Great Expectations-Afterglow Support Group

The Afterglow: A Postpartum Support Group for new parents (UCSF patients only)
In this four-week postpartum support group, new parents with their babies will gather to share their experiences, discuss the highs and lows of motherhood, learn about the “Baby Blues” and support one another in their new days of parenting. (Recommended for mothers, support person(s) and babies 0-6 months). This group is facilitated by Juli Fraga, PsyD. Psychologist specializing in perinatal wellness and Cherry Jones, CIMI, LMFT.

Sessions: 
March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 2023
May 15, 22, June 5, 12, 2023
Fee: $120 per series, Four sessions per series, 12:00-1:00 pm
*All sessions are held over Zoom due to COVID restrictions.

Learn about the ‘baby blues’ and the emotional changes that can occur after childbirth.

Practice self-care, relaxation techniques, including yoga, which are clinically proven to reduce stress and increase mom’s wellbeing.

Discuss the highs and lows of motherhood in a supportive space.

Connect with other new parents.

 

The Afterglow Group Curriculum

This group deeply covers some of the most poignant topics that arise for women during the postpartum.

Is this a postpartum depression support group? This group is especially for new patients who are struggling with perinatal mood concerns or struggling with the adjustment to parenthood.

Can I bring my baby to group? Absolutely! Group participants are invited to bring their little ones.

Do I have to attend all 6 weeks? While it is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged that participants sign up for the series. This is a way to immerse oneself in the experience and knowledge that will be provided during the group, but most importantly, a way to connect and bond with other group members.

Is this a therapy group? While we will cover a range of therapeutic topics and teach some therapeutic tools for self-care and stress management, this is not a therapy group.

Will my insurance reimburse me for this group? UCSF will not bill insurance for this group series.

Group Outline

Week 1: Introductions and birth stories: The birth of a baby and the birth of a mother.
Role Transitions & the 4th trimester.
Accompanied Reading: The Birth of a Mother by Alexandra Sacks www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/well/family/the-birth-of-a-mother.html

Week 2: Why does Motherhood Make Me Feel Blue?
An overview of postpartum mood/wellness. Education and information about the baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety.
Accompanied Reading: Channel B by Megan Stielstra. https://therumpus.net/2012/11/channel-b/
Accompanied Reading: Having Disturbing Thoughts as a New Parent? Here’s How to Cope by Juli Fraga and Karen Kleiman. www.nytimes.com/2020/07/02/parenting/intrusive-thoughts-scary-images-child-dying.html

Week 3: How to Keep Maternal Guilt from Sabotaging Self-Care 
Self-Care, relaxation skills and stress management.
Accompanied Reading: Mothers Don’t Have to be Martyrs by Pooja Lakshmin https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/parenting/mothers-not-martyrs.html
Accompanied Reading: Saying No is Self-Care for Parents by Pooja Lakshmin https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/16/parenting/burnout-boundaries.html

Week 4: The New Nest: From Partners to Parents
Communication with Partners/Family members: Creative ways to find time for couple/partner connection.
Accompanied Reading: The Secret to a Happy Marriage is Knowing How to Fight by Daphne de Marneffe https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/12/opinion/sunday/engagement-marriage-conflict.html

Week 5: What is a “Good Enough Mother?”
How our childhood experiences shape the parents we become: An overview of attachment theory.
Accompanied Reading: How Parents Are Made by Juli Fraga https://aeon.co/essays/learn-your-own-attachment-style-to-become-a-better-parent

Week 6: Choosing a Childcare Provider
When it comes to childcare, many options are available. We’ll review the basics and discuss how to emotionally prepare for the “return to work.”
Accompanied reading: Return to Work Post-Covid: Tips for Parents www.inceptive.co/articles/return-to-work-and-childcare

Online Resources

Books

Becoming the Parent You Want To Be, Laura Davis & Janis Keyser

The Birth of a Mother: How the Motherhood Experience Changes You Forever, Daniel Stern, MD

Mindful Birthing, Nancy Bardacke, CNM Mothering Without a Map, Kathryn Black

Parenting from the Inside Out, Daniel Siegel, MD & Mary Hartzell, MEd

Register by phone or online:
UCSF Great Expectations Pregnancy Program
(415) 514-2670

Register