Unwanted bump touching

[Sazzel]

I was hoping for some advice re unwanted bump touching. I've seen threads regarding strangers touching, but my problem is with friends and one close friend in particular. You'd think that being friends would make it easier to deal with but I don't know how to broach the subject without it being awkward.

When it's happened I've not had enough warning to move out of the way and i've been too surprised to say anything. I wondered about changing my facebook status to something along the lines of "I've decided that from now on touching my bump is by invitation only" but don't know if that's just silly? All suggestions welcome.

Just tell her you feel uncomfortable with bump touching.

It doesn't have to be a big deal.

I used to hate it, but put up with the odd pounce. If I knew it was going to happen regularly then I would say something.

Aww my friend might think I posted this!

Only one close friend and one ex bf has risked touching my bump - I don't smile enough for anyone to try he he

And if anyone says 'don't be such a spoilt sport' or 'your just being sensitive or silly' then you reply ' I am pregnant I am allowed to be!'

I am DREADING this! Not bumpy enough yet but I know I won't be able to stand it!!

My BIL keeps touching mine, I know he is excited that his GF and me are pregnant at the same time, but it really catches me off guard each time!

I'm dreading this too - people will probably do it when we go back to school in a few days, as I didn't really show till the last few weeks. I really dislike it and have no idea what to say, thankfully it will be autumn soon and I can wear a big baggy coat. Then I won't feel it so much if at all.

I have to stop the children touching it or hugging me already as it is sore to touch actually, I keep getting painful BH contractions, and when someone compresses it, it's very uncomfortable - I can't even touch certain parts of it myself.

I found that assuming a karate type position and saying 'back away from the bump' worked for me.

True story

I wear baggy clothes when I know I'm going to be seeing potential bump touchers so they don't see anything to touch although if your further along than me that won't work. I don't talk about feeling kicks or movement ever, I've lied to MIL about feeling kicks, and even now I'm quite vague about it. If they don't think there's anything moving in there there's no reason to touch me.
Nobody in my family would ever think I'd appreciate uninvited belly touching, so it didn't need mentioning. DP told his mum outright when she said she couldn't wait to touch my bump that it wouldn't be happening, and he's mentioned it in a casual way to his friends as well. I do quite well avoiding touching, I'm not a hugger either and usually find a way out of that too.
I don't think I give off the air of someone you want to touch if you don't know me since I usually have a scowl on my face or look a bit stressed out so that's not been a problem for me.

Poke her hard in the stomach every time and say "Your turn next"

Why do people do this? I'm dreading it, I could not have random people touching my tummy when not pregnant, so they won't be doing it now I am!

What the hell are you doing will be my response!

Could you touch his/her belly and say something really rude like "funny, looks like there should be something in there".

Maybe not...

I loved it when people touched my bump; I found it wonderful that they were so excited...but then only my family really did, and we're quite tactile anyway - DH's family had to be coaxed into feeling the odd kick!

Start groping them back then if they say anything look a bit puzzled and say 'I thought this was how we were greeting each other now...?'

I say 'its catching' to all females and see them recoil in terror

What's wrong with 'please don't do that'?

I am sorry to say that once, an acquaintance actually lifted up my top in the middle of the street.

The worst part about it was that I was wearing non-maternity jeans, and had left the fly undone and used a hair bobble threaded through the button hole and round the button to keep them up.

I'm a dentist and old lady patients keep patting mine. GET OFF ME!! YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW ME!! i think, but I have to smile and say something nice to them

I had a friend like this.

Eventually I told her if she touched it again I would knee her in the fanny.

In my defence, she's very thick skinned and took it well.... stopped the touching too - well, now she asks beforehand!

You lot are so bump possessive. Each to his own I guess, I really don't get why people get offended about passing comments on bump size, or a bit of bump touching. I finding people launching in for a mwah mwah kiss on greeting to be far more personal space invasive not to mention germ spreading

Just say 'please don't touch me', nicely, and smile. Being stroppy about it is just as rude as people invading your space in an unwanted manner. No one means any harm.

I totally agree with Panic. You can tell your friend not to touch your bump in a friendly way.
I actually liked when friends touched my bump.

I hated people touching my bump. I got more and more miserable and evil everyday of the pregnancy so by the time I was massive no one spoke to me let alone touched me.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I think I will think about how I dress around certain people, employ a bit of humour and politely request that people don't touch if i'm not in the mood when they try it. I love DH touching the bump but it feels different because we touch anyway. I think it's the surprise touching that I mind cause it makes me jump!

How about "My dance space, your dance space" with appropriate arm movements and crap American accent?

Panic, no mwah mwah kissing here either. I like a good handshake or a wave!

I was expecting this but sadly not one person has shown any interest in touching my bump :(

Even DP has to be told/invited to.

I would just ask them politely not to do it if you don't like it. I do think surprise touching is odd tho.