Pregnant Woman's Rant Goes Viral After Stranger Takes Away Her Coffee

The pregnant woman took to Reddit to write a post entitled, "Random woman literally took away my coffee? Is this grounds for murder?"

Although you're closer than ever to meeting your little one, the third trimester of pregnancy can be annoyingly uncomfortable. The last thing a pregnant person needs when they're just a few weeks out from giving birth is to be judged for, well, just about anything.

And yet, that's precisely what happened to a pregnant woman who was simply trying to drink a coffee in peace. The expectant mama took to the BabyBumps subreddit to rant about the incident in a viral post entitled, "Random woman literally took away my coffee? Is this grounds for murder?"

The mom, who goes by the handle u/CountingTheRavens, explained that she was 36 weeks along and it was "very obvious I'm pregnant. I'm huge. Massive. Uncomfortable. Tired and grumpy." As she wrote the post, she explained that she was sitting at her local chain coffee shop "with my effing cup of coffee that had to be remade, because some random grandmother decided that, as I'm pregnant, I shouldn't be allowed to have caffeine."

She elaborated, "I've ordered the coffee (just a grande cold brew, nothing crazy), and am standing at the end of the counter waiting. The barista calls my name and drink order. I go to take it." And that's when the grandma told her, "You can't have that."

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Here's a play-by-play of what followed:

"I didn't know she was talking to me, so I continue to reach for my cup.

GM - YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT YOU'RE PREGNANT

Me - It's one cup, it's fine.

GM - NO YOU CAN'T HAVE IT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED (takes cup from my hand and drops it, full, into the trash next to the counter)

Me - You cannot be serious. It's fine. My doctor even says it's fine. (I looked at the barista, who is just standing there, mouth agape. She let me know she'll make me another).

Me, to GM - Please leave me alone. I'm tired and want my coffee. I get one cup a day, this is it. Please go away.

GM, banshee screaming at this point - NO YOU CAN'T HAVE IT YOU'RE PREGNANT IT WILL MAKE YOU HAVE THE BABY NOW YOU CAN'T DO IT I WON'T LET MY DAUGHTER DO IT EITHER BUT SHE DRINKS IT ANYWAY AND IF I CAN'T SAVE HER I'LL SAVE YOU INSTEAD (I don't think she breathed during this at all. Also, what? Save me?)

Me, looking around for help because I'm not good at confrontation and she's making me panic - Please stop. looking at barista, pleading for help with my every thought I'll just take that directly when you're done.

Barista hands me my cup directly, and this insane woman GOES TO TAKE IT FROM ME AGAIN

So, I yelled. For her to stop trying to come near me. I literally, loudly (and even now have a bit of a shake from doing it), shouted PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE. YOU'RE MAKING ME UNCOMFORTABLE AND I DON'T WANT YOU THIS CLOSE.

She stopped, did this fish mouth gaping thing, went 'UGH FINE' and left."

The expectant mom shared that thankfully, the barista gave her a drink coupon and "apologized for the stress." Still, she couldn't help but wonder, "How can someone think that's OK?"

Commenters were just as incensed as the mom.

Related:How Much Caffeine Can You Safely Drink During Pregnancy?

"'IT WILL MAKE YOU HAVE THE BABY NOW'???? Wtf? Idda been like, 'OK Gramma, let's see if it does, shall we?' And aggressively looked her in the eye while I downed it like a kegger before crushing the cup against my forehead and dropping it into her handbag (and crucially NOT giving birth!). COME AT ME, OLD TIMER," one wrote.

Another shared, "Honestly a series of short films about the nonsense pregnant women have to go through would be AMAZING. In a Public Service Announcement style. One on belly touchers. One on unsolicited advice from friends. Another on the pressure to not let pregnancy affect work, but to also be the perfect doting mother who puts family first. One for the unwed pregnant mamas getting judged by people. One for unwanted birth horror stories. Another entire video of a pregnant mama listening to everyone she knows say 'SLEEP WHILE YOU CAN, YOU'LL NEED IT.' And of course, one based on this tale of Assaulting Grandma Hates Coffee."

Related:How to Overcome Your Pregnancy Worries

A third noted, "I am FURIOUS for you, this post almost had me shaking after reading it. I drink safe amounts of caffeine (often in the form of coffee) almost daily because my own doctor told me to do so for my constant migraines which were impeding my ability to function. He - and many other sources I’ve read since, plus a second opinion from another OB - assured me it is safe when kept below a certain amount. But even if it wasn’t, this woman had no right to treat you that way."

The Bottom Line

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), moderate caffeine consumption (less than 200 milligrams per day) does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth.

But as commenters pointed out, the research may very well be beside the point. This other woman's behavior was thoroughly outrageous and unacceptable. Apparently, plenty of people still need to be reminded that when it comes to the body and choices of a pregnant person—let alone a pregnant stranger—they need to mind their own business.