- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
1st Trimester
BumpMay
admin
Options
The Bump Guidelines
BumpMay
admin
Welcome to The Bump; we hope you have a great experience in our Community Forums.
We created The Bump Community so women (and guys - we have forums for dads too!) can connect with others who are going through what you’re going through -- or who’ve gone through it and have advice and perspectives to share. Think of it like your own big support group and community where you can share as much and as little as you want to, or need to -- but remember that all your posts are public.
What’s The Bump Community?
The Bump’s Community is like a fantastic park with lots of interesting, exciting and informative sections -- many of them will catch your eye and you’ll want to spend some time there, although some of them won’t.
Every forum in our Community has its own history and culture -- and sometimes its own language! To help you navigate and find the best spots for you, we’ve created a little guide to help you find your way around.
How To Be A Great Bumpie:
Every forum at The Bump is different from the others. Read the first few pages of posts to get a feel for each forum, and then focus on the do’s and avoid the don’t’s:
DO use (some of) the 72 hours between registration and posting in the community to get familiar with the forums.
DO read current threads - and older threads too!
But please don’t automatically post a reply on a thread that hasn’t had any responses in weeks or months, especially on our Loss and Infertility related boards. Bumping those “ghost” threads will show new signatures, including pictures that may be painful or triggering to current board members; it’s fine to start a new thread on an older topic so you don’t bump a ghost thread.
DO use our Community Search to find curated collections of information and articles by staffers, doctors and experts, as well as posts by other Bumpies on the topic you have a question about.
DO introduce yourself with a sentence or two in your first two or three posts on a forum that’s new to you. You can also add biographical info into your Signature and customize your avatar.
But please don’t promote your business in your intro, avatar or Signature; that’s spam and it’s not allowed on The Bump’s forums.
DO familiarize yourself with the Glossary of Terms, which is full of community acronyms and lingo -- it's a great way to get a feel for a forum's culture.
DO join a Birth Month board if you’re pregnant or a parent; Birth Month boards are great, and you might find a community that's forming or growing.
But please don't ask if we think you’re pregnant or post your pee stick -- these are other members just like you, not doctors, and no two women have completely identical pregnancy symptoms, cravings, feelings or reactions. Bumpies have great info and emotional support but only your medical professionals can confirm a pregnancy or diagnose issues.
DO check out the other forums, too! The Bump is a large community with a lot of great spaces -- think Central Park, not a small neighborhood playground -- and other boards, threads and posts at The Bump are worth checking out.
But please don't take offense if a member directs you to another board within TB. They are just trying to help you get the answers you need. Remember the Central Park comparison? If you’re talking with someone at the ice rink about paddle boats, and she directs you there, she’s just being helpful. Even if you believe that you are in the right place to have your question answered, no one is obligated to do so. Insisting that you are in the right place isn't likely to get you the answers you are seeking, so trust that they are trying to help you by getting you to the place their experience tells them is right for you.
DO click the LOVE IT! button if someone’s advice, information or story helps you, or you find it funny, informative or supportive.
DO bookmark the community page and check it regularly. It includes great resources for whatever stage you’re at, as well as information about The Bump’s community forums.
DO take time to make acquaintances, and enjoy turning those relationships into true friendships.
If an original poster (OP) or a responder is seeking emotional support during a loss or difficult experience, please do comment kindly.
But please don’t feel like you have to comment in every forum, on every thread and to every post. It's okay to skip or ignore a thread if you have nothing constructive, relevant or supportive to contribute.
DO encourage newer or uncomfortable users to join in and become part of the community; we recognize that not every person is destined to become best of friends or have shared interests or focuses, but the community thrives when we try not to haze or harass others -- or see every disagreement or different opinion as a personal attack or slight.
But please don't get upset if someone disagrees with you; The Bump is a global community and our Bumpies represent every age group, belief system, race, sexual orientation, culture, perspective, gender and sex (yes, dads are here too!). Members are encouraged to share their own opinions and experiences in a respectful manner; disagreement does not constitute harassment.
DO flag comments or reach out to a moderator or admin if you see anything that is grounds for an automatic ban under the list below.
If someone posts harassment directed at you or a group you are a part of (ie ethnic group, religion, etc.), or are breaking the community rules, then please report the post by clicking on the flag.
But please don’t flag things just because you disagree with what someone said. It's a Report A Terms of Use Violation button, not a "dislike" button. The editing/warning process is not automatic and at least one moderator will review all flagged posts. The individual who reports a post will not be informed of the outcome of the mod review unless it involves her private and personally identifying information.
DO keep private messages private, unless you are sharing it with a moderator or admin.
But please don’t complain about reposts or crossposts. Just because you have already seen it and/or answered it does not mean that other members have had the same opportunity - and sometimes conversations just fit into two different forums. A link to the previously answered question might be more productive than a complaint about it.
Our Terms of Use contains general information about The Bump’s rules, but the Community has its own rules and these guidelines. While we have some offenses that result in instant bans (they're listed below), generally if you violate the Terms of Use, a mod will issue a Warning. As of January 1, 2015, three warns within six months will get you banned from The Bump; one or two warns will have no effect on your Bump-community participation.
PLEASE DON’T:
We created The Bump Community so women (and guys - we have forums for dads too!) can connect with others who are going through what you’re going through -- or who’ve gone through it and have advice and perspectives to share. Think of it like your own big support group and community where you can share as much and as little as you want to, or need to -- but remember that all your posts are public.
What’s The Bump Community?
The Bump’s Community is like a fantastic park with lots of interesting, exciting and informative sections -- many of them will catch your eye and you’ll want to spend some time there, although some of them won’t.
Every forum in our Community has its own history and culture -- and sometimes its own language! To help you navigate and find the best spots for you, we’ve created a little guide to help you find your way around.
How To Be A Great Bumpie:
Every forum at The Bump is different from the others. Read the first few pages of posts to get a feel for each forum, and then focus on the do’s and avoid the don’t’s:
DO use (some of) the 72 hours between registration and posting in the community to get familiar with the forums.
DO read current threads - and older threads too!
But please don’t automatically post a reply on a thread that hasn’t had any responses in weeks or months, especially on our Loss and Infertility related boards. Bumping those “ghost” threads will show new signatures, including pictures that may be painful or triggering to current board members; it’s fine to start a new thread on an older topic so you don’t bump a ghost thread.
DO use our Community Search to find curated collections of information and articles by staffers, doctors and experts, as well as posts by other Bumpies on the topic you have a question about.
DO introduce yourself with a sentence or two in your first two or three posts on a forum that’s new to you. You can also add biographical info into your Signature and customize your avatar.
But please don’t promote your business in your intro, avatar or Signature; that’s spam and it’s not allowed on The Bump’s forums.
DO familiarize yourself with the Glossary of Terms, which is full of community acronyms and lingo -- it's a great way to get a feel for a forum's culture.
DO join a Birth Month board if you’re pregnant or a parent; Birth Month boards are great, and you might find a community that's forming or growing.
But please don't ask if we think you’re pregnant or post your pee stick -- these are other members just like you, not doctors, and no two women have completely identical pregnancy symptoms, cravings, feelings or reactions. Bumpies have great info and emotional support but only your medical professionals can confirm a pregnancy or diagnose issues.
DO check out the other forums, too! The Bump is a large community with a lot of great spaces -- think Central Park, not a small neighborhood playground -- and other boards, threads and posts at The Bump are worth checking out.
But please don't take offense if a member directs you to another board within TB. They are just trying to help you get the answers you need. Remember the Central Park comparison? If you’re talking with someone at the ice rink about paddle boats, and she directs you there, she’s just being helpful. Even if you believe that you are in the right place to have your question answered, no one is obligated to do so. Insisting that you are in the right place isn't likely to get you the answers you are seeking, so trust that they are trying to help you by getting you to the place their experience tells them is right for you.
DO click the LOVE IT! button if someone’s advice, information or story helps you, or you find it funny, informative or supportive.
DO bookmark the community page and check it regularly. It includes great resources for whatever stage you’re at, as well as information about The Bump’s community forums.
DO take time to make acquaintances, and enjoy turning those relationships into true friendships.
If an original poster (OP) or a responder is seeking emotional support during a loss or difficult experience, please do comment kindly.
But please don’t feel like you have to comment in every forum, on every thread and to every post. It's okay to skip or ignore a thread if you have nothing constructive, relevant or supportive to contribute.
DO encourage newer or uncomfortable users to join in and become part of the community; we recognize that not every person is destined to become best of friends or have shared interests or focuses, but the community thrives when we try not to haze or harass others -- or see every disagreement or different opinion as a personal attack or slight.
But please don't get upset if someone disagrees with you; The Bump is a global community and our Bumpies represent every age group, belief system, race, sexual orientation, culture, perspective, gender and sex (yes, dads are here too!). Members are encouraged to share their own opinions and experiences in a respectful manner; disagreement does not constitute harassment.
DO flag comments or reach out to a moderator or admin if you see anything that is grounds for an automatic ban under the list below.
If someone posts harassment directed at you or a group you are a part of (ie ethnic group, religion, etc.), or are breaking the community rules, then please report the post by clicking on the flag.
But please don’t flag things just because you disagree with what someone said. It's a Report A Terms of Use Violation button, not a "dislike" button. The editing/warning process is not automatic and at least one moderator will review all flagged posts. The individual who reports a post will not be informed of the outcome of the mod review unless it involves her private and personally identifying information.
DO keep private messages private, unless you are sharing it with a moderator or admin.
But please don’t complain about reposts or crossposts. Just because you have already seen it and/or answered it does not mean that other members have had the same opportunity - and sometimes conversations just fit into two different forums. A link to the previously answered question might be more productive than a complaint about it.
Our Terms of Use contains general information about The Bump’s rules, but the Community has its own rules and these guidelines. While we have some offenses that result in instant bans (they're listed below), generally if you violate the Terms of Use, a mod will issue a Warning. As of January 1, 2015, three warns within six months will get you banned from The Bump; one or two warns will have no effect on your Bump-community participation.
PLEASE DON’T:
Personally attack other members. This includes:
Hazing new membersSwearing at another member to deliberately hurt or offend her/himUsing gifs or memes in a harassing manner in public posts or Private Messages (PMs)Publicly putting down posts, questions or Bumpers or engaging in harassment - whether directly or indirectly. If a post violates the site Rules or Guidelines, please click on the Report This Post flag; the mods will see that more efficiently than a comment on the thread.
Share private personally identifying information of any sort, whether it be your own or another member’s (regardless if you have their permission). If you share your own information, it is at your own risk; if you share someone else’s private, personally identifying information, it may be a violation of our Terms of Use.Post any links to surveys, your research questions (we do not help with your homework), your referral links, your gofundme, your Patreon or any other link that benefits you in a monetary way, without the prior written consent of The Bump. Block moderators. They are here to help, and blocking could prevent you from receiving valuable information about the site and any issues with your posts or account.Recruit members to leave The Bump to join another community. However, if someone needs information that is not found on TB, it is okay to direct them elsewhere in a helpful manner.
What are grounds for automatic banning?
Trolling:
Consistently responding to threads solely to put down the original poster or respondersDiscussing and identifying any other member’s private and personally identifying information after being told not to by either an admin, a moderator, or the individual in question
Advertising or promoting your (or your family's or friends' ) business, forthcoming or in-progress medical study, editorials or content for other sites or any sort of spam; please contact our advertising team to learn how to advertise at The Bump.
Impersonating a site mod or advertiser
Ban dodging
While we can’t come up with examples of all the types of posts that are personal attacks, here’s some examples of things that are - and ways to phrase things so they aren’t.
Personal attack: The members of the _________ board are a bunch of crazies.
Not a personal attack: I was reading the _________ board and I don’t understand the desire to focus on.....
Not a personal attack: I really hated the movie I saw last week, ___________, and I can’t understand why anyone enjoyed it.
Personal attack: Member X posted this thread about ____________. She's such an idiot.
Not a personal attack: The ___________ forum isn’t the right place to post about ___________. You might want to find another forum for that.
Not a personal attack: Recently IRL a mom I saw did something that I really didn't agree with. How would you have reacted to......
Personal attack: I think you’re an asshole.
Personal attack: I think you’re acting like an asshole.
Not a personal attack: I think your comments and actions are rude and inappropriate. You’re being unfair.
Report as a TOS violation if: Someone is being racist, homophobic, sexist or cruel; you don’t need to call them out on the forums and risk them turning on you. Let us know so we can get them off the forums.
Personal attack: Fuck off.
If you feel the need to speak to someone in this manner, that means it’s time to step away from the thread or contact a moderator or admin.
What do moderators do?
Edit or delete comments that violate the community rules
Review reported posts
Close threads where the conversations are getting too contentious.
Issue warnings and bans as necessary
Help newbies learn about The Bump so they can become friendly, supportive, informational, fun and/or interesting contributors within our communities.
Moderators have responsibilities and privileges on the boards they are assigned to (see assigned mod name at the top of any board). However, when they participate on another board they are just a regular user with her own opinions and they’re subject to the same rules as any other member. The exception is when they have been asked to step in and assist by that board's moderator and if that’s the case they generally say so.
This discussion has been closed.