When I gave birth to my first child, I found myself lonely and scared. I had moved to Finland less than 2 years before, almost none of my friends had kids. I really missed a community that could support me. Every new mother needs that.

Today I’m excited to host a guest post by Danielle, a fellow expat mom living in Finland. She has started a new community for new parents, following the principles of the Positive Birth Movement. The PBM is a global network supporting mothers and parents. There are two events coming up in Helsinki, you can find more information below. Don’t miss to follow Danielle’s uplifting content on Instagram. And now, the PBM in her words.

I first discovered the Positive Birth Movement (PBM) during my own pregnancy journey while I was living in Amsterdam. My interest in becoming a birth professional grew in time. When we finally decided to move to Helsinki, I took the opportunity to bring this wonderful movement here.

The PBM Helsinki offers monthly free, non-commercial, and open to all peer to peer meetu-ps for pregnant people, partners (or birth companions), and new parents in English.

This is not a course, nor will there be a presenter or an expert. The goal is to create a community where you can share your stories and experiences, laugh and cry, receive loving support, and celebrate parenthood.

Through what we see in popular culture and media, we have unfortunately internalised quite a negative and very limited view of birth. The PBM aims to challenge this epidemic of negativity and fear that surrounds modern birth and help change birth for the better.

Our meetings are confidential, non-judgmental, non-directional, and positive. We welcome everyone to our groups. Regardless of birth or feeding choices, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or any aspect of your background: we welcome you without judgement. We don’t hold any one kind of birth up above another. We’re just concerned with every woman getting the best possible birth experience, for her, on that day.

You can join the Facebook group of Positive Birth Movement Helsinki here. The Positive Birth Movement Helsinki is facilitated by Danielle Bensky – a psychologist, postpartum doula, birth junkie, mom, and expat living in Espoo.

The first Positive Birth Movement Helsinki meet up will take place on Saturday, October 24^th at 10:00-12:00 at Familia Ry in Sörnäinen. Registration is needed and attendance is free. Link to the Facebook event.

The second Positive Birth Movement Helsinki meet up will take place on Saturday, November 7^th at 10:00-12:00 at Familia Ry in Sörnäinen. Registration is needed and attendance is free. Link to the Facebook event.

There are around 300 ‘real life’ PBM groups around the world, in 30 different countries. They are a great place for pregnant women and their partners to find information, support and a sense of community. To find out more about Positive Birth Movement visit https://www.positivebirthmovement.org/.

Join us as we meet up, link up and shake up birth!

If you liked this post, check out also:
Moniku, a New Service for Multicultural Families in Espoo
Expat Families: How To Build A Support Network
Support for Families in Finland – Resources and Services
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Featured image by Alicia Petresc on Unsplash.