What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

Jonathan Wright4 said:Well, the one time I actually got a break during this pregnancy, it was a Cashier at Walmart. 🙂 There were still 5 or 6 people ahead of me, but as soon as she spotted me, she practically jumped up from her station and yelled, "Move it, everyone move! Let this lady go first—can't you see she's pregnant and has a kid with her? Have some decency!" 🙂

I guess those Cashiers aren't really what they used to be, either.😁
And honestly, they probably couldn't even see me through that crowd of seniors who are all pushing their way to the front, trying their absolute hardest to make sure they don't miss their window... if you know what I mean.🙂

Jonathan Wright4 said:Honestly, I wouldn’t even care if they told me "no," but I just wish they'd have the decency to actually ask—you know, show just a tiny shred of basic human empathy and common sense. But nope. Not happening. This has already gone down twice during my pregnancies, once with my last one and now again with this one.

Precisely... whenever someone actually does bother to ask, I usually decline, saying "No thank you," though if I were truly struggling, I suppose I might accept🤷... but so far, I've only been approached by perhaps two or three moms with small children, some elderly folks who look like they've seen a century or two, and once, a pregnant woman who was barely showing🤣
And then there's the sheer absurdity of hearing about how dads get to sit down in waiting rooms while the pregnant women are expected to just stand there.🙂

Honestly, what kills me most is how it’s way more likely you’ll get released by some elderly folks who can barely stay upright themselves rather than anyone actually young.

Jonathan Wright4 said:Honestly, what kills me most is how it’s way more likely you’ll get released by some elderly folks who can barely stay upright themselves rather than anyone actually young.

I don't know, I find that a little hard to buy, mostly because those same seniors who seem to be struggling just a second ago always seem to be the fastest and most agile when there’s an open register at Target or a vacant seat on the subway.🙄
I’ve noticed that for a long time now, and it isn't just something I picked up from watching pregnant women.

urbantinker8 said:I don't know, I find that a little hard to buy, mostly because those same seniors who seem to be struggling just a second ago always seem to be the fastest and most agile when there’s an open register at Target or a vacant seat on the subway.🙄
I’ve noticed that for a long time now, and it isn't just something I picked up from watching pregnant women.

😂😂 Truth.😂
In the past, I’ve had people approach me looking quite frail, practically needing assistance to stay upright. Yet, one can never be too certain; perhaps in another life, they might have even tripped me just to ensure they were the first ones onto the bus.😂

At the local Walmart, there’s one of those express lanes specifically marked for pregnant women and people with disabilities.
Suddenly, this old lady cutting in front of me decided she absolutely had to inspect every single pack of gum, soda, and even the condoms on the shelves right by the register before she could actually pay.🙂

Sam Baker6 said:😂😂 Truth.😂
In the past, I’ve had people approach me looking quite frail, practically needing assistance to stay upright. Yet, one can never be too certain; perhaps in another life, they might have even tripped me just to ensure they were the first ones onto the bus.😂

Isn't that just how it goes?🤣

I mean, I’ll be sitting there on the light rail, looking out the window and seeing some poor elderly lady at a stop, clutching her cane and a couple of heavy grocery bags, and my heart just sinks a little bit; I honestly wish I could just reach out and pull her right onto the train myself, but then the doors slide open, and suddenly this woman transforms into some kind of superhero, darting toward the one empty seat available with absolute lightning speed.🙄

Sam Baker6 said:Precisely... whenever someone actually does bother to ask, I usually decline, saying "No thank you," though if I were truly struggling, I suppose I might accept🤷... but so far, I've only been approached by perhaps two or three moms with small children, some elderly folks who look like they've seen a century or two, and once, a pregnant woman who was barely showing🤣
And then there's the sheer absurdity of hearing about how dads get to sit down in waiting rooms while the pregnant women are expected to just stand there.🙂

That was my exact experience at the clinic today. I actually mentioned this on the previous thread. It was pathetic. Honestly, I felt too guilty to say anything because I managed to snag one of the few decent seats available.

Dana Brown8 said:That was my exact experience at the clinic today. I actually mentioned this on the previous thread. It was pathetic. Honestly, I felt too guilty to say anything because I managed to snag one of the few decent seats available.

That’s how it went for me. Usually, my husband doesn't come along because he can't get away from work, but once, when he did go, he actually stood up for me. I just hope people all over the US are following this thread at least! For heaven's sake, show some respect for pregnant women.

mellowranger16 said:That’s how it went for me. Usually, my husband doesn't come along because he can't get away from work, but once, when he did go, he actually stood up for me. I just hope people all over the US are following this thread at least! For heaven's sake, show some respect for pregnant women.

Honestly, it feels like a lost cause.
On the subway, they play those announcements asking passengers to please give up their seats to the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women and parents with small children, but everyone just sits there acting like they’re too busy or too important to care.

I guess people just don't get it, you know?🙂

Honestly, if I saw a dad sitting down while his pregnant wife was forced to stand there, I’d make sure to voice my disapproval loudly enough for everyone to hear. They should feel just how awkward and disrespectful that is. 😁
I remember being at a Target once and noticing a few dads just casually reading the news while their wives stood right next to them, totally unsupported 🤷. I didn't say anything at the time, but they really had no one to blame but themselves for that kind of behavior.

I’ve honestly heard people say the exact same thing during my first pregnancy and again this time around—you know, those comments like, "She’s just pregnant, she’s not sick, what's the big deal if she waits a little longer?" Pffff, as if I actually care whether anything happens to me! Is it too much to ask for some basic common sense? What even is that?

Jonathan Wright4 said:I’ve honestly heard people say the exact same thing during my first pregnancy and again this time around—you know, those comments like, "She’s just pregnant, she’s not sick, what's the big deal if she waits a little longer?" Pffff, as if I actually care whether anything happens to me! Is it too much to ask for some basic common sense? What even is that?

I've been let down twice during two different pregnancies. Why does this always happen?
First pregnancy, I saw a woman at the pharmacy. Now, about a week ago, I saw a guy with his pregnant partner—though she wasn't nearly as far along as I am. That’s really it. It's not that I'm looking for attention; my pregnancy is going fine. The only issue is that standing is getting difficult now that I've put on fifteen pounds. But like you all said... honestly, couldn't they at least have the basic decency to ask?

Dana Brown8 said:I've been let down twice during two different pregnancies. Why does this always happen?
First pregnancy, I saw a woman at the pharmacy. Now, about a week ago, I saw a guy with his pregnant partner—though she wasn't nearly as far along as I am. That’s really it. It's not that I'm looking for attention; my pregnancy is going fine. The only issue is that standing is getting difficult now that I've put on fifteen pounds. But like you all said... honestly, couldn't they at least have the basic decency to ask?

Ugh, I totally get why this happens. I think we pregnant women just have these wildly unrealistic expectations of how the world should work, so really, they're right and we're the ones being unreasonable. 🙄

Jonathan Wright4 said:Ugh, I totally get why this happens. I think we pregnant women just have these wildly unrealistic expectations of how the world should work, so really, they're right and we're the ones being unreasonable. 🙄

Right. And it's our fault for getting pregnant, isn't it? :P

Dana Brown8 said:Right. And it's our fault for getting pregnant, isn't it? :P

Look, I’m always the first one to admit that being pregnant doesn't make me an invalid or anything, but does it really matter that they don't seem to care at all? We’re sitting here, visibly exhausted and sweating through this heat while we wait endlessly... what you guys are saying is true—you really should just speak up and ask for help.
I was actually at the clinic for a routine urine culture, and there was this guy ahead of me in line who, the second he saw me approaching the door, practically sat down on the handle just to make sure I didn't accidentally barge in ahead of him. ☕
By the end of it, the doctor seemed like he wanted to just ignore me entirely, but I made sure to be heard—I was breathing heavily, muttering under my breath, and rolling my eyes pretty noticeably, so eventually, he had to see me (right after dealing with the guy who was hovering by the door). 🤣

Pregnancy really opened my eyes. People are fundamentally selfish.
I don't bother getting up for anyone anymore, unless it’s a pregnant woman or a mom with kids—regardless of age or gender.
I told my mother she raised me too well because I'm far too kind to everyone... and people like that usually end up losing out to those who just steamroll over everything else. 🙂

Jonathan Wright4 said:Honestly, the comments are what drive me absolutely insane... I’ve got a four-and-a-half-year-old girl, and ever since I found out I was pregnant, I've lost count of how many times I've heard stuff like, "Oh, maybe you'll finally get lucky and have a boy this time!" or "It's definitely going to be a son, so Dad will finally be happy." And then, when I actually say—completely sincerely and excitedly, because why wouldn't I?—that I'm hoping for another little girl, people just hit me with those patronizing vibes like, "Oh well, I guess that's fine too," or even worse, "Well, looks like you'll have to try for a third one to get what you want."
\\>\\>What is actually wrong with people?? Like, is there something going on in their heads that I'm just totally missing?! 🤷

It’s almost like they think you're collecting Pokémon and need to have "one of every kind" to complete the set. 🙄 When it comes to your kids—or anyone else, really—the only thing that truly matters is that they're healthy, and honestly, whether they're boys or girls doesn't change a thing to me.

Laura Barnes42 said:Look, I’m always the first one to admit that being pregnant doesn't make me an invalid or anything, but does it really matter that they don't seem to care at all? We’re sitting here, visibly exhausted and sweating through this heat while we wait endlessly... what you guys are saying is true—you really should just speak up and ask for help.
I was actually at the clinic for a routine urine culture, and there was this guy ahead of me in line who, the second he saw me approaching the door, practically sat down on the handle just to make sure I didn't accidentally barge in ahead of him. ☕
By the end of it, the doctor seemed like he wanted to just ignore me entirely, but I made sure to be heard—I was breathing heavily, muttering under my breath, and rolling my eyes pretty noticeably, so eventually, he had to see me (right after dealing with the guy who was hovering by the door). 🤣

So, a few days ago I swung by the clinic with a referral, and obviously had to bring my daughter along since I couldn't exactly leave her home alone. There were about ten people ahead of me in line, and I tried being perfectly polite, asking if someone could just let me slip in for a second to grab my paperwork since it was already ready. Do you think a single soul said "yes"? Nope. Not one person.

Dana Brown8 said:Pregnancy really opened my eyes. People are fundamentally selfish.
I don't bother getting up for anyone anymore, unless it’s a pregnant woman or a mom with kids—regardless of age or gender.
I told my mother she raised me too well because I'm far too kind to everyone... and people like that usually end up losing out to those who just steamroll over everything else. 🙂

As for me, I’m going to keep helping people when I can, because I refuse to let the sheer lack of basic decency in others turn me into just another self-absorbed idiot focused entirely on myself.