Ask Metafilter for dogs and babies
February 7, 2018 2:51 AM Subscribe
I am newly pregnant with lots of questions about pregnancy and being a mom, and I also have an aging dog that has recently been having a lot of health issues that I am trying to get a grasp on.
I have looked into forums and message boards on these two topics, but the sheer number of options is overwhelming and it would take a lot of time to read through every post and get an idea of how active and friendly each community is. This is why I wanted to ask if anyone has had personal experiences with specific message boards, forums, FB groups, etc, they've found particularly helpful. So if you have any ideas for one or both of these topics to help narrow down my options, please feel free to share! Thanks!
I have looked into forums and message boards on these two topics, but the sheer number of options is overwhelming and it would take a lot of time to read through every post and get an idea of how active and friendly each community is. This is why I wanted to ask if anyone has had personal experiences with specific message boards, forums, FB groups, etc, they've found particularly helpful. So if you have any ideas for one or both of these topics to help narrow down my options, please feel free to share! Thanks!
I'm pregnant with my first and I agree it can be overwhelming! I'm also on the metafilter parenting group on Facebook and it's great. I also lurk on Reddit in the r/babybumps where it's interesting to read other pregnant women's questions and thoughts. Reddit also has groups by due date month and I like seeing what's going on with other people in my month. It's helpful to read what is specific to this time.
posted by ceramicblue at 3:54 AM on February 7, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by ceramicblue at 3:54 AM on February 7, 2018 [4 favorites]
Hi yes memail me!
posted by sestaaak at 4:35 AM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by sestaaak at 4:35 AM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have some offline suggestions. I ended up switching from OB to midwives because they are more available and willing to spend time answering questions (even between your appointments). My hospital also had a hotline you could call with questions. Last, I joined a group for first time pregnant women and that was enormously valuable!
This is a personal choice and there's nothing wrong with forums if you like them, but I chose to stay away because I wanted to have an anxiety-free pregnancy and also because they can be a time suck when you want to prioritize getting ready for baby. It's one of those little decisions I felt really helped me have a happy pregnancy!
posted by beyond_pink at 4:58 AM on February 7, 2018 [3 favorites]
This is a personal choice and there's nothing wrong with forums if you like them, but I chose to stay away because I wanted to have an anxiety-free pregnancy and also because they can be a time suck when you want to prioritize getting ready for baby. It's one of those little decisions I felt really helped me have a happy pregnancy!
posted by beyond_pink at 4:58 AM on February 7, 2018 [3 favorites]
For dog stuff, the Can I Pet Your Dog (Advice/Topics/Discussions) FB group is pretty good. (I'm going to post a question there today!)
If you can't find it, send me a memail and I'll send you the link.
posted by minsies at 5:22 AM on February 7, 2018
If you can't find it, send me a memail and I'll send you the link.
posted by minsies at 5:22 AM on February 7, 2018
My #1 piece of pregnancy advice is go to the babybumps subreddit, find your due date month subreddit and then join the Facebook group someone will have created. I don’t really like reddit and the quality of conversation is much higher on the FB group since our names and photos are attached. I’m due next week and my group has been so invaluable this whole pregnancy. The ladies there are like my equally pregnant friends now and I expect this to continue as we all have our babies. Best of luck!
posted by tatiana wishbone at 5:26 AM on February 7, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by tatiana wishbone at 5:26 AM on February 7, 2018 [5 favorites]
it's geared a little more at postpartum but my wife loves the community at breakingmom on reddit. it's pretty much the only place she posts and possibly the reason she finally signed up for reddit.
i didn't know about the metafilter group on facebook, that's awesome!
posted by noloveforned at 6:28 AM on February 7, 2018
i didn't know about the metafilter group on facebook, that's awesome!
posted by noloveforned at 6:28 AM on February 7, 2018
I have a 14 year old dawgie who is undergoing canine dementia. I have been using CBD oil to reduce some of the symptoms, particularly the pacing and anxiety. There is a FB group called CBD For Pets, Pet Cancer & More where people share some helpful info regarding issues with aging.
posted by HeyAllie at 7:07 AM on February 7, 2018
posted by HeyAllie at 7:07 AM on February 7, 2018
I second (third? fourth?) the [more inside] group on FB.
Also, I work w/ expectant patents on preparing to safely welcome a new baby into a home w/ one or more dogs, in addition to helping owners of aging dogs accommodate their changing needs. Please feel free to memail me anytime!
Some great, basic book resources I’d suggest right off the bat are:
- Living with Kids and Dogs... Without Losing Your Mind by Colleen Pelar
- Complete Care for Your Aging Dog by Amy Shojai
posted by sutureselves at 7:55 AM on February 7, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also, I work w/ expectant patents on preparing to safely welcome a new baby into a home w/ one or more dogs, in addition to helping owners of aging dogs accommodate their changing needs. Please feel free to memail me anytime!
Some great, basic book resources I’d suggest right off the bat are:
- Living with Kids and Dogs... Without Losing Your Mind by Colleen Pelar
- Complete Care for Your Aging Dog by Amy Shojai
posted by sutureselves at 7:55 AM on February 7, 2018 [2 favorites]
Do you have a holistic veterinarian in your area? They may be able to provide you with local support groups and resources. I ask specifically about the holistic vet because I have a coworker with a dog who had severe health problems who switched to a holistic veterinarian and swore by it.
On the pregnancy front, maybe a Meetup group for moms? I'm sure you'd be welcome while you wait for your LO to arrive, and you'd have the chance to connect IRL with other women who have been there.
posted by onecircleaday at 9:16 AM on February 7, 2018
On the pregnancy front, maybe a Meetup group for moms? I'm sure you'd be welcome while you wait for your LO to arrive, and you'd have the chance to connect IRL with other women who have been there.
posted by onecircleaday at 9:16 AM on February 7, 2018
I'm currently pregnant with my first and have 2 senior dogs, one of which has some challenging health issues. The babybumps subreddit and my due date month group subreddit on Reddit have been amazing, especially so my April group. It's so amazing to have a bunch of women who are in roughly the same exact place in their pregnancy to talk to and get support from.
For my dog, some very specific groups on FB for his issues has been the most helpful for me. He has back issues (disc disease) and there's a Wheelie Pugs group (though he doesn't need a wheelchair yet, he has many of the same challenges such as incontinence) and a general Senior Pugs group (we have 13 and 14 year old pugs). Not sure what issues you're dealing with, but I'd try to see if you can find a specific groups for them. I've found general dog forums/groups not super helpful.
posted by disaster77 at 10:03 AM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
For my dog, some very specific groups on FB for his issues has been the most helpful for me. He has back issues (disc disease) and there's a Wheelie Pugs group (though he doesn't need a wheelchair yet, he has many of the same challenges such as incontinence) and a general Senior Pugs group (we have 13 and 14 year old pugs). Not sure what issues you're dealing with, but I'd try to see if you can find a specific groups for them. I've found general dog forums/groups not super helpful.
posted by disaster77 at 10:03 AM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have a 6 week old and I second what everyone has said about Reddit's r/babybumps and the due date month groups, which often have Facebook groups as well. Mine is awesome and sarcastic and hilarious and I love it.
I'd also like to recommend NOT reading every single thing. One of the best pieces of advice I've gotten is to choose a reference book or two. For pregnancy, I used Expecting Better. For babies, I'm using the Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Year. If you have questions beyond that, you want to have a community and practitioners you trust, not Dr. Google. I second the recommendation for midwives if you're in an area with good midwives. I found them far more accessible than any other health practitioner for my middle of the night worries.
posted by sadmadglad at 5:15 PM on February 7, 2018
I'd also like to recommend NOT reading every single thing. One of the best pieces of advice I've gotten is to choose a reference book or two. For pregnancy, I used Expecting Better. For babies, I'm using the Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Year. If you have questions beyond that, you want to have a community and practitioners you trust, not Dr. Google. I second the recommendation for midwives if you're in an area with good midwives. I found them far more accessible than any other health practitioner for my middle of the night worries.
posted by sadmadglad at 5:15 PM on February 7, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by peacheater at 3:23 AM on February 7, 2018 [1 favorite]