I'm 8 months pregnant. I'm also an introvert who really doesn't cope well with change and stress.
My mom is very outgoing and I need to talk to her about expectations when she visits me at the hospital. There will be times when I won't want visitors, even though I am fine/not sick and the visiting hours are open. I want to convey to her that this isn't because of her, I just need space to cope with change.
I have tried being subtle, but she doesn't really understand the extent that I am drained by social contact, even hers. I've realised I need to have a conversation.
My goals for the conversation:
- She won't necessarily be able to visit me even if the visiting hours are open.
- This isn't due to her, I need space and privacy to cope with this change. (and to keep my sanity).
- I appreciate her and am happy to have my parents visit during this time, just not as often as she may like. It may only be an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon.
- This may turn out to be an expensive, boring exercise for my parents (since they live far away and will be driving far and paying for accommodation).
This conversation is one I have been hesitant to have because I don't want to give my mom the wrong impression and push her away. I want to choose carefully my words so she understands. How do I go about having this conversation with her?
Other notes:
I don't want to see her often because social contact stresses me out and I'll be stressed enough as it is.
I have dropped hints in the past about how it'll be expensive and how I have been stressed during this pregnancy but it hasn't really helped.
My husband/the hospital will ensure that I don't have visitors if I don't want them.
My mom knows I'm an introvert, but I don't think she realises to what extent. When they visit for the weekend I'm happy to talk, but she doesn't see the week of recovery from that after they go home again.
I'll be in hospital for 3 nights/4 days. The standard minimum for my country.