Pregnancy can be hard and happy. One woman didn’t expect her workplace to be the problem. Here’s her story of how one decision made everything complicated.

She explained what happened:
I am a 28-year-old woman and have been working at my company for five years. I loved my job until recently. About a month ago, I was eight months pregnant when I started having contractions at work. I thought it was just Braxton Hicks contractions because I wasn’t due yet and they weren’t very strong. A week before, I had gone to the hospital for Braxton Hicks, but it was a false alarm.

This time, I was working when the contractions started in the morning, and I again thought it was Braxton Hicks. I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I kept working. The last time I went to the hospital, my boss, John, made sarcastic comments about me being overly dramatic and joked that I should “schedule” my labor around important meetings. I have social anxiety and usually don’t stand up to people, so I just accepted it.

By noon, the contractions were getting stronger and closer together, and I knew it was real labor. I needed to go to the hospital. I told John I was in labor and needed to leave. He rolled his eyes and said, “Just stay for the meeting at 1 PM. It’s crucial, and we need you there.”

I was shocked. I said again that I was in active labor and needed to go to the hospital immediately. John snapped back, “It’s just a meeting. Sit through it, and then you can go. It’s not like the baby is going to pop out right now.” Feeling pressured and scared for my job, I stayed.

The meeting lasted two very painful hours. By the end, I was in so much pain I could barely walk. I finally left and drove myself to the hospital, where I was admitted right away.

My husband arrived 30–40 minutes later because he was on the other side of town for a meeting. My daughter was born later that evening, thankfully healthy despite the delay.

When I told my husband what happened, he was furious and insisted we report John to HR. I was hesitant because I didn’t want to lose my job, but I agreed it was the right thing to do. HR was shocked and said they would handle it. John has been suspended while they investigate.

The worst part? During the investigation, it was found that John had emailed the whole office while I was in labor, complaining about my “lack of commitment” and making fun of me for “overreacting.” He even suggested I was using my pregnancy as an excuse to avoid work.

Now, my coworkers are angry with me. They think I overreacted and should have just stayed for the company. I’ve received messages and emails from some colleagues saying I “ruined” John’s career and that he was just doing his job under pressure. One even said I should have “toughed it out” like their wife did during her pregnancy.

The stress from all this has made it hard to enjoy my first days with my newborn. I keep second-guessing myself and feeling guilty, even though I know I did what was best for my baby and me.

To make things worse, the new manager who replaced John is even worse. He has made it clear he resents my actions and has made my return to work unbearable. Now that my maternity leave is over, I feel isolated at work. People give me dirty looks and whisper about me. During lunch, I sit alone because no one wants to sit with the “troublemaker.”

It feels like high school all over again. I dread going to work each day, facing hostility and judgment. I never thought doing what was right for my health and my baby would make my coworkers turn against me like this. It’s heartbreaking to feel so isolated and hated for standing up for myself and my rights.

I cry most of the time when I come home and sometimes even in the office bathroom when someone makes a comment. In my worst moments, I get mad at my husband and blame him for making me tell HR, even though I know he did the right thing. He’s so sweet and never takes it to heart.

I apologize soon after, but he always says he wasn’t even mad and that he understands how I’m feeling, especially since I’m just one month postpartum. He says I should take action and complain, but I don’t want to make things worse. He’s also saying he can’t see me like this and that I should just quit because it’s hurting him.

I don’t know what to do. I’m a sensitive and emotional person in general, and now it’s been worse since giving birth.