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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that people should be a bit more sensitive when announcing pregnancy

181 replies

SophieRules · 09/11/2024 08:42

My ‘friend’ knows that I had a miscarriage recently but rang me out of the blue on video call and showed me an image of her 12 week scan to announce her pregnancy. I would have preferred a message. I am of course delighted for her but I think if someone has recently experienced baby loss it feels insensitive to be showing them picture of scans and to tell the face to face out of the blue. Please if you are in this situation and you know someone is struggling send them a message so they have a bit of privacy when reacting.

OP posts:
SJM1988 · 09/11/2024 13:01

Its insensitive but you cant control other people's actions. To her it might have felt better than you just seeing a social media post or just sending you message.

Some people would prefer to be told face to face, others by messages and others not to be told at all.

If she has called you it suggests you are relativly close. I prefered my close friends to speak to me face to face following my stillbirth and miscarriages if they were announcing.

Sometimeswinning · 09/11/2024 12:56

SapphireOpal · 09/11/2024 10:00

Is a miscarriage not also "life changing news"? Shouldn't people have some respect for that?

It's really not asking much to expect people to be sensitive. My SIL had to tell me she was pregnant shortly after I had a miscarriage, with a very similar due date to the pregnancy I'd lost. I was pleased for her, but if she'd have decided to video call me squealing and waving her scan photo around when I'd had to sit through repeated scans that showed my baby wasn't developing, or done a big "announcement" at a family occasion I think I'd have lost my shit with her tbh.

It's a bit like people nowadays who come up with crazy shit like dress codes for weddings and do things that really inconvenience their guests and you're supposed to just go with it because "it's their special day". People genuinely seem to think the world revolves around them and that they should do things exactly how they want and fuck anyone else's opinion or feelings .

You can act like that if you want but don't expect people to like you very much afterwards.

I was replying to a poster who was surprised people felt the need to announce their pregnancy. I disagree.

My previous post also said that I wanted to announce my pregnancy but reached out to my friend first because I knew she would be upset.

So whilst not perfect in some people’s eyes I do think about those close to me.

Ella31 · 09/11/2024 12:51

thepariscrimefiles · 09/11/2024 11:55

I'm so sorry your friend is being so awful and I'm so sorry for your losses. I can't imagine being as brave as you. I wish you all the best with your current pregnancy.

Aw thank you. People are more resilient than we realise. And this lovely Op will be too. Fertility is such a tough journey

Hellisemptyallthdevilsarehere · 09/11/2024 12:50

lasagnelle · 09/11/2024 10:27

It's not the same. It's more like ringing up your recently widowed friend and waking a wedding photo in their face

But you wouldn't remove wedding photos you want to display for their benefit either.

Most people have had a bereavement of some kind. We don't hide evidence of friends and family who are alive and well to compensate.

Mjmum10 · 09/11/2024 12:48

Your friend isn't considerate, if she's going to be like that the entire pregnancy I'd distance myself even temporarily. I'm sorry for your loss

WildViper · 09/11/2024 12:44

My niece was stillborn, my sisters(her mum) sil planned a pregnancy the week she told them it would be bad news for the baby, and then they told her the week after she buried her daughter. I find it all disgusting for ppl who did not even want to try for children to wait untill that time is vile and then to announce it the way they did when they did too ,I'm so angry for my sister and her husband

Hellisemptyallthdevilsarehere · 09/11/2024 12:43

How are you both obviously delighted for her if you need privacy when reacting?

It's fine to struggle with it, for any reason, but if you're actually happy with that idea she's having a baby on her behalf, sharing an image that shows it isn't disrespectful of her.

Mountainpika · 09/11/2024 12:30

I remember feeling awkward telling a neighbour friend that I was expecting our second because I knew she was having trouble conceiving. I said I wanted to tell her myself rather than her find out from someone else. She was fine about it and subsequently had a son and daughter.

Darkdiamond · 09/11/2024 12:29

My friend was struggling with infertility and a lot of mumsnetters at the time were insisting that I announce my pregnancy to her in person.

Thank goodness I didn't listen. I told her by text message because I wanted her to have the option to fall apart in private and have time to put her brave face on when I saw her.

The next time I saw her she didn't mention the pregnancy and that proved to me that if she couldn't bring herself to talk about it weeks after I told her, it would have crushed her at the time.

I chose my time carefully, and made sure to text her after work and I didn't post about my pregnancy on social media at all.

Really, it's so exciting to share your pregnancy news but once the excitement has passed you still (hopefully) go on to have a baby and experience all of the joy which that brings. If you're struggling to get pregnant or have just had a loss, then you get smacked in the face with that information and then life goes on for the pregnant woman (hopefully!) while the woman who isn't pregnant is left reeling for months or even years.

I just felt grateful that I was pregnant, but I knew i would have to inform my friend at some point and took absolutely zero pleasure in sharing the information. She said she was happy for me over text but I would not have blamed her one bit for having an entire suitcase full of dark, resentful, angry and hopeless emotions about it.

Yanbu

Pinkpaperclip · 09/11/2024 12:24

Edingril · 09/11/2024 08:49

Nobody will ever get it right it would be hard to keep up with everyone's pregnancy and who is ttc had an abortion, still born child, miscarriages etc.

How on earth can someone keep everyone happy?

You sound awful. Sorry but you do. If you care about someone you’d remember that they’ve lost a child.

Pinkpaperclip · 09/11/2024 12:20

Missmarymack2 · 09/11/2024 11:09

This thread really highlights the lack of empathy some people have. How could your friend not think for a moment that you might find this upsetting ?

I agree with this.

Your friend was unreasonable to announce to you that she was pregnant the way she did, knowing you had lost a pregnancy recently. If she announces insensitivity, I would assume she will be insensitive to OP’s feelings the whole pregnancy so I would personally distance myself a bit from this “friend”

I have been on both sides, I’ve lost pregnancies and I’ve had a successful pregnancy. I always ensured to announce my pregnancy to a friend going through infertility/ loss very carefully. Never by waving a scan photo in their face on camera.

Jl2014 · 09/11/2024 12:13

Dickish move from her. Text is sufficient. No need to be doing video calls and showing scan pics to someone who’s had a loss. Not to say you can’t be happy for her but sometimes people need a bit of processing time. Putting you on the spot is a bit heartless.

DysonSphere · 09/11/2024 12:12

CrazyCatLady008 · 09/11/2024 08:48

I lost triplets at 20 weeks, the day of their funeral my cousin (who knew as my aunt told her) rang me and announced she was pregnant and then proceeded to post it on Facebook. Angry

People just don't get it.

My god that is imbecilic. I can't imagine what you went through 💐

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 09/11/2024 12:08

Friend of mine had several miscarriages, when her SIL got pregnant they text her, because they thought it would give her time to process and react, she was really upset because she said they didn't know where she'd be when she got the message or how she'd deal with it and it felt impersonal (she was at home in the evening with her husband) she would've rather been told face to face like the in-laws/grandparents were. So when I fell pregnant I arranged to see her at her home with a get out if she wanted me to skidaddle and I knew her husband was there working on the garden. I was as gentle as I could be breaking the news, told her I understood if she needed space etc. She didn't speak to me for ages after, and told other people I'd been insensitive doing it face to face.
I think however you found out it would've hurt. Our friendship has never been the same since I had DS, we were very very close before, I supported her through the miscarriages and her MH struggles we spoke most days and a week didn't go past without us seeing each other. She hasn't had children of her own her husband wanted to try IUI or IVF but she didn't which is absolutely her choice, but she has gradually cut each one of us out or kept at a distance and it's been years, DS is nearly six. It's a real shame. Her husband and his brother were very close and now see each other 3/4 times a year because she can't be around her nephews.
Your friend was insensitive but if she generally isn't please don't let it ruin a good relationship.

ZoeRuby · 09/11/2024 12:05

I love all my friends dearly and I love their children but I am not so heavily invested that I feel they should video call me to tell me they are pregnant - a text is fine.

I have had multiple losses and preferred a text so I could have my own reaction in private and then react positively when I saw them. I was always happy for them of course but when I was struggling so much I needed a minute to process that ‘punch in the chest’ feeling.

Motheranddaughter · 09/11/2024 12:04

Everyone is different
My first child died at birth 30 years ago
Other people having babies didn't upset me,I f didnt want their baby ,I wanted my baby
Still do

Hellofreshh · 09/11/2024 12:04

YABU. You don't know who's miscarried that's the thing it's so common maybe you friend has but hasn't told you OP. When you get pregnant are you going to announce to your friends and family?

MissTrip82 · 09/11/2024 12:01

Edingril · 09/11/2024 08:49

Nobody will ever get it right it would be hard to keep up with everyone's pregnancy and who is ttc had an abortion, still born child, miscarriages etc.

How on earth can someone keep everyone happy?

Quite easily.

I didn’t do this to anyone. Because I was mature enough to know that many many women I knew would have experienced fertility problems or pregnancy losses, whether I knew about it would or not.

Everytime I see/hear of someone making an announcement in this way it tells me how little empathy they have for the very common sufferings of others.

Lucy25 · 09/11/2024 11:57

Sometimeswinning · 09/11/2024 09:47

That’s a pretty sad answer. I think you may be in a minority for not understanding people wanting to celebrate and announce their life changing news.

This is about showing some sensitivity, to a friend, who you know has recently lost a baby.
Your response is contradictory, that the other person should understand, doesn’t that work both ways.

thepariscrimefiles · 09/11/2024 11:55

Ella31 · 09/11/2024 09:52

Having had 2 early mc myself I definitely would have texted and it would be so hard doing it.
.I will say though a friend of mine who had a mc a few months ago has been very cruel to me since i told them I was pregnant again. I have a backstory with this in that this week a year ago my twin sons died. One baby was born sleeping and we had to turn off life support for his son in the neonatal unit when he was 3 days old. I was 30 weeks pregnant.

We got pregnant 8 months later and it's been so hard, full of anxiety, guilt, grief ect. I haven't enjoyed this pregnancy but I'm doing my best.

This friend had a loss, she was 6 weeks in the summer and I was there for her, albeit it was tough as I was and am still grieving my boys. I eventually had to tell her I was pregnant, a good while after the summer, I was three months and it pained me to do it. But I texted her.

I thought things were ok, I never posted about the pregnancy, and never brought it up. I've been very sick throughout it and very anxious. At a group dinner with pals, one friend asked how have I been doing and I tried to brush it off, just said, it's tough with my boys anniversary coming up but I'm doing ok. The friend who had the mc announced, oh she's fine. I'd kill to be her in position. I've no sympathy for you.

So these comments have been coming my way for weeks now. The reality is this is my 4th pregnancy, 5th baby in 2 years and I haven't brought any home yet. I had to deliver my baby dead and turn off life support so that his brother could pass away in our arms. I wanted to shake her and say I'm so sorry for your loss, it's so shit but my dh and I deserve this happiness too, stop punishing me. We've suffered enough. But no I've now just withdrawn a bit until she comes to term with her own loss and just leaves me alone. I've had enough.

My point really is I thought I did everything right with her and she has badmouthed me, told me I'm so lucky, told me to move on ect....I feel there's no easy or right way to give ppl this news.

So op, you definitely are right, it should have been more sensitive and most people will be aware of that. If you can, stay off SM though, I found sm quite tough in the early days. I hope you get your rainbow soon. And feel free to chat if you need it, I've been around the block sadly on this one.

Edited

I'm so sorry your friend is being so awful and I'm so sorry for your losses. I can't imagine being as brave as you. I wish you all the best with your current pregnancy.

thepariscrimefiles · 09/11/2024 11:52

Sometimeswinning · 09/11/2024 09:47

That’s a pretty sad answer. I think you may be in a minority for not understanding people wanting to celebrate and announce their life changing news.

I'm sure that OP's friend has lots of other people to video call who haven't just had a miscarriage and who would be happy to celebrate with her without any reservations or sadness.

She could have just sent OP a message which would allow the OP to digest the news in her own time and put on her 'game face' when meeting up in person or on a video call.

BoudiccasBangles · 09/11/2024 11:46

I had my second pregnancy shortly before my best friend had a hysterectomy in her thirties - unable to have much wanted children. It was very difficult as she’s my closest friend and it would have been just as weird not to share it with her, but we talked a lot about how I was conscious of not wanting to rub it in. She was brilliant about it and is very involved with my children but my heart still breaks for her.

Letitgoe · 09/11/2024 11:41

Before I experienced a miscarriage I messaged two friends, kept it short / sweet and said they didn’t need to reply.

After a miscarriage and TFMR I would still do the same.

You do t have to experience loss to be a good friend imo, just comes down to how self absorbed some people are

LadyGabriella · 09/11/2024 11:37

Utterly selfish. Cancel that friend, honestly.

Snowfalling · 09/11/2024 11:17

Edingril · 09/11/2024 08:49

Nobody will ever get it right it would be hard to keep up with everyone's pregnancy and who is ttc had an abortion, still born child, miscarriages etc.

How on earth can someone keep everyone happy?

You can at least have the sensitivity and sense not to do it over a video call where the person receiving the news has no way of hiding their immediate response to it. The op says she would have preferred a message, and I think most people would in similar circumstances.