Welcome to December 2014 Babies!

New here?  Please post an introduction telling us about yourself and jump right in and participate. Here are a few tips we've picked up from other birth month clubs (Thank you ladies of Aug 14 for letting me borrow this!!)

-Before you start posting or ask a new question, lurk.  It is possible that the question you are about to ask has already been answered or may be better to ask in one of our weekly check-in threads (see below for schedule).  

-Search for your answer  if you're on the computer look to the right part of your screen to find the search function.  Type in a keyword for your question and see if its been asked already.

- Individualize your signature and avatar if you plan to be an active poster.  Having your own signature and avatar will make it easier to recognize you & will help us get to know you in the future.  Its easier to recall personalized pictures in your avatar and sig than just your screen name.  Make sure your screen name is not your full real name.  There are way too many crazies out there for you to be posting on the internet with your real name.

- Give support in order to receive support.  If all you do is ask questions and post topic after topic without contributing back to others questions you may not get the most warm and welcome support you were looking for.  This is a community.  We all need to contribute to keep it awesome!

- Please remember that we are not doctors and are definitely not your doctor.  We are pregnant and our advice is based on our experiences and what others have told us.  If you think something is wrong or you are worried about something, ask your doctor.  Also, please be careful when answering medically related questions to use good information.  Link to sources is always very helpful.  Your opinion =/= safe medical advice.  If you ask a question that requires medical advice you'll more than likely receive the following answer "did you ask your doctor?"   

- We will be honest.  If you do not want an honest answer this may not be the best place to ask your question.  We will support you the best we can but if you ask a question be ready for an honest answer.  

- Flagging guidelines: Copied this over from TTGP:

So, what's up with the "flag" button?

All members will have the ability to anonymously report posts that will now come directly to both moderator and admin attention. Keep in mind that we will review and take appropriate actions. This flagging option is NOT to be used as a “dislike” button or on posts that may disagree with you, etc.

The Bump will keep records of all reported posts and handle abusers of this flagging privilege individually.

In addition to flagged posts, we will continue to address any violations of our Community Rules. Review them here.

What should I flag?:

Spam- Any posts advertising services

Harassment- If you feel a user is harassing a member to an extreme level.

Online Vandalism- Posts designed to raise a user’s post count.

Personal Information- Any post where a person’s personal information is being given without their consent. This includes name, telephone number, address, email address, work information, etc.

Impersonating Other Members/The Bump Employees- Any username designed to be a copy of another user’s name or Knot Employee.

An obvious violation of the Community Rules should also be flagged:  http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/blogs/nest_baby_editors/pages/the-bump-community-rules.aspx

What on earth are all those abbreviations?  Unsure?  Click here! 

Need help with your signature? Click here!

Here are some of the daily & weekly check-ins that you may be interested in joining:

Daily Check-ins:

 Symptoms Thread

Weekly Check-ins:

Monday: PGAL (pregnant after a loss)

Wednesday: HDBD (hump day bump day), WTF Wednesday (great place to blow off some steam and complain/rant about anything)

Thursday: UO (unpopular opinions), Polls, Healthy Living/Fitness

Friday: FFFC (flame free friday confessional - rarely flame free though)