What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

silverwalker11 said:Great topic..

Here’s what really gets under my skin:

"Is the baby sleeping?" 😠
"Where are you taking the dog?" — like, where? Nowhere. It's staying right where it is.
"Don't eat this, don't eat that..." blah blah blah...
"You're holding them too low, that's not good." (My doctor actually told me I don't hold them low at all...)

It's just crazy how some people suddenly decide they're experts overnight.

People don't even bother asking me where I'm taking the dog; they just make assumptions, like, "Oh, the dog will just stay at your mom's house..."

But the peak experience was definitely when I showed up to work with an ultrasound clearly showing the baby's gender, only to have the cleaning lady tell me to sit down because she could determine the sex just by looking at how I was sitting—apparently, doctors don't have a clue... 😂

amberheron62 said:I honestly don't get why everyone is making excuses for this kind of backward thinking. People act like this stuff is just some unavoidable relic from the middle of nowhere or deep in the Central Valley, but it's just plain wrong. I actually stumbled upon a post on here recently where a woman was basically saying, "I can't even imagine being a mom to a girl... ufff. We haven't found out the sex yet, but I'm praying it's not a daughter, because that would be a nightmare." 😢 "

I don't hang out on this forum all that much, but I just had to jump in because it felt like nobody else was calling this out.

Man, that really broke my heart. 😢

You're quoting me, and just to be clear, I've simply always imagined what it would be like to have and raise a son. Maybe it's because I grew up mostly surrounded by women and spent so much time looking after my two younger sisters (one is two years younger, the other is nine). Every sentence I write here is backed by a real story or situation, so please don't jump to conclusions.
Sometimes we get so used to a specific scenario or mental image that anything else throws us off balance, and it takes a little while to adjust to the new reality. For my part, I am absolutely overjoyed 😍, even if I'm still a bit dazed and need a little more time to shift my mindset toward all the different aspects of raising a daughter 🙂 🙂 🙂
I have to admit, I'm doing great so far, and I couldn't be happier!!!!!
And I just absolutely adore my little girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And yes, thanks for labeling my perspective as primitive...

vividhawk87 said:You're quoting me, and just to be clear, I've simply always imagined what it would be like to have and raise a son. Maybe it's because I grew up mostly surrounded by women and spent so much time looking after my two younger sisters (one is two years younger, the other is nine). Every sentence I write here is backed by a real story or situation, so please don't jump to conclusions.
Sometimes we get so used to a specific scenario or mental image that anything else throws us off balance, and it takes a little while to adjust to the new reality. For my part, I am absolutely overjoyed 😍, even if I'm still a bit dazed and need a little more time to shift my mindset toward all the different aspects of raising a daughter 🙂 🙂 🙂
I have to admit, I'm doing great so far, and I couldn't be happier!!!!!
And I just absolutely adore my little girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And yes, thanks for labeling my perspective as primitive...

Man, Torma totally misread the situation. 🙂
I was crying my eyes out for years when my OBGYN told me I was carrying twin boys. And all my life, I just wanted a girl 😁
Now, I've actually gotten used to the idea of boys, but if my doctor changes her mind on Tuesday, it's gonna be another round of disappointment. 😁
At the end of the day, the most important thing for all of us is that the baby is alive and healthy......
but let's be real, we all have that secret little wish about what gender they'll be 😍

Jessica Ramirez said:Even my friend brought this up once. So what if it’s a mother-in-law or some grandma? Who cares? If the girl is just a little younger than me, she'd figure it out. 😱
Now she’s pregnant too. She actually told me once, "The baby came back to life," and I was just like, wtf? Like, the baby is alive. Was she talking about feeling movement or something?
Whatever. I still don't get it. 🙄

Oh, please. 😢
Maybe you shouldn't say anything at all?! I didn't tell a single soul in my family about the first time, and I still don't say much unless they specifically ask. I'd much rather just keep that stuff between me and my husband.

😲

Quincy:

Kate Cox2 Who says? My buddy told me she saw some women at a hospital out in California crying because they couldn't go home. Their husbands and mothers-in-law won't even let them through the front door. What kind of people do that? Another girl born.

Sadly, it's true.

I'm from California, and my parents come from deep in Florida. They tell me back then, it was totally common for husbands to refuse to let their wives into the house if they were having girls. Women actually ended up sleeping in barns and all sorts of stuff. 😠

Ali, there are still people like that today. A relative's husband mentioned some guy he knows who had four daughters—I think—and when his wife got pregnant for the fifth time, the ultrasound showed it was a boy. That guy was over the moon! But no, it was a girl. He said the man had a complete nervous breakdown.

What keeps me going is that it seems like there's less of this than before. I honestly think the younger generations don't care nearly as much about whether it's a boy or a girl.

Given everything we’ve been through, we aren't telling anyone a thing. To be honest, I was terrified during this pregnancy that things might go the way they did during my last two, so we're keeping quiet until we're absolutely sure. 😢
I probably would have stayed silent until I actually started showing—which happened about two weeks ago—but instead, other people went and blabbed, and they didn't even check with us first. Now, we either get asked if it's true, or when we finally do tell them, they act like they already knew. It makes me wonder if they aren't celebrating too much because they're worried history might repeat itself? When I sense that kind of pessimism from everyone, it just makes things harder for me and fuels my anxiety.
But I have my husband; he's the one who keeps me calm. He constantly tells me I'm panicking too much and that I shouldn't always jump to the worst-case scenario. But for me... I'd rather prepare for the worst while still hoping for the best.

Honestly, when I tell people I’m planning to give birth in Chicago, they look at me like I have three heads. Then you’ve got these guys chiming in with "advice" despite having zero clue how anything involving hospitals or families actually works...
next time, I'm just staying home for the whole thing 🤣

God, I honestly can’t stand it when people start poking at my stomach. 😠 It isn't some magic crystal ball you rub to make your wishes come true! 😠

Ladies, this topic is spot on.👍

Here’s what went down today: I stepped out from my office into the factory floor, and two coworkers just locked eyes and snickered behind my back. Thank God I didn't catch them doing it. Seriously, how can anyone laugh at a pregnant woman? And I don't even look pregnant yet—I've only gained about ten pounds. Most people just tell me I look like I "overindulged," which is a comment I am sick of hearing. I want to look pregnant, not like I just hit a buffet hard!!!!!!!

Then, my own aunt had the nerve to tell me I'm definitely having a boy because:

- My face has changed and I've "lost my looks" (basically, I broke out a few pimples during pregnancy and didn't bother hiding them, even though I knew she was coming over)😂)
- I look angry—which, hello, would you be furious if someone called you ugly!!!!!!!

The truth? I am not ugly. I actually look like a beautiful pregnant woman (even if I did eat well)😍)

The absolute dumbest question I've ever heard: "Wait, why didn't you post that on Facebook?! You're always posting nonsense, then finally something important happens and you don't even share it!"
Pure stupidity #2: "Why didn't you tell us sooner?! I would've blasted that on Facebook immediately!! Come on, post a picture so we can all hit 'Like'!!"
Honestly, it’s all pointless—Facebook is just a place to scroll through mindless garbage and save some data... I shared my news with the people who actually matter to me. It gives me zero satisfaction to have some stranger click a button, drop a "congrats," and then start pestering me with invasive questions about due dates, gender, names, etc.

Everyone keeps whining about how people lack manners toward pregnant women... 🤷 I don't know about that. The other day, when I was heading to the clinic to pick up some results—and the line for the elderly was already backed up before the window even opened—people were actually letting me cut ahead. It was the same thing at the other hospital I visited. My cards and wallet slipped out of my bag, and instead of ignoring me, a staff member leaned down right away to help me grab them. Even at a massive supermarket where the clerks usually act like helping customers is a chore, one woman came straight over and rang up exactly what I pointed to in two or three quick swipes—no eye-rolling, no dramatic sighs. I don't know—maybe there was just something different in the air that day.

I absolutely hate those judgmental old ladies who feel the need to comment on your body... saying stuff like, "Oh, you've got a belly," or "You're carrying a girl," or even "You're carrying a boy."😠
Like, nobody asked for your opinion, and I honestly don't give a damn what you think my body looks like.😠

So, I’ve been getting all these "helpful" suggestions about what I should—and absolutely shouldn't—be doing, especially since I'm just starting out. They tell me to go for bike rides, take long walks in the sun, carry around a few pounds of peaches from the farmer's market, or go for long swims... honestly, my neighbors and the folks around town are acting like they need to hover over me with this intense, overbearing concern 😠..

How do I tell someone to back off without sounding like a complete jerk, but still making it crystal clear that I'm annoyed and want them to leave me alone? 🤷

I look pretty youthful (not that I’m bragging or anything), so people usually guess I'm five years younger than I actually am. Basically, they think I'm 20. Now when I'm walking around town, everyone eyes my belly, looks up at my face, and then looks back down at my stomach like, "Wait, she's that young and already pregnant?" 😂😂
Does this happen to anyone else?

Well, I have to say, those truck drivers actually caught me by surprise! It was such a pleasant little moment 😁
It’s almost like they make it a point to stop whenever they see me in a crosswalk—it felt like everyone was braking perfectly at sixteen miles per hour!

On the flip side, though, there are some things that aren't quite as lovely: the service from various retail workers and staff, especially over at Target 👎

Just the other day, for instance, I ended up giving up my spot in line—mostly because I had momentarily stepped away and felt a bit lightheaded, so I probably looked like a total zombie 😂—and this sweet lady, who I'm guessing must be in her eighties, was kind enough to let me go ahead of her.
Total respect for that!

Sarah Harris5 said:I look pretty youthful (not that I’m bragging or anything), so people usually guess I'm five years younger than I actually am. Basically, they think I'm 20. Now when I'm walking around town, everyone eyes my belly, looks up at my face, and then looks back down at my stomach like, "Wait, she's that young and already pregnant?" 😂😂
Does this happen to anyone else?

A few times now, women at the 7-Eleven have actually asked if I was 18 while I was buying cigarettes... and I was losing my mind! Before, being told I looked young used to get under my skin—but now? Not a chance. I'm finally proud of this bump and actually looking like a pregnant woman, so for them to ask me that...😠...and these are just the convenience stores right by my apartment building that I pass EVERY single day.

hehe rustyrider20, once you have kids, they’re definitely gonna be asking if that's just your little brother or sister 😁

Sarah Harris5 said:hehe rustyrider20, once you have kids, they’re definitely gonna be asking if that's just your little brother or sister 😁

And it’s actually doable—believe it or not.🤣🤣People have already asked me a few times if that’s my dad in the photos—even though my husband is standing right there next to me... so let's just set the record straight: it's Dad taking his daughter and son out for a walk.
Well, there you have it—at least now I know I’m not the only one. Your turn is coming, too. Get ready for a sibling to drop into your life any second now. 😁

Hey everyone... I'm new here and currently navigating my first pregnancy. I'm at 22 weeks now, and honestly, the last four months have just been testing my absolute limits. It feels like suddenly everybody thinks they need to be all over me with kisses whenever we meet, and don't even get me started on people constantly trying to touch my belly—it seriously gets under my skin. Then there’s the endless list of "don'ts," like I can't vacuum, or wipe down a window, or walk around without slippers, or even sit a certain way without someone breathing down my neck. Even at the doctor's office, it’s not enough to just hear that everything is fine; I feel this weird pressure to recount every single little detail of the whole exam just to satisfy them. I was actually such a sweetheart for the first two months after I shared the news, but ever since everyone started dumping these unsolicited "helpful" tips on me, I feel like I've turned into this totally rude person. So, if anyone wants to be annoyed with me, go ahead 😁D

I’ve noticed quite a few of you venting about the dilemma of what to do with your pets once you have a baby. Honestly, I can't imagine how much harder it feels for me; I’m currently looking after four pretty large dogs 😁
The toughest part was dealing with my mother-in-law's reaction. She was the first one to start questioning my plans, acting like it’s impossible for kids and dogs to coexist, or suggesting I should just give them all away. Just for the record, these are high-end show dogs—if I actually wanted to rehome them, I could find them new owners in forty-eight hours. Instead, I’m left facing the reality of having to put one down, which is heartbreaking, though he is getting older and doesn't have much time left anyway... 😱

It honestly drove me absolutely insane how everyone would act so judgmental the moment they realized I was wearing thongs. It’s as if it were some sort of strictly forbidden ritual during pregnancy...😁
I truly haven't the slightest clue why people care; I kept wearing them without any issue whatsoever, though I did finally pick up some standard briefs just recently. But then again, as I have remarked before—I am quite a resilient individual, and nothing really bothers me much.😁

And another thing... you actually drive a car???? 😲That simply cannot be allowed!!!! Honestly, you aren't supposed to do that at all... 🙄

Kate Cox2 said:It honestly drove me absolutely insane how everyone would act so judgmental the moment they realized I was wearing thongs. It’s as if it were some sort of strictly forbidden ritual during pregnancy...😁
I truly haven't the slightest clue why people care; I kept wearing them without any issue whatsoever, though I did finally pick up some standard briefs just recently. But then again, as I have remarked before—I am quite a resilient individual, and nothing really bothers me much.😁

And another thing... you actually drive a car???? 😲That simply cannot be allowed!!!! Honestly, you aren't supposed to do that at all... 🙄

You’re hearing all sorts of nonsense
...as if there's any reason not to wear thongs instead of standard undies—they just sit a little deeper, that's all.🤣 😁Actually, thongs are usually thinner, more breathable, they dry faster, and they allow for much better airflow
(honestly, I dealt with my worst bouts of yeast infections when I actually listened to "smart" advice and switched exclusively to cotton briefs).😉

rustyrider20 said:You’re hearing all sorts of nonsense
...as if there's any reason not to wear thongs instead of standard undies—they just sit a little deeper, that's all.🤣 😁Actually, thongs are usually thinner, more breathable, they dry faster, and they allow for much better airflow
(honestly, I dealt with my worst bouts of yeast infections when I actually listened to "smart" advice and switched exclusively to cotton briefs).😉

Honestly, that was the very first thing a family friend—who happens to be a neonatal nurse—told my mother when she heard about the pregnancy...she told me, "Honey, I’d be too embarrassed to admit you wear those things all the time..." 🤣 🤣
and even my doctor joked about it, saying, "Oh boy, they really should make maternity versions of those," 🙄
but hey, I suppose my anatomy has simply grown accustomed to thongs over the years 😁
.