Feeling Resentment and depressed...

In March of last year my younger sister, who has Lupus, was induced at 24 weeks and sadly my niece did not survive. I learned that I was expecting in August and when we spread the news my mother berated my husband and I and accused me of purposely getting pregnant to hurt my sister, which I would never do. Any time there has been a family function my mom discourages anyone from discussing my pregnancy around my sister and even told me not to have a baby showed because it.would hurt my sister too much. Being the older sister and already having 3 kids I've been cautious as to my sister's feelings and have tried my best to not "flaunt" my pregnancy.
However last weekend my aunt threw me a baby shower and my sister said she didn't want to come, which I understood. I was actually looking forward to having a good time and thought for once I would be able to express excitement over my daughter's impending arrival. My sister came to the shower with several of her friends in tow, girls I didn't know, and before the first gift was opened she burst into tears and ran out of the room with her friends, my mother and 2 cousins right behind her. I became hurt and sad and didn't even want to continue with the party as I felt like this was a moment for me and once again it was turned into moment for her.
I understand my sister hurts for her daughter, I have had a miscarriage before and I know how much it hurts. But I'm really starting to resent that I can't be excited about my baby. My mother continues to talk about what happened to my sister and I wish she would stop so that my sister could try to move on. But when I try to express my feelings, its like I don't have them, only my sister's count.
I'm 37 weeks so my baby will be here soon and I'm to the point where I don't want my mother or sister to even come to the hospital when my baby comes because, as selfish as it sounds, I want my time and I want to be happy and not have another depressing situation. Am I wrong to feel this way? Everyone tells me to be happy but its easier said than done...

Comments

  • You are not wrong for feeling the way u do. It's sad for what happened to ur sister but your mom should be helping her get over it and they are not helping... you need to enjoy this birth and don't stress it because their is nothing u can do. Just stay away for now and when u do decide to show off baby make sure ur in da room... hope u feel better
  • It's not ok for your family to treat you that way. Your sister has to deal with what happened not hide from it. She will never recover if she keeps hiding and ignoring what happened. its not ur fault you have to be happy and you may have to distance yourself to do that. I would just let them.know once ur baby is born and u 2 are ready for visitors. good luck to u
  • I'm so sorry to hear this. I can see how your mom is trying to protect your sister, but she needs to understand that you aren't being malicious, not trying to hurt your sister& that regardless this baby is her grandchild. It isn't your fault what happened to your sister, you couldn't control nor change it. What type of Lupus does she have? I have SLE. Why was she induced? You could try writing to your mom, explaining how&why you feel the way you do. You're basically being punished for things that are beyond your control. Try your best to remain happy, stress is never a good thing, most of all while pregnant. I wish you all the best. Do you have a name picked for your sweet baby?
  • Thanks for all your advice....

    @MrsDelRae: my sister also has SLE, as well as a blood clot disorder called anti-phospholipid syndrome and Addison's Disease. She was told at 15 she would never carry a baby to term and could risk her own life if she ever became pregnant. She was induced to save her own life because her kidneys began to shut down and her bp could not be stabilized. It's a sad hand she has been dealt.

    We are indecisive about a name, I am anyway. I really like Salem, but my husband dislikes it. This morning I am set on Emma Camille....
  • I have blood clots, am on blood thinners for life. I have a surgically implanted filter permanently in my main artery to block clots from going to my lungs&heart. It can be trying some days, but I try to remain optimistic that everything will be okay, I've survived much much worse :) *fingers crossed* again, I'm so sorry for all the sadness this story entails for you&your family. Over time it'll get better, unfortunately it doesn't happen overnight. I really like the name you chose today :)
  • I'm sorry to hear about your sisters misfortune and the fact that you have been made to feel guilty about having your baby. You have every right to be happy and enjoy the precious moments with your child in the hospital without it being turned into another moment for your sisters grief. You, in your heart, know that you are sad for what happened to your sister but you also know its not your fault. I think it would be best to keep them from ruining your special moment. Wait until you are ready to deal with them before you let them visit. Regardless of whats happened this is your moment and you should be allowed to enjoy it without guilt or resentment. Good luck! And congratulations!
  • You are not wrong to feel the way you do. I am sorry that you are being made to feel like you cant enjoy your pregnancy. If when you have the baby and you still don't want your mom or sister there that is your rite and I for one think that you would be totally justified in doing so.


  • M.y mother would be the same way if something like that happened in my family. I got pregnant by surprise and she hates my boyfriend because she thinks he did it on purpose. She tries to tell me I should hate my boyfriend for throwing up all the time and being exhausted. It makes no sense. My father or mother neither are there for me and haven't been for 3 months. They refuse to talk about it or even get excited. I have a lot of resentment towards them.
  • I'm sorry for your sister's loss..but that shouldn't mean you can't enjoy your pregnancy and your lil girl. Your sister even though she is hurt..should be happy for you as well as your mom..in my opinion anyway...i know I would never be like that to my sister. I have had complications with both my pregnancies and they were both in level 2 nursery..i couldn't have my babies in my room and stayed 11 days with one and 9 days with the other before I could take them home. My sis had perfect delivery and perfect pregnancy and got to take her baby home right away..i never once held it against her..i was happy that she didn't have to go through what I did. I know what your sis went through is worse..and many others have had worse ..for me at the time though, it was awful. Your family should support you and not punish you for having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Just know people here support you:-) happy for you that your lil one will arrive soon . Good luck and please dont feel bad for being happy..it's your right to be :-)
  • I just want to be happy and excited for my daughter's birth. I'm glad my husband is supportive and has been, and even though this baby wasn't planned he has been super excited since finding out. He has even helped with all the preparation and we have gone shopping together....things he didnt do with our older 3. He even surprised me this morning with a new travel yard that I have had my eye on....so sweet.

    Thanks everyone for your comments, it makes me feel a little better in my excitement.19 days until Due Date!!
  • Don't let it get you down. I know too that you feel bad and are trying to be easy around her but you shouldn't have to walk on egg shells or make your happiness take a backseat. Its unfortunate that things like that happen but its your child and you should enjoy it. I had a miscarriage after my SIL was 3 months pregnant and while it did sting and I didn't attend her baby shower because it was still hard for me. I did buy her a.gift and I never once wished that.something bad happened to her. I believe that things.happen for a reason and that God knows what's best even when we don't think so ourselves. Your mother is doing wrong by "protecting" your sister but your sister needs time to grieve and they shouldn't make you feel like crap. Its not like she was forced to go the baby shower or anything..
  • Im going threw the samething with my sister. Besides im the younger one. She has had 2 mc in the past year and I believe she jus had another one. Well I lived with her and I didnt talk about the baby around her and when I asked here if certain things was normal she would say she didnt know but she does know (she has a 3 yr old son).. She has always been like a second mom to me but she hasnt been there at all. I knew at the beginning she was going to b hurt by it but im 22 weeks so I figured it get better but it got worse. She nicely told me she couldnt handle me living there with a baby so now I have to move out.. I know she is hurting but I need her there like she has always been but she cant bring herself to b there for me and it hurts alot.
  • Something similiar going on right now with me & my sister..

    She miscarried around 3 months pregnant from a eptopic pregnancy.. almost 3 or 4 months after her miscarriage I found out I was pregnant. I really didn't know how to tell her but I did and she didn't seem too upeset about the situation. Well, almost exactly 3 months into my pregnancy she becomes pregnant again against everyones advice (with health, age, and other factors being in consideration for her). I sort of felt in a way that she got pregnant again to spite me or to take "my time" (selfish as it may sound) away from me and my baby.
    It has taken me almost 5 months to be okay with her and her decisions she's made.. but I finally realized that sisters and family are forever.. and am actually looking forward to my babygirl having a close cousin to her.
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