3rd Trimester

Opinions needed on in laws meeting newborn

Let me set the stage- I’m an *extremely* private person. I keep physical things very quiet- my mother didn’t even know when I started to get my period as a teen, and we are close.
My in-laws seem to not understand this. During my first pregnancy they asked if I was dilated at all close to my due date. That’s a question that I find extremely personal. Thankfully I didn’t know so I was able to just say that.
Anyways. After my last baby was born, I was on the couch (stuck there, because postpartum misery a day after birth), and my father in law ASKED IF I TORE during the labor. My husband and I both were horrified. Because he knows me, he jumped in to say “everything was fine”, before I lost my mind. Then they went on to talk about my mother in laws birth experiences and shared physical details I did NOT want to know. But I couldn’t get away, I was stuck on the couch hoping I wasn’t bleeding off the pads beneath me. They also stayed long enough to where the baby was hungry but I didn’t want to nurse in front of them. (Two kids in and I almost never nurse in front of others, even my own family)
To my question- I’m expecting my third baby soon. Would it be rude if I was resting in bed when they came to meet the baby, and just had my husband bring her out to meet them? I can’t handle the thought of being stuck on the couch fielding invasive personal questions. Opinions appreciated. I don’t know if I’m being too wacky, but I know I’m extremely sensitive postpartum and I don’t want to say anything I would regret.

Re: Opinions needed on in laws meeting newborn

  • No, I don't think that's rude. You could also combine that with asking your husband to speak with his parents prior to set up some boundaries 
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  • I think you need to buck up and stand up for yourself and tell them that you don’t want to answer personal questions. If you keep being meek and avoidant it doesn’t fix anything. 

    Whenever my babies needed to eat, I left the room or told my extended family to leave the room. Simple as that. Don’t dance around the issue, tell them you need and want privacy. 

    If you are worried you can’t firmly set these boundaries, I would tell them they can wait until baby is a little bit older and you don’t feel so badly to meet them so you aren’t worried about bleeding, pain, nursing every five minutes, etc. 
  • Fully agree with your husband helping to set boundaries. You didn't feel pressured or burdened with managing them just after having a baby. My in laws are somewhat similar. I've found that using a little humor and sarcasm works well too. Ie. If they asked if I tore, I would say something like "we can only.talk about my vagina after we've talked about everyone else's private parts. House rules!" 

    Usually it's enough that they laugh uncomfortably and realize they're off base. If not, that's why my husband is there to redirect. 

    I also bought a little privacy sign for breastfeeding and pumping to hang on the nursery door for when they visit. 

    Don't feel compelled to be nice at your own expense. They need to respect your personal boundaries. If all else fails, simply say the truth "I'm way too private of a person to discuss that!" or "Ok I'm going to go nurse privately now." Or "I need to nurse now - we'll catch up with y'all later"

    Your body your baby your rules!
  • I'm not as nice as you. I'd tell them to call before coming over and only stay for 30 minutes. I've already made a list of things I'm going to send to my family and my in laws before the baby comes - like no one is kissing my baby, no one is holding him unless i say its okay, no one is taking him anywhere without our permission. my husband and I unfortunately live with some of his family right now, we have like a downstairs "apartment" but have to share a kitchen upstairs. we are putting a lock on the door to downstairs and no one is coming down unless invited lol.  I'm private too - and his family is nosey and loves to tell me how to live my life. they have no filter when they speak to me so I no longer do when I speak to them 🤷‍♀️ we get along fine but sometimes I have to let them know they're crossing a line I'm not willing to let them cross.
  • I don't think that's rude at all. My mother in law was also extremely invasive and before my first child was born I set boundaries very clearly. She didn't like it but I didn't care. My husband and I were on the same page, everyone else thought my boundaries were reasonable and healthy except her. I had a high risk pregnancy and a hard delivery on one occasion while I was getting checked after birth (like nurses all up in my business, legs in the air type of situation) she barged in the room with a friend after being asked to wait outside while I was checked. Needless to say the nurses were aware of my request before hand and kicked her out. Also, I think voicing "I don't feel quite comfortable answering that" is also a healthy boundary. Hope you have a peaceful postpartum!
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