SCHEDULE. Our weekly discussions will center around the following: 

• Week 1: Journey to Meeting Baby

• Week 2: Infant Feeding & Sleep 

• Week 3: Physical Recovery & Your Postpartum Body 

• Week 4: Mental Health & Wellness

• Week 5: Transitioning out of the 4th Trimester-- back to work, or into a new life in at-home parenthood; and whatever else we don't get to!

  We try to keep it fun but also don’t stray from talking about the real. This is a very intense (and beautiful) season of life! If you know now that you’ll miss a week, emai us at hello@cincinnatipostpartum.com, and we can identify a substitute option in an alternative circle if that would feel helpful. 

EXPECTATIONS: Prioritize your needs, always. Come in late or leave early if that's what your baby or needs demand. We can work you in to join virtually one week if that's what the day calls for. You can feed baby, change baby, or pump in the space-- whatever you need. In other words, come as you are-- sweats or jeans, make-up or no make-up, fussy baby or happy baby, fussy mom or happy mom, leaky boobs or spit up covered shirt-- we're all there together.  

INFORMATION PACKET: You'll each receive a printed copy of this resource guide we previously shared. The digital version is useful for links. 

GROUPME: To help participants connect outside of circle sessions, we utilize an app called GroupMe. If you're not familiar, this is essentially a slightly fancier group text-- very seamless to use and newbies to the tool from our past circles have found it simple to adopt. You can download the free app (recommended) or sync to your texts. You can turn notifications off or on, add a profile picture/update your name, and/or mute the app as needed which is really helpful. It has a poll and calendar feature integrated which is useful for meet-ups-- both the formal sessions and any social meetups group members plan. This is a space to connect with each other outside of our circle sessions to build deeper connections. Many circles have continued on with their GroupMe after our circle wraps up. 

• Please post an introduction in the GroupMe intro thread when you have a moment, ideally with a picture of you and baby or your family! It's always nice to walk into a room already knowing someone's name. 

WHAT TO BRING FOR CIRCLE SESSIONS; Some moms like to wear baby in a wrap or carrier. Sometimes baby wants you to stand/walk around a bit which is why a wrap/carrier can be handy! Most of the time baby snoozes/lounges comfortably in moms arms while you sit— they love to hear your voice as you share in circle! You might be surprised how content they are out and about even if they are not that way at home-- this happens. You should also bring diapers/wipes, anything you need to feed yourself or baby, and your willingness to participate and engage. That's it (but phew we know it's a lot getting out the door). This is a great place to practice being out with baby, often for the first time for many participants. Please leave older siblings with another caregiver-- if this is a barrier let's connect.  

HEALTH & SAFETY: Please refresh yourself on the Health & Safety guidelines in our FAQs. If you or baby are ill, join virtually or reach out about attending another week , to protect fellow participants.