Pregnant woman receives angry email from friends over 'healthy baby' comment

A casual remark about hoping for “a healthy baby” has seen an expectant mum labelled "insensitive" by friends whose daughter was born with a disability.

Writing on parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman explained she had been chatting to friends at a barbeque when one asked whether she had a preference for her unborn baby’s sex.

“[I] replied that I didn’t mind as long as it was healthy,” the mum-to-be, posting under the name ‘Galadrielsring’, recounted.

Though the barbeque ended without issue, the woman - who is 15 weeks pregnant - woke up the following day to a “massive long email” from one of her friend’s husbands about how she'd upset his wife.

In it, the man explained that by saying she “only wanted a healthy baby”, she had invalidated the life of their daughter, who has cerebral palsy - a congenital disorder that affects an individual’s movement and posture.

WATCH: The Sticky Situations panel tackles a parenting conundrum. (Post continues.)

RELATED: 'Please stop asking couples when they're having kids'

Some commenters pointed out how tricky it can be to answer the question of gender preference in the first place.

“I have a child with Cerebral Palsy and when asked during my second pregnancy, what do you want, I replied 'a healthy baby',” one parent added.

“It's a fairly standard reply to that question and in no way implies that I don't love or value my first child or any other disabled child/adult.”

LISTEN: Our Honey Mums podcast covers the week'd parenting news and views. (Post continues.)

There was also discussion over whether the terms "healthy" or "unhealthy" should be associated with disabilities, as they don't always render someone "unhealthy".

Though not everyone agreed an apology was necessary, plenty of mums chimed in with suggestions for how to word a response to the email.

“If I were in your shoes, I would apologise for using an expression which you now see is actually quite offensive, that you will be much more careful in future, etc. I’d also say how gorgeous you think their baby is,” one advised.

“Of course you didn’t mean to upset her but you must see that society’s view that children with differences are less desirable is quite upsetting?”

Another suggested, “Apologise for unintentional comment and assure them your child will be loved regardless, as is theirs.”