by Kelly Camden, BA, CD-DONA, Albuquerque Birth Network

Both pregnancy and parenting stimulate people to consider things they may have never thought about before, as they seek out family-related resources and adapt their daily living to include a child. By talking with other parents, one may find support on an emotional level, while gleaning insight from the experiences of others. However, it seems that outside of childbirth class, there are few opportunities for expectant parents to meet. To help new parents to connect with each other, the Albuquerque Birth Network has launched a book club. ABN will discuss books relating to pregnancy, birth, postpartum and early parenting. The following are a few tips on starting a book club:

• Find a meeting place. We contacted a local bookstore, Bound to be Read, and described the birth network to the marketing manager. They agreed to host the ABN book club. One benefit of working with this store is that they will order the books we choose to discuss and then sell them at 20% discount. We also receive a page on their website, which links to our site. If there isn't a bookstore willing to host your discussion group, other possibilities include libraries, community rooms, women's resource centers or birth centers.
• Decide what your scope will be. Do you want to focus on pregnancy? Pregnancy and postpartum? ABN chose pregnancy, birth, postpartum and early parenting, in order to align with the services the network provides and to support parents throughout the childbearing year. This continuum will also help parents by giving them reason to return after they have the baby.
• List your book club meetings in local calendars, bulletin boards and newsletters. There are many possibilities: the calendar of the bookstore or meeting place, local newspapers, newsletters for moms groups, bulletin boards at preschools, churches, health food stores and health care offices.
• Make bookmarks with the birth network's name, the book club's meeting place and time, and the reading list; then give the bookmarks to parents to help them keep track of upcoming events. Let childbirth educators, massage therapists and midwives know about the book club. Give them bookmarks or flyers that they can pass on to their clients.
• Name the books that will be discussed several months in advance, so that people have time to purchase and read them. Call the bookstore to confirm that the book is in stock.
• Authors are often seeking opportunities to promote their books. If you are working with a bookstore, they may be able to arrange book-signings with authors.
• Consider inviting members of the birth network to facilitate or attend the book club meetings. If they have experience relating to the subject of the book, they may offer additional insight. It would also be helpful to the parents to meet an “expert” from within their community.
• Prepare a few questions ahead of time to get your discussion started. Note any passages in the book that really struck a chord with you, as well as any that you may have found to be controversial. Were there any facts or statistics that were interesting? You may also want to know a little about the author and other work that they have done.
• Ask moms and network members which books they would like to discuss during future meetings.
• At the close of the book club, offer information about your network to parents. ABN stuffs large manila envelopes with brochures from the members, along with ABN calendars and newsletters. 

Just as with starting a birth network, it takes time to get the word out and get people involved. However, the book club will prove to be worthwhile. As new and expectant parents read about what is happening with their bodies and their babies, they will appreciate the opportunity to discuss what they read and to share their new life experiences.