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Bringing a child into this world is one of the biggest decisions we can make. However, due to things like societal pressure and media romanticization, some people do it without fully understanding the effect it will have on their life.
So in an attempt to figure out what gets overlooked, Reddit user Baby_noodles4u made a post on the platform, inviting women who regret giving birth to share what causes them to feel this way.
Immediately, moms started sharing their personal stories, talking about everything from body changes to abusive relationships and money problems. Their genuine replies made this thread a must-read for everyone planning a family.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Being made into a walking incubator who must adhere to strict guidelines of how and what to eat and drink, must not have this, or that. How dare I loose weight! Every thing I did second guessed, but when I went for help because of leg swelling, dismissed like it was no big deal (I was in pre-E at the time and the doc refused to see it). Having to have my pelvis reconstructed after walking around for years with my organs barely inside of me and told that there was nothing they would do until I was nearly 40 because "I might have more kids" and the fix they did do in my 20's didn't fix sh*t. Pain in sex. Being jabbed with chemicals just as the child is birthing because it's "standard of care." Being told that I didn't know anything about pregnancy and childbirth and that I wasn't in labour (and yet, had the kid less than 3 hrs later). Being treated as a third class citizen because "we want a healthy baby" but not a healthy mother AND child. Knowing that my worth to not only my family of origin, but to his family, was the crotch drops I made, and that I had no value or worth. Learning that I was expendable. That I didn't have kids, I was not a real woman anyway. That as a teen mother, it was assumed I dropped out of high school. That, also as a teen mother, having a stillbirth meant no sympathy other than "at least you're not a teen mother!" Knowing full well that child services will be used like a hammer against you if you don't parent the way others see fit.
Gez... society as a whole really firetrucks with a woman of childbearing age.
To learn more about the challenges women face after giving birth, we contacted writer, director, broadcaster, and founder of the award-winning parenting blog Honest Mum, Vicki Broadbent.
"Often it's a hormonal pull: a broodiness that overrides logic in some cases," author of Mumboss (UK) and The Working Mom (the US and Canada), told Bored Panda. "The desire to procreate feels natural for many. We look at screaming babies and kid ourselves (pun intended) that our own future children won't behave like that. The future of the human race depends on this foolishness. I've always personally felt maternal, even as a child, enjoying caring and teaching others, and I desperately wanted to become a mother. It was a life goal for me and I feel lucky to have achieved it."
However, it was only after Broadbent had her own children that she fully understood "how short the short straw is for mothers in the workplace and society as a whole; how high childcare costs are and how deeply careers can be impacted by having babies."
#2
I wasn’t prepared to almost die, lose my uterus, or raise a disabled child. I love my son so much, but damn… I never would have chosen this life for him. For any of us. I feel naive and stupid for ever thinking I was ready for this. For convincing my husband we were ready for this.
Broadbent, who had her third child a few months ago, was unaware that mothers were not highly respected and how hard it can be to parent day and night.
"Work culture and policy needs to change to support parents more. The cost of house prices and living costs are directly affecting birth rates," she said.
It might seem odd but in 2018, the real estate company Zillow publish a report, saying birth rates were dropping most in US counties with the fastest-appreciating home values.
"Additionally, children were historically brought up in a village community, close to family and friends who could support the new mother and baby. That village concept has disintegrated. Mothers were never meant to raise a child alone or with little support," Broadbent added. "Add a pandemic on top and parenting is certainly not for the faint-hearted."
#3
I regret it only for the world my son is inhereting. This society is a pile of dog poo.
I regret that he will have a hard time, and there is very little I can do to prevent that. I don't regret him, just what he will likely suffer.
Research on the subject remains scarce but we have some data to give us a broader picture. In a 2013 survey conducted by Gallup, Americans above the age of 45 who had children were asked how many they would like to have had if they could do it once again. One of the possible answers was ‘0’, which turned out to be the answer selected by 7% of respondents.
But the situation might be very different depending on where we look. A 2021 study showed that in Poland, this frequency may be as much as 13% of parents between emerging and middle adulthood, that is, one in eight.
"The reality is you can't fully plan for parenthood," Vicki Broadbent said. "So whilst you can prepare yourself somewhat by reading books and blogs, speaking to experts, and watching video content, everyone's experience will be unique to them and down to their own circumstances, just as every child is unique too."
Vicki said you simply learn on the job. "The ambivalence starts on day 1 as birth plans usually go out of the window," she explained.
"The first child is the biggest shock of all as it disrupts your usual way of life and suddenly, you have the weighty responsibility of caring from someone other than yourself. Their needs now come first. Yes, motherhood can be a life-affirming, joyful love-fest where you see the world anew through your child's eyes but it can also be unrelenting, mentally and physically challenging, and exhausting, too. It's a marathon most days when babies are small but you soon find your way." Luckily for Vicki, motherhood is her greatest success of all.
#4
I'll preface this with I love my son with all my heart. I was never prepared for a child with disabilities. We were warned beforehand and we were so sure we'd manage just fine. The part that kills me the most is that my husband deals with it all just fine and I'm a mess. I feel like I was never meant to be a mom, at least to young kids. I have an 18 year old that lives with his father that I've always been able to relate to and have no problems being a part time mom to. Maybe I was just never meant to be a full time parent, which sounds like such bullsh*t to me. I don't know. I'm rambling. I'm lonely
Broadbent thinks women can lay the foundation for their parenting journey by prioritizing their wellbeing — both mental and physical — prior to conception and during pregnancy by taking vitamins, seeking medical advice where needed, being responsive to any changes that require attention, and eating well and exercising.
"Once baby arrives, it's critical to accept any help offered from those you trust and equally reach out for help too," the mom highlighted. "Practically, add pre-cooked meals in the freezer, test and buy items for baby in advance (getting the car seat fitted, testing the pram, etc). Finding just a few minutes of mindfulness using apps like Insight Timer can make a huge difference to your day, especially as you'll be sleep-deprived and hormonal."
"Deep breathing can help alleviate anxiety and will keep you calm when life feels overwhelming," she said. "Curate your social media feeds too and stick with those sharing the realities of motherhood: the good with the bad as I do (at instagram.com/honestmum) so you don't feel pressured to live up to some fake ideal of motherhood. Ditto when it comes to body image, unfollow anyone who might make you feel bad about yourself. My doctor recently told me that after birth, you need piecing back together. This resonated. With a 3-month-old, 9 and 12 year old, I often feel divided into thirds. Luckily my love and theirs have multiplied."
But whatever your situation is, the most important thing is that we’re talking and sharing our experiences.
#5
I love my daughter a lot, she's amazing creative funny and sweet. I wouldn't change her for anything.
But I regret having her with her father, I regret the choice to give her his last name and put him on the birth certificate, I regret that she had to witness me being abused by him and that she is forced to spend time with him due to my poor past choices. And also regret having her at 21 whilst not really young, it was still too young and I missed out on a lot that I'm having to do now like university, having a good relationship, spending time with friends etc. And my body and mind are messed up from having a csection, the anxiety and trauma from a traumatic birth and the postnatal depression.
Also I should of listened to my own mum on all of the above instead of saying "you don't know the love between me and childs dad, you just want to control me" I wish I could go back to the past and listen to every warning.
#6
When i was pregnant we were told theres a v high chance the baby has down syndrome. I knew someone with ds, functioning adult, worked as a masseur and spoke 2 languages, people with downs are happy and delightful. My son is 19, has severe autism and severe learning disabilities, completely dependent in every way, cant do anything for himself and has to be watched 24/7. We love him wholeheartedly but our lives have always been about him and we have 0 family life. Hes only home because husband is strong enough to change his nappy and when hes 21 and finishes school he has to go in to residential which tears our hearts out because well miss him and he wont understand why hes been left in a strange place and cant be home. What will happen when were not there for him? As much as i adore him with every fibre of my being if Idve known I wouldnt have gone ahead with the pregnancy. Not because of us but for him.
#7
Love my son, get on fine with his father. But nearly two decades later I'm still disabled by pregnancy and birth and it's never going to get better. If I had known then what I know now, etc. (I grow tumours when I'm pregnant, among other not-so-fun aspects. If we had realised it's a family tendency I would have stayed childless.)
#8
I love both my sons but if I could do it all again I wouldn't. I got pregnant young and did not know that I would pass my bipolar onto them. They both suffer from really bad depression. Trying to raise them when I was in and out of hospitals was hard and did them a disservice. Now they are grown and they rarely make time for me. Mother's Day and my birthday is a quick text or mention on Facebook. My youngest tells me I'm the only family member that accepts him when he has mental issues but that's the only time I ever hear from him. The oldest is even worse. I cry on a regular basis that I wish they would be closer to me. Long story short I did my best but it didn't matter.
#9
They say the closest thing to the pain is passing a large kidney stone.
I had severe back pains, like someone was stabbing me with a knife viciously. I ended up having a very bad delivery because I got really sick. I had pre-e with hellp syndrome and hydronephrisis. Hellp syndrome is very rare and occurs in 0.016-0.025% of pregnancies so I did not have ab traditional delivery. I had an emergency c-section. The pain in my back was from my liver expanding.
For me giving birth was emotionally scary. When my twins were born, they were pretty much dead and had to be resuscitated. Their initial apgars were 1 and 0. They weren't breathing, they were blue, no pulse, no crying. There's was no happy "it's a boy" with them put on my chest. They were whisked out of the room to be worked on while the sewed me back up. I didn't know for hours I'd they were alive or dead ams I was of odd if myself from getting so sick. They are grade schoolers now and are fine.
Quite honestly, giving birth felt like the most traumatic experience of my life.
#10
My wife has this regret after our one and only. Our birth experience was awful and resulted in an emergency cesarean. Our kid wasn't developing properly and was non-verbal for years; later we had them evaluated and it was found they were autistic. Every day for years my wife was stay-at-home with the kid while I was at work. She lost her entire sense of freedom and felt stuck in this position as a parent with nothing else on the horizon.
My wife is a wonderful individual and she does love our kid, and always goes out of her way to make sure our child's needs are met. But for a long time she's hated that she had to do all that work.
Things have improved over the last year or two though. Our child started talking and actually communicating, and actually has intelligent conversations with us about things they want to do and what's happening around them. They have an excellent support system at school, and they actually participate in class and their various therapies. I also now work from home and my wife (FINALLY) got a start to her career as an educator thanks to a wave of openings at our area schools due to early retirements after/during COVID. I now play dual roles of stay-at-home dad and full time engineer at a tech company, and have found my own stride to successfully balance both. My wife has found her freedom again in her new career, and being able to get out of the house daily and interact with other people has really helped her perspective towards being at home and being a mom. The regret is still there, but it is considerably easier to bear now.
#11
I am tied to an abusive man for the next 13 years or until one of us dies.
#12
My massive regret is not dealing with my mental health issues before becoming a parent. But I was really young. And much more immature for my age. I had absolutely no clue how hard it would be to raise a child completely alone whilst struggling with your demons. It didn’t even enter my mind. I had pretty bad post natal depression when he was born. And honestly it’s been hard for us both.
I am only just getting proper therapy. But it’ll take a while. I only have one child because I was too scared to think about having another.
Me and my son are close.
We talk openly. I apologise when I need too. And we say I love you constantly.
My advice for anyone who wants children is please if you have any thing in your head that needs healing, do that first.
#13
I don’t regret giving birth, but I will absolutely never get pregnant again. My pregnancy was the worst experience I’ve ever had to go through. I practically lived in the hospital with daily IV treatments. I had HG (hyperemesis gravidarum) which causes me to vomit nonstop. I was on a zofran pump and almost put on a feeding tube. I have ptsd from vomiting so much. I would get an abortion if I ever got pregnant again.
#14
My kids have inherited mental issues from both parents. We were young and we didn't know. I just hate to see them suffer.
#15
I feel like it has destroyed my marriage. Both of us have changed since our child was born and I'm afraid the people we've become are not as compatible as the people we used to be. We never talk to each other, we never do anything together, and the very, very infrequent sex is basically her attempt to maintain her ability to claim she makes an effort in our relationship. Any communication that happens between us is about logistics regarding our child. I understand there is a brief period after birth where everyone needs to adjust but it has been over 4 years now.
I love my child more than anyone else on Earth, save for my wife. But I miss having a companion in life. If I had known it would be like this, I don't think I would have made the same decisions.
#16
I tore forward, ripped my urethra and clitoris. Permanent nerve damage.
Also developed a bunch of autoimmune diseases in my mid 30s, after 4 pregnancies. Leading theory is that micro-chimerism from the stem cells that stay in your body after a pregnancy is a big contributing cause.
#17
I love my daughter and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the whole world. I love being a Mom as well.
I regret who I had a child with and how my life was pretty much changed for the worse. I was now tied to my abusive husband and his wacko family.
#18
I would go though it again to get my son but my body isn’t the same. PPD is a wicked witch. I tore and 4 years later I’m still having major issues. My skin down there is thin and if I wipe just a tiny bit too hard I hurt for weeks. It’s terrible. But my son is amazing.
#19
While I don't regret having my daughter, I wish I would have spoken up and done things differently. I had a horrible traumatic birthing experience. I went to a large hospital where I was a number not a name and it was awful. I still can't think about it without getting teary eyed.
#20
I get it. I love my son and I'm glad I chose to have him. But I was not talked to or prepared for the trauma that might happen in birth. They let me sit in labor too long, I developed an Infection that almost killed me and my son. Had to have an emergency c section and he had to be in the NICU......now any time I see a woman going into labor on TV or movies I freak out. I will definitely not have a Second child.
#21
I love my boys more than I ever thought I could. However... it's Saturday night and I'm covered in baby vomit with the baby refusing to sleep anywhere else but on me. He will wake about 3 times between now and when the toddler wakes at 6am. I'm carrying 20kg more than I'm comfortable with and have no clothes that fit. I feel guilt for so many choices I make.
There are times I regret having my second baby because it's so hard to juggle the needs of two and still find time for my needs. People tell me it will get easier but for now, I'm hating it.
#22
I have 3 kids and quite frequently wish I had 0. I never wanted kids and knew I wanted more from my life than dirty diapers and minivans. I was ok with the first 2 but the 3rd really made me question everything again. This is not what I want to be doing with my life. I had my kids at such a young age (15, 19, 24 ) that I don't stand a chance at doing anything significant with my life other than saying hey I raised 3 more humans. Your welcome. What an accomplishment.
#23
I was too young to have a kid. I love my kid so much, but both of us suffered because I just wasn’t ready to be a mother. I was extremely immature and irresponsible, and I resented not having a normal teenage experience which very quickly turned into crushing depression and anxiety. Honestly I wish I’d had an abortion and waited until I was older and had my sh*t together to even consider becoming a parent. My kid had to grow up with a parent who wasn’t fully grown up, and that sucks.
#24
It destroyed my health, but let me be clear, I don’t regret the birth, I regret the choice of doctor. If I had insisted on a C it would have been fine.
#25
Pre-kids, I was on track for an area manager job. Post-kids, the same company tried to pressure me into taking a demotion far below the level of management I was in. F*ck them. I stopped giving a sh*t about the company I'd given my heart and soul to and walked away. I now have a great career with a company that actually does some good in the world and values children, but it has taken years to actually gain a stable footing on the career ladder again
#26
I don’t regret having my child but I definitely will be having no more - I was 22 had no idea what I was getting myself into or that the after birth would affect me for the rest of my life.
I was 22 that is still young but my body has never been the same or worked the same.
#27
I would have my children again, given the choice. But I wasn’t prepared for the way my career would slow because of them.
It’s the little things like not being able to travel to conferences. Taking more time off than non-parenting peers due to kids being sick. Etc.
Their dad turned out to be a dumpster fire, the judge prohibited him from even seeing one of the kids. So that didn’t help.
I love the kids and have tried to instill good values, and I am just not as high up the corporate ladder as I thought I could achieve.
#28
I would have another baby if it wasn't for birth. Jut give me the baby and none of that painful birth lol
#29
I lost my daughter at 23 weeks to preeclampsia, and had numerous complications including placenta previa with my son but he got here safe and sound via C sections. Call me crazy but I wouldn’t change a thing, the love as well as the pain I bare daily are b/c of my choices and I wouldn’t nor can do anything differently. Speak on it yes but don’t dwell on it IF possible. I am looking forward to baby #3 and mentally prepared for the possible outcomes. For me “it’s better to have loved and loss than to never have loved at all.
#30
If I could have ordered and picked up my daughter at the store then I would have. Maybe chosen the sleeps better add on too.
Pregnancy almost killed me, in several ways hated almost every second of it. My body is still, 2years pp, wrecked. In pain everyday. Will never be the same.
If money was more abundant then I would have another via surrogate but if I could afford that I could afford a nanny/night nurse and private surgery so would have a better time all round. I love my little girl to the ends of the earth and she was worth it but if I had known before then she wouldn't have been - if that makes sense.
What do you think ?
kat lia 2 years ago
I don't judge them but I always believe that if you decided to have a kid, your life will revolve around them, and because of that I also do believe that there is no such thing as a part-time parent especially part-time mom. And that is the reason why I decided not to have kids because I know i cannot give up my me-time, probably I am selfish, I don't like too much responsibility, bringing up a child into this world is an effort, commitment and a big responsibility. There should be an a test imposed to see if you are ready and have the capabilities to become a parent. Like a legal test from the government.
Tracy Sellars 2 years ago
You are not selfish in anyway. You are an extremely responsible adult and there should be more people like you. I am a big believer in what you have said. Too many people take the plunge of having kids without considering the negative aspects, only concentrating on the positive. Unless you are prepared to give your life away and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars don't do it.
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bv7hearts 2 years ago
I'm 40 and childfree by choice. It's a traumatic experience that I do not want to go through, global overpopulation is already at a scary level, and I know I would not be able to rein my ADHD, anxiety, or depression in enough to be a good mother.
Ace Girl 2 years ago
I'm disappointed in the many judgmental comments in response to these women (and men!) bravely sharing their stories. Imagine a man being told "then why did you do that hard thing, you dummy." These women have my utmost respect and stories like this need to be told.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
As my mother, a nurse, once said, "Seeing a uterus fall out of a vagina is the best birth control in the world." And yet, here I am. Things happen despite birth control, despite intentions, so never assume one method works. Use two. Condom *and* pill. (Note: In real life, those 97% effective are more like 70%.) Same reason you get vaccinated, *and* wash your hands...
aroace man, but german 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 2 years ago
i don't know much about woman's anatomy, but... can a uterus actually fall out of the vagina?? because now i am seeing it and i am acared.
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Susie Elle 2 years ago
I kind of would want a child, but all of the above is what's holding me back from actually making plans to try and get pregnant. If the chances were slim of things like the above happening it'd be one thing, but it happens quite often.
elSti 2 years ago
It happens often indeed but good births happen a lot more. This is an article that Will only show you the negative side. if you look for negative things, everything will look negative. I hope you one day can have your problem-free pregnancy
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KJean 2 years ago
And this is why abortions should always be safe, legal, and free. Imagine having to go through any of this if you didn't choose to be pregnant?
Veronica Sjöberg 2 years ago
Exactly. It's hard enough if you want the child, imagine if you didn't/could not possible care for it. Then it's nothing but torture.
Load More Replies... Veronica Sjöberg 2 years ago
A)No one is prepared for parenthood before they have a child. And no one knows what pregnancy feels like before they are pregnant. It's kind of unfair to judge people for expressing their feelings. B) yes. Pregnancy is very hard on your body. Some things can get permanently damaged, other things take long to recover. Even those really minor things that seems "silly" to other people can really feel... sad. Like sex not being the same for a year after each pregnancy, I was NOT prepared for that with my first kid and no one talks about those things because it's "normal". Or the struggle that breastfeeding can be. Or things like ppd/ppa. And that SO MANY issues during pregnancy, childbirth and post partum are considered "normal" and no one listens to you about it because "you chose to have a kid" even if you are damaged permanently or not. It's a women's health issue we need to take more seriously.
Ally MacMann 2 years ago
The chances of serious complications during birth are often hugely underestimated. The challenges of raising children (any children, let alone those with special needs) is often underestimated. In fact, these subjects are far too often seen as taboo and many people and families are suffering in silence. Education needs to improve prior to pregnancy and support needs to improve after it. It's also time people aren't judged for asking for help but praised and supported for having the courage to reach out.
Rens 2 years ago
The simple fact is our bodies have not evolved fast enough to accommodate the large brain of the baby. Natural childbirth is brutal on the female body even under the best of circumstances. I was forced to go into labour and endure 24 hours of it before they finally realised I was never going to dilate more than 6cm. Then when they broke my eaters, they saw meconium (baby's first bowel movement) they gave me an epidural and emergency c-section. I'd been vomiting from the pain for hours... She was absolutely perfect, apgar 9, but I started hemorrhaging and they whisked her away with dad in tow. I know the trauma of birth contributed to my Fibromyalgia, I also have Adenomyosis which was not diagnosed until recently. My daughter is amazing, brilliant and my greatest joy. I don't regret anything except the birth, which has left irreparable damage to my body.
Summer Mason 2 years ago
Exactly. I now can not have another child because of my labor with my son. It dragged on for 27 hours. I hemmoraged and had to have an emergency hestorectomy. I had a beautiful baby boy and my girl is now 8. However I lost my baby boy to sids. Now I'm heart broken and in intensive therapy twice a week working from home only visiting my patients in emergency cases. Ugh. I'm glad you made it woman! And congrats on your girl.
Load More Replies... Nancy Doughty 2 years ago
I admire the bravery of these women to speak their truths regarding "motherhood", knowing there with be a lot of negative feedback from those who worship those who reproduce and "something's wrong" with women who don't. I was given to the state for custody before I was born in 1955, certified bastard (no daddy name on the birth certificate), given to the Medical College to be used for experimental orthopedic surgeries and left a cripple. She should have aborted me.
Eiram 2 years ago (edited)
I have a friend who was placed in foster care and used for experimental drug testing. Poor guy has all kinds of medical problems... but as an adult he chanced getting to know his mother and they are friends right now. It was a road not many could take after that kind of childhood.
Load More Replies... Nadine Debard 2 years ago
6 month ago I gave birth to my (premature) son. Pre-eclampsia with kidney and liver failure, gained 10kg in one week (water that wasn't eliminated anymore), had kidney stones and eventually had a c-section (I lost 1,25 liter blood). My son was sent to another hospital so we were separated for 2 days. He could breathe well but was incapable of drinking milk. Then we spent 5 weeks in neonatal unit. I was traumatised and needed support (which I had at hospita and with some relatives), but now I'm fine. The c-section healed well, afterwards it wasn't that terrible (I heard so many horrors about "natural birth"). The most traumatic was the separation, I'm still working on it. You need to be prepared and surrounded and supported when you give birth. Even if it goes on a normal way.
Dora But Not Explorer 2 years ago
Everyone starts with: "I love my child but..". The guilt must be huge to start with this sentence. God helps all you out there!
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
Its because its not socially acceptable to say you regret your kids so they are trying to stave off accusations of being a bad person
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Helena R 2 years ago
I'll be honest, I can't relate to any of these stories at all. I love my kids and didn't have any problems giving birth. These are a collection of stories from people who didn't have a positive experience
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Laura Edwards 2 years ago
Let's see, I started getting abused by my spouse in my 4 th month. This is not really as uncommon as you think. I had 68 hours of labor ending with a c section after I insisted I was done. I got no pain meds to take home with me at all. Tylenol or otherwise. ( thanks us army). My spouse slept with the person who shaved me for my c section. He told me the next week. I never wanted more children. Asked for a tubal ligation for about 12 years. No, you might want more children ( lmao). Finally had a hysterectomy at 36. They found ovarian cancer.
Philip Williams 2 years ago
Jesus! What an awful experience. As a guy I literally can never know what you went through, and can't find a comparison in my life. This is not the first time for example I've heard of a tubal ligation being refused. WTF?!!! These are the stories that can change narrow minds like my own
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Jill Bussey 2 years ago
My second birth finished in the early hours of Sunday morning. They left me on a small trolley, without sewing the episiotomy, for four hours, unable to sleep because I was frightened of falling off. All because they didn't want to wake the surgeon too early on a Sunday.
Philip Williams 2 years ago
Makes me sick to hear what women go through in hospitals around child birth. I wish I could say I hope it's rare, but my ex-wife had a terrible experience, as did my brothers wife around the same time
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Ami Tain 2 years ago
I love my boys, but pregnancy trashed my body and my mental health (back to back pregnancies and post partum that became prepartum and post partum again). It took me almost 3 years after my second child to even start to feel like a shadow of myself. I'm still dealing with it and they're 7 and 8. While I adore them, if I had known it was going to be that bad, I would have never gotten pregnant.
Ellis Tamura 2 years ago
I almost died when I was born. I was born with pneumonia via c-section and had to go to the NICU and I could barely eat for like 3 months without choking.
Natalie Kudryashova 2 years ago
Having a child is full of risks and unknowns. You may have an easy ride, or you may have serious complications, a baby with lifelong disabilities, and discover your marriage cannot handle it. For some people it’s worth it anyway, for others not so much. Which is why we really can’t make these decisions for others, only you can decide whether, when and how to embark on this path
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Eiram 2 years ago (edited)
I would and can be a great mother, since I already helped raise my three younger sisters. But my body can't and I truely never wanted to try with all my genetic health conditions. So, I am the Auntie, and all my siblings know I would foster any of their kids at any time. But, to the dissapointment of family and great relief of my husband, no birth for me.
Frankenfrog 2 years ago
I wish more women (yes, women) would realise this and not fall for the parenthood propaganda as being nothing but bliss and that it will reward itself in the end. Some people just aren't meant to be parents, fortunately most of them realise it before it's too late.
Rei 2 years ago
Possible Conclusions: 1. while sex educating your children show them also this post to educate them about possible complications from a(n) (unplanned) pregnancy. 2. These are rare occurences and nothing is going to prepare you well enough for what is to come. The more important question here is with whom are you going through it all, who is going to go with you through fire faithfully till the end? Who will give you the strength and peace you need? (For me personally this was always God). 3. Choose where you want to give birth very wisely.
Hannah Edwards 2 years ago
Nothing prepares you for parenthood, pregnancy or birth. They can all be awful. Everyone experiences it differently.
Krysta Pandoo 2 years ago
I feel like a lot of these are not about giving birth. They're about people making stupid decisions and now blaming the child - like knowing they were going to be disabled or have learning difficulties and then being surprised when the kid is born with said problems. Or having a child with an unfit father and now they feel tied to the man or are now single and struggling. Quite a few are about being ill during pregnancy and not seeking medical attention or not swapping doctors when they're not getting the care they need, or moaning about having a baby in a world where things are going to s**t quite fast - those are still all your choices, not about giving birth or the child. This whole post seems very unfair on the babies and ignoring the fact that a lot of you made your own beds here and are now whining about lying in it.
Mir Adwari 2 years ago
Well, the more people click and comment the more they'll go with it. You commenting even negatively will be counted positively when they look at click and comment rates.
Load More Replies... 
K Witmer 2 years ago
Kids are messed up in every generation. Get over yourself. The boomers did a s**t job raising gen x. The silent gen did a s**t job raising the boomers. Gen x, millennials and now gen z at least listen to each other and are trying to make things better. They're the 3 generations that are actually taking their mental health seriously and trying not to pass on their trauma, pain, bigotry homophobia misogyny and racism onto the younger generations which means choosing not to have kids and bringing things in the darkness out into the light so it can be talked about therefore easier to fix. Keep burying your head in the sand, all your problems will magically disappear right?
Load More Replies... Susie Elle 2 years ago
Next thing you know people will develop actual opinions! Yikes!
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kat lia 2 years ago
I don't judge them but I always believe that if you decided to have a kid, your life will revolve around them, and because of that I also do believe that there is no such thing as a part-time parent especially part-time mom. And that is the reason why I decided not to have kids because I know i cannot give up my me-time, probably I am selfish, I don't like too much responsibility, bringing up a child into this world is an effort, commitment and a big responsibility. There should be an a test imposed to see if you are ready and have the capabilities to become a parent. Like a legal test from the government.
Tracy Sellars 2 years ago
You are not selfish in anyway. You are an extremely responsible adult and there should be more people like you. I am a big believer in what you have said. Too many people take the plunge of having kids without considering the negative aspects, only concentrating on the positive. Unless you are prepared to give your life away and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars don't do it.
Load More Replies... bv7hearts 2 years ago
I'm 40 and childfree by choice. It's a traumatic experience that I do not want to go through, global overpopulation is already at a scary level, and I know I would not be able to rein my ADHD, anxiety, or depression in enough to be a good mother.
Ace Girl 2 years ago
I'm disappointed in the many judgmental comments in response to these women (and men!) bravely sharing their stories. Imagine a man being told "then why did you do that hard thing, you dummy." These women have my utmost respect and stories like this need to be told.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
As my mother, a nurse, once said, "Seeing a uterus fall out of a vagina is the best birth control in the world." And yet, here I am. Things happen despite birth control, despite intentions, so never assume one method works. Use two. Condom *and* pill. (Note: In real life, those 97% effective are more like 70%.) Same reason you get vaccinated, *and* wash your hands...
aroace man, but german 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 2 years ago
i don't know much about woman's anatomy, but... can a uterus actually fall out of the vagina?? because now i am seeing it and i am acared.
Load More Replies... Susie Elle 2 years ago
I kind of would want a child, but all of the above is what's holding me back from actually making plans to try and get pregnant. If the chances were slim of things like the above happening it'd be one thing, but it happens quite often.
elSti 2 years ago
It happens often indeed but good births happen a lot more. This is an article that Will only show you the negative side. if you look for negative things, everything will look negative. I hope you one day can have your problem-free pregnancy
Load More Replies... KJean 2 years ago
And this is why abortions should always be safe, legal, and free. Imagine having to go through any of this if you didn't choose to be pregnant?
Veronica Sjöberg 2 years ago
Exactly. It's hard enough if you want the child, imagine if you didn't/could not possible care for it. Then it's nothing but torture.
Load More Replies... Veronica Sjöberg 2 years ago
A)No one is prepared for parenthood before they have a child. And no one knows what pregnancy feels like before they are pregnant. It's kind of unfair to judge people for expressing their feelings. B) yes. Pregnancy is very hard on your body. Some things can get permanently damaged, other things take long to recover. Even those really minor things that seems "silly" to other people can really feel... sad. Like sex not being the same for a year after each pregnancy, I was NOT prepared for that with my first kid and no one talks about those things because it's "normal". Or the struggle that breastfeeding can be. Or things like ppd/ppa. And that SO MANY issues during pregnancy, childbirth and post partum are considered "normal" and no one listens to you about it because "you chose to have a kid" even if you are damaged permanently or not. It's a women's health issue we need to take more seriously.
Ally MacMann 2 years ago
The chances of serious complications during birth are often hugely underestimated. The challenges of raising children (any children, let alone those with special needs) is often underestimated. In fact, these subjects are far too often seen as taboo and many people and families are suffering in silence. Education needs to improve prior to pregnancy and support needs to improve after it. It's also time people aren't judged for asking for help but praised and supported for having the courage to reach out.
Rens 2 years ago
The simple fact is our bodies have not evolved fast enough to accommodate the large brain of the baby. Natural childbirth is brutal on the female body even under the best of circumstances. I was forced to go into labour and endure 24 hours of it before they finally realised I was never going to dilate more than 6cm. Then when they broke my eaters, they saw meconium (baby's first bowel movement) they gave me an epidural and emergency c-section. I'd been vomiting from the pain for hours... She was absolutely perfect, apgar 9, but I started hemorrhaging and they whisked her away with dad in tow. I know the trauma of birth contributed to my Fibromyalgia, I also have Adenomyosis which was not diagnosed until recently. My daughter is amazing, brilliant and my greatest joy. I don't regret anything except the birth, which has left irreparable damage to my body.
Summer Mason 2 years ago
Exactly. I now can not have another child because of my labor with my son. It dragged on for 27 hours. I hemmoraged and had to have an emergency hestorectomy. I had a beautiful baby boy and my girl is now 8. However I lost my baby boy to sids. Now I'm heart broken and in intensive therapy twice a week working from home only visiting my patients in emergency cases. Ugh. I'm glad you made it woman! And congrats on your girl.
Load More Replies... Nancy Doughty 2 years ago
I admire the bravery of these women to speak their truths regarding "motherhood", knowing there with be a lot of negative feedback from those who worship those who reproduce and "something's wrong" with women who don't. I was given to the state for custody before I was born in 1955, certified bastard (no daddy name on the birth certificate), given to the Medical College to be used for experimental orthopedic surgeries and left a cripple. She should have aborted me.
Eiram 2 years ago (edited)
I have a friend who was placed in foster care and used for experimental drug testing. Poor guy has all kinds of medical problems... but as an adult he chanced getting to know his mother and they are friends right now. It was a road not many could take after that kind of childhood.
Load More Replies... Nadine Debard 2 years ago
6 month ago I gave birth to my (premature) son. Pre-eclampsia with kidney and liver failure, gained 10kg in one week (water that wasn't eliminated anymore), had kidney stones and eventually had a c-section (I lost 1,25 liter blood). My son was sent to another hospital so we were separated for 2 days. He could breathe well but was incapable of drinking milk. Then we spent 5 weeks in neonatal unit. I was traumatised and needed support (which I had at hospita and with some relatives), but now I'm fine. The c-section healed well, afterwards it wasn't that terrible (I heard so many horrors about "natural birth"). The most traumatic was the separation, I'm still working on it. You need to be prepared and surrounded and supported when you give birth. Even if it goes on a normal way.
Dora But Not Explorer 2 years ago
Everyone starts with: "I love my child but..". The guilt must be huge to start with this sentence. God helps all you out there!
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
Its because its not socially acceptable to say you regret your kids so they are trying to stave off accusations of being a bad person
Load More Replies... Helena R 2 years ago
I'll be honest, I can't relate to any of these stories at all. I love my kids and didn't have any problems giving birth. These are a collection of stories from people who didn't have a positive experience
Load More Replies... Laura Edwards 2 years ago
Let's see, I started getting abused by my spouse in my 4 th month. This is not really as uncommon as you think. I had 68 hours of labor ending with a c section after I insisted I was done. I got no pain meds to take home with me at all. Tylenol or otherwise. ( thanks us army). My spouse slept with the person who shaved me for my c section. He told me the next week. I never wanted more children. Asked for a tubal ligation for about 12 years. No, you might want more children ( lmao). Finally had a hysterectomy at 36. They found ovarian cancer.
Philip Williams 2 years ago
Jesus! What an awful experience. As a guy I literally can never know what you went through, and can't find a comparison in my life. This is not the first time for example I've heard of a tubal ligation being refused. WTF?!!! These are the stories that can change narrow minds like my own
Load More Replies... Jill Bussey 2 years ago
My second birth finished in the early hours of Sunday morning. They left me on a small trolley, without sewing the episiotomy, for four hours, unable to sleep because I was frightened of falling off. All because they didn't want to wake the surgeon too early on a Sunday.
Philip Williams 2 years ago
Makes me sick to hear what women go through in hospitals around child birth. I wish I could say I hope it's rare, but my ex-wife had a terrible experience, as did my brothers wife around the same time
Load More Replies... Ami Tain 2 years ago
I love my boys, but pregnancy trashed my body and my mental health (back to back pregnancies and post partum that became prepartum and post partum again). It took me almost 3 years after my second child to even start to feel like a shadow of myself. I'm still dealing with it and they're 7 and 8. While I adore them, if I had known it was going to be that bad, I would have never gotten pregnant.
Ellis Tamura 2 years ago
I almost died when I was born. I was born with pneumonia via c-section and had to go to the NICU and I could barely eat for like 3 months without choking.
Natalie Kudryashova 2 years ago
Having a child is full of risks and unknowns. You may have an easy ride, or you may have serious complications, a baby with lifelong disabilities, and discover your marriage cannot handle it. For some people it’s worth it anyway, for others not so much. Which is why we really can’t make these decisions for others, only you can decide whether, when and how to embark on this path
Mr Barry Otaigbe 2 years ago
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Eiram 2 years ago (edited)
I would and can be a great mother, since I already helped raise my three younger sisters. But my body can't and I truely never wanted to try with all my genetic health conditions. So, I am the Auntie, and all my siblings know I would foster any of their kids at any time. But, to the dissapointment of family and great relief of my husband, no birth for me.
Frankenfrog 2 years ago
I wish more women (yes, women) would realise this and not fall for the parenthood propaganda as being nothing but bliss and that it will reward itself in the end. Some people just aren't meant to be parents, fortunately most of them realise it before it's too late.
Rei 2 years ago
Possible Conclusions: 1. while sex educating your children show them also this post to educate them about possible complications from a(n) (unplanned) pregnancy. 2. These are rare occurences and nothing is going to prepare you well enough for what is to come. The more important question here is with whom are you going through it all, who is going to go with you through fire faithfully till the end? Who will give you the strength and peace you need? (For me personally this was always God). 3. Choose where you want to give birth very wisely.
Hannah Edwards 2 years ago
Nothing prepares you for parenthood, pregnancy or birth. They can all be awful. Everyone experiences it differently.
Krysta Pandoo 2 years ago
I feel like a lot of these are not about giving birth. They're about people making stupid decisions and now blaming the child - like knowing they were going to be disabled or have learning difficulties and then being surprised when the kid is born with said problems. Or having a child with an unfit father and now they feel tied to the man or are now single and struggling. Quite a few are about being ill during pregnancy and not seeking medical attention or not swapping doctors when they're not getting the care they need, or moaning about having a baby in a world where things are going to s**t quite fast - those are still all your choices, not about giving birth or the child. This whole post seems very unfair on the babies and ignoring the fact that a lot of you made your own beds here and are now whining about lying in it.
Mir Adwari 2 years ago
Well, the more people click and comment the more they'll go with it. You commenting even negatively will be counted positively when they look at click and comment rates.
Load More Replies... K Witmer 2 years ago
Kids are messed up in every generation. Get over yourself. The boomers did a s**t job raising gen x. The silent gen did a s**t job raising the boomers. Gen x, millennials and now gen z at least listen to each other and are trying to make things better. They're the 3 generations that are actually taking their mental health seriously and trying not to pass on their trauma, pain, bigotry homophobia misogyny and racism onto the younger generations which means choosing not to have kids and bringing things in the darkness out into the light so it can be talked about therefore easier to fix. Keep burying your head in the sand, all your problems will magically disappear right?
Load More Replies... Susie Elle 2 years ago
Next thing you know people will develop actual opinions! Yikes!
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