Sunday, August 26, 2007

You DID NOT say that!

I started thinking more about this after talking to my mom the other night. We were talking about less than tactful things said to people related to pregnancy. Both mom and I asked different people about their upcoming births, though they'd actually already delivered. I know people who have been asked about their pregnancies, when they were not pregnant.

It did not bother me when people told me that I was "getting big" or was "so big," because I WAS big. I understood it. I looked at myself and thought the same thing. However, the stranger who told me that I "must" be having twins went too far. When I told her that I was not actually having twins, she didn't get embarrassed or anything, she just insisted that I must be having a really big baby. Now, I wasn't that big, not two baby big, anyway. (And, the way I'm headed, I will definitely be bigger this time.)

I was also told that I probably wouldn't have a problem giving birth, because I had "child-bearing hips." Yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence.

Ok, so what have you said to people, or what was said to you in regard to pregnancy?

12 comments:

Sharon said...

You know, I'm not sure what it is about being pregnant that gives people the nerve to say things that are just down right rude. With each pregnancy, I've had my share of rude comments...one of my favs. "you look miserable!" Gee thanks, I thought I was suppose to be glowing! I too have been asked if I was carrying twins! But, it's funny how later those people say things like, "you were always so tiny during your pregnancy". Whatever! I think the majority of pregnant women are simply beautiful, though! Really! Such a blessing! Maybe it all comes down to envy... HMM!?

Katie said...

I hated it when people would make dumb comments like, "You aren't going to pop and have that baby HERE are you?" Mostly I enjoyed the looks people gave me--other mothers, I mean. I felt most were sympathetic. But, what I hated was FEELING so huge. Ugh.

Anonymous said...

Here's one on the flipside. I was at the burial of my grandfather this summer, and a couple came up to me and asked when I was going to have children, as my biological clock was about to tick out. Awesome.

sara said...

I always hated it when strangers came up & touched my belly then were offended when I backed away from them. I mean, really, haven't people heard of personal space? Would they enjoy some random stranger copping a feel on their boob? I think not! It was so bad at work one day that we taped a sign over the belly of my shirt that said "HANDS OFF!"

Anonymous said...

"...what was said to you in regard to pregnancy?" "Atta boy Bob!"; "good job Bob!"; "Way to go Bob!"; "Congratulations Bob!"; "you done really good Bob!"

See, not all the things said in regard to pregnancy are rude...! By the way, all my daughters-in-law look fabulous before, during and after thier pregnancies! Love, B/D/P

Anonymous said...

Well, worse than bad comments when I was pregnant, I got asked a couple of months ago (while certainly NOT pregnant) if I was pregnant. I was mortified. Luckily, the woman who asked looked even more mortified and ultra embarrased when I said no. But, hello, RUDE!!! And does anyone have the number to Weight Watchers?!?!

Angie said...

Oh no, Laura. Some of my students asked if I was pregnant when I just started showing. I told them that though I WAS pregnant, this was not a good question to ask.

And, Farrah, I guess what it really boils down to is people keeping their opinions to themselves. Like people assuming that you need to have your children in a certain time table or have a particular number or want a specific gender.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't believe the amount of people that wanted to share their miscarriage stories with me during my first trimester. I mean, out of nowhere, they would whip out these stories, and then say, "so it if it happens to you, don't worry about it." This happened CONSTANTLY. Members of my own family even did this. I still do not understand this AT ALL.

Angie said...

Amanda,
Right after we told a doctor friend of ours, he pulled us aside to tell us something like half of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. He said that there was a good reason why this happened and that there was nothing that you could do about it. This made Allen feel better, but scared the crap out of me. I have been more worried about losing the baby this time, just because I've had quite a few friends who've had miscarriages since I had Ashlyn.

Emery Jo said...

People used to joke to me about how I'd gone and gotten 'knocked up'. I know they were just trying to be funny, but I used to get so angry about that! LAME.

Kim said...

What really irritates me is the "just you wait" person-- who, whatever stage you're at w/ pregnancy or baby-raising, just loves to tell you about the horrors ahead. As you reach each new stage, they gleefully point to something a bit further down the road that you can stress and worry about needlessly until you reach it.

I hope I never do that to ANYONE about their children.

Angie said...

I was told when Ashlyn was about 8 weeks old that it does not get easier. I felt a little bit freaked out in my sleep-deprived state. And, I must say that I think it gets much easier than that brand new babiness, it just doesn't become easy. Every age has its own joys and challenges.