Being the first of your friends to be pregnant

vinylrecs

Who else here is the first or nearly the first in their social circle to be expecting a baby? My husband and I are a good 8-10 years younger than the typical age for a first baby among our social circles, so we're really grateful that we have close family who is also expecting and a bit further along. But it's still pretty isolating! What are some great ways to develop community with other expectant parents offline, especially this early in the pregnancy?

hellopartyof5

This early in the pregnancy is really hard, but getting involved in your community is key. Go for walks! Be friendly! You never know when you're going to meet your new best friend. I was my first friend to have a baby and it was extremely isolating. Add that to the fact that we moved away from my home state and I basically just had my SIL who was not ready for kids. I've met several great girls in my town just from the local FB group and going on walks. Once baby is born see if there are any new moms groups and/or join MOPS or even the le leche league.  Good luck! 

vinylrecs

I feel like once I show at ALL I will feel way more comfortable striking up the random "I am pregnant, I see you also are pregnant/also have a child" conversation but at the moment I'm shy!

It's funny how much I feel like people around where we live need an excuse/reason to talk to strangers. Children and bumming cigarettes are basically the only starting-conversations-with-strangers entry points here. Obviously the latter doesn't apply to me

aquasocks

It is a little tough being the first in the group. I joined a prenatal yoga class when I was pregnant with my daughter because I just had one work friend who was pregnant. I am a SAHM now, and I'm in a playgroup in my city that I discovered through facebook. I wish I had done it when my daughter was first born! Even if your kid can't play, it's a great way to meet other moms. Also, you can check out local LLL meetings if plan on breastfeeding. Or strike up a conversation in destination maternity/any baby store and mention you are looking to connect with other moms-to-be! There are a lot of moms who go through this!

ashleymomma2

I found that I made a lot of mommy friends AFTER my LO was born! We all go to the same places, have the same interests, so you tend to run into each other  

DunkinDecaf

I was in the same boat before my daughter was born. You might try finding some classes like mother-infant yoga or something in your area. We've been going to a music class and it's been a great way for her to hang out with other babies, and for me to meet other moms.

Hedgessm

We met one of our closet couple friends at our birthing class. As others said, prenatal activities are a good way beforehand. But I found it was much easier to make mommy friends after my son was born. You end up in the same places. 

talkthewholetime

I was, and it was so lonely. Luckily I became closer with some friends who had kids after and made new ones - your friend scene opens way up when you have a baby. And a lot of my college friends have caught up.