How to stop feeling strange and irrational feelings about pregnant women?

[orangegerbil]

In the last few years, whenever I hear a pregnancy announcement or see someone has had a baby on Facebook, I have started feeling some strange feelings. I used to not care, but now I feel something between jealousy and feeling like I am being left out?

I am late 20s, no children. But I am not even in a place in my life where I can have children as my job is very unstable. I don't know if I can have children due to some undiagnosed health issues. And Truth is I am not very maternal and I don't even know if I 100% want children, but I don't want to not have children and then hugely regret not having them when it's too late IYSWIM.

But I don't want to feel irrational and bitter feelings towards pregnant women and new mothers. But I can't help it. Has anyone felt the same and did you stop the feelings?

I feel you OP. I'm newly 30, and my bio-clock started ticking v loudly this year - lots of random acquaintances seem to be pregnant and I'm finding it hard, despite loving my life right now and could probably do with another couple of baby free years, really.

I mainly just deal with it with a mix of deliberately Pollyannaish positivity, counting my current blessings/reminding
myself of the negatives to pregnancy and DC and the odd vent when I just can't hack it or get a yearning or panic.

I mute/unfollow/hide anyone I really can't deal with on SM, but I try to see the joy in myself for them- if that makes sense? These babies are wanted and people are excited. I try and think something positive when I see posts- it's nice for them and they're people I like, so I want them to be happy! Occasionally if I see a post from someone exhausted or some such I also remind myself that I have freedom & flexibility that they no longer do- am I ready to give that up? I'm sure lots of tired mums would love to swap, just for a few hours! Also none of my close friends have babies yet- I'm not sure I want to be the guinea pig in terms of seeing where that leaves our friendships.

If all else fails, l can either admit my broodiness & body clock worries to one older friend who has felt similar and reassures me.

I’m currently TTC DC2 and got a negative this month so know how you feel in a way. Suddenly somebody else’s good news feels a bit more complicated to deal with. I think just acknowledging your feelings can help you to be more self aware. Having children involves a lot of sacrifices so I’m trying to enjoy the positives of not being pregnant now.

Or occasionally if the green eyed monster hits hard, bitch to a friend who hates kids and defo won't have any. Very occasional and I don't think she's realised it's come from a place of broodiness but when something has really got under my skin, it helps to let it out, acknowledge why and then focus on positive things.

I definitely think it's a biological clock type reaction - even tho I hate that term!

I start feeling a bit jealous towards people's pregnancies jyst at the point we were thinking about having babies. I was very lucky to conceive quickly with both DC but I can understand how it can turn into an obsession if it takes longer or you are not in the right place to start.