AITA for “stealing” my sister’s wedding spotlight with my emergency C-section?

A Redditor recently shared a tense family conflict involving her younger sister’s wedding and the unexpected arrival of her baby. While attending the wedding at 38 weeks pregnant, she faced a medical emergency that required an immediate C-section, leading to family members leaving the event to support her. Now, the bride accuses her of “stealing the spotlight” and “ruining her big day.” Read the full story below to decide for yourself.

‘ AITA for “stealing” my sister’s wedding spotlight with my emergency C-section?’

This past weekend, my younger sister got married. It was a huge event—over 200 guests, a fancy venue, the works. My husband and I attended, despite me being 38 weeks pregnant. I was feeling fine, and my doctor had cleared me to go as long as I stayed close to home and didn’t overexert myself.

During the reception, I started feeling some cramps. I thought they were just Braxton Hicks contractions, so I tried to ignore them and focus on the party. About an hour in, the cramps got worse, and I started bleeding. My husband and I quickly excused ourselves and headed to the hospital. Long story short, I ended up needing an emergency C-section to deliver my son. Thankfully, everything went well, and our baby is healthy and safe.

The issue? My sister is furious with me. She claims I “ruined her big day” because several family members left the wedding early to come to the hospital, including our parents, who understandably wanted to make sure I was okay. She says I should have “waited until after the wedding” to go to the hospital, or at least not told anyone what was happening until the next day so the focus could stay on her.

I apologized for the timing, but I reminded her that this was a medical emergency, and I didn’t exactly choose for it to happen during her wedding. My mom and dad are on my side, but some of her friends and even a few relatives are saying I’m selfish and could have handled the situation differently. My sister hasn’t spoken to me since, and now I’m wondering if I really did something wrong. AITA for going to the hospital during my sister’s wedding?

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

salemmay0317 −  How are you and the baby? I’m happy your parents shared concern for your health.. P.S. – NTA.

Turbulent_Ebb5669 −  Your sister is an i**ot. End of story.

I_wanna_be_anemone −  So glad grandpa didn’t have a heart attack on the dance floor, bridezilla might have blocked the EMT’s because she was too busy screaming at the dying guy for taking her spotlight /s. Even if you weren’t in labour, you were clearly having a medical emergency while heavily pregnant. Any sane person would want to check you were ok. Did sister insist that you missing the wedding was unacceptable and that you were selfish for daring to be due around her big day when she learned you were pregnant?. NTA.

crazycatlady_77 −  That would have been terrifying for you and I’m sure you had the added pressure of not wanting to take attention from your sister. I’m so glad your baby arrived safely and no actual harm was done – unlikely to have been the case if you hadn’t listened to your body when you did! Your sister could choose that as a reason to have a special bond with your baby instead of sulking about it!!

evilmonkeydiaz −  NTA, your sister lacks brains. What were you supposed to do absorb the baby or something? It was going to happen. You have nothing to apologize for.

O4243G −  INFO: How early / at what point did your parents leave the wedding? Did your father have to miss the father daughter dance to go with you guys to the hospital? Did you ask them to come with you to the hospital? How many family members left the wedding to join you at the hospital?

I guess I’m a little confused as to why so many people went with you if you had your husband – like what were they going to do at the hospital that meant they needed to leave the wedding? Sit in the waiting room until there was news? I don’t see why they couldn’t do that at the wedding then join you after.

MovieFreak78 −  I have read this story before on reddit.

GenoFlower −  I do understand her frustration that people left to go to the hospital. I mean, that could have probably waited until after the wedding, right? You (or husband, or one friend) could have texted one person at the wedding with updates, and if it got to the point that others needed to be there, they could have gone. However, that’s not entirely on you. You were the one with the medical emergency, and your attentions were elsewhere. Your sister should be mad at the people who left, unless you left in a big flair of drama.

Marowo14 −  I have such mixed feelings on this. Obviously NTA. But your parents left the wedding? Why? They can’t deliver your baby. Husband should have been giving updates and they should have stayed.. Your sister is valid in being hurt. But not at you.

eeyorethechaotic −  NTA but your sister certainly is!! I’d let her know you’re not interested in continuing a relationship until she apologises for being such a selfish AH. You were in a potentially life or d**th scenario. She was having a party. WTAF.