What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

I’d probably tell you to just play dumb and ask them that exact thing—seriously!—but I’ve actually tried that before, and trust me... you really don't want to deal with the nonsense they'll throw back at you.

I had this conversation with my sister yesterday that actually caught me off guard. I’m heading into my ninth month of pregnancy, and while we were chatting about getting everything ready for the baby, she expressed genuine shock that I plan on handling all the laundry and ironing myself. Honestly, if things get too overwhelming or physically taxing, I’ll give my mom a call—she's retired, after all—but I don't see why I shouldn't be able to tackle thirty minutes of ironing, even in my condition.
I’m already on my feet most days cooking lunch, so standing for a bit longer isn't the issue.
Her logic is that I shouldn't be bending over so much—like loading or unloading the washer—and that I should instead just rest, stay positive, and go for a stroll if the weather is nice...
Look, that’s all fine in theory, but if I feel good and the work isn't draining me, I don't see any reason to sit on my hands. If I can drive the car, run errands at Target, or whip up a meal, I can certainly handle a few chores.

placidtinker31 said:Question about what happens after you give birth 🙂

I’m out here in the middle of nowhere, home alone with two kids. My husband works away from home, so he’s only back for maybe ten days every few weeks...
The first couple of times, my mom used to come stay with us. She can't anymore. Now, my mother-in-law lives 19 miles right next door and she never stops questioning me about how I’m handling everything. She acts like she’s making some huge sacrifice, yet my own mother isn't there? Or my sister? She never mentions them... 🙄
The breaking point was when she actually suggested someone should take both kids away for at least five days just so I could get some sleep and bond with the baby.
Are you kidding me?! There is absolutely no way I’m letting anyone take my children away. I want us to be together constantly. I’m not risking any kind of trauma over something so trivial. God forbid there are complications, but right now, that idea sounds completely insane to me...
How am I supposed to stay polite. How... 🕺

Well, I would happily sign my mother-in-law and sister-in-law up for all of that, except perhaps for them targeting me directly all the time—they should definitely target my husband instead! My husband doesn't work away, but he is at work from 7 AM to 7 PM... And my mother-in-law actually raised three children herself while living in a house back when cars weren't on every corner and mobile phones didn't exist😂. Even so, my own family isn't much better, even though nobody else (except for me, quite soon) has more than two children, so they all just act like, "Oh my goodness, how will you manage? Three kids? It's going to be so hard!"

Daniel Miller4 said:It honestly stung so much when people started telling me that now that I’m pregnant—and especially once I actually give birth—everything just... stops.
My life is supposed to end? Like, everything just ceases to exist??
The suggestion that I should just abandon my fitness routine and stop focusing on myself, as if I’m just going to clock out at 3 p.m. every day... I usually try to be patient, but I have a pretty short fuse when it comes to this kind of nonsense, though I've tried to hold back until now. Lately, I can't even deal it anymore; I've actually lost some good friends because of his wife, who is just such a judgmental person and frankly, a complete nightmare to be around. I just don't have the energy for that drama. :/
I am an athlete at heart and I still am. I'm four months along now, and I fully intend to stay active, just like so many of my other female friends who prioritize fitness and an active lifestyle—adjusting things as needed for the pregnancy, of course, and then continuing after the baby arrives. I truly cannot wrap my head around why so many women suffer through this and feel forced to give up their entire lives after having kids... which, by the way, is what babies are for???
Anyway, I’m feeling quite worked up about it all right now...🙂

God, it’s like I’m reading my own diary. 🙂 Here’s someone else who clocked out at 3 PM. 😁 Let me explain... nine glorious months of being super active, and then suddenly someone drops a kid on me who almost never sleeps, a husband who works (and doesn't), and me, alone 99% of the time. It’s been over a year and a half now, and here I am: sleep-deprived, with zero "life" because there’s nobody to watch the baby, greasy hair, unkept legs... I can only dream about certain activities. Actually, no, I can't even dream about that because I don't sleep. 😁 Am I suffering? No. Do I look beautiful? Sure, if you count getting a few hours of sleep a day. 🙂 Why did I have a kid? We decided our lives would be perfect if it were just the two of us. 🤦 So, I wish you a calm, wonderful baby—one of those babies from the commercials that sleeps all day long—otherwise, you’re going to end up remembering this post. 🙂 As my father's word goes, don't let it get to you too much.

😁
gle-enough said: you asked why you even went through with having kids in the first place. 🙂
now you can just dwell on it endlessly if you want, my dear brother, but you already know the reason—don't mourn it, don't complain, just be happy 🙂
personally, I’m hoping to achieve as much as possible once I recover from childbirth, but after that... well, it is what it is. I know for a fact that my life isn't ending; if anything, it's just getting started :P

Total mom life.
Honestly, given how things are going, I’m definitely gonna need some help—but looking at the people around me who claim they need it? It’s kind of wild... even after six months or a year, nobody has actually had a kid, let alone even stepped foot in a salon for a haircut! I mean, hey, that’s their business, obviously, but it doesn't give them much ground to complain about, you know? Like, if you actually have a little one, fine—leave them with a sitter for an hour or something. But if you don't? Then maybe just stop whining about everywhere you didn't get to go... seriously.

I might sound a bit blunt or even selfish to some, but I truly believe that having a child doesn't mean your life comes to a halt; on the contrary, it is actually where the real journey begins. It certainly demands an immense amount of effort, sacrifice, sweat, and time, yet it is by no means impossible because you find yourself possessed by so much more motivation, valuing every single moment and achievement far more deeply, and constantly seeking out new ways to succeed. Anyone who allows themselves to be completely consumed by their child—even when there is no medical necessity to do so—is ultimately responsible for feeling as though their own life is slipping away. With proper organization, people can successfully navigate college, sports training, and everything else; I refuse to lose my sense of self for the sake of my child, though I am always willing to adapt as much as necessary!

Ugh, honestly, just everything 🙂

Everyone’s suddenly an expert on nutrition. I bet you’re feeling gross because people act like you need "real" proteins for the baby, and then they tell me I haven't gained weight and should probably just snack on more cookies and chocolate.
Then there’s everyone constantly poking at my belly.
And don't even get me started on free time. Like, maybe I should just sell my bike now that the little one is coming—why did I even bother buying it? Or maybe find a way easier job. Or, my absolute favorite idea, just chop all my hair off short since I won't have any time to wash it anyway. Plus, there's all this judging from my aunt's housekeeper about whether I actually consider myself a homemaker or what.
People also give me such looks whenever I mention using cloth diapers, babywearing, or breastfeeding.
Apparently, I'm not supposed to buy anything for the baby until they actually arrive, and even then, we shouldn't because we'll "definitely" get everything as gifts.
And then there's the classic, "Wait, you're still working?!" nonsense.

Everything is just getting on my nerves 🙂

Honestly, nothing really caught me off guard since this was my second time around... and man, it was a struggle. I absolutely hate feeling bloated and out of shape. Between the morning sickness, not being able to hit the gym or go for a run, just sitting stuck in the car all day... the heartburn, the insomnia, the mood swings—it was a lot. But now that I've finally given birth, I feel like a completely different person 😁.

Sarah Jones50 said:Honestly, nothing really caught me off guard since this was my second time around... and man, it was a struggle. I absolutely hate feeling bloated and out of shape. Between the morning sickness, not being able to hit the gym or go for a run, just sitting stuck in the car all day... the heartburn, the insomnia, the mood swings—it was a lot. But now that I've finally given birth, I feel like a completely different person 😁.

Lucky you! Huge congrats! 👏

For me, it’s the constant burning sensation in my feet—it drives me crazy. I can't even trim my toenails, let alone tie my sneakers or pull off a pair of boots. And don't even get me started on how I look; I've already outgrown my biggest bra. My best friend keeps teasing me, asking if I'm going to have to get everything custom-made by a tailor at a boutique in Beverly Hills 🤣. The swelling in my legs is the absolute worst part, though—they honestly look like elephant legs right now. Plus, my husband is getting on my last nerve with every little thing; he used to be chill, but now? Total nightmare. I'm just venting. I seriously cannot wait for this phase to be over so I can just focus all my energy on my little princess 😍

Douglas Baker2 said:Ugh, honestly, just everything 🙂

Everyone’s suddenly an expert on nutrition. I bet you’re feeling gross because people act like you need "real" proteins for the baby, and then they tell me I haven't gained weight and should probably just snack on more cookies and chocolate.
Then there’s everyone constantly poking at my belly.
And don't even get me started on free time. Like, maybe I should just sell my bike now that the little one is coming—why did I even bother buying it? Or maybe find a way easier job. Or, my absolute favorite idea, just chop all my hair off short since I won't have any time to wash it anyway. Plus, there's all this judging from my aunt's housekeeper about whether I actually consider myself a homemaker or what.
People also give me such looks whenever I mention using cloth diapers, babywearing, or breastfeeding.
Apparently, I'm not supposed to buy anything for the baby until they actually arrive, and even then, we shouldn't because we'll "definitely" get everything as gifts.
And then there's the classic, "Wait, you're still working?!" nonsense.

Everything is just getting on my nerves 🙂

Oh, I know that place, it’s fantastic. 😍🤣

As for me, I'm actually letting mine grow out. It's actually the exact opposite—I've had short hair for two years now, and if it isn't styled perfectly, it takes way more effort than just washing long hair and throwing it in a ponytail.

And forget about wearing makeup—that's pretty much off the table.

Nothing specifically bugs me, though. I can't tie my own sneakers, I can't drink alcohol, I can't squat, I spend half the night in the bathroom, and I constantly have to ask for help, but honestly, it's fine.

What really gets under my skin are the comments about my sleep habits from people who actually know me— "Oh, Bradley Walker8, you love to sleep! Every time we call you, you're napping. Say goodbye to sleeping!" ....😠

Fine, yeah, I won't sleep. So what? I finally caught up on my rest.
It's not my fault my internal clock wakes me up early when it doesn't have to, while mine is currently functioning like it's back in my teenage years.
There are no obligations here—it's "sleep until noon" mode. Period.
I'll manage, just like everyone else does.

Regarding surprises, the whole pregnancy surprised me, and it continues to surprise me every single day. There is a literal baby growing inside me right now, moving and doing its thing! 🙏 🙂

Beyond that, the heightened sense of smell caught me off guard. Usually, my sense of smell is fine, but now it's insane. Then there's the general Zen vibes, the increased libido, the larger chest, and, uh, the constant gas. 😳

P.S. I was expecting that glorious, magical, beautiful pregnancy glow, but it hasn't happened. 🙂

People told me the exact same thing about my hair, but I’ve gone through enough phases with short hair to know that when it gets greasy and you’re running late, it’s way easier to manage. With long hair, you can just throw it into a ponytail or a bun, but short hair? There's no hiding it.
I mostly stick to high-top sneakers and boots—let’s be honest, it’s basically just sneakers at this point—and I can still tie them myself, even if it feels like more of a struggle than it used to.
It actually caught me off guard how quickly I started hitting a wall physically. Like, I’ll take a quick walk to the corner store and suddenly I feel like I need to crawl straight into bed.

Honestly, looking back, the worst part about my pregnancy was how everyone thought they had a right to grab my belly... and all that effort I wasted rubbing creams on stretch marks like some idiot. Then there’s my grandma, who still insists I gave my son a "girl's name." And yeah, I still carry some guilt because I listened to my in-laws when they told me it was totally fine to ignore the pain in my hips and kidneys—they actually claimed I just caught a chill by sitting in the AC during a 100-degree heatwave in my eighth month. Long story short, I ended up in the hospital with five fingers dilated at 34 weeks. The nurses were the absolute worst, too. Since I was only 18, they treated me like a total farm animal. They kept questioning if my boyfriend was even the father just because we were teenagers. Well, fast forward ten years later: we've been together forever and finally tied the knot three months ago. People used to constantly nag me about when I'd get married, so out of pure spite, I actually wed him just a week before our kid turned five. Then there was my mom forcing me to eat kiwis constantly, the fact that I gained 20 pounds, and dealing with heartburn from just drinking water. To top it off, everyone still looks at me and my husband like we're incompetent parents. Everyone loves to say your life is over once you have a kid—that everything just stops. From my experience? It doesn't stop; it actually starts. My husband and I still go out all the time, and we have a huge group of friends who drop by almost every other day. Our little guy absolutely loves the company. I definitely looked like a giant cinnamon roll in that last month, but hey, it happens. You just gotta look back and laugh.

Sent from my LG-D373 using Reddit

People seem to have an opinion on my baby bump; it’s either too large or too small for their liking.
Early on, I dealt with nausea, and now that I'm entering my eighth month, my mother-in-law still insists on asking about my appetite every single day.😵
When standing in crowds or waiting in line, people simply look past me.
Everyone feels entitled to offer parenting advice or dictate what I should and shouldn't be doing during this pregnancy.
Then there is the constant stream of people trying to offload their old clothes and hand-me-downs on me, as if I can't afford my own things. Some of these items—like little dresses—are fifteen years old.

A husband who simply cannot keep a clean house.
Then there’s the cat—sometimes he just reeks, and I swear his fur is an inescapable part of the decor.
And honestly? Other people and their endless "advice."
It’s always the same crowd, constantly meddling in everything, acting like they have all the answers. They have these grand plans for our child, unsolicited opinions on how we should rearrange the bedroom, and so on... It’s exhausting. To make matters worse, there's this underlying assumption that we don't actually know what we're doing.

Sean Anderson8 said:A husband who simply cannot keep a clean house.
Then there’s the cat—sometimes he just reeks, and I swear his fur is an inescapable part of the decor.
And honestly? Other people and their endless "advice."
It’s always the same crowd, constantly meddling in everything, acting like they have all the answers. They have these grand plans for our child, unsolicited opinions on how we should rearrange the bedroom, and so on... It’s exhausting. To make matters worse, there's this underlying assumption that we don't actually know what we're doing.

Especially when you're talking about parents.
I mean, if they raised me to be this much of a mess, they really don't have any right to go complaining about the next generation, you know?

Sometimes it’s actually more irritating when people assume you’re somehow overqualified for what you're going through. 😬 It’s like there’s never any winning for those of us trying to conceive.

If I'm being completely honest, what gets under my skin the most is having to drag my life down to such a snail's pace; it feels like someone just went ahead and amputated a part of my identity without asking, and now I'm just left sitting here trying to figure out how to live with this missing piece.

I suppose I'm mostly just my own worst enemy at this point. 🤦

nimbleotter4 said:Sometimes it’s actually more irritating when people assume you’re somehow overqualified for what you're going through. 😬 It’s like there’s never any winning for those of us trying to conceive.

If I'm being completely honest, what gets under my skin the most is having to drag my life down to such a snail's pace; it feels like someone just went ahead and amputated a part of my identity without asking, and now I'm just left sitting here trying to figure out how to live with this missing piece.

I suppose I'm mostly just my own worst enemy at this point. 🤦

Exactly.
There are moments where I just feel completely useless because of it. 🙂 Honestly, even my cat seems more active than I am right now....

But then I remember that my work kicks into high gear right at the start of summer. God, I can already see it—maybe two or three weeks after the baby arrives, I’ll be out the door every single day. I'll be running laps just to see if I can still sprint, or heading to the local pool to swim just to feel some sort of release. It’s maddening, really, knowing I'm either not allowed or just physically unable to move the way I used to.

The past week has honestly felt like a low-budget horror movie...
first it was a stomach bug with all the vomiting, then the cramps—I couldn't tell if it was gastritis, an intestinal issue, or something much more sinister, heaven forbid—then it would subside, only to be replaced by these splitting headaches. I can barely even sprint for the bus, which is frustrating because I’ve been out running about 5 or 6 miles every single day... it’s just one of those times where my own body feels like it's actively working against me, though I try to remind myself that this is temporary and it will all pass eventually. 🙂
I actually had plans to head out to a birthday party, but I was feeling so wretched I couldn't even bring myself to leave the house, but then, thankfully, I woke up the next morning feeling like a brand-new person, ah well...
but still, as someone who isn't exactly known for having flawless skin (I've picked up a few blemishes on my face that I certainly didn't have back in high school 😢), let's be real—pretending that all of this is "beautiful," "wonderful," or "healing" is just plain silly! hehehe

Between the lack of sleep and this total drain on my energy—I mean, I started my first shift feeling like I could take on the world, but now everything just feels like a massive uphill battle—and then there's the irritability that comes along with being completely wiped out. 🙄