What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

wiredpuma92 said:First off, it drives me insane that my phone rings fifty times a day. At this rate, I’m gonna have six arms by the time I give birth from all this radiation 🙄🙄 And of course, if I happen to be typing or—God forbid—actually doing something productive instead of staring at my screen, I’ll end up with 3,000 missed calls and a bunch of sobbing voices on the other end asking, "Where are youuuu?? Is everything okay???" 😠
Especially during those first month or two before I finally lost my mind... I could have slept all day because I was just so exhausted. 🙂 They were getting on my nerves so much that I actually turned my ringer off a few times. You can't even sleep like a normal person. 🙂
And then there's my mom and his mom... Man. We're going to be in San Diego, mine are from Tulsa, and his family is from some small town in rural America. I don't know anyone in San Diego, and since this is our first kid, I'm expecting some help when we get home from the hospital. But I think I was delusional thinking they'd just come for a week while I'm recovering... and obviously, my mom will show up, since she's totally chill with me. But... 🙂 His mother actually said, through tears, "Ohhh, I'll come to you, wherever you are, even if it's at the end of the world." Yeah, we aren't playing that game. I mean, obviously, I won't ban a woman from seeing her grandchild, but it'll be the same rules as my mom. One week, and then she's out... 🙂
Plus, his mother loves to act like she's the boss, which already has my blood pressure hitting a million. Whatever though, we'll manage somehow, and I usually just don't talk back to her. But I can only imagine what it would be like if she stayed for a month. Like she's back in her own house or something.
And one more thing: the very first thing people do when they see me is comment on my weight or ask to feel my belly. Just to be clear, I'm not tiny, and I'm not fat, 😁
but my stomach and everything else is growing at a normal pace, slowly...
And I've got another 5 or 6 months of this. I'll just buy some earplugs and nod along saying "uh-huh"... 🤣

Ugh, I honestly don't know how you do it. Kudos to you, but I would have dried up my milk supply from pure stress alone. I truly believe every mother knows what's best for her baby, and most things should come naturally; besides, we have this forum for advice. Everything changed once our mothers and mothers-in-law started raising us. For instance, nowadays people breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, yet my mother-in-law was already trying to feed my little one bacon at five months! Meanwhile, my husband could be doing all the prep work, and the baby would still be sleeping through it all. I'm incredibly close with my mom—we see each other a few times a week and talk twice a day—but I absolutely hate it when anyone meddles in my house, even her. I just want to be able to walk around my place half-naked in peace and let my swollen feet breathe. 😂
By the way, during my last few months of pregnancy, my mother-in-law called me five times a day just to check if I was in labor. I was losing my mind! Seriously! And if I didn't pick up my phone, she’d call my husband's phone, or even my mother's! My mom was honestly ready to strangle her!

Honestly, I’m getting so incredibly fed up with all the comments about my looks and my weight.😠
Today, my mom, my sister, and I were out hiking some trails, and my mom turns to me and goes, "Oh, you've finally gotten your waist looking good and slimmed down a bit, don't go ruining it now."😲Like, what the hell?🙄>
Then my sister—who, mind you, has put on 25 pounds during her pregnancy—chimes in with, "Well, you can still lose weight, at least you have five months left."😳So I just gave her this super sarcastic look and said, "What, you want me to go on one of those crazy crash diets?"🙄>
>
I know they love me, and I realize they aren't saying these things just to get under my skin, but seriously, have a little tact. Just think for a second before you open your mouth, for crying out loud.😠>

Jonathan Grant2 said:Honestly, I’m getting so incredibly fed up with all the comments about my looks and my weight.😠
Today, my mom, my sister, and I were out hiking some trails, and my mom turns to me and goes, "Oh, you've finally gotten your waist looking good and slimmed down a bit, don't go ruining it now."😲Like, what the hell?🙄>
Then my sister—who, mind you, has put on 25 pounds during her pregnancy—chimes in with, "Well, you can still lose weight, at least you have five months left."😳So I just gave her this super sarcastic look and said, "What, you want me to go on one of those crazy crash diets?"🙄>
>
I know they love me, and I realize they aren't saying these things just to get under my skin, but seriously, have a little tact. Just think for a second before you open your mouth, for crying out loud.😠>

Oh my god! I have never heard anything like that in my life. My own mother is just sitting there waiting for me to turn into a literal balloon, haha. I mean, she'll probably tell me my waistline will be destroyed by her future grandson or something—I don't even know how to react. And suggesting a diet while pregnant? I won't even go there. Honestly though, you are so gorgeous that I’m actually a little jealous; you're glowing right now and you're going to look stunning even after the baby comes. I've even shown your photos to my husband, haha.

Steven Harris16 said:Oh my god! I have never heard anything like that in my life. My own mother is just sitting there waiting for me to turn into a literal balloon, haha. I mean, she'll probably tell me my waistline will be destroyed by her future grandson or something—I don't even know how to react. And suggesting a diet while pregnant? I won't even go there. Honestly though, you are so gorgeous that I’m actually a little jealous; you're glowing right now and you're going to look stunning even after the baby comes. I've even shown your photos to my husband, haha.

Aw, thank you so much, sweetie! Those words honestly made my entire day.😍
I mean, look, I'm fully aware of my current weight, but it is what it is. Of course I'm going to try to eat healthy, but I'm planning on dealing with the weight loss once the baby is born...

And seriously, there's no reason to be jealous at all—your family is absolutely beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen a more perfect trio than you three.😉

Jonathan Grant2 said:Honestly, I’m getting so incredibly fed up with all the comments about my looks and my weight.😠
Today, my mom, my sister, and I were out hiking some trails, and my mom turns to me and goes, "Oh, you've finally gotten your waist looking good and slimmed down a bit, don't go ruining it now."😲Like, what the hell?🙄>
Then my sister—who, mind you, has put on 25 pounds during her pregnancy—chimes in with, "Well, you can still lose weight, at least you have five months left."😳So I just gave her this super sarcastic look and said, "What, you want me to go on one of those crazy crash diets?"🙄>
>
I know they love me, and I realize they aren't saying these things just to get under my skin, but seriously, have a little tact. Just think for a second before you open your mouth, for crying out loud.😠>

Ugh, welcome to the club.😍

One of the first—and honestly, one of the only—comments my mother made about my pregnancy was, "If you just sit around all day, you’re going to end up weighing 220 pounds." Then she had the nerve to tell me my backside had sagged and spread out like some 70-year-old woman's. Unbelievable. 😢

I mean, for God's sake... if I had packed on 20 pounds during those eight or nine weeks of pregnancy, I wouldn't be complaining. But no. Instead, I’ve somehow gained 6 pounds—and let’s be honest, one of those was extra weight I already carried before I even got pregnant. It could have been less, sure, but according to my BMI and height calculations, the "ideal" gain should have only been about 4 pounds. So, technically, it isn't a disaster. I just don't get it. What gives?

Look at these comments. Just look at them. People are losing their minds. 😠😠😠 I absolutely lost it yesterday. Some woman at work asked me to check her blood pressure because she was feeling dizzy. I led her into the clinic, took her reading—totally normal, by the way—and then she just drops this out of nowhere: "Well, you've certainly improved since last time..." Unbelievable. Just pure, unprovoked disrespect.

She’s got anorexia, and she’s always had this habit of unsolicitedly commenting on every single pound I gain, yet stays dead silent whenever I'm actually losing weight. Because I know her struggles, I’ve always tried to be the bigger person and bite my tongue. But today? Today I seriously had to grit my teeth to keep from snapping. I wanted to tell her, "Yeah, well, my chest is two sizes bigger now and my husband is losing his mind over it... happens when the chin widens during pregnancy." I was too anxious about my doctor's appointment to say anything, though. I didn't want to make some joke about my pregnancy only to find out the worst. Now, I'm just sitting here regretting my restraint. Honestly, I can’t wait for her to "kindly" offer another opinion on my body while I'm still riding this post-appointment high.

Look, I don't care if someone tells me, "Hey, maybe watch the calories, it might be good for you." Honestly? I welcome it. But those half-witted, backhanded jabs like, "Well, you've certainly filled out lately," drive me absolutely insane. 🙂

Look, what’s done is done. My chest is huge now... I'm pretty sure I lost at least ten pounds just in that department. 😂 At this rate, my maternity bra won't survive another week.

Rebecca Vaughn7 said:Ugh, welcome to the club.😍

One of the first—and honestly, one of the only—comments my mother made about my pregnancy was, "If you just sit around all day, you’re going to end up weighing 220 pounds." Then she had the nerve to tell me my backside had sagged and spread out like some 70-year-old woman's. Unbelievable. 😢

I mean, for God's sake... if I had packed on 20 pounds during those eight or nine weeks of pregnancy, I wouldn't be complaining. But no. Instead, I’ve somehow gained 6 pounds—and let’s be honest, one of those was extra weight I already carried before I even got pregnant. It could have been less, sure, but according to my BMI and height calculations, the "ideal" gain should have only been about 4 pounds. So, technically, it isn't a disaster. I just don't get it. What gives?

Look at these comments. Just look at them. People are losing their minds. 😠😠😠 I absolutely lost it yesterday. Some woman at work asked me to check her blood pressure because she was feeling dizzy. I led her into the clinic, took her reading—totally normal, by the way—and then she just drops this out of nowhere: "Well, you've certainly improved since last time..." Unbelievable. Just pure, unprovoked disrespect.

She’s got anorexia, and she’s always had this habit of unsolicitedly commenting on every single pound I gain, yet stays dead silent whenever I'm actually losing weight. Because I know her struggles, I’ve always tried to be the bigger person and bite my tongue. But today? Today I seriously had to grit my teeth to keep from snapping. I wanted to tell her, "Yeah, well, my chest is two sizes bigger now and my husband is losing his mind over it... happens when the chin widens during pregnancy." I was too anxious about my doctor's appointment to say anything, though. I didn't want to make some joke about my pregnancy only to find out the worst. Now, I'm just sitting here regretting my restraint. Honestly, I can’t wait for her to "kindly" offer another opinion on my body while I'm still riding this post-appointment high.

Look, I don't care if someone tells me, "Hey, maybe watch the calories, it might be good for you." Honestly? I welcome it. But those half-witted, backhanded jabs like, "Well, you've certainly filled out lately," drive me absolutely insane. 🙂

Look, what’s done is done. My chest is huge now... I'm pretty sure I lost at least ten pounds just in that department. 😂 At this rate, my maternity bra won't survive another week.

The only thing I actually enjoyed about being pregnant.
Unfortunately, within twelve hours, she made her escape, grabbed my towel and umbrella, and headed south 😢
Obviously, that extra fifteen pounds on my waist didn't help much. My family even brought over some snacks during my ten days of bed rest, so now I'm struggling to lose it all. (When you're 5'2", three pounds feels like a massive amount)
I used to have such a nice waistline... and a nearly flat stomach... 😢

Jason Lee2 said:The only thing I actually enjoyed about being pregnant.
Unfortunately, within twelve hours, she made her escape, grabbed my towel and umbrella, and headed south 😢
Obviously, that extra fifteen pounds on my waist didn't help much. My family even brought over some snacks during my ten days of bed rest, so now I'm struggling to lose it all. (When you're 5'2", three pounds feels like a massive amount)
I used to have such a nice waistline... and a nearly flat stomach... 😢

😘😘😘🙂

I’d love to tell you that you'll have a flat stomach again in no time, but let's be real: there's a much higher chance you'll just end up with a little ball that keeps growing and growing and growing...😘

As for height... I'm 5'4" 😬 and seriously, every single ounce shows. I was never thin—usually hovered around 130-135 lbs depending on the phase (mostly muscle from working out)—but now I'm at 145 and it is painfully obvious.😢

Growing up, I was carrying an extra 45 pounds, and even now, I’m stuck with the loose skin on my stomach and neck because of it. Honestly, I hated my childhood because of that weight. When I was 13, a hyperactive dog basically forced me into gym class 😍. After he passed away, I started hitting the home gym and going for walks on my own, then eventually picked up Tae Kwon Do in my mid-20s. You couldn't drag me into a team sport with a gun to my head; I was so incredibly clumsy that I’d just embarrass my team during PE. God, those memories still sting...🤦 But once I discovered martial arts, 😍 you just get in the zone and let loose. I stopped caring if I looked ugly or if I was sweating buckets, because everyone else is in the exact same boat—totally absorbed in their own strikes and their opponents. Nobody is there to talk trash about you being the slowest, the heaviest, or the most pathetic... you are your own only judge. That’s how I managed to grind my way to a blue belt. I actually aimed for brown, but life had other plans 😍
But the trauma from being overweight? It stays with you. The mere thought of gaining that 45 pounds back makes me physically sick...😢 My heart literally starts skipping beats at the idea...

Rebecca Vaughn7 said:Growing up, I was carrying an extra 45 pounds, and even now, I’m stuck with the loose skin on my stomach and neck because of it. Honestly, I hated my childhood because of that weight. When I was 13, a hyperactive dog basically forced me into gym class 😍. After he passed away, I started hitting the home gym and going for walks on my own, then eventually picked up Tae Kwon Do in my mid-20s. You couldn't drag me into a team sport with a gun to my head; I was so incredibly clumsy that I’d just embarrass my team during PE. God, those memories still sting...🤦 But once I discovered martial arts, 😍 you just get in the zone and let loose. I stopped caring if I looked ugly or if I was sweating buckets, because everyone else is in the exact same boat—totally absorbed in their own strikes and their opponents. Nobody is there to talk trash about you being the slowest, the heaviest, or the most pathetic... you are your own only judge. That’s how I managed to grind my way to a blue belt. I actually aimed for brown, but life had other plans 😍
But the trauma from being overweight? It stays with you. The mere thought of gaining that 45 pounds back makes me physically sick...😢 My heart literally starts skipping beats at the idea...

My sister is a karate practitioner, black belt (soon to be 2nd dan). She inherited all the athletic genes. So, once again, I’d feel awkward and defective standing next to her.
As for coordination... my only decent grades in school were in PE. Honestly, it was embarrassing. I pulled A's in Chemistry, Math, and Physics, but in PE, it was straight D's...

I didn't have 20 extra pounds; it was "only" about ten. Just enough to leave lasting trauma. Before I could even stop taking medication, I had to go see a psychologist. Then my dad had to swear to me (and I considered making him sign a legal contract) that if I didn't get my waist and figure back within six months after giving birth, he'd sell his Apple stock so I could afford liposuction. Because otherwise, I won't stop taking the pills!
And... the greatest fuckup is... 😉

I’ll be the first to admit that my weight is a constant source of irritation for me—but... I don't exactly broadcast that frustration to the world. Honestly, only one close friend really knows how much I struggle with my body image. I haven't even made such a big deal out of it to my husband, if that says anything. I suppose I'd rather let people assume I have this perfectly polished, unshakable self-image. Because of that, I don't think I was ever really targeted by bullies growing up—well, except for those few random people who were only in my life for about five minutes anyway.

During my pregnancy, I was hit with these waves of pure hysteria and irritability so intense it felt like I was losing my mind...

And don't even get me started on the heartburn I endured during those final three months. It was relentless. I spent my nights retching constantly, unable to catch a single wink of sleep because the burning sensation was enough to drive anyone to madness. I tried every over-the-counter antacid available, but nothing touched it. Because I couldn't keep anything down, I ended up just bloating with water weight. By the end, I had gained about 55 pounds, and my whole family wouldn't stop teasing me, calling me a total water balloon. But once the baby was born and all that excess fluid finally drained away, everyone was left speechless—I ended up only being about 13 pounds heavier than when I started.

But man, do I love food. I absolutely adore it, especially during pregnancy when I actually have a valid excuse to indulge, haha.

My advice? Don't bother saving the hysterics for after the baby arrives; save that energy for later. Honestly, by then, the baby just drains everything out of you through breastfeeding, and the weight starts dropping off naturally anyway. For now, just lean into the cravings and enjoy yourself while you have the perfect excuse.

I totally forgot to vent about how my grandma reacted to me being pregnant. So, we pull up to her place and she starts dropping all this news about herself, and I just jump in like, "Well, we actually have some news too. I'm pregnant." And her response? She goes, "Oh, that's wonderful, but I'm really bummed you dropped out of college," and then she just keeps rambling on about some distant cousin of mine on her side of the family.🙄Honestly, I don't even know what to say...
First off, where on earth did she get the idea that I dropped out of school?😕And seriously, isn't there anything more beautiful you could possibly say to your granddaughter when you find out you're going to be a great-grandmother again?🤷

This little monster in my gut is driving me insane... instead of kicking against my ribs, he’s playing soccer with my right ovary and using my intestines as a punching bag... listen, sweetie, Mommy still needs those organs, so please turn those tiny feet into hands and face the world outside this abdominal wall... thanks...

Jason Lee2 said:My sister is a karate practitioner, black belt (soon to be 2nd dan). She inherited all the athletic genes. So, once again, I’d feel awkward and defective standing next to her.
As for coordination... my only decent grades in school were in PE. Honestly, it was embarrassing. I pulled A's in Chemistry, Math, and Physics, but in PE, it was straight D's...

I didn't have 20 extra pounds; it was "only" about ten. Just enough to leave lasting trauma. Before I could even stop taking medication, I had to go see a psychologist. Then my dad had to swear to me (and I considered making him sign a legal contract) that if I didn't get my waist and figure back within six months after giving birth, he'd sell his Apple stock so I could afford liposuction. Because otherwise, I won't stop taking the pills!
And... the greatest fuckup is... 😉

😍 That was exactly my experience too. My damn P.E. grade was always a mediocre C, and it absolutely tanked my GPA. Because of that one class, I barely scraped a 3.8...😠

But when I stop obsessing over how I look, the sense of time passing and the post-workout rush is priceless. I don't even know how to describe it better than just feeling powerful. I know, sounds stupid, but that's really it. I guess I'm just hooked on those endorphins. When my trainer told me yesterday that I could finally lift 5-pound weights, I felt like a kid in a candy store. 😍

bopsich, I'm so sorry about how your grandma reacted. Seriously, it looks like we get the dumbest reactions from the very families you'd expect to have your back most...🤷
I'm still holding out hope that my mom will show at least a shred of interest in a potential grandkid, but so far, absolutely nothing from her side...😢😢😢

On topic—people's reactions drive me crazy when I tell them I plan to work full-time, assuming there aren't any complications (aside from my mother—she refuses to even hear about any other option 😍). majkati, everyone acts shocked like I just said I was going bungee jumping. 😕 What is so weird about preferring to feel productive instead of sitting around the house all day? 🤷

People's reactions drive me crazy when I tell them I plan to work until the end, assuming nothing goes sideways (except for my mom—she won't even hear of any other option 😍). Majkati, everyone acts like I just told them I’m going bungee jumping. 😕 What’s so strange about preferring to be employed over sitting at home all day? 🤷
My coworkers were genuinely shocked once they caught on, asking why I’m still showing up to the office (I’ve still got two months left, and I'm not even in my third trimester!). They act like I’m trying to finish out the entire school year, which would be way too much stress. Honestly, I actually intended to push through the school year and then just skip starting the next one. I guess the best-laid plans always fall apart, don't they? 😉

Jason Lee2 is driving me insane 😠 😠 :asshole:

I'm at 29 weeks now, and I'm telling him that by late May or early June—when I'll be around 34 or 35 weeks—that's the absolute deadline to get the car seat and the stroller 🙄

And he just goes, "Relax, we've got plenty of time!!!"

No kidding? I am not trying to buy a car seat or a stroller two days before I go into labor, or even worse, having someone else scramble to buy them while I'm stuck in the hospital 😠

And I know my mother-in-law is behind this too. She’s constantly harping on about how you shouldn't buy anything for the baby before they're actually born because it's bad luck 🙄

I'm seriously losing it. I told him straight up we aren't buying anything this month, and probably not next month either since we have to pay our car insurance premium first, so we're waiting until June. Apparently, that's "too early" for him 😲

Adam Evans62 said:Jason Lee2 is driving me insane 😠 😠 :asshole:

I'm at 29 weeks now, and I'm telling him that by late May or early June—when I'll be around 34 or 35 weeks—that's the absolute deadline to get the car seat and the stroller 🙄

And he just goes, "Relax, we've got plenty of time!!!"

No kidding? I am not trying to buy a car seat or a stroller two days before I go into labor, or even worse, having someone else scramble to buy them while I'm stuck in the hospital 😠

And I know my mother-in-law is behind this too. She’s constantly harping on about how you shouldn't buy anything for the baby before they're actually born because it's bad luck 🙄

I'm seriously losing it. I told him straight up we aren't buying anything this month, and probably not next month either since we have to pay our car insurance premium first, so we're waiting until June. Apparently, that's "too early" for him 😲

Is he one of those people who prefers to wait until the last minute and deal with the chaos later, huh? 🙂 And my mother-in-law is the same way, always repeating the same thing; she used to rush out to shop every single morning the moment she felt any pregnancy symptoms. I thought to myself, "Wow, you're a genius..." She was basically implying it's too early for everything I'm talking about. By the way, I'm in my 29th week, and I don't think it's too early for anything. What does "too early" even mean? It's such nonsense! 🙄

Ugh, "terminator" basically means 😉

Just had a massive blowout with Adam Evans62 about this right before he went to bed.
He refuses to admit his dear mother started all of this. He keeps acting like it’s his own brilliant insight 🙄—as if he has any actual opinion on pregnancy or baby gear beyond what he’s heard from me and his mom 😠
And half the stuff I listed as essentials? He thinks we don't need them yet 😲. Claims we can just grab them after the baby arrives or wait for some random gift 😠
Yeah, sure. I'll just call his grandma and ask her to buy me nursing bras, or maybe reach out to some cousin in rural Nebraska to see if they have a summer cover for the car seat and nursing pillows 😂
It ended up looking ridiculous, but honestly, it’s just pathetic... 😢 (I’m probably better off not giving him the full shopping list, just telling him the total dollar amount and calling it a day)

I've been working my tail off, scouring every store and website possible to find deals and save money. I figured it's smarter to pick up a few things every month (May, June, July) instead of dropping $1,000 all at once, but apparently, my effort doesn't count for anything... I feel totally unappreciated... 😢 😢

Adam Evans62, I totally get where you're coming from. It’s not even about being lazy—though people love to throw that around—it’s just that we always thought, "Hey, we'll get there when we get there." But then suddenly, everything just feels exhausting. And let's be real, you can't just zip into Target, grab a cart, and call it a day. You need to browse, compare brands, maybe order something online if you can't find it in stock... So, honestly? I don't think it's too early at all.
We ended up buying ours around week 33—I think, anyway, my memory isn't perfect—and by then, I was ready to burst into tears just thinking about having to drive anywhere. 🙄

🙂
Don't let anyone get in your head and don't back down! Times have changed... My family gave me the same old speech, asking why I even needed a stroller and suggesting my godparents could just pick one out for the baby shower... Whatever. We bought absolutely everything ourselves. Luckily, my husband and I are on the exact same page, so I didn't have to fight him on it. I just didn't want to be stuck in a position where I'm waiting around for someone else to bring me what I actually need.

The people who announce they’re going to bring something over without ever giving a specific date are honestly the most exhausting. Now, I’m stuck waiting around for my mother-in-law’s godmother to show up just so I can decide if I even like the stroller her daughter was using for her own kid five years ago. 🙄 Honestly, my dad has already picked out the stroller he wants to buy for his grandson, which actually saves me one headache... 😍 He’s completely set on those specific strollers; I wasn't being pushy at all, we just saw them, I mentioned they looked dreamy, he agreed, and now every time he spots them on the street, he gives me this look. 😬

Oh, right! That same godmother is also planning to drop off a crib, which I'll end up cramming into my mother-in-law's apartment—as if the baby is supposed to have a place to sleep whenever they visit. 😬 Meanwhile, my mom has already picked out a crib for her grandchild, and we're heading out to get it very soon. 😍

That way, I get to play the "nice" person while still getting exactly what I want. When I tried to turn everything down initially, nobody would listen to me. Thank God my family is more reasonable, otherwise, I would have completely lost my mind.

And of course, my husband keeps repeating that we have plenty of time. Hello? We have just over two months left, assuming everything goes according to schedule. That isn't much time, period. And imagine if the baby arrives early. Why doesn't anyone consider that? Ugh.

It’s probably best not to listen to them and just do things our own way since we know what's best anyway. We should get everything set up now so we aren't caught unprepared when they start lecturing us once the child is older because we scrambled at the last minute. 😬