I need a good online support community for young pregnant moms to be?!?

I’m 19 years old and I recently got pregnant (I’m 16 weeks)
I am from Toronto, Canada but moved to Bahrain (Middle East) about 6 months ago. I got pregnant in Bahrain. I am married to a wonderful man.

Anyway, I just feel so lonely here because there is no support community for young moms and services/classes like they have in Toronto! I was wondering if any new mom to be or mom has a favourite friendly forum site they like to go on and vent about what is going on in their pregnancy. I really would like to have a healthy pregnancy– physically and emotionally.

My interests are: cooking, and reading – having a natural pregnancy – hypnobirthing, water birth

I haven’t read up too much on natural pregnancy as there is almost no such thing here and the medical hospitals here with regards to childbirth are MUCH worse than they are in the US.

I had a hard time looking for these pregnancy books in any library but luckily I can order them but they usually come after a very long time and are very expensive!!

what else besides pregnancy can cause morning sickness?

I’m 8 weeks pregnant, to me this question sounds dumb but I went to the chemist (drug store) the other day to see if they had anything natural or give advice on what could help with morning sickness. The pharmisist said yes there is something and he thought for a second. He then looked up at me and said ‘do you know what’s causing it?’. I swear it took me 5 complete seconds to reply…’I’m pregnant’. He then had to look in a book to find out whats ok to take for it. I couldn’t believe he asked this question…is he mad or could there be any other reason for it??

Pregnancy survey :0)?

About Mom:
Age? 28.
How much weight have you gained so far? 34lbs.
Is this your first pregnancy? No. I have a nine year old daughter.
Due date? October 17th.
How far along are you? 36 weeks today.
Do you like being pregnant? Sometimes.
Have you had any morning sickness? No.
Any mood swings? Some, but not a lot.
Do you feel you have a stronger sense of smell? Did earlier in pregnancy.
Have any swelling? Just in my feet and ankles, and it’s not that bad.
Have you had any aches or pains yet? Yes. many.
Have you bought anything for baby yet? A lot of things.
When did you find out you were pregnant? March 8, 2010.
Who was with you? I was by myself.
Were you trying to get pregnant? No.
How far along were you when you found out? About 8-10 weeks i think…
What kind of pregnancy test did you take? CVS brand.
How many tests did you take? Two.
What was your first reaction? Shock.
What was your partner’s first reaction? He was very calm…happy.
Who did you tell first? My friend Tammy from work.
What were your parent’s reaction? They were happy..especially cause my sis is due two weeks behind me, so they are getting two grandkids this year!
How far along were you at your first doctor appointment? First “real” doc appointment i was 15 weeks.
Have you heard the baby’s heartbeat? Yes.
Have you had any ultrasounds? Yes…two. And i go for another at 38 weeks.
Will you have any 3D/4D ultrasounds? I saw him/her in 3D cause the tech was nice…but i am not paying for one of the fancy ones!!
Have you had any complications with this pregnancy? No.
Are you high risk? No.
Girl, boy, or surprise? Surprise!
Have you picked out any names yet? Brandon or Ruby.
What is something you eat almost everyday? Yogurt.
Do you have any pregnant friends? My sis is pregnant too…due two weeks behind me.
Have you felt any movement yet? Lots.
Has your partner felt any movement yet? Yes.
Do you or your partner talk to baby? Yes.
When did you really start to show? I was about 15-17 weeks.
Have any stretch marks? A few…they’re light though.
How well have you been sleeping? Any strange dreams? Not sleeping well at this point!
Have you had any braxton-hicks contractions yet? Yes….all the time!
Any baby shower plans? My boyfriends mom is having one for me on the 26th.
Have you registered any where? Babies r us.
What was the first thing bought for baby? Don’t remember.
Are you going to take any birthing classes? I am currently taking them. have the last one this Thursday.
Are you reading any pregnancy, baby, childcare books? Not currently.
What is the best part about being pregnant? Feeling baby move.
What is the worst part? All the aches and pains.
What are you most nervous about? Birth…i know how bad it hurts!

Birth Plans:
At home or at a hospital? Hospital.
Vaginal or C-section? Hopefully vaginal.
Natural or medicated? Going with the flow….whatever i feel like when i am in labor.
Will you be induced? Don’t know yet.
Who will be in the delivery room with you? My mom, Brandon, and his mom.
Are you going to take pictures? Yes.
Will dad cut the cord? Yes.
Are you scared? Yes!!!
What are you most scared about? The pain….like i said, i have had a baby before…i know how it hurts!

When the baby is here:
What is the baby’s coming home outfit? I bought one for a girl and one for a boy….from the Carter’s store…they both have puppies on them and are sooo cute!
Will you come home as soon as you can? Yes.
What is the nursery’s theme? Not sure till we know what it is!
Will you breastfeed or formula feed? Try to breastfeed…but is open to whatever happens!
Will you co-sleep? No.

Are there any easy mental techniques for coping with labour pains?

This is my 2nd pregnancy, my first was unbelieveably painful but with my first i got to hospital too late to have an epidural.

This time I am opting NOT to have epidural because i already have back problems and i have heard that the injection can sometimes cause back injury. So it seems my only option is to have a natural birth.

Can anyone recommend any material (DVD/book) i can use to help myself cope with the pain. Also if you have used the material yourself, how effective was it?