Do You Have a Pregnancy Buddy?
There is no doubt that being pregnant presents a number of challenges, especially for the first-time mother.
A lot of things happen during the gestation period which will come as a surprise even if you have been expecting them.
There is after all a world of difference between the thought of something happening and the reality of it being placed upon you.
Many expectant mothers find that the whole process is a lot more tolerable if they have a "pregnancy buddy" to work with.
Now, obviously there is a pretty stringent requirement for someone to be your pregnancy buddy - that is, they must be pregnant.
If you have a friend who is pregnant at the same time as you, then you are set - but don't go persuading someone to conceive at the same time as you, because that isn't how it is meant to go.
One good place to meet a pregnancy buddy is at your ante-natal classes.
Women attending these classes are also pregnant, which is handy, and they will probably be in the same place you are emotionally - happy, a little bit terrified, and looking for answers about where this journey is going to take them next.
Someone who is at the same stage in their pregnancy as you are will experience the surprises of pregnancy at around the same time as you, and you will be able to help each other through these moments.
Of course, there is no point in buddying up with someone with whom you feel no affinity.
If you do not meet any likely candidates at the ante-natal classes then it is not something you should feel you need to force.
Instead you can look further and wider in your search and take to the internet.
There are countless forums out there for mothers-to-be, and these sites include sub-forums on many of the unexpected joys (!) of pregnancy, in addition to usually having a section for "bump buddies".
If you can find someone near you who has a due date around the same time, then you may contact them and chat about your situation.
It is entirely up to you whether you actually meet in person or simply exchange stories and encouragement when needed, over the phone, via e-mail or in any one of a number of other different ways.
It does help to have someone to meet in person, though, because you will undoubtedly have some concerns which may not be entirely rational but still absolutely real, and these are often best shared in person.
Many new mothers find that, even after they have had their child, they stay in touch with their bump buddy and have a firm friendship, and their new children play together.
This is of course far from compulsory in bump buddy etiquette, but you may find that it improves your experience as a mum-to-be and as a new mother.
It's all up to you and your newly found friend, but consider that you might appreciate some help and a shoulder when you have delivered, just as much as you did when you were expecting.
A lot of things happen during the gestation period which will come as a surprise even if you have been expecting them.
There is after all a world of difference between the thought of something happening and the reality of it being placed upon you.
Many expectant mothers find that the whole process is a lot more tolerable if they have a "pregnancy buddy" to work with.
Now, obviously there is a pretty stringent requirement for someone to be your pregnancy buddy - that is, they must be pregnant.
If you have a friend who is pregnant at the same time as you, then you are set - but don't go persuading someone to conceive at the same time as you, because that isn't how it is meant to go.
One good place to meet a pregnancy buddy is at your ante-natal classes.
Women attending these classes are also pregnant, which is handy, and they will probably be in the same place you are emotionally - happy, a little bit terrified, and looking for answers about where this journey is going to take them next.
Someone who is at the same stage in their pregnancy as you are will experience the surprises of pregnancy at around the same time as you, and you will be able to help each other through these moments.
Of course, there is no point in buddying up with someone with whom you feel no affinity.
If you do not meet any likely candidates at the ante-natal classes then it is not something you should feel you need to force.
Instead you can look further and wider in your search and take to the internet.
There are countless forums out there for mothers-to-be, and these sites include sub-forums on many of the unexpected joys (!) of pregnancy, in addition to usually having a section for "bump buddies".
If you can find someone near you who has a due date around the same time, then you may contact them and chat about your situation.
It is entirely up to you whether you actually meet in person or simply exchange stories and encouragement when needed, over the phone, via e-mail or in any one of a number of other different ways.
It does help to have someone to meet in person, though, because you will undoubtedly have some concerns which may not be entirely rational but still absolutely real, and these are often best shared in person.
Many new mothers find that, even after they have had their child, they stay in touch with their bump buddy and have a firm friendship, and their new children play together.
This is of course far from compulsory in bump buddy etiquette, but you may find that it improves your experience as a mum-to-be and as a new mother.
It's all up to you and your newly found friend, but consider that you might appreciate some help and a shoulder when you have delivered, just as much as you did when you were expecting.
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