Pregnancyis a deeply personal experience and everyone has their own vision of how they want it to unfold. For one mom-to-be, the excitement of her first child has been met with a mix of joy and unexpected challenges.

With her due date approaching, Reddit userBirthVidThrowreceived a videographer’s services as a Christmas present to film the childbirth. But the problem was that she didn’t want it. In fact, the woman had repeatedly expressed that she found the idea repulsive.

However, her refusal of the gift made her dad’s girlfriend—the one who had arranged the surprise—emotional, and the lady quickly became defensive, further escalating the tension.

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Pregnant woman in lace dress standing in garden, hands on her belly, serene and thoughtful.

Image credits: Leah Newhouse/Pexels (not the actual photo)

And this woman’s dad and his girlfriend wanted to record hers

Person opening a wrapped gift at a dining table with green tablecloth and cutlery nearby.

Image credits:cottonbro studio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits:BirthVidThrow

Vicki Broadbent ofHonest Mumsays the woman shouldn’t (be forced to) accommodate others

Triplets Want Individual “Sweet 16s”, Tell Mom To Get An Extra Job If She Can’t Afford It

Image credits:Honest Mum

Our parenting expertVicki Broadbent, who runs the acclaimed family and lifestyle blogHonest Mum, has a teen, tween and a toddler, and she believes that when it comes to pregnant women, their needs and decisions are what matter.

“Try not to assert unsolicited opinions onto others, however well-meaning you might be,” the author ofMumboss(UK) andThe Working Mom(US and Canada) toldBored Panda. “By all means, give advice when asked but try not to be judgmental or didactic.”

The author of the post was absolutely right in highlighting the vulnerable nature of delivery. Severe injuries can occur during childbirth and subsequently impact her mental or physical health.Up to 45%of mothers report experiencing birth trauma, and up to 33% of them develop symptoms of PTSD.

Common causes of birth trauma include:

Symptoms of PTSD from birth trauma include:

When the stakes are this high, everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and heard.

“Pregnancy is a challenging time emotionally and physically withresearch showingit is as demanding as running a 40-week marathon,” Vicki Broadbent added.

Two people holding a sonogram and pregnancy test, discussing a gift that feels creepy and invasive.

Image credits:RDNE Stock project / Pexels(not the actual photo)

Reddit comment discussing boundaries with father and his girlfriend during childbirth.

Reddit discussion on a gift being perceived as creepy and invasive.

Reddit discussion about a creepy and invasive gift, involving privacy concerns and sharing videos.

Text conversation discussing a gift being creepy and invasive, with supportive responses.

Reddit comment discussing birth privacy concerns and managing unannounced visits.

“AITA For Telling My Father And His GF That The Gift She Got Me Was Creepy And Invasive?”

Reddit comments discussing alternatives to a videographer for a baby’s first birthday.

Suggestions on using a gift in a comfortable way, involving baby’s early moments, discussed in a comment thread.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment thread discussing the age difference between a person and their father’s girlfriend.

Reddit comments discussing HIPAA laws and videography in hospitals, related to a conversation with a father’s girlfriend.

Pretty much all of the people who read the story said the woman hasn’t done anything wrong

Reddit comment discussing boundaries and a gift seen as creepy and invasive.

Reddit comment about a father’s girlfriend’s gift described as creepy and invasive.

Reddit comment discussing a creepy and invasive gift situation.

Comment on gift being creepy and invasive, mentioning Oscar Mayer Wienermobile parking pass.

Reddit comment expressing discomfort over a personal recording, deemed creepy and invasive.

But there’s always one person

Reddit comment discussing the feelings of awkwardness from receiving a creepy and invasive gift.

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