Blossoming into 2011!

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

Get Yoga! Best San Francisco Yoga Resources for Moms

The Benefits of Sign Language with Older Toddlers

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!

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

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!

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?

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!

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

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

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

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

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:

• babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/
• www.thebabywearer.com/
• parentsvillage.blogspot.com/2009/10/safe-positioning-in-slings.html
• www.nurturebabynaturally.com/2010/03/what-is-bag-sling.html
• sakurabloombabyslings.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/educate-yourself-proper-infant-positioning-in-a-baby-sling/
• www.facebook.com/BabywearingSafety?ref=ts

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

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

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

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