Pregnancy brings many physical changes (hello, heartburn) and emotional weight, but what happens when your partner adds more stress instead of support? One expectant mom drew a firm boundary with her husband after his “jokes” went too far, and let’s just say… the internet is very much on her side.
In a now-viral Reddit post, the six-months-pregnant woman shared that her husband had developed an infuriating habit: every time they left a doctor’s appointment, he would play a game with the car, slowly pulling forward and reversing while she tried to get in. He thought it was funny. She did not.
“I’m already dealing with the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy, and this just feels like him poking fun at me when I’m already tired and stressed,” she wrote.
Despite multiple serious conversations, he refused to stop, insisting she was overreacting. The final straw? He did it again—so she banned him from all future appointments.
Her husband (and his mother, of course) accused her of being hormonal and too emotional. But thousands of commenters backed her up, calling out the real issue here: the emotional labor of pregnancy—and how often women are expected to just “deal with it.”
Pregnancy and the invisible load of emotional labor
The Reddit post went viral for more than just a husband’s thoughtlessness. It struck a chord because it called out the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy—and how often women are expected to carry that load alone.
Expecting moms take on most of the planning, scheduling, and mental work, often without enough support. A study in The Journal of Marriage and Family found that mothers handle 79% of the mental labor that keeps families functioning. And a Harvard Business Review study shows that women make 80% of healthcare decisions for their families—from managing insurance to scheduling appointments.
But it’s not just about physical tasks—pregnancy is an emotional and logistical marathon. Studies like the Ohio State and The New Parents Project show that even in dual-income, highly educated couples, women end up doing the bulk of the childcare and household duties after the baby arrives. In fact, the Ohio State study found that while both partners thought their workloads increased equally, women worked two extra hours a day, while men added only 40 minutes.
And the emotional load doesn’t stop there. A Pew Research Center study found that 74% of mothers do more to manage their children’s schedules than their partners, while only 3% say their partner does more.
The Reddit mom’s frustration is more than justified. She’s managing her pregnancy, navigating all the logistics, and preparing for birth—while her husband’s behavior only adds stress. This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a cultural one. Pregnant women deserve more than the bare minimum. It’s time partners stepped up—emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Pregnant women deserve more than the bare minimum
The real takeaway here isn’t just that one man refused to stop a childish prank. It’s that too many women feel unsupported during one of the most physically demanding times of their lives. And that’s not just a personal issue—it’s a cultural one.
Let’s be honest: pregnancy in 2025 is harder than ever.
- Maternal healthcare costs have skyrocketed. According to KFF, the average out-of-pocket cost of having a baby in the U.S. is now $18,865.
- Workplaces still don’t support pregnant employees: According to the OECD, the U.S. remains one of the only developed countries without paid federal maternity leave.
- Women’s pain is still dismissed in medical settings: Women’s pain is still dismissed in medical settings. One in five women report mistreatment during maternity care, with Black, Hispanic, and multiracial women facing disproportionately higher rates of mistreatment, according to a report by the CDC.
And yet, pregnant women are still expected to be the emotional caretakers—for their partners, for their extended families, for their future child. That’s the real problem here.
What needs to change?
If this story resonated with you, you’re not alone. Here’s what expecting moms actually need from their partners:
- Respect for boundaries. If a pregnant woman says something is upsetting her, listen and adjust. Period.
- Actively participate in the process. Attending doctor’s appointments isn’t just about being there. It’s about being engaged, informed, and helpful.
- Emotional support that isn’t centered on his feelings. Pregnancy is not the time for “you’re being too sensitive” arguments. Instead, try: “I hear you. I’ll do better.”
- Taking on mental load tasks: Research baby gear. Handle an insurance call. Plan a nursery project. Do something that takes the weight off her plate.
Pregnant mothers have so much on their plates. It’s time for partners, employers, society, and culture to lighten the load—not add to it.
