Why I Fell in Love with Running Mom Groups

It’s been a few years since my little practice was born, and in that time, I’ve learned a lot about women, moms, and myself. One of the biggest surprises? How much I love running mom groups.

I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect to.

Supporting women and people with uteruses? Absolutely my jam. Sharing knowledge and helping people feel confident in their bodies? Love it. But running groups? Ehh. In my OT world, groups were always a little chaotic—trying to figure out who worked well together when everyone was at rehab for different reasons (stroke, brain injury, burn, amputation, etc.), but still dealing with similar feelings of loss, overwhelm, and struggle. It was... a lot.

So when I first started hosting mom and baby groups, my thought process was, I’ll just try it. If it’s not for me, I don’t have to do it again.

I really wasn’t expecting to love it.

But then something shifted.

I realized how incredibly valuable these groups are—especially in a world where we’re constantly told to be independent, to figure things out alone, to just handle it. Especially in a post-COVID world where we were all starved for connection. And ESPECIALLY for moms, who are often expected to just tough it out—because, after all, women have been giving birth for thousands of years in a field somewhere, right?

(Don’t even get me started on that one.)

When I first ran groups, I thought my biggest job was to bring content. To give women as much knowledge, as many tools, and as much OT goodness as possible. And I do still believe in that—because knowledge is power, and understanding our own bodies is incredibly empowering.

But here’s what I didn’t expect:

One of the most powerful parts of these groups isn’t the information. It’s the camaraderie. The village-building. The support.

Women need to be heard. Mothers need to be heard.

We need space to process our birth stories, our transitions, our joys, and our traumas. Sometimes that means unpacking deep, painful experiences. Other times, it’s just about figuring out who the heck we are now that we’re responsible for a tiny human 24/7.

Because let’s be real—sometimes we feel like what we’re going through is weird, gross, or taboo. We can share things with our partners, but… it’s not the same. They try, but they just don’t get it.

What we really want is to know we’re not alone. That someone else sees us. That our experiences—however messy—are valid and shared.

Running mom groups has opened doors for women that I never imagined. I thought all I had to offer was information. But it turns out these groups are about so much more.

They are empowering.They are transformative.And they are so, so needed.

If you’re a pregnant or postpartum mom and you’ve been feeling a little (or a lot) alone—just know this: You’re not meant to do this alone. There’s a space for you. A village. And you’re so welcome here. 💛

Natalie, runner of many a mom group, gives a thumbs up

Are you expecting? Check out our incredible all-in-one signature program made by a mom (and pelvic-perinatal-period wellness OT) for moms for more expert guidance on preparing for your baby’s arrival! There are hours of self-paced videos, weekly live video chats (think group coaching meets Q+A meets women supporting women), a 24/7 chat board where you can ask who else is awake at 3am, post a gif or meme, or find support, and a comprehensive toolkit for even more ideas and support. Go here!

If you're not quite sure that this program is the best fit (we just met - I get it!) consider checking out some of our free resources first: find out your postpartum prep style with a quick and fun quiz here. Or, check out our free recorded workshop. You'll see what my vibe is like and get some pointers on pelvic floor and core prep, protecting your mental health, and packing a hospital bag from the perspective of a pelvic-perinatal-period OT! Plus, we usually give away discount codes or freebies for those who grab this free recorded workshop:) Here's that link!

Disclaimer: Content provided by mighty mOThers, LLC is informational in intent, and is not meant to replace or contradict guidance provided by your personal doctor, therapist, or other healthcare practitioner. Please contact your healthcare provider or schedule a 1:1 evaluation with an OT with specific concerns, and call 911 if you are having a physical or mental health emergency.