What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

Honestly, I am just completely exhausted by all this endless theorizing—though, I suppose, how would I know without actually doing it? How much stuff do we need? What specifically goes where? What’s for me, what’s for my nipples, what’s for the baby, what else could we possibly require... it feels like there is no end in sight, or at least no light at the tunnel's end

I was sitting here thinking: okay, we have the crib, one set of sheets, a mattress, the stroller, the car seat, the onesie... so, yeah, we’re totally set 😬 yeah, right!

Then I hear that we need a mobile. Like, what kind of freaking mobile? We don't need a miniature theme park hanging over her head; babies sleep, they don't see anything. God, I don't know the first thing about kids—I'm hardly an expert—whereas my friend who is a professional preschool teacher actually knows exactly what stimulates development and when.
And apparently, we’re going to be terrible parents because we won't know how to properly nurture and develop everything that needs developing. I feel like a complete amateur, like I’ve stumbled into something that is definitely not my field of expertise... it's like enrolling in an electrical engineering program right after graduating from butcher school

And oh boy, the shopping list just keeps growing. I missed out on those Huggies wipes when they were on sale at Target, so now I'm staring at these massive arrays of pacifiers, trying to figure out how to choose from a sea of shapes, hole sizes, nipple types, materials... and towels—seriously, is there nothing cheaper than $27/for those tiny hooded towels??
I mean, how is anyone supposed to remember all of this? It’s becoming maddening... 👎 just plain exhausting.

This rain is driving me insane😠 I can't get out for anything, and now I've just got piles of junk cluttering up my apartment😠

I’m honestly getting sick of being asked: how's the baby? When are you due?😠

If one more person asks me when it's happening, I swear I might just lose it on them.

It feels like a hundred texts a day... "Is it time yet?" "When will it be?" Honestly, it's like everyone else finds this waiting game harder than I do.

Starting today, I'm officially going dark. No more responding to anyone.

mistywalker46 said:It drives me absolutely insane when people don't even bother to shake off their shoes when it's raining outside!!
I swear, I spend every single morning scrubbing the entire apartment, and then by nightfall, I’m right back where I started!!!
At least when it’s pouring rain

So, why let it get to you so much?😕
Maybe just give them a big, bright smile and kindly offer them some slippers or point out where they should go...
I suppose if someone is smart enough, they'll get the hint, but if they're being a bit thick, you might just have to be more direct if it's really bothering you...
Well, that’s just not how I handle things, I guess...
If they want to sleep in their shoes at their own house, that's fine by me, but in my place, you're going to respect my hygiene rules...
To me, it's just gross... it's like when a baby has an accident and then people walk right through it... there's just no way

Honestly, the way people phrase things just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. They ask, "Did the baby come back to life?" Like, what does that even mean? The baby *is* alive! When they say "came back to life," it sounds like they’re asking if I can feel movement or something, but the wording is just so clumsy and insensitive. It’s such an ugly way to put it.

Jesse Evans85 said:Honestly, the way people phrase things just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. They ask, "Did the baby come back to life?" Like, what does that even mean? The baby *is* alive! When they say "came back to life," it sounds like they’re asking if I can feel movement or something, but the wording is just so clumsy and insensitive. It’s such an ugly way to put it.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh, okay, so this was hands down the most annoying thing for me too!!! It was especially bad because every single day, some nurse would ask me the exact same thing. And every single day, I’d have to respond with, "I don't understand—what do you mean by 'came back to life'???"—just me and a few other moms dealing with the same nonsense. And honestly, if anyone actually told them that I intentionally ended things at five weeks, they’d act all horrified like I could have even killed a baby... I mean, how can you kill something that wasn't even living yet? (Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but man, that question just... ugh!😠)

Kyle Lee6 said:aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh, okay, so this was hands down the most annoying thing for me too!!! It was especially bad because every single day, some nurse would ask me the exact same thing. And every single day, I’d have to respond with, "I don't understand—what do you mean by 'came back to life'???"—just me and a few other moms dealing with the same nonsense. And honestly, if anyone actually told them that I intentionally ended things at five weeks, they’d act all horrified like I could have even killed a baby... I mean, how can you kill something that wasn't even living yet? (Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but man, that question just... ugh!😠)

For me, the worst part is that my own mother asks me this—and she does it just as often as your mother-in-law does!😠😠 😠And here I was thinking my mom was a rational woman who actually understands medical science!🙄
When I tell her the baby is alive, she just shrugs and goes, "Oh, don't get so upset, it's just an expression." 😠 To me, that sounds absolutely revolting.

Not really feeling it, but it’s honestly hilarious how everyone at the clinic today keeps asking when my due date is... they act so shocked that I've got an appointment in two days since I'm so active, even giving me tips on what to do when labor starts, yet NOBODY offers to let me cut the line. People are just clueless 😁

So my grandma called me today... now, just to be clear, I have two grandmas. One is an absolute legend—we love her to death. But then there’s this other one... we don't exactly vibe with her. She's just a total piece of work...
first thing out of her mouth was, "How much weight have you put on?!" 🙄
I just looked at her and said, "Hey, even pigs get fat sometimes..." Then she hits me with: "And what about that urinary infection?! What's going on with that? Huh???" I told her everything's fine (honestly, I'm just winging it until my lab results actually come back), but get ready for her logic: "That's because of your OBGYN!!! It's because you go to those appointments every single month!! She passed it to you!! Who even sees a doctor that often?? Stop going to every little checkup, it's not worth the trouble" 😲😲😲
I just played along and told her, "Yeah, Grandma... you're totally right... my doctor is basically a domestic terrorist who carries Ureaplasma germs on her medical tools and spreads them to pregnant women... what a complete nightmare!" 🙂

Edward Rodriguez4 said:So my grandma called me today... now, just to be clear, I have two grandmas. One is an absolute legend—we love her to death. But then there’s this other one... we don't exactly vibe with her. She's just a total piece of work...
first thing out of her mouth was, "How much weight have you put on?!" 🙄
I just looked at her and said, "Hey, even pigs get fat sometimes..." Then she hits me with: "And what about that urinary infection?! What's going on with that? Huh???" I told her everything's fine (honestly, I'm just winging it until my lab results actually come back), but get ready for her logic: "That's because of your OBGYN!!! It's because you go to those appointments every single month!! She passed it to you!! Who even sees a doctor that often?? Stop going to every little checkup, it's not worth the trouble" 😲😲😲
I just played along and told her, "Yeah, Grandma... you're totally right... my doctor is basically a domestic terrorist who carries Ureaplasma germs on her medical tools and spreads them to pregnant women... what a complete nightmare!" 🙂

"and how much weight did you gain" 😂 😂 😂

Anyway, I have to mention my aunt again too. That's just her usual vocabulary, honestly. My favorite part is when she claims she's the one who "fed up" three of her kids... which, looking at them... yeah, I can definitely see it. 🤣

Alright, I’m finally at the end of this bizarre journey, so I figured I’d vent about the things that actually drove me crazy:
1. Those random women who just had kids—they wouldn't say a word to me before because they couldn't wrap their heads around why I waited five years, but suddenly, we’re best friends.
2. When people ask "How are you?" at the start of a conversation. It’s never actually about me; they're just fishing for pregnancy updates so they can have some juicy gossip to share.
3. People touching my stomach. No comment. Seriously, what if I walked up to an acquaintance on the street and grabbed their gut? Like, hello?
5. Once we found out the gender and told everyone, the stupid comments started rolling in. As if I didn't already know, or like everyone else is some kind of psychic based on how my belly looks.
6. There was zero help anywhere. Most days, I felt like I was suffering from the plague rather than being pregnant.
7. How much weight I gained. One time, during my sixth month, I was at a local convenience store and ran into an old acquaintance. She loudly commented on how I looked, saying I'd give birth to a literal bun since I used to be so tiny.
8. When people ask how the pregnancy is going—usually within certain female social circles—and before I can even open my mouth, they launch into: "When I was pregnant..." "I did this..." "I did that..." Just constant "me, me, me."
9. When they start retelling birth stories. I noticed all these women act like they barely survived, acting like nobody actually struggles, yet somehow implying that if *I* can make it through, then anyone can.
10. Now that I'm near the end, the question "How much longer??" is driving me insane. And it's coming from my inner circle of family and friends. They can't wait for an excuse to go quiet on me.
There's more, but I think my little one is ready to make an appearance soon.🙂

Statements like:

1. Oh, you have no idea... you don't know what's coming. You won't sleep, you won't even have time for a bathroom break, blah blah blah... you just don't get what having a newborn is actually like. 😳
2. You've put on some weight... I mean, not that you're fat, just, you know, "lovingly" soft. 🙄
3. (Ever since my doctor told him I was in labor) So, how's it going down there? Any progress? Are you doing okay? You having the baby today?
4. (The "genius" father-in-law after I had my mucus plug pass) It looks to me like you're just scared. Why? I mean, I once had surgery for a hernia... 🙄
5. Random women who don't even know me, yet feel entitled to weigh in after I sneeze once: "Don't you dare catch a cold," "Are you serious?", "You really need to take care of yourself."

There's plenty more where that came from, but honestly, the more I think about it, the more annoyed I get... so I'll stop listing them...

Timothy Moore8 said:Statements like:

1. Oh, you have no idea... you don't know what's coming. You won't sleep, you won't even have time for a bathroom break, blah blah blah... you just don't get what having a newborn is actually like. 😳
2. You've put on some weight... I mean, not that you're fat, just, you know, "lovingly" soft. 🙄
3. (Ever since my doctor told him I was in labor) So, how's it going down there? Any progress? Are you doing okay? You having the baby today?
4. (The "genius" father-in-law after I had my mucus plug pass) It looks to me like you're just scared. Why? I mean, I once had surgery for a hernia... 🙄
5. Random women who don't even know me, yet feel entitled to weigh in after I sneeze once: "Don't you dare catch a cold," "Are you serious?", "You really need to take care of yourself."

There's plenty more where that came from, but honestly, the more I think about it, the more annoyed I get... so I'll stop listing them...

This whole thing is starting to get under my skin, too. I mean, honestly, I couldn't care less about how things are "supposed" to be; right now, I feel great and everything is going smoothly. Even when I eventually can't sleep? Well, that'll be fine too. It’s just frustrating being told how to feel!

Honestly, reading through all this, I’ve realized that pretty much everything just gets on my nerves lately—but if I had to pick one thing, it’s definitely other people asking the most brain-dead questions imaginable..
It drives me absolutely insane when I’m out in public and some random lady starts staring at my stomach... like, seriously?! It’s not like I’m hiding a massive cheeseburger under there or something, I can see it myself!!
As for the whole pregnancy thing—the back aches, my legendary pelvic pains, the bladder issues, and all that—to be honest, it’s all kind of taken a backseat for me, even though I know I’ve been bitching and moaning about it constantly..
Because once I see how badly some women out there are praying for a baby, I feel so incredibly lucky that everything is going fine with my little one. I’ll endure every single ounce of pain and every damn struggle necessary, as long as she stays healthy and happy. 👍

Edward Rodriguez4 said:Honestly, reading through all this, I’ve realized that pretty much everything just gets on my nerves lately—but if I had to pick one thing, it’s definitely other people asking the most brain-dead questions imaginable..
It drives me absolutely insane when I’m out in public and some random lady starts staring at my stomach... like, seriously?! It’s not like I’m hiding a massive cheeseburger under there or something, I can see it myself!!
As for the whole pregnancy thing—the back aches, my legendary pelvic pains, the bladder issues, and all that—to be honest, it’s all kind of taken a backseat for me, even though I know I’ve been bitching and moaning about it constantly..
Because once I see how badly some women out there are praying for a baby, I feel so incredibly lucky that everything is going fine with my little one. I’ll endure every single ounce of pain and every damn struggle necessary, as long as she stays healthy and happy. 👍

I'm right there with you... the nausea, the constant peeing, the back issues, swollen feet... it all passed. Looking back at the whole pregnancy experience, it really was beautiful... hoping labor goes the same way...

Timothy Moore8 said:I'm right there with you... the nausea, the constant peeing, the back issues, swollen feet... it all passed. Looking back at the whole pregnancy experience, it really was beautiful... hoping labor goes the same way...

NOPE!!🤣

Honestly, when I finally go into labor, I’m actually worried about the nurses. Because if they try to get smart with me, I swear I won't be playing nice 😬
since when I'm in pain, I become absolutely impossible to deal with. And if some pissed-off lady ends up stuck next to me, oh man... huhuhuhu!! I might just accidentally whack her with one of these swollen legs that feel like freaking logs.. 😁

It drives me absolutely insane how many people keep asking what I’m going to do with my pets—my dog and cat who live in the apartment with us—now that I’m pregnant and once the baby arrives.😠 😲

Everyone thinks they’re such an expert, acting like I need to get rid of them immediately because they’ll definitely pass some disease to me or the baby during pregnancy, or heaven forbid, eat the kid once they're born.🙄

I tell everyone straight up: they aren't going anywhere. They were here before the baby, and they're staying. We struggled for years to even conceive, going through endless failed treatments where my pets were honestly my biggest source of comfort and joy (no matter how weird that sounds to outsiders), and now people think I should just dump them because a "better replacement" is on the way?
They're regularly treated for parasites, they get everything they need, and we love them like our own kids. Honestly, being this early in my pregnancy, it’s hard to even wrap my head around the idea that I'll love a human baby just as much, if not more.

Since I have to be on strict bed rest due to a hematoma, my girl is actually staying with family back in the Midwest right now. It’s just better for her there since she isn't stuck in an apartment for ten hours a day without a walk while my husband is at work. Plus, she loves the company of the other dog there.

Then yesterday, this "friend" drops by and immediately plays the villain, saying, "See, I told you that you'd have to get rid of the dog once you got pregnant." This total jerk wouldn't even listen to my explanation; she just kept repeating how she knew it would end this way and that I was "smart" to finally come to my senses. :asshole:

I totally blanked on my checkup today 🙄

Since I’ve been juggling this pregnancy by seeing both my primary doctor through my insurance and a private specialist at the same time, things get a little messy... I basically only go to the primary clinic to get the official referrals so they don't freak out about me seeing someone else, otherwise they'd expect me to handle the whole nine months there without knowing I have a private doctor too. I just take all the blood work, swabs, and stuff they do and bring them over to the private clinic, then show her the prescriptions so she can give me the actual 😬

Anyway, I was supposed to be at the primary clinic today and it completely slipped my mind... now I have to call them up and come up with some excuse for why I missed it, but honestly, I hate lying. It feels like enough already having to hide the fact that I'm seeing a private doctor on the side... and I know for a fact they're going to be annoyed if I just tell them I straight-up forgot 👎

We’ve got a cat named Loki🙂. Honestly, I can't stand those horror stories—you know the ones—claiming a cat is going to crawl into a baby's crib and suffocate them by sitting on their head. Like, really? Out of all the spots in an entire house, a cat is going to pick a tiny infant's face? It’s ridiculous. Then you hear the stuff about babies swallowing fur and it causing intestinal issues—just total nonsense. My little girl is 9 months old now, and she absolutely loses it laughing whenever she sees him. He actually motivated her to start crawling at 7 months, and now she’s working on walking. And for the record, Loki hasn't even touched her crib; he usually avoids it because she’s too loud and keeps pulling his tail. But when she’s napping, he’s always in the room, curled up on his favorite windowsill. It honestly feels like he’s watching over her. Don't sweat it—animals and babies just click. Cheers

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with pregnancy, but I am honestly at my breaking point right now. My dishwasher just flooded, and I’ve spent the last hour frantically bailing water out of my kitchen 😠😠😠 and, of course, thanks to all that constant "squatting and standing up" combined with my blood pressure, now I’m feeling dizzy and my stomach is killing me 👎

So, I'm just going to mix myself a big glass of magnesium, take my vitamins, and try to map out some study schedule... just so I can feel like I actually accomplished something productive today instead of just fighting a flood 😠