A few days ago, I made the mistake of telling my mum and dad, I thought I had a bit of water retention because I couldn't wear my boots anymore.

Since then, they've been litterally hassling me about it. My dad, retired doctor, told me it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia and that I should have my blood pressure and urine check. Last night, he insisted I should weigh myself everyday in order to monitor weight gain from water. My mum also gave me a lot of unsollicited advice, which I took with a smile. Mothers will be mothers...

But now she just called me to tell she bought a blood pressure monitor at Aldi. For me. They've always taught me not to be too self-absorbed and that minor health problems generally came and went... And now this. It freaked me out and I reacted angrily saying I should never have told them about my swollen feet (which aren't that swollen to begin with).

She hung up on me and now, I feel terribly bad. I know she has a hard time with my bad temper and I proved her right once again... But hell, I couldn't take that overprotection anymore!

Oh sorry about the long post and the rant but I needed to get it out of my system. Anyone else having problems dealing with parents?

i know its frustrating but at least you have parents that care. i told my mum on saturday i lost my baby and haven't heard from her since. i am lucky i have wonderful oh but would love parents that care!!!

Hahah! Sorry but you sound like me. I love my mum to death but I'm naturally a very snappy person when i feel like i'm being told what to do and when i snap I react really brashly and harshly and then within five minutes I feel really guilty.

I think you should just call them back and apologise. They're just worried abotu you and pre-eclampsia is an issue which can be indicated form what they're saying, and you're mum probably got a bargain blood pressure thing and though "oh now my baby girl wont have to go to the doctors" and then you shoot her down.

GOD!!! You sound just like me!!! BAD MITSUKO! BAD! *wags finger*

My dads always going on at me about high blood pressure even tho i dont have it! he looked at me the other day and said my face is looking alot rounder and that my arms and shoulders are filling out said it could be a sign of it and if i want to go to casuality!! He failed to notice the big bag of flapjacks, mini muffins and two chocolate bars on my lap which is the reason why my face is getting fat!! I just think its sweet tho that they care enough to worry, but i can see how it could be annoying if they are always going on at you.

i'm sorry about your loss. Some people don't know how to react when relatives or friends are grieving. When one of my best friends had a miscarriage 2 years ago, I kind of avoided her because I didn't know how to behave around her. Not the best reaction but it didn't mean I didn't care! Are you sure it's not the case with your mum?

They're only trying to help I think hun, even if they come across as over bearing. My mum will sometimes go on about sometimes even when I really don't want to hear it, mostly about my pregnancy weight and not putting on too much weight, I am rather heavy and I know she makes sense but it annoys me at the same time!

Just calm yourself down and try and see from their point of view but have a word and explain that they're freaking you out a bit at a time when you need to be more relaxed and if things get worse that you promise to go see a doctor about anything.

Everybodies feet swell in pregnancy don't they? Mine always swell at the end of the day but go down the next day, some shoes are a bit tighter all the time too. Bigfoot me! haha

MrsRoughton.........Your parents sound so harsh and i'm sorry for you for their reaction I hope you're ok after your loss xx

Maybe we should create a group, like the "Snappy Anonymous"... But yeah, you totally summed up the situation! Why can't I think before jumping at people's throats? I can't begin to tell you how often it ha^s played trick on me...

Ohh, i hate it when people say 'they are only trying to help' - thats fine, but doesn't make it any less annoying! Lol.

My parents are the same, i'm 19 and single and living on my own, i get calls from both my parents and sisters usually at least twice a day asking how i am. It's nice of them to care, but sometimes it's like 'look, i will call you at any point that i'm not ok, ok?' lol.

I've had quite a serious back problem which i've had to really really downplay to my family because i know they would make a massive fuss and be really over-protective which i just didn't want.

So yeah, i know exactly where you're coming from *hugs*

Hi ya

My Mum is ok, my in-laws are a bit funny... my MIL lectured me on "getting the right consultant to ensure that I was sew up 'honeymoon fresh' afterwards..."

BUT what you have said DID ring a bell regarding our first NCT class on monday... One couple (but especially the dad-to-be) is a REAL "stress ball" (paranoid about everything in pregnancy and REALLY unhappy with how the NHS treats pregnant women and childbirth etc). Guess what profession he is? Doctor!

So it may be the same going on with your Dad (and rubbing off onto your Mum...)? It is funny, because if any of us goes to see a GP, virtually all pregnancy symptoms are brushed off as "bah, just a normal pregnancy symptom". BUT if that GP is a close relative of the pregnant woman, then they suddenly assume the worst and everything becomes very stressy and serious

My advice (as tough as it is to swallow), is to phone your Mum and apologise. Say that you are really sorry for the way you reacted, but her (very well meant) concern is stressing you out. Reassure her that you are fine honestly, but ask her to try to relax so that it doesn't stress you.

Good luck
QT