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To respond more harshly next time my MIL tries to guess if I’m pregnant? How?

137 replies

annabelfr · 10/05/2025 14:56

We’ve been trying for a baby for years, and now I’m finally pregnant. My MIL has developed a habit recently of making pointed comments — for example, she once called me over and said loudly, “LOOK! You’ll want to see this,” then pointed to a sign that said something like “Not recommended for pregnant women due to high temperatures” (it was outside a sauna). At the time I wasn’t pregnant, and I just awkwardly said something like, “Yep, I see it.” Another time she said, “Hmm, not interested in the feta salad, are you?” in that same smug, baiting tone.

We’re going away for a short trip with her next weekend, and this time I am pregnant — but still in the first trimester and not ready to tell anyone yet, especially as we’ve previously experienced a miscarriage. I also don’t want to flat-out deny it when she guesses, because I don’t want to jinx it by saying “no” when it’s actually true. What I’m looking for is a way to respond that firmly shuts her down without being outright rude — not a “shut up” or “that’s inappropriate,” (I wish, but my husband would flip at that being too rude for his mummy - ironic) just something that holds my boundary while keeping the peace.

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/05/2025 16:12

Personally I think your DH has caved and spilled the beans, but she wants you to admit it.

In my experience smart comments don't work with an experienced Delver.. like your MIL is. Any smart comments that even allude to pregnancy will set her off and carry on the inquisition.

Practice your Gallic Shrug... then you don't have to say anything at all.
Or the ever useful (in reply to the feta comment) They do say that don't they
Or a simple I don't know.. will kill the convo stone dead.

If she's really persistent a Paddington Stare with "What are you trying to say exactly." Or you reply to any comment with ponderous, reflective "How very odd." which is polite but just rude enough to shut her up (hopefully) and then you change the subject.
It reminds me of school days, when the best shut up was "So YOU say"

sesquipedalian · 10/05/2025 16:06

OP, if your MIL doesn’t know about the miscarriage, could you get your DH to phone her and say that you had a miscarriage a bit back so please will she not say anything about pregnancy etc? I don’t think that would be an unreasonable thing to do and it would shut her up - otherwise, you KNOW she’s going to say something and you will either get cross or answer in such a way that she guesses.

NamechangeJunebaby · 10/05/2025 16:04

I hate rudeness, but in this instance I’d happily divert with rudeness. And seer her questions with your own “hey Sandra, how this incontinence issue now - still piddling when you laugh? Oh, that wasn’t you that told me that? How odd, I was sure it was you…..” or maybe even be direct “are you enquiring about our sex life again? If you must know I’ve been swallowing a lot recently, he’s loving it!”.

bloody nosey MiL should not be assuming or giving hints. She sounds self absorbed.

MoveYourSelfDearie · 10/05/2025 15:51

I would have to address this directly. She's not worried about your feelings here, it's obviously rude of her. There's no reason to put up with it and you can ask her to stop without being rude to her.

"Sandra, I find these comments on our fertility very tiresome. Please stop making them."

Obviously she's going to be offended because she'll be one of those that will take someone standing up for their boundaries as a personal attack. So she'll make some comment that turns it around and makes you in the wrong and paints her as the victim. So at this point, you ignore that narrative, and turn it back around again

"it's ok Sandra, don't get upset. I'm not cross with you but I'm not going to put up with personal comments anymore. What shall we have for dinner?... I was thinking about Italian tonight"

ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/05/2025 15:51

annabelfr · 10/05/2025 15:35

No, MIL doesnt know we’re ttc or had a miscarriage but I think based on my age, my husbands age, our toddlers age and the fact we’ve said we want multiple kids (before even having our first) she may have guessed we’re trying. Also the fact my husband and I have been off booze for a while.

She sounds fairly harmless to be honest, she’s trying to guess if her son’s wife is pregnant yet, knowing they are likely to be trying. It’s annoying but it’s not the end of the world. Your OP made it sound like she was hounding you when you’d been struggling for years without success which clearly isn’t the case. Just don’t go if you don’t like her or trust her. Pre planning how to be rude doesn’t make you any better than her.

Bobbyewingshowerscene · 10/05/2025 15:48

Whistonia · 10/05/2025 15:22

Has been trying to get pregnant for years but now has a toddler? 🤷‍♀️

I’ve not been on Mumsnet long .. but I’m starting to see patterns / get the gist….

MyKingdomForACat · 10/05/2025 15:47

I think I’d say “that’s my business” in the hope that finally shuts her up.

FusionChefGeoff · 10/05/2025 15:46

Ohthatsabitshit · 10/05/2025 15:42

Fabricate a terrible hangover for both of you the day before you are meeting and tell her about it before you get there.

I like this idea - a story that 100% unequivocally implies you are NOT pregnant to stop her guessing so yes a piss up / Skydiving / Alton Towers something like that

Ohthatsabitshit · 10/05/2025 15:42

Fabricate a terrible hangover for both of you the day before you are meeting and tell her about it before you get there.

Bananafofana · 10/05/2025 15:39

Obviously it’s your private business whether you share, but we found telling mil about my miscarriages meant she was absolutely silent about possible pregnancy - and managed to bite her lip until we told here when I was 16 weeks and very plump!

And my dh managed all the comms - he told mil about the miscarriages and he asked her to cool it with the questions

annabelfr · 10/05/2025 15:35

No, MIL doesnt know we’re ttc or had a miscarriage but I think based on my age, my husbands age, our toddlers age and the fact we’ve said we want multiple kids (before even having our first) she may have guessed we’re trying. Also the fact my husband and I have been off booze for a while.

OP posts:
Inertia · 10/05/2025 15:34

Does she know about your earlier miscarriage?

If so , I would tell her that it’s very upsetting for women who have experienced miscarriage to put up with repeated pregnancy-related jibes.

5128gap · 10/05/2025 15:30

If I were you'd I'd either cancel the break, or just tell her. I honestly couldn't be bothered with having to prepare a script in the event she said something. For one thing, whatever you say, the other person never says the lines you want them to, and she will probably just go on commenting and questioning.

Sgtmajormummy · 10/05/2025 15:27

I’d go for “If you NEED to know something, don’t worry I’ll let you know.”
In other words, keep to the boundaries I give you.

Willowkins · 10/05/2025 15:24

I think you need something that works whatever the situation. Could you practice looking puzzled and then ... Not Answer?

Summergarden · 10/05/2025 15:24

Tell her all about how you went out drinking recently and got very drunk to throw her off scent!

Cognacsoft · 10/05/2025 15:23

You have a dh problem.
He should be closing his dm down with
Stop making my dw feel uncomfortable.

If he won't then ask her why are you pointing that out to me?
Or Why are you interested in my diet?
Or just glare at her and walk off.

If you're brave enough say
Has anyone ever told you your nosey?
Or invent a colleague and tell mil
X asked me personal questions, she's so nosey.

Tarantella6 · 10/05/2025 15:22

MIL you're very quick to notice potential issues for pregnancy. Is there something you want to tell us?

Whistonia · 10/05/2025 15:22

Nameftgigb · 10/05/2025 15:11

You’re having another child with your dh when you don’t trust him alone with the one you’ve got?

Has been trying to get pregnant for years but now has a toddler? 🤷‍♀️

AlertCat · 10/05/2025 15:22

Tell her it’s very personal to ask- it’s basically asking if you and her DS are shagging. Or for updates on your menstrual cycle. Put like that, it might make her back off?

Lijay1 · 10/05/2025 15:21

You could use 'what an odd thing to say'
Honestly works for anything really that you don't want to answer/crosses a line

Also congratulations!!

thepariscrimefiles · 10/05/2025 15:19

annabelfr · 10/05/2025 15:05

I’d love to not spend time with them but they want to spend time with our child (toddler age). I wouldn’t want my child unsupervised with them (they’re not dangerous… just that I don’t like them and don’t agree with them on many things so would like to supervise contact) so I have to be around when they’re together

If she says something about you being pregnancy this time, tell her that you find her comments hurtful and inappropriate. Who cares if your DH thinks you are being mean to his mummy. He should worry about her being mean to you.

Does she know that you have had a miscarriage?

Sera1989 · 10/05/2025 15:19

I don't think there is much point coming up with quips as it won't solve the problem, it will just carry on and you'll get annoyed. Why not say something like "look, it seems like you're very interested in trying to guess if I'm pregnant. If I become pregnant I will tell you. Now can we stop this please as it's not funny and it's starting to become a bit rude."

TryingToStayAwake88 · 10/05/2025 15:17

You could turn it back on her and say, that's interesting it can't be done while pregnant. Are you going to avoid it? Or something which sounds sort of innocent but implies she is pregnant!

Thepeopleversuswork · 10/05/2025 15:16

Urgh I would avoid her until you are ready. I loathe people like that.

Are you actually prepared to have her involved in your family life? I would limit my time with her as much as possible.