Comments on: What not to say to a pregnant lady (or any lady for that matter)

By: Issa

Issa — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:09:10 +0000

I could not help but smile. I just gave birth to a baby boy 3 months ago and I know exactly how you are feeling. I also got my share of “really??… you’re just 6 months??” that I wanted to punch some people. But when I got my beautiful baby boy out, it is now my turn to stick my tongue out to them… haha… Kidding aside, you are beautiful, you are beautiful, you are beautiful. Let no one tell you otherwise. :)

By: SJ

SJ — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:34:09 +0000

I don’t know what it is about pregnancy that makes people feel that it’s open for public discussion. Most people mean well and think they are being funny but I sympathize with how obnoxious it can be. I’m pregnant with #2 and the belly is growing much faster than it did with #1 so I can only imagine how ginormous I’ll be in the next few months.

A tip for sleeping that I’ve found helpful – invest in a body pillow. I’m not talking about the $50 (and up) pregnancy pillows at maternity stores. I’m talking about the $8.99 version at Target that uses a pillow case that usually runs $5-10. Because they are pretty squishy and thin, you can sort of stuff it under your belly when laying on your side and then tuck it between your knees. It has been a lifesaver for me since my pre-pregnancy favorite sleep position was on my stomach… obviously not an option these days. It helps to take some of the weight off and also relieves some of the discomfort from all your weight shifting to one side. Hope it helps!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:51:14 +0000

Your body is doing an amazing thing and while yes your belly is probably large (which it should be at this point) it is growing a baby and it will go back to normal after you have the baby. So yes they were rude comments, but no you don’t need to feel upset about your body right now.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:15:34 +0000

Thank you all! It’s good to know I’m not the only one enduring rude comments. I was starting to wonder if maybe I really was abnormally huge!

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:09:20 +0000

I completely empathize! During my last few weeks of pregnancy 4 people asked if I was having twins! On Easter Sunday I lumbered into church 10 days before I was due. One woman looked at me and just sighed and shook her head. I thought, “Wow! That was helpful!” I will say this though, you can laugh at it on the other side and the baby weight does go away. My son is 6 months now and I feel and look great! Congrats on your upcoming delivery!

By: Link love (powered by sand, sundresses and the first burn of summer) « Musings of an Abstract Aucklander

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 03:00:34 +0000

[…] Karen of Living Well on Less on the things you should never say to pregnant women. […]

By: Bobbi

Bobbi — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:24:24 +0000

I can sympathize totally. People are rude, thats all there is to it. Soon your little man will be here and bring you lots of joy.

By: M

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:17:24 +0000

Don’t panic! Sounds like you have a great support system for when the baby comes. As for insenstive comments — maybe these are teachable moments.. or simply say, “I’m big because there’s a beautiful baby in there waiting to join the world, not because I have no self-control and have been eating twinkies.” People can be idiots, but their stupidity is not a reflection on you. I agree the touching the belly is off-limits. If it happens again, you could simply say, “please, belly is off-limits”.. or ask them if they’d like it if you could touch theirs. You are on the home stretch, be gentle with yourself, relax if you can, into these last moments of non-momhood, because once he arrives, nothing is ever going to be the same. Life as you know it now, will never be this way again. Children change everything in the most extraordinary ways.

By: Veronica

Veronica — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:16:15 +0000

I know it’s hard to stand up to the last weeks of pregnancy but u get to have the next 40 years to luv them and protect them and send them to school and look at report cards and watch them play sports and do stupid sh.. You can get pictures and hugs and kisses and grandkids and in-laws and really fun weddings. The endless possibilities – kids – there’s a reason women do this?

By: Rae

Rae — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:10:58 +0000

Yes, on all accounts. As a short woman with no waist, there’s nowhere for my babies to go but out. I got the multiples remarks a lot, too. I’d usually just say that my husband was part viking, or descended from Andre the Giant, but occasionally, I’d just say “hey, thanks. you made my day. who doesn’t love to hear they look like the hindenberg?”

As for the belly rubbing, a few people got a lecture on how inapropriate that was. I figure, it’s okay to go off on them. It is out of line, and they will probably blame it on the baby crazies anyway.

Good luck!