This will be quick today, and I realize it has been said a million and one times already, but since people keep making the same mistake OVER AND OVER again, it warrants being said again…
When you see an obviously pregnant woman, no matter how strong the urge is, JUST DON’T comment on her size.
“Wow, you are really showing now.” – Not OK. (Especially if you have said this every week for the last three months. Also, do you think I somehow missed my belly when I got dressed this morning?)
“Is this baby going to be regular sized or big?” – Not OK. (I’m not even sure what that means… No, they are not monitoring me for the risk of delivering a Sasquatch. Otherwise, how would I know?)
“You will never make it until your due date; you’re about to pop.” – Not OK. (Actually, this is exceptionally rude because, truth be told, it’s dangerous for babies to be born too early. Besides, to my knowledge, no pregnant woman has ever actually “popped.” #mighthavetogooglethat)
Any variation of any of the above – Not OK.
*I’ve already gotten two out of the three above comments today (and it’s not even noon yet).
Try “You look great” or even “You look so happy” (if you just can’t bear to lie to my swollen, broken out, tired face).
I know I’m preaching to the choir here (how many of you have been in my position?), but y’all, comments about a women’s size or weight are NEVER appropriate. People don’t typically walk up to a non-pregnant woman and say things like “You’ve gained a lot of weight, huh?” But something about pregnancy makes people completely lose their filter. And you know who is the worst about it? Women just one or two life-stages ahead. Have they seriously forgotten what it feels like to walk around carrying a watermelon and have people stare almost exclusively at your stomach, or are they just trying to get revenge from the things people said to them however many years ago?
Lord, please let me remember these days and treat younger pregnant women with kindness and gentleness when my stage has passed. Amen
Feeling grateful, healthy, excited, and (very) big,
E