‘I replied, mid contraction’: Know-it-all SIL gets an earful in the group chat after sending a three-time Mom ‘informative articles’ about labor pains

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Feb 8, 2025 9:00 PM EST

When in labor, pregnant women are pretty much exempt from standard human politeness. As they squeeze a human life out of their body, they're privy to certain ramifications—like a snippy remark in the family group chat after getting belittled by their sister-in-law. 

While I don't condone quick-to-anger responses as a resolution to any family debate, sometimes your folks need a splash of cold water to the face to realize they're crossing some serious boundaries. And when this 3-time mom, a woman who's certainly experienced the full spectrum of pregnancy and labor, got lectured in the group chat about Braxton Hicks contractions, she was nearing the end of her patience. Keep scrolling for the entire story of sisterly condescension that unraveled into an all-out family feud after a woman in labor snapped and pushed things a little too far. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10464522496
    via Anastasiia

    (The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.)

    I don't know much about pregnancy, but what I do know without a shadow of a doubt, is that one should always steer clear of a woman in labor. No matter your intentions and no matter your headspace, confronting a woman whose belly is 10x the size, bladder compressed, and with a baby trying to come out of them, is not the wisest of calls. But this sister-in-law felt entitled to pass along some condescending articles to a short-fused woman and she got exactly what she deserved in response.

  • 02

    "AITA for a text I sent in a group chat while in labor?"

    Let's jump into this: I (29F) gave birth to my 3rd baby in November. The women in my husband's family (his 2 sisters, our sil, and his mom) and I have a group chat whereas we send pictures of our kids, tell funny stories about our day, and, in this case, send updates about possible labor.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 03
    On this particular day in November, at 37 weeks plus 5 days gestation, I reached out to inform that this just might be the day my newest baby decides to make his grand entrance. I had been having strong contractions since 5:50 that morning.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 04
    Everyone, except sil (my husband's brother's wife) responded with excitement and praying hands emoji's. Well, according to the nurses at the hospital, I wasn't dilated enough to be admitted, despite strong and frequent contractions. This was at noon.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 05
    I updated the chat. Everyone seemed concerned and asked if I still thought if it might still be that day. I assured it was most likely going to happen that day, judging from past experiences, but I would go home to labor in comfort. This is where i might be the a- hole.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 06
    My sil, who also gave birth to her 3rd baby a couple months prior (via c-section. I am not judging nor think of her as less than, just context is key) decided to text how glad she was that I wasn't in "real labor" and that it's better that I wait to have the baby another couple of weeks. She then sent a bunch of screen shots and links to articles about false labor and Braxton hicks.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10464516608
    via Africa Images

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 08
    AS IF I HAD NEVER GIVEN BIRTH BEFORE OR EXPERIENCED PREGNANCY BEFORE. I replied, mid contraction: "Not to be bity, but this ain't my first rodeo, and I know how to Google things as well. And yes, I have been checked, and they will check again before deciding IF I should go home or not."
    via Spookybeagle
  • 09
    Well, I did go home, only to go back to the hospital a couple of hours later and had my baby at 10:15 that night. Sil does not reply to me in texts, and has since unfriended me on Facebook. (Not that I really care about that.)
    via Spookybeagle
  • 10
    I just want to know it I was an a- hole for what I said... and, in hindsight, perhaps I shouldn't have been texting in the groupchat while in labor. So, reddit. Was I an a-h e?
    via Spookybeagle
  • 11
    Edit: I meant to elaborate on the c-section detail. Which definitely makes me come across as someone who looks down on her for it. Which I do not. Her first baby was a preemie and she had an emergency c-section. Her youngest 2 were scheduled.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 12
    The point I was trying to make was that our experiences with pregnancy and childbirth are completely different. Which, I could have said without the c- section fact. My apologies.
    via Spookybeagle
  • 13
    Bubbly-Book0919 As someone who gave birth: NTA Your in labor, that give you a bit of grace As someone whose body doesn't like to dilate, I know what it's like to go and get sent home. You get told to go home and walk around.
    via Bubbly-Book0919
  • 14
    It's safe to do as long as your baby hasn't been broken the sac. Both of mine ended up and I ended up back in the hospital a bit more dilated and a bit wet. They hooked me up with an iv and a increasing amount of pitocen until 24 hours after the water broke or the baby was making their grand entrance
    via Bubbly-Book0919
  • 15
    enigmatic-boom I'm gonna go NTA. All those articles and screenshots weren't necessary when you've literally given birth multiple times before this and you didn't say anything wrong. You've been in labor before and you also have Google at your fingertips.
    via enigmatic-boom
  • 16
    I think the context about the c section is really important. I'm literally the only one in my generation of cousins to have had vaginal births (we're all still actively expanding our families) and I can definitely feel the shift when I talk about my labor stories
    via enigmatic-boom
  • 17
    sometimes. I'm not projecting on your SIL but my family members can't be the only ones that experience at least a tiny bit of jealous surrounding it, especially if she has attempted and failed at a VBAC before.
    via enigmatic-boom
  • 18
    Plus, why the h I are you "well actually"ing a woman that's literally in labor???? If you blink too hard while I'm in labor im gonna be ped off so yeah NTA.
    via enigmatic-boom
  • 19
    Altruistic-Bunny This is really not about pregnancy and labor, it is a "know-it-all" giving unsolicited advice on something they really do not know. Then getting bt-hurt when you push back. Does this SIL need to always be seen as the expert, most knowledgeable?
    via Altruistic-Bunny
  • 20
    Dlraetz1 Don't text while under duress. Seriously, why? She had an emergency C premature baby. Of course she was hoping you'd go full term. She didn't wish your child any risk
    via Dlraetz1
  • 21
    Secondly-you were mid contraction. Of course you were going to be testy Now go send her a picture of your baby with a note saying that you all hope to meet soon
    via Dlraetz1
  • 22
    montwhisky ESH. You took her comments the worst way possible (not sure why you brought up her c section), and she should have been more careful what she said to a mom in labor. I honestly don't know why you were offended by what she said. Sounds like she was trying to be positive even if she was wrong. Honestly, moms are the most judgmental people toward other moms, and you all just need to chill.
    via montwhisky
  • 23
    Positive-Reserve-910 NTA, her text mentioning it's better "to wait a couple weeks" as if you had a choice while in active labor with baby #3. She comes off as judgemental of you.
    via Positive-Reserve-910

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having a baby baby drama birthday motherhood giving birth moms reddit story sister in law mom story birth family mom contractions labor
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