New Mom? You’re Not Alone
June 17, 2020
Becoming a parent changes your life. Your priorities change. Your schedule changes. Your needs change. Maybe your friends are in the same stage of life and they completely get it. Or maybe you feel like you’re suddenly in this whole other world and you’re navigating it alone.
If you’re a new mom, you need a solid support network. Even if your family and friends are being as loving and supportive as they can be, it’s really helpful to have the support of other moms in a similar stage of life. Someone who is also fluent in the language of diaper brands and nursing bras. Someone who understands how exhausted you are.
So if you aren’t naturally already in a circle of other new moms, how can you build that support network? Here are some ideas:
- Online Groups & Message Boards – If you’re juggling work or school and parenting and don’t have a lot of time for face-to-face meet-ups (or if a worldwide pandemic is keeping you at home), this is a great way to virtually meet other moms in similar stages of life.
- Library StoryTime – Most local libraries have storytime for babies and moms and for preschoolers and moms. During these times, you’ll meet other moms and provide socialization for your little one.
- Music or Exercise Classes – Maybe you can find a baby/toddler/preschooler music class or a Mommy & Me exercise class or stroller aerobics. Some community rec centers offer these classes free for residents or for a very low price.
- MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) or other Mommy & Me Groups – You can search online for a local, organized group that is designed to provide you with the support of other new moms and maybe even offer the encouragement of more experienced moms who volunteer as mentors.
- La Leche League – If you’re breastfeeding, a local La Leche meeting can provide the help and friendship of other nursing moms.
- The Park – If you go to a neighborhood playground in the mid-morning, you’re likely to find some other moms of young children. Who knows – maybe your future mom-network is already standing around the baby swings!
- Ask Your Pediatrician – Your baby’s doctor probably knows a network of support for new moms and can hook you up.
This parenting thing is a huge adjustment and lots of hard work. You don’t have to do it alone. Finding a network of other moms to offer friendship, understanding, advice, and community is vital. When you get together, you may feel bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived, but at least you’ll all feel bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived together.
If your girlfriend is facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you're probably wondering about costs and whether insurance will cover it. Before considering the abortion pill, it’s vital that your girlfriend receives an ultrasound. We offer these at no cost with no insurance necessary. She can schedule a free, confidential appointment online at Collage. Can Your Insurance Cover Her? Health insurance covers the policyholder and enrolled dependents. A girlfriend typically isn't a covered dependent on your plan, which means your insurance generally won't pay for her medical care. The exception is if she's been added to your plan as a domestic partner and your employer allows that. Additionally, you may be able to extend insurance coverage to her after marriage if your policy allows this as a qualifying event. However, the chances of insurance covering an elective abortion are unlikely. What About Her Own Insurance in Nebraska? Under Nebraska law , standard health insurance plans in the state cannot cover elective abortion unless the insured purchases a separate abortion rider. Medicaid in Nebraska covers abortion only in limited circumstances. In most cases, the abortion pill in Nebraska will be an out-of-pocket cost. What She Should Know About the Drug The abortion pill uses two drugs. The first, mifepristone , blocks progesterone, a hormone required to sustain the pregnancy. The second, misoprostol , taken a day or two later, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. The FDA approves this drug regimen through 10 weeks of gestation. Nebraska law also requires that the abortion pill be prescribed and administered in person by a physician. Complications can include heavy bleeding, infection , incomplete abortion, and digestive system discomfort. If the drug does not fully end the pregnancy, a follow-up procedure might be required. Getting the Facts First A free ultrasound at Collage confirms your girlfriend’s gestational age, whether the pregnancy is in the uterus, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. An ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus) requires different medical treatment than abortion, and could be life-threatening if left untreated. An ultrasound can rule out this complication. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Collage today. Call: 308.234.9880 in Kearney or 308.675.2217 in Grand Island. *All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing. **Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
Learn how the abortion pill works and what to expect. Colllage center offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and more. Contact us.
If you're considering abortion, there's one medical step that protects your health before anything else. An ultrasound confirms your pregnancy and provides information that a positive test alone cannot.
