Hi All,
This is my first ever post so be gentle! I am a soon to be Dad! Me and my wife are now 23 weeks through our first ever pregnancy. I'm an academic so I've done my fair share of reading on the matter, however some of the behavioral changes i am noticing in my partner are putting some real stress on our relationship.
About her:
She fiery but gentle, loves animals and has a soft yet firm personality! We are finding the longer we're together, we're more water tight than we realizes. However, she's started taking things (jokes, comments, etc) really seriously. She begins to over think things a lot. There have been points where i have cried, she has and together. At times she has also contemplated leaving. I'm not sure if this is down to the pregnancy. Is this common, has anyone else been through or experienced this too?
I'm in need of some reassurance and understanding. I talk to my wife openly all the time but i am fully aware that her body and mind is changing the further we get down the line of seeing our first born.
A quick example of something that happened just the other day. We had a family get together and the weather is great. Sounds ideal for a BBQ. We gather round my grans with sisters, and some of our cousins. The whole day is bliss. We get towards the end of the day where everyone's begins to throw away their litter, tidying up slightly, ready to leave.
My sister is known to take things personally wherever she is. Therefore she made some comments about everyone tidying up after themselves. This is all said in general so no one in specific. My wife seems to take some of those comments on board and then takes them personally. Other things are said about being careful about taking painkillers etc whilst pregnant (more direct at my wife with good intentions). She takes the tidying up with my sister and has a full blown row calling her bitchy and cocky etc.]
So my sister is now upset and my wife is in a mood. We then try talk at home but shes not having it. In a strop, she takes out the painkillers comment and reckon that everyone making comments about her trying to drug our baby...
The present day:
She's still moody and in a strop even with me. We've tried to talk and I've tried to calm things down and tried to get her to look at things for what they are. But no so much look. The atmosphere among the family as a whole is quite hostile. Seems like no ones really talking to no one. Everyone's keeping out of each others way. Its quite the apposite as were all massive family oriented individuals.
My mother doesn't help as shes always trying to but some distance between us. Ideally she doesn't try to help rather likes to stand by and watch the show...
I just need some guidance on this guys. Any help, advise, guidance would be hugely appreciated. Any questions fire away. I look forward to your comments and to posting some updates and news when the little ones here!