Making Friends While Pregnant: My Journey to Finding Community

The Challenge of Adult Friendships

I've always considered myself an extrovert. I thrive on the energy of group settings and shared experiences. However, when I became pregnant, I faced a surprising void. My social circle lacked anyone else in the same stage of life. It didn't include any parents nearby either. While my friends were still enjoying nights out at bars and sushi restaurants, my life was dramatically changing. I was fully planning to stay in my current city for the long haul. Therefore, I was determined to make friends with others navigating similar paths.

But, making friends as an adult outside of work or school turned out to be surprisingly tough!

Discovering New Connections

After some rather awkward attempts at conversation on the Peanut app, I stumbled upon a local Facebook group post. A woman was looking to connect with other moms who were also expecting that spring or summer. What an incredible coincidence that I noticed it in such a busy feed!

Even better, this woman was refreshingly direct. After a brief chat to confirm we were both "real people," she suggested we meet at a local prenatal yoga class. Having nearly exhausted my options for online conversation, this sounded perfect! Meeting in public at an activity that didn't require constant conversation was an ideal way to gauge our compatibility.

Finding Community at Prenatal Yoga

That's when my second stroke of luck occurred. There were three of us at the prenatal yoga class that day: me, the woman from Facebook, and another woman, also due that summer, who was incredibly social and outgoing. The Facebook friend and I had already planned to grab a snack afterward, and the social woman asked to tag along. That seemingly small decision was, quite literally, the beginning of a truly meaningful friendship.

Over the next 18 months, these friendships helped me navigate significant highs and lows. Our group soon expanded to include two other women who were also pregnant with their first babies that spring or summer, and before I knew it, there was an active group chat.

While I put in effort, I genuinely believe I was incredibly fortunate to stumble into these friendships. The support they provided throughout pregnancy and postpartum was immeasurable.

Virtual Groups: A Different Experience

I was also part of two virtual, doula-led groups where the same pregnant women met weekly on Zoom for about six weeks. However, these experiences absolutely paled in comparison. While it was nice to participate in those groups, the connections quickly fizzled.

There were no casual coffee chats about nursery setups, no walks in the park trying to induce labor. We didn't share maternity clothes or links for breast pumps. Most importantly, we didn't sit together after our babies arrived, cooing over how precious they were.

We missed the chance to meet at the park for "mommy & me" music classes. There were no leisurely strolls during maternity leave discussing our babies' sleep struggles, desperate for ideas for a few more hours of rest.

You get the picture.

The Joy of Shared Experiences

There's something truly magical about connecting with fellow pregnant moms who are all due around the same season, especially when it's your first baby. This is an experience that can be deeply rewarding.

My experience was incredibly fortunate, and I want to help other moms-to-be have that same opportunity. That's precisely where New Mama Goose comes in. New Mama Goose is dedicated to helping moms build genuine, in-person friendships and a strong support system. We cater to mothers from pregnancy through the early years of motherhood, initially in South Central Pennsylvania (Lancaster, York, and Dauphin counties).

Future Aspirations

Even though our first pop-up event for pregnant women, designed to foster connections and prepare for postpartum, had to be canceled due to insufficient sign-ups, I’m not giving up! I believe in this mission strongly. I'm truly hopeful that The Flock, our online community launching in late summer 2025, alongside future pop-up events, can help women forge those magical pregnancy and postpartum friendships.

Because even if a group eventually dissipates—due to moves (as was the case for me and two others in my first new mom friend group) or life simply getting in the way—the time and connection we shared remain profoundly meaningful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey to find friends during pregnancy can be challenging, yet it can be incredibly fulfilling. By actively seeking out community spaces and nurturing potential friendships, you can create a robust support system. This not only enhances your pregnancy journey but also enriches the early stages of motherhood. So, embrace the opportunities, stay open to new connections, and remember you are not alone in this adventure.