Anyone up for starting sub-groups in our DDC?

[KKmama]

I looked at the "stats" on our DDC, and it helped me understand why it's so hard to keep up here--there are almost 90 of us (in contrast, there's ~20 of us in my May 04 DDC, and we're still going strong).

Would anyone be interested in trying to form some smaller on-going groups based on interest, DD week, age, whatever? (I'm not trying to subvert the weekly check-in thread at all, BTW--it can and should keep on going.) Eg, the VBAC mamas could have their own ongoing thing, or mamas over 35 (or under 25), the month could be split into 1/4s or 1/3s, 1st time mamas, West Coast mamas, whatever. And each person could hang out in as many or as few groups as she desired.

I had such a great time with my smaller DDC, and I feel like I really *know* those mamas... I guess I'm making a feeble request for more "intimacy" here.

Anyway, if you're interested, say so in a reply, and list any interest groups you'd like to see. If there's a lot of us who are into it, I guess the threads would just start "organically".

[lmonter]

Yeah, there are a lot of us, aren't there.

I'm all for it, but am feeling like being more of a follower than a leader at this point in time.

[KerriAZ]

I agree! I had a small DDC when my DD was due and it was nice being able to keep up with everyone... NOT that I don't LOVE all the girls here!! Don't get me wrong... But at times, it's hard to read all the updates! May split by weeks along?

I, too, am a follower, so someone - LEAD ME!

Kerri

[AdinaL]

I like the big thread - because so many people read it - if you have a question or concern - it is a great way to have someone answer you.

I have no clue how you would break it up...but I guess I am used to keeping track of large groups of people on this board! So it doesn't bother me as much.

[ZenMamaJen]

I like that idea. With my dd's DDC, it was really small, too. I kind of feel like some people get lost in the shuffle here, or maybe I'm just super-sensitive.

I think maybe we could do it by weeks? Like 19 weeks along, etc. I kind of found myself thinking we were all done with m/s, and then realized there were a lot of people still in their first trimester, kwim? Just a thought. I also think it would be nice to keep the one big thread, to keep track of how everyone was doing. But it would be nice to get to know some mamas here a little better.

[txgal]

I like the idea of having some sub groups. As well as keeping the weekly update thread going with the large group. I want to know what is happening with everyone, but since I am planning VBAC/HBAC, I would be interested in a VBAC group especially.

[burke-a-bee]

I'd like that!

[AllisonK]

I really like having one big group for questions too. But am up for smaller groups. I am up for a VBAC/HBAC group or maybe do it by due dates. One group for each week say 4/1-7 and so on.
Allison

[aprilushka]

I don't know-- compared to other boards and lists I've been on, the daily update thread is pretty short, so I actually prefer no splits, but whatever everyone wants.

[PheobNFam]

I prefer no splits. We're all nearly half way already... and I like seeing everyone's updates.

[Faithsmom]

I'd like the splits... I'm also interested in a VBAC thread.

We can all still do our updates in the big thread but be able to post specific feelings/ concerns in our seperate threads.

[eilonwy]

I could see homebirth/hospital birth threads starting, or VBAC or whatever, but I think that separating by DD would be kind of strange, especially when you consider that most of us won't actually deliver on our due dates. I think that would fracture the group too much.

While there are about 90 people on the list, there are only 20-30 active participants on the weekly update thread. I was discussing this forum with BooBah's DDC a while back, and I said that I thought that giving the DDC's their own forums was the problem (when we started the June group, it was a thread in "I'm Pregnant;" the DDC forums came during that pregnancy), that I thought it made the group seem less cohesive somehow because there were so many threads to choose from. Another woman who's due this month said that her DDC was similarly fractured, and she thought that it was for the same reason.

Even so, if you're looking for more intimate groups... well, let's start the threads!

[BetsyPage]

Yeah, as we get closer to delivery dates I'm sure that those who are going to have a hospital birth, homebirth, vbac, etc. would enjoy separate discussions, but I like seeing everyone's updates also!

I know I would love to talk to other mamas who were previously induced but hope to avoid induction, and have a natural labor in the hospital but I'm not sure how many moms are "in my group" so to speak. But I know chatting with other moms about our concerns/hopes for a great hospital birth would be really helpful to me.