u/Raiyalin

I am 27f 18w pregnant. My mil served us all fresh blended berry smoothies, and I finished my cup as she tells me she put honey in it. I go into the kitchen and find a bottle of Aunt Sue’s store bought raw, unfiltered honey (strained?).

Is it okay that I consumed that?

Location is Connecticut, USA.

We live in a third floor apartment and above us is the roof. The complex is about 10 years old. The back of our unit is lined with leaf leveled trees. I heard faint squeaks in my master bathroom but no scratching or flapping around 11pm tonight. We have central air that runs all day. Our bathroom fan runs often as we use it frequently. So, it’s not like these things are quiet and unused.

I’ve never seen a bat with my own two eyes in my life so I’m very unfamiliar and uneducated about them.

What can I look out for to rule out bats? Would I be hearing scratching and flapping generally in the ceiling or can it be isolated to just one vent? I will say, the bathroom in question is located in the master bedroom and is further away from the outside walls and into the building.

I love baking and cooking. I’m so good at it, too. But if I don’t cook or bake for a while with a dish or utensil, I consider it contaminated with bacteria from trapped food residue that I don’t see. The two dots that hold a pans handle in place make me spiral because what if food particles squeeze in there and I can’t get them out and my boiling water next time contaminates with super bacteria that’ll hurt me, or even worse, my family? If I take a fork that hasn’t been used in a long time and see old food on the prongs, I feel the need to throw it out because if I scrub it with my kitchen sponge, the sponge will be contaminated.

Don’t get me started on ingredients (yes I wash my produce). Any ingredients with any imperfections are immediately contaminated with something in my mind. Bell pepper got some lines? What if a rodent ate it, scratched it, or it rolled across the floor? What if a sick animal helped themself to this split peach before me and now I get sick?

Now, with this logic you would think I never eat at restaurants and other peoples houses. Not true. I find it relieving that I didn’t see how the food was prepared, I just see the end product and it looks okay. I didn’t see the utensils that were used. I didn’t see the vegetables that were being cut up. And everyone else is eating it so normally, so why shouldn’t I just allow myself to enjoy “ignorance is bliss.”

Guyyssss… HEEELPPP… I’m not looking for reassurance, I’m looking for WHAT HELPED YOU GUYS GET PAST THIS? It has gotten even worse with pregnancy after 2 losses because now I’m terrified of getting sick somehow during food prep or eating something spoiled that can hurt my unborn baby. I need to get my cooking enjoyment back that doesn’t fixate on every little thing ruining a dish! I want to be able to cook for my kiddo without obsessing if it’s somehow going to accidentally make them sick…

No, i’m not in therapy or on meds. Yes, my OB knows about my health anxiety (that I did not call OCD)… Yes, therapy and meds will probably be coming after baby arrives because if I take meds I’m convinced it’ll hurt my baby somehow (thanks, OCD).

This condition is so exhausting, I feel like a prisoner being held hostage by my own mind… I trust others more than myself with my own food prep, but my methods are BEYOND responsible and clean (even too much) and I still feel stressed by the end product because SOMETHING SOMEWHERE was 1 tiny step off (like the wooden spoon I used to stir wasn’t used in a few weeks and there must be old food bacteria leeching into the food)

If I can somehow get past this I’m so convinced I’d enter a time period of culinary flourishing because my heart yearns to make yummy food that I can enjoy with peace of mind :(

I’ve been so curious about this bug or bird or animal (whatever) for 3 years now and don’t have the patience to google and youtube animal noises to investigate because all of them are 2 hours long with random animals I’ve never heard.

ANYWAY, here goes nothing. If I get responses pointing me in a specific animal/bug direction to narrow my search I will check if it is the one and let you all know:

We live in a heavily wooded area, if that matters at all. Around this time of year we get this animal at night that I’m ASSUMING is a type of bird(?)

What is that “ke ke ke” sound making bird or bug that you hear at night (all night when it’s around)? It seems to come from the heavily wooded area of trees. This sound is made only at night. My guess is it’s a type of bird or bat (less likely but still a possibility?) or something because it sounds kinda like one.

All night… “ke ke ke”… “ke ke ke”… “ke ke ke”… Like, we get it you’re somewhere out there :’)

I’m becoming a ball of nerves as I get to the half way point of my pregnancy. My first will be almost 5 when this one arrives. My husband and I are capable of bringing a second into the picture, but I just think I’m so used to it being just my daughter and I that I’m a bit nervous.

My husband works a lot (business owner) so it will be mainly me running the show. Realistically, I know I will manage. But thinking about it right now overwhelms me.

Can someone provide some insight? The good, the bad, the “I thought it would be hard and it wasn’t,” as well as the “I thought it would be easy and it wasn’t.”

I need to know if I’m just overthinking this too much and my hormones are doing the talking. The self doubt is creeping up on me.

Bought a pack of Polly-O Mozzarella String Cheese from Costco. This pack is noticably saltier but they appear like usual and have no smell like usual. Exp Oct 2026 and freshly purchased and opened today. I ate two sticks despite the saltiness but I’m currently pregnant and now I’m wondering if the extra salty taste is something that is acceptable or not.

Just trying to see if I should continue eating them or not. I don’t find the extra salt problematic, I just want to check with all of you if it raises any food safety red flags.

This is an unpopular take, apparently. I’ll start this by saying that I am a fan of many years, a child who watched the original ATLA start to finish and have been a huge fan since. When Korra released, I admittedly originally was not the biggest fan.

But, I do think this is because we hold her to Aang too much. She was an avatar of a time that was way different from Aang. And, let’s be honest, her non-avatar state bending was quite advanced compared to Aang. Again, the different times come into play here. You have a kid with a clean slate who woke up from an iceberg and lost his entire tribe, and you’re trying to pin a girl who was born into advanced technology with no war knowing she was the avatar.

I see the new trailer even milks the Korra hate. I think the writers are using it to their advantage. My theory is that Korra is frowned apon for her short comings, even in the avatar world now. She’s the only guide avatar that Pavi and Nisha are going to have. Fans are going to grow to love her just like we loved Kyoshi and Roku back in the day. Heck, fans are still fighting to get Kyoshi a movie of her own after so many years. And the only version we know of her is her avatar spirit <in the show>. What if she had her own short comings, too? But learned from all those short comings and became the brilliant avatar she was. Characters can redeem themselves.

Let’s cut Korra some slack, the avatar world’s plot thrives on issues to be solved. I think the Vaatu spirit having a host avatar is an interesting twist. As fans, lets just let the writers cook and see where it takes us.

ETA: The same people passive aggressively downvoting this without counter arguments to spark a discussion with disagreement are the ones who are going to ask for a Korra movie that takes place after the series to tie it into Seven Havens. I can handle respectfully hearing peoples opinions that are different than mine. Care to share?

I HAVE READ THE FAQ.

I’m currently pregnant and trying to avoid meds for my contamination OCD that has permiated into the new theme of rabies OCD. While the FAQ touches on this topic, I unfortunately find myself struggling with this a lot more than I’d like to admit but finally am.

I live in a community that comes after a heavily wooded, dark road. This warrants occasional road kill. Often times, it is racoons. I find it unfortunate because people speed through. I always take care not to and have actually spared a couple of racoons and coyotes.

Anyway, tonight I was driving home and there was a racoon in a puddle of fresh blood (poor buddy). I tried to avoid it but could not. My tires rolled right into the fresh puddle of blood.

No matter how hard I try not to, I spiral. And I know consciously I do not have a reason but I have horrible contamination OCD.

I always get afraid stepping out of my car. I wear shorts because it is summer here in New England, USA. I have small cuts on my legs from bug bites, shaving, and what not. My leg brushed up against the bottom of my door where I step out, where blood was touched like 1 minute prior. My mind began playing mental gymnastics of any possibility of getting rabies.

This happens quite often, because theres almost always fresh road kill on my way home if I am coming home late at night. I’m looking for some education to aid me in logically getting past this obsession of animal blood. I know the FAQ touches on this topic, but I’m so genuinely tired of living in this mental gymnastic loop centered around fresh road kill? How can I train my brain to look past this? Has anyone dealt with this and somehow trained their mind to stop zeroing in on these little details?

Any and all insight appreciated, I think it’s worth mentioning that I plan to seek treatment as soon as baby is here. My OCD is becoming a losing battle because I fear things other people would say “ew” and move on from.

I’m 14w and trying to function normally but I think after today my health anxiety is overpowering me. The air quality has climbed to 200 in our area. My commute was 1h there and 1h back but I drove my own car and set my car to recirculate cabin air. Had to walk to and from buildings, run a quick store trip. All while there’s visible smoke in the sky.

Anyway.. I’m not doing well at handling this. All my OB had to say was try to stay indoors and go out only if you have to, like all the other sources. I think they don’t know anymore than we do about this and how to get through it. After spending a bulk of my day away from home today (mostly in car/indoors and brief periods outside just to go from building to car), I’m not going anywhere tomorrow because apparently the relief we’ll actually have is debateable.

I’m just hoping this doesn’t affect our babies… How are other pregnant women handling this??? Am I stressing this too much?

She has always slept alone. But, I’m not sure if she suddenly senses I am pregnant or simply knowing another child will be coming into the picture has her suddenly very close and clingy. To be clear, it does not bother me. My husband has moved out of the bed for the time being to accommodate when she does climb in (well, it’s the last months of just her and I so we want to let her have this time). All 3 of us in a queen sized bed is way too limiting in space and increases risk of her kicking or elbowing me.

My only concern is, can she accidentally hurt me even this way? The bed is generously spacious when it is just her and I. She’s the most gentle girl on earth. She would never purposely hurt me or baby. She’s super excited for incoming baby 2 and cannot wait for her sister to arrive. She’s not doing this out of bad feeling, that’s for sure. It has just been us for so many years that maybe she subconsciously feels the need to come be closer just a little bit longer. I don’t want to make her resentful towards baby by kicking her out because of it.

Has anyone had success cosleeping with their 4 y/o while pregnant? I am 13w along so baby is still well protected in there but I imagine I’m only going to get more scared of potential accidental bumps or kicks as my pregnancy progresses. Any and all insight strongly appreciated.

Does anyone else’s container of Smarty Pants have a fully intact safety seal that is slightly raised almost like they filled the container with air before sealing?

First time purchasing, just checking.

I have read the FAQ.

I am currently pregnant so my OCD easily flares right now. I genuinely need opinions because this involves a nonverbal child. I was visiting my parents and they have a fireplace they never use and primarily keep close. I grew up 20 years around the fireplace and never had these unreasonable rabies worries but I am unfortunately living in the new reality of my newly developed fear. We have had birds fall down the chimney about 10 years ago but never had any further issues. No scratching, no animal noises, nothing.

My child (4) and niece (5, nonverbal) were playing around the fireplace. I guess one of them leaned into it and the door of it slightly cracked open while they were around it.

I did not see anything with my own eyes. My 4 year old says she was just admiring the decorations on the fireplace standing directly in front of it and that her cousin was sitting right next to her in front of the cracked door.

We’re sitting around not noticing the door is slightly cracked. Not open, just cracked but I know bats can squeeze in. Us, multiple adults, are within the same space as the two girls. I notice the door cracked and ask my father to shut it. He does. About 2 minutes later my nonverbal niece cries in pain and puts her hand towards her ear.

None of us know what happened. My niece soon develops a raised red bump on her ear. I asked my daughter if she saw anything around the fireplace and she said no.

This occured around five in the evening. So, broad daylight outside but it’s a dark chimney area so what do I know about how bats work. Location is Massachusetts, USA. My family thinks it is unreasonable that I am afraid a bat may have been in the chimney. They have never had a bat in the chimney and are wondering where I even got the wild idea of, let alone it biting my niece. I’ve since come home and my parents have confirmed the fireplace door is shut and there’s still no signs of anything around.

Is this just my OCD talking? I wouldn’t be this panicked had my niece not suddenly developed an odd mark. I showered and searched my daughter, theres no marks on her. And she’s afraid of seeing a fly, I’m assuming a verbal 4 year old would recognize a bat and panick? Any and all input appreciated, even if it’s that I’m being completely illogical and im in OCD overdrive. My hormones are all over the place, I’m sorry.

So, there was only 3 and I’m currently pregnant so I don’t want to risk anything. Out of curiousity, I would like to know why this happens and if they are technically “safe.” They have been thrown out just in case and I have OCD over food so I am afraid of getting sick eating bad fruits/veggies.

My husband bought a few nectarines and the ones that were properly left out and ripened were eaten. The three he put in the fridge he thought would slowly ripen. I kinda left them around, no one ate them, and it has been maybe 2 weeks or more since they’ve been sitting in there. Not sure how long, but its been a while.

I just pulled them out while tidying up the fridge and while they look physically okay from the outside, I got the ick from how long they’ve been sitting around. I threw ‘em out.

Would they have technically been okay to eat or use in some way? I’ll never be storing them this way again because it weirded me out how long they can last (physically okay looking) this way.

I take my success for what it is… I used to have 0 voice and everything they said I’d listen to blindly because I called it being respectful. In the face of injustice, I’ve apologized for issues that weren’t created by me nor mine to solve because I called it keeping the peace.

I spent 2 whole years of my life trying to please her and make her like me. She stole my peace while I was freshly postpartum with my first daughter, living under the same roof with the woman who “prayed” for me but was and still always is praying for my downfall.

She “tried helping” me bring my supply in, and I allowed her into the most sensitive moments of my early motherhood, only for her to say “I held her ‘ugly boob’ helping her dumbass try to bring her supply in” a few months after. Let’s not get into the laundry list of body flaws she pointed out to my husband behind my back when I freshly came home from the hospital after birthing her own grandchild. Oh, and, she tricked me into going to my parents house to visit them at 6 months postpartum and told my husband that I was divorcing him so we almost divorced! That one was interesting, but a long and dreadful story.

We moved out when my daughter was 2. I spent 1 whole years healing, working on myself, focusing on her. I finally decided to try for #2. I went through two losses and felt misunderstood by my MIL, who should have understood me most because she lost her first born. Instead, she told me to suck it up because “ectopics and chemicals aren’t full term babies like mine was.” I respect that her hurt was different, but I expected some empathy as opposed to my feelings being downplayed. I cried my eyes out in front of her when she told me the story of losing her first born because I felt overwhelmed by how she must have felt at the time.

Fast forward to this year. I took another year to heal from my back-to-back pregnancy loss to be the best version of myself for my daughter and future baby. I tried again. I’m currently pregnant, and I found out it is another girl yesterday.

I told my in-laws, and my MIL for whatever reason took it as an invitation to begin telling me how we should move back in with them. I guess she thought history would repeat itself. The first time around I thought we’d truly be a family. I was horribly wrong… got called insulting names, and treated as an outsider.

I told her “I believe it is in the best interest of all of us that we do not allow history to repeat itself.” She told me to not be inconsiderate. I followed up with “however much you believe we did not know how to live with you guys, we equally believe you guys did not know how to live with us.”

She told me to reconsider. I said “no.” She began being passive aggressive. I packed up my daughter, reminded my MIL that we have more respect for each other from a distance, and headed home.

It sucks because had things gone differently, I never would have left living with them in the first place. I thought my in-laws would be like a second family, my chosen family. I was unfortunately wrong. The best I can do now is not blame the clowns for being clowns, instead just keep myself away from the circus.

I wish them well, but this <insert list of insults I’ve been called> will never spend a night in that household again. I now have not only one but two daughters to protect from examples of toxic love, even if it means being falsely painted as a villain.

I hope my girls grow up to first be healthy and happy, but in second place to understand why things need to be this way.