My postpartum voice – terms of participation

1. About the program

My Postpartum Voice is a guided writing circle for mothers consisting of six online sessions.

Meetings will take place on Zoom on Mondays and Sundays on the following dates:

In Estonian:

• 9. November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 16. November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 23. November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 30. November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 7. December (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 14. December (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)

In English:

• 15 November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 22 November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 29 November (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 6 December (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 13 December (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)
• 20 December (6:30 PM-8:00 PM EET / Tallinn time)

Each meeting lasts 90 minutes.

The purpose of the writing circle is to offer mothers time and space to notice, express, and make meaning of their postpartum experiences. The sessions include guided writing exercises, and participants are welcome to share their reflections with the group if they wish.

The Writing Circle is not a writing course or a form of psychotherapy. It is not intended to replace the support of a mental health professional, doctor, lactation consultant, or any other qualified healthcare or support provider.

2. Participation Fee and Registration

The participation fee for the Writing Circle is 89 €.

The fee includes all six 90-minute meetings.

It is not possible to register for or pay for individual meetings separately.

A participant's place in the group is confirmed upon registration and payment of the participation fee.

After registration, a confirmation email will be sent to the participant's email address. Prior to the first meeting, participants will also receive all necessary information and the Zoom link.

3. Participation

Participation takes place via Zoom. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have a reliable internet connection and can participate comfortably in the session.

Where possible, participants are encouraged to find a private, quiet space where they can take part without interruptions.

Attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged, as the six sessions form a cohesive process. If a participant is unable to attend a session, they should notify the facilitator in advance whenever possible.

Sessions will not be recorded.

Fees are non-refundable for missed sessions.

4. A Safe and Confidential Space

Personal stories, experiences, and thoughts shared during the writing circle are confidential.

Participants agree not to share other participants’ personal information, stories, or writing outside the group.

Sharing one’s writing with the group is always voluntary. Participants are never required to answer questions or discuss topics they do not feel ready to share.

The purpose of the writing circle is not to offer advice, correct others, or judge their experiences. The focus is on listening, being present, and treating one another with respect.

If a participant’s behaviour makes it impossible to maintain a safe and respectful space for the group, the facilitator reserves the right to remove them from the programme. In such cases, the participation fee will not be refunded.

5. Cancellation and Refund Policy

If a participant wishes to cancel their registration, they must notify the facilitator in writing by emailing doula@neljastrimester.ee.

If cancellation is made at least 14 days before the programme begins, the participation fee will be refunded in full.

If cancellation is made less than 14 days before the programme begins, the participation fee is non-refundable. However, participants may arrange to transfer their place to another person who meets the programme’s target audience, subject to the facilitator’s approval.

If a participant withdraws from the programme after it has begun or misses any of the sessions, the participation fee will not be refunded.

6. Cancellation or Changes by the Facilitator

If the writing circle cannot take place for reasons attributable to the facilitator, participants will be notified as soon as possible and all participation fees paid will be refunded in full.

In exceptional circumstances, the facilitator reserves the right to change the date or time of an individual session. Participants will be informed of any such changes as soon as possible, and every effort will be made to agree on a new time that works for all participants.

7. Personal Responsibility

My Postpartum Voice is a supportive and reflective group, but it is not therapy or crisis support.

If a participant is experiencing a serious mental health crisis, significant emotional distress, or requires medical or psychological assistance, they are encouraged to seek support from an appropriate professional.

Each participant is responsible for their own participation and sharing, as well as for deciding which writing exercises to engage in and which topics to explore.

8. Agreement to the Terms and Conditions

By registering, participants confirm that they have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

By registering, participants also confirm that they understand the nature of the writing circle and acknowledge that it is not psychotherapy, medical treatment, or any other form of professional treatment.