Pregnancy Support Groups: What They Are and What They Are Not
You're pregnant and excited to welcome your new baby into the world. However, you may be feeling alone and wishing you had a community of other pregnant women and their partners to talk to and provide support. A pregnancy support group may be just what you need.
Pregnancy support groups provide an invaluable resource for pregnant individuals, giving them a place to get emotional, psychological, and mental health support during pregnancy and beyond. However, it can be difficult to know what to expect from a pregnancy support group.
The Group Will Ground You in Real Expectations
The pregnancy support group at Whole Mother Therapy is to help ground you in real expectations of what pregnancy and postpartum can look and feel like. We want to help you prepare for your postpartum experience just as much as you have prepared for the arrival of your baby.
There are many illusions of what the postpartum period can look like. This is why it's so important that you have a support network in place to help you navigate this new-found time of transition. So you can develop the tools and skills to face the hardships that may come with being a new parent.
This is About You, Not Your Baby
A pregnancy support group is not a place to talk about your baby, but rather an opportunity for you to take care of yourself. Because you have classes to prepare you for the baby, but there isn't always something to help you get ready for after the baby arrives. At Whole Mother's pregnancy support group, we want you to understand what will happen and what you may experience after birth.
Each session provides psychoeducational, mindfulness tools, and an understanding of why it's important to practice self-care during this time. We believe that pregnancy and postpartum should be a time when you feel seen, heard, supported, and understood. You matter and so does your experience.
Take the Time to Prepare
During the support group, you will learn about the importance of putting support infrastructure in place before you have the baby. After you have the baby, you often feel overwhelmed and exhausted. You're in the thick of parenthood and these are often not the times when you can easily establish support. Take the time to prepare and have an understanding of what is to come.
This will help create a smoother transition as you navigate the postpartum period. Perhaps, you're a single parent or partner. The group can provide the resources and community you need to move through this time in a gentle and loving manner. You will be able to meet and talk with other parents who are single and parenting alone, as well as individuals who can provide insight into the challenges associated with being a single parent.
This Group is About Compassion and Support
At Whole Mother Therapy, we believe that a pregnancy support group can help you to feel connected during your pregnancy and prepare you for the postpartum period. This group is a platform for members to feel seen, heard, and validated while they navigate the most fulfilling and challenging journey of parenthood. We provide a safe space for members to share their stories and experiences in an environment full of compassion and understanding.
As this group's goal is to validate your experience and provide support, it is not a place for judgment or criticism. It is a place for members to find comfort in knowing that they are not alone on their pregnancy journey and that there are others who are on a similar journey.
By joining this group, you will be able to access the resources and support needed to move through your pregnancy journey with more ease.
INTERESTED IN PREGNANCY SUPPORT GROUPS IN CALIFORNIA?
You're an expecting mom in California—naturally, you may be feeling overwhelmed with the stress and anxiety of becoming a parent. There's a lot to consider, from preparing for the baby's arrival to planning for postpartum. You can get the help and support you need with online therapy in Pasadena, California. Our services are convenient and confidential, so you can get the help you need from the comfort of your own home. Please visit our website or contact us to learn more about online therapy and whether it may be the right fit for you.
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Learn more about our team and our online support groups in Pasadena, California.
Begin your journey to prepare for a safe and peaceful postpartum!
OTHER SERVICES WHOLE MOTHER THERAPY OFFERS
Whether you're making this journey alone or with a partner, Whole Mother Therapy's services can help you to feel supported and heard. We provide a range of services that can be adapted to fit your individual needs. Our Pasadena office offers a broad range of mental health services, including individual therapy for new parents, postpartum anxiety treatment, therapy for birth trauma, postpartum depression support, therapy for pregnancy loss and infant loss, couples therapy for new parents, counseling for parental burnout and overwhelm, and online therapy in Pasadena, California.
We also offer an eight-week in-person Sacred Motherhood Circle to honor the transitions and transformations of motherhood. And we hold several support groups, including an online pregnancy support group and an online postpartum support group. Finally, you can read more about our services, values, and resources on our therapy blog.