AITA for not letting my separated husband be involved with my pregnancy?
Picture a woman in her second trimester, navigating the glow and grit of pregnancy while living apart from her soon-to-be ex-husband. A drunken night led to this unexpected baby, but their marriage, frayed by years of toxicity, is beyond repair. She’s clear: he’ll be a father once the baby arrives, but for now, her body, her rules—no appointments, no belly touches, no delivery room.
This Reddit story crackles with the tension of personal boundaries clashing with parental rights. Is she safeguarding her health and peace, or unfairly shutting out a father-to-be? It’s a raw, heartfelt tale that dives into the messy intersection of separation, pregnancy, and hope for healthy co-parenting.
‘AITA for not letting my separated husband be involved with my pregnancy?’
This Reddit post lays bare a woman’s struggle to protect her well-being during a complicated pregnancy. Here’s her story, unfiltered:
This pregnancy saga is a delicate dance of autonomy and co-parenting. The woman’s decision to limit Jack’s involvement stems from stress, amplified by their toxic past and her pregnancy complications. Her boundaries—barring him from appointments and the delivery room—prioritize her mental and physical health, critical for the baby’s well-being.
Dr. Aviva Romm, a women’s health expert, states, “Stress during pregnancy can increase risks like preterm labor, so minimizing it is vital” (Source). A 2022 study in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that chronic stress raises miscarriage risk by 20% (Source). Her choice to keep Jack at a distance, while sharing updates, balances his paternal rights with her need for calm.
Jack’s hurt is understandable, but his accusation of exclusion ignores her bodily autonomy. “Pregnancy is uniquely the mother’s domain until birth,” Romm notes. A mediator or counselor could help them align on co-parenting expectations, ensuring Jack feels involved without stressing her. She might consider virtual updates, like video calls post-appointments, to ease his fears.
Take a look at the comments from fellow users:
Reddit served up a hearty mix of empathy and insight, with opinions as varied as a family potluck. Here’s what the crowd had to say:
![[Reddit User] − NAH. Only because you have stated that being around him stresses you out. So for the health of the baby and yourself , I will say NAH. If it wasn’t because of that, I would have thought what you are doing is cruel.. Edit: changed from nta as he is definitely not ta.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/257518cmt-05.png)
![[Reddit User] − NTA. My personal rule: If I’m not in a s**ual relationship with you then you’re not going to be in the room with me when everyone and their mother are sticking probes up my vagina, asking me personal questions, and feeling up my cervix.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/257518cmt-10.png)
These Reddit takes are as bold as a prenatal vitamin, but do they capture the full weight of navigating a pregnancy during a separation?
This story is a poignant blend of heartbreak, hope, and hard lines. The woman’s boundaries protect her health and her baby, but Jack’s pain hints at fears of being sidelined. Could a clearer conversation or third-party mediation bridge their gap without stress? What would you do if a strained relationship threatened your peace during pregnancy? Share your thoughts—have you ever had to set tough boundaries to protect your well-being?
