As a new mom, I found myself longing to be in community with other mothers. I wanted to talk to moms who were in a similar phase of life that I was having just given birth. I felt this strong emotional post-birth rawness, I was shocked with the process of postpartum healing, and I also wanted to talk about nursing, babies, sleep, and how much I was getting pooped on. As a first time mom, I had a ton of questions especially about breastfeeding. So I bundled up my newborn son and off I went to breastfeeding support group. Breastfeeding group was so much more for me than just going to ask questions. I ended up learning a wealth of women's wisdom about nursing from all the other women's questions and concerns, it was sometimes my excuse to shower that day, or not, and it was just nice to be in community with other new moms. 

Breastfeeding group was helpful for me later on as well. I made it a point to get to a breastfeeding support group when I was gearing up to go back to work and I had a ton of questions about pumping and schedules, I visited when I began to introduce solids, and then again when I was beginning the process of weaning. Most support groups are lead by a breastfeeding councilor or certified lactation consultant and others are peer to peer groups. 

There are a abundant amount of local lactation support groups for nursing women here in Cleveland! Check out our list below to see what group meets near you or that works best with your schedule. Also, if you are looking for private one on one lactation support we offer in home breastfeeding support services and classes at The Womb Wellness Center. You can learn more by clicking HERE or giving us a call at 828-231-6159 to schedule an appointment. ​


Breastfeeding support groups are helpful for: 

• Trouble shooting and learning creative solutions to make nursing more enjoyable 
• ​Emotional Support 
• Help with establishing or improving latch
• To learn a variety of positions for nursing
• Getting information on pumping, milk storage, and back to work tips
• Help with introducing a bottle to baby 
• Support on how to establish, maintain, or boost milk supply
• Information on introducing solids
• Toddler nursing support
• Weaning support 

 ****** For anyone seeing this list now, it is from 2017 and some of the groups may have moved. Please call and double-check the dates since they may have shifted. 
Breastfeeding Support Groups in the Greater Cleveland Area 

Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio
Prep+ Working Moms Breastfeeding Support Group: Meets the first Thursday of the month from 10:30-12:00pm at Senders Pediatics 2054 S Green Rd, South Euclid, Ohio 44121

Breastfeeding USA Westside Chapter

General Breastfeeding Meeting: Fourth Tuesday of every month at 7pm 15800 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107, Suite D

Nursing Toddlers and Preschoolers: First Friday of the Month 10:00-12:00 at the North Olmsted Library
27403 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070

La Leche League of Ohio

Cleveland Heights
Meets the second Friday of the month 10-12:00pm at the Cleveland Heights Library 2345 Lee Rd Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Cleveland Westside Suburbs
LLL of Lakewood meets twice a month: The second Wednesday at 10 a.m. and the third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at rotating locations on the west side of Cleveland, OH 

Painsville
Once a month- date varies 10:00-12:00pm  Morley Library 184 Phelps St, Painesville, Ohio 44077

Geneva
1st Friday of the Month 10-12:00pm Geneva Public Library 

Middlefield 
2nd Thursday of the Month 10-12:00pm at the Middlefield Library 16167 E High St, Middlefield, Ohio 44062

Cleveland Clinic Breastfeeding Support Groups

Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center
Auditorium A, Lower Level, Crown Center Building 5001 Rockside Road, Independence 44131 Phone: 216.986.4000 | Tues. 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Cleveland Clinic Solon Family Health Center
29800 Bainbridge Road, Solon, 44139, Fourth floor conference room Phone: 440.519.6800 | Weds. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cleveland Clinic Strongsville Family Health and Surgery Center
Strongsville Family Health Center, 16761 South Park Center, Strongsville 44136 , Community Room A
Phone: 440.878.2500 | Weds. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills Family Health Center
2570 SOM Center Road, Willoughby Hills, 44094 Phone: 440.516.8312 | Thurs. 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Fairview Wellness Center, Room 205
3035 Wooster Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116
Phone: 440.356.0347
Mon., Tues., Weds., Fri. 1 to 3 p.m. | Thurs. 5 to 7 p.m.
Hillcrest Hospital, North Campus
Across from Hillcrest Hospital, West Entrance
Phone: 440.312.5332
Tues. & Fri. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | 1st & 3rd Weds. 6 to 7 p.m.
Lakewood Hospital Nursing Mom’s Chat
Lakewood United Methodist Church, 15700 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 44107 Lakewood Family Room, Basement
Phone: 216.529.5018 | Weds. 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Medina Hospital Family Birthing Center (Second Floor)
1000 E. Washington St., Medina, OH 44256 Phone: 330.721.5090 | Thurs. 1 to 3 p.m. 

Lake Health

TriPoint Medical Center: 7590 Auburn Road, Concord Twp., OH 44077 - TriPoint Physician Pavilion, Lubrizol Conference Room 2 Breastfeeding support group meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am the third Wednesday of the  month at 6:00pm
​
University Hospitals 

UH Elyria Medical Center
630 East River Street Elyria, OH 44035 Support groups meets on Mondays and Fridays at 11:00am and  Wednesdays at 6:00pm 

St. John Medical Center: Breastfeeding support group meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the Community Outreach Room 29000 Center Ridge Road Westlake,Ohio 44145

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
​

First of all, I can't even begin to put into words how excited I am about the upcoming Spinning Babies workshop in Cleveland. Eeeks! My inner birth nerd is totally geeking out. Gail Tully is doing amazing work for birthing mamas. She is know for being the "Spinning Babies" lady who teaches women how to create optimal fetal positioning. She teaches belly mapping so mothers can figure out the positions of their child in the womb. She has exercises to help women prepare their body for birth and to turn breech babies. She also has tools to help birth doulas or their care providers recognize labor signs of a mispositioned baby and what to do turn him or her in labor. Her website www.spinningbabies.com is for both expecting mothers and birth professionals and it has a wealth of information. Each time I visit her website I learn new tools for my massage and doula clients.  I have passed along her website countless times to expecting mamas. I encourage you to explore her site or join me at her workshop!

The Spinning Babies workshop is on Thursday May 1st or Friday May 2nd from 8:30-5:30pm. You can visit her website to register http://spinningbabies.com/classes/calendar-of-events.

Just as the leaves are changing color I am finding myself shifting and changing getting ready to shed my maidenhood as I transition to mother. I am preparing my nest and feeding my soul. Which means I am slowing down, honoring my body by resting and nourishing myself and my baby. I find joy in walks in the woods, practicing yoga, receiving a rejuvenating massage and getting chiropractic adjustments. At home I listen to music and make time to curl up with a book and a cup of hot herbal tea. 

At 35 weeks, I am thinking more and more about my upcoming birth. As I explore my wishes, anxieties, and excitement I feel something huge is happening. Or is about to happen. Like I am on the brink of this massive change. I am not just going to birth my first child but I am birthing myself as a mother. It's emotional and women need to make time to be alone, to go inward, to discover and explore these feelings.  I have learned that what pregnant women really need at this time is gentleness, tenderness, and understanding. Someone to acknowledge that its not just birth you must prepare for but its motherhood. The transition to motherhood.  We must honor and respect each women's journey to motherhood. How are you honoring this transition through your pregnancy or for your loved one?

After I found out I was pregnant my husband remarked one afternoon that we should go to the library to get some pregnancy books. I just laughed and pointed to my bookshelf. "Honey," I said "I have them all right there." While working with prenatal massage and doula clients over the past five or six years I feel as if I have read every book I could get my hands on about fertility, pregnancy, birth, doulas, and postpartum care. There are countless books to help women prepare for childbirth, connect with their babies, and take care of their bodies during pregnancy. Below is a list of a few of my favorites that I felt were worth re-reading and my top five go to recommendations to my prenatal massage and doula clients.

Top Five Must Read Pregnancy Books:

1. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin (Really any of her books, Spiritual Midwifery, Birth Matters, or Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding)
Highlights: Other women's Birth Stories, Women's Empowerment, Getting a feeling of the deep trust in women's bodies and women's wisdom to birth naturally.
2. The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dad's, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions, by Penny Simkin
Highlights: Wonderful break down of the various roles of a laboring women's support team, great list of comfort measures, and a general understanding of how labor works.
3. Birthing From Within, by Pam England
Hightlights: Hands down the best childbirth preparation book, creative ways to unleash and overcome fears of childbirth and prepare for birth.
4. Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful, by Gurmukh
Highlights: Helps you to tap into the spiritual aspect of pregnancy, yoga poses and meditations to bring you back into your body and connect with your baby.
5. Wise Women Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susan Weed
Hightlights: A go to manual for finding natural ways to ease and eliminate pregnancy symptoms.

If you have been to the Womb Wellness Center recently many of you have noticed that Jolynn is expecting her first child! She is due with a sweet baby boy at the end of November. She is feeling great and will continue to provide massage therapy services until sometime in November. She will out of the office from the end of November through January 2014. Jolynn will return to offer massage and doula services after maternity leave but we will have to keep you posted as to when her official maternity leave dates will be.  As far as doula services, she has decided not to take on any new clients with due dates before Spring 2014. If you or anyone you know is due before March 2014 and is interested hiring a doula we would be happy to pass along our doula referral list.

The Womb Wellness Center is a vendor at the Big Red Wagon Maternity and Kids Consignment Sale on the East Side of Cleveland this Weekend. Stop by the Womb Wellness Center's vendor booth to say hello! We are offering chair massage, raffling off a FREE 60 Minute Massage, and selling Womb Wellness Center Gift Certificates for 30% off.
August 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2013
Thursday from 9am-8pm
Friday from 9am-8pm
Saturday 9am-1pm

Location:
27627 Chardon Rd
Willoughby Hills, OH 44092

A Rebozo is traditionally used in Mexico, its a long woven piece of cloth that is wrapped around the body in various ways to support a pregnant or laboring women, it can also be used as a baby carrier, or a shawl. Rebozo's are a wonderful tool to use to help improve your comfort in pregnancy and during your birth process.

How can a Rebozo can help during pregnancy and labor?

• It is used to relax tight ligaments and muscles during pregnancy.
  
• Helps a birthing women surrender into her labor by relaxing her physical body.
  
• A Rebozo can be used to help a baby rotate into an optimal position during pregnancy or birth.
• It can be helpful for a birthing women to pull on during pushing stage of labor to help aid in the decent of her baby.
  

I will unfortunately be out of town and will be missing this event. But I thought many of you would be interested in taking this wonderful Rebozo class. Gena Kirby will be leading the Cleveland Rebozo Workshop in August and class details are listed below.

A workshop on using the Rebozo in Pregnancy and Labor for Doulas, Midwives, and Parents with Gena Kirby

Sunday August 4th, 2013
2:00-7:00pm
Medina, Ohio (exact location TBA)

''The Rebozo has been used for comfort during pregnancy and labor in Mexico for years. My hope is to share this special tool and skill set with birth partners, doulas, grandmas, dads etc. The rebozo empowers the birthing woman and her partner, they are connected to each other through the rebozo. This class is 5 hours and is broken up into three separate parts. The first focuses on Relaxation then we move on to comfort and positioning then onto strength in labor.'' - Gena Kirby

• Early Bird Tickets - $100
• Expecting Couples Tickets - $75
• General Admission Tickets - $125

For more information you can visit the Facebook invitation https://www.facebook.com/events/631575546853612/