"Am I Pregnant?" thread

[LlamaLlamaDuck]

Hey everyone!

So this came up in chat today, and I think it's worth some thought. Most of the Pregnancy and Childcare forum is clogged up with threads saying "Am I Pregnant?" and most are under the same kind of circumstances. I think it might help to clear up the forum if there was a sticky at the top called "Am I Pregnant? Check here first!" or something and basically said "If the following has happened you may be pregnant: *list of possible ways people are often concerned about*" and then "If this has happened it's highly unlikely you are pregnant but it doesn't hurt to check! *list of unlikely ways people still worry about, like pulling out, swallowing, etc.*"
Have a note that if you think you are pregnant you should take a test because there's no way we can tell you for sure. And then if their situation is not covered, advise them to post a thread.

I just feel it might clear up the forum a bit and make it more manageable. I know it's frustrating for users, and mods, to answer the same questions day after day.
What do you all think?

[Everglow.]

I think I've heard something like this be suggested before and I thought at the time that it would be a good idea. I Don't think it could hurt to have this thread exist.

I've noticed this too and wanted to suggest something similar but didnt know how to go about suggesting it!

I think a sticky is a great idea.

[Palmolive]

I think it's a fabulous idea

[Gingerbread Latte]

It was my idea

[EmisaurusRex]

I'm in favor! Maybe we could also put in links over to a couple of the stickies in Sex and Puberty that provide information about using contraceptives, if they'd like to know more about that.

[PSY]

This sounds like an excellent idea! After the sticky has been created, moderators can just close threads and redirect them to the sticky, encouraging them to create a new thread if, for whatever reason, their questions aren't answered in the sticky.

[Ennui.]

This is a really great idea! I've noticed the same thing, and this could certainly clear up some of it.

[Just Peachy.]

Perhaps we could write an article on it as well? Or would that defeat the purpose? Either way- I'm in favor of this idea.

[Kindred]

I'm in favor. And proud to say I was there

Who'd write it?

[WhisperingSilence]

Yes we do need something like this because then when we do HL tickets questioning similar things we can back up what we are telling them with a link to the 'Am I Pregnant' thread.

[Evanesco]

Originally Posted by Nostalgia

Yes we do need something like this because then when we do HL tickets questioning similar things we can back up what we are telling them with a link to the 'Am I Pregnant' thread.

Although in HL you can't just link, you have to talk in detail as well.

I like the idea.

[Coffee.]

I think an article would be better, especially if the rumor is true about many stickies becoming articles . but I'm VERY up for it. This will clear a lot of unnecessary threads.

[Just Peachy.]

Can Lyndsee write the article? em:

[escape_thereal_world]

I don't really mind, considering each person feels their situation is different, even if it happens to be very similar. However, I know the forum wasn't really supposed to be "Am I Pregnant" forum. However, I like the idea of an article or a sticky. Honestly, I hardly ever read the Articles and I don't really think people check the articles unless directed. So I suppose we could direct them to the article and close the thread still?

Sorry, can't offer to write this. Working on something for the GH forum and can't multi-task lately!

[Coffee.]

I've just heard that we will be moving a lot of our informational stickies to articles. Plus, people should read articles. They're all so awesome.

[Just Peachy.]

Actually, you'd be surprised how many people notice the articles section. We get some people who apply for buddies who talk about articles as one of the features. I think people would read them. Especially since we advertise all new articles in Newsletter. And I KNOW we have subscribers to that!

[LlamaLlamaDuck]

Yeah except some suscribers never get the emails. It'd still be handy to have something in the forum saying "Before you ask read this" since having an article still means lots of threads being posted, and I dunno if posting an article link is the best way to deal with them all.
Obviously I'm open to all suggestions, just unsure about an article being the only thing done.

[LlamaLlamaDuck]

Yeah except some suscribers never get the emails. It'd still be handy to have something in the forum saying "Before you ask read this" since having an article still means lots of threads being posted, and I dunno if posting an article link is the best way to deal with them all.
Obviously I'm open to all suggestions, just unsure about an article being the only thing done.

[PSY]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the people who are worried about being pregnant are going to bother checking the Articles section first. They may be very young and uninformed about sex, or they may be panicky. Neither type of person is going to search through the Articles database - they're going to rush to the forum and post a thread as quickly as possible! I think we would have a greater chance of reducing the number of such threads if we had a sticky, because they would be more likely to see and read it before posting. Maybe someone could still write an article, and the sticky could link (or redirect to?) that article. Better yet, a moderator could create a sticky, then move it to the correct Articles section and leave a permanent redirect. That would essentially make it an article, but it would look like a sticky.

[escape_thereal_world]

I love that idea, Robin.

You basically said what I had been trying as to why I didn't feel the article would be enough to deter new threads about the issue.

[Eternal]

Originally Posted by PSY

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the people who are worried about being pregnant are going to bother checking the Articles section first. They may be very young and uninformed about sex, or they may be panicky. Neither type of person is going to search through the Articles database - they're going to rush to the forum and post a thread as quickly as possible! I think we would have a greater chance of reducing the number of such threads if we had a sticky, because they would be more likely to see and read it before posting. Maybe someone could still write an article, and the sticky could link (or redirect to?) that article. Better yet, a moderator could create a sticky, then move it to the correct Articles section and leave a permanent redirect. That would essentially make it an article, but it would look like a sticky.

I was actually going to bring this up. We get lots of new members who pretty much quickly post a question in the forum, and then disappear again after they get responses. They pretty much just want quick answers and aren't really interested in looking through our features. I think creating an article and then linking it in a sticky could is a great idea.

[Lizzie]

There was a sticky with that exact information years ago, I made it myself. It didnt stop people from making those posts. It was before the reset and we never made one to replace it.

[Storyteller.]

Originally Posted by escape_thereal_world

Honestly, I hardly ever read the Articles and I don't really think people check the articles unless directed.

My heart. You're killing me.

I got the impression that we were trying to lessen the amount of stickies, and focus more on articles and such, as Traci said, so I'm not sure this sticky is necessary - don't get me wrong, it's an important issue and a frequent question, but I don't know if a sticky is the best way to go about it.

[escape_thereal_world]

Originally Posted by Celestial.

My heart. You're killing me.

I got the impression that we were trying to lessen the amount of stickies, and focus more on articles and such, as Traci said, so I'm not sure this sticky is necessary - don't get me wrong, it's an important issue and a frequent question, but I don't know if a sticky is the best way to go about it.

Haha sorry!!! I've been trying to reference them more, but it's sort of hassle to me. I should just spend a few hours going through some though

And, what else would you suggest?

I don't really see anything wrong with a sticky. Also, when and who said this? I've been gone so I haven't heard anything about lessening stickies. I think stickies are a great way to keep important information seen. Anyone who is used to a forum knows that important info is in a sticky. I personally would hate having to open a new window or tab to look for information that used to be a sticky. Or for information that might be related to my questions. At least with a sticky they just go "Hm, that sounds like it might answer my questions". Rather than clicking through and searching through the Articles to find something. If it isn't there, then they are now frustrated and go back to the other screen or tab or window and type up a post.

-- This is just how I personally would feel and could see some others feeling Now for a leisurely read, I can understand using the Articles, but not for members to actively go there when they are worried, and their hearts' are beating a mile a minute, hands clammy and sweaty, etc. They are going to want an answer and they will want it NOW.

Hence why the redirect sounds like a wonderful idea to me.

[Storyteller.]

Originally Posted by escape_thereal_world

Haha sorry!!! I've been trying to reference them more, but it's sort of hassle to me. I should just spend a few hours going through some though

And, what else would you suggest?

I don't really see anything wrong with a sticky. Also, when and who said this? I've been gone so I haven't heard anything about lessening stickies. I think stickies are a great way to keep important information seen. Anyone who is used to a forum knows that important info is in a sticky. I personally would hate having to open a new window or tab to look for information that used to be a sticky. Or for information that might be related to my questions. At least with a sticky they just go "Hm, that sounds like it might answer my questions". Rather than clicking through and searching through the Articles to find something. If it isn't there, then they are now frustrated and go back to the other screen or tab or window and type up a post.

-- This is just how I personally would feel and could see some others feeling Now for a leisurely read, I can understand using the Articles, but not for members to actively go there when they are worried, and their hearts' are beating a mile a minute, hands clammy and sweaty, etc. They are going to want an answer and they will want it NOW.

Hence why the redirect sounds like a wonderful idea to me.

You should read them. Read every single one. They're all brilliant.

And, that's my problem. I couldn't think of anything besides a sticky/article that might be helpful.

As for who told me about the stickies, I believe it was Rob, a while ago though. So I'm not sure if or when that will be happening.

[Just Peachy.]

I, personally think that write both is a good idea. For a few reasons. One, we really DON'T know how many people look through articles. Just because you don't or John Doe doesn't, doesn't mean Jane Doe doesn't look at it either. Tens of thousands of members on the site, you'd be surprised. Secondly, in the event that stickies get morphed into articles, we'll already have it backed up. Third, in terms of accessibility- It's really not hard to click your mouse a few more times. The article wouldn't be hard to find. It's like the forums, you click Articles and go the relevant section.

HOWEVER, I strongly agree that having it located at the top of the page is easier to find for say, new users, or people in distress. So. That said, I'm in favor for both. I think that this would be a strong article on it's own.

I, or whoever can write the article. And the moderators of that forum can write their sticky. Kelly, you mentioned being busy. If you want, I can write out the sticky and let you look over it and make changes to it?

I'm honestly really willing to write on this topic, if you can't tell

[escape_thereal_world]

Originally Posted by City Lights.

I, or whoever can write the article. And the moderators of that forum can write their sticky. Kelly, you mentioned being busy. If you want, I can write out the sticky and let you look over it and make changes to it?

I'm honestly really willing to write on this topic, if you can't tell

I would be fine with that. Would need to check with Shannon to see if she would be all right with that since she is my co-mod.

[Just Peachy.]

Sounds great! Let me know either way

[WhisperingSilence]

Originally Posted by LiveLongAndProsper

Although in HL you can't just link, you have to talk in detail as well.

I like the idea.

Yeah I know but we could put about how they can tell if they are pregnant and then put the link and be like ' if you have anymore concerns or signs you can either get back to us here at helplink or check out this link *inserts link* '

[Solivagant]

Just one thing I'd like to add. It has been mentioned that we can link the 'Am I Pregnant' Sticky/Article and close the thread and asking them to make a new thread if they have any more questions. I don't like this idea (closing the thread with the link part). In HL we are told that we are not supposed to use links etc as the major part of the response. Everyone would like personal attention and I think that this should apply to the Forums too.

The Sticky sounds like a good idea. It would also help the people who hesitate in making an account to ask the question for whatever reasons. And since our aim is to help as many members/non-members as possible, this would be like, target achieved.

[escape_thereal_world]

Originally Posted by Wanderer ♥

Just one thing I'd like to add. It has been mentioned that we can link the 'Am I Pregnant' Sticky/Article and close the thread and asking them to make a new thread if they have any more questions. I don't like this idea (closing the thread with the link part). In HL we are told that we are not supposed to use links etc as the major part of the response. Everyone would like personal attention and I think that this should apply to the Forums too.

The Sticky sounds like a good idea. It would also help the people who hesitate in making an account to ask the question for whatever reasons. And since our aim is to help as many members/non-members as possible, this would be like, target achieved.

I agree with this. As I mentioned earlier, everyone thinks their situation is different, even if it is similar to someone elses'. I would not feel comfortable just saying "Hey, go here *link*". Sounds so rude and impersonal. I mean, I'd rather respond to their thread, leave it open, go ahead and link them in my response to the sticky or article or whatever. Then leave it open. If anyone else wants to add on, go for it. But that way they get personalized responses, as well as have the article/sticky to refer too, as well. Give them options

[Just Peachy.]

However, as a moderator, you can still offer adequate advice whilst linking them to these then closing threads. If the question is obvious, why leave it open? We're meant to close threads when all the answers are the same.

For example.

Thread: Am I pregnant? I had sex but he was wearing a condom.. and like. I'm just... I don't know! I'm so scared. My period should come in a few days. Halp

Response one: There is always a possibility that you're pregnant if you had sex. Protected or not. If your period does not come in a few day, take pregnancy test, as well as going to the doctor.

Response two: u culd b prego. u had secks. jus tak a prego test. if it showz up neg. den ur gud.

Response three: well, you could be pregnant. you had sex. even with a condom, it's not 100% effective. Soooooo, just take a test and you'll be good!



See. There is little to no variation there.

[Solivagant]

Personally, I'd rather get repetitive responses than have my thread closed. There is always hope for more responses. Plus it is kind of like when you go to a doctor for something, you sometimes need to consult more than one doctor to be sure. So I think more than one response will just reassure them that yeah, this is what they need to do and all that. Moreover we're not professionals so having more than one opinion (even if they are all same) can be reassuring for the members. Personally, I know that I'd prefer to hear more than one person saying the same thing to be absolutely sure about something. We know that the response that everyone is giving us adequate but the OP doesn't know that and I think there's no harm in more people posting the same thing. It'll only do some good. Besides, the members should be satisfied.
And in the example that Lynds gave the person could probably freak out more and would need a little calming down by people and having their thread closed won't encourage them to make a new one even if there is a Moderator's post encouraging them to do so.

[Just Peachy.]

I can agree with that.
However, I'm just going by what our manuals say.
I guess I don't agree with it being better to have fifty replies saying the same thing.
Plus, for a lot of peopl, I can be an empty attempt at inflating post count.
Anyhow, I'm just going by what I've always done and heard to do.