Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be angry with friend...

131 replies

MummyMayo1988 · 30/01/2019 18:40

Quick back story:

Best friend and I have been friends for over 10 years now. Love her with all of my heart and would do anything for her. To top off a perfect friendship; she loves my 2 crazy kids (9 and 5)

Anyhow; 2 years ago BF and her DH announced they were trying for a baby. We were over the moon for them. At the time she made a comment that I thought was strange; "You can't have any more kids till I've had one." Took it in jest and didn't think much of it.
18 months goes by and no pregnancy announcement so I ask if everything is ok with them. Reply was vague but as I understood it; they had been trying all this time with no success. I must mention that BF is quite prude about sex as is her DH. They don't talk about it at all. I suggested an ovulation kit - maybe they just weren't doing it on the right day??
In the meantime; DH and I had made the decision to try for baby number 3. I was pregnant within 5 months of trying and couldn't wait to tell best friend our news.
She was gutted. I could tell. She didn't speak to me for weeks and I was soo sad about it to the point I regretted getting pregnant.
When she finally replied to my many emails; I suggested maybe it was time to go speak to her GP but her DH wasn't interested in getting tested and kind of dismissed the idea of any "help" in the baby making department. BF was soo depressed and another 6 months went past before she went to the doctors alone, got referred to the hospital and had some tests. I don't know what the results were; she didn't want to talk about it and I didn't want to push her. I made it very clear tho that I am here for her and will always support her. The trouble is; she is very pessimistic about everything and the way she speaks it's like the whole thing - having a child - is a lost cause and there's nothing to be done. I reassured her that there are always options; they just have to find the right one for them. It seems tho; that baby making has been put on hold because it's just too stressful. That was that - she didn't want to talk about it any more.
During my own pregnancy; I've been careful not to mention it in conversation and I'm vague and reply with short answers if she asks how I am. I've tried to direct the conversation away from my belly. I'm sure she thinks I can't tell how bitter she is by her face.
Today I received a txt asking how I was - it's my due day - and I replied that I was fed up and in pain. Her reply was "Be thankful that your pregnant." 😐 like I'm not?! I'm very thankful for each of my children.

What I'm sad about is the fact she would even suggest that I'm not.
Did she really expect me to put my life on hold because she hasn't had a baby yet?
My DH isn't happy about it either; saying that we can't gold off on another baby - that we waited 5 years to have because we weren't financially stable for a 3rd - just because they haven't had one yet.

AIBU to be angry and want to distance myself - at least for a little while - from friend who clearly isn't happy for me and so bitter and (sometimes) just plain mean.

I don't know what to do and miss her very much! 😔

OP posts:
ShatnersWig · 31/01/2019 12:40

OP may not have flounced with today being her due day. Maybe the thread has brought it on!!

VWpurse · 31/01/2019 12:43

SerenDippitty

The medical definition of infertility is a year of regular sex without conception. If she has been trying for 2 years it is pretty likely there is an issue.

This^^. I had “suspected infertility “ written on my medical notes after trying for a year.

IdleBetty · 31/01/2019 12:46

I was pregnant within 5 months of trying and couldn't wait to tell best friend our news.

I would have been dreading telling her.

If I was friend, I would have been very distant because I wouldn't have been able to cope hearing about babies/kids. That's not your fault btw, but I can understand why she wants to be distant.

Not sure why her and DH being prudish relevant. Some people don't feel it's necessary to discuss their sex life with others. She might be a raging swinger, but that's her business.

BookwormMe2 · 31/01/2019 12:55

You were excited to tell her you were pregnant despite knowing she was struggling to conceive, gave her unsolicited advice about how she should see a doctor, kept pushing the subject even when you knew she was depressed and had said she didn't want to talk about it, and now you're angry with her because she reacted with a comment she probably regrets after she'd steeled herself to text you on your due date to see how you were. Adding all that up, I don't think you've been as sensitive towards her as you think you have, and I say that as someone once in your shoes, with a BF who was due six weeks after I was but miscarried.

Graphista · 31/01/2019 16:32

YABVU!

"The trouble is; she is very pessimistic about everything and the way she speaks it's like the whole thing - having a child - is a lost cause and there's nothing to be done." Given you don't KNOW what the results of any tests they had done WERE you can't say she's wrong for thinking/feeling that way.

You DON'T know what it's like to struggle to conceive or have losses (which from your description she may have had and not told you) or be told she can't have because there are huge risks to her health.

"I reassured her that there are always options" that's not true though! There aren't for many couples. Ivf etc actually has quite low success rates, not everyone is eligible for or WANTS to adopt or use surrogacy.

She's not "bitter" what a vile thing to say! She's bereft! Heartbroken! She's grieving the children and life she's UNABLE to have.

Meanwhile you're bitching about her without acknowledging how INCREDIBLY hard it must be for her to be around you pregnant and your family!

"The opening post reminds me of those threads where slim person persists in giving overweight friend unsolicited diet tips" yep!

"For those of you asking what the op should have replied to the text how about something like 'still waiting' or 'wish baby would hurry up' or 'nothing happening yet'.

I.e not complaining about something the friend is desperate to experience." Totally agree!

I lost 3 before having dd and then almost died having her which revealed a condition that meant having another would literally have been a life or death decision for both me and baby. The shite comments I've had over the years about how SELFISH I am for only having the one! 😡

I have friends who've been through huge struggles ttc and not all have a child to show for it. Fertility treatment really isn't that effective.

I would NEVER offer unsolicited advice (getting pregnant was easy for me it was staying pregnant that was difficult - inc with dd I needed a lot of help with that) but have listened, sympathised and supported where possible.

A work colleague of mine who was pregnant soon after my last mc and who I wasn't even especially close to, but who was pregnant via ivf herself after years of trying was kind enough to take me to one side to tell me of her pregnancy before telling others and at the end of the working day so I could take it in and not be embarrassed by possibly getting upset in front of others. I was so grateful, I held it together while she told me, congratulated her, then went home & cried my heart out. But that meant when she made the "public" announcement the next day I was able to be calm and not make a fool of myself.

I even have one friend who is - on the surface/officially - child free by choice, I know her and the truth is she had a deeply dysfunctional childhood and was scared she'd be a bad mum (she wouldn't have been but that's not for me to say unsolicited nor my decision to make). She then got cancer which needed a hysterectomy and that was heartbreaking for her. Because it was no longer her choice. Plus all the medical & hormonal turmoil.

If you don't know the details you cannot and should not comment.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 31/01/2019 16:54

Everything @Graphista said

YABVU

New posts on this thread. Refresh page