'She pushed it too far': Mother-in-law criticizes daughter-in-law for going to the gym while pregnant, pregnant daughter snaps at her

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Mar 7, 2025 1:00 PM EST

Some types of people are weirdly controlling over pregnant women's bodies. It can seem like the minute you conceive, your body is up for discussion in the public forum. Strangers scrutinize what you eat, what you wear, how hard you're working, and what you do with your free time. Forgetting that it has not ceased to remain your own body. But it's deeply ingrained in our culture to hold pregnant women to a certain standard of behavior.

People also have a weird bias when it comes to pregnant people and exercise. Despite it being proven time and time again that moderate to light exercise is not only safe but recommended, some folks get their undies in a twist thinking about it. Whether it be the product of old wives' tales or just a need to exert some amount of control, these feelings continue to bubble up. That's exactly what happened in this story. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10475461632
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • One such person really overextended her influence when it came to her pregnant daughter-in-law. She had a little too much to say and faced the consequences of her comments. Read on to see what she said and whether or not the pregnant woman's actions were justified. 

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    AITA for Telling My MIL to P*** Off After She Criticized Me for Going to the Gym While Pregnant?

    1 (28F) am currently pregnant and have been staying active by going to the gym, as my doctor has assured me it's perfectly safe. I don't do anything extreme-just light weights, walking, and stretching to stay healthy for
    via u/Ill_Physics9841
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    myself and the baby. my MIL. She's been making constant comments about how I'm "selfish" and "putting my baby in danger" by working out. She even told me I'm "asking for a miscarriage" by not just sitting at home and "acting like a proper pregnant woman."
    via u/Ill_Physics9841
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    I've tried explaining that my doctor is on board, but she won't listen. Today, she pushed it too far, saying I was going to "regret it when something happens." I snapped and told her to off
    via u/Ill_Physics9841
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    and stop sticking her nose in my business. Now she's playing the victim, saying I was "disrespectful" and that I should apologize. My husband is on my side but thinks I could've handled it more calmly. AITA for snapping at her?
    via u/Ill_Physics9841
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    Commenters were quick to take the pregnant woman's side.

    Dittoheadforever 7h ago . You're NTA. Her judgmental comments are ride, intrusive, and ignorant. My husband is on my side but thinks I could've handled it more calmly.
    via u/Dittoheadforever
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    Then he should have intervened when it started and handled his mother's behavior before it pushed you over the edge.
    via u/Dittoheadforever
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    • Chocolatecandybar_ 6h ago NTA. You don't prophetise a miscarriage to a pregnant woman. Like never. Your reaction was even too calm
    via u/Chocolatecandybar_
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    firefly232 6h ago . I have one of those "Household Maintenance" cookbooks and life guides for women. It's published in the 1960s. It has a section on pregnancy and says that light housework* is OK and also gives exercises to do daily to keep healthy.
    via u/firefly232
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    *bearing in mind that housework then would be a lot more physical than today. NTA your MIL is a PITA. But you have a husband problem and you need to get him on side asap.
    via u/firefly232
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    MrsSEM84.6h ago NTA. She kept pushing even after she was told this was medically approved. She deserved to be snapped at. Your husband is wrong to suggest you could have handled it differently & you should tell him so.
    via u/MrsSEM84
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    HE now needs to take over this situation and have a sit down with her where HE makes it abundantly clear to her that SHE is the ONLY one in the wrong and he expects HER to apologise to you. Anything less than this is not acceptable.
    via u/MrsSEM84
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    It's not your problem that she is ignorant and stuck in the past. And this won't be the last thing she criticises you for, it's only the first. Anything different to how she raised her kids 30 years ago will be "wrong" or signs of you being a "bad parent ".
    via u/MrsSEM84
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    Unless YOUR HUSBAND shuts that the h I down NOW. At the moment you have a MIL problem, but if HE won't stand up and properly support you in this then you have a husband problem too.
    via u/MrsSEM84
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    Comprehensive Cit... • 6h ago Nta I can't stand it when the world thinks exercise is some dangerous thing a pregnant women shouldn't do She is not a midwife or doctor
    via u/ComprehensiveCity283
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    Cheezburger Image 10475461376
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

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    Inte... • . 6h ago Edited 4h ago NTA That woman would be out the door so fast! I don't know where this idea came from that all women should just plonk on their backside for 9 months to ensure a healthy baby. Women worked
    via u/International-Fee255
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    for millennia while pregnant, they cooked cleaned, cared for other children, fought off tigers and chased dinosaurs (maybe). Women are still Human beings and bodies
    via u/International-Fee255
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    need to move in order to stay useful... Exercise during pregnancy can prevent gestational diabetes, help prevent a C-section, ensure quicker healing post birth etc etc etc. If doctor has ok'd it then MIL needs to shut it.
    via u/International-Fee255
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    Forward-Dingo1431 • 7h ago MIL's can be so great and/or so challenging. It's very important for both your mental health and your relationship to set clear boundaries and defend them (respectfully when possible) at all costs. It seems as
    via u/Forward-Dingo1431
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    though you tried to go that route, and she continued to push, so it is what it is. You could apologize for the words or tone you used if necessary while still being clear that you will not tolerate her badgering or interference. Congratulations and good luck! NTA
    via u/Forward-Dingo1431
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    FairyFartDaydreams 6h ago NTA I've never been pregnant and I even know that pregnant women can work out to the level that they were before they were pregnant
    via u/FairyFartDaydreams
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    dragonetta123 7h ago NTA Guidance now is to maintain your activity levels, within reason, as it's healthier for you and baby. Yes, you could have handled it more tactfully, but it sounds like you tried that, and it failed.
    via u/dragonetta123
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    Snurgisdr • 6h ago NTA. You are not required to pretend to respect someone who disrespects you.
    via u/Snurgisdr
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    . use_your_smarts • 6h ago Every time she raises it, ask to see her medical degree. Then lecture her about her own medical conditions til she gets the point.
    via u/use_your_smarts
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    Worth-Season3645 7h ago . NTA...Your husband should have said something to his mom long before you had to. MIL is not a doctor. As long as there are no issues, exercise is healthy for mom and baby.
    via u/Worth-Season3645

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