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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:
Pippy2022 · 09/11/2024 11:13

I feel this way everytime an influencer announces a pregnancy with a fanfare on SM and I never (fortunately) experienced loss. So gross.

DinosaurMunch · 09/11/2024 11:12

ChillysWaterBottle · 09/11/2024 09:16

I'm sorry about your loss OP.

Despite people on these threads acting like it's an obvious simple answer, it isn't really. People have different responses to a situation like pregnancy loss and there isn't a one size fits all. When I lost a pregnancy in a particularly brutal way, a friend who I'd scheduled to visit her new born kindly and sensitively suggested we postpone. I was secretly hugely offended she'd even suggested it - other people's pregnancies, babies etc didn't bother me one jot, and I was annoyed she'd think I was that kind of person. Another person may have been hugely relieved and considered it really thoughtful.

Some people like to know in advance so they can process by themselves, others to be told in groups so the pressure is off them to respond appropriately immediately, some people like to be told by text, others find that rude and abrupt and cold.

I think everyone should do their best but I sometimes feel the expectation of empathy only goes one way in these threads (not you OP, I mean some of the responses they tend to get).

There will be variations but I think most people who are having issues themselves would prefer to be told by message so that they can have some privacy.

That doesn't mean making assumptions about how they will feel or respond. I agree it's pretty rude to cancel someone's visit on this basis.

I think telling your mum or grandma by text might be considered rude but most people communicate by text with their friends now so if that's what you normally do then no need to do anything different for a pregnancy announcement. It's not some huge urgent news that requires immediate response.

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 ?

AlexaSetATimer · 09/11/2024 11:08

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?

It's really NOT that hard for close friends. At all.

AlexaSetATimer · 09/11/2024 11:07

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.

That is appalling and I hope she realises it st some point and apologises to you.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 09/11/2024 11:04

You are not wrong. She’s obviously got completely caught up in her excitement and not thought about the impact that news will have on you. I’m sorry for your loss ❤️

295bkq · 09/11/2024 11:04

ZekeZeke · 09/11/2024 09:40

Pre social a close relative media dropped over with a bag of sanitary towels and tampax as, innher words she didn't need them because she was pregnant
This was a week after my baby was stillborn.

I didn't fall out with her. I was very happy for her and her DH but it stung.

That is shocking.

she could have kept them anyway, she would be needing them in only a few months!

Baseline14 · 09/11/2024 11:02

The thing that pisses me off is when people WhatsApp a scan photo and it saves to my phone camera reel automatically. I'm terrible at deleting photos so some days I'm flicking through and see people's scan photos and have no idea who it is. Drives me insane.

I've been trying to conceive on and off for a very long time and last attempt ended in a miscarriage 2 years ago. I'm over getting upset when people are pregnant, life goes on and I get that they are excited. I still get the lurching feeling in my stomach but a quick "oh that's lovely news hope they are keeping well" and move on with the conversation works for me.

IntrovertInDisguise · 09/11/2024 11:00

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.

I think she got it. What an utter bitch. 😢

lasagnelle · 09/11/2024 10:53

LilacTurtle · 09/11/2024 10:33

But life goes on and someone who is widowed knows that too. My DD died and in the following years, I've watched her friends get married and have babies. At first it hurt a lot but I never expected people to pretend their lives weren't happening because my child would never have those things. I see it and hope that they will never know the pain I do.

There are ways to tell people things sensitively but life goes on with good things and bad things for everyone. We just have to deal with it and maybe have a private cry. It would be worse to be left out of friendships and news because people are too scared to share.

Absolutely but there are ways of doing it and video phoning someone and waving a photo in their face puts them right on the spot

Penguinmouse · 09/11/2024 10:52

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.

Yes, that was really insensitive of your friend. She’s excited but knows what you have been through, she really should have been more thoughtful.

It is difficult to know what everyone’s individual circumstances are but generally, knowing that 1 in 4 women will lose a pregnancy, announcements could be a bit more sensitive and in a situation where you do know that someone has experienced a loss, it is not hard to have a bit of tact. Sorry for your loss OP.

readingismycardio · 09/11/2024 10:47

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.

I am so sorry for your loss
Flowers

Goosemouse · 09/11/2024 10:45

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

LilacTurtle · 09/11/2024 10:37

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If I only found out a friend was having a baby after the baby was born, I'd consider the friendship wasn't what I thought it was and probably just move on.

Goosemouse · 09/11/2024 10:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

LilacTurtle · 09/11/2024 10:33

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 life goes on and someone who is widowed knows that too. My DD died and in the following years, I've watched her friends get married and have babies. At first it hurt a lot but I never expected people to pretend their lives weren't happening because my child would never have those things. I see it and hope that they will never know the pain I do.

There are ways to tell people things sensitively but life goes on with good things and bad things for everyone. We just have to deal with it and maybe have a private cry. It would be worse to be left out of friendships and news because people are too scared to share.

Tandora · 09/11/2024 10:32

Wow that is so insensitive- sorry OP. I had a missed miscarriage so never share / send people scan pictures unless they ask for it. Also calling someone you know has experienced a loss to announce your pregnancy just beggars belief! I think people who haven’t had the experience of miscarriage just don’t get it sometimes.

LemonLymanDotCom · 09/11/2024 10:31

Been there, alas it was my DM gleefully showing me pictures of my DN/ DB’s daughter, telling me how glad she was to be a GM just after I’d had a miscarriage & was subsequently dumped by my BF.

I get she was excited but I just needed a little space from those kind of thoughts for a while. So I get it, it proper stings. Also, I’m sorry. You deserve a hug & your friend deserves as kick up the arse.

lasagnelle · 09/11/2024 10:27

Cuppaor2 · 09/11/2024 10:21

Ah come on that’s like saying you can’t post wedding pictures because it’s insensitive to people who got divorced. It’s a massive exciting event for people.

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

lasagnelle · 09/11/2024 10:25

I struggled for years to conceive. My best friend knew this. She got married and mentioned trying to conceive after this. One day I got a message asking to meet up this week which was unusual as usually it's just "want to meet up soon?" And then we went for a meal out where she wasn't quite her self and conversation felt a bit awkward. She wasn't drinking like she normally did so I twigged within minutes. I had to sit there through her making inane conversation but she wasn't really engaging her mind was so obviously elsewhere. Then she dropped me back off at mine and told me she was pregnant. She let me sit through that whole meal while she was weird I knew for the whole meal.

Seriously people just send a text

BarbaraHoward · 09/11/2024 10:25

user1471516498 · 09/11/2024 10:14

I may be biased after several miscarriages, but why announce it at all? Especially before your first scan.I And after that you will start showing anyway so people will sort of realise. That was how I played it even with close friends. I didn't want the sympathy if I miscarried again, I didn't want to tempt fate and I didn't want to upset anyone who had also miscarried and not told anyone.

I think it's pretty normal to tell people you're pregnant, as you say it's visible!

I agree about not telling before the first scan, but that's personal preference.

Despite it being my preference, I've announced early twice. The first time was during my appraisal as it felt dishonest to discuss work planning and I knew my boss would be lovely as he'd been very supportive when I had my first. I miscarried a few weeks later and again he was lovely and I was glad I'd told him.

The second was a few months later, when I was 11 weeks on Christmas Day and spending it with a relative who'd tried and failed to have a baby with his wife. I knew if I didn't say anything he'd guess very quickly (I really like wine Blush) and I didn't want to put him on the spot, especially since a couple of years previously they had both been "sick" over Christmas when there was lots of baby news. So I told the extended family a week before Christmas after a private scan, and said we were only telling them because we knew they'd guess, but it was very early so we didn't want to talk about it.

LilacTurtle · 09/11/2024 10:25

NoCarbsForMe · 09/11/2024 09:04

If you know your friend has had a loss maybe just don't text or call them? You can tell everyone else. You have 9 months to let them know. It's called being a good thoughtful friend. Thinking about others. What's confusing?

How long do you wait though? It's not like you can hide it for very long, and then they'll be hurt you didn't tell them when they notice.

dollyop · 09/11/2024 10:24

So sorry, OP. I think people are generally shit with any kind of loss.

I had an 'atypical' loss of a family member recently, very shocking. People immediately told me I'd feel relieved, or that they 'promised' I would get over it 'very soon'. Better to say nothing at all, if you're going to be that crass.

Ella31 · 09/11/2024 10:24

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.

Meant to also add the photo was thoughtless of her. Keep holding on, OP, your day will come. Xxx

KimberleyClark · 09/11/2024 10:24

Cuppaor2 · 09/11/2024 10:21

Ah come on that’s like saying you can’t post wedding pictures because it’s insensitive to people who got divorced. It’s a massive exciting event for people.

Not the same. For many getting divorced is a relief.