By BERN MORLEY
For some reason, a pregnant woman brings out the unfiltered in people and often, when you’re pregnant, it can feel as if you have a flashing neon sign strapped to your forehead asking random strangers to touch your belly and give you unsolicited advice.
Not only is this advice often unwanted, it can be very demeaning, distressing and out of line. So maybe, before you say anything to a pregnant woman, you might want to read this first….
Here are the top 20 things NOT to say to a pregnant woman:
1. Are you sure there’s only one in there?
2. Are you planning on breastfeeding?
3. You must be having a girl/boy, you are SO wide/round!
4. Have you had all the tests done, you know, in case there’s something wrong with it?
5. You already have a pigeon pair, why are you tempting fate?
6. Did you want it?
7. You know, you really shouldn’t be having that coffee.
9. Are you SURE you’re not having twins?
10. Oh, get ready, birth is HORRIFIC.
11. Well, we know what YOU were doing 40 weeks ago..
12. Aren’t you a little too old/young to be doing this?
13. Are you still with the father?
14. Oh really? You really like that name? Your choice I suppose.
15. Was it planned?
16. Oh, you’re STILL pregnant?
17. Any news yet?
18. How about now?
Last but not last:
20. When are you due? (Errm, I had the baby three weeks ago)
So for all those people out there who are tempted to say any of the above to a pregnant family member, friend or even a random stranger maybe just think it through a little first.
DO however, tell them that they look lovely. DO tell them you can’t wait to meet their baby and most importantly, DO let them know you’ll be around to help if they need you.
Do you have any DON’Ts to add to the list? Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of one of these yourself. Come Share.
You might also like…
The 5 words mothers aren’t supposed to say.
The 22 things I want to do with my kids before they leave home.
Top Comments
In the lifts at work a few weeks back, I smiled at a lady and she saw me rubbing my belly and asked when I was due. I told her and she said "Really? I thought you would be a lot further along - you are so big" Btw I only put on 5 kilos so far in the preg due to bad morning sickness most of the weight in my stomach.
I HATED the "did you go back for a boy?/you must be hoping for a boy" question when I was pregnant with my 3rd daughter.