Rhiannon Ingle
The last thing anyone wants to have to deal with when literally pushing a human out of them is a whole load of in-law drama.
Well, unfortunately for one pregnant woman, she had to endure exactly this after her mother-in-law demanding to hold her baby first after she gave birth.
A text message exchange between the soon-to-be mum and her mother-in-law has since gone viral online with many left totally 'disturbed' by her request.
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The string of messages posted by Instagram page @teachingmotherhood starts off with the mother-in-law asking: "When are you going to have the baby?"
"Not sure, why?" the pregnant mum responds, to which she states: "We would like to be there for the birth and help. We want to be the first to hold her."
Already off to a great start there.
"Oh no," the soon-to-be mum politely explains. "We want to do this by ourselves. Just mum, dad and baby."
Clearly not expecting the response, the mother-in-law snapped back saying the decision was 'very disappointing', adding: "Why are you keeping her from us?
"Cousin [redacted] let her parents come and the new grandma even got to cut the cord."
Holding her ground, the pregnant mum highlighted the fact her birth was 'not a spectator sport for everyone to watch'.
"I'm sorry! I'll be spread east and west and probably pooping. I'm not comfortable with anyone being there!" she continued.
Finally, the grandma-to-be somewhat backed away.
Instead of her original demand to be the 'first to hold' the newborn, she then turned her attention elsewhere.
"Then we will wait to visit until she's born and then come," the mother-in-law insisted. "We want to see her right away, please don't make us wait.
"Just let us know when you head to the hospital so I can head to your house and start tidying up for you.
"No rush, we know where the guest room is!"
The page captioned the clip: "WHY ARE PEOPLE LIKE THIS! I see so many stories where grandma nudges her way into the delivery room... and sometimes grandpa too.
"I personally (after three kids) don’t even want visitors after the birth!
"It’s all personal preference - but truly I do not understand the absolute need to be in the delivery room and claw the new baby away from mom and dad!"
People have since rushed in to share their thoughts on the exchange with many agreeing with the soon-to-be mother.
One Instagram user penned: "If my daughter wanted me in the room, I’d be [there]. If she wants me in the waiting room, I’ll be there.
"If she wants me at her house, I’ll be there. And if she says 'we would like everyone to wait a couple of weeks before they come' guess what, you wait. It’s not about you."
A second revealed: "This boils my blood. Change the locks, call the police."
A third hit out: "The lack of appropriate boundaries and respect for others w that entire generation is SO disturbing."
A fourth chimed in: "Absolutely not! If they try overstepping these boundaries, imagine the other boundaries they’ll try to overstep when you’re not looking."
A final user echoed: "Imagining prioritising yourself in someone else’s most intimate moments…"