1. Adding (m) after your post heading indicates that there is "more" information to be read if you click on the post link. Adding (nt) after your post heading indicates that there is "no text" contained within your post.

2. ALL CAPS is generally considered the equivalent of shouting. Since this is an internet tradition, it can come across as harsh or rude on any internet bulletin board. Please be cautious when using ALL CAPS.

3. Avoid putting a space before the first character in the body of your post (or any subsequent paragraph). That space causes the text to run across the screen horizontally rather than wrap to the next line making it difficult for others to read your post.

4. Understand that written communication can be easily misinterpreted due to the lack of body language, tone of voice, etc. If a post upsets or angers you, please do not respond hastily in a negative fashion. Please ask the poster to explain what they meant. It could very well be the case that what they intended to communicate was not what you read into their original post at all. Another option is to take the discussion offline and clear it up through e-mail. All members have an iVillage e-mail (their membername @ivillage.com) through which they can be contacted.

PLEASE remember that we are a large group of women who come from all types of backgrounds, and we are not always going to agree with each other, not to mention we all have pregnancy hormones to deal with right now that might be making us extra sensitive. If someone has a different opinion than you, that does not necessarily make it wrong, nor did they post it to personally offend you. PLEASE *think* how you would feel if someone posted a hurtful message to you before you post a nasty reply.

5. Please be careful about asking for or dispensing medical advice. While it is invaluable to share personal experiences about doctors, tests, treatments, etc., making recommendations about what may or may not be happening with another member's body is unacceptable. If you have medical information to share, please provide a reference (i.e. your physician or a web page). It's perfectly OK to say, "My doctor told me...", however, while you may be well informed on certain subjects, you really can't tell what another person's situation is or what their health care provider would recommend. These boards are a wealth of information, but should be used carefully when it comes to medical advice.

6. Posts using standard grammar, spelling and punctuation rules are generally easier to read. If your paragraphs or sentences are jammed together, filled with typos or contain little to no punctuation, it may be difficult for others to understand your question, concern, or issue. We understand that not everyone on our board is a native English speaker/writer and that typos are inevitable. However, proof reading your post and making sure it is understandable will provide for more feedback and responses from others.