Mom-to-Be’s Husband Wants Her to Cut Off Friend Based on Her Insensitive Reaction to Their Pregnancy News

A woman expecting her first child says her husband wants her to cut ties with a longtime friend after the friend reacted poorly to her pregnancy announcement — and now she’s torn about what to do.

The 39-year-old shared her dilemma on the “Am I Being Unreasonable?” forum on the U.K. community site Mumsnet, explaining that she’s known this friend since her mid-20s. Despite the long bond, she said the friendship has recently taken a negative turn, marked by passive-aggressive comments about her life choices.

“I got married last year and was met with lots of comments about my engagement ring and new marital home being over the top, which I let go,” she wrote, noting that her friend, who is eager to marry her long-term partner, is not yet married herself.

The woman revealed that she recently found out she’s pregnant after a long struggle with fertility. “I had two miscarriages this year and a referral for IVF. Somehow, by a miracle, I fell pregnant this summer,” she shared. The timing of the pregnancy means she’ll likely have to miss a friend’s wedding in Italy next summer.

When the longtime friend — who was aware of her fertility challenges — learned the news, she reportedly rolled her eyes and criticized the timing. “She mentioned how my timing and planning was poor for the pregnancy due to the upcoming nuptials,” the woman said. “She even messaged several times to check if I had told the bride yet, saying the bride would be disappointed in me.”

Her husband and sisters were furious when they heard about the reaction. “I have never actually seen my husband so angry, and my sister looked like she was going to cry when I told her,” the woman wrote.

Seeking perspective, the expectant mother asked the forum for advice: “Am I feeling more upset by this because of pregnancy hormones?” She later added that when she told the bride-to-be about her pregnancy, the bride was “delighted” and completely understanding.

Most commenters sided firmly with the woman’s husband. “She is not your friend. Anyone who is that jealous and competitive does not have your best interests at heart,” one person wrote. “If she isn’t happy for you after what you’ve been through and is more interested in stirring up drama, that tells you everything you need to know.”

Another user offered a blunt solution: “Either block her and cut her off, or tell her how disappointed and hurt you are — and then block her and cut her off. She sounds awful and jealous.”

A third suggested taking a more reflective approach: “Write up a balance sheet of how your friend makes you feel. If she’s adding only negative emotions — confusion, sadness, shock — and little to no positivity like happiness or support, then fade her out of your life.”