Oxford Mail

Are you pregnant? Would you like to tap into a huge network of mums-to-be and share all their worries, concerns and thoughts?

Well, here's your chance because today, Newsquest Oxfordshire (that's The Oxford Times and Oxford Mail) is launching its first ever interactive bloggers section called Bump to Birth, where a panel of pregnant women will be sharing the trials and tribulations, and joys and tears of pregnancy, as well as a few laughs along the way.

So if you have got vicious cravings, dreadful stretchmarks, fearful hunger, endless lethargy or extreme mood swings, you won't be alone. You will now be able to compare notes on birthing options, baby equipment, hospital choices, antenatal care, maternity wear and flat shoes. And do it with people who are in exactly the same position as you, any time you like, seven days a week, by tapping onto our online Bump to Birth page, sponsored by The Children's Mutual.

And of course, you don't just have to be a woman to qualify as a Bump to Birth buff - if you're a man and it's your wife or girlfriend who's pregnant, why not log on and share your thoughts and feelings with all the other soon-to-be dads out there?

We have got women from all walks of life, from first-time mums to single mums, fertility treatment pregnancies to older women, those who planned long and hard for babies and others who fell pregnant by mistake, as well as experienced mums who don't know how to cope with another baby in such quick succession.

And remember, this isn't just about reading how other mums-to-be cope with all the joys and stresses of pregnancy - this is also your chance to sign up and join in by logging on and asking your own questions. Maybe even becoming one of the bloggers yourself, so you too can help other women deal with the most momentous event of their lives.

Anyway, what can you expect to see on Bump To Birth?

Well, in addition to all the latest news on pregnancy related topics (from diets to exercise to the latest in maternity wear), you can also follow the weekly ups and downs of our bloggers who will all be on-line from July 15.

So here's a taster of what's to come, from Dawn of Abingdon, a 26-year-old accountant who will be a single mum.

"As the years went on, I came to terms with the fact that I was not going to be able to have children. It wasnt easy. I kept thinking I was not a real woman.
"I had a decent job and friends and family that cared so I could not keep getting depressed about my situation. I started an accountancy course one day a week and became more confident. If I couldnt be a mum then I was going to be a great career woman. That's when it happened"
Dawn then goes on to describe the moment when she found out she was pregnant.
"I thought I would do a test to clear my mind and when it came out negative I would go to the doctors just to get checked out, and that it was probably just stress with work.
Only it didnt come back negative! OH MY GOD! WAS I READING THIS RIGHT?
"I sat there for about half an hour in a complete daze. I kept picking up the test looking at the box and checking it. No this can't be right. I can't have children. So I did the other test too. Two pregnancy tests reading the same. I didnt know whether to run round the house screaming with excitement or cry..."

Others have totally different concerns and worries, such as our older first-time mum from Oxford, first-timer@40, who writes: "When I first found out I was pregnant I was so pleased but also really apprehensive about being pleased. I know this sounds really odd but I'm pregnant by means of fertility treatment and it's been a long journey.
"I didn't, and still don't, want to be too pleased in case anything goes wrong."
To find out what happens next, read Bump to Birth every Saturday in the Oxford Mail or log on every day to oxfordmail.co.uk/news/mums