Closeup of pregnant woman's belly

New Beginnings

Promoting education and support for pregnant/postpartum people in/working towards recovery from substance use

New Beginnings is a program to promote education and support for pregnant and postpartum people in or working towards recovery from substance use.  Here at Cooley Dickinson OB/GYN & Midwifery, we want to partner with you to improve health outcomes for you and your baby.

Who is eligible:

Pregnant and postpartum people (up to 2 years postpartum) with substance use disorder or who are in recovery from substance use. To be eligible for prenatal care, you must be a patient with Cooley Dickinson OB/GYN & Midwifery. The support group is open to all regardless of where you receive care. There are options for group care or individual care.

Topics will include the following and more:

  • Discomforts of pregnancy & comfort measures
  • Stress management & relapse prevention
  • Nutrition during pregnancy
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (neonatal withdrawal) – expectations, scoring system, and how to soothe a baby with withdrawal symptoms
  • Labor & birth
  • Postpartum planning
  • What to expect from Social Work/DCF
  • Breastfeeding and newborn care

Session Schedules:

Group Prenatal Care: Session dates determined at the time of enrollment. Hours: noon – 2 pm

Support Group: Every Tuesday 2:30 – 3:30 pm

Offered in person at the Yellow House, 10 Denniston Place, Northampton, and also virtually. Click here for virtual support group.

Groups are confidential and led by a midwife.

To Register:

Contact Amy Walker (Nurse Midwife) at 413-586-9866 or awalker15@mgb.org or speak to your doctor or midwife at Cooley Dickinson OB/GYN & Midwifery.

More free educational offerings from Cooley Dickinson ObGyn & Midwifery

For more info or to register for birthing classes and other pre- and post-natal parenting groups, click here or on the link or picture below.

Two pregnant women sitting on the floor with their partners.