Birthing Alone Together

Covid 19 has made birthing feel isolating. We are alone and there are so many of us alone. The numbers of perinatal mood disorders has increased. We don’t get together like we used to and celebrate the baby showers and births. We are concerned about having people in our homes. Mothers and fathers are not supported as they used to be and even prior to covid parenthood was often lonely. We as a society are struggling more than ever to find community and to feel held and connected. That is the same in parenthood and the birthing journey. How do you maintain connection and how do you build community as a new parent? What do you do to find others in your similar situation?

Here are some ideas that may help!

• Join an online (or in-person) pregnancy cohort group

• Local hypnobabies or breastfeeding classes and groups can be a great resource

• Join a mothers fitness group (prenatal and postpartum)

• Go to a music together class with your baby and meet other moms in your area

• Ask your hospital if they have a weekly postpartum support group

• Join classes by Nurture Birth Collective and join that community. They have many offerings for moms to feel connected and supported prenatally and postpartum.

• Look for park playdates

• Moms clubs

• Facebook Moms groups may have events

It is hard to find other parents that know what it’s like. Walking in your neighborhood and getting out, saying hi and notice the micro interactions. Value those as you settle into the new way of life with a newborn. Know that this time will be short and you will find friends. It is much easier when your child goes to school to meet the parents of their classmates. So know that it will happen.

I also love to imagine little lights on in the middle of the night throughout Los Angeles. In so many houses at 3 am there is a mom or dad feeding and holding a crying baby. You are not alone… we may be all in our own homes and not connected physically. But in a spiritual sense, if it can give you any comfort, we are really alone yet together on this parenting journey.