Do you want to learn more about the birth process, be in community with other women, find support and encouragement during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time? I encourage you to attend a women's circle, birth group, gathering, or meeting as a way to educate and prepare yourself for your birth. Or you can even start your own!

There are a variety of free monthly meetings that are open to the public all around the Greater Cleveland area. These birth group meetings are open to women who are planning a hospital or home birth and those who are pregnant or postpartum (babies welcome!). 





Northeast Ohio Birth Support Groups and Women's Circles that are supporting women throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time.

About Birth Choices Educational Meetings- Hosted by Cleveland home birth midwife Pam Kolanz
When: Meets the third Monday of each month at 7pm
Location: Bainbridge Library 17222 Snyder Road Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023

Circle of Life Birth Group- Hosted by Cleveland home birth midwife Rosie Messina 
When: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm
Location: Circle of Life 15800 Detroit Ave Lakewood, OH 44177 

Home Birth Options Monthly Meetings- Hosted by Cleveland home birth midwife Kimberly French 
When: Every 4th Monday except Dec at 7:00pm
Location: Pilgrim Congregational Church 2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland Ohio 441137:00to 9:00 p.m.

ICAN(International Cesearean Awareness Network) of Greater Cleveland
When: Meets second Wednesday of each month at 7pm
Location: Brookyln Branch Library 4480 Ridge Rd Brooklyn, OH 44144

Mother Rising Birth Story Circle- Hosted by studio owners Shauna Rich and Danielle Breech
When: Meets the Fourth Tuesday of each month at 7pm
Location: Mother Rising 137 Main Street Chardon, OH 44024

Natural Childbirth Network of Lake County- Hosted by Jenna Hall
When: No regular meetings, check their Facebook page for upcoming events 
Location: Lake County- Location varies
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My yoga practice has been an integral part of my life for close to 15 years now. Naturally, when I was pregnant my practice provided me with an opportunity to quiet down and listen to my body, connect with my baby, and most of all help me prepare my body for my birth. Yoga helped to keep my mind sane and relieved the aches and pains from my growing belly. It was such a wonderful way to nourish my body and baby throughout my pregnancy. I often encourage my prenatal massage clients to find a local prenatal yoga class to learn various yoga poses to help relieve muscle tension between massages.

Many of the yoga breathing techniques can be used in labor as well. Just like you can go deep and find the strength to hold a pose you despise for over a minute in a yoga class you can use that same strength and determination to work through a contraction in labor.  Similar to being in a yoga pose, during birth we are releasing and surrendering, using our breath, and our focus. You can do anything for a minute! Contractions come and go but you always get a break. Yoga is a wonderful self care tool to help guide you through your pregnancy and birth gracefully. 

Here is a current list (as of Oct 2015) of yoga studios in Northeast Ohio that offer yoga classes to pregnant women. There are a variety of prenatal classes in the greater Cleveland area some are very slow and restorative and others are more invigorating but hopefully you will find a class that will help to quiet your mind, ease your aches, and leave you feeling stronger and more confident in your body. 


Abide Yoga
Prental Yoga Thursdays at 5:30-6:45pm 
Location: 12732 Larchmere Cleveland, OH 44120
 
Awaken Yoga
Prenatal Yoga Sundays 4:00-5:00pm
Location: 7312 Center Street Mentor OH, 44060

Chagrin Yoga
Prenatal Yoga Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm and Saturdays 9:45am
Location: 524 E. Washington Street Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022

Inner Bliss Yoga Studio
Pregnant Goddess Flow Tuesdays 6:15-7:30
Location: 29055 Clemens Road Westlake, Ohio 44145

Insight Learning and Wellness
Prenatal Yoga Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm
Location: 25901 Emery Rd, 112 Warrensville, OH 44128
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Prana Yoga and Dance
Prenatal Yoga Thursdays 8:15-9:15pm
Location: 7976 Broadview Rd, Broadview Heights, OH 44147

Puma Yoga 
Prenatal Yoga Mondays 7:15-8:15, Wednesday 4:45-5:45, and Saturday 12:00-1:15pm
Location: 15602 Detroit Ave Lakewood, OH 44107

The Mandel Jewish Community Center 
Prenatal Yoga Sundays at 11:35am 
Prenatal Pilates Sundays 1:30-2:30pm 
Location: 26001 S. Woodland Road Beachwood, OH 44122 


Enjoy your prenatal yoga practice! 
Jolynn