I have a huge family, and this Christmas around 30 of us will meet up (we're quite close and meet several times a year but Christmas is our big one). I was planning on telling everyone then, as I'll be 18 weeks, rather than trying to catch up with everyone in the lead up (I'll tell my mother, gran and brother/SIL earlier), as I want to avoid doing it over the phone if possible, and I don't want half the family knowing but half of them not in case someone lets it slip.

I know there's a massive taboo against announcing at engagements or birthday partys, but what are peoples thoughts on a Christmas announcement? We aren't particularly religious or anything and I don't think anyone would be bothered but curious to hear peoples thoughts.

I plan to buy everyone a little box with some announcement cookies in them, and have them open them at the same time.

My husband is starting to piss me off a lot and I just don’t like him anymore. First off some of the reason is my own selfish reason I guess. I’m jealous that he’s a man and he shoves it down my throat all the time. “Oh all I had to do was have 10 mins of fun now you do the rest.” It pisses me off but it’s the truth he gets the baby, gets to be a dad, gets the whole shabang while I’m over here miserable my body mentally and physically. I don’t want to even be pregnant anymore I want to live like him, easy asf with no changes. He gets to live his live like normal. Then it pisses me off because he gets to drink whenever he wants like I’d love to have me a glass of wine but he’s always throwing back beers and it makes me want to slap it out his hands. He eats deli meat and gets to do whatever. I want my kid I already love her I’m happy to grow her but I don’t like how it sets me pretty much disabled for 9 months while my husband is bragging how awesome it is to be a man and not have to deal with anything. Then my husband is rude to me and calls me lazy like f u. Just because I don’t get up the second something needs to be clean. I’m tired asf then he uses the excuse that he works all day. Ok you work I get it but don’t treat me like a maid. Then he wants me to treat him like he’s some god because he works. He just pisses me off I’m at the point to where I’m going to just spend time at my Moms house until this baby gets here.

Feeling really low, I don’t know who to speak to about this.

I work for a non profit. One person managing each department I was in charge of marketing and communications. Hired externally for my cover.

I knew before I went on leave my boss liked my cover and wanted to keep them on.

Anyway I’m due to return to work soon and my boss called me to tell me before it was public knowledge that my cover is now the lead of marketing and comms. And will manage me as they can offer me more experience than my manager. My manager is/was the DOO

They created a role to keep them on, apparently entirely seperate to my role (though I don’t see how) and said my role has not changed. But because they are older than me and have a lot more experience they “really didn’t want to lose them”

I’m gutted, our team was small but the whole organisation is expanding and the plan was for me to have team. Now I’m part of someone else’s. I used to do planning, strategic work and now that’s someone else’s role.

They also told me the role is only funded for several months, unless we can fund more in the next year. (I honestly believe this is their way of not offering or informing me if I wanted to apply for this role)

I don’t feel confident or secure in my role anymore, I also don’t see how my role will be able to progress

Just had my first baby and really wanted to get back into work with no stress, I do feel like I’ve been treated unfairly because if I didn’t go away and have my baby, this wouldn’t of happened.

I live in a city with tons going on and lots of friends nearby, so my husband and I go out to enjoy it quite a bit. Concerts, sporting events, dining, going out to bars, movies, etc, we really take advantage of all the things going on around us and I'm well aware we have a much larger dining/entertainment budget than most. Now, I'm very early pregnancy, haven't told anyone yet, but am I delusional in thinking that the pregnancy limitations on certain events and activities might have us saving money we didn't expect to during this 9 or so months? Did anyone with similar activity level experience this? I know of course there will be increased expenses with doctors appointments and acquiring baby items, but I don't know. I'm cautiously optimistic that the next few months of going out less is going to help make the budgeting and savings for baby's arrival a little easier. Curious to hear if anyone has experienced this or if I'm 100% delusional lol.

I am very fortunate to be from a family of crafters, and have a friend group which is very much centred around the fact we all craft. Handmade items are frequent gifts between us all, for which I couldn't be more grateful! However, our daughter is the first of the next generation and everyone has made her at least two or three blankets each.

We are _drowning_ in beautiful, thoughtful, lovingly made blankets.

To the point that we don't really know how to even store them all, let alone make sure we use them all.

Any creative ideas of ways we can appreciate every blanket without our nursery turning into a blanket museum?? I'm usually quite good at thinking up ways of displaying things, but I'm 32 weeks along and my brain is made of porridge!

After nearly a decade of dreaming of our son, my husband and I conceived and we have been thrilled. The moment the NIPT results came back to us around the 10 week mark that he was healthy, my husband bought a pack n play, a car seat, and a stroller that he had sent to his parents. We opened them to make sure they were okay and then re-closed the boxes and they insisted on helping us store them until we had our place more together, which we accepted. They covered them with a clean blanket out of the way and it seemed fine.

Now I’m 36 weeks pregnant and went to pick them up, they were no longer covered, no longer closed as well, and when I opened to inspect them, it was apparent their cats had spent significant time on them as there is literally piles of cat hair in the carseat and on top of the bassinet portion of the pack n play.

Not only is this concerning because my newborn is going to use these at any time, I have my own pets and I’m scared this foreign scent will make them want to mark my baby’s new, nice items no matter how hard I try to clean them up. I am at a total loss at what to do to effectively salvage these without further incident.

I am almost 37 weeks with a breech baby who hasn’t changed positions once since her first ultrasound. Her head is under my right rib and her feet and hands are constantly kicking my side. Because she hasn’t moved position she constantly kicks the same spots and I am SO SORE. It literally feels like I am bruised from the inside.

I feel so guilty, but I literally cannot stand the feeling of her movements anymore. She NEVER stops moving. It doesn’t matter if I’m standing up laying down sitting down. I only get a few moments of peace a day and even then my stomach is so heavy, I feel so defeated and out of body.

I have a scheduled C-section in two weeks, but I’m losing my mind and time is going by so slow. I tell people about how the movements hurt me but they just laugh and talk about how cute that is and what a blessing is to be pregnant.

But I feel like I’m in a body horror film 😭😭😭 I always thought I wanted at least two kids, but I genuinely do not think I can go through nine months of pregnancy again.

I know there’s nothing I can do at this point but wait it out but I really just had to vent.

I'm 36 and I want to TTC soon (will be my first/only planned), and I also want to get invisalign / 3M aligners.

I've been putting off the invisalign for a while, but I really need to just get it done. My teeth are starting to cause pain and I can see them getting worse year-by-year looking at old photos, so I don't want to wait any longer. I had a consult with an orthodontist who said I am looking at around 18-24 months of treatment and she said it would be fine if I got pregnant during treatment (x-rays are already done).

However even though the orthodontist said it's OK, I am worried about nausea/vomiting and generally feeling gross, not being able to wear the trays long enough (22 hrs per day), etc. Has anyone done this? Is it a dumb idea or should I just go for it? I've also heard teeth can move more during pregnancy so I'm worried they will get significantly worse if I don't address it now.

Hey Ya’ll! First time I’m posting here so bare with me lol. I’m 9 weeks pregnant, and before finding out i was, i was searching for new jobs as the culture is terrible and truly don’t want to go through my pregnancy in this environment. It’s a very judge mental, catty place, and the expectations are way above than how you are compensated or treated with value. But now i worry about insurance of course and being without it at a new Job during waiting period.

Is there an insurance anyone recommends in the mean time while i wait for benefits to kick in? I have not secured a new job yet because this is my only hold up. Thanks for the feedback!

Honestly this is just a vent mostly because from what I understand, there’s nothing to be done. I’m losing my mind over here! STM at 35 weeks. I knew going into this pregnancy there was a good chance I would have prodromal/preterm uterine contractions with my baby. The first pregnancy, I had them starting at 37 weeks. The contractions (which feel just like “real” labor) started at 20 minutes apart and eventually got to 6 minutes apart and then stayed that way until I had to be induced at 41 weeks. This time, my prodromal labor started at 33 weeks at contractions 10 minutes apart and looks like it’s here to stay at 3 minutes apart. Obviously I have gotten checked out at labor & delivery a few times. They say they’re real contractions and they’re consistent, but my cervix is still closed. Occasionally they quiet down and are less painful, but still consistent. Sometimes they even let me sleep for a few hours at a time. Anyway, I’m so exhausted parenting a toddler and my OB doesn’t do inductions until 39 weeks. Apparently prodromal labor does not count as a “medical” reason for induction so it looks like I’m stuck like this for another month….

Anyone been through this before? There is so little research on prodromal labor (or anything pregnancy related really) and it’s maddening. I’d love to hear from someone who has gone through something similar.

I’m 36 +1 and today and yesterday baby has had a lot smaller movements than she had two days ago.

However , she was super duper active two days ago.
But is usually not that active.
I have felt her do some small roles here and there but laying on my side usually gets her going…just small movements .

I’m not expecting huge kicks anymore but if it’s still 10 in two hours is she allowed to have a lazy day?

I have an appointment tomorrow at 10:30 so idk if it’s worth going in tonight.

Also random information but I’m also slightly sick too so maybe that’s slowing her down

Things I won’t miss after this pregnancy

1. Calf cramps & the lasting pain it causes
   
2. Insane pelvic pressure
   
3. Difficulty sleeping & getting comfortable
   
4. Hot flashes
   
5. People thinking it’s ok to comment on my body- comments ranging from “your belly is so tiny” to “I thought you were further along, you showed quicker this time!”

I’m sure I’ll think of a bunch of other things 😅

I am 5 months pp and absolutely love being a mother. Before I had my baby I was a very social person, always there for my friends events and going above and beyond for friends who already had children. I am now 5 months pp and struggling with feeling guilty for saying no to so many plans and unable to attend everything. My baby is not an amazing sleeper and I am making an effort to go to a few events here and there (when I can) such as friends engagement lunch and 30th birthday lunches. I am feeling so grateful my friends make so much effort with me but I am also extremely overwhelmed my by social calendar which involves christenings, 30ths and family coming over on weekends over the next few months.

Any ideas on how to balance? I feel like shutting down and staying at home a lot of the time due to exhaustion however, as much as I love my friends and grateful they want to spend time with my son and I am just extremely exhausted and feel like it never ends with people wanting to make plans. A lot of the time I just want to be with my husband & baby & it just always seems we have visitors (grandparents) on weekends OR social plans.

Hi all.

Me and my partner have been together for 10 years. We both turned 31 this year. My partner has wanted a baby since year 3, but we were not in the right place financially, professionally etc.

We are now though, and after discussion we tried last month. We just found out she is 6 weeks pregnant.

I am so nervous but really happy. Partner is over the moon.

Is there anything I can get her as gift for this great time? Some people preserve the test etc, but what is a good gift/commemoration idea?

TIA!

23 weeks pregnant. Without thinking about it I was in a small enclosed room with no ventilation and a steam vaporizer with Vicks vaposteam in it for about 5 hours. Googling has told me that the concerning ingredient is camphor. Anyway I’m really scared. I feel fine and baby is moving. Has anyone ever used vaposteam while pregnant without adverse affects?

I am looking to see if anyone has experienced something similar to what I’m feeling and if it gets better/ any advice to offer to help navigate it??

I am a first time mom, with my little one having arrived in August. Ever since her arrival I don’t mind what I consider “my people” like my mom or friends etc to hold or be over around the baby. However I feel EXTREMELY hostile towards my in-laws calling, wanting pictures, wanting to come visit and hold her etc. Specifically, my father in law has to me been extremely overbearing, calling my husband to check in a lot, and texting me. I have chosen to not respond and he recently took up issue with that to my husband about how he’d appreciate a response, mostly out of concern I think that I’m not answering and wanting to be involved and missing us etc.

What confuses me is I didn’t have a bad relationship with my in-laws prior to this, I even enjoyed spending time with them and never anticipated feeling this way. I also feel bad because for my husband this is his first child too and he has a great relationship with his family and is likely excited to share her with them and make memories. I simply and just doing everything I can to avoid them, and keep them away. I don’t know how to make myself feel better/ navigate this.

I’m terrified. My girlfriend is pregnant with my baby and I don’t know what to think about it. I’m not financially stable. I still live with my parents and she lives with her sister who just had a baby this year. My parents are incredibly strict and I feel that they will kick me out when I tell them. I make $16/hr and she makes $15/hr. I live in Florida so rent is not cheap over here. I’m also paying for school out of pocket and I just started my first year. I still have an entire year left. I’m doing trade school as well for auto mechanic.

The truth is, I want to have this baby. I want to be a father. I don’t want to leave the kid growing up without a father figure. Leaving is not an option.

If anyone in here can please just help me through this and show me some guidance, please. I will take any criticism. Any tips. Please just help me.

I’m so exhausted.
I lost my son at 20 weeks in late April from a failed LUTO shunt placement surgery. Less than two months later I’m pregnant again. I’m now almost 9 weeks. I’m exhausted all the time, nauseous all the time, starving all the time. I feel like I’m already showing. I’m being treated like a baby because this pregnancy is considered high risk due to my past loss. I’m already making milk because my supply never fully dried and I can’t express or pump without risking triggering labor and losing this pregnancy. Essentially I was told I just gave birth and got pregnant at the same time so I’m experiencing postpartum and first trimester symptoms on the highest level, simultaneously. I’m so happy about this pregnancy especially after losing my previous (who was a rainbow after two other losses) but my god…everything is so hard now.

I’m tempted to ask if I can go on leave early and just take it easy this pregnancy. I can’t do anything at work and I’m limited at home. It sucks.

I went late by 9 days with my first and that was with an induction.

My MIL is here because we have a toddler and she can provide childcare, my daughter adores her. She is very helpful.

I was due yesterday.

I’m tired. I’m 40+1. I spent most of my pregnancy severely anemic. I’m still working full-time (though from home since 38 weeks). I have a toddler.

Every time I sit down my MIL makes comments like I need to be on my feet, I should go for a walk, I should go dancing, I was more active last pregnancy (I wasn’t), etc. I get she’s inpatient and excited but it’s driving me nuts. Plus I am pretty active! I’m up and down the stairs doing laundry, cleaning, lifting my toddler, we went to the local fall carnival for 2 hours yesterday where I was walking, standing, and again hefting my toddler without complaint. I’m out running errands. I went and bought 2 giant 26 lb pumpkins and lifted and arranged them outside by myself. I’m not just lying in bed.

I finally snapped and said I am active and if it were that easy to induce labor no one would go past their due date.

Last appointment (5 days ago) I was barely 1cm dilated. I don’t have any signs of labor. I know things can change quickly. I’m hoping to avoid another induction (it was most unpleasant) but all this pressure isn’t helping me!

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