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Blooma’s movement classes are for everyone and we have so much to offer, no matter what your stage of life. Prenatal yoga classes are designed specifically to support you throughout your pregnancy. Our other adult class formats (flow yoga, slow flow yoga, restorative yoga, barre classes) are prenatal & postnatal-friendly. BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) Yoga classes are the most gentle approach to adding movement back into your routine postnatally. We also offer Kids Yoga classes for your little ones all the way through 8 years of age.
You do not have to be a member to attend movement classes at Blooma. We offer drop-in rates, 10 class and 20 class packs, in addition to our monthly membership. Not sure which one works for you yet? Try our New Student Special for $20 of unlimited classes for one week.
Most 200 hour yoga teacher trainings offer little to no information on how to apply the tools of yoga to optimally support someone during pregnancy. All of our prenatal yoga instructors have completed specialty training that has equipped them with the knowledge and experience required to lead safe & effective prenatal yoga classes. Many of our teachers are also doulas, childbirth educators and/or parents who imbue this knowledge into their classes.
Yes! Your membership can be paused for anything health or birth related. Suspension goes on a 60 day default period, but if you prefer more or less time, just reach out to us at info@blooma.com.
Your bill date will be the same day each month and your membership will roll on a month-to-month basis. You’re not locked into a minimum monthly commitment unless you’ve purchased a promotional membership that specifies a timeframe.
We request 10 days’ notice before your bill date in order to cancel your membership. Email us at info@blooma.com with the header “AUTOPAY CHANGE” or chat with us over the phone to make the adjustment to your account.
At Blooma, we offer a comprehensive 4 week birth class that will cover everything you need to know, and always be taught by a birth worker active in the community and up-to-date on the current evidence-based practices. We believe that a healthy pregnancy incorporates movement, comfort measures and caring for the whole person, physically, emotionally and mentally.
At Blooma, we believe it’s just as important to discuss the emotional journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as it is to educate clients on the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical birth-related interventions available (after all, this impacts your decision making all along the way). In our classes, you will receive an unbiased education, educating you on your options and helping you to create your birth preferences.
Our childbirth education and lactation classes are for expectant parents and their support people only. If childcare is a barrier, we are happy to schedule a private in home or virtual class for an additional fee. For more information and to request private/custom instruction, inquire here.
Blooma is committed to providing access to high-quality childbirth and parenting to all. If these classes would otherwise be inaccessible to you due to financial constraints, please fill out our sponsorship application.
Yes. We offer private childbirth education classes that can take place in person or virtually. For more information and to request private/custom instruction, go here.
We always say these conversations could last hours. So much ground to cover, and we’re birth nerds! For this initial ~30 minute meet and greet via Zoom, the goal is to ensure you come away with a clear sense for who we are as doulas and what we offer so you can determine whether we’re a fit for your family.
Your doula will introduce themself and Blooma, then turn it over to you to share more about your pregnancy journey & wishes for your doula and/or birth. We can then answer any questions you have and go over next steps. Following the call, we send you our contract to look over.
No need to formally prepare anything in advance. Although many folks find reading this FAQ helps!
The first suggestion is having them join the consultation to meet us and get a clearer picture of our role (hint: our goal is to make them look good!). If some info ahead of time would be helpful, you could share:
The last thing we’re there to do is take over. The partner/support person – the expert in the birthing person – plays the critical role of connection and building oxytocin. The doula – the expert in birth – offers informational, physical and emotional support in many ways.
Evidence supports that doula care leads to better outcomes. See this article here and highlights below:
The sooner you hire a birth doula the better, but it’s never too late. We’ve been hired at 8 weeks, and we’ve been hired at 38 weeks! We typically are fully booked two to three months in advance, and booking earlier on in the pregnancy allows more time to get to know each other (to support you better), share ideas/resources/love, help you articulate your birth intentions/goals, make sure you’re with a care provider that aligns with those goals, etc.
Yes! See evidence above for doula care : ). Doulas and midwives have different, complementary responsibilities and scopes of practice.
Doulas are trained support professionals who help birthers and support people during pregnancy, birthing time and postpartum with informational, physical and emotional care (see more detail below). Doulas do not have a medical scope of practice. We are available to you 24/7 in pregnancy and provide continuity of care during birth—meaning we are with you continuously from the onset of active labor until 1-2 hours postpartum.
Midwives are trained health professionals who help birthers during pregnancy, birthing time and postpartum with medical care (e.g., monitoring the health of the birther and baby, catching the baby, newborn procedures, etc.).
No. Doulas do not have a medical scope of practice, so a professional care provider – a family practice doctor, an OB or a midwife – needs to be present for the birth.
In Minnesota, doulas are not considered medical providers, cannot legally provide diagnostic/procedural codes, and therefore, are not considered “in network” with any insurance companies. Blooma cannot bill insurance; however, we can offer itemized receipts to clients for attempts of reimbursement.
We recommend calling and getting pre-authorization (and any specific requirements and limits) from your insurance programs ahead of signing the contract, since payment is made at the time of signing the contract and reimbursement is usually pursued after the dates of service are completed.
Some clients have had success purchasing doula services, Childbirth Education classes and Prenatal massage with their HSA/FSA. We do not work directly with insurance companies, but we are always more than happy to try running these cards. If cards do not process or if you pay out of pocket and are filing for reimbursement with your insurance company, we can provide detailed information and itemized receipts to present.
Blooma’s itemized receipts include dates of service, Blooma’s EIN and your Doula’s name. If your program requires a Certified Doula, please let us know before signing a contract, so that we may pair you with the right doula team for you. Doulas are not healthcare professionals and therefore cannot include CPT nor ICD-10 codes on receipts.
If you are interested in financial assistance, please fill out our application here.
We love this question! Blooma was created to provide expecting families with as many wonderful resources and services in one place as possible:
Absolutely, yes. We have supported many VBAC clients. We have recommendations spanning mind (e.g., classes/workshops), spirit (e.g., mindfulness, hypnosis), body (e.g., bodywork, prenatal yoga, Spinning Babies) and community (e.g., ICAN), in addition to preparation leading up to your desired birth and in person, tailored support.
We support every type of birth. As your doula, we have no judgment or agenda. Our role is to offer evidence-based information and experience to ensure you know what your choices are, that you know your autonomy and agency, that you understand informed consent.
After your contract is signed, we’re available to you 24/7. We’re here to help you make sure you are working with the right care provider that aligns with your goals, to help you select childbirth education, that you find the best ways to nurture mind/body/spirit in pregnancy, etc. Preferred channel of communication is up to you. We find email best for scheduling and resource sharing, and the text group best for updates after appointments or when birthing time begins. If active labor begins overnight, call if you don’t get a text reply after 5 minutes.
Our first visit is generally around 34-35 weeks (after childbirth education is complete). We use this time to check in, answer questions, discuss wishes, etc. At the second visit (around 36-37 weeks) we check in, go over birthing time, discuss postpartum, etc.
We typically join in active labor, either at the home or birthing location. We are that added layer of support after the birther and support person (if applicable). We stay with you until 1-2+ hours postpartum, as soon as you’re settled in and everyone has a food plan (including babe!).
We’ll then check in via text over the next few days. Within the first week to 10 days, we’ll arrange a time to swing by for a 1-2 hour postpartum visit—to see how you’re doing, answer questions within our scope, provide resources/referrals for support beyond our scope, and hear/process your birth story (if you wish).
Beyond the 1-2 hour postpartum visit described above, we offer postpartum doula care you can book by the hour. Some of our birth doulas also offer limited postpartum doula hours to birth clients, and we also have two dedicated, full-time postpartum doulas. To learn more and set up a consultation, visit this page.
Absolutely! Doula care fills gaps in maternity care, supported by evidence and client testimony showing that doulas lead to better client outcomes. See some of the impressive outcomes data on our all doula services page.
We know that there is a lot of vulnerability in the fourth trimester and when you welcome people into your home, and we want you to develop a relationship with your support team. Because of this, you will work with one primary doula. Depending on the hours needed, another doula may be added to provide the full, comprehensive support you are looking for. Beyond your primary doula, we have a full team ready to jump in for support in case your doula is sick, has an unexpected schedule change, or you find yourself wanting additional days of support.
As often as you feel you need support! We tend to see families looking for more support immediately postpartum, tapering support as time goes on. An example of a typical daytime schedule is: three to four 4-hour shifts per week for the first 4 weeks, two to three 4-hour shifts per week for the next 4 weeks, and then continued shifts as needed for your fourth trimester and beyond.
Postpartum doulas typically support families during the first 12 weeks postpartum; a time often known as the “fourth trimester.” We also know that postpartum journeys can be very unique, so we are flexible in our timing.
“International Board Certified Lactation Consultants function and contribute as members of the maternal-child health team. They provide care in a variety of settings, while making appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community support resources. Working together with mothers, families, policymakers and society, IBCLC consultants provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding.” (https://iblce.org/about-iblce/)
Simply put, an IBCLC is a member of the healthcare team with advanced training in lactation. IBCLCs are well-versed in both typical lactation and infant feeding journeys, and those that come with a few twists and turns along the way.
IBCLCs are considered the “gold standard” in lactation support. We have received advanced training in both typical and atypical lactation and infant feeding. An IBCLC is an internationally recognized certification that includes a rigorous training program and standardized examination. IBCLCs have a background in a number of healthcare sciences, 90+ hours of lactation specific education, and 300-1000+ hours of clinical practice supporting families.
There are a number of other lactation supporters, from peer counselors (La Leche League, Breastfeeding USA, WIC, etc.) to the alphabet soup of lactation credentials (CLEC, CLC, CBS, CLE etc.). Each of these credentials requires some level of standardized education, usually 20-45 hours of lactation specific education, typically obtained in a week-long training course. These lactation providers are essential to the landscape of infant feeding support, and are hugely helpful for working through the typical challenges families face in lactation. As challenges become more complex, the advanced training and experience of an IBCLC may become helpful or necessary.
Truly anything related to lactation and infant feeding! Some reasons people seek lactation support include:
We are not currently in-network with any insurance providers, so do not directly bill insurance. After our visit, we will give you a Superbill which can be submitted to your insurance for reimbursement. Under the Affordable Care Act, lactation visits with an IBCLC should be covered by insurance. Unfortunately, there are sometimes loopholes or push-back. We recommend contacting your insurance company prior to the visit for pre-authorization – this seems to make it more likely to see reimbursement come through. If you have any difficulty understanding or accessing your benefits, please consult this toolkit created by the National Women’s Law Center.
You can start if you are expecting, IPs, pregnant, home with a newborn or have a baby or toddler. We have programs for those expecting or home with a newborn – Baby Steps or with babies 3 months or older – 5 Steps to Predictable Sleep.
No, CIO or modified CIO (Ferber) are not used as a method to improve your child’s sleep with the Through the Night Method™. Coaching you to help your child’s sleep is holistic in approach and executed in a step-by-step program, based on your family’s values, your baby’s age and their development.
Hi! I’m Sarah Branion, a Minnesota-based (and internationally serving) Baby & Toddler Sleep Strategist, Certified Professional Labor & Postpartum Doula. I am passionate about pregnancy, labor, birthing families, and most of all…sleep support.
Nine years ago I was a new mom of a four month old, who hadn’t slept more than 25 minutes at a time since my baby’s birth. At a breaking point and wondering if I would ever survive this early postpartum period and sleep deprivation, I began reading and mastering the art of baby sleep. Today, I am a well rested, fulfilled mother of two children and my superpower is Baby & Toddler Sleep. I’m passionate about helping you get the sleep you deserve and the rest your baby or toddler needs.
Through the Night Method is a parent-coached program. Classes are online and consultations can be done in person or virtually. For in person, hands on sleep support, we recommend reaching out to the Blooma Postpartum Doula team.
You can book a massage online below, by calling us at 612-223-8064 or emailing info@blooma.com to assist you with scheduling.
We can make this happen. You can either purchase a gift card for the amount of the massage online, pick up a gift card in studio, or you can call 612-223-8064 to pre-pay for an already booked massage.
Unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider, you may receive a prenatal massage at any time during your pregnancy.
Let us know if you need an itemized receipt for health insurance reimbursement purposes. We are happy to provide them. Reach out to info@blooma.com for assistance.
Just give us a call at 612-223-8064 or contact your massage therapist directly.
We appreciate 48 hours’ notice before your appointment if you need to cancel or reschedule. If you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment, you may be charged for the session. To cancel more than 24 hours in advance, you can do so on the Mindbody Online app; If less than 24 hours, please call us at 612-223-8064.
Yes. Blooma’s mission has always been and remains the empowerment of all people; in 2007, we started our work in the Twin Cities to support and uplift all types of families and all types of birth choices. We acknowledge the beautiful linguistic, racial & cultural diversity in the Twin Cities; we also acknowledge the gaps in accessibility to healthcare & wellness services that lead to health disparities that primarily affect women of color.
We’re deeply committed to the work of closing the care gaps in maternal health. If you are interested in applying for financial assistance please fill out an application.
Completion of the training does not guarantee a job, however, we are often hiring at Blooma and looking for passionate, experienced, dedicated individuals. At the completion of your training, certification and a minimum of 12 births attended, if you are interested in working at Blooma, you can email meghan@blooma.com for more information.
Yes. Blooma’s mission has always been and remains the empowerment of all people; in 2007, we started our work in the Twin Cities to support and uplift all types of families and all types of birth choices. We acknowledge the beautiful diversity in the Twin Cities; we also acknowledge the gaps in accessibility to healthcare & wellness services that lead to health disparities that affect people of color.
We’re deeply committed to the work of closing those gaps. In order to expand accessibility to prenatal yoga, scholarships are available for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, military and veterans and people needing financial assistance. This is an opportunity for anyone who has a passion and a plan to bring prenatal yoga to their communities.
If you are interested in applying for financial assistance please fill out our application here.
Completion of the training does not guarantee a job, however, we are often hiring at Blooma and looking for passionate, experienced, dedicated individuals. At the completion of your training, if you are interested in working at Blooma, you can email meghan@blooma.com for more information.
