This public service announcement has been brought to you by the makers of cheaply-made and ill-fitting maternity clothes.
Dear Women-Who’ve-Never-Been-Pregnant:
Do not, I repeat, do not EVER say to a pregnant woman “wow! you’re getting BIG!” or “you must be getting HUGE!” It is tacky that you, a woman who has most likely never watched her weight and waistline balloon 30, 50, or even 70 pounds within 8 months or less, to say that to a woman who is MORE than aware that she is starting to gain satellite planets. And certainly don’t say that sort of thing to a woman who is anything less than your best girlfriend or closest sister.
To put it bluntly, even MEN know better than to let that sort of phrase fall out of their mouths within earshot of any woman they may think is pregnant.
This kind of behavior is even more insulting and unwanted than unauthorized tummy-touches.
So don’t do it. You could lose a limb.
7 Comments
AMEN! I am starting to get these kinds of comments, though I think I may immediately pull the “I’m pregnant so I’m incapable of bulls•••tery” and tell them off on the spot. I have one friend who, every time I mention some detail about pregnancy that I’m dealing with, she says, “omg I could never do that…” and I wanna say “THEN DON’T!”
Word.
(Can I say that as a 27-year-old relatively uncool white pregnant woman? Not sure I can pull it off, but it was the first thing that came to mind after reading your post.)
I must admit… prior to pregnancy, I was one of those. In my defense, I meant it as a compliment. I thought pregnant bellies were adorable (I still do – just not my own). However, after having the same “compliment” told to me repeatedly when I was preggo, I now see the err of my ways, and have repented for my sins.
I don’t get why people don’t get that they are being totally rude when they comment about how “huge” you are. Conversation I (at 19 weeks pregnant – not even halfway through this pregnancy) had at church last week with another woman:
“Wow, you’re really getting big. Are you and Jess due around the same time?”
“Nope, she’s two months ahead of me, I’m not due until the middle of September.”
“Oh, well you’re really big. Maybe it’s twins.”
“Nope, it’s not twins, I’ve had an ultrasound.”
“Well, it must be a big baby then.”
“Actually, it’s only about six inches long right now.”
“Really, well you look really big.”
My boss told me to start telling people, “Yeah, my stomach might be huge, but I bet I still weigh less than you do.” I haven’t had the guts to say it yet, but I still have 20 weeks to work up the courage.
As I man, I can completely agree with your sentiment. In my wife’s seven pregnancies, you never hurd that out of my mouth, ever. Not even when she wasn’t around – the walls have ears you know. 🙂
Hope the remainder of your pregnancy is filled with comfortable weather and minimal labor pain.
A-FREAKING-MEN.