Resources for Birthing Parents

Crisis / Get Help Now
Specialized Support Groups

  • Working Moms — www.ncjwpgh.org
    Twice a month in-person support group for working moms, kids of any age, free on-site childcare provided.

  • Brown Mamas — www.brownmamas.com/programs-events/support-groups/
    In-person, drop-in support groups for Black moms. Free.

  • Rainbow Families Support Groups — www.rainbowfamilies.org/programs/support-groups/
    Virtual support groups for the LGBTQ+ family community. Topics include adoption, grief & loss, parent group, non-gestational parent, and more. $10/session; financial assistance available.

  • Maya Organization — www.mayaorganization.org
    Organization for BIPOC and marginalized birthing people. Prenatal, birth, and parenting classes, birth doula services, and mental health therapy. Free.

  • Pennsylvania Organization of Mothers of Multiples Clubs — www.pomomc.com
    Social club for mothers of twins, triplets, quads, or more multiples.

App-Based Supports

  • Connect by PSI (Postpartum Support International)
    Many resources for postpartum moms. Available for iOS and Android devices.

  • Nurture Program — https://www.nurturepa.org/parents/
    Program offering text-messaging mentorship program for new moms (connecting moms with volunteer “mentor” moms who have parenting experience).

  • Peanut App
    App allowing moms to connect with other moms around a number of different topics (infertility, pregnancy, postpartum support). Virtual support groups available. Content shared on app is medically reviewed and expert approved. Available for both iOS and Android.

  • Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas — www.pittsburghbereavementdoulas.com or 412-901-9568

  • Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group (Postpartum Support International) — www.postpartum.net/group/early-pregnancy-loss-support-for-moms/
    For birthing people grieving the loss of their baby at 20 weeks or before. Free.
  •  Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support for Moms (Postpartum Support International) — www.postpartum.net/group/pregnancy-and-infant-loss-support-for-moms/

  • Lost & Found — www.midatlanticmilkbank.org
    Family-driven support group for women/adults who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. 
    Meetings: Fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00–8:30 p.m.
    Location: Three Rivers Mothers’ Milk Bank, 3127 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
    Contact: 412-281-4400, Email: info@midatlanticmilkbank.org 

  • Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Bereaved Parents Support Group
    Support group for parents who have lost children.
    Meetings: Second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 pm- 7:45 pm
    Location: online via Microsoft Teams
    Contact: Laura Rausch at 412-692-3585 or rauschlb@upmc.edu

  • Aching Arms Support Group — www.achingarmspgh.com
    Parent-led support group for families that have lost a child. Couples are welcome along with any other support person.
    Meetings: Third Tuesday of the month from 7 – 9 pm
    Location: The Mario Lemieux Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, 5324 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224

  • Healing Hearts Infant Bereavement Resources — www.cribsforkids.org/healing-hearts/
    An initiative of Cribs for Kids® — assists families who have been touched by a crisis in pregnancy or the death of a baby.
    Meetings: First Tuesday of the month from 7 – 9 p.m.
    Location: Cribs for Kids, 5450 Second Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15207
    Contact: Andrea Wilson, MSW Support and Education Coordinator: 412-322-5680 ext. 4 or awilson@cribsforkids.org

  • Emma’s Footprints — www.emmasfootprints.com
    www.facebook.com/EmmasFootprints
    A care team of moms who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss providing one-on-one emotional support by connecting new-loss moms with moms who are further along in their grief journeys. Also offers  financial assistance to families to help ease the financial strain of funeral/memorial, burial, and cremation costs.
    Contact: 814-464-5989,  Email: tracy@emmasfootprints.com

  • The Still Remembered Project — www.stillremembered.org
    Christian-based support and encouragement for loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death for bereaved mothers. A support person can attend with the mother at her first meeting.
    Meetings:  Second Thursday of the month from 7 – 9pm
    Location: 1226 Stoltz Rd, Suite B, Bethel Park, PA 15102

  • Olive Tree Bereavement
    Encouragement for bereaved parents in finding peace and acceptance instead of hiding behind a closed door. Bereaved parents Jona and Jonathan welcome you into their home and provide a small meal.
    Meetings: First Tuesday of the month from 6 pm – 8 pm.
    Please RSVP by contacting Jonathan and Jona Reyes: 412-315-9168, Email: jona.reyes2010@gmail.com

  • The Lullaby Fund — www.lullabyfund.com
    To provide comfort to those who lost a child, assisting financially with all or some of the funeral costs.
    412-398-1001,  lullabyfund@gmail.com

  • L.A.M.P.S. (Life After Miscarriage, Perinatal Loss, and Stillbirth) Support Gruop — www.lifeAfterMPS.org
    For those who have lost a child through pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. A volunteer-based organization providing crisis support and long-term aid to families after the death of a child from any cause.
    Meetings: First Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:30 pm
    Location: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 311 Cumberland Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237
    Email: Pittsburgh.LAMPS@gmail.com

  • Queen B Project  — www.queenbproject.com www.facebook.com/QueenBProject 
    Tiffany’s story and Queen B bags support bereaved families by providing connection, comfort, and and resources to those whose babies have gone too soon.
    Contact: PO Box 9 Marysville, Pennsylvania 17053, Email: healinghearts@queenproject.com
    http://queenbproject.com/index.html
    https://www.facebook.com/QueenBProject

  • The Compassionate Friends, Pittsburgh Chapter —www.compassionatefriends.org www.facebook.com/TCFUSA
    Provides comfort, hope, and support for people whose children, grandchildren, or siblings have passed away at any age, including pregnancy loss. There are 25 groups in a 200-mile radius of Pittsburgh from Akron, OH to Johnstown, PA.
    Meetings of the Local- TCF Pittsburgh Chapter: Last Sunday of the month
    Location: Bower Hill Community Church-Mt. Lebanon, 70 Moffett St, Pittsburgh, PA 15243
    Contact: 412-835-1105  compassion@tcfpittsburgh.org,  National contact: 877-969-0010

  • Pregnancy After Loss Childbirth Class
    Helps parents prepare for the upcoming birth with confidence. Includes healing activities, trigger recognition, birth vision creation, and comfort and coping techniques.
    Contact Jan Mallak at 412-973-3521 for upcoming classes and fees
    Location: Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank, 3127 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15201,  pghdoula@gmail.com

  • Karen Bernard — www.pghdeathcare.com/spiritual-support
    Nondenominational home funeral celebrant and ordained minister
    Contact: bsweethome@gmail.com or 412-487-5060

We are happy to share this list of resources as a starting point for you. Please note that we have not evaluated these resources, and we cannot guarantee their services. We encourage you to do your own research to find the right fit for you. 

What is Perinatal Health?

Perinatal mental health is the emotional and mental state of people through the journey of bringing a baby into the world and into their family. “Perinatal” refers to the span of time from trying to conceive through pregnancy, childbirth or adoption, and the first year after birth. This period can include experiences related to infertility and pregnancy or infant loss. New parents experience major hormone fluctuations, physical changes, and alterations to prior routines, responsibilities, and expectations. These factors can lead to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). PMADs can include symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, trauma responses, obsessions and compulsions, and, in rare cases, psychosis.

PMADs are the most common complication of childbirth: at least 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 10 men is diagnosed with one during the perinatal period.

PMADs can make things harder for parents, for the baby, and for the family. Sometimes people feel like they shouldn’t tell anyone how they are feeling or ask for help because they worry that they will be judged or that their experience does not match the images of parenthood they see around them. PMADs are not a sign of weakness or failure – and there is effective treatment for them. Without treatment, symptoms may continue for months or even years. The feelings can be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and up through a year after delivery.

Other life stressors such as unemployment, single parenthood, financial and/or housing insecurity, and social isolation can make the transition to parenthood even more challenging. Lack of support, relationship stress, and limited access to resources can increase emotional distress during pregnancy and after birth. These challenges are not the fault of any parent. They highlight the need for understanding and support.

Help is available in many forms. Support may include mental health professionals such as 1) psychiatrists who can prescribe medication and 2) psychologists, counselors, and social workers who provide talk therapy, including teaching coping skills and strategies. Many parents also benefit from peer support groups, community or social programs, and other perinatal support providers such as doulas. All parents can benefit from emotional support, education, practical help, and advocacy.

It truly does take a village. Humans are not meant to go through pregnancy or the postpartum period alone. With support and care, families can move toward stability, confidence, and well-being.