Woman Regrets Not Finding Out Baby's Sex Before Birth: 'I Just Couldn't Feel a Connection' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Melanie Smith TikTok.Photo:Melanie Smith; Melanie Smith/TikTok

Melanie Smith; Melanie Smith/TikTok

Smith recalls feeling disconnected throughout her pregnancy in theviral TikTok. During those months, having to refer to her child as “It” weighed heavily on the expectant mom. Additionally, she struggled to connect with the child’s actual name, Boston, after he was born, she says.

“We thought it would be something fun,” Smith exclusively tells PEOPLE. “Everybody said it was like the greatest experience of their life but for me, it wasn’t.” Right after giving birth, Smith was left feeling confused, as she wasn’t sure what name would best fit her newborn son.

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Melanie Smith and Boston.Melanie Smith

Melanie Smith

Without a predetermined boy name, the couple found themselves in a difficult position after delivery. “We spent two days really deciding between two names and neither of them felt right because we weren’t able to say them the whole nine months,” Smith shares.

Two days after giving birth, the parents eventually settled on Boston. But, the name didn’t immediately feel right. For the first few weeks, Smith had doubts. “Did we make a mistake? Did we pick the right name?” she recalls wondering. “I think it took about a month or so for it to feel right.”

Since sharing her story on TikTok, many have opened up about similar experiences.

Melanie Smith and her family.Melanie Smith

“A lot of people are saying they agree and they feel the same way,” Smith notes. “However, there’s been a select number of people who have chosen not to find out and said they would do it again.”

source: people.com