Connect and share with others in a safe and nurturing space while building a supportive social network for you and your baby. Each session will focus on information, resources and advice that supports the health and wellness of both the pregnant person and baby as well as specific topics that affect pregnant people in the military community such as:
- Pregnancy, birth, baby care and parenting
- Nutrition during pregnancy and breast feeding
- Healthy relationships between parents
- Post-partum mental health support
- Absence and relocation planning and community integration
- Information and referrals for community supports
Sessions run twice per month and participants can join at any time.
Daytime
Dates: July 30, August 27 & September 24
10:00 - 11:30 am
Location: MFRC
Register: online, in-person or call 780-973-4011 ext. 528-6300
Open to: Adults 18+ and pregnant youth ages 13-17 from CAF, Veteran, and Defence Community Families, and Families of the Fallen
Session Details:
July 30: Caregiver Resilience – Social Isolation and Loneliness - Caregiving can often lead to feelings of social isolation and loneliness which can affect your ability to maintain your health and capacity to care for both yourself and your little ones. In this session, we will be joined by a Caregiver Educator from the North Central Edmonton Family Resource Network at the Castledowns YMCA, who will teach us how feelings of disconnection can impact our physical wellness and give us strategies to help build resilience, reconnect and find joy in the outside world around us.
August 27: Stroller Social – Stroll along with us on the scenic trails of the CFB Edmonton base! Get active and take in the fresh air as you build a supportive social network for you and your baby. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring their own water bottles and sunscreen.
*In case of inclement weather, this session will be moved indoors for crafts.
September 24: Creative Self-Care – Take time to unwind, connect and create a personalized mug in a welcoming space designed to nurture both you and your baby as you build meaningful friendships and a supportive social network. Each participant will decorate a mug with premade designs or custom artwork of their own. Through crafting, you'll explore ways to manage emotions, reduce stress, increase self-awareness and express yourself creatively.
Evening
Dates: July 16, August 13 & September 10
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: MFRC
Register: online, in-person or call 780-973-4011 ext. 528-6300
Open to: Adults 18+ and pregnant youth ages 13-17 from CAF, Veteran and Defence Community Families, and Families of the Fallen
Session Details:
July 16: Breastfeeding Essentials – Prepare for the arrival of your baby and your breastfeeding journey! This session will be led by La Leche League Canada, a Canadian charity dedicated to providing peer-to-peer breastfeeding support for expectant parents, new families, and beyond. Participants will learn how to breastfeed, including positioning and latching, establishing milk supply, recognizing if baby is getting enough milk, and accessing support when needed.
August 13: Capture the Moment - Take a moment to celebrate your pregnancy journey with a mini photoshoot featuring you and your precious little one or your beautiful baby bump! As a token of our appreciation for all that you do, we're offering each participant complimentary digital photos from the session, courtesy of the talented photographer Jessica Daple. Additional photos from your session will be available for purchase from the photographer. To book a session, please call 780-973-4011 ext. 528-6300. *5:00 -7:00pm (note time change)
September 10: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy – Join us for a presentation on pelvic health with Simone Fleet, a licensed physiotherapist from Pine Integrated Health Centre in Sherwood Park. Simone is an experienced physiotherapist who will guide us through information and resources on pelvic health with topics such as birth preparation, early postpartum healing and recovery tips, and postpartum rehabilitation. Participants will also learn about the range of services available at Pine Integrated Health Centre. https://pinehealth.ca/
*This support group aims to provide information and resources for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician, midwife, pediatrician or other qualified health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the health of your pregnancy or infant.
