Hi all,
I'm wondering if there is a support group or something similar to help spouses through their first deployment? My husband was just deployed and I'm having a tough time getting through this first week without him. The hardest part is that I'm due with our first child in only 5 weeks and it's getting difficult to get stuff done around the house. I already emailed my FRO a couple times but haven't heard back from her... Any suggestions or help would be great.

Thanks! 

Do you live on base? 

yeah, I live in Santa Margarita 

Once the baby comes your mind will be filled with all the new mommy things. :) For now just do the best you can. No one will judge you (no one that matters) if you leave a few dishes in the sink or you take a day off from vacuuming. Just keep yourself busy as much as possible (I know that's hard when your this far along) and like I said, your hands will be full when the baby comes. Take a million pictures and video and everything else. You'll be okay. 

First off I applaud you for staying in your home instead of running back to parents. It takes a mighty strong woman to stay when her husband's away and go it alone. So good for you.

I second what Maleficent said...you'll be so busy and focused when your baby comes, you won't have much time to think about being sad. Time will fly.

Take pics and video, document what the baby is doing so he won't feel like he's missing it completely. And as for getting you some help / support, I'd ask at your next OB appointment for some resources. They should still have the "visiting nurse" program where a trained nurse comes to your house every so often to check on you, answer any new baby questions you have, and offer you some encouragement in those really rough first months of motherhood. I had one coming for a while after my twins were born and my hubs was on the drill field. It was nice to have a 'mother figure' stop by, and just to have some adult conversation in a place where I knew no one. Nav Hosp should have several resources for you so you don't feel completely isolated.

I know it's hard to go out and build friendships with strangers, but that's the nature of this USMC life we chose to lead. Put yourself out there in your neighborhood. Toddle around, create opportunities to say hello to people...you never know how the greatest friendships of your life might start.

Good luck to you!! 

First off I applaud you for staying in your home instead of running back to parents. It takes a mighty strong woman to stay when her husband's away and go it alone. So good for you.

x1000! I definitely agree, It's hard to stay in a place where you know nobody, but the deployment will go by quicker than you think, before you know it you'll be hugging him again! :) and just like everyone else said, once your baby gets here you'll be so busy time will fly! Good luck!! :) 

Another thing you can do is get together with the other wives from the unit that your husband deployed with. My husband just left recently and it's very difficult at first, but I've been so busy, I haven't even worried that I haven't heard from him a few days. Just get ready for the baby go on lots of walks, and keep your mind off of him being gone. Try to get a hold of some of the other wives that their husbands left with yours, they will be there for you. I know the women for the deployment that my husband went on started a fb page where we all can go to talk about the things that are bothering us and post good suggestions on packages. Just know there are support groups on pendleton including the new mommy group. Just keep your head up, get use to using the phone, if you are close to your parents or his call them for emotional support. Call old friends to talk to them. Believe me people will be there for you if you need them I promise. 

I always tell people to let themselves fall apart the first week or two. It's okay to struggle and to give yourself the time you need to deal with it. It doesn't mean you aren't strong. But then you pick yourself up and you focus on taking care of things so that your spouse doesn't need to worry about what is going on at home and can focus on their job.

Have you considered hiring someone to come in once a week and help you around the house until the baby comes? Or maybe even for a little while after too?

I agree that I commend you for staying. Do you have people to support you when you are in labor and after? Do you have people that will be able to help you out after, especially if for some reason you ended up with a c-section?

I'm sorry that your husband will miss his child being born. My husband missed one of our children's births. 

When my husband deployed I joined some meet up groups on Facebook and went to some events. There are some mommy meet up groups as well. 

I'd call Lincoln and ask if they have a deployment support program as well. 

Thanks for all the support and kind words. I'll definitely ask at my next dr. appointment and see what kind of programs I can get into. I'm hoping that I can just make it through these last 5 weeks and then I won't have time to miss my husband.
Thanks again everyone :) 

Do you know your fro's name 

I heard back from my FRO, and she gave me a lot of the same advice that you all did. Her name is Kim Reese with the 3/5. 

A good resource is New Parent Support 760-725-3884. They offer visiting nurses and classes. You can do this!!! I had my first alone while my husband was on deployment. It was difficult i was a high risk. Our son was born with a birth defect, but it made me a better and stronger military wife. 

Hey Im living in Santa margarita! I just moved in recently so I don't know anyone yet. But I'd be happy to help you out around the house or anything else you need, since I know doing chores is boring without some company:) plus once you have your baby I can only imagine it will be a billion times harder to keep up with things:) message me or something:)