Next group starts October 17
Special early-bird pricing if you register by Sept. 30
Sign up with a friend before Sept. 30 for a special bundle price!
Unexpecting Book Discussion Community —
Not your average book club
Why a discussion community?
When I experienced my first pregnancy loss, I felt “other” everywhere I went. In fact, I felt like a stranger in my own body — and my body felt like a stranger to me. That is — until I gathered with other bereaved parents. And then I belonged. I felt seen. I felt heard. I felt held.
Pregnancy loss and infant loss are considered common losses — and yet, really, there’s nothing common about them. When it happens to you — it’s devastating.
That’s in part why I wrote, “Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss.” I wanted to ensure bereaved parents are wrapped in a circle of support when they grieve. So when my friend and former doula (and just in general, amazing person) Crystal Gurney reached out about creating a discussion community together, I was already 5 million percent in.
Crystal is one of those people who come to this earth gifted in holding space for others. In fact, when I was in labor with my rainbow baby, I didn’t even want my husband’s hand — I only wanted to squeeze hers. There was something in me that knew I needed to connect with someone who viscerally understood my pain and my fear. Someone who could identify with my experience both personally — and professionally. And that is what Crystal brings to our discussion community: Personal experience and professional training.
This book reaches the depths of our losses and the heights of our love. It explores the science behind grief and the intangible algorithm of faith (or no faith). It talks about the loss of our old normal and the creation of the new. In short — it’s a comprehensive resource on what to expect when you are no longer expecting.
And that’s why having someone hold your hand through the reading process — someone who has been there — is an invaluable companion to this book.
So what exactly is a discussion community?
To help answer that, I’m going to let Crystal — who has facilitated hundreds of groups — explain in her own words.
From Crystal:
Why I believe in this process.
Pregnancy loss. This topic is tender and personal for so many of us. Unexpecting may be just the book we needed years ago, or maybe it’s the book we need right now. Beginning October 17, we will spend the next several weeks gathering online to discuss what we are reading and to process and integrate all that this book holds. Our community will use guidelines and carefully crafted discussion questions to create a space where we can bravely step into our learning and share bits of our own stories. We will be able to share with other folks who truly get the experience of pregnancy loss. There will be opportunities for Q&A with the author, as she joins us for several of our sessions together.
I have created group spaces for hundreds of moms and parents over the years to discuss pregnancy and the postpartum period. My own story holds loss, and this topic has come up so many times in moms’ groups through the years. It is my goal to create spaces where we can be seen and heard, where our feelings about our loss(es) can be shared openly with no judgment, where we can begin to move through our stories and possibly begin to find healing or deeper meaning. When we gather in this way, we never have to sugarcoat our experiences, but instead, we can create a space where we are able to speak our truth and find the wisdom, strength, hope, and even joy that may be held in those stories.
This book reaches the depths of our losses and the heights of our love. It explores the science behind grief and the intangible algorithm of faith (or no faith). It talks about the loss of our old normal and the creation of the new. In short — it’s a comprehensive resource on what to expect when you are no longer expecting.
And that’s why having someone hold your hand through the reading process is an invaluable companion to this book.
“My experience in the Unexpecting community group was so incredible!! I have healed more in these couple of weeks than I have in a long time. It has been so healing to be among mommas who ‘get it.’ I will cherish this experience forever.”
Previous Participant
“If I was going to say something to a friend considering joining this group in the future, I would say ‘Run! Don’t walk!!’ I loved the poems and the mindfulness. Participating in this group has reminded me that I need to take care of myself.”
Previous Participant
“Having space to actually process parts of the book that were meaningful, sharing space and stories with others was an impactful part of this group experience. It was refreshing, a breath of fresh air to be in good company with others that GET IT. If you are considering joining this discussion group, it’s worth it … you will be surprised by the comfort you feel in this space.”
Previous Participant
What comes with the Unexpecting discussion community?
- 5 live group sessions (plus one BONUS session) to discuss the book in a facilitated, “brave space” — hosted on Zoom, 2 hours each
- Discussion questions and therapeutic exercises to deepen your learning
- Q&A opportunities with author Rachel Lewis
- Access to our private Facebook group for connection between discussions
- Community building with others who have similar experiences
- Guidance on translating what you’ve learned into practice in your day-to-day life
- Mindfulness and centering practices
All the details
When: Mondays, October 17 & 24, November 7, 21 & 28
4:30-6:30pm (PST) / 7:30-9:30pm (EST)
December 1 is our BONUS session on TTC and Parenting After Loss
Where: Online via Zoom (link will be provided via email prior to the first session)
Pricing: Choose the tier that is right for you.* Special Early Bird Pricing available until Sept. 30.
Sustainer Level
Cost: $350*
This fee covers the actual cost of the community discussion group. Please select this price if you are able to pay the full cost of the course.
This is the price that feels right for those that can pay the full rate for this kind of support while also sustaining their own financial health and wellbeing. It might squeeze a little to pay, but you can do it. You might be someone who has access to stable income, and can typically access self-care opportunities.
This fee covers the actual cost of the community discussion group.
Supporter Level
Cost: $425*
This “re-balancing” level of registration contributes a little extra to help make self-care and healing work accessible to all.
If you are someone who is able to pay bills reliably, enjoy a meal out, or easily access self-care (like a pedicure, or therapy co-pays) without anxiety, this price is for you. It balances out some of the extra that you have – be it from family wealth, a partner who helps support your financial wellbeing, hard work + privilege – to support the people in our community who have less access. It is a chance to leverage some of our privilege to contribute to community care.
This “re-balancing” level of registration contributes a little extra to help make self-care and healing work accessible to all.
Community Supported Level
Cost: $275*
This is a reduced fee to help make this discussion community group accessible to members of our community with limited financial resources. This fee does not cover the full cost of the course.
This is the price you can pay if you will benefit from this type of support, but paying one of the higher two prices would prevent you from being able justify the cost. Maybe you are someone who struggles to make ends meet, or is accessing TANF, WIC, local food banks or other aid services. This price might also feel right for those who have lived experience of oppression/marginalization because of their identity. Choose this price (with our love) if you need some community care.
This is a reduced fee to help make this discussion community group accessible to members of our community with limited financial resources.
FRIENDSHIP DISCOUNT
Cost: $500
This fee is available to those who might to participate in the discussion group with a friend. One person will need to complete the registration and pay in full. Both people will receive emails and full access to the group. When you register, you will need your friend’s mailing address and email in order to complete the registration. This early bird offer expires Sept. 30.
This fee is available to those who want to participate in the discussion group with a friend, giving both of you a discount.
“This group was a comfortable space to just share or listen, no pressure at all. The sharing and non-judgmental deep listening helped me feel heard and validated. I highly recommend joining, in my experience it was truly a safe and brave space.”
Previous Participant
The Fine Print
- THE FIRST 5 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL RECEIVE A FREE SIGNED COPY OF UNEXPECTING. For all other participants, please plan to purchase a copy of the book if you haven’t already.
- The live group discussions will NOT be recorded. Due to the sensitive nature of our topic, we will not be making a recording available for missed sessions. You do not have to attend every session.
- A reading schedule will be provided before we get started, but if you’d like to start reading ahead, we will cover the section “Loss” in our first session. It is okay if you have already read ahead.
- Group discussions like this work best when we can see each other. Please plan to be on video for the group sessions, if at all possible.
- All aspects of group are consent-based and trauma-informed. Each person self-selects their level of participation. Crystal will be using the GPS model in our sessions.
- Due to time and format, we will not be sharing/listening to full loss stories. For those who might need additional time/space to process their personal experience of loss, Crystal offers 1:1 Listening Sessions. Rachel is also offering 1:1 grief coaching sessions.
- Got other questions? Send Crystal a message! She loves helping people step into an “enthusiastic YES.” We want you to have all the info you need.
* Limited scholarships may be available, depending on how many register. If this cost is prohibitive, please reach out to Crystal here.
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About the Author
Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis is a foster, adoptive and birth mom. After a 5-year battle with secondary infertility and the losses of five babies during pregnancy, she now has three children in her arms and a foster son in her heart. She is the author of Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss.
As the founder of the Facebook support group Brave Mamas, she is passionate about helping others through their grief. She is a contributor to Still Standing Magazine, Pregnancy After Loss Support, and Filter Free Parents. Rachel holds bachelor’s degrees in Theology, Bible, and Speech Communications.
When she’s not chauffeuring her kids around, you can find her shopping at Trader Joes for the best gluten-free treats, drinking iced coffee, or writing about grief and healing on her blog at The Lewis Note.
Rachel has been featured in…
