connect and build relationship with people who get it
find Support Groups, Drop-in Spaces, and Special Events below
Groups for Parents
We see community as the most important missing link for modern families welcoming in babies. Coming together in a group cohort to connect, build relationship, talk about what’s really going on, and share in the tears, laughs, and groans of it all, makes such a big difference in everyone’s health. Check out our groups below!
What: This 6 week pregnancy group is a supportive gathering for expectant parents seeking community and connection during this profound time of change. In our time together, you’ll find a balance of facilitation and organic conversation, with prompts for journaling and moments for self-reflection. Come as you are with your thoughts, concerns, and joys about pregnancy, self-discovery, and parenthood. Leave feeling resourced, supported, and connected to a community of fellow birthing folks who can walk this path alongside you.
Together we’ll explore topics such as your journey to pregnancy, mental health needs and support systems, your ever-changing body, what self-care really looks like, and preparing for your birth, postpartum and parenting journey.
For Who: Any pregnant person. Ideal to have the group start date to fall after 22 weeks and the end date to fall before 38 weeks.
By Who: facilitated by Elyse Schroeder, Mom, Postpartum Doula, Birthworker Coach, and Childbirth Educator
When: rotating 6-week cohorts, next series:
Fridays, Sep 5th - Oct 10th from 3:00-4:45
Fridays, Nov 7th - Dec 19th from 3:00-4:45 (no group Nov 28th)
Register: To sign up, click on the session dates you hope to join above. The fee for this group is $300. Babes in arms welcome! Please email us at eastbaybirthcollective@gmail.com if you hope to join a future cohort that is not yet scheduled.
What: Being pregnant again after a miscarriage, perinatal loss or termination for medical reasons can present a host of unique and painful challenges. Many who are pregnant after a loss find that they are holding two realities at once – the hope and dreams that come with a new pregnancy, and the grief and anxiety that occur following a loss. It is important to know you are not alone; there are others on this path with you and many who have walked this path before. Join us for a four-week expressive arts support group in which we will explore the joys and difficulties of being pregnant again through:
Peer-support
Mindfulness
Gentle movement
Journaling, painting, drawing and more
For Who: This group is for folks who are pregnant again after experiencing the loss of a pregnancy. A loss can be at any gestational age and for any reason. You are welcome to attend the group if it feels appropriate for you.
By Who: Meredith Isaksen is a therapist, mama to three, poet, and former writing and literature professor. She knows firsthand the complexity of pregnancy after loss, and is committed to helping pregnant people foster resilience, community, and hope in the midst of grief and uncertainty.
When: four Sunday evenings, from 7-8:30pm. The next series are:
> July 13th through August 3rd
> September 28th through October 19th
Register: Click the register button to be in touch with Meredith for a pre-enrollment conversation. She will then direct you to the registration link. The fee for this group is $180.
What: Eat, learn, and connect: Come and share a nourishing meal with other new parents, learn from an IBCLC about common lactation issues, connect on the challenges of the first year.
Topics include: engaging community support, identifying sources of depletion, pumping and bottles, going back to work, introducing solids, and sleep
For Who: Gestational parents and their babies under 12 months
When: 6 week series
Wednesday lunches (12:30-2:30) June 25th, July 2nd, July 9th, July 16th, July 23rd, July 30th
Registration: Registration happens through Woven Lactation with Laura Howells. Insurance is accepted, please email Laura with your insurance card to see if you have this benefit: Aetna PPO (You have a finite number of visits this class will use up all your visits), United healthcare, Blue cross blue shield, Cigna & Health Net some plans are covered. There is a deposit required for those wanting to bill insurance (if this places an undue burden please contact me).
$540 for the series for the couplette (lunch included)
What: This 8 week postpartum support group is for birthing parents and moms seeking a supportive space to engage in honest, open conversations about the complexities of transitioning into parenthood and motherhood. Adapted from Robyn Alagona-Cutler’s postpartum therapeutic support group, these explorations will be in open conversation, sometimes with guest visitors who hold pertinent expertise, as well as dedicated time for reflection and writing. Pre-crawling babies are welcome, and light snacks will be provided.
Together we’ll explore topics such as your birth experience(s), common misconceptions, postpartum mood disorders, the influence of how you were parented, the shift from partners to parents, self care, identity, body image, and so much more.
For Who: Any birthing parent in their first year. Babies in arms welcome.
By Who: facilitated by Elyse Schroeder, Mom, Postpartum Doula, Birthworker Coach and Childbirth Educator
When: rotating 8-week cohorts, next series:
Thursdays, Jul 10th - Aug 28th from 10:00-12:00
Thursdays, Oct 2nd - Nov 20th from 10:00-12:00
Register: To sign up, click on the session dates you hope to join above. The fee for this group is $440. Babes in arms welcome! Please email us at eastbaybirthcollective@gmail.com if you hope to join a future cohort that is not yet scheduled.
What: EBBC Dad’s Group welcomes fathers with children 0-3 yrs. In this social/support group, dads come together to build community and comradery around the shared experience of fatherhood. The 5-week series will foster community and support around the joys and challenges of being a new/new-ish Dad.
For Who: Fathers with children 0-3 yrs.
By Who: Jesse Cutler has lived in the Bay Area for 20 years. He has two children; 11 and 7 years old. He has been on a path of personal growth for 3 decades. Jesse loves being a dad and also understands how intense and trying parenthood can feel. When Jesse isn’t parenting or running his PR company, you can find him hiking and running on East Bay trails.
When: rotating 5-week cohorts (with added week on the end for a Family Potluck, date TBA).
Next group:
Sundays from 11a-1p, August 17th through September 21st (no group on 8/31). *Please note, if you are looking for a Dads Gathering sooner than August, please check out our Monthly Dads Hikes listed under Events.
Register: Click on the session dates you hope to join above. The fee for this group is $150. Babes in arms welcome! Please email us at eastbaybirthcollective@gmail.com if you hope to join a future cohort that is not yet scheduled.
What: 6 weeks of facilitated connection between mothers with or welcoming their 2nd or beyond child. Together the group will explore themes present in becoming mothers again, reckon with personhood and individuality during years of high need, pressure and change, and build ground for sustained and supportive friendships.
For Who: Mothers of 2 or more children in their first year postpartum, or pregnant with a second child and in your third trimester. Babies in arms welcome and encouraged!
By Who: facilitated by Jess Furst, an Integral Coach, recent mom of 2 - deeply moved by the continued transformation of what it means to be a mother and person, and interested in the beauty and power of what’s possible when we come together
When: rotating 6-week cohorts. Next group:
Monday mornings from 10:30a-12p, August 25th through September 29th (5w session, skipping Labor Day)
Monday mornings from 10:30a-12p, October 20th through November 24th
Register: Click above on the series you’d like to register for. The fee for this group is $215. Babes in arms welcome! Please email us at eastbaybirthcollective@gmail.com if you hope to join a future cohort that is not yet scheduled.
Circles for Parents
We want everyone to have a place to connect with community and support. These consistent, donation-based or low fee spaces offer flexible options to get your needs for connection and support filled. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
What: Our weekly drop-in postpartum circle is here to support you in connecting with other new parents and babies. This is a donation-based offering and welcomes all parents and babies in their first eight months.
There is no ‘late’! Come when you can, leave when you need to. Enjoy lightly structured time to connect and be together. Crying, feeding babies, diaper changes: all encouraged and expected!
For Who: Any parent and pre-crawling baby
By Who: holding and light facilitation by EBBC Founders, Morgan West and Evaly Long
When: every Wednesday, 10-12
Register: No need to sign up ahead of time! Come when you can. Reach out to morgan@hummingbirdmidwifery.com with questions. Suggested donation of $5-20, collected via Venmo at group. Donation not necessary for presence and participation in our group.
What: Our weekly drop-in Weight Check Clinic is here to connect you to other parents feeding babies and offer a space to get basic troubleshooting around your feeding challenges, including checking on your baby’s weight gain and milk transfer with the guidance of a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
There’s no ‘late’! Come when you can, leave when you need to. Enjoy lightly structured time to connect and be together. Crying, feeding babies, diaper changes: all encouraged and expected!
For Who: Breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent and their baby up to 1 year
By Who: lead by EBBC Founder and IBCLC, Laura Howells
When: every Friday, 12:30-3:30
Register: No need to sign up ahead of time! Come when you can. Reach out to laura@wovenlactation.com with questions. Suggested donation of $5-20, collecting via Venmo at group. Donation not necessary for presence and participation in our group.
What: A space for pregnant people at any point during gestation to build community with light facilitation by EBBC’s Birthworkers - connection, support, and light snacks.
For Who: any pregnant person!
By Who: the Birthworker team at EBBC
When: first Thursday of the month, 5:30p-7:30p
July 3rd
August 6th (moved to first Wednesday for scheduling conflict)
September 4th
Register: We ask a $15 registration fee for Circles at EBBC to support the sustainability of our space and our facilitators. If you need a sliding scale, please inquire. No one is turned away for lack of funds. If a circle is full, please reach out for the waitlist as there are often some spots that open!
What: A space for families who have lost pregnancies to be supported in a community of people who understand. Facilitated connection and discussion with emergent topics based on the needs of the group.
For Who: Parents who've lost a baby during pregnancy. Please reach out to Danielle to know if it would be appropriate for other family members to attend or if you've experienced an infant loss in the first year.
By Who: Danielle Schell, MPH and doula, who has has supported many families through loss at all stages of pregnancy
When: monthly on a Monday evening, 7-8:30p
June 9th
Register: We ask a $15 registration fee for Circles at EBBC to support the sustainability of our space and our facilitators. If you need a sliding scale, please inquire. No one is turned away for lack of funds. If a circle is full, please reach out for the waitlist as there are often some spots that open! Registration covers 1-2 parents.
What: This monthly Circle is for queer parents and parents-to-be seeking connection around their experiences of pregnancy/preparing for baby and transitioning into postpartum life/parenthood. Naomi will offer facilitated connection and discussion of emergent topics based on the evolving needs of the circle and its members.
Enjoy lightly structured time to connect and be together. Crying, feeding babies, diaper changes: all encouraged and expected!
For Who: Queer parents & parents-to-be (pre-crawling babies welcome!)
By Who: Holding and light facilitation by Naomi Drexler, Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist and queer mom who is deeply passionate about the healing and protective powers of being in community through major life transitions.
When: This group is monthly, typically held the 3rd Sundays of the month from 1-3pm (check EBBC calendar for specific dates and times as they are sometimes subject to shift/change).
Upcoming dates: May 18th - 3-5pm
June 22nd - 1-3pm
July 20th - 1-3pm
Register: Registration requested with $15 fee per family. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
What: This monthly Circle is for queer folx who are journeying towards parenthood. Queer folx trying to conceive and build a family can experience unique challenges, dilemmas, and questions in a society that is not built to reflect or support them. Navigating these realities without communal support can be confusing, isolating and overwhelming. This space is intended to provide an opportunity for queer folx to connect around their unique experiences of making family, and gain support from those who understand what that journey can look and feel like in all its forms.
For Who: Queer folx trying to conceive.
By Who: Holding and light facilitation by Naomi Drexler, Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist and queer mom who is deeply passionate about the healing and protective powers of being in community through major life transitions.
When: Monthly, typically 3rd Mondays from 6:30-8pm (check EBBC calendar for specific dates and times as they are sometimes subject to shift/change).
Upcoming dates: May 19th - 6:30-8pm
June 16th - 6:30-8pm
July 21 - 6:30-8pm
Register: Registration requested with $15 fee per family. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Special Events
What: An opportunity for families looking for Birthworker and Doula support to meet, connect, and ask questions of local providers available for birth and postpartum support.
For Who: Any pregnant families. It is highly recommended to attend before your third trimester to increase likelihood of finding available support. Primary partner or support person encouraged to join.
By Who: facilitated by Elyse Schroeder, Birthworker, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator. A group of 5-6 local doulas will be available to meet.
When: this is a monthly offering on the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30p. Upcoming Dates:
June 25th
Switching to Thursdays in July - details coming!
Register: No cost, though RSVP is necessary to attend as space is limited.
*If you are a local Birthworker with client openings who would like to join the panel, please email us at eastbaybirthcollective@gmail.com with your availability and preferred dates of the scheduled sessions above*
What: An adults only movie night featuring movies that center parenthood and bring in the realness and the laughs!
For Who: All EBBC community members, adults only.
By Who: EBBC team :)
Register: Seats are limited, so please reserve a seat. Suggested donation of $10-20 made through Venmo.
Nightbitch: Friday, June 20th 7:00-9:30pm
What: A space to bring high-interest conversations that can be difficult to have and/or don’t have enough space for reflection in common parenting and perinatal culture.
For Who: Parents, providers, and anyone who wants to learn and discuss these topics in judgement-free space.
By Who: the Speaker Series is held by Robyn Alagona Culture, LMFT, and will feature professionals in our community
NEXT SPEAKER: Breaking Free from Bounce-Back Culture w/ Rachel Cole
Sunday, June 22nd from 10:30-12:30
Register: $30/person
FUTURE SPEAKER: Sex & Intimacy in the Perinatal Time w/ Natashia Fuksman
*Postponed! New date pending!* please email us if you would like to be a part of this speaker event (eastbaybirthcollective@gmail.com)
What: We’re hosting a season of Monthly Dads Hikes for a chance to meet other local dads and build community out in nature.
For Who: Dads of 0-3 year olds, expecting Dads welcome! For our hike, babies in carriers are most welcome. The trail is not stroller friendly.
By Who: Jesse Cutler has lived in the Bay Area for 20 years. He has two children; 11 and 7 years old. He has been on a path of personal growth for 3 decades. Jesse loves being a dad and also understands how intense and trying parenthood can feel. When Jesse isn’t parenting or running his PR company, you can find him hiking and running on East Bay trails.
When:
Sundays, 10:00a-12:00p — June 22nd, July 20th
Come to one or come to all!
Register: Click the register button to RSVP for one of the monthly hikes. We’ll share information about the meet up spot nearer to our hike date. There is no fee associated with Monthly Dads Hikes.
What: Indulge in the perfect blend of care and relaxation. Allay and Embodied Pelvic Health are teaming up with East Bay Birth Collective to bring you the ultimate Mama & Baby Spa Day experience! This one-hour experience is thoughtfully designed to nurture both you and your baby, offering expert assessments and soothing therapies for just $75.
What’s Included:
• Diastasis Recti & Pelvic Floor Assessment (20 minutes)
• Mini Massage (20 minutes)
• Baby Craniosacral Therapy (20 minutes)
For Who: Any birthing parent and precrawling baby.
By Who: facilitated by Michelle Kwock, IBCLC/lactation consultant, Stephanie Kwock, CMT/massage therapist, and Samantha Zgraggen, OT/occupational therapist.
When: Mama & Baby Spa Day is offered once a month.
Thursday, June 26th from 1PM-3PM
Tuesday, July 22nd from 1PM-3PM
Tuesday, August 19th from 11:30AM-1:30PM
Register: To sign up, please email info@carebyallay.com with the subject "EBBC Mama & Baby Spa Day" to secure your spot. The fee for this workshop is $75 for 1 hour, 20-minutes with each provider. Please bring your baby! Please email us at info@carebyallay.com if you hope to join a future cohort that is not yet scheduled.
What: Rachael Shepard-Ohta of Hey, Sleepy Baby and Robyn Alagona Cutler, LMFT, of The Postpartum Therapist will gather once again for a local mama's meetup. They will talk about two of the most pressing and important topics; baby sleep and maternal mental health.
There will be lots of time for Q & A and meeting other local moms of babies and toddlers.
For Who: Moms with babies and toddlers (0-3 years).
When: October 18th from 1PM-3PM
Register: $30/per person - babes in arms welcome (registration link coming soon!)
What: An opportunity to pass along your lightly used pregnancy and baby clothes or gear, or gather necessary items for your pregnancy and babe!
For Who: All perinatal people!
When: We’ll be back in the fall!! Stay tuned :)
How it works: we’re asking a suggested admission price of $15-30 which will get you an EBBC tote bag to fill up with your swap items. No one is turned away for lack of funds, and any contribution is greatly appreciated! Follow the ‘Learn More’ link to see what items we can and cannot accept as part of the swap.
Looking to build community as a Perinatal Provider?
Visit our ‘For Professionals’ page.