Issue No. 18

February 2009

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Birth Announcements

What's New

Client Referral Program

Community Events

Birth Story

Nutrition Tip

Ask the Teachers: Headaches

Resources

Shop OmMama

Suggestion Box:

Any classes you'd like to see offered? Topics covered? Questions answered? Send them here: info@ommama.com

Dear Friends,

It’s the middle of winter, the economy’s tight and so are many of us, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. These are challenging times, and it’s easy to find yourself feeling isolated and alone in your concerns. What better time to begin or recommit yourself to the practice of yoga, with its wonderful ability to bring a little ease and connection into the complex equations of our lives.

To make our classes more accessible during this turbulent financial period, we are expanding our client rewards program and bringing it to the web. Click here for details. In addition, OmMama has a scholarship program in place, offering partial scholarships based on client need and availability of funds. We reserve at least one scholarship place in each of our classes. If finances are preventing you or someone you know from taking one of our classes, please consider filling out a scholarship form.

We have lots of series classes and workshops starting later in February and early March. Please join us! Also, check out the Community News section for some exciting events and offers in the greater Richmond area.

Wishing you peace, joy, and lots of winter light!

Leslie

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Birth Announcements

Congratulations to:


Sara S and son Callum Patrick, born December 1, 2008	Mandi D and son Logan Riley, born January 11, 2009

Heather B and son Porter Franklin, born January 17, 2009	Beth F and son Brycen William, born February 9, 2009

We'd love to announce your yoga baby's birth!
Send your photos and birth stories to Leslie Lytle at inspiration@OmMama.com.

What's New

Save money when you introduce OmMama to a friend . . . .

Have you benefited from one of our classes or programs? Now you can share your experience! Send your friends a free OmMama Prenatal or Postnatal Yoga class or a 10% discount on one of our Series Classes or Workshops. You may send this offer to as many friends as you wish (only one free class or discount per person).

As a thank you, existing OmMama students will be credited $5 toward future classes for each new student who registers. Discounts and referral rewards offered at time of registration only. Gifts for your friends are just a click away. Click here to get started.

then join us for one of our Ongoing Classes . . . .

Prenatal Yoga

Tuesdays 4:30–6:00 pm
Tuesdays 6:15–7:45 pm
Thursdays 5:30–7:00 pm
Fridays 9:45–11:15 am
Saturdays 10:30-12:00 pm

Postnatal Baby & Me Yoga

Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:45 am

or sign up for one of our Series Classes or Workshops:

Conscious Birthing: A Half-day Workshop for Couples
March 1, April 12, or May 24
1:30 – 5:30 pm
$85 per couple.
Complete prior to 36th week of pregnancy.
Expecting the Best – Informed Childbirth Class
Mondays, March 2 – April 6 or April 20 – May 25
7:00 – 9:00 pm
$149 per couple.
Start this class between the 24th and 30th week of pregnancy.
Itsy Bitsy® Yoga for Babies (3 weeks – 5 months)
Wednesdays March 4 – April 1, 11: 00 – 12 noon.
$75 per 5 week series.
Itsy Bitsy® Yoga for Sitters and Crawlers (6 months – actively crawling)
Tuesdays, March 3 – March 31, 10:45 – 11:45 am.
$75 per 5 week series.
Itsy Bitsy® Yoga for Tots (actively crawling – 24 months)
Tuesdays, March 3 – March 31, 10:45 – 11:45 am.
$75 per 5 week series.
Itsy Bitsy® Yoga for Tykes (21 months – 4 years)
Thursdays, February 26 – April 2, 9:30 – 10:15 am.
Saturdays, February 28 – April 4, 10:00 – 10:45 am.
$75 per 5 week series.

For detailed information about our programs click here.

Community News

• The Richmond Chapter of Birth Matters Virginia, a statewide organization that promotes evidence-based maternity care, is pleased to announce the screening of the film Orgasmic Birth on March 4th the Firehouse Theatre. Tickets are $5 and are available in advance at http://orgasmicbirth.eventbrite.com. Questions? Please email Richmond@birthmattersva.org.

• Make a film, make a difference.
Are you a budding filmmaker interested in birth? Birth Matters Virginia is soliciting short videos about evidence-based maternity and delivery care through a Birth Video Contest. First prize is $1000. Deadline is May 10, 2009.

• Check out Richmondmom.com for great deals from local businesses.
Richmondmom.com, a web-based resource for Richmond’s hip moms, has created a Savvy Shopper Card that can save you over $500 at great local businesses including It’s Hip to Be Round, By Invitation Only, Hayes & Fisk Photography, Real Life Studios, Tweed, USA Baby and more. Log on to www.richmondmom.com to sign up for a card or pick one up at the OmMama studio the next time you’re here for class.

Web News

Take Consumer Reports Maternity Care Quiz, then read their report on the state of US maternity care. The answers might surprise you.

The Clothesline
Children's Consignment Spring Sale

March 5-8, 2009
Bon Air Community Center
8725 Quaker Lane, Richmond, VA 23235

A great opportunity to find bargains on quality clothing equipment, toys and all things related to babies & children! New and expecting moms receive passes to our preview sale! Visit www.theclothesline.biz.

Birth Story

Porter Franklin

Cary and I welcomed Porter Franklin to the world on Saturday January 17, 2008 at 1:48 pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs 7 oz and was 20 inches long with a head full of black hair like his Daddy.

Everything went well although it was VERY intense. I had been in early labor since the afternoon of January 14. I woke up Saturday morning at about 6:30 am and knew that things were beginning to pick up. . .

Read Full Birth Story

Ask the Teachers

Headaches

Q: I’m about 17 weeks pregnant and experiencing headaches. Is there anything that yoga can offer to help alleviate them?

A: Headaches during pregnancy and the early postpartum period are not uncommon, especially if you were prone to headaches before you became pregnant. Two common causes of headaches in pregnancy are hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, and dehydration. These can be remedied fairly easily by making sure that you are eating small amounts of nutritionally dense foods throughout the day and drinking a glass of water every two to three hours.

Vascular headaches, of which migraines are the most common type, may result from the hormonally induced changes in blood vessel tone that occur with pregnancy. Vascular headaches can be triggered or aggravated by certain foods, noise, tension, or bright light, and frequently present as one-sided throbbing or aching that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. A quiet, dark room, rest, and/or sleep may be of benefit here.

Tension headaches often present as a tight band of pressure around the head or neck. They often begin gradually and are caused or aggravated by stress, poor posture, eyestrain, or emotional concerns. Again, rest, quiet, and relaxation or stress reduction techniques may help.

The sudden onset of a severe headache, especially after the 24th week of pregnancy, may be a sign of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, or other underlying problems. If you experience persistent or uncharacteristically severe headaches, notify your care provider immediately.

Most headaches will benefit from a period of what yoga calls Pratyahara, or withdrawal of the senses. One of my favorite yogic techniques to relieve a headache and draw the senses inward is to wrap the head lightly with an elastic bandage, a technique developed by BKS Iyengar. The head wrap helps to maintain a gentle, soothing pressure on the surface of the skull, and also helps to rest the eyes.

The next time you have a headache, try the following:

Lightly wrap an Ace bandage around your head, starting at the base of your skull and wrapping over your ears and around the forehead several times. Keep the pressure of the bandage light and even, and tuck the end in along the side of your head. When you’re done, it should feel like the gentle touch of a mother’s hands on your head.

Then rest in Supta Baddha Konasana. Once you’re in position, pull a layer of the bandage down over your eyes (if you wear contact lenses, remove them prior to wrapping your head). Rest here for 15 – 20 minutes, breathing softly, deeply, and rhythmically. You’ll be amazed at how effective this simple technique can be. When you’re ready to get up, unwrap the bandage slowly, so your head can adjust to the change in pressure gradually. If you don't have time to rest, just use the head wrap as you continue with your activities. You may look like the walking wounded, but your brain will bless you!
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Vitamin D

Think Vitamin D is just for building strong bones? Think again. Your prenatal levels of vitamin D may influence your baby’s health later in life, as well as your own.

A recent review in the journal “Nutrition Reviews” examined the relationship between vitamin D and maternal, fetal, and infant health. Research indicates that vitamin D may contribute to reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia and pre-term birth, while improving fetal bone mineralization and birth weight. In fact, a 2007 study indicated that low vitamin D levels during early pregnancy were associated with a five-fold increase in pre-eclampsia. Sufficient vitamin D during the prenatal period may also decrease the risk of a variety of health problems later in life, such as asthma, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, while improving the strength of your child’s bones and teeth.

Researchers note that vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you’ll want to ensure that you’re getting adequate amounts of vitamin D. Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, liver, saltwater fish, and vitamin-D fortified products such as milk, soy milk, and some breakfast cereals.

Sunlight also helps the body manufacture its own vitamin D. According to the NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements, about 10-15 minutes of sunshine twice weekly (without sunscreen) is usually enough for the body to make vitamin D. Skin color influences the ability to make vitamin D. Women of color may have a higher need for vitamin D supplementation, as their skin absorbs less sunlight.

During pregnancy:

Look for a prenatal vitamin with a minimum of 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D, which is the U.S. recommended daily allowance. The current acceptable upper limit is 2000 IU. The Canadian Pediatric Society suggests that this level may be actually be appropriate for winter pregnancies.

For infants and children:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants fed breast milk need a vitamin D supplement of 400 international units daily. Formula fed infants also need a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU until they are drinking at least a liter of formula daily. Older children drinking less than a quart of vitamin D-fortified milk daily need a vitamin D supplement, up to 400 international units daily.

Because of their smaller size, infants and children are more susceptible to toxicity, so be cautious with your dosing and administration. Consult with your child’s pediatrician or dietician for more detailed information.

Prenatal & Postnatal Resources

Check out the new Pregnancy Connection Directory for local maternity care and service providers. It’s growing all the time.

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