What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

I think I’ve just started feeling more worn out lately. It’s funny—I’ve noticed this pattern where the transition between trimesters feels almost like a literal hour shift in my energy levels. Once I hit the third trimester, everything just became so much more taxing than it used to be. Even the simple things feel like a mountain now. For instance, I can't even tackle mowing the lawn without ending up stuck in bed for two days afterward because my body just completely locks up.

None of this is my idiot husband's fault—it’s all on his entire damn clan. His old man basically sold him out just because he needed cash for that backwater town in the middle of nowhere (which constantly bleeds money dry, and for WHAT; damn the day he ever moved away from there). So, honestly? This plan works for me; I'll give Mom whatever she wants, and you can take your whole pathetic pack and shove it.
But my "brilliant" husband? The second he hears the word "credit," he loses his mind... look, our mortgage has maybe nine years left; yeah, okay, it’s not nothing—but most of our friends still have THIRTY years on theirs, so for God's sake, use some logic!!! But no... he doesn't think. He just sits there listening to whatever his genius father tells him. About everything. 😵

It honestly drives me crazy when I end up taking my frustrations out on my husband—the poor guy hasn't done a single thing wrong, yet he’s the one catching all the heat. 😢

Look, apologies in advance—this post is gonna be a long one. If you don't have the patience, just skip it.
I get it, seriously, I GET that he’s worked his ass off for everything he’s got... and I respect that. But for real, you can't honestly expect someone to just drop cash and buy a freaking HOUSE outright!
And thank God, we're always a few months ahead on the mortgage; we really can't complain about the loan being an issue. I just don't get how he can't manage to be HAPPY and GRATEFUL for what we actually have. Like, does it never cross his mind how many people our age can't even land a place with a mortgage, let alone without one? Why can't he think positively for once—how short this whole period of life actually is compared to the rest of it... 🤷
No. Nope. You’ve always gotta struggle, and life is supposed to be CONSTANTLY HARD and MISERABLE. It's just more of that nonsense from my father-in-law's sermons—you know, because he, obviously, had it soooooooooooo incredibly tough, trekking miles through snow up to his waist while dodging starving wolves and all that... 🙂. And now my guy is pulling the same stunt: "Oh, we need to figure out how we're paying the mortgage..." What mortgage, genius? For September?! (The previous ones are already paid up). Honestly, sorry, but I DON'T WANT to waste my brainpower worrying about it... why doesn't it occur to him how many people out there CANNOT pay their mortgages and are falling behind! Point is: if you god forbid don't have a problem, go ahead and CREATE one!
Because screw a life where things are okay and you're happy and satisfied; no, you have to be perpetually miserable, stressed, useless, and starving at any cost. Even when you're buying brand new cars every five years. 😳
But hey, those were HIS purchases. So they're OURS. Otherwise, they aren't really ours, right?
I'm just over it. I can't even wrap my head around agreeing to drive around in some ancient clunker—especially with a kid, and me still feeling insecure after giving birth—just so they can buy some random junk from whoever for a couple thousand bucks just to avoid a mortgage. What a bunch of idiots, give me strength...

Man, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. Honestly, I’d probably lose my mind after being brainwashed like that. Thank God we don't live around here. 🙂
It's a total disaster. Trying to juggle all that every single day... I don't know how anyone does it, seriously.

Hannah Lewis2 said:Man, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. Honestly, I’d probably lose my mind after being brainwashed like that. Thank God we don't live around here. 🙂
It's a total disaster. Trying to juggle all that every single day... I don't know how anyone does it, seriously.

The only thing I juggle is my husband—mainly by tuning him out whenever he starts whining. 🤣
I barely see my relatives: they took it deadly personal when, after showing up unannounced for the third time, I refused to play hostess. Instead, I just made some coffee, sat down, and went back to what I was doing (specifically, picking at my nails 🤣). We visit them maybe once a decade, if I absolutely have to; luckily, I'm usually busy during the week, and they're tucked away in the middle of nowhere every weekend. The less I see or hear from them, the better.

Man, you guys really go hard on men, I could read this all day! 🙏 Get some therapy! 😁

That ad for those back support belts is driving me absolutely insane 😱

rowdyviper7 said:I honestly just got incredibly frustrated out of nowhere because of my aunt. Out of the blue, she decided to lecture me about how we "have" to get married, and then she goes on about how the baby shouldn't have my last name at the hospital, only to switch to my father's surname a few days later. She couldn't even explain for the life of her why any of this matters—it’s honestly ridiculous. It feels so wrong that my dad would even have to go down to the registrar's office to formally recognize the child (seriously, that’s just awful...). I can't stand the thought of my baby being seen as some kind of outsider from day one—that is easily the most offensive word in the English language! To make matters worse, just a few days ago, she was all, "Oh, kids these days, just do whatever makes you happy, times have changed and nobody cares about those old traditions anymore." Now? Suddenly, she’s completely flipped. I have no idea what's gotten into her or who's driving her hormones crazy lately... ugh...

girl 😠
In my case, his parents are the biggest headache. They just don't get—and honestly, they never will—why we aren't rushing to the altar right now, even if they're forcing the issue.
I finally ended up in a massive blowout with them after trying to explain myself over and over again to no avail. Honestly, I didn't know how else to handle it besides pure anger and exhaustion. 🤷

Michelle Nelson4 said:What nonsense... Honestly, when I was married, our baby actually had my last name at the hospital simply because I hadn't updated my paperwork in time. When you go to the vital records office, you both just follow the standard procedure, and he just signs the acknowledgment of paternity—it really isn't a big ordeal at all. And calling a child a "brat"? That’s a bit much... I haven't heard anyone use that term quite so harshly in ages.😲
It’s probably best to just tune her out; she'll likely change her tune once the mood passes.

I tried that! But then I started breaking out in hives every time I heard them talking through their son. I swear, I can see it—they've clearly coached him, and that actually feels way worse than when they come at me directly. 😠

bubimira, from my extensive experience, I can tell you the most important thing is how you organize things in your own head. Make a pact with yourself that this stuff won't touch you, and don't get sucked into those long, pointless arguments with people who have such rigid mindsets. Yeah, sure, we'll see, definitely, yup, yep, just stick your finger in your ear to everything they say. 😬
At the end of the day, the decision is entirely up to you and your partner (half-crazy as that might be 😬), and nobody has the right to step in as an uninvited guest.

Austin Ramirez3 said:girl 😠
In my case, his parents are the biggest headache. They just don't get—and honestly, they never will—why we aren't rushing to the altar right now, even if they're forcing the issue.
I finally ended up in a massive blowout with them after trying to explain myself over and over again to no avail. Honestly, I didn't know how else to handle it besides pure anger and exhaustion. 🤷

I tried that! But then I started breaking out in hives every time I heard them talking through their son. I swear, I can see it—they've clearly coached him, and that actually feels way worse than when they come at me directly. 😠

bubimira, from my extensive experience, I can tell you the most important thing is how you organize things in your own head. Make a pact with yourself that this stuff won't touch you, and don't get sucked into those long, pointless arguments with people who have such rigid mindsets. Yeah, sure, we'll see, definitely, yup, yep, just stick your finger in your ear to everything they say. 😬
At the end of the day, the decision is entirely up to you and your partner (half-crazy as that might be 😬), and nobody has the right to step in as an uninvited guest.

Ughhhhhh, I seriously CANNOT stand it when people stick their noses into whether someone should get married or not—and why. Like, seriously, just fuck off. We got hitched two and a half years ago, kids weren't even on the radar, but everyone—and I mean EVERYONE—kept asking me, "So, when are you expecting?"!!! As if that's the ONLY reason anyone ever gets married, or like everybody who's pregnant is suddenly on a deadline to rush to the courthouse! 😠

Anthony Watson35 said:Ughhhhhh, I seriously CANNOT stand it when people stick their noses into whether someone should get married or not—and why. Like, seriously, just fuck off. We got hitched two and a half years ago, kids weren't even on the radar, but everyone—and I mean EVERYONE—kept asking me, "So, when are you expecting?"!!! As if that's the ONLY reason anyone ever gets married, or like everybody who's pregnant is suddenly on a deadline to rush to the courthouse! 😠

It basically goes like this: "We can't help meddling because we're just so worried about the baby's future! The whole wedding would be for the baby's sake. We have to stop thinking about ourselves and focus on the little one. It's all for the baby." 😬

They even went on about how much trauma I'd cause my own kid once they realize they were conceived outside of marriage. 🤷I'm just a single mom, what am I supposed to do? 🤣

Honestly, it sounds totally ridiculous typing this out, but people actually believe this stuff. And they aren't even uneducated—they've lived their whole lives in places like Chicago, they read books, they have electricity, TV, high-speed internet, hot water... everything. 🤣

Seriously guys, it’s unbelievable but true—a nurse at a local clinic in a suburb told me that kids born out of wedlock are treated differently even at the hospital! Back then, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. 🤷
Like, are other babies going to point at him and refuse to play? I mean, come on, I refuse to believe there's any other reason! 😕

What a massive pile of absolute nonsense... 🙄 The only people who could possibly look at kids born out of wedlock any differently are some folks living in rural West Virginia, probably over 75, who still think they need to hand over a tenth of their paycheck to the local church. But honestly, it’s the way everyone feels entitled to chime in and comment on every single kid's business—it drives me absolutely insane! 😠 How do they not feel any shame!

Anthony Watson35 said:Kaktusić, I totally feel you. 😢
The whole car situation here is a mess... well, mostly because we don't even have one. I’m lagging way behind everyone else—still grinding just to pass my driver's test—but I seriously need to get it over with ASAP. And then what? Once I actually have my license, I’ve got nothing to drive. My husband has this massive work van, and honestly, he's making a mistake. I am NOT driving a damn van!!!
So, my mom offered to take out a loan—we'd just pay her back monthly—so we could grab a small, decent little car. But nope. Mr. "I don't want any debt" says no. Well, guess what? I don't want you buying some absolute junker from 28 years ago for $1000 and no, I am NOT putting my kid in that death trap, period!!!
As long as his parents—Always Right—bought themselves a shiny new ride for over $20,000, they're happy. That car is five years old and was already too old for the Queen Mother. Did anyone bother to ask us what we actually needed? Not a chance. 🙂

😘 😂 is exactly the same. 😂 I bought a new car two years before we even got married. I pay for it with my own money, using my own loan, and he still hasn't stopped nagging me about wasting cash on something that was technically "pre-owned." He’s been such a pest about it. Okay, fine, I agree that if you buy from a reputable dealer, a used car is a better deal than a new one, but for the love of God, no one can convince me it's inherently more reliable, safer, or less worn down. Look, I'm a typical victim of consumerist capitalism, whatever. For my own peace of mind—even if it seems stupid—I want a new car. I'm paying for my sanity, even if it's irrational. Why is it such a huge deal to just accept that? 🤷

Austin Ramirez3 said:It basically goes like this: "We can't help meddling because we're just so worried about the baby's future! The whole wedding would be for the baby's sake. We have to stop thinking about ourselves and focus on the little one. It's all for the baby." 😬

They even went on about how much trauma I'd cause my own kid once they realize they were conceived outside of marriage. 🤷I'm just a single mom, what am I supposed to do? 🤣

Honestly, it sounds totally ridiculous typing this out, but people actually believe this stuff. And they aren't even uneducated—they've lived their whole lives in places like Chicago, they read books, they have electricity, TV, high-speed internet, hot water... everything. 🤣

Seriously guys, it’s unbelievable but true—a nurse at a local clinic in a suburb told me that kids born out of wedlock are treated differently even at the hospital! Back then, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. 🤷
Like, are other babies going to point at him and refuse to play? I mean, come on, I refuse to believe there's any other reason! 😕

😂 😂...I was conceived out of wedlock and don't have any trauma from that.
My trauma comes from the fact that my parents only got married because my mom was pregnant. Because of that, I had to listen to my dad constantly talking about how much money he could have made if there hadn't been two of us working in Germany... and listening to my mom talk about how she married an idiot and everything she endured in life because of me, because if it wasn't for me, she would've dumped him and been happy... and all that. That is where I actually got traumatized. To this day, I feel guilty and indebted just for existing. 🤷

I’m probably going to say something trivial again, but I just need to vent about this frustration.😠😠>

The thing that gets under my skin more than anything else during this whole pregnancy is the realization that my body is changing. I'm dreading the stretch marks and the weight gain.🤦>
To be fair, I've spent my entire life trying to stay thin. After finally hitting my goal weight and getting the look I wanted, now I'm pregnant.😍>
It feels incredibly stupid to think this way because, honestly,
1. I am so incredibly happy to be pregnant—I really am. It radiates from me.😁>
2. I haven't had any physical issues or complications, yet instead of just enjoying the bliss, I'm losing sleep over the idea that my body will expand and never snap back.😲>
3. At the same time, I’m not even doing anything to sabotage myself by eating everything in sight. Quite the opposite, actually.
Please, someone🙂🙂

Austin Ramirez3 said:It basically goes like this: "We can't help meddling because we're just so worried about the baby's future! The whole wedding would be for the baby's sake. We have to stop thinking about ourselves and focus on the little one. It's all for the baby." 😬

They even went on about how much trauma I'd cause my own kid once they realize they were conceived outside of marriage. 🤷I'm just a single mom, what am I supposed to do? 🤣

Honestly, it sounds totally ridiculous typing this out, but people actually believe this stuff. And they aren't even uneducated—they've lived their whole lives in places like Chicago, they read books, they have electricity, TV, high-speed internet, hot water... everything. 🤣

Seriously guys, it’s unbelievable but true—a nurse at a local clinic in a suburb told me that kids born out of wedlock are treated differently even at the hospital! Back then, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. 🤷
Like, are other babies going to point at him and refuse to play? I mean, come on, I refuse to believe there's any other reason! 😕

then during labor, the doctor asked if I was married... I said no... we aren't married but we've lived together for 3 or 4 years, and he just started rolling his eyes and went "ahaaa, so the kid doesn't have a father..." I was like wtf? what do you mean no father... and then I just started swearing under my breath, so here I am... ??... then there were more little jabs until I finally lost it and asked the doctor himself if he was gay... I poked him on purpose (not that I have anything against gay people, really) because I knew he was... he shut up instantly 😁

Honestly, my mother-in-law is getting on my last nerve... she just dropped this whole idea on me about how she’s going to move in right after I have the baby to "help out" with everything. I told her straight up: I’m not opening my door to anyone. I really don't care what she thinks—once the baby arrives, I'm basically going off the grid.

It’s driving me crazy, feeling this pathetic and miserable... I can't seem to help myself, and I have no clue how to snap out of it. I just can't stop crying.

Sean Long4 said:Honestly, my mother-in-law is getting on my last nerve... she just dropped this whole idea on me about how she’s going to move in right after I have the baby to "help out" with everything. I told her straight up: I’m not opening my door to anyone. I really don't care what she thinks—once the baby arrives, I'm basically going off the grid.

My mother-in-law gets under my skin like nothing else—it's everything, truly. I can't tell if I'm just projecting every single one of my hormonal imbalances onto her, but I simply cannot help myself.🤷

neonsurfer32 said:It’s driving me crazy, feeling this pathetic and miserable... I can't seem to help myself, and I have no clue how to snap out of it. I just can't stop crying.

Dammit! 🙂 Look, just let it all out. Honestly, cry until you're done; it usually makes me feel better once the storm passes. The only downside is looking like a complete wreck afterward—I get so swollen and red that I don't even look human for a good two days.

I honestly spent most of yesterday just crying my eyes out... I was completely useless and totally out of it all day.

And don't even get me started on how much it gets under my skin when my mother-in-law acts like we’re best friends. We aren't buddies—she's my husband's mother, plain and simple.

Hannah Lewis2 said:Dammit! 🙂 Look, just let it all out. Honestly, cry until you're done; it usually makes me feel better once the storm passes. The only downside is looking like a complete wreck afterward—I get so swollen and red that I don't even look human for a good two days.

I second this.

Sean Long4 said:I honestly spent most of yesterday just crying my eyes out... I was completely useless and totally out of it all day.

And don't even get me started on how much it gets under my skin when my mother-in-law acts like we’re best friends. We aren't buddies—she's my husband's mother, plain and simple.

It really breaks my heart to read about how much these mothers-in-law can throw you off balance. Especially right now, when you should be avoiding stress at all costs. 😢