Mums-to-be - how to manage when you're so far away from friends and family?

[hellopossums]

Hello all,

I'm 5 months pregnant with my first - it's all new and scary and exciting. We're based in Hawthorn, Melbourne and have been here 2 years.

I love it here - lifestyle great, job great, food great(!). I have found the level of care and attention I have been receiving during my pregnancy to be very good, although I have nothing to compare it to.

However - it is a bit strange to be so far from friends and family at a time like this. There are lots of lovely people around me but I don't have any close friends here. Anyone else been in a similiar situation?

Thanks.

[moozle]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you! You'll meet a whole heap of people when you are out and about with your baby! My whole friendship group has changed since having DS. I now have lots of friends from my mother's group and also Bub Hub! All the best :)

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

Hi, I have been in your position HP tho I am a couple of years further down the track. I know exactly where you are coming from. Its more than just company, its support and backup as well. And it takes time to find and build those relationships. I find it hard to ask for practical help even from those I am close to, when they are not family and they are busy with their own lives.

There are lots of areas of support out there. Check with your local rotary club, I have heard that some rotarys have an in-home support thing, where a regular trained police-checked person will spend one morning a week with you, they will take the place of a grandparent etc. Talk to your local MCHN before the baby comes and ask are there any other similar organisations in your area. There will be waiting lists so its best to call them now. If I can rustle up some contact details I will PM it thru to you. But ask ask ask, there is support out there, you just have to find it.

Hopefully you will get into a nice mums group and make some good friends there. There are lots of playgroups too, start checking them out, just drop in one morning and see if you like it, it will be easier to do it now than after Bub arrives. Look for ones that will have bubs about the same age. there are other things too, gymbaroo, baby swim classes, lots of ways to meet other mums.

My main strategy was to plan ahead, make sure I had something organised so the week is not stretching ahead with no outings.

Hope that is some help! :wave:

[HollyHotLips]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you! You'll meet a whole heap of people when you are out and about with your baby! My whole friendship group has changed since having DS. I now have lots of friends from my mother's group and also Bub Hub! All the best :)

:iagree:

Mum's group is a great opportunity to make good friends.

I must admit I still have days when I wish my parents lived nearby so I could get some time out from DD, plus I do still feel some guilt about her being so far away from her family.... DD and I went to the Uk in May so she could meet everyone and it was a huge help to me, I had PND and it was mainly due to the guilt. After the trip I came home and felt so much better about it all.