It’s bad enough that hormones influence our moods during pregnancy, causing the simplest interactions to make us react in ways we ourselves don’t understand. Then, you have those questions. You know which ones. Why is it that some people forget their manners around pregnant women?
We’ve rounded up some of the most common rude or awkward questions and came up with suggestions on how to answer them. Below are two options, a more direct answer and a softer one. Use whichever works for you and the situation or relationship!
“Are you pregnant yet?”
Option A: “That’s none of your business”.
Option B: “If we’re expecting, we’ll let everyone know when we’re ready".
"Did you plan it, or was it an accident?”
Option A: “That’s a very personal question and a little rude”;
Option B: “There are no accidental children. They are always planned, sometimes by us and sometimes by God/the Universe”.
Option A: “I’m not comfortable with that".
Option B: “I feel so loved and supported in our good news, but I’m not ready to have people touch me".
"You’re huge!” or “You’re tiny!”
Option A: “Compared to what?”
Option B: “I’m healthy and I’m grateful”.
"Are you scared of childbirth?"
Option A: "No".
Option B: “No. I have a great doctor, a plan, and lots of support”.
"Wow, you’re still pregnant?"
Option A: "Yes".
Option B: “Everything is on track. I’m not worried”.
"You’re breastfeeding, right?"
Option A: "My baby will get all she needs".
Option B: "I’m planning to, but we’ll see what happens after baby’s born. It’s hard to predict what will happen, but it’ll work out no matter what." Or, “I’m going to do what’s best for both the baby and myself. Either way, she’ll get all she needs”.
"What name are you giving her?"
Option A: "We’re not telling people yet".
Option B: "We’ve got a few ideas, but we’re not ready to share them".
"How much weight did you gain?"
Option A: "Why do you want to know?"
Option B: "I stayed within a healthy range for pregnancy".
