Last year saw some clever inventions that people used to get candy and treats to the little ones! There were candy chutes to deliver sweets to trick-or-treaters at a safe distance, bingo and costume parties via Zoom by dropping off bingo cards and prize packs to friends in advance. Some kept Halloween fun with mask-on and went trick-or-treating to houses who committed to safety measures, followed by a distanced spooky outdoor movie, proving that with a little planning, Halloween could feel a little bit normal last year. 

Blossom's last Cal AveHalloween Event was in 2019 and last year, during those unprecedented times, we hosted a an online event for Halloween 2020. For our Cal Ave event we partnered with businesses, volunteers, performers and the city it happen with close to 1000 participants!  And while we do miss them, we have learned to embrace smaller, more intimate gatherings. Fast forward to October 2021, and yes, we are still in the Pandemic. But, our children are back in school and some of have started travelling again and maybe even visiting the office a few days a week. Things are far from normal but we are getting comfortable with our "current" normal. ​Our recent Annual Picnic and Playdate was hosted in August and it was so great to meet up with new and old members of our community.  This year looks like we could do some more in person events, socially distanced and masked of course! 

Top 8 Safe Ideas to celebrate Halloween 2021: 

1. Join Blossom on October 30th from 10AM - 2PM at Mitchell Park for a Halloween Picnic with treats, games, and outdoor entertainment. 
2. Did you know October is Halloween Safety Month​? Review safety tips in thisarticle by National Today.
3. Coordinate with some neighbors and set houses that will follow guidelines. Go in small groups. 
4. Have a Monster Mash Dance Party!
5. Spooky marathon movie weekend anyone?
6. Host a Halloween scavenger hunt.
7. Drop off falls goodies to friends and neighbors for some feel good experiences.
8. Dress up and have a costume contest with friends and family on zoom.

Have a spookily safe and sweet Halloween!
The Blossom Team

My name is Cindy and I'm the Volunteer and Fundraising Coordinator at Blossom. It was always my pleasure to see moms and moms-to-be, especially on days when we had high attendance because it brought you together.

Your physical and emotional wellbeing is of utmost importance, especially now. The same is true for me.

There have been many days this past year where it was a struggle to get out of the apartment. It reminded me of when I gave birth to each of our kids, now 9 and 11. Moments when I felt alone, with family in Canada. We were the first couple in our group of friends to have kids.

I didn't know about Blossom back then. I found my friendships through a moms club which became my Blossom, providing me support and community. My friends encouraged me to come join them and it changed my life. They're friends to this day!

Many local moms' clubs have disbanded or cut back this past year. We want Blossom to become that "club" for you. Whether it's by revisiting our park classes on Tuesdays and Fridays or trying something new with us, we're here for you!

What's new? We launched our 5K virtual walk/run in March. It's a fundraiser that encourages people to enjoy the outdoors and to simply move. We created a private Facebook group for our walkers to connect, motivate and support each other. Our hope is that these online connections will develop into future chances for socially-distant coffees, walks, etc. - based of course, on each member's comfort level.

Although we can't promote large group gatherings outside of park classes, we must support our moms and families to find companionship in others who understand. This 5K is one step towards making this happen.

Two Blossom moms registered who said they didn't want to walk alone. So I connected them and now I'm going to do part of my walk with them, masked, several feet apart. Then I'll jog the rest solo on another day.
​
Every weekend I now walk about 3.2 miles / 5K total and feel better after doing it. My problem was getting out the door—maybe you can relate. Those moms motivated me, and I want to help do the same for you.
To learn more, visit our 5K virtual walk webpage or email questions to blossom5K@blossombirthandfamily.org. We are always here for you.

by Brandy Falcon, LAc

Few things are more exciting and transformational for a woman than having a baby.  Pregnancy is also the most important time for her to manage her health because she's doing so not only for her benefit, but also for the precious being(s) inside.  

Some may be content with the way pregnancy is managed here in U.S. medical centers.  But many women are realizing that there are numerous shortcomings of the Western medical approach to prenatal heath.  Ultrasounds, developmental tests, and daily prenatal vitamins are not enough to ensure a woman's comfort for 40 weeks or for birthing success, especially if she is aiming for a natural delivery.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners treat the whole person, placing equal emphasis on a woman's physical, emotional, energetic, and mental health.  They realize that a baby's vitality  - in utero and after birth - depends largely on that of the mom.  And because treatment is so individual to a woman's constitution and any imbalances that arise, TCM is becoming increasingly popular with expecting moms who value a holistic approach to health.

Balance is created with acupuncture, herbs, and massage by dilating the energy channels that link up with vital organs in the body.  A woman's Qi (energy) and blood are tonified if weak and regulated if stagnant, creating smooth inner harmony.  From a Western perspective, we engage the sympathetic nervous system and improve immune response.  Most practitioners also advise on whole food nutrition and lifestyle choices, so treatment is very well-rounded.

Are you intrigued?  Let's look at specific ways TCM can help a woman through ALL stages of pregnancy...

Preparing Your Body For Pregnancy
If a women is interested in holistic health and planning a pregnancy, she should start seeing a TCM practitioner at least a three months before conceiving to make sure conditions are just right.  

This is the time to resolve any imbalances such as regulating menstrual cycles, getting her diet on track, managing weight if she desires to lose or gain, and relieve stress.  This all helps to bolster a woman's health, making sure she is producing quality eggs and becoming as fertile as possible.  (To increase your chances conceiving, your partner should be getting treated too!)

Maintaining A Healthy Pregnancy 
Once pregnant, TCM can do wonders for making sure expecting moms stay healthy, strong, and comfortable.

TCM has a remarkable reputation for managing:

• Morning sickness
• Fatigue
• Abdominal & back pain
• Threatened miscarriage
• Edema
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Urine retention

and much more...

Of course practitioners will continue to help a woman with any conditions she had before pregnancy that she does not wish to worsen, like seizures and vertigo.  They can also treat colds or any other illnesses that occur during this time, keeping their immune systems strong.

Breech Babies & A Timely Delivery
Many expecting moms seek out acupuncture & TCM when they are nearing the end of pregnancy, in particular when 2 things arise: (1) breech presentation, and (2) an when they're carrying past their due date and want to avoid hospital induction.

Acupuncture and TCM can only help, but success is not guaranteed - especially if a woman has many imbalances that are contributing to the issue. It's best if a woman is proactive and starts seeing a TCM practitionerwell before these two conditions come up (so please help me educate the expecting women in your life!).

Nevertheless, TCM practitioners can perform moxibustion on woman carrying a breech baby at 33-35 weeks.  It's known to increase fetal activity and create conditions inside the uterus that make it likely for a baby to turn on it's own.  Many studies have been done, and it has been shown to work, but at inconsistent rates.  Again, women are individuals who experience pregnancy differently from each other, and then there is the individuality of the baby.  So, the technique is hard to predict, but is safe and non-invasive, so definitely worth a try!

Women can start preparing their bodies for delivery with TCM treatments one to two times per week, ideally by week 34.  They will help the mom remain relaxed & hopeful, soften the cervix, and make conditions optimum and more inviting for the baby to arrive "on time".

Pain Management For Natural Births
Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to ease pain in many studies, so it's quite natural for laboring women to desire it.  If you're having a home birth, your Acupuncturist may be thrilled to help you out, so go ahead and ask!  They can attend hospital births as well, but there are usually rules around this (like acupuncturists needing to be contracted with the hospitals), so you and your practitioner may need to look into that some more.

Typically, auricular (ear) acupuncture is used during labor to allow for the woman to move in any position necessary.  Sometimes a point on the hand, Large Intestine 4, is used as well.  These points can be stimulated at any stage of labor.  

Note that while acupuncture can help with pain from abnormal uterine contractions, it can't correct malposition or malpresentation of the baby at this stage. Therefore, it may not help as much with pain if ill-fitting position of the baby is the reason for it.

Postnatal Support
There is more healing to be done after birth!  TCM can address the following changes in a woman's health after having her baby:

• Regulation of milk flow
• Mastitis
• Post-partum depression
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Hemorrhoids
• Joint pain
• Spontaneous sweating

and more...

Since women are so focused on their baby at this stage, it's important that their partners are aware of these conditions and can encourage the mom to seek help if problems come up.  

Even if there are no post-natal concerns, it would be a good idea to see a practitioner for wellness visits.  Just relaxing on a table for an hour of acupuncture can do wonders in resetting a new mom's mood and helping her prioritize self-care.  

Pediatric TCM
Care comes full circle with the treatment of babies.    

You can read more on TCM Pediatrics here:
Chinese Medicine Is Great For Kids!  Here's 7 Reasons Why...

(Note that TCM practitioners can be primary care providers and track development of children if choosing not to see a pediatrician for wellness visits.)

Families raised with acupuncture, herbs, and whole food nutrition take responsibility for their health, have a greater appreciation for the healing capacity of their bodies, and learn to live in harmony with nature. 

So, it's up to you moms!  You are the core of your family; the choices you make impact everyone.  And I'm positive that choosing TCM to care for your health is a wonderful first step in creating the family of your dreams.

Do you know a woman who is planning a pregnancy or who is currently pregnant and interested in holistic care?  Please forward this post to them!  And let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

If you enjoyed this article and want more holistic self-care advice, please see Brandy's website at www.falconhealingarts.com.

Well wishes to you all...

Resources

Cardini F. & Weixin H. (1998). Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 280(18), 1580-1584. 

Coyle ME, Smith CA, & Peat B. (2012) Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 5. Art. No: CD003928. 

Maciocia, G. (1998)  Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine.  Churchill Livingstone Publishing, United Kingdom 

Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, et al. (2013). Acupuncture Medicine 31: 31-38.