Social life for expectant mum

[Mumtobe]

A relative newcomer to Singapore, I had been looking earnestly for work until recently discovering that I am pregnant. Fantastic news, but when all of our friends here work, I am not relishing the thought of long days spent in the apartment waiting for baby's arrival.

Can anyone recommend any social groups out there, for expectant mums or otherwise, that might provide a twenty-nine y.o. mum-to-be with the opportunity to expand upon her social circle?

I have joined ANZA but am not too sure whether any of their organised groups really suit. Maybe I am being a bit premature not having actaully tried any of them out?? Something a bit more casual would be great.

I have been involved in some volunteer work which I enjoyed but co-volunteers were all around my mother's age, so whilst it was enjoyable I didn't get to meet others with common interests.

[mc]

I run a mother and toddler group and several of our mums have babies due over the next few months.  If you'd like to pop along for a coffee with us one morning please leave your contact details and I'll get in touch.

[Mumtobe]

Thanks mc- am certainly interested. My HP number is 9088 8912.

[I know how you feel]

Hi,

I was in a similar situation to yourself last year.  In January 2001, I was actively looking for a job in Singapore but then discovered that I was pregnant.  I decided to take it easy and focussed on keeping myself fit and healthy for the baby's sake.   I didn't want to stay home all the time during my pregnancy so I did the following:-

- Joined the American Women's Association (AWA) and took part in some social activities there including playing tennis

- Attended some yoga classes for pregnant women at The Shambala Yoga centre in The Forum shopping centre

- Attended lots of ante-natal classes with other pregnant mums at Birth & Beyond in Tanglin Shopping centre & at The Mother & Child centre which is now located at Tanglin Mall

- Did lots of reading to keep me busy

- Went to the gym a few times a week to keep fit

- Spent a lot of time surfing the internet

- Had lunch with lots of other pregnant expat ladies whom I met at my yoga & ante-natal classes

- Shopped for lovely baby things

Don't worry - You will meet other pregnant, expat women here through clubs, associations and mother and childbirth centres.  The main thing is that you need to get lots of rest, eat lots of healthy food for your sake and for your baby's sake and make sure that you don't allow yourself to get bored at home.  If you stay at home all day long, you will get bored & depressed.  You need to keep yourself active and have lots of fun during your pregnancy.

When I was 6 months pregnant, I received a great job offer from a European bank in Singapore.  The guy who offered me the job was a lovely English expat who didn't mind the fact that I was pregnant and wanted to hire me because he thought I had great banking skills & experience.  I ended up taking the job and worked for the company up until September this year.

I have now stopped work again to spend time with my baby.  I am having a great time with him and enjoy taking him out to different places every day.

By the way, I joined ANZA last year so that my husband & I could meet other expats.  However, most of the ladies whom I have met through that organisation are twice my age.  I know the organisation holds coffee mornings and social activities for different groups of people.  Perhaps you could ring their main number and ask them if they have a social group for pregnant, young mums-to-be.

If you need any other info, feel free to drop me a line.  My email address is alisont123@yahoo.com.

Take care and look after your health.

[BoardManager]

Hi MC
Time to consider paying some advertising fees?

Please email.

BM  

[JD]

Check the ANZA mag for details of the New Mothers Support Group. Great Association for new moms.
They have a talk every month plus an afternoon social/ playgroup every month too. You can bring babies/tots to the talks.
They also have a very good library of books.
The talks can be on various subjects relating to pregnancy/child rearing.
membership is only $10 a year and its excellant value.
The afternoon socials are held on the last Friday of every month in the church hall at St Georges Church, Minden Rd, (walking distance from Tanglin mall) 2.30-4.30.
Congratulations on your pregnancy.