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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friends excluding me now I am pregnant

48 replies

Friah · 16/10/2025 04:47

Morning everyone,

A little bit of background, 3 years ago I moved to London to be in the same city as my now husband, initially I lived in a flat share and instantly made friends with one of the women I lived with, she was also new to the city. From there we both added friends from work/uni and even though none of us live together now, or even for the matter work or study together, we have remained pretty close. When I got married earlier this year all 4 of them were my bridesmaids.
I’m now 7 months pregnant, I’m a little older than them who are all 25-27, so I’m the only married and soon to be parent in the group. Since announcing my pregnancy the friendship has adjusted a little, I expected this as they obviously still enjoy going out for drinks, but there has also been some natural evolution as several of them have moved in with their partners and we are all “growing up”. Generally though other than events that have been very clearly “drinking” I’ve still be invited until the last month or so.
The last time I met up with any of them was for one of their house warming parties, this was early September. Since then I’ve seen them meet up in pairs etc, but had no reason to think there had been any group events and I’ve been pretty tired so not really making the effort to meet up with them individually either. We have a group chat that is basically active most days and sometimes we call each other just to catch up.

Onto tonight, I know some people may judge this but as a group we really enjoy the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, last year we had a little watch party and really enjoyed it. This year we spoke about the models/musical performers as they were announced in the group chat, but no one seemed to be making any plans and I figured that it was probably as we’d all grown up a bit in the last year. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a little scroll on instagram and to my surprise they did all meet up, they seemed to go out for dinner and drinks before going back to one of their flats to watch it. Now I know it’s silly, it’s just a fashion show and fundamentally I don’t actually care about that, but I am quite hurt to be excluded as while I can’t drink, I can eat and would have happily had a soft drink if they had wanted to go to a bar between dinner and going home. I know I’ve been tired so might not have stayed for the whole thing but there is a part of me that feels quite hurt to have been excluded.
I’m fully aware friendships evolve overtime and rarely last forever but considering these girls were just my bridesmaids back in January, I didn’t really anticipate the friendships breaking down already.

AIBU to be hurt, and maybe message one of them (the one I’d say I’m closest to and who happened to be the one hosting by the looks of it) to ask if there was a reason I wasn’t invited? I don’t know if it would be worth it or if I’m better just accepting friendships evolve as we move to different life stages.

Awkwardly though I am having my baby shower (I know not everyone’s taste either) at the weekend and they are all invited, and seem to be coming!

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 16/10/2025 04:52

That’s very odd behaviour. YANBU to be hurt. Text one of them and ask what the deal is. Even if they thought you’d be too tired that’s no reason to not ask!

TeaAndTattoos · 16/10/2025 04:52

YANBU that’s really rude of them to leave you out but happily come to your baby shower. I think you need to ask about it just to get it off your chest before the baby shower you don’t want things being awkward at your shower.

Marmite1992 · 16/10/2025 04:54

I would definitely say something. They probably didn't mean anything by it but it's incredibly hurtful they left you out like that and when they eventually become pregnant they will realise how shitty that feels!

ComfortFoodCafe · 16/10/2025 07:38

This happens a lot unfortunately, your in two different stages of life.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 16/10/2025 07:45

Sounds like it’s just one event they’ve not invited you to at 7 months pregnant? Rather than leaving you out now you are pregnant. I’d be a bit sad too but I don’t think one event is that dramatic…

Lurkingandlearning · 16/10/2025 08:19

Are you absolutely sure you haven’t missed a message inviting you? I have done that.

Assuming you are being left out I would want to clear the air before the baby shower. I would want an explanation and if it wasn’t a really good one I would tell them not to come.

I think you probably are being phased out. None of them checked if you were going or if they assumed you were, didn’t ask where you were on the night. That suggests to me that not inviting you had been discussed. Sometimes a group of friends no longer feel the same about one person. It’s sad but if they’re not wanted anymore then exclusion is inevitable. But there are much kinder ways of dealing with that than passive aggressive notifying by way of flagging their exclusion on social media

PollyBell · 16/10/2025 08:22

I would not ask over one event but may mention at some stage i might be having a baby but i am not obsessed and can still mange to do normal unrelated baby things as well, and not spend the whole time baby talking

Twoshoesnewshoes · 16/10/2025 09:02

Is it possible that they went out for the evening then just ended up watching the show?
I can understand why they didn’t invite out for an evening of drinking.
also, at these important life stages - weddings, pregnancy, new job- sometimes people are, understandably, very invested in that subject- is it possible that they were having an evening free from thinking/talking about babies and pregnancy?

Didimum · 16/10/2025 09:35

They were a bit stupid to put it on Instagram, weren’t they.

DirtyMartinii · 16/10/2025 10:32

Do you talk constantly about your pregnancy ? It can be extremely boring talking to pregnant women

ApplebyArrows · 16/10/2025 10:52

You're the only one growing up. They desperately want to carry on being silly little girls and see your motherhood as a threat to that. This is not uncommon.

KimberleyClark · 16/10/2025 11:03

ApplebyArrows · 16/10/2025 10:52

You're the only one growing up. They desperately want to carry on being silly little girls and see your motherhood as a threat to that. This is not uncommon.

Becoming a mother doesn’t always equal “growing up” and adult women who don’t or can’t have children are grown up just as those who do are.

OP have you, consciously or unconsciously, given the impression you now think you’re a grown up and the rest of the group are not?

pinkcow123 · 16/10/2025 11:03

I can relate to this from when I had my children. I said to them that I may not be up for everything, but I’d still like the option to choose whether I can or not, rather then it be chosen for me.

It all recovered though, we are still in diff stages of life, some have had babies, some in new relationships, some single. We meet up again now to do what we did before pregnancy and tiny newborns!

Bloodyscarymary · 16/10/2025 11:11

The most likely explanation is that they had planned a boozy dinner and drinks and thought you wouldn’t be interested, and then they ended up watching the Victoria’s Secret show but this part wasn’t pre-planned.

In saying that, when you have a baby friendships with non-baby friends do change, especially if they’re young.

I think sometimes childless/childfree women in 30s are better able to carry on friendships with friends with kids - but in your mid 20s the gulf in lifestyle between friends with kids & those without is just so large and people are generally more selfish/in it for a good time rather than taking a more wise long-term view of friendships.

Rather than go in on the assumption that you were purposefully excluded, I think best to assume it was unintentional/logically related to a boozy event.

But I still think good to express your feelings as otherwise it just festers - but you can express your feelings in a non-blaming way. Maybe a quick message to the group to say “Girls, I’m so sad I missed out of the Victoria’s Secret viewing, please don’t forget about me now I’m pregnant ☹️”.

I think people can just make assumptions about pregnant women and friends with kids and need to be reminded to include you if that’s what you want.

But do prepare for the friendships to change as you just won’t be able to join for as much stuff anymore, equally you will hopefully find new connections and friendships through this new phase of life as a parent.

CleanShirt · 16/10/2025 12:00

ApplebyArrows · 16/10/2025 10:52

You're the only one growing up. They desperately want to carry on being silly little girls and see your motherhood as a threat to that. This is not uncommon.

Or they are women in their twenties who don't have children and are enjoying their lives. Doesn't make them "silly little girls" in the slightest.

Friah · 16/10/2025 12:03

I messaged one of them and the reply I got was

“So sorry!! It wasn’t pre-planned Abbey and Maria ended up in the same pub after work and called asking if we wanted to meet for a drink, it just evolved from there and at no point did we think to message as we were always assume it would just be one more drink or a quick dinner then head home. Hope you are well though and looking forward to seeing you at the weekend! xx”

I don’t know if I fully believe her?

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 16/10/2025 12:22

Why wouldn’t you believe her? I’ve had loads of nights out that started as an impromptu drunk and ended up back at someone’s house. It’s one of the things I miss from being responsiblity free as such. Friendships do change as we move through different life stages which can be hard when you’re the one out of step. I’d look forward to your baby shower and not give it too much thought.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 16/10/2025 12:25

Friah · 16/10/2025 12:03

I messaged one of them and the reply I got was

“So sorry!! It wasn’t pre-planned Abbey and Maria ended up in the same pub after work and called asking if we wanted to meet for a drink, it just evolved from there and at no point did we think to message as we were always assume it would just be one more drink or a quick dinner then head home. Hope you are well though and looking forward to seeing you at the weekend! xx”

I don’t know if I fully believe her?

Why not?

OrigamiOwls · 16/10/2025 12:31

Why don't you believe her?

Friah · 16/10/2025 12:33

OrigamiOwls · 16/10/2025 12:31

Why don't you believe her?

I guess it just seems improbable, it makes sense for 2 of them to end up meeting up but one of them works freelance and the other on the other side of the city so I’m not sure how they all just ended up in the same area for drinks. Also I’m 25 minutes away at most from where they were, why not invite me when they realised they were going for dinner?

OP posts:
SparklyCardigan · 16/10/2025 12:34

I can't believe you actually messaged about it, that's so needy. People can be friends with whoever they like and not everyone needs to be included in everything every time.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 16/10/2025 12:36

Friah · 16/10/2025 12:33

I guess it just seems improbable, it makes sense for 2 of them to end up meeting up but one of them works freelance and the other on the other side of the city so I’m not sure how they all just ended up in the same area for drinks. Also I’m 25 minutes away at most from where they were, why not invite me when they realised they were going for dinner?

It seems like you're desperate to feel slighted.

You've not been invited to one event. Whether or not it was planned or something off the cuff, people are allowed to meet without the entire group being invited. They're your friends, I don't really get why you're trying to make yourself believe they're horrible people

cestlavielife · 16/10/2025 12:40

You need to let it go. You have other priorities.

You can say eg "hey i am still raring for nights out just let me know if you get together! Still hapoy to travel and stay up til 2 am! Cant wait to see you all at baby shower

Or just annpunce it at your baby shower thank you speech ?

ldnmusic87 · 16/10/2025 12:44

It's not the end of the world, I doubt they are lying.

Digdongdoo · 16/10/2025 12:51

You really can't make a fuss about not being included in one evening. It's a little ridiculous to expect everyone to be invited to everything all the time.
But you're older than them, married and pregnant. So yes, you may drift apart and the group dynamics will inevitably change. It's not the end of the world.

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