What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

Man, this cold is driving me absolutely crazy... it just lingers, you know? It feels like every single winter I deal with this constant cycle of being sick with these little breaks in between... I guess I’m just super sensitive when it comes to this stuff. If I step outside into the cold air for even a second, my nose starts running and I’m constantly blowing it 🤷 and sometimes my throat gets all scratchy and red too... Right now, I'm blowing clear-to-pale yellow mucus, nothing too thick yet, though it gets pretty heavy when my nose is totally blocked, which hasn't happened quite yet. My head feels heavy in the back, like a dull pressure before the sinus pain even kicks in... and occasionally I'll run a fever here and there—not right now, though—so I just lie down for a couple of days, knock back two or three Tylenols and plenty of tea, maybe some throat lozenges, and then the fever breaks and everything else settles down. I honestly can't remember the last time I was sick enough to actually need a prescription antibiotic 🤷

So, I’m at the end of my second trimester now. But I've got anemia—always have, and still do during this pregnancy—with low red blood cell counts, so I’m taking my iron supplements every day. Everything else in my bloodwork looked fine... that was back in November, and I need to get my labs done again after the holidays. Back in November, my urine test showed some red and white blood cells plus a lot of bacteria... but nothing much changed; I just drank cranberry juice and bumped up my Vitamin C intake, and when I did a culture two weeks ago, it came back totally clear 🤷

Anyway, if things don't settle down by New Year's, I'm gonna pester my doctor for a referral to get my bloodwork and urine checked again 🤔 The worst part is that I absolutely hate those waiting rooms during flu season, and I don't have anyone I can send to go instead of me. My husband can't because of work, and most of my friends are all away in Miami for the holidays 👎

Harold Cook2 said:So I’m standing there in the middle of a Target checkout line yesterday, waiting for what felt like an eternity—over half an hour, easy. And of course, they’ve got those signs everywhere saying pregnant women and people with disabilities get priority. Suddenly, this guy comes barreling through, leaning heavily on a cane like he’s got some major disability, just shoving his way to the front. They let him right past. And what about me? I’m literally days away from giving birth, my stomach is huge, and suddenly I don't exist? Absolute joke.!!!!!!!!!!!😠I’ve always been the type to step aside for moms with little kids and especially for pregnant women, so seeing this happen... man, it really sticks in my craw.😛

Wait, were you talking about that specific Target before, or was it some other girl? 🤔
I stood in a line just like that a few days ago too, and you think they actually let me cut? Yeah, right... ☕
Just stood there puffing out my cheeks in frustration, but nobody moved an inch! 😁

I’m currently eleven weeks pregnant.
Right now, the most irritating part is having to pee constantly and being woken up all night because of it..
The anticipation leading up to my next ultrasound is also driving me absolutely crazy..
I know this all seems trivial compared to everything you guys are going through and what lies ahead for me 😁

I’m feeling more miserable today than I ever thought possible.
I can't tell if it's just my hormones acting up or if I've actually become this cynical, but I am honestly just exhausted with my life right now.
The worst part is that deep down, I always suspected things would end up this way. But someone convinced me otherwise—assured me everything would be fine—and I was foolish enough to believe those lies.
To make matters worse, if I weren't pregnant, I wouldn't have to deal with any of this, which leads to me feeling guilty for being pregnant in the first place.
Then I start thinking about all the women out there who would give anything to be in my position, and the guilt just settles in even deeper.

Please, I'm asking you all, don't attack me for having these moments of regret. I know how terrible that sounds.
I truly apologize to all the women out there who are struggling to conceive.

Michael Barrett11 said:I’m feeling more miserable today than I ever thought possible.
I can't tell if it's just my hormones acting up or if I've actually become this cynical, but I am honestly just exhausted with my life right now.
The worst part is that deep down, I always suspected things would end up this way. But someone convinced me otherwise—assured me everything would be fine—and I was foolish enough to believe those lies.
To make matters worse, if I weren't pregnant, I wouldn't have to deal with any of this, which leads to me feeling guilty for being pregnant in the first place.
Then I start thinking about all the women out there who would give anything to be in my position, and the guilt just settles in even deeper.

Please, I'm asking you all, don't attack me for having these moments of regret. I know how terrible that sounds.
I truly apologize to all the women out there who are struggling to conceive.

🙂 🙂 🙂
I bet you'd feel at least a little better if I gave you a massive hug right now, huh? 😉
Look, we all have our bad days, so what you're feeling is totally normal... As far as that goes, I actually fought tooth and nail to stay at my place for like a billion different reasons. I know it doesn't sit right with them—it’s like that old-school small-town mentality where they think a woman HAS to move in with her man—but I refused to budge until we established our own SEPARATE household, and I haven't backed down on that, and he can see I'm not playing games.
Second thing—don't you dare feel guilty about the pregnancy. That baby is way too precious to let you stress over where you're living or how things are going, because that little one is always going to be with you regardless! Amen to that!! 😉
Why don't you try standing your ground a bit harder regarding having your own separate life, even if it's just in a separate apartment upstairs? (I've no idea how you guys are even managing your lives right now...)

It seriously drives me up the wall when people start interrogating me about what I’m carrying. I’ll just say, "It’s a girl," and suddenly everyone turns into some kind of amateur prophet. They’re all like, "Oh, yeah, my best friend thought she was having a girl too, and then—surprise!—it was a boy." It happens EVERY single time someone looks my way. It makes me want to lose it... Like, excuse me? If three different doctors have looked at me and confirmed it’s a girl twice on the 3D ultrasound, why are you guys still whining about it?! It’s honestly infuriating. And don't even get me started on the unsolicited advice like, "Maybe you shouldn't buy anything yet, just in case we were wrong" :2up:

It honestly gets under my skin that we have this extra floor all to ourselves, though it’s basically useless since there isn't a kitchen or a bathroom up there.
The layout is just bizarre; in this massive house, there isn't even a functional indoor kitchen, just some outdoor setup in the backyard. I suppose it’s hard to wrap your head around, but these older folks just grew accustomed to living without a proper kitchen inside the house.
I realize the baby is a precious addition, but part of me is frustrated that I wouldn't have to deal with three retirees living under one roof if I weren't pregnant (well, only one of them is actually difficult, but he manages to irritate everyone around him).

I've also noticed that people don't really react with much enthusiasm when I mention I'm having a girl, or if they do, it's only a tiny handful of people who seem genuinely excited.
But honestly, I couldn't care less; my little 😍
is what matters.

Michael Barrett11 said:It honestly gets under my skin that we have this extra floor all to ourselves, though it’s basically useless since there isn't a kitchen or a bathroom up there.
The layout is just bizarre; in this massive house, there isn't even a functional indoor kitchen, just some outdoor setup in the backyard. I suppose it’s hard to wrap your head around, but these older folks just grew accustomed to living without a proper kitchen inside the house.
I realize the baby is a precious addition, but part of me is frustrated that I wouldn't have to deal with three retirees living under one roof if I weren't pregnant (well, only one of them is actually difficult, but he manages to irritate everyone around him).

I've also noticed that people don't really react with much enthusiasm when I mention I'm having a girl, or if they do, it's only a tiny handful of people who seem genuinely excited.
But honestly, I couldn't care less; my little 😍
is what matters.

Let's be real here—it's not even like a massive investment. Look, I don't know what your bank account looks like, but I'm pretty sure you aren't going to be any worse off than me 🤣! So why don't you just lean on him to get it done?

Edward Rodriguez4 said:Let's be real here—it's not even like a massive investment. Look, I don't know what your bank account looks like, but I'm pretty sure you aren't going to be any worse off than me 🤣! So why don't you just lean on him to get it done?

It’s honestly pathetic. His uncles, who we actually live with, have so much money they don't even know what to do with it. They could easily cover a kitchen remodel or a bathroom renovation for us without breaking a sweat, but my partner insists on doing everything himself and paying for it all solo.
I was honestly on the verge of a nervous breakdown today. Everything just piled up at once, and when it finally started coming to a head, I was nearly in tears.
If he really wants to be self-sufficient, he can always take out a loan. I simply cannot deal with living under someone else's thumb, being told what to eat and how to live—I mean that literally.
I hit a breaking point today so hard that I actually had to ask my mom to come pick me up. She told me to calm down first (honestly, I could barely speak through the crying), then suggested I sit down and talk things through with him (since I stormed out right in the middle of lunch without eating a bite), and then I should give her a call back.

So, a friend of mine—she’s further along in her pregnancy than I am—was just venting about how everyone is driving her absolutely insane. It doesn't matter if it's a coworker, her own mother, or the neighbor's husband; they all just swoop in and start grabbing at her stomach. 👎 Honestly? Gross. What is wrong with people? Since when did it become okay to just jump on a woman and start "petting" her? It's her body, for crying out loud. If you have such a desperate need to be that intimate with someone, can you at least ask permission first?! Seriously, some people are just sick... My bump isn't even showing yet, but if anyone tries that kind of thing with me in a month or two, they’re gonna lose a hand...😠

unknown

Michael Barrett11 said:It’s honestly pathetic. His uncles, who we actually live with, have so much money they don't even know what to do with it. They could easily cover a kitchen remodel or a bathroom renovation for us without breaking a sweat, but my partner insists on doing everything himself and paying for it all solo.
I was honestly on the verge of a nervous breakdown today. Everything just piled up at once, and when it finally started coming to a head, I was nearly in tears.
If he really wants to be self-sufficient, he can always take out a loan. I simply cannot deal with living under someone else's thumb, being told what to eat and how to live—I mean that literally.
I hit a breaking point today so hard that I actually had to ask my mom to come pick me up. She told me to calm down first (honestly, I could barely speak through the crying), then suggested I sit down and talk things through with him (since I stormed out right in the middle of lunch without eating a bite), and then I should give her a call back.

Sorry, but I'm actually on the same page as Edward Rodriguez4.
Look, I get it. She’s pissed off and stressed out, but seriously, just scroll up and read what those girls actually wrote. Just because someone isn't out there making a scene about being broke doesn't mean they aren't dealing with money issues. And even if they are? That's their business. It's their money, and they can do whatever the hell they want with it.
Even if they came to me with an offer on a silver platter, there is absolutely no way I'd ever agree to that. 🤷

unknown

Anthony Watson35 said:So, a friend of mine—she’s further along in her pregnancy than I am—was just venting about how everyone is driving her absolutely insane. It doesn't matter if it's a coworker, her own mother, or the neighbor's husband; they all just swoop in and start grabbing at her stomach. 👎 Honestly? Gross. What is wrong with people? Since when did it become okay to just jump on a woman and start "petting" her? It's her body, for crying out loud. If you have such a desperate need to be that intimate with someone, can you at least ask permission first?! Seriously, some people are just sick... My bump isn't even showing yet, but if anyone tries that kind of thing with me in a month or two, they’re gonna lose a hand...😠

Interesting. Honestly, almost nobody touches my stomach. Especially not some random stranger on the street. 🤷

granitewolf20 said:unknown

Sorry, but I'm actually on the same page as Edward Rodriguez4.
Look, I get it. She’s pissed off and stressed out, but seriously, just scroll up and read what those girls actually wrote. Just because someone isn't out there making a scene about being broke doesn't mean they aren't dealing with money issues. And even if they are? That's their business. It's their money, and they can do whatever the hell they want with it.
Even if they came to me with an offer on a silver platter, there is absolutely no way I'd ever agree to that. 🤷

unknown

Interesting. Honestly, almost nobody touches my stomach. Especially not some random stranger on the street. 🤷

Personally, I also prefer the idea of us building things on our own, but at the same time, I want a functional kitchen in my house. I don't want to be forced to head out into the yard in the middle of winter just to grab a sandwich or make some tea.
I understand his perspective—I'm not being irrational—but when I hit my breaking point and I'm feeling angry or overwhelmed, I just want everything to be sorted out all at once.
I am fully aware that it's their money, and I have never pressured my partner to ask them for anything. We handle our own daily expenses, and we buy all the baby gear ourselves.
When I'm upset, I know I can be a bit unreasonable.

Michael Barrett11 said:Personally, I also prefer the idea of us building things on our own, but at the same time, I want a functional kitchen in my house. I don't want to be forced to head out into the yard in the middle of winter just to grab a sandwich or make some tea.
I understand his perspective—I'm not being irrational—but when I hit my breaking point and I'm feeling angry or overwhelmed, I just want everything to be sorted out all at once.
I am fully aware that it's their money, and I have never pressured my partner to ask them for anything. We handle our own daily expenses, and we buy all the baby gear ourselves.
When I'm upset, I know I can be a bit unreasonable.

Man, I totally feel you... sometimes I think it would be so much easier if we just asked my parents or my mother-in-law for help with certain things. But it’s just not an option for us.
We bought almost everything and nearly all the equipment on our own. The "only" thing the grandmas chipped in for was the crib and the dresser, and my mom even covered half the cost of the stroller.
She wanted to pay for everything, but we wouldn't let her 🤷

edit: try looking for a used kitchen somewhere, or check the sales at Lowe's right now.
Just aim for a small speaker, a fridge, and a freezer. It doesn't have to be a massive investment. You can find plenty of cheap stuff.
Same goes for the bathroom. You don't need a full renovation. Just throw down some floor tiles, use washable paint on the walls, put in a basic shower kit, and call it a day.

granitewolf20 said:Man, I totally feel you... sometimes I think it would be so much easier if we just asked my parents or my mother-in-law for help with certain things. But it’s just not an option for us.
We bought almost everything and nearly all the equipment on our own. The "only" thing the grandmas chipped in for was the crib and the dresser, and my mom even covered half the cost of the stroller.
She wanted to pay for everything, but we wouldn't let her 🤷

edit: try looking for a used kitchen somewhere, or check the sales at Lowe's right now.
Just aim for a small speaker, a fridge, and a freezer. It doesn't have to be a massive investment. You can find plenty of cheap stuff.
Same goes for the bathroom. You don't need a full renovation. Just throw down some floor tiles, use washable paint on the walls, put in a basic shower kit, and call it a day.

There's this local carpenter I know who runs his own shop, and I'd almost feel bad buying mass-produced stuff from a big-box store when I know he could make something much better, custom-fit to exactly what we want.
But man, it’s a massive undertaking. We'd have to turn one room into two, which means building a wall, cutting out space for another door, and adding skylights since the roof slopes down quite a bit in that section.
It isn't some minor project; it's going to take a lot of time and a significant amount of money.
I guess I'd have more patience for the whole process if my uncle would just stop talking long enough.

Michael Barrett11 said:There's this local carpenter I know who runs his own shop, and I'd almost feel bad buying mass-produced stuff from a big-box store when I know he could make something much better, custom-fit to exactly what we want.
But man, it’s a massive undertaking. We'd have to turn one room into two, which means building a wall, cutting out space for another door, and adding skylights since the roof slopes down quite a bit in that section.
It isn't some minor project; it's going to take a lot of time and a significant amount of money.
I guess I'd have more patience for the whole process if my uncle would just stop talking long enough.

Hehehe... so what's this uncle rambling about? 🙂

Why split one room into two anyway? You really hate the whole open-concept kitchen and living room vibe that much? 🤔

Honestly Tina, I completely hear you... it’s just so hard to share your life with someone when they aren't even your parents, just uncles.

My partner and I have already sat down and decided there is absolutely no way we are living with anyone's parents or extended family. We actually have three married friends who are living under the same roof as their elderly relatives right now, and it’s a complete nightmare. They have zero privacy and they're constantly fighting because of the stress of caring for the elders..

So, our plan is to start out renting a place.. and then in a few years, we hope to buy a smaller condo and maybe do a trade with my parents. Our current house has three bedrooms, and once I move out, it'll be way too much space for them to handle alone.

Michael Barrett11 said:It’s honestly pathetic. His uncles, who we actually live with, have so much money they don't even know what to do with it. They could easily cover a kitchen remodel or a bathroom renovation for us without breaking a sweat, but my partner insists on doing everything himself and paying for it all solo.
I was honestly on the verge of a nervous breakdown today. Everything just piled up at once, and when it finally started coming to a head, I was nearly in tears.
If he really wants to be self-sufficient, he can always take out a loan. I simply cannot deal with living under someone else's thumb, being told what to eat and how to live—I mean that literally.
I hit a breaking point today so hard that I actually had to ask my mom to come pick me up. She told me to calm down first (honestly, I could barely speak through the crying), then suggested I sit down and talk things through with him (since I stormed out right in the middle of lunch without eating a bite), and then I should give her a call back.

That is exactly why we choose to rent. I realize it isn't ideal, but my peace of mind is priceless. As for buying a place right now... unfortunately, it’s just not an option for us.
We spent six months living in a large apartment with his mother, so I know exactly what you're going through. I felt like I had to watch everything I ate because I don't eat meat, refined carbs, or half the other things I avoid, but God forbid I ever have to go through that again! My family constantly offers to let us move in with them, but we simply don't have the funds for that kind of setup.
Whenever someone tries to tell me that renting is just throwing money down the drain, I tell them that I am paying for my freedom, and you can't put a price on that.

Honestly, I’ve reached my limit with everything. I ended up in the hospital after catching a nasty case of the flu... it made me realize that everything before this was just a complete mess.

What gets under my skin most is dealing with constant colds since the very start of this pregnancy, not to mention the people who act shocked by my tiny bump... to the point where they actually bother me at home, questioning if everything is fine with the baby.🙄

Gomez — how did they actually confirm it was the flu? Did you get tested? And what are you taking for it?

Honestly, even when I’m not pregnant, nothing gets under my skin quite like firecrackers. I absolutely loathe them! I sometimes find myself wishing everyone else would just lose a few fingers to them.
Then there’s this acquaintance of mine—she's a little further along in her pregnancy than I am. She drives me absolutely crazy by prying into my private business, and then she turns around and dumps all her own intimate details on me. It's just... well, neither of us needs to be in the other's business, I suppose. To make matters worse, her husband is all worked up about how "pitiful" we men are now. He keeps trying to egg my husband on, insisting he join in on the pity party because—for heaven's sake—I asked my husband to bring me some tea since I wasn't feeling up to it, and he actually did it. So what now? Is he supposed to feel sorry for himself just because he was being a decent partner and brought me a cup of tea?