AITA for Not Letting My Mother-in-Law Be in the Delivery Room?

Childbirth is one of the most personal experiences in a woman’s life, but should family members have a right to be there? One mom-to-be refused to let her mother-in-law in the delivery room, and it caused major family drama. Was she right to set boundaries, or was she being unfair?

The Original Post: My Birth, My Choice

She Expected to Be There Without Asking

When I was nearing my due date, my husband and I agreed that only he and the medical staff would be in the delivery room with me. I wanted privacy and a calm environment.

But my mother-in-law assumed she would be there. She kept talking about “watching her grandchild come into the world” and even told family members she would be by my side during labor.

When I gently told her I wasn’t comfortable with that, she got upset. She said I was “shutting her out” and being unfair since my own mom would be visiting after the birth. Now, my husband is caught in the middle, and the family is pressuring me to change my mind. Am I the asshole?

The Community Reacts: Was I Justified?

Many people agreed that not allowing mother-in-law in the delivery room was completely fair.

“Giving birth is not a spectator event. You get to decide who’s there.”

“She didn’t even ask—she just assumed. That’s a huge overstep.”

“Your body, your choice. If your husband supports you, that’s what matters.”

However, some thought I could have been more understanding.

“She’s just excited to be a grandma. A compromise might help keep the peace.”

“If your mom gets to visit, I see why she feels left out.”

“It’s not just your baby; she’s family too.”

The Verdict: Boundaries or Overreaction?

While some believed I should have made room for her, most agreed that not allowing mother-in-law in the delivery room was the right choice.

At the end of the day, childbirth is an intensely personal experience. Would you have handled it the same way? Let us know in the comments