To think that the most annoying pregnancy phrase is ....

[CormoranStrike]

"As long as it is healthy" .....

Do people every stop for a second it think that, you know, maybe it is not?

That perhaps the parent already know from scans, or family history, that it is not or chances are that it is not.

Both my kids were born with conditions, thankfully not life threateningly serious, but life alteringly serious, and requiring surgery, in one case lifelong surgery.

Given the first had this condition, there were good odds the second would have too.

Do people just say this for the sake of something to say?

In my experience most children are not born entirely healthy. The health issue may be relatively mild, but in my family and friendship group we have had babies with club feet, heart conditions, mild asthma, a spina bifida scare, exczema, leg issues, joint issues and everything in between.

Just like adults, all these babies are perfectly normal, well rounded wee humans who happen to not have been born "perfect".

I'm not pregnant BTW, just read the phrase on another thread and it set my teeth in edge again

I have had a child who was very ill (thankfully recovered) and at the time I resolved never to worry about the little things again. All problems can be solved, or you can try and solve them, but not health- you are powerless. Therefore I see nothing wrong with saying it.

I think everyone wishes and hopes their newborn will be healthy, although this is very often not the case. Still don't see anything wrong with it, doesn't mean they won't love the child if it's not healthy!

so sorry Sarah and brave of you to share that.

op can totally see your point.

Um. I'm guilty if saying it about my own pregnancy!

The thing is, I honestly felt that way. So what else could I say when people asked me of I wanted a boy or a girl?

All I cared about was that my baby would be ok. "Healthy" is another way of saying "ok" in my mind.

And I wasn't copying the trend of everyone else, I hadn't heard people refer to wishing for a healthy baby in response to what sex they wanted. I'd simply never asked anyone what sex they wished for, and so never had that conversation.

I really think people are motivated to be kind and not annoying. What else can they say really?

Totally agreeop, Yanbu

And let's face it, even if a baby is born healthy, chances of staying that way forever for any of us are pretty slim (not wanting to be doom and gloom about it, but sickness, disease and injuries are all a sad reality in life and we can't run from it).

But despite that we all wish each other good health, and look for it in our own lives.

It seems that some people these days can take offence at anything.

It's just a saying, and we do hope for health in anyone. Health is priceless.

Two of my DC were born healthy, but have developed a serious chronic illness. I really really wish they were healthy again - for their sake.