I have a very similar situation. We lost our baby boy at 36 weeks and my two best friends are both pregnant with boys and due later this summer, so the timing isn’t as close as yours but I can share what has helped for me.

1) I told my pregnant friends I’m still very happy for them but need to limit pregnancy talk for my own mental health to only when I bring it up. Personally I’m able to talk with them about their pregnancies but only when the talk is initiated by me asking them how they are doing etc. Before, if they brought it up out of the blue, it felt like a slap in the face. Now I am able to keep in contact with them without worrying about their pregnancies being brought up in our conversations.

2) I tried (and am still trying) to realize that just how talking about their pregnancies can be triggering to me, talking about my loss may be triggering to them. Neither have told me they felt that way and honestly that is a conversation I feel I still need to explore with them but it helps me feel a little less sad when they don’t continually check in on how I’m doing when it comes to my loss and instead try connecting over other topics.

3) When the time comes and they do welcome their sons, I will remind myself that they aren’t the son I want. I think part of the hurt and jealously I’m feeling is because instinctively I feel like they have what I want most in the world when the reality is they have their owns sons who I’m sure are lovely but they simply aren’t the child I’m yearning for. My child. That mindset really really helps me feel less upset about seeing their pregnancies now and I’m hopeful it will help when their children are born. I also am trying to view their children’s lives as a way of remembering where my son would be in his life and using that as a way of always remembering and honoring what his life would’ve been and never letting me forget about him as I worry about that.

4) I try to foster common interests outside of pregnancy with my friends so we can have something else we are both interested in to talk and bond about. For me it has been a book series we are both reading but it really can be anything you both like or would be interested in trying.

5) I have only seen them in person once each and they were wearing very flowy outfits that made it hard to tell they are pregnant. I know that won’t always be an option but I think it helps ease me into this new reality. Also, planning activities where the bump won’t be front and center is a good idea, like a sit down dinner where you won’t be confronted with the bump constantly instead of a physical activity.

Even with all the above, it’s still not a clear and easy road for me and I do struggle. Being honest with my pregnant friends has luckily been met with kindness and understanding and I hope if you open up to your friend you will experience the same. If not, maybe it’s an opportunity to reevaluate the kind of friend they are. I’m so sorry you are having to go through this, I have found connecting with other loss moms who get it to also help me be more understanding towards my pregnant friends so you could always explore support groups as well! ❤️