The nonprofit East End Birth Network has launched two new birth circles. Grupo de Nacimiento, a collaboration with the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton, where it met for the first time on July 11, is a monthly support group for parents and the first Spanish-speaking Birth Circle on Long Island. It has joined with Wuttahminneoh Birth Work to launch a support group on the Shinnecock Reservation, the Shinnecock Birth Circle, which met for the first time yesterday at Raindrop’s Cafe on Montauk Highway in Southampton. Ahna Cuffee, an indigenously trained doula, is leading it.
The groups are for participants to share their stories, find support, and educate themselves on birthing, breastfeeding, and parenting. A mission of the East End Birth Network is to identify inequities and disparities in the birthing and parenting culture on the East End, according to an announcement. The infant mortality rate here is one of the highest in the state, the organization said.
Those looking for more information on Grupo de Nacimiento can email [email protected], and those interested in the Shinnecock Birth Circle can email [email protected].