It honestly drives me crazy because I never step in to help people, and there’s a really simple reason for that. Just because someone doesn't look pregnant, disabled, or elderly doesn't mean they aren't struggling... they might be sick, maybe they're just dead tired... and honestly, things might be way harder for them than they are for me even if they look totally fine 🤷 plus, I’m just one of those people who absolutely hates asking for help. It feels so embarrassing to even ask when I actually need it, ugh 👎 but whenever I see a crowd waving their bags around and sprinting across the station to catch the 12th Street bus—which comes every 6 or 7 minutes anyway—I just think to myself, man, look, you can act as old and pathetic as you want, but you're clearly more agile than I am... if it were actually that hard for you, you wouldn't be running, you'd just wait for the next bus 😂
But since I've been pregnant? Yeah, I don't get up for anyone 🙂 I’m being dead serious—like, sorry, but I’m pregnant, go ask someone else 🙂 except for that one time a few months back when I was about four months along... there was this other pregnant woman who was showing like crazy, and even she couldn't get anyone to give up a seat 🤷
Ugh, I used to get so incredibly annoyed seeing those grandmas and grandpas sprinting through the subway station or rushing past people on the bus just to snag a seat, shoving everyone else out of the way in the process... but now that I’m pregnant? Honestly, I kind of want to throw hands 😠🙂. So, my new strategy is basically walking onto the train with my hands held out in front of my belly and my elbows flared out... that way, if someone tries to shove past me, they just end up slamming right into my elbow instead of my ribs 😬 . And don't even get me started on how people see I'm pregnant and it doesn't even cross their minds to offer a seat. It’s a whole thing. I swear, nobody would even stand up if I were in active labor right there on the spot 👎. I’ve had two separate occasions where they *only* let me sit down after I practically begged... and then there were those times when I was already seated and someone actually tried to nudge me out of the way, like, did they not realize what was happening? 🙄 But hey, nothing new there. I’ve seen plenty of situations before where a pregnant woman is standing while a whole crowd sits there totally oblivious 👎 .
So, we were visiting his aunt and uncle yesterday, and they have two cats at their place... look, I genuinely love cats. Like, before I found out I was pregnant, I was always petting them. I’m not allergic or anything, and they don't bother me at all... but anyway, I told them I shouldn't touch or pet them because of the whole toxoplasmosis risk. They were being super careful and trying to keep the cats away from me, but honestly, cats just want affection, you know? They're used to people constantly petting them, and of course, one of them just jumped right into my lap—through my pants—and accidentally scratched my hand 😢
I mean, I've been obsessing over this damn toxoplasmosis thing my entire pregnancy. I've been avoiding cats, staying away from undercooked meat, even scrubbing the peels of fruits and veggies... and I actually went in for testing earlier, back in my first trimester, specifically because I was petting every cat that crossed my path until I realized I was pregnant. The results were negative, but that doesn't mean I'm immune; I don't have any antibodies or anything, so I could still catch it. I talked to my doctor today, and she said there's really no point in testing again now since the incubation period can last up to six weeks and a result might come back falsely negative. Plus, I'm 30 weeks along, almost 31, so the risk to the baby is basically non-existent if I even picked it up 🤷
But obviously, I can't help but freak out regardless 😳👎 I feel like I'm just going to end up banging my head against the wall 😢
So, my partner's mom... 😢 she’s trying to push this gift on us that we really, really don't need. I've been trying to be polite and explain why it's not quite right for us, but it feels like she just isn't hearing me, no matter how many times I try to word it delicately... on the other hand, I really don't want to hurt her feelings because I know her heart is in the right place 🤷
In the end, after listening to me struggle through my explanations for a few minutes, my guy finally just grabbed the phone and told her to quit nagging us. Well, obviously, she took it personally and got offended. Now I'm sitting here wondering... what if this is just how she is? What if she never actually listens, even when you're being as reasonable as possible? 🤷 Is it better to just be blunt with my partner's mother and shut it down immediately—even though she probably means well—or should I keep trying to be nice while secretly getting more and more frustrated until I eventually snap and end up being rude anyway? 🤷
It honestly drives me crazy how my weight just refuses to settle evenly... like, I’ve got these super skinny arms, back, and waist, plus a totally flat stomach... the only thing that really stands out is my chest, which has always been at least a C or D cup 😍 then on top of that, I have wider hips that pick up any extra weight way too easily, making them look even broader, and when you add a little extra to my butt in combination with those hips, I end up looking like a massive three-door SUV 😬
And then, once my hips and butt finally settle into something somewhat normal, all the bones in my spine and ribs start sticking out everywhere 😲 but the second I put on a few pounds, my upper body looks absolutely skeletal while my hips and backside look huge 👎 I feel like I’d need to be working out constantly just to keep my lower half in check without looking like a stick up top, but honestly, I just can't find the motivation... so I just end up oscillating between having a tiny frame and wide hips, or being skinny on top with heavy hips 😬
Steven Barrett6 said:Thank God I don't have that issue with my husband. He's known forever that I'm super sensitive about how I look and what the scale says, especially regarding weight gain (about 8 years ago I was around 160 lbs, but then during my pregnancy I dropped down to 115 lbs. Since losing those pounds, I really watch my body and the numbers)
My partner and I had a deal: I'm the one who knows best what my body needs. I am absolutely not "eating for two" and I'm definitely not starving myself either. Sure, we need to gain weight, but that's zero excuse to overdo it or use pregnancy as a free pass to binge
So you're 27 weeks along and you've gained 18 pounds? Honestly, that's nothing. Most doctors say gaining like 30 pounds is totally fine, and you usually don't balloon up nearly as fast in the last trimester as you did in the second anyway
I went through a massive weight spike in my first trimester (up 7 pounds, which is way too much since you aren't even supposed to be gaining much then). I was obsessed with pizza—I could have eaten it all day, just living for pizza and ice cream back then. So given that, it's not even surprising at all
I went through some pretty rough stuff with weight too... well, not necessarily being overweight—I was never really heavy—but more like struggling with eating disorders ever since middle school. Anorexia, bulimia, that whole mess. It never got to the point where I was permanently damaging my health, but I was left with a sensitive stomach and some enamel damage on my teeth...🙄 I spent my entire high school years just trying to rebuild my confidence regarding my appearance. I met my guy after high school, so he knows everything about my past just from hearing me talk about it... but he doesn't seem to mind at all...😬 It still gets to me sometimes, though, because he can see when I'm spiraling about it. He’s just not the type of guy who notices if a woman is five pounds heavier or lighter, or if there's a little bit of cellulite... he only really notices if it's a ten or fifteen pound difference, or things like a belly spilling over your jeans...😂 But lately, I've put on a fair amount in my chest area, so he actually seems pretty happy with how everything is looking...😂
Ugh, honestly, it’s driving me crazy how much weight I’m putting on lately... and my better half? He’s constantly hovering with snacks, just like, "Go ahead, honey, grab some more," as if it isn't hard enough trying to stay disciplined on my own without him basically inviting me to an all-you-can-eat buffet every single night... 😬 I know he means well, really, he does, but I’ve already gained about 18 pounds since we started this, and at this rate, by the time the next 13 weeks roll around, I’m basically going to be a pro wrestler or something... 🙈 👎
Ugh, honestly, I end up getting all worked up and tearing up every single time I read stuff like this... 👎 I’ve always been a bit of a crybaby, I guess, and things like this used to get me down before, too... but now that my hormones are basically doing backflips, I’ll legit spiral into a full-on panic attack 😢 yet I just can't stop myself from reading about these things. I mean, I'm going to be a mom soon, and I can't just ignore the fact that some of this is actually real life. I feel like the more I know, the better my chances are at preventing the bad stuff from happening... but then again, I'm overthinking everything and I always end up in tears because I'm so scared, and just because of the reality that this could happen to anyone 😢👎
honestly guys, I don't even know what to say after reading that besides 🙂 and 🙂 😢
I don't know, I just feel like you have to give people like that a really cold shoulder. You’ve got to let them know—without sugarcoating it—that their behavior is getting under your skin and actually bumming you out... because honestly, just hoping they'll take the hint or subtly signal that they're being too much doesn't cut it. It's not enough... I mean, repetition is how we learn, right? 😬 assuming the issue is just about them not catching on rather than them just being straight-up selfish... 🤷
Edward Rodriguez4 said:Mine is the same way after a month of constant arguing and back-and-forth 🙄 man... it’s all pretty much useless if you actually look at the results. Honestly, I find myself wondering why I haven't found a guy who actually handles everything—cooking, cleaning, laundry... is that just a total fantasy?! Especially when I'm pregnant...
Honestly, don't let it get to you. I don't think they're actually being malicious; it's more like they've just gotten so used to things magically working themselves out that they assume the house stays clean without anyone actually lifting a finger... they just take the finished product for granted. 🙂
Don't stress yourself out, and definitely don't push yourself if you're feeling physically wiped. But don't let him complain either—if he starts nitpicking, just point him toward the vacuum and the cleaning supplies and say, "Hey, I love that you noticed the mess needs tidying! I'm just physically unable to bend over or pick things up right now." If he cleans it himself, great. If he doesn't, then don't do it for him. Maybe one day it'll click that you aren't capable of doing it all right now and he'll step up. As long as you keep pushing through using that "I can manage somehow" logic, he's just going to think you're fine and that it isn't even a big deal...😉
Michael Barrett11 said:He actually said he won't be there, claiming that's just not how a parent shows up for a wedding!!!! 🙄 Honestly, I'm done. I'm never calling him again; I've had enough. 😠 It’s funny how he suddenly remembers he’s a parent now. He wants all the rights, but none of the responsibilities—and heaven forbid he actually acknowledges my rights as his daughter. That’s clearly off the table. I don't need him in my life. He doesn't feed me, clothe me, or provide a dime of financial support. The only thing he ever contributed was paying for two years of college, and that was about it. Since the divorce eight years ago, I haven't received a single thing from him. He gave me a laptop three years ago, but I probably wouldn't have even gotten that if I hadn't lived with him for those few months back then.
But I guess the worst part is that I still feel this lingering sadness that he won't show up, even if it's just for the ceremony and not the dinner. I felt like such an idiot, sitting there crying because he won't come.
Honestly, honey, he's not even worth the stress 🙂 how you choose to invite people to your big day is entirely up to you—it's *your* wedding, for crying out loud. Deciding who gets an invite, when they get it, what the dress code is, the menu, the playlist... that’s all on you and your partner to figure out.
I mean, is it really fair that the first time he's hearing about you being pregnant and planning a wedding is now? And now he's throwing a fit because you sent the invite a week early? Like, he had zero reason to assume you were getting married in the first place...🤷
Brian Jones8 said:🤷 I don't get it either! Ever since I got pregnant, I've been shaving everything (back when I actually knew how to style my hair, anyway). I would have been absolutely mortified showing up to my OB-GYN or walking into the hospital looking unkempt. There's really no excuse here—it's not like it's rocket science for me or you, so I don't see why anyone else would find it such a struggle... Just plain old laziness, if you ask me. ☕
Some people have smaller bellies, making it easier. Some folks are just more flexible and mobile, which helps. Then there's the setup—some people have huge bathrooms or big tubs, while others might actually have a mirror positioned at the right height to see what they're doing. Some people just shave regularly anyway, so they're used to the routine rather than trying other hair removal methods. And for some, shaving doesn't even cause irritation, so it's a breeze.
Just because it isn't (yet!) a struggle for you or me, doesn't mean it isn't for others, and "laziness" definitely isn't the only reason, if any reason at all... Plus, at the end of the day, why should an OB-GYN care about whether someone looks "aesthetic" or perfectly groomed? As long as things are clean, that's what matters. Their job is to monitor health, not beauty standards. Besides, grooming down there has only been a major trend in America for a few decades. Whether it's a woman in her 60s, a feminist, or just someone who prefers a natural look and doesn't subscribe to those specific beauty norms, the doctor is still just there to do their job and make sure everything is medically sound from a health standpoint... 😉
little_cox said:I'm just not sure how much cream is actually okay to use during pregnancy🤷 I mean, who knows if it could mess with the vaginal flora🤷
I personally think you shouldn't use creams down there or anywhere else, probably because of how close they are to the mucous membranes and the risk of irritation and when you're pregnant? Absolutely not, anywhere or any time, let alone down there... 🤷 🤷
Someone over at mentioned: I honestly had no clue how much of a pain hair could be until I stumbled upon this 😬
Hey ladies, has anyone else noticed their jewelry—specifically earrings—suddenly feeling super irritating? I’m totally obsessed with accessories and have a huge collection, and I never used to have any issues... but ever since I found out I was pregnant, wearing my earrings every day has become such a struggle. My piercings actually start aching and stinging, so I have to take them out for two or three days just to let things settle before I can even think about putting them back in. Is it possible this is tied to all the hormonal shifts happening in my body right now, or am I just overthinking it? Does anyone know if this happens? It’s driving me crazy 😢
Hmm... I'm not really sure. I wear earrings pretty much non-stop, only taking them out to swap styles... though most of the time I stick to gold-filled ones, basically the same thick style they used when I first got my ears pierced back in the day... 🤷 The only time it bothers me is when I go for something heavy or long, and after a few hours, the bottom of my piercing starts throbbing.
On the flip side, I feel like I actually dealt with something similar even before I was pregnant... honestly, I can't say for sure. Maybe you're just extra sensitive to everything these days and it's hitting you harder 🤷
Honestly, my biggest worry is just knowing they shave you right before delivery... the mere thought of someone scraping a razor over my skin while I'm dry gives me the chills. Especially with how sensitive my skin is, I can't help but think about the mess—blood, irritation, all that. And then there’s the possibility of needing stitches, which means those razor-burned hairs might just end up getting infected or ingrown right in the incision site 🤷 so I’d much rather just head to the salon for a Brazilian a few days before my due date and be good for two weeks straight 😍 As for the exams, I really don't care—I totally agree with what you said—as long as I'm clean, that's all that matters. But since I can still just handle things myself at home with a razor, I’ll do it for my own peace of mind... for now 😬 if it turns out I'm freshly shaved during an exam, great... if not, oh well. Maybe it'll actually be better that way 😬
Edward Rodriguez4 said:So I went to my appointment at Mayo Clinic today and honestly, what a total nightmare. I’m actually looking forward to labor now because I genuinely think giving birth will be less painful than what that "doctor" put me through today! This guy handled me like he was breeding livestock or something... just zero empathy. He had his arm practically up to my elbow while I was hunched over, shoving and turning everything around, and that speculum? It felt like an XL size from some horror movie! I get it, they’re probably overworked and rushing through patients to hit quotas, but seriously, give us a little grace! A little tenderness goes a long way! Total creeps, the lot of them! But whatever—the baby is healthy and on track, which is all that matters in the end.
My instinct is always to let out a "yelp" or an "ouch" whenever something hurts, so I’ve been thinking lately—especially after reading all the stories here about how rough doctors can be during exams—why should I even hold back? Why shouldn't I make it crystal clear when it hurts? I know I probably look silly and people likely think I'm just being a sensitive crybaby, but honestly, I don't care... I'd much rather be seen as a crybaby than be treated like a piece of meat and just suffer through it because he's being careless... 🤷👎
Olivia Cooper272 said:John, Lana, Tia, and Eve are all solid names, and even Victor—if we end up having a boy, he’s definitely getting that one. Look, I get it. You don't want people making fun of your kid's name, so you probably don't feel like making fun of anyone else's either, even if their kid is named after some mobster from a Scorsese flick. My whole vibe is pretty simple: if something bugs me, I’ll say it out loud, but I’m not about going around judging other people's business.
I mean, look, it’s not a crime to think someone’s name is weird or just plain funny. The issue only arises when the same person keeps driving you crazy by bringing it up every single day 😉
Victor definitely makes me think of Don Corleone too, but hey, I get that for some people, it’s just a classic, handsome name... though I can't help but start quoting Marlon Brando in my head whenever I hear it 😬 It's the same with John, I bet there are plenty of people who aren't fans of that one either. And honestly? I don't mind if someone tells me that. I'd much rather have someone be upfront and tell me why they don't like a name instead of just nodding politely while thinking it's ridiculous... whatever the topic may be 😁 The real headache is when it's my own child's grandfather. Every time we talk about the little guy and I say "John," he just rolls his eyes and makes some comment about how awful the name is... yeah, that's what I mean by being driven to exhaustion 👎
So I grabbed a Hershey’s bar from this little corner bodega near my apartment today. I tear it open, and man... just gross. Like, visibly off. I check the expiration date on the wrapper and realized it doesn't expire until mid-January 😠. Okay, so it's technically "safe"—I mean, I probably won't end up in the ER after those two bites I took—but seriously, that chocolate has been sitting there forever. When stuff stays out in bad conditions like that, it starts getting all yellowish and weird... I mean, what kind of shop keeps ancient chocolate on the shelves? It's like they don't realize that once someone buys one of these and realizes how nasty it is, they aren't exactly rushing back to restock their pantry there. I ended up tossing $4.00 but since the actual expiration isn't for another week, I can't even go back and ask for a swap 😠👎
It honestly drives me up the wall when people act like they’re some kind of elite intellectual or just naturally cooler than everyone else simply because they decided someone’s name sounds "low-class" based on their own supposedly refined taste... 🙄👎
Or you know, that guy who gets into a petty argument with someone and then spends every single chance he gets trashing everything about them, including their damn name 😬
copperjackal49 said:It honestly gets under my skin when my brother-in-law keeps insisting we picked some "backwoods, hillbilly" name for our little one. Look, he doesn't have to like it—I get that—but saying it in such an obnoxious, condescending way? And not just once, either 👎
Ugh, tell me about it. My old man told me at least a hundred times that "Jan" was a totally lame, stupid, or just plain awful name... 🤷
I don't mind people touching my belly at all... people always ask first, though, like "hey, can I put my hand here?" and I'm just like, yeah, go for it, it doesn't bother me. It actually feels pretty normal that they'd ask 🤷
The thing is... it didn't really make me mad or anything, but it definitely caught me off guard and left me feeling super confused when two of my girlfriends went ahead and gave the baby a little kiss on the stomach... I mean, I'm pretty close with one of them, we're tight, and she thought it was just this sweet, cute gesture... but honestly? I felt a little awkward about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally fine with my buddies giving me a peck on the cheek or the forehead—you know, sometimes just messing around with a friend or doing a high-five or something—but kissing any other part of my body feels weird if it's not with someone I'm in a... well, a different kind of relationship with 🤷. And look, I KNOW there’s nothing sexual about it, nothing bad at all, and I can't quite wrap my head around why it made me feel so uneasy... but it was just 🤷