“I’m Tryna Help”: Man Pushes Pregnant Girlfriend To Exercise, Ignoring How Unwell She Feels

In most cases, staying active during pregnancy is recommended, as it can have great benefits for both the mom and the baby. That said, expectant women should still listen to their bodies when exercising to avoid overexertion, which can pose various risks. 

This pregnant woman was doing well in this department, listening to her body and skipping workouts when she was too exhausted. Sadly, her partner wasn’t at all understanding about it and continued to push her to exercise even when she felt unwell, which pushed her over the edge. 

When exercising, pregnant women should listen to their bodies to avoid certain risks

Pregnant woman in a yellow shirt looking tired and sore, holding her belly and forehead in a home setting.

Image credits: Freepik (not the actual photo)

This woman tried doing so, but her boyfriend insisted that she fights through her exhaustion and hit the gym

Screenshot of a text conversation where a pregnant woman explains being too sore and tired to work out, facing accusations.

Text message exchange about boyfriend accusing pregnant girlfriend of being toxic and skipping workouts due to soreness and tiredness.

Text message conversation showing a pregnant girlfriend too sore and tired to work out, accused of playing the victim.

Text message exchange showing a man accusing pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim for being too sore and tired to work out.

Text conversation showing a man accusing pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out

Text messages showing a heated exchange where a man accuses pregnant girlfriend of gaslighting and being toxic.

Text asking if someone is overreacting or if a man is being insensitive to his pregnant girlfriend's soreness and tiredness.

Image credits: throwawayy82670

Pregnant woman in workout clothes holding dumbbells, exercising indoors despite feeling sore and tired.

Image credits: Gustavo Fring / Pexels (not the actual photo)

“There may be days where you feel like you can’t exercise in pregnancy”

Even though there are numerous benefits to exercising during pregnancy, like reducing risks of birth complications and back pain, as well as boosting mood and confidence, working out in the first trimester can be especially tough (for some even longer, or until the end of pregnancy).

Typically, in early pregnancy, symptoms like nausea, dizziness and fatigue exhaust expectant women to the point where they can’t get out of bed, let alone think about hitting the gym. During such times, women should not beat themselves up about it. 

“There are going to be some days when you just need to survive and that’s okay,” says practising midwife Pip Davies. “Even if the first trimester for you is a complete write off, it’s not too late. When things do get easier, because for most women, they will, you can pick exercise up then.”

At times when expectant women in the third trimester have more energy, they can go on short outdoor walks, especially in the morning, as cool air can help with nausea. Any activity or movement counts when expectant women are nauseous and fatigued – truly. 

The most important thing is to listen to one’s body, as overdoing exercise can do more damage than good. “There may be days where you feel like you can’t exercise in pregnancy,” says Davies. “Sleep can impact how you feel, hormones can impact things. Take every day as it comes and meet your body and its energy needs where they’re at that day.”

Couple hugging outdoors with a positive pregnancy test, highlighting pregnant girlfriend feeling too sore and tired.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Practical help and emotional reassurance during early pregnancy

During early pregnancy and beyond, when women go through immense body and life changes, the support of significant others is very important. If a couple is going to be first time parents, the early weeks can be extremely difficult, as the changes that are happening can’t be seen with a naked eye. 

During week 5-8, experts at sleepybelly suggest emotional reassurance at this time is crucial and recommends partners do the following:

• Prepare gentle, easy-to-digest meals and keep snacks like crackers or ginger tea handy to help with nausea.
• Take on extra household chores to lighten her load.
• Offer emotional support by listening and being present without trying to fix everything.

In the weeks 9-12 partners should aim to help expectant mothers with aspects such as these: 

• Help track appointments and milestones using a shared calendar or pregnancy app.
• Encourage gentle exercise like walking or prenatal yoga together.
• Create a calm, stress-free environment by managing noise and clutter.

Partner’s supportive and calm-inducing involvement during pregnancy can greatly improve maternal wellbeing, reduce stress and can even lead to better birth outcomes. That’s why every significant other of expectant women should seek to offer practical help and emotional presence that are vital for mother’s and baby’s well-being. 

Commenters decided that the woman didn’t overreact

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a planned pregnancy and relationship issues involving a pregnant girlfriend.

Reddit comments discussing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim over soreness and tiredness affecting workouts.

Comment from a pregnant woman sharing struggles with working out while her boyfriend accuses her of playing the victim.

Screenshot of a social media comment about pregnancy, highlighting a statement dismissing morning sickness symptoms.

Comment on Reddit about a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when she's too sore and tired to work out.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment questioning where people find such difficult partners in relationships.

Alt text: Online discussion about man accusing pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Comment discussing how a pregnant girlfriend feeling too sore and tired to work out deserves support, not blame.

Comment on a forum post about a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Comment on a forum screen discussing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Man arguing with pregnant girlfriend who is too sore and tired to work out, accusing her of playing the victim.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when tired and sore.

Screenshot of an online comment criticizing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore or tired.

Text post discussing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Comment discussing pregnancy exhaustion and soreness affecting ability to work out, accusing victim mentality.

Comment warning about man accusing pregnant girlfriend of playing victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment questioning if someone would accept a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim.

Screenshot of a comment accusing a pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Screenshot of an online comment accusing a man of calling his pregnant girlfriend a victim for being too sore and tired to work out.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing pregnancy exhaustion and a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim.

Text post discussing a doctor’s advice on pregnancy symptoms and balancing physical activity with rest during pregnancy.

Comment expressing sympathy for a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too tired to work out.

Screenshot of an online comment where a man accuses his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

Comment criticizing a man accusing his pregnant girlfriend of playing the victim when too sore and tired to work out.

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