What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

My pregnancy was textbook perfect. Now I know for next time that the biggest headache is actually those final few weeks—once you’re heavy and feeling totally immobile, everyone and their mother starts hovering. It’s honestly exhausting how many people feel the need to constantly check if you're doing okay 😠 (sometimes I just want to chuck my phone right out the window!)

Yesterday, I had some "mom" decide my garage entrance was her personal spot 🙄—blocking it so badly she couldn't even fully open her doors. I’d just pulled in from work, ready to park, and of course, I told her she couldn't just sit there blocking us in. 😕 😕 She just gave me this blank stare and snapped, "I have kids with me!" 😠😠😠

Fine. If you're out with kids, why didn't you just use the designated parking spots? ☕ There was plenty of room available, but apparently, walking an extra few feet wasn't worth the effort... 🙏

It irritates me that people only move once you threaten to call parking enforcement 😁 and force them to haul the kids out and line them up against a wall while she goes to find somewhere else to park. 😂 Eventually, she settled for a spot about ten feet down the street. 😂.. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if when they come back from their walk, she parks right in front of the garage again just so the kids don't have to walk those extra few steps. 🤣

It really gets under my skin when I feel like I haven't even hit the halfway mark yet, yet everyone treats me like I’m some completely incompetent invalid.
Are you doing okay? Have you eaten anything? And if so, what did you have?

It honestly grinds my gears that I can't just be straight with my own people.🙂
Then again, they can be about as pleasant as a bout of food poisoning sometimes.🙂
Last time we were together, they wouldn't shut up about... well, you know.

It kind of bugs me how everyone in these classes keeps talking about breathing exercises, you know? Like, how to breathe through labor and all that... but honestly, once those contractions start hitting every three minutes and there isn't even a three-second break between them, none of that helps. Not the "ih ih ih" or the "ah ah ah"... deep breaths or shallow ones... you just breathe however you can in the moment... I don't know if they're just trying to keep us entertained or what...

Eric Fowler3 said:It kind of bugs me how everyone in these classes keeps talking about breathing exercises, you know? Like, how to breathe through labor and all that... but honestly, once those contractions start hitting every three minutes and there isn't even a three-second break between them, none of that helps. Not the "ih ih ih" or the "ah ah ah"... deep breaths or shallow ones... you just breathe however you can in the moment... I don't know if they're just trying to keep us entertained or what...

Breathing actually matters quite a bit...
Trust me on this one...
Because I mastered proper breathing techniques, I can honestly say having a natural birth without an epidural was actually manageable...
If you just gasp for air whenever you can, things are going to get ugly fast. Believe me. At first, I was breathing totally wrong—just grabbing at air whenever I could. Luckily, my husband had been paying attention during our classes 🙂 and the midwife and doctor kept reminding me too... so he forced me to get it right and actually counted the rhythm for me...
During the actual delivery, they might only remind you twice how to breathe, and then they leave you to it. If you don't take it seriously, that's on you, but trust me, it makes a massive difference...
I stuck to just two methods...
During a contraction: huffing like you're blowing sand off your tongue.
In between: a deep breath in through the nose, and out through the mouth...

My dear, beloved jerk finally pushed me over the edge!
I was heading to campus by bus (after my coworker drove me all week), and he goes—"Why can't she drive you today? Ask your mom. I'd drive you myself if I wasn't working..." 🙂
Then there’s my trip to Venice to pick up wedding dress materials—same old story. "Don't drive, it's too much effort, your back will hurt..." As if the only time my back doesn't ache is when I'm sitting in his car because his seats are actually decent 😁
Need to head up to Plodine and it's the same thing again—"Have someone else drop you off." 🙂 🙂 🙂
And then he adds—yeah, I know you aren't sick, you're just pregnant, but I don't want you driving. But sure, go ahead and clean the house! 🙄
And we are only 27 weeks along 🙄

Oh, and my boss is just lovely... I have one week left before maternity leave starts, and she—who has known I've been pregnant since week 8—is already starting with the "I'll call you if something comes up while you're home" routine (because apparently, training the heir hasn't started early enough). Let her call. I can always ignore my phone. 🙄 😁

Even if I wasn't pregnant, this would be driving me nuts: I lost an earring. Now I'm staring at the site for Križek wondering if I should just order a single replacement or bite the bullet and buy a whole new pair—because they're gorgeous and, frankly, pricey. But seriously, when does that price tag hit over $1000? Is that even legal?? 😠
I remember them being way cheaper than that...

I’ve been losing my mind for the last two weeks because I am acting like a total baby. Seriously, I’m snapping at every little thing that comes my way... 🙄

Hi there.

I've been lurking here for a while, so I finally decided to jump in... 🙂
It drives me absolutely crazy when people touch my stomach. I don't even have a bump yet—I'm only about 12 weeks along—but my mom and everyone else just doesn't get that a positive pregnancy test doesn't mean you're an open petting zoo. My mom, especially, keeps trying to rub her future grandkid whenever she sees me, which isn't even that often... it's so annoying.
I guess I'm just wondering, does it bother everyone when someone that close touches them like that? 🙄

Dana Cook6 said:Hi there.

I've been lurking here for a while, so I finally decided to jump in... 🙂
It drives me absolutely crazy when people touch my stomach. I don't even have a bump yet—I'm only about 12 weeks along—but my mom and everyone else just doesn't get that a positive pregnancy test doesn't mean you're an open petting zoo. My mom, especially, keeps trying to rub her future grandkid whenever she sees me, which isn't even that often... it's so annoying.
I guess I'm just wondering, does it bother everyone when someone that close touches them like that? 🙄

Yes, it definitely bothers me. It infuriates me when my mother, or my mother-in-law, tries to touch my stomach without asking. Usually, if friends ask if it's okay first, I don't mind, but when someone just lunges at me without any consideration, I honestly feel like snapping at them, regardless of who they are. Today it's about my stomach, but tomorrow it'll be someone trying to snatch my child right out of my hands.🙄

👋

I swear, nothing even gets under my skin anymore 🙂

So, how are all my pregnant ladies doing? Any old timers or newbies in the mix today?

Olivia Cooper272 said:My OB-GYN is seriously getting on my nerves. Every single time I’ve gone in—well, except for last time—she told me we’d be doing an ultrasound every other visit, but then she shows up today and just drops this on me 🤷
The woman handled my first pregnancy perfectly, but now it’s just one stupid mistake after another. Honestly, I have no clue if she actually performed an ultrasound on someone else or if she's just skipping it. At least with those, you aren't wasting supplies. If they really needed more, I could just go grab some lube or that gel they slather on your stomach, but the machine itself doesn't just run out of juicediv>

I just remembered that the door to the ultrasound room at our clinic specifically says "Ultrasounds are free," yet some geniuses still find ways to charge us for them 😠, probably around $50$27. Honestly, it's straight-up theft 😠, especially when it comes to pregnant women. They shouldn't be paying for anything; I'd argue even the supplemental tests required for pregnancy should be covered. I really don't understand these predatory doctors.

I actually don't mind when they rub my belly; honestly, it feels quite lovely 🙂 It’s just a gentle touch to greet the baby, nothing more 🙂 But then again, that’s just how I am—I’m a very tactile person. I love physical affection and having people show they care through gestures like this. Strangers certainly don't do it, though.

Ugh, the person who really gets on my nerves is... ME! I just can't seem to control myself sometimes. I'll fly off the handle, rant for half an hour straight, and say all sorts of things, only to be eaten alive by guilt once I calm down. It’s like I’m possessed! And don't even get me started on my skin; it's a total disaster. Sometimes I feel like just throwing a trash bag over my head, though that probably wouldn't help much since I hate the rest of my body too—nothing fits right anymore. I'm constantly cycling through the same two pairs of maternity jeans. Everything I put on looks terrible, even the oversized stuff that used to look great on me. It's no wonder nobody realizes I'm pregnant; everyone just thinks I've put on a little weight. I've never really dealt with these kinds of depressive moods before. Well, okay, I'm lying—I have, but rarely. Now? It feels like it's happening every other day. Even when I am truly TRYING my best to stay positive... Ugh!

Honestly, I don't know why she's complaining when she already has two pairs of maternity pants 🙂 I don't own a single pair 🤣 I'm still wearing my one and only pair of jeans to the office every day, and nothing else fits 🤣 Don't even get me started on sweaters; my bust size jumped two whole sizes, and I'm only 18 weeks along. My bump isn't even showing yet, so I just look bloated 🤣 rather than pregnant. The only things that actually look decent are two tunics I just bought, though one is way too oversized to wear right now, and I can barely wear the other since I have to stick to long, wide-leg trousers for work.

Edward Rodriguez4 said:👋

I swear, nothing even gets under my skin anymore 🙂

So, how are all my pregnant ladies doing? Any old timers or newbies in the mix today?

🙂 Same to you.

I bet you're just about ready to start a whole new thread on the parenting forums titled "What drives you crazy now that you're a parent?"

🤣🤣

Personally, my height is what gets to me—I'm just too short. 🙂
I suppose if I were taller, I’d probably have a bit more room in my midsection, and maybe my organs wouldn't feel so squished all the time. 🤣

Anyway, let's try to keep this on topic. 😁

Michael Barrett11 said:🙂 Same to you.

I bet you're just about ready to start a whole new thread on the parenting forums titled "What drives you crazy now that you're a parent?"

🤣🤣

Personally, my height is what gets to me—I'm just too short. 🙂
I suppose if I were taller, I’d probably have a bit more room in my midsection, and maybe my organs wouldn't feel so squished all the time. 🤣

Anyway, let's try to keep this on topic. 😁

I have a feeling we might have already covered this topic somewhere else in the thread—I think there’s probably an existing discussion on this exact subject if I recall correctly. 😁
I’m honestly just getting on my own nerves at the moment—I’m exhausted, I haven't slept nearly enough, and I’ve got this nagging headache that just won't quit. To make matters worse, I couldn't even manage to squeeze in a nap this afternoon, so now I'm sitting here struggling to even keep my eyes open.

Honestly, washing my hair has become such a massive chore lately... I mean, how on earth are you all managing it? I haven't gained a ton of weight—my stomach is still pretty small for being this far along—but even so, just getting through a hair wash feels like an uphill battle. It’s physically draining; my lower back starts aching, and I constantly find myself needing to sit down and catch my breath halfway through the process. It turns into this endless ordeal. By the time I actually finish, I’m so wiped out that I have to lie down for a bit before I can even think about drying it. I'm just completely spent.

Michael Barrett11 said:🙂 Same to you.

I bet you're just about ready to start a whole new thread on the parenting forums titled "What drives you crazy now that you're a parent?"

🤣🤣

Personally, my height is what gets to me—I'm just too short. 🙂
I suppose if I were taller, I’d probably have a bit more room in my midsection, and maybe my organs wouldn't feel so squished all the time. 🤣

Anyway, let's try to keep this on topic. 😁

No way! I don't even feel like hanging out on Reddit lately, idk why!!! And it's not like I have to! I'll just stay right here and vent with you guys 😬 whenever I can actually steal a moment from my Eva!
And quit whining about your height—if you ever end up at the doctor, you'll see what happens when you're built like a tiny little nugget 😂 just like a freaking bread box lid! 😂 🤣

Edward Rodriguez4 said:No way! I don't even feel like hanging out on Reddit lately, idk why!!! And it's not like I have to! I'll just stay right here and vent with you guys 😬 whenever I can actually steal a moment from my Eva!
And quit whining about your height—if you ever end up at the doctor, you'll see what happens when you're built like a tiny little nugget 😂 just like a freaking bread box lid! 😂 🤣

I was actually getting my hopes up that I’d feel more like myself down there once the baby arrives 😂😂
but these abdominal pains are driving me crazy. It feels less like a dull ache and more like being poked with needles constantly. My doctor keeps insisting it's a good sign, apparently the uterus is just prepping itself for labor 🤷
. Anyway, I'm really not enjoying this part!!!