Q: Pregnancy faux pas?
Posted
Monday, September 17, 2007 11:52 AM
Top Five Pregnancy Faux Pas
More than 80 percent of
pregnant women have friends (or strangers!) touch their bellies without
asking for permission. Grievances like this are all too common, so we
thought we'd lay down a list of phrases that make our pregnant users
cringe (they told us so). Chances are, you've already found some of
these words slipping through your teeth before you knew what hit you.
Well, you can't rewind, but check out our list and try to hold back
next time -- your pregnant buddies will be grateful.
FAUX PAS #1: “LET ME TOUCH YOUR BELLY!”
We’re
all guilty of the belly rub… it’s hard to resist. But hold back unless
you ask the mom first. Not only is it scary and weird for her when someone,
whether it’s a stranger or even a relative, touches her bump, but a
woman’s belly is private and she may not want you reaching for it.
What
to Say or Do in Response: As the hand moves in, cover your belly and
jokingly say, “The little one’s bossy already, he likes his personal
space.”
FAUX PAS #2: “I WAS IN LABOR FOR 36 HOURS AND I TORE LIKE YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE!”
Imagine
hearing your own mother-in-law describing in detail how she gave birth to
your husband. Are you squirming yet? It’s only natural to want to share
your own personal experiences and think that it may offer some helpful
advice. But just because you were in labor for 36 hours doesn’t mean
she wants to hear all the gory details. You’ll only scare her (and the
baby) with your stories.
What to Say and Do in Response: You may
gain some bits of useful advice from these war stories, but if the
conversation gets too graphic, say in a mock grave voice, “You’ve
seriously got to stop – I think my morning sickness is coming back.”
FAUX PAS #3: “WOW, YOU’RE HUGE! ARE YOU HAVING TWINS?”
First
of all, pregnant or not, no one ever likes to be reminded of their
weight gain. Whether you genuinely are wondering if she’s having twins
or it’s your way of saying she’s going to have a big healthy baby, keep
any comments related to weight gain to yourself. After all, we all
know this could sound like an evil way of saying “Wow, you’re one big
heifer.”
What to Say or Do in Response: Think of it this way –
who wants a peewee baby? So proudly rub your tummy and say,
“Nope, not twins. I’m just carrying the next linebacker for the New
York Giants.”
FAUX PAS #4: “OHHH, I KNEW A (INSERT NAME). HE WAS THE BIGGEST GEEK IN HIGH SCHOOL.”
Ouch.
Whether it’s a high school geek or horrid ex-boyfriend, we can’t help
but connect a name to someone in our past. But it’s best to keep your
opinions to yourself, or better yet, not even ask what they’re planning
on naming the baby.
“This is a seemingly harmless question and
is one of the most hotly debated topics for parents-to-be,” says Carley
Roney, our editor in chief. “Naming a child is one of the
most personal things for parents and it’s hard enough to decide on a
name without a committee chiming in. Plus, parents may want to keep
the name a secret in case someone ‘steals’ the name.”
What to Say
or Do in Response: If only you could say who his or her name reminds you of,
right? So just grin and say, “Good thing all geeks grow up to be
billionaires.”
FAUX PAS #5: “COME ON, ONE DRINK WON’T HURT.”
No
one likes a pusher. If your friend who normally drinks more than her
share of Sauvignon switches to sparkling water, take it as a sign and
don’t order a round of martinis. Your “in the baby zone” friend will
become tired of saying that she’s “not feeling well” and be less apt to
come out next time.
What to Say or Do in Response: Save yourself
a response by ordering a soda water with lemon in it – it’ll look just
like a cocktail. Or jokingly say, “No way, I don’t want him ending up in
AA by the time he’s a toddler!”
> Know some other choice phrases that shouldn't be said? Join the discussion below!
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Nest ErinW
Filed under: Emotions