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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
lasagnelle · 11/11/2024 06:26

Ahardone · 11/11/2024 04:21

Your grieving does not trump her right to be elated at her pregnancy. She can choose to announce it however she wishes. Perhaps she thought you'd genuinely be as elated, as her.

I don't understand this rather common theme on mumsnet that everyone else must mute or otherwise downplay their good news, for other people, regardless of their (terrible) circumstances.

Her becoming pregnant does not take away from your grief in any way, shape or form. It's a terrible loss and very hard. I'm afraid to say though (and I'm sure I'll be absolutely crucified for this), the world does not (nor should it) just stop because an individual is grieving.

I don't believe in muting her experience in any way, shape, or form. Not only will it not bring you any comfort to downplay her pregnancy, it's also not fair to her either. You never know, this may be the only pregnancy she ever has, and she deserves to enjoy it, and moreover appreciate it, to the fullest, as every mother does. I'm so sorry this was taken from you. Taking part of the experience from her in in the sense of controlling how she behaves happily around her pregnancy, won't bring it back for you love. It won't bring you anything except an elephant in the room and quite possibly a damaged friendship.

The PP who attended her triplets funeral and had her cousin phone her to tell her the news the same day - that was insensitive and could have waited a bit. If she was talking to you ALL the time about this pregnancy, despite having a word with her about it, then that'd be insensitive.

This is a hard one because it will be extremely difficult for you during the grieving process, but actually, I also think she really deserves a friend to be elated for her too, and to not feel she must tread on eggshells excessively about this.

If you don't like how she announced her pregnancy to you, or you don't feel you can be a proper friend to her during this time, then I would think stepping back would be the best thing for both of you, to be honest.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

She can be elated. She can do all the tacky social media stuff she wants. Texting or even phoning (not ideal but better than video call) also options. What shouldn't be an option is to video call someone waving a scan photo and being all weeeeeeee when there's a risk OP has to then fake a reaction when all she wants to do is ugly cry.

OneBlackHeart · 11/11/2024 08:40

How are people justifying this? It was a video call!!! You would be unreasonable if you were pissed off with a text announcement because her joy shouldn't be limited by your pain. But a text would have done it. Possibly a phone call if she's doing it tactically. But a video call is horrible horrible thing to do.

Tandora · 11/11/2024 09:48

Ella31 · 11/11/2024 00:20

I'm not ignorant to this fact. I've had my own share of loss. My own twin sons died at birth this month last year. Apologies for the comment, was trying to be hopeful in shitty times.

i am so so so sorry for your loss 💔.

As for your comment- It’s not always clear how to say the right thing in these situations- sometimes what people do very much need is a little bit of blind but resolute hope ❤️

Ella31 · 11/11/2024 10:02

Tandora · 11/11/2024 09:48

i am so so so sorry for your loss 💔.

As for your comment- It’s not always clear how to say the right thing in these situations- sometimes what people do very much need is a little bit of blind but resolute hope ❤️

I really appreciate that. ❤️

EmBear91 · 11/11/2024 12:42

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?

If you can’t ‘keep up’ with the worst things that happen to the people you love, then you have no business calling yourself their friend. My friend had a miscarriage 6 months before I got pregnant. I told her via text so she didn’t feel obligated to give an on the spot happy reaction & I didn’t send any scan photos as I knew that could be really upsetting for her. The lack of empathy on these forums is horrifying sometimes!

Nicnic86 · 11/11/2024 18:54

Hi,
I'm so sorry for your loss. After having trouble conceiving, my "friend" told me when a group of us were out for dinner. It was so so horrible that I had to get out of there and so told my mum to call me so we could leave. I was a mess on that journey home!
My other friend was there too and called her out on it, she basically gave some bullshit I'm sorry she feels that way response and I've never heard from her since!. I think if that was me, then I would message that person and be like I'm so sorry for being so insensitive, especially if I knew what they were going through!

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