I just wanted to say thank you to all of the people that have posted their stories or given advice to those who are in need. I just found this board today (after much searching, I might add) and I don't even think I can put into words how grateful I am to have found it.

Big surprise...I too am pregnant and alone. My story is not as bad as some but it has almost broken me. Because of finding this board and seeing that others have been there and done that, I am able to see that I will get through it.

I know that I will be a good mother and do everything in my power to make my child's life the kind of life that he/she deserves. I am fortunate in that I have the support of my family and a few good friends to help me through the darkest times. Still, feeling that the person I loved most, chose to build a life with and created a child with is not going to be a part of our life anymore still takes its toll. And though I do have the support of friends and family, it is hard to feel a sense of understanding from people who have never had to deal with this. And while it is sad that any of us have to go through these things, it is comforting to know that others have been there and succeeded. Thank you.

D~

Wow, welcome and what a statement to start with. It is so very hard to do anything alone, or being the "only" one who has to go through or has been through single parenting. You have come to one of the best tools I've found in getting through those dark days. Family and friends are a must, but someone else who actually understands the single part of single parenting...that's a life saver.

Stick around, you'll find it brightens up your day. Be careful though, it'll make you cry too.

How far along are you?

Wow! Welcome to the site! We can't wait to learn more about you and your expectant baby! It can be very difficult to feel like you are all alone in going through something so traumatic and fantastic all at the same time! This site has been a life saver and I wouldn't know what to do w/o it! There is so much great advice and so many great stories from fantastic people!

Good luck to you and I hope to see you around!

Thanks for the welcome. :-) As for the crying part...I cry everyday anyway so I might as well cry here too. ;-)

I'm 11 weeks along. I'm due the first week of June. I've had one sonogram so far (at 8 1/2 weeks) and everything looks normal. I go to my next doctor's appointment on Friday and he said we will be doing something because we can hear the heartbeat now. I assume it is an ultrasound but I don't really know because I actually heard the heartbeat last time. Everyone in my family seems to think it is a girl. I just want a healthy baby but I wouldn't be upset if it turns out to be a girl. ;-) Morning sickness just started this past week and I really think they should come up with a new name. It hardly ever happens in the morning-at least for me.

I'm not a very patient person with this pregnancy. I was just telling my mom that I wish that it was already six months from now. I can't wait to have it be done with and actually have our baby. I was planning on a natural birth and even wanted to have a water birth but I don't know if that is possible now as I won't have support. I mean I love my friends and family but I really don't want my mom with me during the birth part. My closest friends live quite a few miles away and I don't want to worry about them making their flights or not hitting any traffic to be with me on time. So I guess I'll keep researching it and figure it out in the next few months. :-)

D~

Hi, and welcome from me as well... where do you live, if I may ask? You have a bit to go before your baby is born, so just concentrate on taking care of yourself. As for planning your birth, you can almost throw that out the window... I think it rarely happens the way you want anyways. And moms are a godsend in the delivery room. My mom missed the birth of my 2nd child (daughter) and was so upset, but I told her I wasn't putting her back just so she could witness it!! She saw my son born already! LOL! But I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Keep us posted on your pregnancy!! I wish you the best of luck!

Morning sickness is the worst. I couldn't believe that it lasted all day long. It was the most miserable 3 1/2 months of my life. After that, the baby starts to move and you know that it is getting closer to the birth. Everyone would tell me that they wished they were pregnant, and I would tell them they were crazy. I liked the knowledge that my baby was inside and protected and thought the way it felt when he kicked was totally cool, but as far as loving being pregnant, I was more ready for the birth. Once that gets there, though, you will want to be pregnant again.

Let your mom in the delivery room. I don't know what I would have done w/o mine. She was there and, although I screamed at and cussed her, she was a calming influence. I only screamed and cussed when she kept telling me to breath. When you are in that much pain, they tend to let an outburst like that slide a little. I would never talk to my mom like that otherwise.

Good luck to you and I look forward to seeing you around!

My Mom and Dad were there up to pushing w/my first. My Dad was the only one strong enough to keep pressure on my back labor. My Mother was my coach for both labors. As uncomfortable as it may seem, my Mother was the Ace in the hole. Whomever you have as a Coach will be okay...but you need somebody there for you and only you. Nurses have too many patients to fluff pillows for you. Perhaps there are Doulas in your area? Or a Midwife? My Midwife was amazing with my daughter's birth.

I'll tell you one thing it really is helpful to have someone there besides the doctor/midwife and nurse when I had my baby last Thursday my labor coach couldnt find a babysitter after spending two days already with me in the hospital she wasnt able to be there through the hardest part of my labor and she missed the birth by 15 minutes this was my second and I had someone there for my first and it really does make a huge difference to have someone there sometimes just to talk to you to try to keep your mind off the contractions. Keep this in mind before you decide to go through the birth completely alone. Maybe see if you can schedule your birth for when you are 39 weeks (some doctors will do this) and see if one of your friends can make plans to be there for you it is a time when you really might need some support and might just not want to be alone.

Congratulations on your new baby!

Hi there~
Sorry it has taken me so long to post a reply. I have been in and out of the emergency room due to complications (bleeding, cramping, nausea, dehydration, etc) and have been on and off bedrest. The fact that my internet service is off at home has not made the bed rest any more bearable. :-(

I have switched providers and am now being seen by a midwife. She and the practice she works for are amazing. They have really helped to alleviate some of the stress that I'm feeling. I will contact a doula next week and I start prenatal classes in January. I will do the classes by myself and that will be hard but I think I can do it. I'm excited about what I will learn so I will manage it...at least that is the feeling I'm having at this exact moment. :-)

I live in the Central US. My parents live about 2 hours away and my closest friend lives about an hour away from where I will be giving birth. I'm still not crazy about having them in the room with me but I may change my mind when it comes right down to it. I'm officially in the second trimester now so I still have time to change my mind about who will be there.

Again thanks for all of your advice. It really does help to hear it from people who have been there.

D~