Five Rude Things

Rude Comments During Pregnancy
community

Lil Community: Oh My, Are You Having Your Baby Right Now?

Nine months can seem like a lifetime when you're pregnant.
by Lil Community

Nine months can seem like a lifetime when you're pregnant. LilSugar reader Beaner is still receiving rude comments as she approaches her due date. She shared the latest remarks in The Pregnancy Posse group.

My belly is huge. It's out there. It's round and full and firm, and I'm loving every inch of it. I'm not however loving the comments about how I'm about to give birth at any minute. I've been hearing comments like this for a couple weeks now:

  • "Please don't get too excited. I wouldn't want you to pop!" — dancing at a bluegrass show
  • "You're not having contractions are you? Is that baby coming right now?!" — at the grocery store, with my hand on my belly, feeling kicks
  • "You're due pretty soon, huh?" And I said, "Not for another two months." And she turned to her husband and said, "Did you hear that? Two more months!" — at a restaurant, comment by some stranger
  • "How much longer are you in misery?" — A fellow mom said this who clearly had horrible pregnancies
  • "That baby must be coming any day now, huh?" And I said, "I have about eight weeks left, so no, not really." And the older man said, "Oh boy. Geez. Well, good luck!" — in a grocery store
  • "You have the cutest basketball belly ever. (this comment was quite welcomed) You're having that baby soon, aren't you?" "In about two months," I say. "Wow. You're already so huge. I can't believe it. You're going to be so incredibly enormous by the end!" — cashier at Costco
  • "When are you due?" "In August," I say. "August! That sucks. You picked a bad time to be this pregnant." — a stranger at my yoga studio

I have a smile on my face, so I'm not sure why everyone thinks that being pregnant is so horrible, especially in the Summer. I'm grateful that I've been feeling amazing, and who cares if it's hot out? That's what AC, swimming, and ice cream are for!

Want to talk pregnancy with other expectant mamas? Get the conversation started in The Pregnancy Posse group!

Rude Comments During Pregnancy 2010-05-27 04:00:50
community

Lil Community: Rude Things People Have Actually Said to Me While Prego

Nine months can seem like a lifetime when you're pregnant.
by babysugar

Nine months can seem like a lifetime when you're pregnant. LilSugar reader Beaner has been bringing our readers along her journey and shared her latest thoughts about pregnancy in The Pregnancy Posse group.

I was so excited to get pregnant, obviously to be a mother and to expand the already amazing family my husband and I have created, but I was also excited to sport an adorable little baby bump. I had no idea though that as soon as I started showing and expanding, I became public domain for everybody's rude and hurtful comments. Here are seven things people have actually said to me.

  • "Wow, I wasn't as big as you when I was that far along. But don't worry, because you haven't gained too much weight in your face and arms." — My neighbor from down the street drove all the way over just to tell me this. She's also a mother of a one year old.
  • "Wow, you're huge. You could give birth right now." — I was only 24 weeks pregnant.
  • My dentist said, "Look at that belly! What are you eight months pregnant?" I smiled and said, "Nope, just four and a half months." And she said, "Oh, well are you sure there aren't twins in there?"
  • "I can really tell you're pregnant in your face." — A close relative said this to me. So basically she was telling a pregnant lady her face was fat. Nice.

To see the rest of the comments Beaner has heard, click here. Want to talk pregnancy with other expectant mamas? Get the conversation started in The Pregnancy Posse group!

Things Not To Say During Labor
Pregnancy

Five Things Not to Say to a Woman in Labor

  There's a scene in the fourth season of Sex and the City where a labor and delivery nurse is cheering Miranda on, as she is about to give birth.
by

 

There's a scene in the fourth season of Sex and the City where a labor and delivery nurse is cheering Miranda on, as she is about to give birth. Carrie turns to the nurse and simply shakes her head, signaling for the cheerleader to cut the words of encouragement as Brady's mom delivers him.

While every laboring mama has an idea of the type of birthing coach she wants to support her throughout the process, an unexpected slip of a few choice phrases can completely change the mood in the room.  Knowing what an expectant mum wants during the process can help visitors plan their words wisely, but here are five things that are never appropriate to say to the soon-to-be mother.

  • "Ouch! Here comes a BIG contraction!"
  • "Hold on, the team's not quite ready yet."
  • "Do you think you can cross your legs and hold it in until I get the camera working?"
  • "My mom said it really didn’t hurt that much."
  • "I’m ready to get started on the next one, how about you?"

 

Feel free to add your favorite phrase to the list.

Photo courtesy of HBO

5 Things Not to Say to a Woman En Route to Her C-Section
C-Section

5 Things Not to Say to a Woman En Route to Her C-Section

Kids may say the darndest things, but adults aren't far behind.
by

Kids may say the darndest things, but adults aren't far behind. Given all of the stigma attached to a c-section birth, grown-ups sometimes let crazy, judgmental phrases slip from their lips at the most inopportune times.

When an expectant mama is en route to the operating room for her surgery, be careful what words of advice come out of your mouth. Here are our five things you should not say:

  • Don't worry, you're still a woman even if the baby didn't come out naturally.
  • At least your vagina won't get all stretched out.
  • The baby really doesn't care how it came out.
  • It's not too late to try for a natural birth.
  • You'll be up and around in no time.

Feel free to add yours to the list!
Getty

Five More Rude Things Mothers Do
motherhood

Five More Rude Things Mothers Do

The other day I wrote about the five rude things mothers do — most of which are unintentional and come with having kids and very hectic lives.
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The other day I wrote about the five rude things mothers do — most of which are unintentional and come with having kids and very hectic lives. Our readers commented with some of their own mama pet peeves, but many were inconsiderate things all people do. So I've compiled one more list of mum-specific offenses.

  • Shouting Out in Public: Hitting the mall for a shopping stroll changes when tots are in tow. Mums who never said boo before baby suddenly find themselves frantically shouting safety precautions, "Joey, do NOT step on that escalator — you will fall!" or "OMG! Where's Hannah? She was just right next to me. HANNAH? HANNAH?"
  • The Stroller Rollover: Size does matter when it comes to strollers, and since stores have aisles that barely accommodate them, it's impossible for a mama to see every foot or knee cap that is in the way when she swings the buggy around to make an exit. Unfortunately and unintentionally, a stranger's toe occasionally falls victim to the rubber wheel.

To see the rest, read more