Objectives for Prenatal Support Group
Goals
/ Objectives for a 4 week session
- Spend
time being conscious of the pregnancy, aware and celebrating this journey
and this new being.
- Members
will be asked to commit to attending all four weeks of the session
- Members
will be given pregnancy journal pages each week to complete at home
- Members
start to re-vision themselves as mothers and their partners as dads
- Members
will think of ways to take care of themselves after birth
- Members
will be able to identify sources of support for after birth
- Members
will list ways to balance tasks with partner after birth
- Members
will make connections with other mothers on various steps on the
pregnancy/postpartum pathway
- Members
will be given opportunities to exchange contact info
- Members
will be encouraged to seek out connections with others
- Moms
will be encouraged to come back and share birth stories
- Members
will explore various aspects of mind-body connection within pregnancy and
alternate ways to prepare for birth
- Members
will be able to demonstrate slow belly breathing, breathing in energy and
out tension
- Members
will be able to describe the basics of energy medicine / touch therapy
- Members
will complete exercises in relaxation and visualization techniques
- Members
will complete birth art activities
Goals
for each meeting.
- Members
arrive: those arriving on-time get bonus activity, those who are late
don’t miss check-in
- Examples:
Videos, Games, Stretching & Exercises, Common Discomforts discussion,
hand massage techniques
- Members
feel welcomed, and valued parts of the group, feeling like their voices
were heard
- Activity:
Check-in, with a focus question each week (write out so they can see it)
- First
session: go over rules for check-in. Reinforce after that.
i.
Each
person gets a turn. During their turn, the rest of us sit quietly and listen
(OK to interject supportive comments, occasional questions… not OK to take over
her check-in time with your own stories.)
ii.
Members
answer the week’s focus question in whatever depth they want to answer it. Then
share news of their week: highs and lows, challenge and joys, changes in plans,
updates on pregnancy, whatever.
iii.
There
aren’t any special time requirements or time limits: just be aware that we have
45 minutes for everyone to have a turn.
- Members
have new concrete skills which prepare them for birth or parenting.
Examples:
- Exercises:
Kegels, squatting, pelvic tilts, tailor sitting, breathing. Yoga.
- Relaxation
techniques: Progressive relaxation, breathwork
- Visualization
techniques
- Crying
and calming techniques
- Couple
conflict resolution skills
- Members
have explored the spiritual and emotional and lifestyle changes which
accompany the transition. Examples.
- Birth
art: sculptures
- Reading
memoir sections and discussing
- Time
pie, or other hands-on reality check of what life with newborn is really
like
- Hopes
and fears discussion
- Discussion
of pain and overcoming challenges, finding new strengths
- Where
do babies come from? Spiritual perspectives on the soul of the baby
- What
is your role as a parent: teacher of information? Guide to proper
behavior? Emotional supporter? Physical caretaker? What goals come from
this? What’s your measure of success?
Schedule
for each meeting:
15
minutes arrival and bonus activity
45
minutes Check-In
15
minutes activity
45
minutes activity (one of these activities will be a concrete skill, one will be
emotional exploration)
Options
for names:
Journey
through Pregnancy
Journey
through Pregnancy: Companions on the Path
The
Pregnancy Journey
Sharing
the Journey through Pregnancy
Transition
to Parenthood
Transition
to Parenthood: Walking the Path Together
On
the Path to Parenthood
Sharing
the Path to Parenthood
Experiencing
Pregnancy
Celebrating
Pregnancy
Becoming
a Mother
Possible
Sub-Titles
A
Discussion Group
A
Pre-Natal Support Group
Prenatal
support and education
A
group for exploring and celebrating pregnancy and the transition to parenthood.
Share
your experience of pregnancy, and experience mutual support on the path to
parenthood
Who
is this for?
Pregnant
women at any stage of pregnancy. Women who want to spend time thinking about
and reflecting on their pregnancy.
Minimum:
4 members, maximum: 12.
Could
do moms and partners… would be a different dynamic.
This
is intended as a supplement to childbirth preparation classes, for those who
want to spend more time exploring the psychological, emotional, and spiritual
changes of pregnancy and early parenthood.
I
encourage all group members to also attend birth preparation classes with their
partners or support people.
Link to parent information about a prenatal support
group.
Link to FAQ about support group.
Back to Home Page for Resources for Childbirth Educators
c.
2004, Janelle Durham, Transition to Parenthood