’s wonderful community.

In addition to taking Prenatal Yoga classes, my husband Ben and I also took Blossom’s Childbirth Prep classes, as well as Baby Care, Surviving the First Six Weeks and Breastfeeding Basics. These classes were not only very informative, but I also found them to be empowering as we became knowledgeable about this new land that we were about to embark into: the land of parenthood.

After our son Michael was born, I began to regularly attend Blossom’s 0-6 Month Support Group, which was a great way for me to connect to a community of other new first time moms. It was so comforting and reassuring to be with other women who were going through similar experiences as I was with my newborn and then within a few months, with my baby. It was also really fun to watch the other babies grow along with Michael and to watch them all become babies together.

In addition to the 0-6 Month Support Group, and then later the Mixed Age Support Group, Michael and I also regularly attend Mom/Baby Yoga together. This class also offered a wonderful community that we quickly became a part of, as we not only did Yoga together, but we also began to gather at each other’s homes after class every other week. I remember one day while in class, Michael lay flat on his blanket, on his back, while we all did Yoga, and he lifted his head up very high, as if he wanted to see what everyone was doing. Julianne, our Instructor at that time, laughed and said that Michael was doing “his ab workout” and she then had us all join in this position with him!

It was when Michael was a small baby that I began to volunteer for Blossom mainly with the Lending Library. I continued to do this for a few years, and it was through my volunteering that I began to work part time for Blossom when aposition opened up which I happily accepted. It felt that it was the perfect job for me, as I was able to go back to work, on a part time basis, for a non-profit that I cared a lot about and that was very mother, baby and child friendly. And I still feel that same way! I think that it is pretty rare to be able to work in a workplace that is fine with a woman working while she cares for and even breastfeeds her child, even while she works! It is a privilege for me to work at Blossom, and I am very grateful to be a part of our wonderful office staff.

In addition to my work at Blossom as the Community Outreach Coordinator, I also facilitate our Mom’s-to-Be Support Group which meets the first Mondays of the month from 7-8:30pm. This is a group that supports women as they travel on their fertility journey. It is a place to come to be with other women who are on a similar path and who can really understand what you are going through and how you feel. Some of the women in the group are going through fertility treatments and some are going a more natural route. We support each other no matter what road or roads that we are taking to become parents. If you feel guided to attend our group, please do! If you are wanting to conceive again, please join us as well! Or, if you know of someone who would like to become pregnant and would like some support, please pass this blog along to them.

Rachel Cooley
Community Outreach Coordinator

Keeping Jenny’s Light Shining Bright

2010-01-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

One evening about a year ago, after my fourteen month old daughter was fed, bathed, nursed and asleep, I began my evening routine of decompressing by sitting at the computer: checking email, following blogs, googling topics people had mentioned during the day. That morning a mom had told me about a foundation called Jenny’s Light named after her friend’s twin sister. As I read Jenny’s story, tears flowed down my face uncontrollably. Her story was so real, so close to me. We shared a bond of being new moms, yet our lives had taken such different paths.

On December 19, 2007, Jenny Gibbs Bankston and her seven-week-old baby died tragically. Jenny suffered silently with postpartum depression, and unfortunately, her symptoms went undiagnosed. As a new mom, I immediately related to the feelings of anxiety, insecurity, sleep deprivation, guilt, and shame. I was surprised by how close to the surface all these emotions remained, well past my daughter’s first birthday.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) and/or anxiety affect about one in eight of us. Unlike Baby Blues, that last about two weeks after delivery and affect about 80% of new moms, PPD occurs any time in the first year or beyond. Social support, individual and group counseling and sometimes medication can help women work through and treat postpartum depression. New moms can benefit from knowing that they are not alone, that they are not to blame for these unexpected feelings and that there is a community of supportive people around them.

Take a minute to check-in with a new mom today to see how she is doing and if possible, do one tangible thing to help: bring over some food, offer to hold her baby while she takes a shower, or go for a walk together. Give her space to express herself and destigmatize any sadness or anxiety she may be feeling. Reassure her that with help, she can regain a feeling of normalcy.

At Blossom we are committed to providing a supportive, welcoming community and resource center to new and expected moms. Blossom’s weekly facilitated Pregnancy and Postpartum Moods and Challenges Support Group, held on Wednesdays from 10-11:30 am, can provide an important source of community and friendship. We also offer a class called Adjusting to Parenthood: Surviving the First Six Weeks, for expectant moms and their partners to learn about, anticipate and prepare for life after their baby arrives. The list below includes a number of excellent resources in the Bay Area and on-line for more information about PPD.

I invite you to join me and keep Jenny’s Light shining bright by participating in The 2nd Annual Jenny’s Light 5k Charity Run on Sunday March 7, 2010 in Los Gatos, CA at 10 am, rain or shine! Join the Blossom Team in Training! Sign up today to register for the run- a great way to help raise money and awareness about PPD. This Saturday, January 16, 2010 we are starting weekly informal practice runs (I use the term loosely- jog, walk is more realistic!), in Palo Alto at 10am. Send me a note at mora@blossombirth.org if you’d like to meet up. If you’d like to be a volunteer at the run, email me as well - we can use all the help we can get! This is a photograph of me with my daughter and fellow participants at last year's run.

Here is a list of additional Postpartum Support Services and Resources:
Blossom Birth, 650-321-2326
El Camino Hospital’s Maternal Outreach Mood Services, 650-988-7841
Bay Area Postpartum Warmline, 1-888-773-7090
SOLACE, 1-877-SOLACE4

Jenny’s Light Foundation

Postpartum Support International, 1800-944-4PPD
www.mededppd.org
http://www.mommiescrytoo.com/
http://1800ppdmoms.org/PSG.html
http://placentabenefits.info/index.asp

Please leave us a comment with resources that you have found helpful or personal strategies you has used to address postpartum depression and anxiety. Together we can continue to spread awareness about PPD and break the silence that keeps many women from reaching out for community and support.

Warm regards,
Mora (Director, Blossom Birth)

Blossom's Devoted Program Manager Announces Our New Childbirth Prep Program for 2010

2010-01-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know me, I have been part of the Blossom Community for six years- first as a Prenatal Yoga Instructor and then I joined the office staff in the summer of 2007 as Program Manager. My passion for supporting families through their birth experience and beyond began when I was pregnant nine years ago with my first. I learned so much through that first pregnancy, and I wanted to turn around and share what I could with other new families, hopefully giving them a feeling of empowerment through such an amazing life transition. My job at Blossom gives me the chance to meet this goal every day and I never grow tired of working here.

It's really wonderful to come into the office each week and meet so many of you who come through our doors. Some families I may never meet in person, but we've chatted on the phone or exchanged emails. And others I'm sorry I never get the privilege to meet, but I know that my work here is a benefit to you nonetheless.

As Program Manager, one of my jobs is to oversee our curriculum and make sure it is meeting the needs of our community. I spend a lot of time meeting with teachers, paying attention to the needs of our clients, and comparing our program to others in the Bay Area and even beyond. With two years in this role under my belt, I was able to take a deeper look at our Childbirth Prep Program in 2009 and with the support of our devoted instructors, make changes that are sure to benefit every family who chooses to take their classes with Blossom in 2010.

One of these changes includes extending our 4-week Series to 5 weeks to allow more time for questions and a visit from recent "birth graduates" to share their experiences. My partner and I had a similar opportunity nine years ago just after our daughter was born. We connected with one of the couples in the class who was due to have their baby any day. Today, not only does this friendship continue between Kev and me and the other parents, but our daughters are best friends, too, despite living 45 minutes apart. I love witnessing the friendships that "Blossom" and hope this new addition to our birth classes contributes to it.

Another change is the offering of the Series not just as a 5-week evening course, but as a 3-week Saturday or Sunday afternoon course, as well. The classes cover the exact same curriculum, and each is a total of 12 hours of instruction. We hope this will offer more options to our community: the benefit of an in-depth weekly course, without the need to squeeze one more thing in after a busy day at work.

In 2010, we will also offer a completely new class, our Childbirth Prep Intensive (not to be confused with our previous Childbirth Prep Intensive, which was comparable to our evening course, but completed all in one weekend). Our new Childbirth Prep Intensive is a 6-hour overview of the stages of labor, basic coping techniques, and typical hospital procedures. This class will meet the needs of families simply wanting a general idea of what to expect in a hospital setting.

In addition to the changes in our core Childbirth Prep classes, we have also updated our Twins class (and other twin support offerings, as well), offer Private in-home sessions for families who are unable to make it to a regularly scheduled class, and we are working on a class specifically for parents interested in VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) which will be introduced the latter part of 2010. We continue to offer Birthing From Within, the Bradley Method, and Hypnobirthing, Practicing for an Active Birth Workshop, and our Childbirth Prep Refresher. And of course all of our other complimentary classes such as Breastfeeding Basics, Baby Care, and Adjusting to Parenthood. All of these classes, as well as Yoga cards (good for both Prenatal and Mom & Baby Yoga) and many of our Parent-Baby classes are available as part of our flexible Discount Package.

I am confident that we have something to meet the needs of every expectant and new parent. Not sure what classes are right for you? Give us a call- all of us in the office are quite knowledgable about our offerings and can help you figure it out. Hopefully, I will be the lucky one to take your call- meeting new families and helping them get started on their journey to parenthood is another great thing I love about working at Blossom! I look forward to seeing those of you I've already had the honor to meet and meeting all you new folks in 2010.

Love, Jeanna

New Blog

2009-12-26T16:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Blossom Community,

I hope you have all been enjoying the holidays and getting to spend time with your families. As many of you know, there will be some new and exciting changes at Blossom in 2010 - our new and improved childbirth preparation weekday and weekend series, more offerings for parents of twins/multiples, Book Babies Story Time and more!

We are also pleased to announce that we have started a new blog! This will be the new home of the Blossom Newsletter and a place for you to read more about featured classes, instructors, events, fundraisers and other goings-on around Blossom. Keep checking back for future updates - www.blossombirth.blogspot.com!

Happy New Year!

Love,

Everyone at Blossom