skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Blooma welcomes the latest Blossoms!
Emily welcomed her son, Fritz, on June 26. "Emily ROCKED IT!!!!!" says her doula, Sarah!
Bridget, Tom, and big brother, Liam, welcomed Lucille Dee on July 1 at 1:21 a.m.; 7 lbs, 10 oz
Rachel, Tim, and big sister, Flora, welcomed Theodore Ely on June 25 at 5:37 p.m.; 8 lbs, 2 oz
Miryam, Mara, and big sister, Rayzie, welcomed their little one earlier this week on July 6 at 7:28 a.m.
Welcome! Mamas, send us photos of your Blooma Blossoms! We love pictures with you in them, too. That way your friends from prenatal yoga class can recognize who your new, sweet baby matches with!
Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma
It’s a given that we all love our babies and children to the moon and back (and beyond). But let’s be honest: the transition to motherhood and the adjustment to caring for a new baby isn’t always easy. Sometimes it can be downright overwhelming. New moms can feel confused, lonely, and vulnerable.
Know that you don’t have to experience these emotions alone, and that there are plenty of resources in the Twin Cities (including Blooma) to find help, feel heard, create community, and get support.
I’ll admit that I was one of these women. Starting at 8 weeks postpartum, I was inconsolably depressed, though sprinkled in were really good days, too. Yes, I sought out counseling. I had to. It helped, along with getting out of the house, meeting other new mothers, breathing deeply, and practicing yoga.
If you’ve experienced postpartum depression or “baby blues” and want to share a word of encouragement for new mamas, leave a comment and let us know what helped you. If you want to learn more, read on.
Last month, Blooma staffers Sarina LaMarche (that's her, in the photo) and Amber Kay attended the Beyond the Baby Blues conference in St. Paul. Here are a few things Sarina passed along from the conference:
• 50 to 80 percent of new mothers experience the “baby blues,” which are gone by day 14 after baby’s birth
• 10 percent experience something deeper and more lasting Postpartum depression (PPD) can emerge three to 14 months after baby’s arrival and can include negative self-talk about themselves or the baby, lack of interest, and difficulty making decisions
• 22 percent experience postpartum anxiety (PPA), anxiety that includes intrusive thoughts and an inability to be reassured
Myths of motherhood:
• Motherhood happiest time in your life
• That it is instinctual and seems easy to everyone else
• You are bad mother if you aren't happy, can't breastfeed, or if caring for the baby is hard
• If I say “I am unhappy” it means I don't love my child
• I need to be a “perfect” mom
• Asking for help is a sign of weakness
Research suggests that women can find incredible power through connecting in groups pre- and postnatally. Blooma strives to provide options to make this happen. This includes Personal Renewal Groups and Moms' Nights Out (led by life + wellness coach Sarina LaMarche) and classes like BYOB Yoga and Yoga For You.
If you’re a new mom in need of support (or if you have a friend who you think needs help), ask any of the Blooma staff for resources. You can also click here to learn more about the postnatal workshops offered at Blooma.
Other wonderful resources include:
• The Parenting Oasis, a local center where you can go with your kids to relax, play, meet other families, have lunch, and participate in social and educational opportunities.
• Postpartum Support International
• Postpartum Support MN
• Jenny's Light
• MedEd PPD
Thanks for this information, Sarina.
Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma
OK, so I won't name names, but apparently there are more than a few women at Blooma who confess to love celebs. News on hip celebrity moms and pregnant celebs—even better. If you're one of those secret (or open!) hoarders of all things People and US magazine, check out the latest round-up of celeb moms-to-be and new celeb parents. We won't do this too often, just an occasional celeb candy fix.
• Pregnant supermodel Gisele Bündchen sets a good example by practicing yoga every morning, according to People.com.
• Sarah Jessica Parker and hubby Matthew Broderick welcome twins born via a surrogate.
• Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo is nearing the end of her pregnancy and bares her cute pregnant midriff after a workout.
• And of course, the 7-months-along American Idol star Jennifer Hudson belted out "Will You Be There" at Michael Jackson's memorial earlier this week. If you missed it, you can watch a clip of her performance (and her beautiful blossoming belly), here.
Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma
In case you missed it, WCCO aired a story recently that followed a family during their home birth journey. "It's not some hippie thing people do. It's a research-based decision," mama Angela Hunstiger told WCCO about her choice to birth at home with a certified professional midwife. Blooma supports all kinds of informed birth choices, whether it's at home, in the hospital, or at a birth center. Watch Angela's story online here.
We noticed that the Birchwood Cafe (yum!) posted something on its Facebook site about a group called Minnesota Dads at Home that gathered there yesterday. What a great idea! If you are a dad who stays home with the kiddos, or know someone who does, you may want to check out this group.
And, like any parent who spends the bulk of their time with their kids, surely you're always on the hunt for fun things to do. So mark your calendar for a date with Blooma!
We love it when dads come to class. Check out one of our interactive parent-baby or parent-child classes like Yoga for Tots, Yoga for Kids, BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Yoga, or Rub-a-Dub Infant Massage.
Need some solo time? Call ahead to arrange for childcare while you take a Yoga For You! or Fusion For You! class. Childcare is just $5 for the first child and $2 for each additional child.
See you soon, dads!
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma
We love shout-outs to Blooma — from wherever you may live. Here, yoga teacher Amy Metry shows off her gorgeous round belly while wearing a long-sleeved Blooma t-shirt in San Francisco.
Yep, she's got just a few short + sweet weeks left until meeting her little one. Amy, we're blowing a cross-country kiss to you and that babe of yours!
Blooma moms, let us know your favorite way to show some PDA for Blooma. Have you sent Blooma goodies to someone out-of-state? Bought yourself one of our hip, new tank tops? (Psst: they're just $26 and come in turquoise, plum, grey and brown!) Check them out!
Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
The New York Times' "Motherlode" blog marks the holiday with a story about a portrait photographer and a recent subject of hers: a very pregnant fighter pilot.
Many women struggle with how to approach their career when pregnant and after baby is born. But flying F-16s takes the mother/work balance to a new level.
"Flying fighters while pregnant, and while breastfeeding, was impossible, due to the G-force that the flying would exert on her body," the New York Times writes.
Check out the gorgeous pregnancy portrait of Major Stephanie Kelsen in her uniform. The story, though, focuses on the lessons learned by the California photographer, Shlomit Levy Bard. Her sentiments benefit us all:
"Looking at the photos of her round belly popping out of a flight suit reminds me that it’s ok to embrace who we are at any given moment — even if pieces of our identity seem as contradictory as a pregnant fighter pilot," Bard tells the Times. "Most important is accepting ourselves fully, and that we be present in whatever we are doing."
Happy 4th, everyone.
Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma
Posts
