San Diego Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Support Groups

 

PLEASE NOTE: Community groups are not vetted by PHA and, as a result, PHA does not endorse any of the below groups or the information that may be shared within them. We do our best to update this list regularly, but please contact facilitators ahead of time to learn more and verify all information.

 

Browse our ever-growing list of educational, support, and therapeutic groups below.

If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please contact our warmline and a trained PHA volunteer would be happy to assist you in finding a support group near you.

If you would like to add a perinatal support group to our resource page, please email info@postpartumhealthalliance.org.

 

COVID Resources: In response to local health recommendations, many facilitators have moved their groups online. Please view our NEW list of virtual support groups below.

IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUPS

In-Person Support Groups

Hillcrest

Transitions Women’s Group (Please Contact)

Are you going through a life transition, such as a new relationship, the birth of a child, divorce, parenting challenges, medical condition, menopause, empty nest, or loss of a loved one? We all go through periods in our life when a little extra support could be helpful. Our goal is to create a community of women in support of one another as we re-define identities, build self-awareness and esteem, take on new roles, or adjust to life stages. In doing so, we hope to identify and work towards our preferred ways of living and engaging with the world around us.

Email Mona to reserve your spot. Fee: $300 (prepaid) Duration: Ten 90-minute weekly sessions. Group Facilitator: Mona Klausing, LMFT, Licensed Therapist & Co-Director  NISD Counseling: 3636 Fifth Avenue, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-786-5850; Email: mona@nisdcounseling.org, Web: www.monaklausing.com

Rest & Reset- Therapist Support Group

Being in the helping profession is meaningful and gratifying work. We strive to be there for our clients – in support of their hopes and preferences for their lives. Yet, sometimes the focus on others leaves little time and resources for our own lives. If you are feeling weighed down, in need of self-care and time to rest & reset – you are not alone. We all need a space where we can reflect on our own experiences and challenges, so that we have the energy and clarity to help others. Join us in creating a supportive space together. Licensed and pre-licensed behavioral health professionals (MFTs, LPCCs, MSWs, Psychologists and Psychiatric Nurses) welcome.

Email Mona to reserve your spot. Fee: $300 (prepaid) Duration: Ten 90-minute weekly sessions. Group Facilitator: Mona Klausing, LMFT, Licensed Therapist & Co-Director  NISD Counseling: 3636 Fifth Avenue, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-786-5850; Email: mona@nisdcounseling.org, Web: www.monaklausing.com

 

Kearny Mesa

My Brain & My Baby

Miracle Babies offers My Brain & My Baby, a Perinatal Mental Wellness program providing group therapeutic counseling led by licensed clinicians through telemedicine and in-person sessions. Led by Marleys Padilla, LCSW, PMH-C, these groups help parents navigate topics like complicated pregnancies and NICU journeys, with sessions available in both English and Spanish.
All NICU parents can also shop for FREE at our Baby Boutique!
For more information or to register, email us at info@miraclebabies.org.

 

Basic Training for New Dads (Please Contact)

Expectant fathers enjoy an informal, hands-on class that provides practical information and a real boost of confidence about handling the baby's impending arrival. Participants connect with other expectant dads, and also have the opportunity to talk with a “veteran dad” who has been through the class and brings his infant with him to the class. Dads-to-be get to hear directly from the new dad about his experience—and practice diapering, swaddling, soothing, and burping the baby.

Classes will be held in the La Jolla/UTC area. Participants will be notified of the specific location in advance of the class. Classes held on a Saturday, 9:00 am- noon and up to 15 dads.

 

La Mesa

The Parent’s Circle: Parenting and Chest/Breastfeeding Support Group

Spend time with other families and babies. Learn and share valuable parenting advice. Find out how much breast milk your baby is getting with a pre- and post-feed weight. Latch, positioning, and other chest/breastfeeding assistance will be offered by a registered lactation consultant or lactation educator.

The Parent’s Circle is led by Bre Booren, IBCLC. Donation based. Located at San Diego Breastfeeding Center 8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942. Fridays from 10a-11am. Register here.

 

SHARP Pregnancy and Childbirth Classes

Pregnancy and childbirth classes in San Diego. Classes to help expecting parents get ready for their new arrival, including preparing for labor and delivery.
Grief support group for bereaved parents (for parents of any child who spent time out of the womb)
Grief is a natural process following the death of an important person in someone’s life. While grief is universal, a parent never expects to lose a child, making this type of grief extremely unique and isolating. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Connecting with others who have also experienced a child loss can provide an easier path toward healing. Faciliated by Alex Mers, LPCC #12122. To register, contact help@freedomwithincenter.com; 619-363-1920

 

Murrieta

Mom's Coffee Break

For all moms - wherever you are in your postpartum journey. Join us for a time of support and connection the first Saturday of each month at 10am at Intazza Coffee: 38860 Sky Canyon Dr. in Murrita. Contact therapy@ashlynacikalin.com with questions.

 

North County

Awaken: Rediscovering You Beyond Motherhood is back after a summer hiatus! Geared toward creating a safe and supportive space for moms to connect to explore themes of identity, well-being, self-discovery, growth, shame, and vulnerability throughout the motherhood experience.
Combining a clinician-led support circle with expert mind-body healing with Sound and Movement coach, Shir Eyal, this group is a great opportunity for moms to engage in a journey of wellness and self-compassion and to cultivate meaningful relationships with other moms. The Awaken workshop series is part of a full platform of services being developed to specifically meet the social emotional needs of mothers.
Dates available between September 2024 through May 2025. Group is co-facilitated by Sarah Greenstein, LCSW. For details and dates, visit the link Awaken, Rediscovering You Beyond Motherhood.

North Park

San Diego Mommy + Me
A 7-week group series for new moms. Open to all moms with babies 0-12 months; this is a supportive + educational group series designed to help you navigate your experience, combat information overload, and surround yourself with people who "get it." Created and facilitated by Renata Cameron, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and mom of two, each 7-week series meets once a week for 90 minutes. Group registration opens monthly. www.sdmommyandme.com

 

Free Lactation Support Group

Facilitator: Candace Hallak IBCLC
Dates: Weekly group every Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Baby Garten Studio 1947 30TH ST SAN DIEGO 92102
This free group is open to the public! Shoe-free room please bring socks & small blanket for baby. Please carry baby from car so we can save our limited indoor stroller parking for those who walk or take public transit.
RSVP by text to Candace 619-820-3238
This is an 8-week workshop series for new mothers. The goal of this workshop is to help mothers of 6 week to 6 month-old infants to reconnect with their bodies, bond with their baby, and grow their mom tribe. We cover topics important in the perinatal stage like yoga wrist stretches, pelvic floor and core strengthening flows, and stretches to counteract breastfeeding strain. You can learn more at our website.
Free prenatal/postpartum Pilates classes, support group & prenatal advocacy for Black moms. Contact Michele Schlanbusch: 619-333-0323, or email: tobeboundless@gmail.com for details.

Ocean Beach

Purpose: To gather new moms and help them through the adjustment period of new motherhood.
We offer expert advice from specialists in pelvic floor recovery, mental health, feeding, navigating self care and more. At the completion of the group, we encourage everyone to continue meeting up through casual dates and keeping in touch over whatsapp.
Location: Reunify Yoga outdoor yoga deck 4862 Voltaire St, Ocean Beach
Dates: September 17th - October 22nd, Tuesdays : 9:00-10:30 am, 6 week series
Pricing: Sliding Scale ($20, $30, $40 or $115 for all 6 sessions )
Facilitator: Jackie Kowalik from Yoga Jawn
Registration link and/or contact info: https://www.reunifyyoga.com/themamavillage

 

Point Loma

SparkMamas MeetUp

Join our pregnancy support group starting September 2023! A 4-week program that offers a safe and supportive space for mothers to build connections with other moms as they navigate pregnancy and parenthood. This group is meant to provide a non-judgmental space for expectant moms, resources for navigating mental health and overall well-being, and authentic community connection.

4-week Program: Sept 19, Sept 26, Oct 3, Oct 10
When: Tuesdays 12 pm-1 pm
Where: Song Birds Music, 2650 Truxtun Rd #109, San Diego (located in Liberty Station)
Week 1: PMADs 101/Mental Health during pregnancy
Week 2: Navigating Interpersonal Relationships
Week 3: What to Expect: Birth Anxiety
Week 4: Postpartum Planning: Thrive with Baby
Cost: $30 a class, 4 class package for $90
Moderated by: Betsy Muirhead, Associate Marriage Family Therapist  (AMFT140900) Supervised by Amber Rukaj, LMFT (CA LMFT No. 47649)
Contact Betsy at bmuirhead22@gmail.com for any questions.

 

Vista

4th Trimester - Postpartum Group

New time and location!

Fridays - 9:30am-10:30am in person at Babies in Bloom in Vista, CA or via Zoom

https://www.babies-in-bloom.com/classes-events/#the-4th-trimester--postpartum-support-group

Questions, contact Rachel Davis, MFT  (soon to be Rachel Vierra, MFT)

Private Practice number: 760-517-6612

Website:  racheldavismft.com

Breastfeeding Support Groups

Kearney Mesa

SHARP Breastfeeding Support Group

Breastfeeding Support Group at Sharp Mary Birch

Sharp HealthCare is committed to helping you give your baby the best possible start in life. This support group is devised to help new parents and their babies learn from others about their successes and challenges with breastfeeding. Attendees will walk away with new ideas and techniques to try and improve their own breastfeeding success at home.
This support group is FREE and registration is not required. Fathers/partners are welcome to attend. Out of consideration for others in the group, please refrain from attending if you are sick or think you might be contagious.
Date: Tuesdays and Fridays
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Offered by Sharp Mary Birch Hospital
Where: Sharp Learning Resource Center Suite 250
8008 Frost St
San Diego, CA 92123

La Mesa

Melanin SD

A support group for parents who are working and chest/breastfeeding. From preparing to go back to work, to work pumping schedule advice, to all things chest/breastfeeding, you will receive valuable information and resources to make educated and informed decisions on your lactating journey. This group has a focus on supporting working parents and marginalized communities.

This group is led by Chardá Bell, IBCLC, CBE, CD. No fee for this group. San Diego Breastfeeding Center 8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942. First Thursday of the month from 5:30p-6:30p. Register here.

Mission Valley

Bereaved Parents Grief Support group
Facilitator: Alex Mers, LPCC #12122


When: 
Wednesdays starting September 18, 2024
Time: 
4:30pm-5:30pm
Where: 
In person at FWC (option to switch to virtual if preferred by majority of participants)
2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305; San Diego, CA 92108

Total number of sessions:

10

Who:

Any parent grieving the death of a child (age infant-18). Couples are welcome to attend together.

Cost:

$350/person for the entire 10 weeks ($35 per week)

 
The Grief and Loss group is currently on hold, but any clients interested in attending are welcome to join the waitlist through the page!

The Parent's Circle: Parenting and Chest/Breastfeeding Support

Spend time with other families and babies. Learn and share valuable parenting advice. Find out how much breast milk your baby is getting with a pre- and post-feed weight. Latch, positioning, and other chest/breastfeeding assistance will be offered by a registered lactation consultant or lactation educator.

Group Info:

Led by Ruth Hale, IBCLC, Fee:$5. There are no refunds if you cannot make support group.
Place:San Diego Breastfeeding Center (8325 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942)
Date and Time:Fridays, 10a-11am

Registration is required:Register here

North County

A free weekly support group for mothers located in North County San Diego looking to connect with other breastfeeding mommas! Join us to weight your baby on our hospital grade scale and receive support from two IBCLC’s and other mommas! Led by Jaren Soloff, RD IBCLC (practice owner) and Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC (IBCLC in practice for over 20 years) For more info: https://www.fullcrcl.co/lactationconsultant

Group held at: 1782 La Costa Meadows Drive Suite 104 San Marcos, CA 92078