Teen Pregnancy Retreat

One of the products of my time away from my blog was to work with our Immanuel Healthy Family Ministry team. Our brand new birth doula, Deanna, has an incredible vision and heart for supporting mothers, especially teens. Though neither of us were teen mothers, we have been working professionally with women who were teen mothers, all of whom kept and chose to raise their children. Her vision of a Teen Pregnancy Retreat is an incredible one that I am very excited to be a part of and we are working towards funding with our first retreat set for next spring.

Our vision is of a nurturing weekend program providing empowerment, encouragement, and support for pregnant teen mothers. This program is designed to provide informational and emotional supports for expectant mothers between the ages of 12 and 18.

Our program looks to acknowledge each woman’s unique concerns and provide her with a nurturing and supportive retreat atmosphere where she can grown and learn effective ways to manage her current stress and prepare for those she will face in the future. Our vision is to enhance her wellbeing through empowering emotional and educational opportunities, professional prenatal services, nutritious meals, a resource guide and additional gifts. Our goal is to provide as many retreats as needed to allow all interested teen mothers in Parkland county attendance.

Now for the exciting part...

Preliminary Agenda
Friday Evening
Orientation, meet and greet with informal icebreakers, healthy cocktails, room allocation and moving in.

Saturday
Breakfast – nutritious breakfast with two options
Educational/informational sessions:

• Birth doula & Midwife – birth options
• Chiropractor – importance of spinal health during pregnancy
• Dietician – importance of nutrition during pregnancy
• Lactation Counselor – breastfeeding basics

Lunch – soup/salad type light lunch
Relaxation session
Educational/informational sessions:

• Massage therapist – importance of relaxation, touch and alternative therapies
• Counselor – emotional support & recovery
• Postpartum doula – physical support & recovery, baby basics

Dinner – hearty high protein dinner
Pampering session
Blessingway

Sunday

Brunch – nutritious brunch buffet
Glamour/prenatal photography session
High Tea - invite close friend, boyfriend, mother to share tea with