r/Maternity

21F almost 22, i just found out im pregnant. i don’t know the dates as of right now, i was on the birth control pill. Either way im pregnant now. I have a single mom who i live with, i am financially struggling. I just bought a new car and paying it off. I am about to be enrolled in school that is out of the country. The dad doesn’t know, my mom doesn’t know. The dad is planning to move across the country to get away from home. we recently broke up but we’re and are “still dating”. it is extremely complicated. i don’t know what to do, who to tell. is it smart to have a baby with all my baggage? i want to be a mom, my dream is to finish school, meet someone, and have a huge family. Im devastated this has happened this way. Im sorry if this post is confusing and scrambled. i just need advice, i dont know what else to add for context. I have a bunch of debt, i work a lame job that pays $23 a hour. i know the dad will want to keep it, i dont know what to do. i’m tempted to get an abortion and not tell anyone but i don’t know if i can mentally handle that. i take my HGC lab tmr after work. please moms help me.

Had one in previous pregnancy ended in early miscarriages so I’m hesitant but of course I can’t wait to see my little baby unsure what to. Do

I got a job at a high school hostel as a baker/kitchenhand mixed role for three days a week. There were times stated on my fixed term contract to start at 6.45am. But not long into my employment my childcare ceased. I have two young autistic primary school aged children. Because of this broken arrangement I had to change my shifts to start at 9am. My boss was ok with this. Just had the other staff to do my morning dishes before I show up at 9am. The maternity cover expired on the 14th may 2026. I have still been working on as normal. I was under the impression I had been given a new contract as it was offering two permanent days part time with casual work in-between (so one of my permanent days had been dropped and given to another staff member). I emailed the payroll accounts lady yesterday to ask for any owed holiday pay etc but she emailed me back to say shes kept me on the same contract just has adjusted the hours and days to suit the new roster when it comes into effect in two weeks time. I emailed her back and asked so am I on an extended version of the original fixed term contract or a new one because im confused as to how they can reduce my hours without giving me those lost hours somewhere else. What are my rights here? I am a mother of five I haven't worked for a long time other than this position so please no nastiness or smart comments I am just trying to figure things out and seek advice...I didnt have employment with this place before the maternity leave role i took on

Hi! I’m a FTM currently 27 weeks pregnant. As the title says, is it really necessary to have a baby registry?

We are not rich or super well-off, so buying expensive baby stuff is already stressful enough. But honestly, the thought of asking for things from friends and coworkers makes me feel uncomfortable/shy. 😅

The thing is, my workmates, friends, my husband’s coworkers, and even my boss kept asking if we already set up a registry.
I’m also fairly new at work (only been there about a year) and I only work part-time, so I feel like I’m asking for too much if I make one.

Another thing is that some of the items I’d want to include are on the pricier side. But if I only put cheaper items, I feel like there won’t be enough options for people to choose from. 🥲

For moms/parents here:

Did you make a registry?
Did you feel awkward about it too?
What are the actual must-have items that should be included?
What are the things you thought you needed but barely used?

Also, which registry website would you recommend?

I’m currently thinking about:
Amazon (wide selection)
Babylist
West Coast Kids (but maybe too pricey?)

Would really appreciate any advice or insight from other parents. ❤️

I’m starting my new job today, at 19w5d pregnant. I didn’t mention my pregnancy through the entire (long) hiring process. The job is a remote position, and even the interview was over a video call, so they couldn’t tell I’m showing. I didn’t want to mention the pregnancy before I secured the job, as I didn’t want to be discriminated against, and I REALLY wanted this job (I know they legally can’t discriminate because of pregnancy, but they can come up with literally any other reason they seem fit, so, better safe than sorry). Now at just about 20 weeks, I’m definitely showing; but still, since I’m working from home, they won’t be able to see that. The training program for the position lasts 8 weeks, and is remote as well. Do I wait until after training is over to mention it? That would still give them roughly 3 months to plan around my parental leave. What should I do?

Second pregnancy and am 7 weeks. Planning to quit job and feeling very lucky husband is on board with a longer mat leave, we're thinking 1 to 1.5 y. First baby is about 19 months now. Can't decide if I should stop 38 weeks for financial reasons or stop earlier ...what would you do if you were me?

Hello, I’m new here! I’m 28 and my husband and I are TTC. I got pregnant last year and miscarried around 8 weeks. So right now, I’m trying to be on top of taking prenatals for at least 3 months. The problem is I could never get past 1 week without giving up because prenatals give me terrible constipation to the point where bowel movement feels scary..

I took Nature made prenatals with iron/ DHA for 3 days straight and I haven’t pooped for 3 days and on the fourth day it was like pooping bricks. So I started taking miralax, then I took another prenatal from Nature Made and again 2 days (today) I got to poop!! It wasn’t as bad as the first, but getting it out my concerns are

- there are whitish mucus on my 💩
- tinge/slight streak of blood on my 💩 (bright red)
- obviously (greenish poop due to iron)

It’s the tint of red blood that scares me, I do/did have hemorrhoids and I am spiraling. I know I need to see my doctor to make sure everything’s right, but I would love to hear from you guys on your experience with issues on irons on prenatal and if you have any suggestions on what prenatal you’ve tried that doesn’t upset your stomach that would be wonderful.

Hello all, I’m due October 7th … Most likely i’m thinking conception was January 14th i literally had intercourse that day not saying it’s not possible to get pregnant on the same day my egg was released or been released but hoowww??? 🤣 i’m pretty sure it’s that date tho cause only other unprotected intercourse was Jan 3 … the 10 was protected but any other moms with october due dates close to mine and conceived in january and knew when they conceived ???

24F, 5’1 60kg UK

34 weeks pregnant

Was rinsing a blender (didn’t realise it was on) and had an electric shock that lasted 1 second or less

Felt it through my body and felt a bit of heat near belly button

Freaking out, worried I’ve hurt or caused baby long term damage and possibly disability/death???

Baby moving as normal maybe a bit less but idk if I’m just panicking

Called emergency 111 they said as long as baby is moving there’s nothing to worry about

Still so scared I might’ve cause a disability of some sort or brain damage or something we can’t see until baby is born

Need reassurance!

Why do men faint while watching their wives give birth?

[supprimé]

Tengo 7.5 meses de embarazo y aún no he comprado ropa ni nada para mi bebé, ya que aún no sé el sexo de mi bebé porque en los ultrasonidos no se ha dejado ver. Voy a ser mamá soltera y atravieso por un cuadro depresivo, no tengo trabajo y el papá de mi bebé decidio dejarme sola, tengo muy poco dinero por lo tanto necesito administrarme lo mejor posible para cubrir las necesidades de mi bebé y mías en lo que me recuperó y pueda buscar un trabajo. Podrían ayudar para saber que cosas son indispensables para mi bebé.

I went in to L&D last night after being transferred due to strong contractions (60-64 mmHg). I was not dehydrated, no infections, nothing— but I was found to be 1cm dilated, not leaking amniotic fluid yet. I have no idea how long it may take, but my partner wants to try being intimate after going without for months. I’m a little nervous it’ll make the contractions come back… what is the likelihood it would? Definitely want to try, and as slow as possible though.

I have 28 mm cervix length at 14 weeks. Is this normal? Is there any chance for stitch?

FTM. My daughter will be 11 months old when I go back to work in July and I’m sooooo anxious about going back to work leaving her at home and also leaving her with a nanny. My husband will initially WFH the days I go to work and my mum has kindly offered to help as well however my daughter is going through a bad separation anxiety phase so she’s basically glued to mama all the time. Now I’m so worried about how my husband, my mum or the nanny will manage her when I’m not there? Who will tell them what she wants when’s she’s upset and what they should do? I know it’s going to be hard but I feel so sick thinking about it sometimes. I’ll be working 2.5 days a week with only one long day 8-5 but omg the thought of being away for her for that long makes me so sad. How did you all manage? How hard was it? I know my daughter will have to learn and adapt but thinking about her missing me and struggling to fall asleep or something breaks my heart so bad!!!!! Please give this mama advice and tips on how I console myself that my baby is ok without me and she’ll learn and how do I teach myself to be ok without her!!!!

Hello, I have started a remote position in Ontario on April 25th (I was 24 weeks 5 days pregnant). I am due on August 5th and have 3 months of probation to complete. I am thinkin to tell on July 25th. Under the Employment Standards Act (ON), I am required to provide two weeks' notice before commencing my maternity leave. I understand I can go into early labour. I want to have my benefits to kick in before the delivery. HELP!

I have been on sdi disability from 07/28/2025-4/6/2026 for pregnancy and I’m currently on paid family leave for baby bonding. Iv found out I’m pregnant again. Will I still qualify for sdi if I go to work for three months? I’m always put on disability at 20 weeks during pregnancy.

Hi everyone, I’m a new mom who’s been exclusively pumping and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to find the right breast pump.

I really need one with strong, effective suction that can empty me well and quickly, but it also has to be super portable and truly hands-free so I can actually move around, take care of my baby, or even answer a few work messages without being stuck in one spot. I’d love to hear honest feedback from other new moms before I decide.

I’m a healthcare worker mom who often needs to step away for short periods during work, and a lot of my coworkers use the Momcozy Air1 because it’s honestly so lightweight and comfortable for busy, high pressure healthcare environments.

I’m also curious if you have any other pump recommendations, please share in the comments what pump you’re using, how strong the suction feels, how efficient it is, and how portable it really is in daily life.

Thank you so much, this community has been such a big support during this journey!

Not sure if I’m looking for advice or more so just solidarity. Baby girl has just been going through it since she was about 3 weeks old and I find myself just constantly questioning everything I’m doing.
She is now 5 weeks old but is extremely Velcro, and pretty much if she is awake she is fussy. She was labeled as colicky at about 3 and a half weeks by the peds, and then two days ago she was prescribed Pepcid for reflux so we just started that.
I know there are so many developmental and growth leaps that happen around now…it’s just deflating when I feel like she is literally not content even for a minute anywhere but our arms, and now sometimes even in our arms she is still screaming even if she just woke up/ate/had diaper.
I will be returning to work soon and even now would love to be able to put her in the stroller for a walk without her screaming, but as my return to work comes closer I know I will need her to be able to be content in the crib/bassinet/swing/ANYWHERE but nothing is working and I don’t want her to CIO.
If your baby was similar, when did it get better? I would love to know happier days are on the horizon not only for us but for her too.