A woman has revealed her non-negotiables during pregnancy, which include a babymoon, a $1,000 baby gift and a personal trainer to help her get back in shape.
Nora Talal, 26, who is single, says she refuses to have a child with someone who cannot meet her demands.
Nora says she doesn’t want to work during the baby’s birth and childcare years and wants to go on a luxurious babymoon with her partner before the baby arrives to relax and get in the right frame of mind.
Nora says she would like a push gift worth at least $1,000 from her partner, suggesting a designer handbag or shoes.
She has requested a private room in hospital for postnatal care and would like to own a three-bedroom house in London or the surrounding counties so she can take her baby home.
Nora wants her partner to refrain from doing things that make her sick or unable to do during pregnancy, and to pay for a personal trainer and food subscription services after pregnancy to help her get back in shape.
She says she “probably wouldn’t consider” a partner who doesn’t give her what she wants, but some say there’s room for negotiation.
“I guess I just set standards for myself in life and live by them,” said Nora, a technology saleswoman from West Hampstead, London, who is childless.
“I’ve worked my whole life so I guess I’m used to a certain lifestyle.
“I can provide everything I ask for, so why should I compromise the standards I set for myself just because I can’t go back to work right after the baby is born?”
“I shared my thoughts online and received a variety of responses.
“Most of the negative comments tend to come from men and I think that might have irritated people in the wrong way.
“In their words, it’s demanding. The fact that I’m single is a point they often make and they say there’s a reason for it.
“I will stick to my decision.
“A lot of people say I’m delusional, a lot of people think it’s satire. This is purely my opinion.”
Nora says she always wanted to get married and have children until she was at least 30.
She said: “I want to enjoy married life before I have kids.”
“I’m not saying having kids will ruin your life, but it will change things and you will be limited by the pressures of children.”
Nora hopes to return to work one day, but would like to remain unemployed until the birth and upbringing of her child.
She said: “Ideally, I’d like to find a job that allows me to work around my children’s working hours.”
“Even if we could be more flexible with what we’re doing now.
“I wish my husband could become a father too, but I think in my case I’ll need maternity leave and then parental leave.”
Nora also wants to enjoy a babymoon before the baby arrives.
She said: “The idea is that you know you’re pregnant and then you take time off when it’s deemed appropriate to travel.”
“It’s important that you and your partner spend time together before becoming a family.
“Things will change when the baby is born. I’m pregnant so it would be nice to be able to relax somewhere not too far away.”
The next item on Nora’s list is a baby gift, for which she wants her future husband to save up.
She added: “I don’t know anyone who’s had a baby, but [a push present] It seems to be a common occurrence among influencers and celebrities online.
“Some celebrities are gifted cars, but like I said, I’d love someone to save $163 a month for the duration of their pregnancy.”
“This may sound like an exaggeration, but I don’t think it should be less than $1,000.”
“I’d be happy to give you some insight into what led up to that.”
When it came to giving birth, Nora would feel more comfortable in her own private room.
She said: “From what I understand, I will get the injection anyway but then I will be taken to the maternity ward, and I don’t want that to happen.”
“I just had a baby. I don’t want to be around other people. I just want to be with my family.”
“The place where Kate Middleton gave birth was about $20,000.
“I’m not saying that’s my goal, but through a private hospital it would be around $5,439.
“I’d be happy to share that too.”
Nora also wants to own a three-bedroom house with one room that can be used as a nursery and hopes to attend baby classes with her partner.
On top of that, she demands that her partner refrain from doing anything she cannot do.
“When we’re together, there’s nothing he can do that I can’t do,” she said.
“He can’t eat anything in front of me, even if it makes me sick.
“It could be anything I don’t know about.
“When my colleagues were fasting at work, I didn’t eat around them. It’s the same thing. It’s a sign of respect.”
Finally, Nora expects her husband to pay for a personal trainer and a food subscription service.
She said: “Firstly, I don’t intend to work and from my partner’s perspective, I think a woman’s body changes dramatically after having a child.”
“I need to be the best version of myself for my children and future husband.”
“I’m not looking for reconstructive surgery. I just want to look and feel good. I just need something that’s affordable.”
“PT and meal prep are going to be big expenses, but you can’t really choose one or the other.
“People misunderstood it. [her TikTok video] Because they say having a baby is hard work.
“But this video wasn’t about the positives of having a baby, it was about the conditions of my pregnancy.
“I can’t wait to be a mother one day.”
Nora’s pregnancy non-negotiables:
Without the ring, there would be no baby.
Unable to work after giving birth and until childcare
Baby Moon
Push Gift $1,000
Private room
Owning a 3 bedroom house
Baby Class
A husband refrains from doing things his wife cannot do
Paying for PT and meal subscription services
