A woman has sparked an emotional discussion online after sharing her reaction to a friend’s pregnancy announcement, which she found particularly painful due to her own ongoing fertility struggles. In a Reddit post, she reveals the complex emotions that came up during the dinner where her friend, whom she had confided in about her fertility journey, announced she was expecting.
The Redditor, who has suffered two miscarriages, including one in January 2025, explained how she and her husband have been navigating a difficult fertility journey with the help of doctors. After a period of deep depression, she finally felt that she was emerging from the emotional toll. However, her friend’s announcement left her feeling blindsided and deeply hurt.
According to the Redditor, her friend—whom she calls “Friend A”—had known about her struggles and had appeared supportive in the past. However, the Redditor observed that her friend had become less empathetic over time. As an example, she shared a situation where Friend A was upset when a friend broke their leg at her wedding, as it disrupted the dancing.
When the group sat down for dinner, Friend A excitedly blurted out, “I’m pregnant!!!” and immediately began recording the reaction. The Redditor, who was already struggling with her fertility issues, felt overwhelmed by the surprise and the fact that she was being filmed. “I quickly mustered up ‘oh wow, I had a feeling,’” she recalls, barely able to hold back tears. The conversation quickly shifted to Friend A’s pregnancy, with the Redditor feeling like her emotional state was completely disregarded.
To make matters worse, after the dinner, Friend A texted Friend B, expressing her nervousness about sharing the news but also stating that she was too excited to wait. She hoped the Redditor was okay but never reached out personally to check in. Friend B, who was aware of the Redditor’s struggles, responded bluntly, saying that Friend A should have shared the news in private and without recording it. Friend A’s response dismissed any concerns, stating that true friends should always be happy for each other, regardless of personal circumstances.
The Redditor now finds herself questioning whether her reaction—feeling upset and hurt by the surprise announcement—is wrong. “I know she’ll be texting me soon about why I’m upset, and how my experiences shouldn’t take away from her moment,” she wrote, wondering if her emotions were justified.
The post drew a significant amount of support, with many Redditors sympathizing with the poster’s experience. “Infertility is something that people will never understand unless they’ve gone through it themselves,” one commenter shared, expressing how painful it can be to experience such emotional turmoil in the face of other people’s pregnancy news. Another pointed out that Friend A’s actions lacked empathy and suggested that a more sensitive approach would have been appropriate.
However, some readers felt that the Redditor should still try to be happy for her friend, even though she admitted that her reaction would have been different if she hadn’t been recorded.
The situation highlights the delicate nature of discussing fertility struggles with others. Research has shown that fertility issues can cause significant emotional distress, on top of the physical challenges. For those going through such experiences, it’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions, including sadness, jealousy, or even anger when confronted with pregnancy announcements. The key is to prioritize self-care, with many commenters recommending therapy to help manage the emotional toll of fertility struggles and loss.
In the end, while Friend A’s excitement is understandable, a little more sensitivity and empathy would have gone a long way in helping the Redditor navigate her emotions during such a difficult time.
Related topics:
OPINION: When is the Right Time to Embrace IVF?
An Open Letter to Vice-President JD Vance on IVF and NaProTechnology
