U of M will be offering a prenatal fitness class called “Moving Mommies” at the Fort Garry Campus this fall and winter.

Organizer David Kent tells me that “the course will combine an educational component as well as a variety of physical activity components” and that the prospective class instructor has experience providing childbirth programming as well as pre-and post-natal programs, and will incorporate yoga components into the program as well. Kent remarks that he is “excited for this program as it will hopefully be the first of a series of programs that will potentially be available for the community.”

Registration is now open for the fall session, which begins September 19th at 12pm. Another session will begin in January. The fee is $88 or $79 for students.

The Nest Family Centre is offering a 6-week support group series entitled “Beyond the Baby Blues”. According to facilitator Cheryl Dizon-Reynante, a licensed mental health therapist with Nexus Counselling, the series

“provides info and group counselling on topics such as Coping with a Newborn, Postpartum Depression, Self-Care, Anger Management for Mothers, Postpartum Grief and Nurturing the Relationship with your Partner. There is also a relaxation/meditation component every session.”

The Nest describes the series:

“Beyond the Baby Blues is a six-week support group for mothers with young children who experience some degree of mood and anxiety difficulties. After having a new baby, it is common to feel overwhelmed, fearful, exhausted, guilty and hopeless. Sharing thoughts and experiences with other mothers who are going through the same thing can be extremely helpful in alleviating some of these feelings. Each session will focus on a particular topic (e.g. identity, self-care) with time for discussion, as well as general information sharing.”

The series is $200 and begins this October. See The Nest’s website for schedule and registration details.