Pregnancy Support Groups

Today I’m talking with Dana Paskowitz, Ph.D., and licensed clinical psychologist. Dana has provided psychological services to individuals, couples, families, and groups within a variety of settings and across a wide range of clinical issues, since 1995.

She is also a trained doula, and has a special interest in working with women around issues of pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and parenting.

Dana runs an ongoing Pregnancy Support Group. Today I’m picking her brain about how these groups work and, whether you’re pregnant with your first or your fourth, how you can benefit from joining one.

MB: Why should pregnant women join a support group?

DP: Groups offer women an opportunity to develop friendships with other moms-to-be, discuss their feelings and concerns, receive support and feedback, and learn/practice new coping and relaxation skills.

Participants often gain invaluable information and support from each other in groups, and often feel as if their participation is a “gift” to themselves and their baby.

MB: How are support groups usually run? How do you run yours?

DP: Pregnancy support groups can be run in many different ways. In the groups that I facilitate, a small group of women (4-7 participants) commit to attending the hour and a half long weekly sessions. Participants are often at various stages in their pregnancy, which adds to the richness of the group.

In addition, the groups consist of a nice blend of first-time moms-to-be and moms who are pregnant with their second or third child. At each session, the women informally discuss any and all topics that are relevant to them including physical discomforts, emotional changes, body image, baby’s health and well-being, childbirth, parenting, relationships, sexuality, work issues, self-identity concerns, and self-care.

In addition to these topics, a guided relaxation exercise (including guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, etc) is offered at the conclusion of the meeting.

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