FOUNDATIONS

A community-centered, expert-led series of IRL workshops to prepare expectant parents for birth, baby, + beyond.

In interviewing dozens of new moms on what they wished they’d had before, during, and after birth, the answer, unsurprisingly, can’t be found on a registry. 

Over and over again, here’s what we heard: I’m tempted to just go up to other pregnant people who look like they’re due around the same time as I am and ask if they want to hang out, or The first months were so lonely; I would’ve loved to have a friend with a baby the same age to just go for a walk with. 

We took this need for community and paired it with the education and resources these moms wanted.

why foundations?

How it Works

  1. We place expectant parents into cohorts of 6-10 other couples based on your due date and where you live 

2. Cohorts meet 4-5 times in person in your third trimester

3. Our workshops are expert-led and designed to give parents the content, conversation, and confidence you need to feel empowered ahead of giving birth

sample workshops

  • Sleep Essentials

  • How to Find, Vet, & Hire Caregivers

  • Partners to Parents

  • Prenatal Workout

  • Infant CPR & Safety

  • Labor & Birth

  • 1:1 with Parental Leave Expert

Meet the FACILITATORS

  • Jaqueline Himelfarb

    Jaqueline Himelfarb

    Founder, Ready For Rest; Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant & Newborn Care Specialist

  • Jen Darwin

    Founder & CEO, Golden Gate Doulas Association & The Village Postpartum Retreat

  • Caitlin Ritt

    Founder & CEO, The Lotus Method

  • meagan holden, md, amft

    Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

  • Jacob Glazebnik, AMFT

    Psychotherapist, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

  • michaela parnell

    Birth & Postpartum Doula

  • lynn perkins

    CEO, UrbanSitter

  • olivia hallquist

    Parental Leave Expert

The Schedule

ready for rest

Wednesday, 5/15, 7-9 PM

With Jaqueline Himmelfarb

  • Sleep safety

  • Maximizing sleep for baby and parents

  • Setting schedules & dropping naps

  • Sleep science & setting expectations

how to find, vet, & hire caregivers

Wednesday, 5/22, 6 PM (Virtual)

With Lynn Perkins

  • How to find caregivers and other specialists to support your children

  • How to create a realistic wishlist and communicate it effectively

  • Tips for background & reference checks and hiring

infant cpr & safety

Thursday, 5/30, 6-8 PM

With Jen Darwin

  • Hands-on CPR class focused on infants and toddlers

  • Learn what to do if your infant or toddler is choking

  • Jen will share life-saving techniques for newborns using the latest information and equipment

the lotus method class

Sunday, 6/9, 10 AM

With Caitlin Ritt

  • The Lotus Method is Caitlin’s signature fitness method designed specifically for prenatal and postpartum women. 

from partners to parents

Thursday, 6/13, 7-9 PM

With Meagan Holden & Jacob Glazebnik

  • Common challenges couples face in transitioning from partners to parents 

  • Opportunities for setting expectations and check-ins ahead of time

  • Boundary setting with friends, extended family, etc.

  • Emotionally caring for yourself (birthing partner) and your partner (nonbirthing partner) postpartum 

labor & birth

Wednesday, 6/19, 7-9 PM

With Michaela Parnell

  • Stages of labor, medication options, & what happens immediately after birth

  • Tips for self-advocacy during labor & birth

  • What a birth plan is and tips for creating an effective one

  • Types of support available to you