Labor Buddies/ Buddy Check- In

[txngrl31]

I have noticed on other boards that there is a "buddy system in place" when it comes to labor. It appears that they started the system because it is easier to keep in contact with one person rather than the whole group, or some feel comfortable private messaging instead of sharing with the entire group. At least that is what I took from it. Has something like this already been discussed in June 2015?' If so, just ignore my thread  . I tried to locate this topic on the board, but only found it briefly mentioned in "ways to improve the community."

 Maybe some STMs have experience with this- is it helpful or just a waste of time?

Thoughts? 

[mrsdee1982]

I've noticed this too. I was wondering how it worked. Like do the labor buddies exchange cell numbers and text each other?

[alayne926]

In my first BMB, we set up a thread for anyone interested in having a labbor buddy to notify the board about two months before EDDs and we left it open for a couple of weeks to try to get everyone that was interested. Then we tried to match up based on location (for time zone purposes) and then people would decide how they were going to contact eachother (some did text, some email, some fb) when they went into labor so they could notify the board. It was nice because I could just shoot a message to my labor buddy and she would update the board for me on how things were going. I would be up for helping to set this up if more are interested.

[Widget123]

I'll admit the matching up part makes me a little nervous. Some people on this board are way more active than others and I would be hesitant to give my contact information to someone I don't "know" as well.

[alayne926]

Apr 9, 2015 10:40:26 GMT -5 pbubblegum said:

I'm down. How do we buddy up?

First we start a thread that everyone lists their EDD's and time zone.

When we did it last time, we tried not to match people up if they were due around the same time to avoid people being in the hospital at the same time. Obviously, babies have a mind of their own, so this is not 100% avoidable. 

[txngrl31]

Apr 9, 2015 10:51:01 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

I'll admit the matching up part makes me a little nervous. Some people on this board are way more active than others and I would be hesitant to give my contact information to someone I don't "know" as well.

Agreed- I would be ok with private messaging on here as well. 

alayne926, Do we match up with due dates that are far apart and not near each other? For example, I'm due June 8th, so would it be better to be matched up with someone due at the end of month?

EDIT: you beat me to my own question 

[alayne926]

Apr 9, 2015 10:51:01 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

I'll admit the matching up part makes me a little nervous. Some people on this board are way more active than others and I would be hesitant to give my contact information to someone I don't "know" as well.

Valid worry....you can always send them a message on here and not exchange personal info at all.

[alayne926]

Apr 9, 2015 10:57:05 GMT -5 txngrl31 said:

Apr 9, 2015 10:51:01 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

I'll admit the matching up part makes me a little nervous. Some people on this board are way more active than others and I would be hesitant to give my contact information to someone I don't "know" as well.

Agreed- I would be ok with private messaging on here as well. 

alayne926, Do we match up with due dates that are far apart and not near each other? For example, I'm due June 8th, so would it be better to be matched up with someone due at the end of month?

yep! I think we posted at the same time

[stinybean]

I was just thinking about this. I would be down for this.

[mrsdee1982]

I would be down for this.

[Widget123]

Apr 9, 2015 10:55:30 GMT -5 alayne926 said:

Apr 9, 2015 10:40:26 GMT -5 pbubblegum said:

I'm down. How do we buddy up?

First we start a thread that everyone lists their EDD's and time zone.

When we did it last time, we tried not to match people up if they were due around the same time to avoid people being in the hospital at the same time. Obviously, babies have a mind of their own, so this is not 100% avoidable. 

Another thought, I don't see how time zone really matters.  It is inevitable that your buddy could go into labor in the middle of the night where you are regardless of time zone.

[erbear]

I'm interested!

[cnumbers]

I'm down. This sounds good

[alayne926]

Apr 9, 2015 11:40:05 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

Apr 9, 2015 10:55:30 GMT -5 alayne926 said:

First we start a thread that everyone lists their EDD's and time zone.

When we did it last time, we tried not to match people up if they were due around the same time to avoid people being in the hospital at the same time. Obviously, babies have a mind of their own, so this is not 100% avoidable. 

Another thought, I don't see how time zone really matters.  It is inevitable that your buddy could go into labor in the middle of the night where you are regardless of time zone.

Yes, but what about people who are in UK, Austrailia or Canada, wouldn't it be easier for them to contact people who are closer to the same time zone?  

We can decide how we want to do it.  I just was explaining the process that we used last time. 

[mrsmonogrammed]

I'm down for this labor buddy thing:) we should see if the Mods can sticky a post where anyone interested can post pertinent info like due dates and all that jazz?

[missjenniebean]

Sounds good to me!

[dmoney]

I would be down for this!! Just a thought since some people (my self included) have the hardest time posting from my phone. If you have a smart phone, you could download a messaging app like KIK or WASSUP APP which allows you to send "Text message" as long as you have data or wifi for free without giving out personal information if you dont want to.

I use KIK to talk to friends in Israel all the time.

[dmoney]

Apr 9, 2015 15:05:31 GMT -5 @hazeldublin said:

dmoney great idea

Thanks!! The apps are both free btw!

[leenziepops]

Lovely idea but I think I'll just end up posting on here shortly after LO arrives!

[kemdupuis]

Sounds like a great idea! I am in!

[mcp6286]

Love this! I'm in too

[gilder40]

Part of me totally wants to do this, and then part of me doesn't because I don't want to be a bad buddy. I get busy and don't post sometimes for several days. I don't want to let anyone down.

[pghtruelove]

Sounds like a great idea!