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What to Expect When You're Expecting!
by MistyMagic
Last post
September 24th
...See more What to Expect When You're Expecting: Tips and Resources Whether you're pregnant, planning to be, or supporting someone who is, it’s an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) journey. Here's a basic guide to what you can expect and helpful links to get you started. Share with us your journey and any tips or thoughts you have on pregnancy and parenting! ------------------------- General Tips for Expectant Parents 1.  Schedule Prenatal Care * Once you have had a positive pregnancy test or think you may be pregnant then that is the time to make an appointment with your doctor, as soon as possible. They can be your first point of call for confidential and professional care and advice. * Regular doctor visits ensure that your baby is growing properly and allows you to discuss plans, options and concerns. * Tests to expect: * Ultrasounds (to monitor growth and anatomy) * Blood and urine tests * Glucose screening (to check for gestational diabetes) 2. Take Care of Your Health * Nutrition: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and prenatal vitamins (especially folic acid and iron). * Avoid: Alcohol, smoking, excessive caffeine, and unpasteurized foods. * Exercise: Light to moderate exercises like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga can help with stamina, mood, and delivery preparation. * Hydration: Drink plenty of water daily to stay hydrated. 3. Learn About Labour and Delivery * Research options like vaginal birth, caesarean section, or water birth. * Take prenatal classes to prepare for labour, delivery, and postpartum care. 4. Prepare Emotionally * Hormonal changes can lead to mood swings; don't hesitate to seek help if you feel persistently anxious or depressed (possible signs of prenatal depression). * Involve your partner or support system in the journey—attend appointments and classes together. 5. Plan for Postpartum Life * Research breastfeeding basics and consider lactation consultant resources if needed. * Stock up on essentials: diapers, baby clothes, and postpartum care supplies for you. 6. Stay Informed * Learn about pregnancy stages: trimesters, fetal development, and common symptoms like nausea or swelling. * Keep an open line of communication with your doctor for any concerns. ------------------------- Helpful Resources and Links * General Pregnancy Guidance * What to Expect (Official Site) [https://www.whattoexpect.com/] * March of Dimes - Pregnancy [https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrkLlPEDWdnBwIAAokM34lQ;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1736016580/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marchofdimes.org%2Ffind-support%2Ftopics%2Fpregnancy/RK=2/RS=XcMs1vVhA7DkRk5niTTk1yLMlLQ-] * Nutrition During Pregnancy * Mayo Clinic - Nutrition and Weight Gain During Pregnancy [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle] * Prenatal Classes * Lamaze International [https://www.lamaze.org/] * BabyCenter - Prenatal Classes Overview [https://www.babycenter.com/] * Labor and Delivery Preparation * The Bump - Birth Plan Template [https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrkOYxnDWdnHAIAl0IM34lQ;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1736016488/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebump.com%2Fa%2Ftool-birth-plan/RK=2/RS=kv8SKtjL7n6puIQ2vsiSuweVbp4-] * Childbirth Connection - Labor Comfort Measures [https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr.oGmUDWdnIwIA.1kM34lQ;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzMEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1736016532/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalpartnership.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F02%2Fcomfort-in-labor-simkin.pdf/RK=2/RS=6y1YrO1Esb41Rf7nAXYYgZYraDc-] * Postpartum Support * Postpartum Support International [https://www.postpartum.net/] * KellyMom - Breastfeeding Resource [https://kellymom.com/] * Apps to Track Pregnancy (easy to google lots of different apps)) * Ovia Pregnancy Tracker [https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrLAC27D2dn6wEAp78M34lQ;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1736017083/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oviahealth.com%2Fpregnancy-app%2F/RK=2/RS=Aq7Aq.9x_6NXd38lIw52BrAnmK8-] * The Bump * BabyCenter [https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrkMR7ZD2dnDAIAlJQM34lQ;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1736017114/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.babycentre.co.uk%2F/RK=2/RS=Xb.kKMywOuMUgSCwVN.fkHFxpmc-]
SoulfullyAButterfly profile picture
Are You Coparenting? Introduce Yourself
by SoulfullyAButterfly
Last post
September 18th, 2025
...See more Welcome to the Parenting and Pregnancy Community! One of our community topics is coparenting. For those who are familiar with the concept, co-parenting is a remarkable journey of collaborative parenting after separation or divorce. It's an approach that brings together separated or divorced parents with a shared goal: to provide the best possible upbringing for their children. This community space serves to connect with others who understand the joys and complexities of co-parenting. Are you a coparent? Feel welcome to: ✨ Introduce Yourself ✨ Share a little about your coparenting situation or journey ✨ What are some challenges you would like to discuss and gain support for?
tommy profile picture
Parenting & Pregnancy Automated Taglist!
by tommy
Last post
June 5th, 2025
...See more Welcome to the Parenting & Pregnancy Taglist This thread is an auto-updating list. The list is regularly updated by forum leaders and can be found below. Having issues? Reply to this thread and someone will help you! Why should I join the taglist? ✔ Never miss out on sub-community check-ins, discussions or events ✔ Get tagged and notified by community leaders whenever a new relevant thread has been posted ✔ Become a more active member of the community. What do I need to do? ✅ To add yourself to this taglist, press the Post to Thread button below and write the exact words Please add me. ❌ To remove yourself from this taglist, press the Post to Thread button below and write the exact words Please remove me. ------------------------- Current taglist as of Jan 2024 (updated by @MistyMagic) @daydreammemories @Iyyana @KindCatEars @Maxisthebest @MistyMagic @tealPapaya5453 @tommy @Truth22

Parenting and Pregnancy Support


Welcome to the Pregnancy and Parenting Support! We are so pleased you have stumbled across our little internet corner. Our community is here to support you through your parenting and pregnancy journey. From pregnancy woes and wins, milestones with your little ones, resources, general support, offering personal experiences, and more! Feel free to discuss anything and everything related to the life that is raising a child, growing a child, supporting someone who is growing and or raising a child, or co-parenting while raising a child. 


What are the different forum topics for Parenting and Pregnancy?

Community Space: A place to introduce yourself and participate in our community check-ins, games, and more!

CoParenting: A place to connect with others in a co-parenting arrangement, share your story, and support others!

Parenting: A place to receive support, ask questions, and start and participate in discussions regarding the parenting journey!

Pregnancy: Want to share your pregnancy experience? Have questions and want to hear the experiences of others? Discuss it here!


How can I help?

You can help us by simply responding to threads and sharing your story (if you're comfortable). Check-in with us, join a discussion, or start one! Alternatively, join us as a Forum Leader. Check out this thread for more information.


Helpful Threads

Taglist: Do you want to stay up to date with our community? Then join our tag list to be notified whenever there is a new discussion or update within the community!


Parenting and Pregnancy FAQ

Q: Are there any sub-community-specific guidelines that we need to adhere to?

A: You can find Sub-community-specific guidelines below, which you should follow in addition to the general forum guidelines.


Help! I still have a question!  If you need help, feel free to contact a community leader or post here, and someone will contact you!

Community Guidelines

1. Include a trigger warning (TW) when referencing sensitive topics such as miscarriages, death, abortion, etc.

2. Respect the views of other members within the sub-community. Parenting is not easy and is often done differently from person to person.

3. Do not attempt to diagnose another member's child. You may share your experience with your child with the same or similar symptoms and the outcome, but diagnosing should be left to a medical professional. 

Not Helpful: “[I think] Your child has [xxx].

Helpful: “My child had/has symptoms [xxx] and [xxx] and was/is diagnosed with [xxx]; you might consider taking your child to a medical professional to rule this out.”


Community Resources