We can all agree that pretend pregnancy announcements are firmly a thing of the past due to the lack of sensitivity - nobody knows what another person is going through.
One man found himself in the middle of an insensitive prank, however, and he was left devastated when his girlfriend pretended she was pregnant.
Sharing his story anonymously on Reddit, the man explained he was hurt by the prank and was struggling to trust his girlfriend as a result.
After sharing his story he was met with a wave of support from other forum users, as people said his partner was in the wrong for her insensitive joke.
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The man wrote: "My partner and I have been together for five years. She has a daughter, eight, from a previous relationship. Right off the bat, it was made known I had fertility issues and likely wouldn’t ever be able to father a child.
"My partner and her friend decided to play an impromptu prank on me. I came home from work, there were multiple positive pregnancy tests in the bathroom.
"My partner announced she was pregnant, I started freaking out… a happy freak out cause I thought I had hit the lottery with the slim to no chance I have. They both started laughing, the tests were from the friend and not my partner.
"I was pretty much devastated and felt really let down that my partner would actually pull a prank like that. At first she was shocked by my reaction and said, 'I thought you’d know it was a joke considering your circumstances'.
"She ended up apologising after realising how hurt I was."
Then, just weeks after the prank, the woman publicly announced that she was pregnant - but insisted that this time it wasn't a joke.
The man continued: "Three weeks ago she arranged a huge dinner with her entire family at our house. She had us play this stupid mystery game and ultimately announced to everyone she’s pregnant.
"Her mother and sisters were deliriously happy. Immediately I got p****d thinking this was yet another prank, so I showed absolutely no emotions which everyone caught on to.
"I said to my partner, 'Either you’re just mentally disturbed or you’re cheating'. That’s pretty much when all hell broke loose.
"My partner’s point of view is that she was sincerely apologetic about the prank and I should know her well enough to not think she’d ever pull that stunt again.
"She’s also livid at me for ruining the announcement, embarrassing her in front of her entire family, causing them to think I’m a horrible person and then finally insinuating that she’s a cheater.
"I still stand by my claim that had she never pranked me, my reaction would have been different. I do find it odd she decided to tell me along with her family.
"Things would have likely happened better had she told me first, and then we announced it together.
"But I’m starting to think I acted immaturely causing a scene in front of her family, and I think that’s maybe where I’m wrong."
People were confused about why the girlfriend pulled such an insensitive prank.
One wrote: "That prank was just beyond cruel! And then to announce it with everyone and not tell you privately is insensitive and immature. Your reaction was to be expected. I see both these as red flags for your relationship.
"Congrats on the baby though, although I’m sure you’ll have doubts until the paternity test happens."
"She seems supernaturally immature. I hope this works out but I would have left after that awful prank", another suggested.
One was horrified, writing: "I am baffled by the fact he had to find out he was going to be a father in front of the rest of the family.
"Where’s the intimacy? The privacy? She got that special moment to herself when she found out and then didn’t give him that."
Another Redditor typed: "I’m sorry that you’re with a really immature person who clearly doesn’t know how to communicate in a relationship.
"The prank was cruel. Period. Not telling you when you were alone, was also cruel. Especially given the prank.
"Her reaction to your reaction seals it. She doesn’t realise that what she did was hurtful and wrong. She’s self-absorbed. And you deserve better."
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