Privacy

[Bellyrub1980]

Hiya,

I'm pretty much an open book when it comes to life and that's how I started out in this pregnancy. We announced at 12 weeks and initially I wasn't at all concerned about talking about things or discussing details of the pregnancy. I just felt really relaxed and open minded about it all.

I'm now 27 weeks and feel the complete opposite! I don't want people giving us their opinion, I don't want anyone but my partner present at the birth, I don't want any visitors for a few weeks after the birth. I almost get annoyed when strangers notice I'm pregnant, which is stupid because my bump is very obvious. I almost can't abide conversations about the baby unless it's with my partner, my parents and my closest friends. Don't even get me started on names which initially we talked openly about but now I totally regret that.

I can't explain it but I just want to hide away and keep everything very private, which isn't like me at all normally.

Is this a 'pregnant mothers instinct' type thing? I've read similar posts to this before and wondered why women were so bothered. But now I feel the same!! Will I feel differently once the baby is born?

[Bellyrub1980]

Not sure 'privacy' is the most appropriate title for this thread, but you know what I mean!

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I've been fairly private all the way through. Now 35 weeks and the feeling of being public property is podding me off. Too many people seem to be touching me and nagging me. Thank goodness they're all friends/family, if strangers try it it won't end well!

[polkadotdelight]

I'm almost the opposite! I love it when people comment on my bump when I'm out and about but I'm feeling smothered by certain family members who can now only talk about this baby (endlessly!).

[Redling]

Yeah it happens (at nearly 38 weeks now I am very entertaining to people in shops etc when I go out, so massive!) and I have had the same conversations a hundred times, but I see it as one if those vaguely annoying pregnancy things that will soon be over, like heartburn :) maybe you're just getting sick of it, if you were happy and excited to share at the beginning, the constant repetition can wear you down I know! I'm not going to stop anyone coming after the birth, I am going to ask that we have a few days just us (or more if I need more medical recovery) where I'll only have grandparents to see him. Then I'll set aside a few dates where we'll have 'open house' for people to come by so I know to be dressed and expect guests. That way I hope to avoid the drip drip drip of people every day! Then when DH goes back to work I'm basically expecting my mam to live with me!

[squizita]

I'm not so much private as fed up with the same old conversations again and again and stupid unwanted advice ("are you supposed to eat that?" very often from someone with no kids/who had kids in the 80s with different rules. "YES I BLOODY AM ARE YOU SAYING I'M IRRESPONSIBLE?").

Thankfully F&F who have kids all know the score - i.e. being laid back, offering help but not being pushy.

[polkadotdelight]

Squiz I was just coming back to add the same thing! Everyone has a bloody opinion and even though I know they mean well it's driving me potty (I'm looking at you MIL!).