It's that time, friends! Let's pick labor buddies!
First of all, let's get some FAQ out of the way.
What is a labor buddy? A LB is just someone from the board to become closer to through PMs, emails, texts, whatever you like. Chat with them, ask them questions and answer theirs, and, if they want you to, update the board when they're in labor or need our T&Ps. The LB relationship can be whatever you make it!
I'm worried about privacy! What do I have to share with my LB? Whatever you want! It's totally up to you. At minimum, you guys should chat a bit and get to know each other here on TB, through private messages. But some people want to email each other, text, become Facebook friends. Whatever you and your buddy are comfortable with is totally fine.
Do I have to have a LB? No. Participation is not mandatory, it's just a fun thing to do.
What happens if my LB drops off the face of the planet? This happens sometimes. It's a bummer, but think of it as an opportunity to meet someone new! If this happens to you, it should be no problem to find you someone new. Just come back to this thread and comment and we'll make it happen.
Is there a deadline to sign up? It will most likely take us a few weeks to get people paired up, but new people join the board all the time (and other posters drop out of sight, too), so we'll keep this thread pinned and you can decide to grab yourself a buddy anytime. Be aware that if you don't sign up now, you may be stuck waiting until someone else is ready for a buddy, but I don't foresee it being a problem.
Can I choose my own LB? Sure! You may have already hit it off with someone from the board, and that's awesome! Just comment and let me know (by tagging the person) who you want to be paired with and it will be noted on the spreadsheet.
What if I don't have anyone in mind? Don't worry, this won't be like middle school gym class. We'll randomly assign people to be together, no need to feel left out. I imagine that most people won't already have someone in mind, so you won't be alone.
What factors matter in choosing/being assigned to a LB? Due date is the only thing that really matters. We want to pair you with someone that has a due date at least a week or two away from yours, ideally, so that you won't be in labor at the same time! If you're a FTM, you may request to be paired up with a STM+, if you know you'll have questions and want a more experienced buddy. This is not a necessity, though!
Are scheduled c-section mamas included? Absolutely everyone having a baby in February who wants to participate is included!
So, what do you need to do? Simple! Comment on this thread with your due date and let us know if you already have a buddy (please talk to that person privately before claiming them, though!) or if you'd like to be randomly assigned. Please note if you have any other preferences for who you're assigned to, and if you prefer texting/email/FB, or keeping it on TB. Easy enough, right? I will work on a spreadsheet (which I will link here in this first post when I create it) and I will also comment periodically and tag the people who I've assigned to each other. It won't be immediate so just check your notifications/come back to this thread when you think about it and see if you've been assigned yet. Then have fun getting to know each other!
Feel free to ask any other questions and I'll answer them as best I can! If they're common enough, I'll edit this post and add it here so everyone can read it. Other than that, let's attempt to keep this thread as chatter-free as possible so we don't have to parse through a bunch of pages to find the info we need. Thanks guys!
My due date is now 2/9! Moving up in the world! I'd love a buddy, any buddy! Preference would be someone who doesn't mind communicating frequently and of possible a STM or even TTM mom, just so I have someone else's experiences to hear and so I can ask them questions without disturbing the board, so someone patient! I am open to all forms of communication.
And if anyone has location/time zone preferences I am stationed in the east coast, but my school is based off central time and all my family lives in the pacific time zone. So I am free to anyone because I feel like I live in all 3 still!
Yay, this sounds fun!
Edit : added communication preferences to make it easier
I am loving your comments as I pair you. So if you don't see me hearting it yet, I didn't skip or miss you, I just haven't found the right person for you. I just added it to the OP but commenters from now on, please indicate if you'd like to communicate via text/FB!
I'm in! STM, due between 2/19-2/26.. Having RSC and haven't picked a date yet! Open to communicating via TB and email then texting probably closer to D-Day! Everyone's experiences are different but wouldn't mind sharing info w FTM if they want a STM. Either way works!
Married: 2012 --- BFP: 2013 - Little Miss arrived: 2014 --- BFP #2: 2015 - EDD: 2/2016 (Team Green)
Count me in. Third time mom due Feb 21st but will be having a c section (boo) as soon as I'm 37 weeks.. soo Feb 1st-ish I guess? Open to any communication but FB or email/text would be best. I'm horribly slow at responding to emails on here because I'm always mobile and forget to check. I'm working on it though :P
Baby #3 due February. Dx with Spina Bifida Myelo "good things are coming down the road, just don't stop walking"
I'm a TTM and am a Military Wife. I'd prefer to be paired with someone who understands the challenges unique to this lifestyle (FTM okay, I'm happy to share my experiences). Thank you.
I'm a a FTM and also a Military Wife. It's also my first time in the States and I'm having to go through this without my family left behind in Germany.
I'm due 2/16, but they are talking about inducing me a week early since I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes very early on during the pregnancy.
I'm in! TTM (but it's been awhile 9+ years). Due date is 2/19. Dr said bc of my age they dont want me to go past my due date so Im assuming I'll be induced if I make it til then. I prefer FB or text...I'm really behind on emails. Thank you!
I'm in. 5th pregnancy but 2nd time giving birth (not sure what this makes me - stm?). EDD 02/02 but likely cs at 37 weeks. I'm open to communicating on TB, email, and possibly FB or text closer to the date once we know each other a little better.
Re: Official Labor Buddies Thread
Surprise BFP! 06/08/15
Nadine GraceMarie 02/10/16
Diagnosed with placenta increta post delivery: emergency partial hysterectomy - cervix and ovaries still intact
Gestational surrogacy or adoption TBD
*Kate*
February 2016
(original EDD was 2/2/2016)
I still talk to my previous LB all the time. :x
And if anyone has location/time zone preferences I am stationed in the east coast, but my school is based off central time and all my family lives in the pacific time zone. So I am free to anyone because I feel like I live in all 3 still!
Yay, this sounds fun!
Edit : added communication preferences to make it easier
Pairs so far
@geojam224 --> @MamaFroFro
@acuteangles --> @notasycophant
@AdventureMama --> @graceinchaos
@cheesefries88 --> @aussiechicka
@baby0708 --> @SoSirius
@mamacastro --> @lizziesue07
I am a STM and don't mind being paired with a ftm I'm open to any type of communication.
@thisusername --> @britsknits11
Spontaneous pregnancy #1
DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube
Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016
Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3
Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
BFP 12/31/14, EDD 9/08/14 ~ Natural M/C 2/21/14 at 11.5 weeks
BFP 5/24/15 - EDD 2/4/16
Baby F.......02/02/2016
@paytonpedro --> @achae
@bookqueen --> @PaniaO
@twinmom1121 --> @kris10mac
@egraves4 --> @potatocastillo
I'm in
Due 2-12
Scheduled C-section 2-5
Feb16 August Siggy Challenge
Favorite TV Mom
Open to any communication but FB or email/text would be best. I'm horribly slow at responding to emails on here because I'm always mobile and forget to check. I'm working on it though :P
FTM, due date is 2/17
I'm good with FB chat or email! FTM or STM+
I'm a TTM and am a Military Wife. I'd prefer to be paired with someone who understands the challenges unique to this lifestyle (FTM okay, I'm happy to share my experiences). Thank you.
EDD is 2/29
I'm a a FTM and also a Military Wife. It's also my first time in the States and I'm having to go through this without my family left behind in Germany.
I'm due 2/16, but they are talking about inducing me a week early since I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes very early on during the pregnancy.
Thanks for setting this all up @AdventureMama!