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Original poster

lighthearted - things you’ve been asked postpartum

56 replies

carrie3003 · 09/02/2025 07:15

EBF and c-section delivery

3 weeks postpartum: “why don’t you start 5km runs again?”

3 weeks postpartum: “why don’t you leave her with me you can get your hair and nails done for the day?”

8 weeks postpartum: “have you managed to get to the gym much?”

😂 sometimes i just have to laugh or it will drive me mad

OP posts:
HaroldLeftEye · 09/02/2025 12:10

"Are you feeding him?"
"Well.... yes"

5 minutes later the physio said "I've just realised I sounded quite stupid there. I meant are you feeding him. Oh no. No, I meant are you breastfeeding him. Is he being breastfed. By you. That's what I should have asked."

Showerflowers · 09/02/2025 12:16

My dd aged 7 the day after her sibling was born. Baby was fussy and I was struggling to breastfeed. Dd comes into my bedroom with her hands in her hips and says "ok so how do we stop this happening again". Lol

Itslookinglikeabeautifulday · 09/02/2025 12:31

Showerflowers · 09/02/2025 12:16

My dd aged 7 the day after her sibling was born. Baby was fussy and I was struggling to breastfeed. Dd comes into my bedroom with her hands in her hips and says "ok so how do we stop this happening again". Lol

Haha, brilliant! That's the sort of thing my DD would've said. ❤️

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Antenatal & postnatal Families
DinoGD · 14/02/2025 06:38

Currently have an 8 week old - the amount of 'times I've been asked 'so when will you have another one?' .... Including family members who were holding my 2 day old at the time... Ummm I've just finished cooking this one thanks! 😂

As another PP said, when midwives/HV spoke about contraception in the first couple weeks... No thanks!! 😬😶

Original poster
carrie3003 · 14/02/2025 12:05

DinoGD · 14/02/2025 06:38

Currently have an 8 week old - the amount of 'times I've been asked 'so when will you have another one?' .... Including family members who were holding my 2 day old at the time... Ummm I've just finished cooking this one thanks! 😂

As another PP said, when midwives/HV spoke about contraception in the first couple weeks... No thanks!! 😬😶

Ridiculous isn’t it 😂 I keep getting “when are you going back to work?”
I have worked my whole life, just had major surgery and my baby is a few weeks old - can I just have this time off to recover please - not even thinking about work!

OP posts:
takehimjolene · 14/02/2025 12:56

PuffinLord · 09/02/2025 07:56

2 days PP after a 3 day induction and forceps delivery: can we just courier some documents over for you to have a Quick Look and check the contract language?

I was a lawyer, client had moved up their deal deadline, useless boss didn’t want to actually read the file and detailed handover briefing.

I think I laughed slightly hysterically and said no, and that i was going back to sleep now.

I had a similar experience. Before I went on Mat leave I had handover meetings with the people looking after each of my projects, left clear notes of key issues/next actions etc and made sure that everything was filed where it should be. When baby was about 2 weeks old I had a call from Boss and the new manager of one of my projects (who considered himself the next big thing 'NBT') asking me to just talk them through the history and project plan ahead of a big meeting. The conversation went something like:
Me- 'Sorry, I can't really think straight at the moment but I left a briefing note and the project plans etc are in the files and on the system'
NBT- 'We're really busy. You must be wanting to get out of the house for a bit so can't you just pop in quickly to remind yourself from the file then give us the headlines?
Me- 'No. I had some complications and actually had an operation 2 days ago so I am not in any state to go anywhere or do anything.
NBT- 'It doesn't have to be today. The meeting's not until next week.
Me- 'No. I won't be going anywhere this week
NBT- 'I could get someone to drop the files off with you and we can do it by phone.

Me-' No. I really am not in any state to work. I am on maternity leave'
NBT- 'It's not really work, just a chat. You must be bored sitting around all day'
Me- 'I am on very heavy duty painkillers. Anything I say is likely to be complete rubbish. You'll need to read the project notes.'
NBT- 'Do you really need the painkillers? When I had a rugby injury I was given some but just rested and ate loads of eggs and I was fine'
Boss- 'OK. Don't think she's up to it just now. Take care and we'll see you soon
NBT- But couldn't she just...
Boss- [puts phone down]

Original poster
carrie3003 · 14/02/2025 17:50

takehimjolene · 14/02/2025 12:56

I had a similar experience. Before I went on Mat leave I had handover meetings with the people looking after each of my projects, left clear notes of key issues/next actions etc and made sure that everything was filed where it should be. When baby was about 2 weeks old I had a call from Boss and the new manager of one of my projects (who considered himself the next big thing 'NBT') asking me to just talk them through the history and project plan ahead of a big meeting. The conversation went something like:
Me- 'Sorry, I can't really think straight at the moment but I left a briefing note and the project plans etc are in the files and on the system'
NBT- 'We're really busy. You must be wanting to get out of the house for a bit so can't you just pop in quickly to remind yourself from the file then give us the headlines?
Me- 'No. I had some complications and actually had an operation 2 days ago so I am not in any state to go anywhere or do anything.
NBT- 'It doesn't have to be today. The meeting's not until next week.
Me- 'No. I won't be going anywhere this week
NBT- 'I could get someone to drop the files off with you and we can do it by phone.

Me-' No. I really am not in any state to work. I am on maternity leave'
NBT- 'It's not really work, just a chat. You must be bored sitting around all day'
Me- 'I am on very heavy duty painkillers. Anything I say is likely to be complete rubbish. You'll need to read the project notes.'
NBT- 'Do you really need the painkillers? When I had a rugby injury I was given some but just rested and ate loads of eggs and I was fine'
Boss- 'OK. Don't think she's up to it just now. Take care and we'll see you soon
NBT- But couldn't she just...
Boss- [puts phone down]

Show quote history

Must be bored sitting around all day???! No painkillers?! Wow that NBT really needs a wake up 😂 how you managed to remain as polite as that is commendable!!

OP posts:
Anonym00se · 14/02/2025 17:54

One day pp. Ex had nipped out to buy some smaller nappies. One of his relatives came round to visit with her two year old. Decided that she also needed to go to the supermarket and asked if she could leave her dd with me. I ridiculously agreed. She didn’t return until the following day!

LittleGreenDuck · 14/02/2025 18:32

FancyNewt · 09/02/2025 08:05

My father 3 days PP 'Im surprised to see how much of a tummy you still have ...'

This reminds me. Approximately four hours after giving birth. Leaving the hospital with DS in his carrier at the same time as visitors were arriving for the afternoon visiting hours. Some bloke looked me up and down and turned to his mate with barely disguised disgust "bloody hell, some of these women still look pregnant".

I really hope he wasn't a new dad going to visit his partner and newborn.

SquawkerTexasRanger · 14/02/2025 18:53

In the middle of my second c-section in 18 months, one of the nurses said, “ah I bet we’ll be seeing you back here next year having your third!”

My response: “Hell no, sew it up while you’re there thanks.”

Ladamesansmerci · 14/02/2025 18:57

'Do you want another one?'

Bro, please, I had her two days ago 😭

'she needs to get used to going in that moses basket'- my dad, about a baby a few hours old. Madness.

'wouldn't it be easier to bottle feed?'. My girl is EBF.

chelseahealyslips · 14/02/2025 19:03

Buying a bunch of flowers for my mum for being great and helping with the kids in the week since having the baby, the florist asked me when the baby was due.

Different baby, my MIL, 6 hours after I gave birth, when we went to collect the kids that she'd been watching, "ooo look at that belly, did they leave the baby in there?!"

Oh, that's not lighthearted is it 😂

PoorUncleBarry · 14/02/2025 19:04

I had my son 12 years ago. My brother met my son at a few days old and upon meeting him, asked me when I'd be getting a job and doing a degree.

user2848502016 · 14/02/2025 19:11

Midwife to my DH as I was being wheeled from the delivery room to the postnatal ward, holding newborn DD

"Don't worry, we'll see you in a couple of years for your boy"

We were both so stunned we couldn't think of what to say in reply 🤣

MalleusMaleficarumm · 14/02/2025 19:11

Just had c-section for DD2 and had that breastfeeding shoulder/back ache…my dad saying I should get out for a walk with the baby. lol errrr could hardly stand let alone walk!

worst though was the horrid midwife after I went to my last appointment after having DD1, crying my eyes out because my episiotomy broke down and was gaping open so I felt traumatised. Discharged me and as I left shouted, see you soon for your next baby. Absolute cow!

GivingUpFinally · 14/02/2025 19:16

" are you sure that baby is yours? Looks nothing like you or your husband "

"Is the baby really your Hs? Looks nothing like him"

Each comment for each dc both eith in hours of giving birth. No, currently they look like rehydrating rasins....

" aren't you feeding him? Maybe you should try formula?" Baby was combined fed due to low birth weight and slow gain.

Best (ex) mate said..." wow thought your kids would be...you um know...more brown? They look white" that's because I'm mixed race and their father is white, so they 3 are quarters white...the math isn't that hard

user2848502016 · 14/02/2025 19:18

FIL 10 days PP after quite traumatic birth with DD1, still stitched up and in pain

"I hope it hasn't put you off having more"

🙄

CookieCrumbles23 · 14/02/2025 19:33

In the newborn days, I always hated being asked “Soooo, are you making sure you sleep when the baby sleeps?”. Whilst simultaneously noticing the state of my washing pile and suggesting something like “you know, I used to let baby sleep in the sling whilst I did all the housework”. Erm, so do I sleep and do the sodding housework?! Doesn’t sound very safe 🤔🫠

JackieGoodman · 14/02/2025 19:38

Not a question, more a statement, DSis (no kids) gave me a pile of books as I would have "lots of time on my hands" Grin

Original poster
carrie3003 · 14/02/2025 19:40

CookieCrumbles23 · 14/02/2025 19:33

In the newborn days, I always hated being asked “Soooo, are you making sure you sleep when the baby sleeps?”. Whilst simultaneously noticing the state of my washing pile and suggesting something like “you know, I used to let baby sleep in the sling whilst I did all the housework”. Erm, so do I sleep and do the sodding housework?! Doesn’t sound very safe 🤔🫠

There needs to be a ban on “sleep when the baby sleeps” advice - if I had a pound for each time I heard it 😳😳

OP posts:
MegTheForgetfulCat · 14/02/2025 19:41

ChristmasLightsLover · 09/02/2025 08:30

Are you getting some kind of sexual thing out of breastfeeding? I don't understand why you're doing it...

That was my MIL, who had formula fed my DH and SIL.

Oh my god, that's horrific Flowers

Jesusisking23 · 14/02/2025 19:43

Not strictly post partum, or me for that matter but before my husband started his own business he used to work for this awful man who asked him to take his laptop into the room to take work calls whilst I was giving birth! He very nearly got a very angry phone call from me. Dh left the job immediately. Bellend.

Curlygirl06 · 14/02/2025 19:43

I had twins 3 weeks early and they were quite small, 4lb 12 each. I used to take them out in my eldest's single pram, back to back, for the first few weeks.
One woman looked in the pram, recoiled and said "my God there's 2 of them in there!" I wish I'd been quicker and said "bloody hell, where did the other one come from?"

coldscottishmum · 14/02/2025 19:44

After announcing the safe arrival of our second DS, we were met with ‘oh I’m disappointed for you. I bet you wanted a girl this time’ I had found out the gender of the baby at 16 weeks - I was really happy and excited to have another baby boy.
We have just announced we’re pregnant with DC3. We sent a photo of the scan to a group chat and again met with ‘I wouldn’t find out this time. Save yourselves the disappointment for the big day’ I could’ve picked my jaw off the floor. I have never once said I was desperate for a girl, hinted any sign of disappointment either. I actually ended up replying with no, I love being a boy mum, not having a girl won’t leave me disappointed.
MIL text DH 2 days later to ask him to reconsider his vasectomy he has booked as he might want to try for a girl in the future. Wtf?

Dels87 · 14/02/2025 20:06

coldscottishmum · 14/02/2025 19:44

After announcing the safe arrival of our second DS, we were met with ‘oh I’m disappointed for you. I bet you wanted a girl this time’ I had found out the gender of the baby at 16 weeks - I was really happy and excited to have another baby boy.
We have just announced we’re pregnant with DC3. We sent a photo of the scan to a group chat and again met with ‘I wouldn’t find out this time. Save yourselves the disappointment for the big day’ I could’ve picked my jaw off the floor. I have never once said I was desperate for a girl, hinted any sign of disappointment either. I actually ended up replying with no, I love being a boy mum, not having a girl won’t leave me disappointed.
MIL text DH 2 days later to ask him to reconsider his vasectomy he has booked as he might want to try for a girl in the future. Wtf?

Edited

I've been asked if I was disappointed to be having a girl with my first baby even. When I look back it particularly stings now I'm having my second precious girl and she has a birth defect and we're worried it might be more. I'd do anything to have two healthy babies; I don't give a damn about their sex.

People are dickheads.