Many single mums are not letting their pregnancy or the perceived stigma around it stop them from dating, according to BabyCentre.
If you want to date while pregnant then read on!
61% are already dating someone, or ready to even though the majority feel judged for doing so.
Women of today are doing the same as supermodel Heidi Klum and TV characters like Rachel in Friends or Miranda in Sex and the City.
Single mums to be are looking or companionship, romance and a life partner, more than a father figure for their new baby or sex. A third wouldn't want to have sex while pregnant in any event.
A quarter of children in the UK have a single parent family, which has been the same for over a decade.
BabyCentre's findings suggest that when it comes to dating taboos, pregnancy is one that causes some controversy.
Many don't tell their friends and family they are dating for fear of what they would think or say in protest.
Women who feel they are able to tell those closest to them report mixed responses to the news. A popular comeback is that the mother to be should concentrate on herself and the child and not on her romantic life.
When dating while pregnant- women have a mixed bag of emotions; they feel self-conscious, embarrassed and less attractive for potential suitors. Very few feel the same, more attractive and proud to be pregnant.
Sasha Miller, International Managing Editor of BabyCentre comments:
"I don't think we should be surprised to see that some single mums-to-be choose to go on dates while they are pregnant. Ideas about pregnant women dating may be slow to evolve but the whole attitude to dating has changed enormously in recent years. If you're single, going on dates with new people, perhaps who you've met online, is likely to be a normal part of your social life. Most women who took our survey were looking for companionship from their dates, not sex. Meeting people online makes it easier to build a friendship and emotional rapport with someone long before you've met them.
"But that's not to say it isn't complicated. There's no doubt that carrying another man's baby adds complexity to any potential new relationship and pregnant women will always be thinking about what's best for their baby, as well as for themselves. For some single women, that means turning to friends and family for comfort and support. On BabyCentre, we certainly see many single women getting incredible support from friends they have met in our online Birth Clubs. But for others, getting out and meeting new people is an important part of who they are. BabyCentre supports all mums, whatever choices they make and we strongly believe that just because a women is dating doesn't mean that she can't be the best mum possible to the child she is carrying."
Over half of mums were with the father of their baby when they fell pregnant, and many report that the pregnancy was the trigger of that relationship's demise.
When it comes to finding dates- pregnant women use all the same sources, such as dating websites and blind dates set up by friends. A fifth would have no issue in looking for someone in a bar, party, a social event or at work.
If you are single and pregnant, BabyCenter offers these dating tips:
Be honest
If you're not showing, it may be tempting not to mention your pregnancy on a first date but you'll enjoy yourself more if you're open about it. If he runs, you've saved yourself from wasting your time on him.
Be clear about what it is you want
If it's a relationship you're after, don't entertain dating men you know play around or who have indicated in an online profile that they aren't interested in anything serious. You don't need the stress or upset of being messed around.
Choose a venue for your date that you can both enjoy
Pregnancy and alcohol don't mix so it might not be much fun meeting in a pub. Level the playing field by suggesting somewhere alcohol won't be a factor.
Don't jump in before you're ready
It's normal to feel a bit vulnerable when you're pregnant, even more so if you've recently split with your baby's father. Think about whether going on a date is what you really want to do, or if that gap would be better filled by friends and family.
Do your research
There's no law against checking out your dates on social media. In fact, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts can be very insightful and help you build up a picture of your date.
Take precautions
Going on a date doesn't mean you're going to have sex, but if you do take that step, make sure your new partner uses a condom. Although you don't need to worry about contraception, you do need to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases which could harm your baby.
tagged in Pregnancy