Resources For New Mamas, San Francisco: Groups

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Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. -Leo Buscaglia

The reason for recommending groups for perinatal support is simple: We need each other. This whole “it takes a village” thing is not just a cliche. It’s an epic Truth.

When we were near and with one another, we SAW what pregnancy and postpartum life was like. We witnessed the hard parts, the joyous parts, the mundane parts, and we took care of each other in big and small ways. These days, in this culture there’s a lot more individualism and with that isolation and loneliness. Being in a group of moms and sharing honest experience can help reduce some of that.

Here are some San Francisco groups you can count on to be there for you. Since I have the pleasure of knowing some of the providers, I asked them to shared just a touch of their own reasons for providing these groups. 


CPMC Newborn Connections. CPMC offers two weekly 90-minute drop-in groups, one for moms of babies age 0-3 months and another for those with babes 3+ months. In each, members can connect about the joys and anxieties of new parenthood (and everything between). The cost is $5 and you don’t have to be a patient of CPMC's to attend. Brett Collins, the former facilitator says, "Your village is waiting! Come as you are - there's no such thing as late and everyone is welcome to cry (babies and parents)." (Laurel Heights)
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Natural Resources: Natural resources offers two weekly hour-long, drop-in baby support groups, for parents of babies 0-3 months  and 3+ months,  respectively. "It is a place to share about whatever is on your heart and mind surrounding parenting - and is an opportunity to meet other new parents and form lasting friendships. Babies are welcome"! The cost for members is $10, $15 for non-members. While you’re there you can peruse all their baby gear, talk to their welcoming and helpful staff (who know a lot about said baby gear) and check out their other offerings, which include lactation support, classes, and a host of other support and educational groups. (Mission District)

Postpartum SF:  Postpartum SF is made up of two clinicians who have come together to provide support groups to those having emotional wellness challenges in new parenthood. It covers relationship changes, attachment to baby, self-care, identity shifts and more. The group is capped at 7 members at a time and runs on an 8-week cycle, repeating throughout the year.  This group is designed to occur without babies present in order to give more focused attention to members. The current rate is $480 for the series which breaks down to $60 per 90-minute session. They ask that women commit to all 8-sessions but they can pay either up front, weekly, or monthly - whatever works best for them. The facilitators, Katy Lonergan and Alexis Monnier created the group because "We believe all moms struggle in some fashion and we want them to know they aren't alone.” (Lower Pacific Heights)

Recess: Facilitated by an infant mental health specialist, Recess hosts an hour-long new parents meet-up for expectant parents and those with babies under the age of one. In this group you’ll organically meet like-minded parents and begin building your new family’s community, while gaining resources to help support your little one's growth. Guest speakers relevant to your baby's needs will drop by with specialized areas of focus like sleeping, eating, and self-care.  Suggested donation is $15 and no one is turned away for lack of funds. As for the “why”behind the group, Lisa G, owner of Recess shares, "The first year of parenting is such a rollercoaster. We want to give new parents a space they can show up, in any state, and just be. They can share or just absorb, connect with others or connect with their babe. Our goal is to meet each mama and papa where they are and provide support." (Potrero Hill)

UCSF - The Afterglow: The Afterglow is a 6-week group that repeats throughout the year, and is for moms of babies 0-6 months old who are UCSF patients. I gotta tell you, I've only heard glowing reviews of this group (pun intended), where you'll learn, discuss, and connect with others, in addition to practicing some new self-care strategies. It's $150 for the series with limited sliding scale slots available, and is facilitated by two dedicated mama supports, Juli Fraga and Melissa Whippo. Their reason for providing  the group? "We’d love moms to know they are not alone and that we need to b able to speak our truths about the full motherhood experience" (Mission Bay)

So there's a start mama (mama-to-be, or someone who's keeping a caring eye out)! You can always reach out to the facilitators for more info. You will be lovingly received. 

Yours in wellness, self-care and compassion,
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Shana

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Think I may be the right fit for you or a loved one? Feel free to email me at contact@shanaaverbach.com or call 415-963-3546 for a free 20-minute consultation call.