What were your biggest pregnancy surprises and pet peeves?

Ashley Price57 said:My dad is constantly lecturing me about my portions. My mom is doing the exact same thing. Honestly, it’s getting so repetitive that I can practically predict it the second they open their mouths. Then, my husband comes home around 10 p.m. and hands me a slice of cake 😬 And I’m just like, "Oh, you don't want me eating this!" But then the guilt hits me hard. Every single bite feels like a chore because I start questioning if I should even be having it. What’s most frustrating is that I’m eating normally, so I don't get what all the fuss is about. I mean, for heaven's sake, I'm pregnant—it's impossible not to put on a few pounds! I know they mean well, but in those moments when they harp on me, I feel like an elephant. Then I'll open my closet, catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and just burst into tears. They keep telling me how difficult labor is for larger women, or how hard it will be to lose the weight later—all the stuff I already know, which is exactly why I'm supposed to WATCH what and how much I eat.. Ugh 😢

Most people know by now that I'm expecting. And they won't stop staring at my belly, judging me. It's like they're constantly measuring me with their eyes. No matter who I'm talking to or what the topic is, their gaze just drifts to my stomach like I'm under a microscope. I find myself wondering, "Did I really get too big? Is that why everyone is commenting on it?" 😬 I'm becoming obsessed. I honestly can't wait until I've fully rounded out so I can just shove it right in their faces and let them stare all they want.

Last night, my husband told me he was going to kill himself! 😬 He said it in such a sweet, gentle tone that we actually ended up laughing.. 😬 He said that after I had spent half an hour venting, screaming, crying, throwing things, and nearly breaking everything in the dishwasher. Once I finally curled up and sat down next to him, he whispered it while holding me. So romantic 😍

It’s actually quite comforting to see that I'm not the only one dealing with mood swings. Then my friend tells me... "Just wait until the baby is born, that's when the real storm hits!!!!" 😂 😬

Trust me, you aren't alone.
It honestly brings me a sense of relief to see that others are going through the same thing.

People don't ever tell me that I eat too much; instead, everyone is constantly questioning whether I'm eating enough. It’s incredibly grating.
It’s the exact same story when it comes to names or gender—people acting like it's a crisis because they haven't decided yet if it'll be a boy or a girl. Well, we don't know yet. Big deal.

@sunashce
Yeah, everyone—from celebrities to total strangers—gets so swept up in the excitement. Honestly, I feel like people should just focus on creating their own happiness instead of relying on others to carry them. It feels like everyone is constantly hugging me, kissing me, crying, laughing, and celebrating... everyone thinks it's this incredible experience, but it isn't really all that great when we are actually feeling so incredibly stressed out. 😬

Jason Lee2 said:I am beyond irritated by all the "labor war stories" coming from the delivery room. It seems like everyone—and I mean everyone—who knows I'm pregnant feels entitled to give me the gory details about how someone else was in labor for twenty hours, or how they wouldn't dilate, or how doctors had to jump on their stomach because the baby wouldn't descend. Honestly, just chill out. I need this information about as much as I need a root canal. I try my best to ignore this kind of stuff online to avoid feeding my own paranoia, yet in real life, where I don't have an "ignore" button, I’m getting hit by heavy artillery from every direction. And I'm only just getting started. At this rate, I might actually kill someone before the due date.

Oh, tell me about it! Those are exactly the kinds of stories I love hearing! Even though I've already had my kids, the "well-meaning" types always feel the need to pile on way too many details that I really don't care to hear! 🙄

And I especially enjoy it when our dear MM queen herself tells me about women in the neighborhood or whoever else who had tiny babies or lost them just days after birth. For crying out loud! 😠

Ugh, I am seriously losing my mind over this dress my mother-in-law gave me for work. It’s pure polyester... I always stick to natural fabrics, so this is probably a total shock to my system. Plus, I’ve been sweating like crazy ever since I got pregnant, but right now? I’m soaked through! 😠😠😠
And as if that wasn't enough, the cherry on top is him calling me to say he’s hitting the gym with his friend today, tomorrow, and every single damn day this week—even though we had dinner plans! Honestly, you'd think he was training for the US National Team or getting ready for the Olympics or something. In reality, those two just spend an hour and a half aggressively sparring together.
I swear, I could bite his head off right now! 😠It’s not like we go out to dinner every other night anyway... and honestly, I’m not even a huge fan of going out, but I finally felt like doing it, and now he’s pulling this "I have training" nonsense (which, by the way, he just decides on his own). 😠

So my mom’s aunt, who doesn't even live in the States, just dropped a bomb on me today saying she already booked her flight to come see the baby—literally the day before my due date!!! 😲 😲😠
I mean, wtf, what does she actually expect? Like, am I supposed to be playing hostess while I'm totally wrecked and exhausted from giving birth???
For the first month, I’m really just looking forward to having my own mom and dad over to help out, and honestly, nobody else!
What is wrong with people? And the worst part is I can't even uninvite her now because she's already bought the ticket 😠
The whole plan was that she’d fly in for the christening we’re planning for maybe three or four months down the road, but now this! 😠

Nancy Jones2 said:Honestly, Sveki drove me absolutely crazy regarding baby names during both of my pregnancies. 😠
First time around—we were discussing what to call the little guy, and I suggested John, only for her to chime in with, "Oh, I think Luke sounds so much prettier." Okay... and? 🤷
Then the second time, which is actually right now—we’re talking about names for the baby girl, I suggest Sarah, and she’s back at it again: "Wouldn't Petra have been better? I love that one." It's always the same thing; like, okay, and? WTF?!?!?! 😠

I honestly just lost my mind over this kind of thing.😠
Why on earth should anyone care what I decide to name my son? I really don't get where people get the nerve to think their opinion actually matters in a decision like this, or why they assume anyone would even value their input.😕

I am honestly still fuming from earlier today. A few older guys at my office wouldn't let me get ahead of them during our oral presentation review, 🙂 which is beyond frustrating because I’ve been working hard on my fitness for six months and I definitely wasn't trying to hide behind anyone! They couldn't possibly claim they didn't see me there. To top it all off, one guy actually tried to cut right in front of me, so I had to firmly put him in his place right in front of everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂After all that drama, I ended up sitting there waiting for two whole hours just to finally get my turn to present!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda Ward312 said:So my mom’s aunt, who doesn't even live in the States, just dropped a bomb on me today saying she already booked her flight to come see the baby—literally the day before my due date!!! 😲 😲😠
I mean, wtf, what does she actually expect? Like, am I supposed to be playing hostess while I'm totally wrecked and exhausted from giving birth???
For the first month, I’m really just looking forward to having my own mom and dad over to help out, and honestly, nobody else!
What is wrong with people? And the worst part is I can't even uninvite her now because she's already bought the ticket 😠
The whole plan was that she’d fly in for the christening we’re planning for maybe three or four months down the road, but now this! 😠

Mom's aunt... wait, no... she's not your aunt, or even the baby's😕 aunt, she's Mom's... wtf...
and Linda, I'm sorry, I really hope she doesn't end up being too much of a handful for you. 😢

Jeremy Thomas5 said:Mom's aunt... wait, no... she's not your aunt, or even the baby's😕 aunt, she's Mom's... wtf...
and Linda, I'm sorry, I really hope she doesn't end up being too much of a handful for you. 😢

She claims she loves me to death (even though we've only met a handful of times) 🙄.
I totally get where she's coming from—she's older and just looking for something to do... but damn, she had kids too, even if it was ages ago. I honestly can't tell how long she plans on sticking around 😱
I actually told my mom I'd pretend to be so sick I can barely talk, just hoping maybe that would get her to head out sooner 😁

"That sounds great." Good luck with your aunt—your mom's side. 😳 Hang in there.

But if she already booked a one-way ticket for the doctor, I assume she booked her flight back too? If you transfer everything over and it all gets deducted, what if she ends up leaving before the baby even arrives?! Rebooking flights can get incredibly expensive sometimes... but then again, if she really loves you...

Linda Ward312 said:She claims she loves me to death (even though we've only met a handful of times) 🙄.
I totally get where she's coming from—she's older and just looking for something to do... but damn, she had kids too, even if it was ages ago. I honestly can't tell how long she plans on sticking around 😱
I actually told my mom I'd pretend to be so sick I can barely talk, just hoping maybe that would get her to head out sooner 😁

Wait, you aren't actually letting her sleep over, are you?? 😲😲

Can't you just suggest she crash at your mom's place or with some other relatives instead?

Kate Cox2 said:Wait, you aren't actually letting her sleep over, are you?? 😲😲

Can't you just suggest she crash at your mom's place or with some other relatives instead?

Man, I really hope not!!! So far she's been bouncing between hotels or staying with other family members.
God, my family is such a weird bunch—like, the people who are supposedly closest to me don't even bother asking how I'm doing 🙄

A cat scratched me 😲👎😢

So, we were visiting his aunt and uncle yesterday, and they have two cats at their place... look, I genuinely love cats. Like, before I found out I was pregnant, I was always petting them. I’m not allergic or anything, and they don't bother me at all... but anyway, I told them I shouldn't touch or pet them because of the whole toxoplasmosis risk. They were being super careful and trying to keep the cats away from me, but honestly, cats just want affection, you know? They're used to people constantly petting them, and of course, one of them just jumped right into my lap—through my pants—and accidentally scratched my hand 😢

I mean, I've been obsessing over this damn toxoplasmosis thing my entire pregnancy. I've been avoiding cats, staying away from undercooked meat, even scrubbing the peels of fruits and veggies... and I actually went in for testing earlier, back in my first trimester, specifically because I was petting every cat that crossed my path until I realized I was pregnant. The results were negative, but that doesn't mean I'm immune; I don't have any antibodies or anything, so I could still catch it. I talked to my doctor today, and she said there's really no point in testing again now since the incubation period can last up to six weeks and a result might come back falsely negative. Plus, I'm 30 weeks along, almost 31, so the risk to the baby is basically non-existent if I even picked it up 🤷

But obviously, I can't help but freak out regardless 😳👎 I feel like I'm just going to end up banging my head against the wall 😢

analognomad59, don't even sweat it. I actually got the exact same toxo results as you (not immune, despite living with cats my entire life, and they haven't exactly been pampered pets). I've got two male cats at home right now who haven't been tested either. Honestly, I’m just carrying on with life like normal, except I've stopped cleaning their litter box myself—at least now I have a solid excuse 😁.
I actually chatted with my vet about the whole toxo thing, and he mentioned it's way more of an issue here in the States because we deal with so much hepatitis, HIV, and stuff like that; people are often on various medications that tank their immune systems, making them way more susceptible to catching toxo. It’s pretty rare around here, though. He even knows a vet who worked directly with sick cats and still managed to stay negative 😉

It honestly bugs me seeing all these stories online about how other pregnant women get priority everywhere—people cutting in line for them, giving up their seats on the bus, or even market vendors tossing in extra fruit for their little ones.
I haven't had any of that happen to me yet, though I can already see the exhaustion coming 🤷. Even at the grocery store, people always seem to push right in front of me, probably because I come across as too timid. I think it’s just part of living here in this hot Southern climate and dealing with this specific local attitude.🙄

John Baker5 said:It honestly bugs me seeing all these stories online about how other pregnant women get priority everywhere—people cutting in line for them, giving up their seats on the bus, or even market vendors tossing in extra fruit for their little ones.
I haven't had any of that happen to me yet, though I can already see the exhaustion coming 🤷. Even at the grocery store, people always seem to push right in front of me, probably because I come across as too timid. I think it’s just part of living here in this hot Southern climate and dealing with this specific local attitude.🙄

Oh man! You totally let a positive topic get under your skin! My bad! 😢

Jeremy Thomas5 said:Oh man! You totally let a positive topic get under your skin! My bad! 😢

No way, you didn't upset me at all. This topic is actually great. 👍👍👍
Don't go getting worked up thinking I was being defensive (that honestly sounds hilarious 🤣)
I'm usually pretty laid back about this stuff; it just reminded me that I should probably weigh in here too...

Anyway, thanks for looking out for me 🙂 and seriously—that idea for the other thread is awesome! 👍

I hit a snag at work today that I just can't seem to wrap my head around 🤷. Since I’m still the new girl on the team, I know these growing pains are normal, but it's totally fried my focus and left me feeling super frustrated 🙄
Then I start lecturing myself about how I shouldn't let little things get under my skin—reminding myself to just stay positive and focus on the good stuff ahead—which honestly just makes me even more annoyed that I'm letting this get to me 🙄
And then we're right back where we started...

Looking back at what I wrote, I actually have to laugh at myself 😂. I think my hormones might be running the show today; my mood is basically just riding a rollercoaster 🤣

I had a run-in today with the guy from the sanitation department—the one who handles our waste collection fees—and honestly, he just completely rubbed me the wrong way. He showed up, and when I told him straight out that things are tight right now and asked if he could just leave the bill, he gave me this patronizing little smirk. He actually had the nerve to imply, almost mockingly, that this was already the fourth unpaid bill we’ve had. Honestly, he can go jump in a lake—who does he think he is, some high-stakes debt collector? I’ll pay when I actually have the money. If I had it sitting around, I wouldn't be behind in the first place.
I felt absolutely terrible afterward—just completely small, like I had committed some sort of massive felony or something. But really, who is he to rub my nose in it? As if struggling to make ends meet isn't hard enough without someone coming around to lecture me about it.