Are you the first of your friends to become a mother? If so, you may have noticed that the dynamic of your friendships began to change during pregnancy. It’s similar to being the first one to get engaged in your group of friends – it’s almost impossible to focus on anything but this major shift in your life. And, especially once baby arrives, it may start to feel like you and your friends have nothing in common anymore.

The changes happening to you – but not to the women you’ve been close with for so long – can be a prescription for friendship awkwardness… or jealousy, guilt, resentment and fear. There are any number of emotions that could arise, none of which are wrong, but, “Stuffing these feelings without having honest and respectful communication can sometimes spell the beginning of the end of a friendship,” says Bethesda-based Andrea Bonior, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist and author of The Friendship Fix: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Losing, and Keeping Up With Your Friends.

“You might feel like your friends aren't as understanding or interested as they should be. It's also possible you might feel like there's too much attention on you; it's not unusual to feel like an object of curiosity while everyone else watches you go through something so foreign to them,” says Bonior.

When you become a parent and your pals are not, it’s time to consider seeking support elsewhere – particularly from other moms. Even if you’re not typically a joiner, “Though you may have truly wonderful friends and family before having a baby, social support can make a difference in your ability to cope with the significant life changes that new parenthood will bring. There's something unique that other new moms can provide,” explains Bonior.

But that doesn’t mean you have to leave your old friends in the dust. “No need to search out a new BFF by the time you give birth, but simply having a stroller-walking partner or weekly ‘playdate’ can make a crucial difference, both heightening the highs and softening the lows,” explains Bonior.

A note of caution: While it’s good to make new friends who share this same role in life, getting overly involved could backfire. If you’re being asked to volunteer more time than you’d like, struggling with competitive moms, feeling judged for your choices as a mother, or just not meshing with the other moms’ personalities, “It defeats the purpose if you feel like you're continually being taxed, emotionally or logistically,” explains Bonior. “Give any group a shot for a month or so, but don't be pressured to stay in if it's just not working.”