From pregnancies to miscarriages, no topic is off-limits on the WeMoms app. Read on to discover what's on women's minds and why this app is an essential outlet for every pregnancy journey.
Published on May 6th, 2024
Pregnancy remains a mystery for many, despite half of our population having gone through it. School never taught us about ovulation windows, the realities of "morning" sickness, the risks of miscarriages, or the weeks of postpartum bleeding.
Fortunately, digital tools like the French-made WeMoms app are bridging the gap left by traditional education. WeMoms is there to help you conceive, monitor your pregnancy, and most importantly, connect with other women going through the same thing.
Founded in 2015, WeMoms pioneered visualizing a baby's fetal growth in 3D. Nowadays, the app is heralded as a positive outlet for expectant moms.
Pregnancy, it's like a constant hangover.
Ellie Kemper
While you might feel hesitant to ask certain questions to your OBGYN, other women probably share your concerns. Here are some topics that are actively discussed on WeMoms. Interested in joining the conversation? Download WeMoms and have your say.
Pregnancy Test Can Lead To A Whirlwind of Emotions
For those who have faced fertility challenges or miscarriages, a confusing pregnancy test can be highly stressful. While it may be tough to confide in your partner or others, many women find comfort in sharing their experiences on WeMoms.
Fun fact: Pregnancy test posts account for around 15% of discussions on WeMoms. Yes, they're THAT confusing.
Note: We've paraphrased these comments to protect our users' privacy.
"I need more eyes on this! Is this a negative or positive?"
"I'm 5 weeks pregnant, but the test line isn't dark enough. I've had issues with HCG levels before, and I'm really worried. Ladies, what do you think?"
"The line is faint. Should I wait before taking another test or do it immediately?"
Many of these women apologize for over-thinking or feeling neurotic, only to be reassured that everyone has similar thoughts. Let's face it, it takes someone like the Dalai Lama to be at peace with an ambiguous pregnancy test."
Co-founder and COO Dino Jaegle
But it's not just confusion and disappointment surrounding these tests—sometimes, it's pure happiness.
"Can anyone tell me what I'm looking at?" "Girl! You're pregnant!!"
"Yes! I'm 2 days late, and all four pregnancy tests say I'm pregnant."
The joy from a positive pregnancy test is infectious, even through apps, with each post receiving numerous congratulations.
Guess the Gender in Ultrasound Scans
Typically, you can't determine your baby's gender until around 20 weeks. Until then, women will try to guess in many other ways. Some rely on the severity of morning sickness, while others turn to horoscopes. WeMoms even offers a popular Chinese gender predictor tool.
Another fun method is trying to spot if the baby has a penis in ultrasound scans.
Many of you know that the risks of Down syndrome and other birth defects increase with maternal age. The older you are, the more screenings you're likely to be offered to ensure your baby's health. This includes Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), also known as noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS), which assesses the risk of certain genetic abnormalities.
Sometimes, even with a 99% assurance of a healthy baby, you might still be offered additional tests to confirm the results.
One woman's story about this sparked a lively discussion with many women mentioning how these tests can make moms feel much older than they are.
Note: We've paraphrased these comments to protect our users' privacy.
"Anyone else getting treated like a senior citizen by the OB/GYN? I'm only 39!"
"They told me and my husband are no longer spring chickens!"
"At 36, they're making me feel like a geriatric mother."
Why does this happen? The infamous "Have Kids Before 35" cliff is the reason many women are treated differently when pregnant after 35. The myth suggests that if you get pregnant at or after 35, all sorts of complications could arise. However, it's not a cliff—your chances of a difficult pregnancy do increase but not significantly more than at 34.
The good news is that birth rates for women aged 35 to 39 have soared since the 1970s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First birth rates for women aged 40 to 44 have increased fourfold from the mid-eighties to 2012.
So, ladies, take your time building your career, enjoying life, and finding the right partner. If you don't know others in the same situation, you can find like-minded women on WeMoms, where there's a +35 pregnancies group with 13.2K members.
"What do you think? Team boy or girl? We will find out next week!"
"Mine had a similar heartbeat, so I'm guessing girl!"
As you'll notice in many posts, women love speculating on each other's baby genders and trying to identify what they believe could be fetal penises!
There's a Group Called 'F My Life' Where Anyone Can Vent
On WeMoms, no topic is off-limits, and one standout group, "F My Life," offers a safe space for people to vent. It's like a communal well where everyone shares their worries, receiving unexpected support from fellow women who cheer them on.
Women often express their struggles with pregnancy, even when they've long desired it, feeling like they should be more grateful. Some grapple with serious postpartum depression and can't discuss it in real life. Many also face challenges with toxic family members, including the father of their children.
This highlights a significant issue for women, who often feel guilty for not thinking more positively. However, they may not realize that many others share these sentiments.
These unrealistic expectations of women in pregnancy and motherhood is precisely why we created WeMoms. Growing and nurturing a human being is hard, and we want to know that it's okay to not feel okay, and have a safe place to discuss any issues.
Co-founder and COO Dino Jaegle
Bottom line: While some women have a wonderful pregnancy, strong support networks, and appreciate their children every day, this is the exception, not the rule. This harmful stereotype often leaves women feeling inadequate. It's this unrealistic expectation that inspired the founders of WeMoms to create a platform where moms can be authentic and connect with others.
35+ Moms Feel Like They're Senior Citizens
I first downloaded this app while pregnant with my first and so far only son in 2022 and used it every day of the process. I made so many friends and just being in the community helped me so much every day just having someone there can make all the difference in the world. I've recently come back at 5 months pp and it's even better with the update and seeing my mommy friends with their new babies… it feels like heaven for me.
WeMoms user Ariane88
Many Women Face Miscarriages: Breaking the Silence
On WeMoms, there are seven groups dedicated to miscarriage-related topics. "Miscarriage Awareness," "Trying Again After a Miscarriage," and "Pregnancy After Miscarriage" are just a few highlights.
Many women don't realize how common miscarriage is until they experience it themselves. This often leads to overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame. In reality, miscarriages are extremely common but rarely discussed.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), up to 26 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. It can happen to anyone, and WeMoms aims to create a supportive environment where women can share their experiences without judgment and reduce the stigma surrounding miscarriage.
Download the WeMoms App
Looking to join conversations and connect with a supportive tribe during your pregnancy and motherhood journey? Want to track your pregnancy and see your baby in 3D? Interested in experiencing pregnancy like joyful French moms? Download the WeMoms app today!
