Pregnant and lonely

[sunlover1123]

Hi Mumsnet Community,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and due in May, this is my first baby and at almost 36 years old feels quite strange but I've been enjoying all the milestones that come with pregnancy and trying to make the most of my time before the baby arrives.

I don't have any mum friends/mum colleagues and no one in my circle has children and so I've really started to feel quite lonely.
I tried reaching out on the peanut app to try and meet some local ladies but to be honest it was a complete waste of time in the end as it ended with a few message exchanges and then radio silence.

I currently live in Croydon and am happy to travel locally to meet people in nearby towns but I am really struggling to find other pregnant women to connect with and wondered how you all did it.

My family live near Hastings and it will be an hours drive or 2 hours by train and I am worried that when the baby does arrive I will feel completely isolated.
I know that the first few weeks will be exhausting and moral support will be needed - has anyone else experienced this feeling?

Tried speaking to my midwife and asked if there were any breastfeeding clubs etc. but I was dismissed pretty quickly and was told they were only available for mums who had babies.
I am likely to have a C-section and so the thought of having no one around apart from my OH seems pretty isolating as well as not great for anyones mental health.

Advice greatly appreciated :)

Hi I'm in the same situation as you so completely understand how you feel. I'm 38 and 25 weeks with my first. Moved from Kent to Essex 5 years ago and don't really know anyone nearby. My family like yours are an hour+ drive away, my mum doesn't drive and my husbands mum passed away last year. I dont really have any advice but just wanted to say you're not alone in feeling like this. I think I'm just hoping to join a baby/toddler group and I know my local library does story time which I'll go to. Although most of it seems for when baby is a bit older. Not sure how I'll manage with a new born. Its hard though as I'm really shy so struggle to meet new people and make friends anyway. Will try and get out for a walk every day at least so I'm not just at home all day, at least the weather should be nicer by then!

Also I've signed up for NCT antenatal classes which a few people have told me are good for making friends so hoping that will help.

@sunlover1123 hi! Are you signed up for any NCT classes? I have quite a few friends who have children/are pregnant but there is nothing like people close by who are going through the same stage I’m sure…I’m 34, 27 weeks pregnant and also live in Croydon (South!) so feel free to direct message me! X

@sunlover1123
I live close to you!

@sunlover1123 you could try some pregnancy yoga classes etc too, friends have made mum friends through them. We’ve just completed an nct class and met a lovely bunch of people.

Thanks! Glad it's not just me who feels like this.

I haven't booked on any NCT classes but am going to an Antenatal yoga classes. They are all lovely but I haven't really connected with anyone yet. The NCT classes I haven't booked onto - purely because my partner has just been made redundant and the they look pretty costly! @Babybaby66 @cat709 I will DM you :)