NWR: Rant about an Ex-Aunt

Wrkn925

My cousin and his wife are expecting a baby.

Cousin's mother, whom is divorced from our family, has planned a baby shower for them this Sunday.

Ok, sounds great.

I messaged her on Facebook last night to make sure the plans were still the same.  Her reply:
"Yes, the doctor says she's starting to dialate.  If her headaches don't go away, then they told her to go to the hospital, and they might enduce her.  If not, they are going to induce her Monday. I think the swelling is bothering her."

Woah....really??  We are having a baby shower for someone who is really ready to pop.  She sounds like she's f*cking miserable! 
So,
1.) It's VERY likely that she will not make it til sunday.
2.) If she's still pregnant Sunday, she's not going to be happy.  Best part?  The shower is at the couple's house, so I'm sure she's going to absolutely LOVE hosting this and cleaning up after.

At first I was concerned that Cousin's wife was going into labor early, so I called Cousin.  Nope, her due date is Monday.  SERIOUSLY?  Who plans a baby shower for the day before someone's due date?
The correct answer?  My fruity former Aunt, that's who.

I plan on going, if it happens, because I don't want Cousin's wife to think our side of the family doesn't care.  Although I feel like just sending a gift because I will really think this is going to be uncomfortable and a hassle for the mother-to-be.

I hope she goes into labor Satruday.

OK, rant over.

FutureMrsTR

Your cousin shouldn't be having to host and clean up after her own shower.  Wouldn't your ex-aunt be doing that for her?  Or no, because she nuts?

arv266

Starting to dilate and becoming fully dilated can take days... weeks even.   I don't know many woman who actually go into labor on their due date.  The one thing that is certain is that she will definitely not be comfortable at this stage.  By my 9th month I felt like a beached whale, and had 0 energy.

Its very nice of you to go to the shower; I am sure your cousin will appreciate the family support.

kikibaby

I guess if you really feel bad about it, you could offer to stay after and help clean up.

opalsky007

What a nut. Has she never heard of babies coming early?

I hope she goes early too. Any chance you could drop off a card and a gift early? I feel like if she does go early, they're definitely going to need stuff, and it the card would be a nice way of saying, "I really want to be there, but don't want to be a burden."

AliGirl11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-rant-ex-aunt?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6a66b2d1-f353-496d-aba6-4f4dc752af22Post:90421af7-4507-4cbb-b565-e257d698b1cc">Re: NWR: Rant about an Ex-Aunt</a>:
[QUOTE]Your cousin shouldn't be having to host and clean up after her own shower.  Wouldn't your ex-aunt be doing that for her?  Or no, because she nuts?
Posted by FutureMrsTR[/QUOTE]

But if they're hosting it at her house, she'll feel an obligation to have the house all clean and everything.  I feel so sorry for that poor girl. 

AliGirl11

I guess I'm just putting myself in the situation, and I know that if I had a bunch of people coming over for a shower I'd want my house spotless.  And I do choose to do the majority of the cleaning at our house, especially when we're having company; DH helps in other ways. 

louisvillebride21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-rant-ex-aunt?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6a66b2d1-f353-496d-aba6-4f4dc752af22Post:f067f5dc-2a19-4a8f-8db4-6c6df231facc">Re: NWR: Rant about an Ex-Aunt</a>:
[QUOTE]I would certainly hope the father-to-be is helping to clean the house!  Is this 1954?  Why is the expectation that she is the only one cleaning her house? Sheesh - women close to their due dates aren't invalids, either.  If she's feeling ill, her husband can take over her part.  I don't see this as that big a deal, honestly.  If OP feels that bad about it, she can stay afterwards and help clean up. 
Posted by ohwhynot[/QUOTE]

Well, for me, my husband can't clean well enough for my standards if people are coming over. I would appreciate the help, but he just doesn't clean as well as I do.

AliGirl11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-rant-ex-aunt?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6a66b2d1-f353-496d-aba6-4f4dc752af22Post:4a62f86c-9565-49a1-a249-ef3dbfa6f866">Re: NWR: Rant about an Ex-Aunt</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR: Rant about an Ex-Aunt : Well, for me, my husband can't clean well enough for my standards if people are coming over. I would appreciate the help, but he just doesn't clean as well as I do.
Posted by louisvillebride21[/QUOTE]

Exactly! 

MISSCOURTNEY20

Didn't the Mommy to be agree to this date? Especially if it is going to be at her house. I understand having it at her house because that way they don't have to travel with the gifts. I would hope that friends, family and her husband will do all of the cleaning up so that she can enjoy the shower. The day before I had my son, I was in the mall shopping. I was 4 centimeters dialted for a week. I was running errands the day before I had my daughter. Everyone is not miserable when they are close to having their baby.

Have fun at the shower and just be as supportive and helpful as you can.

georgia_bride09

I would prefer for any {future} behbeh showers to occur at my house so I didn't have to haul all that stuff all over BFE. I could just have my H move it into the {future} nursery and boom, done.