“When I became a mom, a community support group changed my outlook on parenting from being lonely and confused to feeling connected, supported and more confident,” said Bay Area native Caren Hespeler, founder of The Nesting Spot for Birth & Beyond in San Jose.
“As a group of new moms, we were there for each other for laughter, tears, calm and turmoil,” said Hespeler. “Our bond is still strong 21 years later, and I am forever grateful to that in-person community.”
Hespeler, now a seasoned mother of two (21 and 18), paid it forward. The grand opening of the Nesting Spot for Birth & Beyond (call it her third baby) was in October of 2024.
The Nesting Spot houses a range of educational and support programs for expectant or new parents under one roof. It is a resource center for in-person parenting classes, workshops, support groups and social events.
It is staffed by trained birth professionals, such as lactation consultants, baby yoga instructors, and doulas, who support parents before, during, and just after childbirth. Hespeler became a Certified Doula of North America—CD(DONA)—in 2013 and later trained with Lamaze to be a childbirth educator. (“Doula” is from the ancient Greek word doulē, meaning “female servant.”)
“People need information so that pregnancy and birth can be a more positive, empowering experience—through knowledge,” said Hespeler. “We want to give as much information as possible for both parents.”
Many prospective and new parents in Silicon Valley are transplants from other locations, arriving without connections. Even with family in the area, Hespeler needed additional support as a new parent.
“I probably had undiagnosed post-partum depression. I felt I needed to show everyone that I could handle things and not be a concern to them. I needed to pretend I was confident,” she said. “With other new moms, I could be myself and express my concerns. Having a support group allowed me to be myself without filters.
“Everyone deserves this simple, life changing opportunity as expectant and new parents,” Hespeler continued. “I envision the community coming together at The Nesting Spot to find what they crave and deserve: connectedness.”
Hespeler is not alone in focusing on the importance of community. In an August 2024 PBS interview, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said, “Parenting is and has always really been a team sport. It’s only in relatively recent years that we have come to put this pressure on parents where they feel that they have got to do all of it by themselves; otherwise, they’re failing as parents.
“The truth is, we need each other. We need fellow parents. We need friends. We need family,” continued Murthy. “We need neighborhoods and communities that support parenting. And if we do, then kids, parents, and all of us will be better off.”
First-time mom Sam Winkleblack from Santa Clara discovered The Nesting Spot in an online search for parent-baby yoga. Also, her Bay Area Moms WhatsApp group mentioned it.
“I am excited to be able to participate in a range of offerings such as parent-baby yoga, baby sign language and parent-baby groups,” said Winkleblack. “It’s really wonderful to meet other parents and socialize my baby with other babies. Caren and the instructors are so warm and welcoming.”
The Nesting Spot for Birth & Beyond is at 650 N. Winchester Blvd., Suite 3, in San Jose near Westfield Valley Fair. For classes and costs (not covered by insurance), visit www.TheNestingSpotForBirth.com or call 669-342-4992. Independent birth care providers can rent rooms for classes and consultations.
“The Nesting Spot is a nurturing space for new parents to connect, learn, and grow as they navigate the journey of early parenthood,” said Hespeler. “Parenting is not something we should be doing alone. We should be doing it in community.”
