Tandem Community Care

Because you are more than your uterus.

Tandem Community Care is Tandem’s Comprehensive Perinatal Education and Support Group Program

Routine prenatal care is important. But sometimes it feels like something is missing, or rather, it’s missing something: the rest of YOU!

Community Care classes will allow you to connect with others and empower you as you receive care during and after your pregnancy.

Tandem Community Care is for everyone regardless of where or how you choose to give birth.

Support Groups

Mental Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum

Meets Most Mondays, 4:30pm - 6:00pm at Tandem: 2613 E 3rd St, Bloomington

Meets Most Thursdays, 12:00pm - 1:00pm virtually

How do we take care of ourselves when we’re responsible 24 hours a day for someone else (or multiple someones)? It’s hard for everyone – and even harder when we’re also experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. You’re invited to join whether this is your first baby or you’ve done this before. You’re invited if you’re pregnant and curious about postpartum mental health, or if you’ve already had your baby and you need support and information. You’re invited if you have a history of depression or anxiety and are worried about how postpartum will go for you. You’re invited if you’re struggling, or if you just want to know more about boosting your mental health in pregnancy and postpartum. 

Facilitator Molly Mendota has worked in the field of childbirth education and support for 20 years, is trained in perinatal mood and anxiety support, and is currently working towards licensure as a social worker. This group will provide peer support, psychoeducation, and mental health information and resources. It is not a therapy group, but is a good supplement to individual therapy. After you register, Molly will contact you for a brief phone conversation before your first group session to get a sense of your goals and needs. 

The group meets weekly on most Mondays, in-person at Tandem and most Thursdays virtually. You may come to one session or for as many as you like. Guest speakers will occasionally join the group. This group is fully funded by the Community Catalyst Grant and is 100% free for all.

Dads and Partners

Meets Every Other Wednesday 4:30pm - 6:00pm at Tandem: 2613 E 3rd St, Bloomington

No Registration Required

Parenthood is a journey that doesn’t just affect the person who gave birth. Facilitated by Ryan Stringer, come join the group that focuses on dads, step dads, or partners that didn’t give birth. Meet other people in the same situation as you, make friends, and have camaraderie with one another. This group meets every other Wednesday from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.

Toddler Parents Group

First Fridays of the Month 10am-12pm at Tandem: 2613 E 3rd St, Bloomington

No Registration Required

2024 Parents Group

First Mondays of the Month 10am -12pm at Tandem: 2613 E 3rd St, Bloomington

For parents with babies expected and arrived in 2024. Siblings Welcome.

No Registration Required

2023 Parents Group

First Wednesdays of the Month 10am -12pm at Tandem: 2613 E 3rd St, Bloomington

For parents with babies who arrived in 2023. Siblings Welcome.

No Registration Required

Baby Play

Third Fridays of the Month 1:30pm -2:30pm at Monroe County Public Library on Kirkwood

No Registration Required

Bloomington Baby Wearers and TummyTime

Drop in at Tandem on 2nd Tuesdays of the month 10:30am-11:30am to talk all things baby wearing

Drop in at Tandem on 3rd Tuesdays of the month 10am - 11am for TummyTime™ with your baby

No Registration Required

Uncomplicated Labor and Birth

Join us to discuss labor and birth! This course will focus on a normal, physiologic process. Designed for those planning to birth a baby and those supporting them. Open to everyone regardless of where or how they are planning to birth.

Registration Required

Inductions and Forceps, Oh My!

Join us to discuss labor and birth! This course will focus on an in-depth discussion of the various methods of intervention that can be involved during the labor process.Designed for those planning to birth a baby and those supporting them. Open to everyone regardless of where or how they are planning to birth.

Registration Required

Coping in Labor and Birth

Having an understanding of what happens in the body and mind during labor and birth can provide confidence and reassurance and decrease stress for this major life event. Learning about the labor process doesn't have to be stressful, this can be fun and engaging! Often, people avoid childbirth education, assuming they will learn as they are in labor. This can be much harder to process, as labor changes how our brains work and process information in real-time! Join us for a class about uncomplicated labor and birth. This session will cover what to look for to know when labor starts, when to call your provider, what changes will occur as labor advances, and what happens immediately after birth. Look for our next courses to cover things like induction, epidurals, water birth, cesareans, and labor support! 

Registration Required

Lactation

Intro to lactation and feeding for the fourth trimester.Want to learn about human lactation? This introduction to breast/chest feeding will orient you to how human lactation works in the early weeks.
Designed for those planning to feed new babies and those supporting them.

Registration Required

Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Education

This course includes…

  • Mentorship from an experienced Evidence Based Birth® Instructor

  • Six classes (virtual options!) with your EBB Instructor and classmates to prepare for the labor process and practice your labor skills

  • Five weeks of online videos for you and your partner(s) to watch together (with closed captions in English and Spanish!)

  • In-depth, spiral-bound workbook in physical or digital format (your choice!)

  • BONUS: Breastfeeding/chestfeeding and newborn care videos

  • BONUS: Earn points throughout the class to get prizes at the end!

Check out our calendar for more events and programs

Classes and Events

Tandem offers childbirth education, lactation education, postpartum planning, baby basics and more. We have instructors with a wide variety of certifications, including from Evidence Based Birth®, Spinning Babies®, TummyTime™, and more!