What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

To so-called pro-family policy is a joke! They basically tell you, "Go ahead, have kids—we'll even toss you $667 in assistance," but then if you dare to stay home for a year, they just slash your paycheck to nothing. And once you try to actually get back into the workforce? Good luck. You can't find childcare for anything reasonable, so you end up shelling out at least $833 just to keep someone watching them. It’s honestly ridiculous. People always ask me why my own mother can't just step in to help. Well, newsflash: both grandmas are likely stuck working at places like Walgreens or Starbucks for another 10 to 15 years 😠 just to make ends meet
.

I’m an idiot. I’m working until the very end and then heading back to the office early...
When I work full-time, my tax contributions to the IRS are way higher than whatever payout I’ll actually see during those six months off.

I am honestly fed up with this government. Why is there always money flowing for people like that, while those of us actually funding the treasury only get stuck with a measly six-month maternity leave?

Ronald Williams9 said:I’m an idiot. I’m working until the very end and then heading back to the office early...
When I work full-time, my tax contributions to the IRS are way higher than whatever payout I’ll actually see during those six months off.

I am honestly fed up with this government. Why is there always money flowing for people like that, while those of us actually funding the treasury only get stuck with a measly six-month maternity leave?

Same here. 😛

I wouldn't touch that job with a ten-foot pole even if they handed me 20 $0.00 bucks a month!

Thanks, but I’d much rather work for $1667 and have maybe three kids I can actually provide for—within reason—than spend my entire life stuck at home pregnant and wiping dirty butts.👎

Rebecca Vaughn7 said:My mom.

Today I proudly asked her if my hips were widening again, assuming the answer was yes because
a) I’ve been up three sizes for a month now,
b) I’m walking my heart out every single day and honestly feel tighter,
c) none of my pants fit right anymore (even if I can barely button them at the waist).

She just gives me this look and goes, "I don't know... you definitely look wider to me..."😢😢🙂🙂🙂🙂 🙂

She was in such a rush to catch her show that we didn't really dive into it, but then she called me later. When I told her the scale hasn't budged, she insisted my stomach had grown, though she couldn't quite tell which part of me was actually expanding—she just knew something had changed. 😠😠

I love my mother, but sometimes I just want to strangle her.

Well, you certainly have an incredible figure!

It isn't surprising, but it’s honestly so irritating... I don't even know which way to turn when I tell him
that we still haven't even checked off half the essentials for the baby (like the crib, the mattress, bedding, etc.) and that we really need to get moving.
He just makes these silly faces, acting like, "Ugh, why are you stressing? We'll get there!"
It drives me absolutely crazy—totally LOCO!! He couldn't care less; he just assumes everything will magically be bought,
like it's no big deal!!
Apparently, since he goes to work every day, he’s just exhausted from all that effort..
I actually told him the other day that I might just leave everything exactly as it is and head to the hospital to give birth,
and then he can figure out how to handle things once I'm gone. 😠

I was at my pediatrician’s office today, just flipping through a copy of *Parents* magazine while I waited (not that I actually subscribe to it), and honestly, one article by some specialist just sent me flying off the handle. It was unbelievable how much nonsense she managed to cram into a single piece. She actually claims that between four and six months, mothers don't produce enough milk if the baby is particularly large or active, implying they absolutely have to supplement with at least one bottle of formula. Then she suggests that once solids start being introduced, moms definitely won't have enough milk—specifically citing a 500ml daily limit—so formula is a necessity. To top it off, she asserts that after the four-month mark, a woman can't increase her milk supply, claiming a maximum cap of 1000ml per day. I mean, hello? If that were true, how on earth do women exclusively breastfeed twins?! And then there's the bit about motor skills: she claims babies can't start using their tongues to push food toward their teeth until they hit a year old. I suppose the logical conclusion from her logic is that you have to serve a mushy mix until they turn one because they supposedly can't chew properly? It's just ridiculous. It really rubbed me the wrong way, especially knowing pregnant women are reading this stuff. I truly hope they don't take everything they read at face value...

Lately, my mother-in-law has been getting on my nerves big time... Look, I’m incredibly grateful she stepped up to help us deep-clean the house after we repainted, but that doesn't give her a free pass to call me every single day or constantly drop hints about how much she wants to come over.

Basically, she’s obsessed with seeing what the crib looks like. Well, you’ll see it once the baby arrives... even my own parents didn't get a preview.

She also went ahead and told me that once I actually give birth, she plans to swing by every single day right after work just to grab the baby and take them for walks. Yeah, right—over my dead body. This isn't a doll; the baby is going for walks when *I* decide it's time to go out, not when someone else dictates the schedule.

And one more thing: she already booked a week off right before my due date and another two weeks right after. I already told my husband that there is absolutely no way she's coming around, because I need my space to just breathe at home without being hovered over every day.

My gynecologist completely rattled my nerves today. First, he hands me this fetal movement chart for absolutely no apparent reason, then after the ultrasound, he looks all panicked and tells me my placenta maturity is already at stage I/II. Apparently, that’s way too advanced for being only 29 weeks along, and he's blaming cigarette smoke. I asked him what else could be causing this, since I’m not even exposed to much smoke, and his brilliant response was, "Well, just general bodily condition, you know..." I mean, really? What kind of answer is that? Then I asked if I needed any follow-up testing, and he just brushed me off, saying it should probably be fine and we’ll just see at the next appointment in four weeks. So now I’m left sitting here, spiraling, wondering if my baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients, if they're moving enough, and if everything is actually okay. My nerves are absolutely shot, and I have no idea how to process this. I even went online to look for answers, but I can't find anything stating that stage I/II is premature for this stage... aaaaaaaaaaa..

Sean Long4 said:Lately, my mother-in-law has been getting on my nerves big time... Look, I’m incredibly grateful she stepped up to help us deep-clean the house after we repainted, but that doesn't give her a free pass to call me every single day or constantly drop hints about how much she wants to come over.

Basically, she’s obsessed with seeing what the crib looks like. Well, you’ll see it once the baby arrives... even my own parents didn't get a preview.

She also went ahead and told me that once I actually give birth, she plans to swing by every single day right after work just to grab the baby and take them for walks. Yeah, right—over my dead body. This isn't a doll; the baby is going for walks when *I* decide it's time to go out, not when someone else dictates the schedule.

And one more thing: she already booked a week off right before my due date and another two weeks right after. I already told my husband that there is absolutely no way she's coming around, because I need my space to just breathe at home without being hovered over every day.

😲😲😲
Good grief, is your mother-in-law mine too?

She actually just called me to brag about how her coworkers asked when she was taking her summer vacation, and she made a big deal out of saying it depends on when the little one decides to arrive (my due date is in August). Even though I kept telling her it isn't necessary since my husband will be with me until we get settled, she just insists he should go to work while she stays with me and the baby... Aaaaaa 😱😱

My mother-in-law is driving me absolutely insane. Maybe I’m just being an ungrateful idiot and she was just trying to help, but...

She called me up to say they already repainted our bedroom at their house (for when we visit on weekends), because I mentioned recently that I wanted to paint before the baby arrives.
The thing is, I wanted to pick out and buy the colors myself 😠, but no, now it’s just plain white again. 😢
And then there's the crib. They went ahead and repainted GE's old crib for the baby. I told them we'd handle it before the baby gets here, but I wanted to get my hands dirty and choose the colors—I had some ideas for something colorful or patterned. Of course, they just painted it solid white too. 😠

Now I’m just pissed off. No one can satisfy me!

I know I’ll look like a total bitch if I say anything or try to repaint it differently. They’re "trying to make things easier" for me, but that’s not what I wanted. 🙂

Ugh, I am seriously about to lose my mind right now, my blood pressure is through the roof! I finally finished a huge load of laundry for the baby and my oldest, thinking everything was set, but then the idiot next door decides to light up some weed just as everything is hanging out to dry, and now the whole yard smells like smoke and all our clean clothes are totally ruined by the stench! I absolutely hate thissssss!!!!! Like, is it really that hard to say, "Hey, I'm gonna go light up a little bit over here so I don't ruin my neighbor's laundry"... I just don't get it. Everything is going right back into the washer tomorrow😠

I honestly just got incredibly frustrated out of nowhere because of my aunt. Out of the blue, she decided to lecture me about how we "have" to get married, and then she goes on about how the baby shouldn't have my last name at the hospital, only to switch to my father's surname a few days later. She couldn't even explain for the life of her why any of this matters—it’s honestly ridiculous. It feels so wrong that my dad would even have to go down to the registrar's office to formally recognize the child (seriously, that’s just awful...). I can't stand the thought of my baby being seen as some kind of outsider from day one—that is easily the most offensive word in the English language! To make matters worse, just a few days ago, she was all, "Oh, kids these days, just do whatever makes you happy, times have changed and nobody cares about those old traditions anymore." Now? Suddenly, she’s completely flipped. I have no idea what's gotten into her or who's driving her hormones crazy lately... ugh...

rowdyviper7 said:I honestly just got incredibly frustrated out of nowhere because of my aunt. Out of the blue, she decided to lecture me about how we "have" to get married, and then she goes on about how the baby shouldn't have my last name at the hospital, only to switch to my father's surname a few days later. She couldn't even explain for the life of her why any of this matters—it’s honestly ridiculous. It feels so wrong that my dad would even have to go down to the registrar's office to formally recognize the child (seriously, that’s just awful...). I can't stand the thought of my baby being seen as some kind of outsider from day one—that is easily the most offensive word in the English language! To make matters worse, just a few days ago, she was all, "Oh, kids these days, just do whatever makes you happy, times have changed and nobody cares about those old traditions anymore." Now? Suddenly, she’s completely flipped. I have no idea what's gotten into her or who's driving her hormones crazy lately... ugh...

What nonsense... Honestly, when I was married, our baby actually had my last name at the hospital simply because I hadn't updated my paperwork in time. When you go to the vital records office, you both just follow the standard procedure, and he just signs the acknowledgment of paternity—it really isn't a big ordeal at all. And calling a child a "brat"? That’s a bit much... I haven't heard anyone use that term quite so harshly in ages.😲
It’s probably best to just tune her out; she'll likely change her tune once the mood passes.

Jose Gonzalez31 said:😲😲😲
Good grief, is your mother-in-law mine too?

She actually just called me to brag about how her coworkers asked when she was taking her summer vacation, and she made a big deal out of saying it depends on when the little one decides to arrive (my due date is in August). Even though I kept telling her it isn't necessary since my husband will be with me until we get settled, she just insists he should go to work while she stays with me and the baby... Aaaaaa 😱😱

Seriously, it's like they're all the exact same, and mine actually lives under our roof...
She’s planning to take her leave right after the delivery, and acting like if I go into labor early, she'll just jump on disability. I AM LOSING MY MIND!!!
Once the baby arrives, I want to be able to just be alone with her for a bit, at least at first. Only MM Communications is an option; I don't want anyone hovering over me constantly
I want to be able to feed her in peace without someone staring at me or getting in my way...
That's my baby, she had her own

Adam Evans62 said:My mother-in-law is driving me absolutely insane. Maybe I’m just being an ungrateful idiot and she was just trying to help, but...

She called me up to say they already repainted our bedroom at their house (for when we visit on weekends), because I mentioned recently that I wanted to paint before the baby arrives.
The thing is, I wanted to pick out and buy the colors myself 😠, but no, now it’s just plain white again. 😢
And then there's the crib. They went ahead and repainted GE's old crib for the baby. I told them we'd handle it before the baby gets here, but I wanted to get my hands dirty and choose the colors—I had some ideas for something colorful or patterned. Of course, they just painted it solid white too. 😠

Now I’m just pissed off. No one can satisfy me!

I know I’ll look like a total bitch if I say anything or try to repaint it differently. They’re "trying to make things easier" for me, but that’s not what I wanted. 🙂

Sometimes when people try to help, they actually just make everything more complicated.
That's why, for example, I hate it when people buy baby stuff for me or whatever. If you really want to do something, just give me the cash 🤣
I know that sounds terrible, but that's just how it is...
The only person I can actually go shopping with is my mom; I can point at something and say "I want this, not that, this is ugly," without any shame or awkwardness.
People waste money on useless stuff, and you can never actually guess someone else's taste.

rowdyviper7 said:I honestly just got incredibly frustrated out of nowhere because of my aunt. Out of the blue, she decided to lecture me about how we "have" to get married, and then she goes on about how the baby shouldn't have my last name at the hospital, only to switch to my father's surname a few days later. She couldn't even explain for the life of her why any of this matters—it’s honestly ridiculous. It feels so wrong that my dad would even have to go down to the registrar's office to formally recognize the child (seriously, that’s just awful...). I can't stand the thought of my baby being seen as some kind of outsider from day one—that is easily the most offensive word in the English language! To make matters worse, just a few days ago, she was all, "Oh, kids these days, just do whatever makes you happy, times have changed and nobody cares about those old traditions anymore." Now? Suddenly, she’s completely flipped. I have no idea what's gotten into her or who's driving her hormones crazy lately... ugh...

Just tell her to shove it and go to Starbucks with that attitude.
Who cares what she thinks? It's your life and your call.
She should just sweep her own trash under the rug (people like her are usually full of crap and always trying to push their "advice" on everyone else)
Everyone does things their own way, so you do yours. She needs to worry about her own business and leave you alone, especially since you're pregnant and she's just stressing you out with this stupid nonsense.
For example, if you ask me (sorry in advance to anyone I might have offended, nothing personal), getting married while heavily pregnant is way worse. Then it looks like people are only marrying because of the baby. Just have a wedding and a christening together later. Or honestly, just keep living together without being married, just like before.

rowdyviper7 said:I honestly just got incredibly frustrated out of nowhere because of my aunt. Out of the blue, she decided to lecture me about how we "have" to get married, and then she goes on about how the baby shouldn't have my last name at the hospital, only to switch to my father's surname a few days later. She couldn't even explain for the life of her why any of this matters—it’s honestly ridiculous. It feels so wrong that my dad would even have to go down to the registrar's office to formally recognize the child (seriously, that’s just awful...). I can't stand the thought of my baby being seen as some kind of outsider from day one—that is easily the most offensive word in the English language! To make matters worse, just a few days ago, she was all, "Oh, kids these days, just do whatever makes you happy, times have changed and nobody cares about those old traditions anymore." Now? Suddenly, she’s completely flipped. I have no idea what's gotten into her or who's driving her hormones crazy lately... ugh...

dear 🙂
Why on earth is she worrying about which last name the kid has at the hospital versus what happens later? It's nonsense. And there is absolutely nothing shameful about acknowledging your own child. When you're married, the father doesn't have to deal with any "shame" of recognizing his kid, and besides, who can actually guarantee he's the father anyway? 🙄 🙄

Our laws are so incredibly stupid regarding this presumption of paternity. It gets to the point where they won't even let you register the actual biological father if you're married to someone else, even if all three people involved agree...
Get this: I'm married to Person A, but Person B is the father of my child. Even if all three of us agree that Person B is the dad—and Person A could even be infertile—the law doesn't care. They insist that the husband is the father. 👎
That's what really irritates me... 😠 because it's just foolish and illogical.
And there's no shame in acknowledging your child 😲 so why would it be considered shameful?
Good grief, people can be so dense. 👎

I’m not usually one for hysterics—honestly, I haven't even had a single bout of morning sickness during this entire pregnancy—but my husband pushed my buttons so hard today that I spent half an hour sobbing like a toddler until my stomach actually turned. I was hunched over the toilet, retching from pure stress and nerves, until my abdomen started cramping up. Seriously, if I hadn't managed to calm down, I would've ended up in the ER. I’m staring at the Xanax right now, seriously considering just taking something to take the edge off.

Is it actually possible for a grown adult to be this immature? We were discussing buying a house, and the second he hears something he doesn't want to deal with—like being told you can't find a south-facing place with an ocean view, mid-level floor, and a parking spot for $130,000, or that west-facing isn't the same thing as south-facing—he just shuts down and says, "I'm done talking."

And that's it. He just stops.

I am going to kill him.

The absolute best part? He actually has the nerve to call me "irresponsible" because I’m angry and upset. Apparently, my mood is a safety hazard for the baby. When I pointed out that the best way to help would be to stop triggering me in the first place—specifically by a) acting like a petulant child who thinks they're too grown up to play nice, b) finally deciding on an apartment style and actually sticking to it, c) making a final call on whether we’re renting a place while we sell our condo, and d) for the love of God, listening to my parents who have bought and sold homes three times and whose dad has spent 40 years in construction... well, he just concluded that I’m using my pregnancy to emotionally blackmail him. Like I’m supposed to have some onboard switch to just turn off my frustration whenever he feels uncomfortable. Now, he thinks I’m staying worked up just to make him feel guilty.

He still hasn't washed the damn dishes. Honestly, he’s the only person on this entire planet capable of staring at a pile of moldy dishes for three days straight without feeling even a slight urge to clean them. And I’m not touching them. We had a clear agreement: whoever cooks doesn't do the dishes. I am not cleaning up his massive mess until it hits the ceiling.

Kaktusić, I totally feel you. 😢
The whole car situation here is a mess... well, mostly because we don't even have one. I’m lagging way behind everyone else—still grinding just to pass my driver's test—but I seriously need to get it over with ASAP. And then what? Once I actually have my license, I’ve got nothing to drive. My husband has this massive work van, and honestly, he's making a mistake. I am NOT driving a damn van!!!
So, my mom offered to take out a loan—we'd just pay her back monthly—so we could grab a small, decent little car. But nope. Mr. "I don't want any debt" says no. Well, guess what? I don't want you buying some absolute junker from 28 years ago for $1000 and no, I am NOT putting my kid in that death trap, period!!!
As long as his parents—Always Right—bought themselves a shiny new ride for over $20,000, they're happy. That car is five years old and was already too old for the Queen Mother. Did anyone bother to ask us what we actually needed? Not a chance. 🙂

It’s honestly been pretty frustrating lately, feeling more tired than usual and noticing my stomach feels a bit heavier 🙄
I just can't keep up with everything the way I used to, and it’s been a real bummer to deal with...