When should I start prenatal yoga?

A newly-pregnant mama e-mailed us a great question about when to start prenatal yoga. Jennifer Colletti, one of Blooma's many wonderful yoga teachers, answers below. To join one of Jennifer's classes, check out these times: Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:30 a.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m., and a week-long outdoor prenatal camp beginning Aug. 17 (today!).

Q: I just found out that I'm pregnant. When should I start going to prenatal yoga classes instead of my regular class?

A: You can start right away! Of course, always check in with your doctor first. It's nice to connect with a prenatal teacher early in your pregnancy, for many reasons. The practice is slightly different than your regular practice and prenatal teachers are well-versed in the best postures to do for your changing body and growing baby. The prenatal practice (although still challenging) is generally a bit gentler on the body than a traditional class, which is important with the hormones increasing and softening the joints in your body.

Another reason to start prenatal classes early-on is to start building community with other pregnant women. It is amazing to connect with other women going through the same process that you are!

If you have had a history of pregnancy complications or a history of miscarriages (two or more), take it easy through first trimester. This is a great time to work on a meditation routine which will help the labor and delivery process. This is a critical time of development for baby, so holding off on yoga or other vigorous activity through this trimester is important. Check in with your doctor, and see if they are comfortable with you starting yoga second trimester.
**A very light yoga routine may be possible first trimester with approval from your doctor, please contact Jennifer to discuss.

Love,
Jennifer, Alisa, Sarah, & the women of Blooma

Jasper Michael

July 25, 2009
1:52 am
8 lbs, 4 oz
20 inches long

Mama Lindsay had this to say about her Jasper's birth: Looking back on the birth, it was one of the most memorable and amazing couple hours of my life. It was very short and very intense and powerful, but painful is not a word that I would use to describe it at all and I feel so blessed to have gotten to opportunity to experience it. It was such an enjoyable experience and now I truly realize how birth is meant to be!

Tora Mattie

July 31, 2009
3:15 PM
8 lbs, 6 ounces
21 1/2 inches long

Mama Michelle says: Hi Blooma Family, Just wanted to announce that Tora Mattie was born on Friday, July 31st at 3:15 pm at home, after 36 hours of labor but only 30 minutes of pushing! (Whew - I was exhausted!!) She's perfectly healthy at 8 lbs, 6 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long - my beautiful VBAC baby! Amazing coincidence that my mother was in labor with me for 36 hours and birthed me at 3:15pm! My midwives - Jane Kirby and Tracey Lapointe and their apprentice Autumn were AMAZING, never doubting my ability to birth this little girl. I was madly in love with my hubby as he was Daddy Doula extraordinaire. Big sister Sierra is ecstatic.

Good thoughts to all expecting VBAC mommas - you can do it!

Emmett's Homebirth

Homebirth is not just something women in the movies (a la Orgasmic Birth or The Business of Being Born). Erin recently had a beautiful birth at home and was happy to share her experience with the Blooma community.

Congratulations, Erin! Welcome, Emmett!

Avery Jane

August 12, 2009
5 pounds, 14 ounces
19 inches long

Mama Catie says everyone is happy and healthy and had these first photos of Avery to share.

Keep your sweet babe rear-facing a bit longer...

My husband and I were literally about to change our 15-month-old's car seat from rear-facing to front-facing last weekend when I heard the news: keep babies rear-facing until at least age 2. Even our pediatrician updated her web site to promote the revised advice. (Previously, the word was you could turn the car seat around at age 1.)

In case you haven't heard about the new American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, check them out. According to the AAP web site, "toddlers are more than five times safer riding rear-facing in a car safety seat up to their second birthday." As much as I know my son would prefer looking forward, I'd rather keep him safe!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Hugs to community-based doulas!

We loved this recent Huffington Post blog (by Jane Fonda) about the effectiveness of community-based doula programs. These doulas offer all the wonderful support of traditional doulas, but go even further. They usually work with women who cannot afford doula services. Sometimes these mothers-to-be are teenagers, sometimes they suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, and sometimes they have only their doulas to rely on for prenatal and birth support. These doulas go above and beyond to help women who need emotional and physical support during their labors and deliveries!

Jane writes, "If we as a nation are to break the cycle of poverty, crime and the growing underclass of young people ill equipped to be productive citizens, we need to ... help those who have already given birth so that they become effective, nurturing, bonding parents." She believes that community-based doula programs can be part of the solution. Programs that do this kind of work here in the Twin Cities include Everyday Miracles and the Doula Program at the American Indian Family Center. If you know a pregnant woman who could benefit from such services, please pass along this information!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma