Staff Reports

Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, is offering Baby Bumps, a no-cost virtual support group for pregnant women.

The group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month and is open to any pregnant woman looking to connect with other moms and create shared experience, especially during this time when making connections can be difficult due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Based on the ROSE (reach out, stay strong, essentials for mothers of newborns) curriculum, Baby Bumps is designed to help pregnant women get connected to resources and social supports while building resiliency and positive coping skills to help reduce postpartum depression and other mental health challenges.

Most new mothers — up to 80% — experience the “baby blues” within a few days of childbirth, according to a news release from Centerstone. This can include weeping for no reason or feeling overwhelmed, irritable or exhausted. This can last a few days to a few weeks.

Some mothers, about 10 to 15%, have a more difficult time with more intense and longer-lasting concerns. These moms may feel like they cannot take care of their baby in the right way, have difficulty caring for themselves or feel like a burden to others. Symptoms could include sleep problems, changes in eating, avoiding others, difficulty making decisions, anxiety or fears about the baby, etc.

To register for the group, send an email to [email protected].