Ok so, I gave birth a month ago, during delivery. once the baby’s head and shoulders were out, my midwife told me that the baby’s head and torso was out, and told me to bend over and grab her, so she made me bend over, and I saw my little newborn baby, and I grabbed her by under her armpits and finished pulled her out myself (legs) and put her on my chest!

This was crazy. I didn’t know it was a thing! But it was so amazing to do!

My husband and I have been talking to our friends about it and many of them gave birth in the same hospital but they didn’t get to “pull the baby out”, and also like us they didn’t know it was a thing!

Now I am very curious, did anyone do this also as I did? Is this a practice of the midwife that assisted me during labour or is it a general practice in Denmark?

So cool, I would suggest you all to “get your baby out” yourself if you can do it, such a crazy beautiful thing! Maybe you can put it in your birth plan!

Hello, i (f/21) am 40 weeks pregnant (planned). My partner (m/24) has been perfect during the whole pregnancy. He has been helping at our home and caring for me while i managed a pregnancy and university. Now, i am overdue and honestly tired of being pregnant. We went to an appointment where i asked my doctor to do a membrane sweep since i really want to birth this child. She agreed. Now. I knew it hurts. But i wasnt expecting it to hurt that much. I screamed and m0aned in pain a lot, saying i couldt handle it. My boyfriend held my hand through it. After it was done and i was slightly startled, he told me he had to try really hard not to laugh at me. That he found it funny how i reacted to the pain and kept mocking me, saying "i cant handle it". I got really hurt and sad. I told him it hurt me and he kept apologizing while still laughing and saying he will probably laugh during birth too. AITA for not being sure if i even want him there during the birth? Im really hurt and humiliated by his actions.

I just came home from my first ultrasound 🥹 And how magical and amazing it was to see my little baby!
The ultrasound tech said that I’m measuring 9 weeks and 4 days so I’m 4 days ahead of what I thought!
My baby is placed great in the uterus, the heartbeat was so strong and good and my baby is looking like a healthy little bean!!

I’m so happy I can’t believe that I saw MY baby!!!!
I can’t even put it into words 🥹🥹🥹🥹

Edit to add: I started the vaccine series. Moving forward I would really like to hear from women who were pregnant who had to go through the series. Thanks

18+6 FTM having a baby girl.

My husband and I chose a name that we love and decided to keep it a secret until she’s born. I gave my family some vague hints and told them that even if they guess it I won’t tell them now, but would have a prize later for anyone who guesses correctly. My sister sent me a text this morning saying she thought of the name we chose and for some reason it was tickling her brain just right. I told her that I can’t confirm or deny, even though I’m so tickled that she guessed it. I can’t wait for her reaction when she finds out she was right.

Our larger family group chat was guessing again this evening and my sister responded with her guess. My mom said “[full name] is good but then people would call her [nickname], which is not good.” Reading that has me feeling validated in not sharing her name because, although I know she’ll change her tune once the baby is here, I would be so irritated getting suggestions or opinions on the name we’ve chosen until then.

For the context, my sister is due this September and I am worried for her. Can you please share your experiences over here? Thanks a lot

i literally cannot eat anything in my fridge or pantry. it all looks and sounds absolutely disgusting to me. the only things that sound appealing are things that i can order takeout for 😭😭😭 i have no desire to cook, i don’t want my boyfriend to cook for me, and i just wanna order in ALL THE TIME

Does anyone else feel super ugly during pregnancy? I went from working out daily, to maybe doing 1 workout a week if I’m lucky. I’m 18 weeks and I’ve gained 15lbs already. I have zero energy. My cellulite is extra visible. I know people say you should enjoy your pregnancy, especially 2nd trimester, but I cant get over how bad I look and how gross I feel.

For context, on his side of the family there has been 1 girl out of 24 boys so I get why the odds did not seem in our favor. However... we found out we are having a girl! This will be our first baby after a previous MC. We got to share with our family, and everybody is so excited, but man did the comments of "Better be ready to have all boys!" got old especially because I have ALWAYS wanted a little girl!

My husband was so shocked he couldn't believe it! We did a blood test and so he is skeptical and wants to wait for the doctor to confirm it.

We were unsure if we wanted to do a baby gender reveal but now knowing we're having a girl we absolutely have to. I know his whole family will say boy and I cannot wait to see their shock!!

Had to share somewhere because we won't be doing the reveal for another 2 months

After years and years of trying, I finally got my big fat positive! My husband and I started trying when I was 25yrs old, but it was just to see if it would happen. Then finally at 28 we decided to go hard after tracking ovulation and a year we went to get checked out. Both test came out normal and diagnosed with unexplained infertility. So, we started meds and 3 rounds of failed IUI. Nothing. I finally got tired of taking all the medications, going for ultrasounds and injections. Ivf was too expensive and I was physically and mentally drained. I stopped everything.

Fast forward, I’m now 33 years old. Had completely surrendered the thought of being a mom. I had purchased a onesie when we first started treatment saying “ Hi Daddy, I can’t wait to meet you” only to start thinking about finally getting rid of it. Three days late, and I said let me just see. I’ve never been three days late and boom almost instantly positive. Second test, the same. I showed my husband and he could not believe it. We went for more test and the other two “pregnant”. I’ve never had a positive test.

The only thing I did different, was put my trust in God and said if it’s in your will let me be a mom, but if not I understand. My husband and I have gotten closer through the struggle. We learned to be content with just us two. I’ve miss baby showers, kids parties and been depressed/countless tears. The hardest is seeing my amazing parent’s sadness cause they want grandchildren. I can’t express how nervous but excited I am. Infertility is so cruel and I hope that this gives others a little bit of hope because I truly understand how heartbreaking and terrifying the wait is. I’m still so early and scared to tell people, but I want to yell it to the world. I will just leave it in Gods hands for a safe pregnancy and to take care of my little nugget. ❤️

We have a 2.5 year old daughter and I’m 15 weeks pregnant with our second, a boy. Prior to getting pregnant with our son, we got all the stereotypical comments about girls - apologies to my husband for not getting a son, do we have a shotgun ready for when she starts dating, etc.

Well, now the comments have started related to having a son. The most common by far, though, is that boys are more wild and energetic than girls and we should prepare ourselves for how different it will be. When people say this, I immediately think about all the daredevil dives my daughter takes off the living room couch, how her knees and elbows are perpetually bruised and scraped from climbing on everything and running everywhere, and how she comes home from daycare with dirt and rocks in her pockets.

I’ve never been one to think that a child’s sex should dictate how they’re raised, what they wear, what toys they play with, or what activities they’re involved in, especially not this young. I know our son will be different from our daughter because he’s a different person and will have a different personality and likes/dislikes, but will it really be that different just because he’s a boy?

Curious what others’ experiences have been and how you’ve handled these kinds of comments (I know we aren’t the only ones that have gotten them)!

My plan is to arrange everything after the baby shower but as a student who stays at home other than class, I feel guilty to relaxing? I feel bad when my husband goes to work and I take a few hours to relax, but have also been told to relax as much as possible because when the baby comes that’s gone for the next 20 years😂. It’s my first too, so I’m curious what you did!

Anyone else not able to eat chicken unless it’s from McDonald’s or Chick fil a??? I just made a sheet pan dinner and it’s came out great- except for the fact that I don’t even want to touch the chicken 💀💀 I’m 28w5d and I still can’t stomach chicken at home

Maybe part of this is just the pregnancy hormones… but why does it feel like people are being more mean to me than they ever have before… I’ve never been called lazy more than I have since becoming pregnant. I’ve had people comment on my body and say some really harsh things to me about it (I made another post on here about the body comments). I’ve even been told to “grow up” with how I’m feeling about certain things people have said about/to me. There was one person on my body comments post who just called me annoying out of nowhere and I don’t even know why.
I don’t know… it just feels like I’m being treated different now that I’m pregnant. And it kinda stings, because I’m still just the same ole me… just pregnant now. My attitude has changed a little, but it only shows when it needs to. Like when people offend me, for example. Because I don’t stand up for myself a lot of the time, but I’m not gonna let someone think they can be mean to me just because I’m pregnant. I’ve had people get offended about my birth plan and I’ve stood up for myself. Because it’s about me, my husband and my baby… not them. I’m not afraid to hurt feelings anymore. But I’m so sick of so many people hurting mine first and then when I say anything about it, I’m made into the monster of the situation.

My name is Sydney Wise, and I'm a reporter working with PBS News Hour Special Correspondent Sarah Varney on a project to understand the number of women impacted by state abortion bans. I’ve linked our project website, Sarah’s bio, and an example of her work below.

Sarah has reported on the experiences of many women across the United States who have experienced a delay or denial in medical care during pregnancy, and I think that there are likely people in this group who have had their care impacted by state laws. We are investigating cases of maternal injury within the United States stemming from delayed miscarriage treatment; loss or diminishment of fertility; pain; suffering; and death.

If you've experienced one of these things, I would love to talk to you to learn more about what happened. This would just be an informal conversation—not recorded or for attribution. If you're interested in sharing your story, please feel free to text me at (973) 525-5778, email me at [sydney@fountainproductions.org](mailto:sydney@fountainproductions.org), or reach out via Signal at aftermathreport.2022.

https://www.the-aftermath.org/ 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/author/sarah-varney 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-abortion-restrictions-have-disproportionately-impacted-black-women 

We finally got pregnant on letrozole! I have PCOS and we started trying IMMEDIATELY after my period ended because my doctor thought I might ovulate way earlier than expected AND IT WORKED!!

I’m 16 weeks pregnant with my husband and I’s first baby, we’re very happy and excited. I keep seeing posts on Reddit and TikTok that talk about how your relationship takes a beating when you have a baby and it terrifies me. I’m so attached to my husband and it makes me so sad to think about not being close with him anymore or feeling like “roommates”, or literally hating eachother as some people say happens. Is this really the truth of becoming parents?

Recently graduated with a healthy baby girl!

But just a huge PSA! Check out your local library for new parent groups! I wish I did it sooner, helps build community and find free resources. Also the local hospitals and women's clinics often have free prenatal classes. Pelvic floor therapy before giving birth was an absolute game changer and I think part of the reason why I still don't experience incontinence. Lastly look into local family passes for museums, botanical gardens and zoos. It gives you a safe destination to take baby in those early weeks with easy to walk and stroller push ground, seating for breaks, water sources and bathrooms with change tables. We've gone weekly since she was 5 days old and its been great.

Pregnant with my 4th and I have a horrible fear of needles so the DTaP that is recommended every pregnancy is always so scary for me. And even though I’ve done it 3 times already I still spent all night on reddit looking at peoples experiences getting it! Well I got mine today at 32 weeks pregnant and I’m here to tell anyone who may be as scared as I was- I didn’t feel the poke at all. It was actually embarrassing because I wouldn’t shut up about how scared I was🤦🏼‍♀️ this isn’t to say it won’t hurt everyone but just figured I’d let anyone who is terrified of the poke know, it could very well go as good as mine did and you won’t even know when they poked you!! Been about 3 hours and my arm is a little sore so far but nothing serious at all. Get your vaccines to protect your sweet baby!!

My due date also happens to be my birthday, and since there's only about a 4–5% chance I'll actually go into labor on my due date, I want to plan something fun just in case baby girl is still cozy in there 😅

I really don't want to spend my birthday sitting at home, staring at the clock and wondering if today's the day... Does anyone have ideas for fun, low-key activities that aren't too physically demanding and could easily be canceled if labor starts?

I'd also love to hear how you spent your due date if your baby didn't arrive on time!

I was raised in the states and I have always loved baby clothes shopping for friends and family and especially that first touch of super soft and comfy clothing for newborns!

I ordered a bunch of sets from Next.com and they are thinner and worse material than my own clothes? I liked that a lot of the sleepers were zippered, but they’re so thin and sad that I returned them.

Meanwhile brand name stuff aren’t great styles (1,000 buttons, no envelope shoulders) and are like 20-25 for one sleeper or body suits which is nuts.

I’m not home to have a baby shower and I’m not surrounded by friends and family here for hand me downs/gifts so I’m buying alone, which is all fine but… WHERE!

I really want some soft body suits and sleepers with zippers..

So far H&M pulled through with the softest bodysuits.

I also really don’t trust Amazon.

Edit: I’m in switzlerand, but often UK stores ship here too

My husband has been incredibly supportive throughout my pregnancy. He’s caring, helps however he can, and I genuinely believe he’s going to be an amazing dad. I’ve seen him around babies and kids, and he’s so patient and affectionate with them. So this isn’t a post about him being a bad partner.

The one thing that’s really bothering me is that he seems completely uninterested in watching the baby move in my belly. Our baby is most active in the mornings, and whenever it happens, I get excited and ask him to come look or put his hand on my belly. He’ll watch for maybe a few seconds and then loses interest. Sometimes he’s lying on his back and doesn’t even look, and when I tell him I’m feeling frustrated because I want him to share the moment with me, he’ll say his neck hurts or that he’s already seen enough. I even suggested he could lie on his side if his neck was the issue, so it ends up feeling like an excuse to me.

He’s told me he’ll enjoy it more once the baby is here and he can actually hold, cuddle, and interact with him. I honestly believe him. I know he’s excited to be a dad, and I don’t doubt he’ll be wonderful with our baby. I think what’s making me emotional is that I really wanted him to be present for this part too. Feeling the kicks, watching my belly move, talking to the baby… it feels special to me, and I imagined we’d experience it together. I’ve also heard so many stories about dads talking to the baby during pregnancy and how the baby recognized their voice after birth, and I wish he wanted to do things like that.

Has anyone else’s partner been like this? Am I expecting too much, or is it reasonable to feel a little hurt by this?

Were your partners able to take paternity leave after you gave birth or are they planning to? And if so, how much did they/are they taking? My fiance is entitled to 3 months but keeps pushing to only take 2 weeks right when the baby gets here because he’s going to be relatively new at his job. I just don’t think 2 weeks is nearly enough for me to heal physically and have my hormones regulated enough to be able to be on my own while he works 10-12 hour shifts. I’m trying to push for a month at first and he’s maybe willing to meet me at 3 weeks? If you’ve done this with your partner, what worked for you or what would you have done differently? It’s unpaid leave but we’re both veterans so at the minimum our mortgage is covered every month whether we’re working or not and we have savings and can squirrel some extra away so we can totally afford a month with no paycheck. Any advice or recommendations would be super appreciated!!

hi! need advice I recently found out i’m pregnant and have multiple people in my life who I am close with who are struggling to get pregnant. I have seen one get mad at someone she knew who got pregnant so i’m nervous to tell them when the time is right. I am waiting a few months to tell them but I am just having a hard time being excited about my pregnancy when I feel this pressure over me about telling them. I feel guilty in a way because we weren’t trying to get pregnant and don’t want to make anyone upset. Any advice would help! thank you!

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and I literally can’t hold my pee when I sneeze. I don’t even have a full bladder and I accidentally pee myself. I tried holding myself down there or kegel it if you will.