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Once futureparentsannounce that theyre expecting a baby, they usually get overwhelmed with all sorts of questions.

However, after a while, she started to doubt her choice and turned online for unbiased opinions.

Scroll down to find the full story and conversation with licensed clinical psychologistDr.

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There are many reasons expectant parents may choose to keep their pregnancy private.

Pregnancy can be scary.

It creates space for the expectant parents to process their own feelings without external pressure or judgment.

Pregnant woman in yellow dress on a couch, pondering decision about mother-in-law.

For many, privacy facilitates more authentic bonding with their partner and developing baby.

It is important when communicating your desire for privacy to acknowledge the well-meaning intent of your family and friends.

I recommend framing privacy needs in terms of self-care rather than exclusion.

Text screenshot about a woman withholding pregnancy news from her mother-in-law.

Acknowledge their care and excitement while clearly stating your boundaries.

From a place of loving kindness, restate the same boundary to your family members.

Consistency is key when reinforcing boundaries, notes Dr. Ayrapetyan.

Text message revealing pregnancy news to mother-in-law.

When boundaries are violated, respond with calm, brief reminders of your needs without extensive justification.

Prioritize your self-care regimen by doing things that make you feel good and bring you joy.

Should you still be experiencing significant distress, contact a licensed mental health professional for professional support.

Text on image discussing pregnancy news and disappointment from a stepdad and MIL.

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Text about a woman withholding pregnancy news from her overbearing mother-in-law for husband’s attention.

Text discusses frequent questions about pregnancy from an overbearing MIL, highlighting a personal experience with a son.

Text screenshot about a woman’s decision to keep pregnancy news private from her overbearing mother-in-law.

Text depicting a conversation about a woman’s decision to exclude her overbearing mother-in-law from the labor room.

Text discussing a woman’s decision to prioritize husband during labor, keeping pregnancy news from overbearing MIL.

Text about a woman keeping pregnancy news from her mother-in-law, expressing concerns over her husband’s divided attention.

Text discussing a distracted husband and persistent texts from a mother-in-law seeking info on pregnancy labor.

Pregnant woman in hospital gown with partner who appears concerned, highlighting couple dynamics during pregnancy.

Text discussing avoidance of pregnancy topics with overbearing MIL.

Text on keeping pregnancy news secret for husband’s attention over MIL.

Woman seeks privacy in pregnancy news, desiring husband’s attention away from overbearing mother-in-law.

Text discussing a woman’s decision to withhold pregnancy news from her MIL for attention.

Pregnant woman and husband sharing tender moment, husband focused on her.

Pregnant woman ignoring overbearing MIL in living room argument.

Discussion about keeping pregnancy news private from overbearing MIL on online forum.

Discussion about keeping pregnancy news private from overbearing MIL, emphasizing husband’s attention.

Reddit comment discussing husband neglecting wife during labor, related to pregnancy news.

Reddit comment discussing husband and mother-in-law’s behavior during pregnancy news decision.

Text exchange about keeping pregnancy news private from overbearing mother-in-law.

Text advice on handling overbearing MIL during pregnancy, emphasizing husband’s attention to wife.

Reddit user comment discussing husband’s actions during partner’s labor and advice on dealing with his parents.

Reddit comment discussing keeping pregnancy news from an overbearing MIL for attention.

Text discussing keeping pregnancy news private from an overbearing mother-in-law.

Comment suggestion for due date secrecy decision in pregnancy news post.

Reddit comment saying, “You have a husband problem,” discussing pregnancy news.

Text response on keeping pregnancy news private from MIL for husband’s attention.

Reddit comment suggesting focusing on hemorrhoids as a distraction from pregnancy news.

Comment discussing pregnancy news and husband attention over mother-in-law calls.

Comment advises husband to focus on pregnant wife during labor, implying distraction by family.

Text post discussing pregnancy privacy, focusing on managing overbearing family dynamics for a stress-free experience.

Comment discussing a woman keeping pregnancy news from an overbearing mother-in-law.

Text about keeping pregnancy news private from overbearing mother-in-law for husband’s attention.

Advice on managing overbearing MIL during pregnancy, emphasizing husband’s focus on wife, not his mother.

Comment by SparklePr1ncess discussing MIL and husband issues in a forum thread.

Comment discussing privacy of pregnancy information and relationship with mother-in-law.

Comment advising a woman to manage stress and address her MIL during pregnancy.

Woman considers keeping pregnancy news from MIL, seeking husband’s attention.

Comment about woman keeping pregnancy secret from MIL to gain husband’s attention, discussing relationship impact.

Comment on lack of updates during a 32-hour period, expressing concern about people being nosy but caring.

Comment discussing MIL anxiety and its impact, suggesting to consult husband about possible underlying issues.

Text post about a woman keeping pregnancy news from an overbearing MIL, discussing husband and family dynamics.