During the long nine months of pregnancy, it’s likely that you’ll experience a number of conversational no-nos. People seem almost unable to control themselves around pregnant women, and are likely to let at least one of the following slips. Here are seven things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman (but are likely to hear during your pregnancy):
- “Wow, you can’t have long to go!” – Er, actually, I’ve got three whole months of pregnancy left, but thanks for drawing attention to my massive bump. Thanks a lot for giving me something to worry about when I’m lying awake in bed tonight.
- “I can’t believe how big you are.” – This one is rarely said by strangers, it’s usually friends and family who strut this belter out. It almost puts you off socialising altogether, doesn’t it? Surprisingly, most pregnant women don’t actually want to be reminded of how big they are on a regular basis.
- “Are you sure you’re not carrying twins?” – Oh great, another reference to big babies. Well, of course it’s quite possible that the ultrasound technician is less savvy than you, and failed to pick up, using the latest technological advances and years of medical knowledge, what you have picked up using just your eyes and keen sense of judgement. But, to be honest, I’m probably not carrying twins, thanks anyway for drawing it to my attention though.
- “You must be having a <insert gender here> because <insert old wives’ tale here>” – Sigh. Ok, there’s a 50/50 chance you’re right, but you could be equally as wrong. And, truth be told, I don’t want to spend nine long months discussing which sex the baby could be, I have other things to worry about. I also don’t need to hear that I’m carrying high or low or round, or whatever else you might feel the need to use as evidence of the baby’s sex.
- “Make sure you get plenty of sleep now, you won’t get chance once the baby arrives.” – Oh, thanks for the advice. I have been keeping myself awake on the off chance that I won’t need sleep when the baby arrives, but thanks to your wise input I can turn things around now. The fifteen bathroom breaks, nausea, backache and tiny acrobat flying around in my belly hopefully won’t cause too many problems for my new sleep quest.
- “Was it planned?” – Wow, that’s a personal question. Oh, and none of your business.
- “Any news?” – No. The news is either ‘Yes, I’m having a baby this very minute’, ‘Yes, I’m cuddling my tiny newborn this very minute’ or ‘No, I’m the same fed up, angry pregnant woman I was when you asked me yesterday’. Whichever of these it is, believe me, I’ll tell you when I’m good and ready, please stop asking me for news.
It goes without saying that the above replies aren’t answers you should try yourself, well, not to good friends anyway. It’s just a little fun. Are there any conversational gems missing from the list, what have people been saying to you? What would you include in things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.
