You’re Not Alone: How Group Support Can Help Moms Feel Seen
Pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood are emotionally complex seasons. Between the daily demands and invisible mental load, it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs. You might spend hours scrolling through social media, hoping to feel less alone—only to end up feeling worse. While online platforms can offer glimpses of connection, they often fall short of what we truly crave: human connection in real time, about real life. This is especially true during the postpartum period, when emotional wellness for moms is often overlooked. If you’ve found yourself thinking, “I don’t even know what I want,” “The days just get by me,” or “I don’t have time to take care of myself,” you’re not alone. These are common reflections in early motherhood—and they’re exactly why joining a postpartum support group can be a powerful step toward healing.
When we rely solely on digital distractions to cope, we unintentionally pull away from ourselves. That might work in the short term, but it leaves little room for meaningful change. Being in community—especially through groups specific to your needs, can help you reconnect with your voice and your sense of self. And the best part? Many maternal mental health support groups are free, accessible, and designed to meet you where you are.
The Healing Power of Support Groups for Moms
Support groups are a powerful way to connect with others who share similar experiences. Whether you're navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or the ongoing journey of motherhood, these spaces offer something many of us crave: nonjudgmental connection. In pregnancy support groups, you can explore the worries and uncertainties that often arise during this tender time. In postpartum support groups, you’ll find validation, resources, and emotional support that help you feel less alone.
No matter where you are in your journey, support groups are a meaningful way to nurture maternal mental health. They offer a safe space to be seen, heard, and understood—without pressure or shame. In support groups, vulnerability is welcome, and openness is encouraged— though never forced. When you hear others share similar struggles, or when your own experience is met with compassion, you begin to realize that you are not the problem.
This kind of emotional visibility matters. It helps you reclaim your voice and normalize the emotional experience of motherhood. Yes, it may feel scary or unfamiliar at first—but that’s okay. Growth often begins in those moments of discomfort, when we gently challenge the negative beliefs that keep us stuck. Silence can become an echo chamber, amplifying blame, criticism, and self-doubt. But with the right support, you gain a sounding board—one that offers validation, perspective, and gentle solutions. That’s the beauty of being in community: it helps untangle the web of lies your mind might be telling you and replaces it with truth, connection, and hope.
Carla’s Story: How Postpartum Support Helped Her Feel Seen
Let’s take Carla (name changed for privacy), a participant in a postpartum support group in NJ that I recently facilitated. Carla joined the group two months after giving birth to her son. In those early weeks, she struggled with breastfeeding, felt increasingly irritable, and began withdrawing from family and friends. Well-meaning advice only deepened her guilt, leaving her feeling misunderstood and alone.
When Carla arrived at the group for new moms, she was greeted by three other participants. As each mom introduced herself, Carla began to feel a shift—just hearing others speak about their own challenges helped her feel less isolated. Though she wasn’t sure she wanted to share, Carla bravely introduced herself and told her story.
What happened next was transformative. Carla received validation from other moms who had also faced breastfeeding struggles. They offered gentle encouragement and shared what had helped them—everything from local lactation consultants to insurance-covered pump options and feeding strategies. More importantly, Carla found a space to speak openly about the shame she had been carrying.
This is the heart of maternal mental health support: creating spaces where moms can be vulnerable, receive compassionate feedback, and begin to rewrite the stories shame has told them. In that room, Carla wasn’t judged—she was seen, heard, and supported.
Common Hesitations About Joining a Support Group—and Why They’re Normal
It’s incredibly easy for moms in the postpartum period to blame themselves and become self-critical. That inner voice might even criticize you for wanting support: “You should be able to handle this,” “Other moms don’t need help,” or “You’re failing.” But here’s the truth—doing anything new, especially something vulnerable like joining a support group, will likely stir up worry. And that’s okay.
Many moms hesitate to join a group. Here are some common concerns—and gentle responses to help you move through them:
“What if I don’t fit in?”
If you’re joining a pregnancy or postpartum support group, you already have something in common. Organizations like Postpartum Support International offer niche groups for BIPOC parents, Spanish-speaking moms, NICU families, ADHD support, birth trauma, and more. You can find a space that fits your needs and honors your identity.“I’m shy. Support groups aren’t for me.”
You can share as little or as much as you’d like. Many online support groups don’t require cameras, and you can engage at your own pace. Start small—introduce yourself, turn on your camera when you’re ready, and share when it feels right.“I keep finding groups but they’re all online. I prefer in-person.”
That’s valid. While online groups are more common, many hospitals with labor and delivery units offer in-person postpartum support groups. Reach out and ask what’s available near you.“My baby is always with me. I don’t have the time.”
Most postpartum support groups welcome babies. These spaces are designed to meet you where you are—in the thick of it.“I don’t even know where to find a group.”
You’re in luck. I’ll be sharing a list of free, accessible maternal mental health resources at the end of this blog.
What Support Groups Can Actually Do for You
Once you’re in a group, something shifts. You begin to hear stories that sound like yours. You start to see that maybe—just maybe—that critical voice isn’t telling the truth. Here’s how groups can support your healing:
Overcome Isolation
Simply being around others who understand gives you permission to express what you’ve been holding in.Feel Hopeful
Hearing how other moms have moved through tough seasons reminds you that healing is possible.Build Confidence
Realizing you’re not alone—and gaining tools to help you thrive—is empowering.Feel Seen and Understood
In a room (even a virtual one) filled with validation, you begin to see depression or anxiety as the challenge—not as a reflection of who you are.Create Social Connections
Isolation narrows your view. Community helps you open the curtains and see the full picture—including the good.Discover Resources
From financial support to lactation help, you’ll hear what’s worked for others—directly from those who’ve benefited.Learn About Mental Health
Whether peer-led or professionally facilitated, groups normalize these conversations and offer education on treatment options.
What to Expect in a Pregnancy or Postpartum Support Group
So, what can you expect when you join a postpartum support group? A supportive space where you can speak openly, without judgment. These groups are designed to meet you where you are—emotionally, culturally, and logistically. Your experience may vary depending on the format, but the heart of every group is the same: connection, compassion, and healing.
Here are the most common types of maternal mental health support groups:
Peer-Led Groups
Facilitated by individuals with lived experience, these groups are often tailored to specific communities. Whether you’re joining a BIPOC group, Latinx group, NICU parent group, or a group for dads, the facilitator typically shares your identity or journey. This shared experience fosters trust, safety, and cultural resonance.Professionally Led Groups
Run by birth workers or mental health professionals, these groups may offer more structure and education. They’re a great source of information and can help normalize conversations around emotions, mental health, treatment options, and self-care strategies.
No matter which format you choose, you’ll find a space filled with others who truly understand. And yes—it’s normal to feel nervous. That discomfort doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. In fact, it might be a sign that growth is on the horizon. We often expand in those tender moments when we do something new, something vulnerable, something our minds might resist.
Why Culturally Inclusive Support Groups Matter
There’s something sacred about being in community with others who look like you and are in a similar season of life. For moms from marginalized communities, these spaces offer more than support—they offer visibility, shared language, and norms that aren’t pathologized. In a world where women of color are statistically underdiagnosed and underserved in maternal mental health care, these groups are not just helpful—they’re essential.
You deserve a space where your story is honored, your culture is respected, and your healing is supported.
Ready to Join a Postpartum Support Group in NJ or Online?
Here are a few free, accessible resources to explore:
Postpartum Support International
Offers a wide range of peer-led support groups tailored to your journey. They also provide a helpline, educational materials, and peer mentorship.Just Birth Space
Free professionally facilitated groups on various topics—including Spanish-language options.Beyond the Baby Blues
Weekly virtual peer-led groups every Tuesday at 10 AM. You might even catch me facilitating!
Looking for a Culturally Inclusive Group?
Interested in a group that reflects your identity and values? Reach out here. I’d be honored to help you find a space that meets your needs and supports your healing.
You deserve to feel better. You are not alone. Feeling better is possible.
