Pregnancy & Your Relationship with Your Best Friend

Pregnancy and Your Relationship with Your Best Friend: Can You Grow Together?

Pregnancy is often seen as a time for a woman to bond with her partner, but for many, the role of their best friend is equally pivotal. Best friends are there through thick and thin, sharing in the ups and downs of life, and pregnancy is no exception. But as you embark on this major life milestone, the dynamics of your relationship with your best friend may shift- sometimes in ways you didn’t expect. The question is: Can you grow together during this transformative time, or will the changes strain your friendship?

Let’s dive into how pregnancy can affect your relationship with your best friend and what you can do to ensure that your bond remains strong, even as life moves in new directions.

1. The Initial Excitement: Celebrating Together

When you first find out you’re pregnant, your best friend is often one of the first people you want to share the news with. The excitement and joy of pregnancy are contagious, and your best friend will likely be just as thrilled as you are. From planning surprise baby showers to late-night talks about baby names, this is the time when your friendship can feel especially strong and connected.

During the early stages of pregnancy, you might find that you and your best friend are growing closer as you share your hopes, dreams, and fears for the future. They might be the first person to lend a helping hand, listen to your cravings, or even help you sort through nursery themes. These moments of mutual support will lay the foundation for a bond that’s rooted in love and care- both for you and your growing baby.

2. The Emotional Roller Coaster: Navigating Changes Together

Pregnancy is a whirlwind of emotions, hormones, and physical changes—and this can create moments of tension with your best friend. You might experience mood swings, fatigue, or anxiety about the future, and these emotions can sometimes be hard for even the closest friends to understand fully.

Your best friend might have her own set of challenges during this time. Perhaps she’s struggling with a personal issue, has a different perspective on motherhood, or simply doesn't know how to relate to your pregnancy experience. On the flip side, if she’s not in a similar stage of life, she might not fully understand what you’re going through. This can lead to feelings of disconnect or even jealousy, especially if she feels left out or neglected by your growing focus on your pregnancy.

How to grow together: Communication is key. Be honest about how you're feeling, and encourage your best friend to share what’s going on in her life as well. The more transparent you are about your emotional shifts, the better equipped she will be to support you. Also, remember that your best friend may have her own life to navigate, and your changing priorities don’t mean you love her any less—it just means you both need to adapt to the new realities of your lives.

3. The Role of Your Best Friend Post-Baby: A New Kind of Support

Once your baby arrives, your best friend’s role in your life will evolve. She might take on the role of your partner in crime, helping you with late-night feedings, running errands, or even just providing moral support when you feel overwhelmed. While your partner is a major player in your new family dynamic, your best friend can be a crucial part of your support system in ways that might be hard to define but are equally valuable.

On the flip side, adjusting to motherhood can sometimes make it harder to maintain your pre-pregnancy relationship. Your time, energy, and attention are now divided between your baby and your partner, and it can be challenging to carve out space for the same fun, carefree moments you once shared with your best friend. Friendships can sometimes feel neglected during this time, and if your best friend isn’t yet a mother, she might not understand the demands you’re facing.

How to grow together: It’s important to make time for your friendship, even after the baby arrives. Schedule regular catch-ups, whether it’s a lunch date, a walk around the park, or a virtual coffee chat. Your best friend might not always be able to join in on your “mommy moments,” but she can still be a source of laughter, distraction, and emotional relief when you need it. Remember to continue supporting her, too- whether it’s cheering her on in her career or simply listening to her own challenges. Balance is key to keeping the friendship alive.

4. Facing New Expectations: Is the Friendship Changing Forever?

Pregnancy and motherhood often bring new responsibilities, expectations, and adjustments. As you evolve into a mother, your best friend might feel like she’s losing the “old you.” She might miss the carefree days of hanging out without a care in the world, or she may feel like your priorities are changing, and that you’re becoming distant.

In some cases, pregnancy can reveal differences in values or lifestyles that were previously unnoticed. Perhaps your best friend is hesitant to take on a supportive role in the way you expect, or maybe you’re struggling to relate to her experiences because they’re so different from your own. There may even be a feeling of competition between the two of you, whether it’s related to career success, social lives, or different milestones you’re reaching.

How to grow together: The key here is compromise. Understand that your lives are entering different phases, but that doesn’t have to spell the end of your friendship. Set new expectations that honor both of your experiences. Be open to learning from each other and finding common ground, even as your lives evolve. Whether it’s being more empathetic to each other’s situations or simply being patient as you both navigate life changes, you can grow together by making space for each other’s unique experiences.

5. The Joy of Shared Experiences: Pregnancy Bonds Beyond Your Own Journey

Sometimes, pregnancy and motherhood offer opportunities to grow your bond with your best friend in ways you might not have anticipated. Perhaps she’s also considering motherhood, or maybe she’s a new mom herself. The shared experience of pregnancy or raising children can create a deeper level of understanding and empathy between you.

If your best friend is already a mom, she can be an incredible source of wisdom and reassurance. Her advice, practical tips, and shared experiences can be invaluable as you navigate the new world of parenthood. And for those of you who might be the first in your group to have a baby, you can still grow closer to your friends by encouraging them to be part of your pregnancy journey and letting them see the joy, challenges, and wonders that come with it.

How to grow together: Make your pregnancy a shared experience, where you invite your best friend into your world of motherhood. Whether it’s taking her along to prenatal appointments, sharing funny pregnancy moments, or even asking for her input on baby names, find ways to involve her in the journey. Likewise, offer your support when she faces her own life milestones, whether it’s career changes, relationship shifts, or simply showing up when she needs a friend. The strength of your bond lies in the mutual support and understanding you share.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Change While Growing Together

Pregnancy brings both excitement and challenges, and your relationship with your best friend will undoubtedly evolve. But rather than allowing these changes to pull you apart, embracing them can help you both grow together. Yes, your lives will look different, and your priorities will shift, but your friendship doesn’t have to fade. By communicating openly, finding ways to balance your time and energy, and adapting to each other’s needs, you can nurture a bond that grows stronger with each passing month- and as you both embark on new chapters of your lives.

Through the laughter, tears, and changes, your best friend can be an essential part of your pregnancy journey. With mutual love, respect, and effort, this phase of life can help you both grow closer than ever before.