Mothercraft Circle: A Mother’s Support Group
Mothercraft (noun):
ABOUT THIS GROUP
A safe space designed for those in the early postpartum period covering topics such as infant feeding, family dynamics, postpartum depression and realistic expectations of your early transition
into parenthood. Early postpartum is a challenging phase and has become increasingly so in this especially isolating time due to COVID-19. Come ask questions, get resources and create new friendships while getting some guidance on your journey into parenthood. Spanish and English groups are available.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE
Any mother with a child under 1 year of age. This group will focus on the early stages of postpartum (first 4 months) but is open to anyone who would like to join, including pregnant women and persons.
TIME OF MEETING
Fridays, 1:30-2:30 pm, PDT. Eight-week sessions. Contact Joana Allis to enroll in next session.
LOCATION OF MEETINGS
Due to Covid-19, these sessions are occurring on Zoom until further notice.
FEE FOR SESSIONS
Suggested donation is $10.00-20.00 per session, which is a donation to Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance, a non-profit organization. Free for those with Medi-Cal. No-one turned away for inability to pay. Please pay at: http://PayPal.me/AWMNH
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Discussions are participant-driven, however, some of the topics covered may include:
- Infant feeding
- Infant and parent sleep
- Family dynamics; identity and resources
- Fears and Concerns about Childbirth and Parenthood
- Changes in Family Relationships and Friendships After Becoming a Parent
- Intimate Partner Relationship Adjustments to Pregnancy and Parenthood
- Sexuality During Pregnancy and After Childbirth
- Sibling Preparation for Childbirth and Becoming a Big Brother or Sister
- Infant Care Options: Circumcision, Immunization, Ear Piercing, Co-Sleeping, Attachment Parenting, Baby-Wearing, etc.
- Maternal Mental Health: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Making Informed Choices for Childbirth
- Infant Mental Health: Promoting Secure Attachment and Parent-Infant Bonding
- Challenges of Working Mothers
- Choosing to be a Stay-At-Home Mom
- Child Development in the First Year
- Newborn Behavior and Appearance
- Breastfeeding Concerns and Questions
- Emotional Processing of Childbirth Experiences
- Guest Speakers and Workshops on Hypnosis for Childbirth and Motherhood, Belly Casting, Birth Art, Infant Massage, etc. (Extra materials charge for these activities may be requested).
HOW TO JOIN AND PAY FOR THE GROUP
This is an 8-week series. Groups are ongoing. Participants may join at any time. RSVP required 24-hours in advance, to receive the Zoom login information. To pay for group, go to: https://paypal.me/AWMNH
BABIES AND CHILDREN AT GROUP SESSIONS
Currently all groups are on the Zoom platform. Once we start meeting in person again, newborns and babies up to 6 months of age are welcome. Babysitting during the group can be provided for older children, with advanced notice at a nominal charge (for in-person sessions).
MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS
Should complex or challenging experiences of participants arise, referrals for individual, couples or child play therapy can be made to our mental health collaborative partner, Therapeutic Play Foundation.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
As a DONA-trained postpartum doula, I am here to help you make the right choices for you and your family by providing you with evidence-based information and assistance free of judgment and unnecessary opinion. It is my joy to help you, as parents and the family at large make this transition a beautiful one. My own struggle within the early postpartum period is what inspired me to become a birth worker. The transition into parenthood is at once difficult and beautiful, a role that can feel at once thankless and incredibly fulfilling. It is a metamorphosis, an event that will bless you with a new life that will redefine and move you in more ways than you could ever imagine. The dichotomy of this new role is what makes it a continually perplexing and exhausting job, keeping you on your toes as you care for your young ones while trying to maintain a sense of balance and self. I have a BA degree in History. I am a first-generation American and a first-time mother in my thirties. I am a native Spanish speaker. I also speak some Portuguese.
I am a DONA trained postpartum doula as well as a yoga instructor. As a postpartum doula, my work varies greatly depending on the needs of the family, evolving as those needs change and shift. I truly believe that each family deserves as much support as possible in the postpartum period and I see myself as a well-rested and grounded support who can help to navigate the new dynamics and challenges that come with the introduction of a new baby into the home. My goal is to support families in feeling empowered and full of agency as they adjust and learn their new baby and new selves. I focus on helping each family to feel comfortable and confident in their decisions and to trust their intuition in their role as caregivers. I am so grateful to be able to offer this work and look forward to meeting each family I will have the honor of supporting. I speak Portuguese.
Questions? Need More Information?
Please contact us for any questions you may have, or call (626) 388-2191 ext. 2.