Lonely and Pregnant

[Hanlou007]

I am 24 weeks pregnant and live in Huddersfield West Yorkshire. I moved here from London a year and 1/2 ago and dont really know many people up here. I used to be a quailified nanny for 13 years but think having my own will be totally different.
I do not work and finding it very lonely at the mo and hormones are not helping either....

Is there anyone around here who is in the same situation? Anyone got any advice?

[Marina]

Hanlou, welcome to Mumsnet. Sorry to hear you are finding W Yorks lonely.
I'm nowhere near, I'm afraid, but there are Mumsnetters locally and I hope they see your message soon.
The NCT is a good way to get genned up for your forthcoming labour and delivery and make new friends locally. Here's their website with a link to their courses.
OK, the NCT attracts some flak and can be cliquey but it is also possible to make some life-changing friendships through it. And the courses are excellent.
You don't mention a partner. If you have one, how do they feel about how isolated and low you are feeling? Are they understanding? I hope so.
Take care.

[polkadot]

If this is your first baby then I'd suggest that you go to antenatal classes. You'll meet other people there who are having their first babies and will be around during the day as they will be giving up work at least for a short time. Other suggestions might be pregnancy yoga, pregnancy aquarobics, NCT, HV's post-natal group and mother and toddler groups when you've had the baby. If you persevere and aren't afraid to make the first move then I'm sure that your efforts will pay off.

[Hanlou007]

sorry forgot to say I am married...

[Hanlou007]

sorry forgot to say I am married...

[Hanlou007]

I was a nanny for 10 years so used to socialising a lot.....I am normally alright on my own and dont mind my own company....I think alot may be i want my own friends...I moved up here to be with my husband and most of our friends were his firends and not mine....Would be nice to have someone to moan to

[nailpolish]

when your baby is born, force yourself to go to a mothers and babies group. i moved here when i was just married, and got pg soon after that. i knew no-one, just like you. it was difficult too when i was on mat leave because i didnt even have my work cooleagues close by, as work was miles away.

anyway, you will meet others there, even if they just speak about their babies at 1st, you can arrange 'playdates' etc, even when they are tiny babies!

i told my hv, who advised me to go, that i didnt want to go 'on my own, when i didnt know anyone' and she said 'youre not on your own, youve got your baby with you' which i thought was lovely, and it was true.

i have made friends here now, just one or two, and we are not 'best' mates but its not so bad now.

good luck hanlou, and dont get too down about it. i know how you feel.

[Hanlou007]

I am used to going to groups from being a nanny...I am not worried about after its more now...would be nice to know other pregnant women...

[bakedpotato]

through stuff like yoga/antenatal hospital classes/baby massage etc i made more friends than at any time since being in f-t education (and i'm really really bad at meeting people and group activities). not everyone turned into a bosom buddy or friend for life, but it's funny how the experience of being pg or having a small baby links you to total strangers, even strangers you'd ordinarily have very little in common with. but you have to get out there (which i know is hard esp if you're feeling low and knackered).
is there a public pool near you? maybe they do acqua aerobics for pregnant women? ask at a local gym about PG exercise classes. see what your midwife can tip you off about.