Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman
Some of the most well meaning men have made HUGE blunders in their attempts to be supportive. Let's face it. Guys, you just don't get it. How could you? You've never been bloated to the point of popping, had leakage from weird places in your body, or felt the raging hormones that only a woman can truly understand.
But don't sweat it! I'm here for you! I'm going to guide you through things you should never say to a pregnant woman. Ever! Of course, this advice goes for the ladies too, although any lady that has ever been pregnant will already know the dangers that people (especially men) face when they misspeak around us.
The inspiration for this article came to me as I was standing in line at the grocery store. A young couple was ahead of me, and the girl was very pregnant. She was so pregnant, in fact, that people were stepping away from her in line. (Why do people do this? She's not going to leak on you!) This pregnant woman's partner looked like he'd been up for the last 48 hours. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was a mess, and it looked like he'd been wearing the same clothes for days. He innocently put his hand around her waist, dropped his head to her shoulder and said, "I am so tired."
The pregnant girl flipped his arm off of her and screamed, "You're tired? YOU'RE TIRED???? Try lugging THIS around for nine months!" and with that she hurled around and began bumping him with her giant belly.
Thus begins our list of "Things you should never say to a pregnant woman"....
1. Obviously, you don't want to tell a pregnant woman you are tired. (See above)
What you may consider a compliment, may actually insult her. When I was six months pregnant, my brother said the following. In all sincerity he said, "You don't even look pregnant. You just look a little fat." And so.....
2. NEVER tell a pregnant woman that she just looks fat. She would rather look pregnant than fat. Trust me.
When a woman is pregnant, she is uncomfortable. She has no patience for rhetorical or senseless questions. Thus....
3. Don't say things like, "When ya' gonna have that baby?" or, "You haven't had that baby yet?" or, "Weren't you pregnant the last time I saw you?"
A pregnant woman knows she is big. She sees her girth (and feels it) every single day. Which brings us to....
4. If you value your life, you will not say anything along the lines of, "How many babies you got in there?", or, "You sure there's only one baby in there?"
With a first pregnancy, or even with the ones to follow, most women are nervous about the birthing process. Would YOU look forward to squeezing a six pound bowling ball out of your penis? So, please....
5. Even if you're just trying to make small talk, don't ask questions like, "Are you scared?" or offer helpful advice like, "Try not to poop on the doctor when you have the baby." (Trust me, we've already thought of this)
A man cannot possibly empathize with a pregnant woman. He just can't. Remember this....
6. Whatever you do, don't tell her you know how she feels. You don't. Saying something like, "They say having a baby is like having a big bowel movement, so I know it's gonna hurt, but you can do it." This is not going to make her feel at ease.
- Don't ask her why she is so lazy.
- Don't ask about her stretch marks.
- Don't mention how great another pregnant woman looks.
- Don't ask if you HAVE to go to her doctor appointment.
- Don't comment on how much she is eating.
- Don't ask her how much weight she has gained.
- When she gets upset about something, don't tell her it's just her hormones. (This is a biggie!)
Some pregnant women are much more sensitive than others, so you'll have to make a few mistakes before you will know she reacts to these things. Some women cry, some get angry, some hold it all in and then blow up all at once. Just remember, it only lasts nine months. You can make it!
More from Jennifer Wagner:
10 Tips to Soothe A Crying Baby
Things You Never Thought You'd Say (Funny quotes from parents)
An Online Pregnancy Test?
Published by Jennifer Wagner - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Ever since I read my first Judy Blume book as a little girl, I have wanted to write. Whether it's giving my opinion, making someone smile, or reviewing a product, writing makes me happy. My primary are... View profile
- Things to Avoid When Pregnant There are several things that can be harmful when you're expecting. Read on for some things for you to avoid when pregnant.
- Things that You Should Never Say or Do to a Pregnant Woman Here are some handy tips for not pissing off a pregnant woman.
-
What NOT to Say to Someone Grieving a Miscarriage
It's often difficult to find the right words to comfort a friend or family member who is grieving a miscarriage. Here are a few "comforting" statements you should avoid.
-
How to Know If You're Pregnant
Many women who are concerned with pregnancy, whether they are trying to conceive or avoid, find themselves obsessing over symptoms. Here are ten common symptoms that could be re...
- Ten Things to Avoid Saying to a Pregnant Lady Hormones have a way of answering certain questions. Sometimes you're better off not asking them in the first place.
- What Not to Say to a Woman Who Has Miscarried
- How to Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay at Home Mom
- Why You Should Reconsider the Idea of Cohabitation Before Marriage
- 10 Things Never to Say on a Business Call
- Pregnant Woman Who Shot Herself in Stomach and Killed Baby is Acquitted
- 15 Things You Should Never Say to Someone Facing Infertility
- Top 20 Things You Should Never Say to a Woman
|
|
67 Comments
Post a CommentGood article. Here's a sort of related comment. Don't congratulate someone you know is pregnant in front of the soon-to-be-great-grandmother who wasn't aware that they were pregnant yet. Oops. (I thought everyone already knew...). :)
Agree with all of these. Especially toward the end of the pregnancy when people ask, "Haven't you had that baby yet?"
Oh this applies to more than just the men... you cannot imagine how many times I hear many of these comments EVERY day from my female co-workers.
Remember too Men that if you mess up you will pay for it the rest of your married life. Does that sound like I may have? You are right. Great work Jennifer. Johnny Yuma
"You look awfully bloated today" is another statement to add to the no-no list...
Enjoyable read. I'll keep this in mind for my future.
I've never been pregnant, but it stands to reason that these comments will insult pregnant women. I see the way some women are treated and they have to suffer such indignities, especially from perfect strangers who seem to feel they have the right to touch a pregnant woman's belly. Why? I don't understand that.
Sophie
"When she gets upset about something, don't tell her it's just her hormones. (This is a biggie!)" - This applies to PMS/menstruation, too! A very fun read, Jennifer. :)
Hilarious!
Very funny!! And very good advice too! When I was pregnant I did get a couple of those questions and I had to hold myself back on a few occasions from wanting to kick the questioners in the butt!