We are excited to be collaborating with The Parent Collective to bring their innovative prenatal series to Saratoga Springs. The classes will begin in September and will be held at Broadway Coffee Co.
Here is more information about The Parent Collective:
At The Parent Collective, prenatal education is more than just a course—it's a lifeline for expectant parents. The comprehensive programs offered are specifically designed to empower and support parents-to-be as they embark on the incredible journey of parenthood.
The Origin Story
The Parent Collective was founded by Jessica Hill in response to her experiences giving birth in the UK. There, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has been supporting parents for over 80 years, helping expectant couples build local communities. For Jessica and her husband, the NCT experience was invaluable.
Living far from family and their usual support network, they formed lasting friendships through the program. However, upon returning to the US, Jessica noticed that many expectant parents lacked similar opportunities to find friends during this significant transition. Most parents only make these connections when their child starts preschool, leading to years of isolation.
Friends without children might not understand the challenges new parents face, and friends with older kids often forget the visceral experiences of early parenthood. Navigating the first outing alone with a baby, dealing with an explosive diaper at the pediatrician’s office, or coping with exhaustion from a growth spurt are challenges best understood by those experiencing them simultaneously.
Childbirth Education in Saratoga Springs
The classes at The Parent Collective use education as a foundation for building connections. Over four weeks, participants learn about various aspects of parenthood:
Session 1: Understanding late pregnancy and early labor, including symptoms like contractions and water breaking, preparing a birth plan, and what to expect during these crucial stages.
Session 2: Techniques for relaxation during early labor, c-sections, pain relief options like epidurals or natural methods, and choosing between vaginal delivery or surgical options.
Session 3: Feeding advice for newborns, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Topics include proper latching, effective pumping and milk storage, establishing feeding schedules, and managing challenges like engorgement or nipple pain.
Session 4: Newborn care essentials, such as bonding, soothing techniques for colic or fussiness, establishing sleep routines, and practical tips for diapering, swaddling, burping, and bathing. This class also covers postpartum transition and how to set oneself up for success.
After the due dates, the group meets one last time on Zoom for a post-delivery meet-up to reflect on birth experiences, share stories, and discuss the emotional and practical adjustments of becoming a parent. This includes coping with sleep deprivation, seeking support networks, and celebrating the joys amidst the challenges of parenthood.
Throughout the series, the teachers, who are all nurses and midwives, create an environment that encourages questions, discussion, and opportunities for connection. By week three, couples often organize dinners, brunches, group chats, and form fast friendships. This lasting legacy of the program is a community to lean on and grow with.
Why We Partnered with The Parent Collective
Many new mothers feel isolated, with identities shifting overnight. Having other women who are experiencing similar feelings is crucial for braving the transition together. The Parent Collective helps mothers find those friendships while they still feel like themselves.
Venturing out while adjusting to the steep learning curve of having a baby is challenging. Meeting other moms and dads who are in the weeds makes it easier to laugh or cry about it together.
Maternity leaves are short, and establishing a support network from day one helps working moms navigate the often-bumpy transition back to work.
About 1 in 7 women and 1 in 10 men struggle postpartum with some form of anxiety or depression. Having a friend to talk to is a recommended coping strategy.
Expectant dads and partners often don’t realize the vital roles they play in both labor and in caring for their newborn and healing partner. The Parent Collective empowers them to step into these roles and provides a starting point for important conversations before the baby arrives.
The Parent Collective’s parent-centered prenatal education, free from judgment, creates space to prepare for all delivery and parenting choices.
For more information and to register for classes, head to The Parent Collective's website
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