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Post by Linda on Jul 6, 2020 23:50:27 GMT
congratulations and prayers.
Yes - look into WIC and Medicaid - also quit smoking. In addition to the March of Dimes, have her check with the local crisis pregnancy centre - they'll also help with clothes, diapers, and baby equipment as well as parenting classes. In my area, at least, they work with mum and baby from pregnancy to age 2.
As a single mum (at the time) who had my first exactly 2 months after I turned 21, it can be scary and lonely especially if none of her friends are in the pregnancy/parenting live-stage. I would encourage her to do prenatal classes during pregnancy and mummy and me stuff afterwards to make friends who also have similar age babies. And if she's planning to breastfeed, La leche is a good resource and worth looking into during her 3rd trimester.
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leeny
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,009
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Jul 7, 2020 0:05:59 GMT
Yay! Grandkids are the best!
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 7, 2020 0:17:19 GMT
Congratulations! I wish her a very healthy pregnancy, and for the baby to be healthy. Being poor and starting/having a family isn't easy. But there are many resources available. First, honestly, I would see about getting her off her dad's insurance and onto Medicaid. It will cover everything medically for her, and then her baby will be seamlessly added. She should also apply for food stamps and WIC. Food stamps will cover formula if she wants/ needs it. As she gets further in the pregnancy, she could start buying infant clothes second hand. Thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales. Starting this paycheck, she needs to set aside $25 for diapers and wipes, in cash, in an envelope that doesn't get touched. Every paycheck. Buy diapers right before birth, right after, so they're the right size. There are free carseat programs in every state. Some are run through children's hospitals, some through police or firefighters. As soon as the baby's born, she could sign up for Dolly Parton's book program.A basic crib & crib mattress can be ordered from Wal-Mart. Of course there will be so many other things to consider, but these are just a few ideas. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 7, 2020 0:20:27 GMT
My first grandbaby was born in April! Me, too! I volunteer with the March of Dimes - most bigger cities will have a branch. Our jobs are to help low income women have healthy babies. Most cities will have a program where she will get credit for going to all of her Dr appts. and she would then be able to trade that credit in for diapers, a new car seat, and other things she will need. It will all be free. Its such a good resource for those Mamas need a little help. What concrete and practical advice! I would encourage her to do prenatal classes during pregnancy and mummy and me stuff afterwards to make friends who also have similar age babies. My son and DIL only got one prenatal class in before the coronavirus stuff kicked in. He did get to be in the hospital with her for labor and delivery, but no one else could be there. Only one of them can go with baby to the pediatrician appointments. So much is impacted by this pandemic. They'll need to plan around all that as well. But in the meantime, congratulations! |
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,627 
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Post by julie5 on Jul 7, 2020 0:31:09 GMT
congratulations and prayers. Yes - look into WIC and Medicaid - also quit smoking. In addition to the March of Dimes, have her check with the local crisis pregnancy centre - they'll also help with clothes, diapers, and baby equipment as well as parenting classes. In my area, at least, they work with mum and baby from pregnancy to age 2. As a single mum (at the time) who had my first exactly 2 months after I turned 21, it can be scary and lonely especially if none of her friends are in the pregnancy/parenting live-stage. I would encourage her to do prenatal classes during pregnancy and mummy and me stuff afterwards to make friends who also have similar age babies. And if she's planning to breastfeed, La leche is a good resource and worth looking into during her 3rd trimester. Truthfully, a lot of her friends are having babies which is why she’s got such baby fever. I’ve tried to tell her to plan a little better but I knew it was coming. I quit smoking when I got pregnant, I know she’ll be able to do it. Thank you everyone for the advice! I want to be as supportive as I can be. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:49:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2020 0:37:23 GMT
Congratulations!
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Post by quinlove on Jul 7, 2020 0:41:13 GMT
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jul 7, 2020 2:32:59 GMT
Also, abstain from alcohol. Ask the Doctor how they feel about caffeinated beverages such as coffee etc
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Post by mama2three on Jul 7, 2020 3:10:52 GMT
Congratulations! Congratulations!! Does anyone else remember the MoD walk-a-thons in the mid-late 70's? My friends and I would collect pledges from friends and family each year and walk the entire 20 miles. I think most people pledged something sad like .10 cents per mile.  I don't remember being particularly exhausted afterwards, but doing that now would probably knock me out for a day or two. Did anyone else participate in them? Yes! I remember doing these with my friends in Junior high and high school. I haven’t heard of the MoD in years. Was surprised to hear they’re still around. Perhaps they’re not so active in my area. |
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jul 7, 2020 3:40:24 GMT
If she’s interested she should research what kind of birth they would like to have. It is necessary to be your own advocate ( dad, too ), in order to have perhaps the most important event of your life go in a way she’ll look back on happily. This is not often the case, especially for younger couples. Just because they are young, doesn’t mean they should settle for a birth where others, ( often strangers), make all the decisions.
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 7, 2020 3:56:08 GMT
Congratulations!
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,428
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Post by luvnlifelady on Jul 7, 2020 9:00:41 GMT
Congratulations. I would advise her to buy clothes/toys second-hand. Even some equipment like a swing/exersaucer. It would be fun to get a few new things for the baby but other than that, resale is the way to go. Once Upon A Child and those types of stores will help the money go further. I did a lot of my daughter's clothes through there. Babies outgrow things quickly so no need to buy new.
My daughter is 23 and if this were her news to me, I would be worried but would also try to be as supportive as possible. Hopefully the reality of having a baby doesn't affect their relationship. It can be tough on a young couple, especially one with limited finances.
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Jul 7, 2020 10:18:25 GMT
Aww!! Babies are the best!! Congratulations!!
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,238
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Jul 7, 2020 10:35:09 GMT
Congratulations! It’s so fun to be a grandma!
Now to think of what you want to be called. Grandma? Grammy? Mommom? My grands call me Nana and I love that name!
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Post by koontz on Jul 7, 2020 10:36:17 GMT
Congratulations, that is so exciting!
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 7, 2020 10:52:22 GMT
Congratulations!
When looking for financial help, also check with your local Catholic Church. In our diocese, there are several programs committed to a healthy outcome for mom and baby. They even have healthcare to offer if you qualify. They won’t try to recruit you to the faith—they just want to support young families.
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joelise
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,649
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Post by joelise on Jul 7, 2020 11:00:02 GMT
Congratulations!
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kim68
Full Member
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Jun 26, 2014 2:52:12 GMT
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Post by kim68 on Jul 7, 2020 11:07:30 GMT
Congratulations! I am a Gigi to two baby boys and let me tell you it is the BEST!
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 7, 2020 12:56:26 GMT
Congratulations!! I volunteer with the March of Dimes - most bigger cities will have a branch. Our jobs are to help low income women have healthy babies. Most cities will have a program where she will get credit for going to all of her Dr appts. and she would then be able to trade that credit in for diapers, a new car seat, and other things she will need. It will all be free. Its such a good resource for those Mamas need a little help. That is an awesome program. Congratulations! |
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pancakes
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,002
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Post by pancakes on Jul 7, 2020 13:12:54 GMT
Still a ways away but if she wants to formula feed, have her sign up with Similac and Enfamil — I got welcome gifts of free formula and coupons. And I continue to get coupons for $20 off formula every few weeks! We also got many boxes of free formula from the pediatrician since they get tons of samples. We don’t use formula right now so we might donate it at some point but I didn’t realize there were so many money saving opportunities like this.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,673
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Jul 7, 2020 13:18:25 GMT
Congratulations!! That's so exciting for the whole family! I wish a smooth and easy pregnancy for your daughter.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jul 7, 2020 13:26:45 GMT
Congratulations.
I have no practical advice as she'd be well taken care of in a country like mine (medical fully covered, financial help before baby's born to prepare for everything, monthly financial help after baby's born, paid maternity leave, social housing, etc.).
Just basic advice: save on clothes (secondhand is totally fine and so many parents end up barely using most of the clothes they've purchased/received before they're donated/resold). If she has an IKEA nearby ,the Sniglar baby bed and changing table are very, very good deals for little money. Several of my friends have used them despite being able to afford something far pricier.
The smoking is a major issue. One of my friends couldn't fully stop smoking but reduced as much as she could. Both her babies were born early and had very low birth weights. That's NICU time (and more money in the US) for something preventible. She needs to consult to be assisted ASAP.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,687
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jul 7, 2020 13:29:36 GMT
Still a ways away but if she wants to formula feed, have her sign up with Similac and Enfamil — I got welcome gifts of free formula and coupons. And I continue to get coupons for $20 off formula every few weeks! We also got many boxes of free formula from the pediatrician since they get tons of samples. We don’t use formula right now so we might donate it at some point but I didn’t realize there were so many money saving opportunities like this. On that note, search out all baby companies (diapers, formula, Johnson & Johnson, whatever) many of them send free stuff and coupons. I would caution her to wait until she's further along (at least 3 months) to do this....just in case. |
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Coffee Mom
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Dec 18, 2018 0:16:30 GMT
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Post by Coffee Mom on Jul 7, 2020 13:32:12 GMT
Congrats!!!!!
I’m not sure where you are located, but check for pop up consignment sales! Just Between Friends is the big one here and it saves us SO much money (I sell outgrown things there too and rotate the $$$ back in). It’s a huge help.
Also something I tell all new moms, do some reading into postpartum care and recovery, including c-sections, baby blues, postpartum depression, etc. Don’t go crazy, but it really helps to have an idea of what is going on and I don’t think care providers discuss this enough. Like, nobody told me I could have trouble going to the bathroom, wake up with night sweats, etc. I found my recovery experiences a little traumatizing and surprising and it didn’t have to be.
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,627
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Post by julie5 on Jul 7, 2020 14:23:15 GMT
Congrats!!!!! I’m not sure where you are located, but check for pop up consignment sales! Just Between Friends is the big one here and it saves us SO much money (I sell outgrown things there too and rotate the $$$ back in). It’s a huge help. Also something I tell all new moms, do some reading into postpartum care and recovery, including c-sections, baby blues, postpartum depression, etc. Don’t go crazy, but it really helps to have an idea of what is going on and I don’t think care providers discuss this enough. Like, nobody told me I could have trouble going to the bathroom, wake up with night sweats, etc. I found my recovery experiences a little traumatizing and surprising and it didn’t have to be. Very good points. My obgyn gave a copy of “what to expect when you’re expecting” at my first visit many moons ago. Well, it never occurred to me that I would have csections so I didn’t read that part. So on birth day when I had to have an emergency csection, I was scared out of my mind. I also had severe ppd. Believe me. I’ll be watching over her. I was so afraid they would take my baby if I asked for help. I don’t let her make the same mistake. It’s terrible to give birth and then just cry for months after. No woman should have to go through that. This momma bear will watch over her cub and grand cub as best I can without being too overbearing (I hope!) |
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 7, 2020 19:20:36 GMT
Still a ways away but if she wants to formula feed, have her sign up with Similac and Enfamil — I got welcome gifts of free formula and coupons. And I continue to get coupons for $20 off formula every few weeks! We also got many boxes of free formula from the pediatrician since they get tons of samples. We don’t use formula right now so we might donate it at some point but I didn’t realize there were so many money saving opportunities like this. Grandparents can sign up as well!! |
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
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Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Jul 7, 2020 19:37:13 GMT
awe, how wonderful for you! Congratulations, nothing more wonderful than a beautiful babe in your arms. God bless this child!  |
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,147
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Post by used2scrap on Jul 7, 2020 19:55:34 GMT
Congrats and best wishes!!!
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Post by destined2bmom on Jul 7, 2020 20:09:19 GMT
Congratulations!
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Coffee Mom
Full Member
Posts: 200
Dec 18, 2018 0:16:30 GMT
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Post by Coffee Mom on Jul 8, 2020 17:14:28 GMT
@julie5 I’m so sorry you had that experience too!! I bet you are going to make a great mama grand bear and your daughter is lucky to have you looking out for her!  |
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