Strangers touching your pregnant tummy

[jasper]

I am 30 weeks pregnant . I am beginning to dislike going to work because every day this week someone I don't know very well has touched/rubbed my pregnant tummy and I HATE it! I know it is quite common for people to do this but for some reason it did not happen much with the last baby. This time my tummy seems to be a free for all zone! I don't mind if friends who know me well ask if they can feel the bump but I really don't like acquaintences just reaching out to touch it. Also I don't like the way some people just stare at your tummy, often saying thigs like "ooh, you're really big, aren't you". I mean, no woman wants to be described as really big, whether pregnant or not, do they?
Do the rest of you feel this way? I realise it is probably some kind of backhanded compliment that people feel free to touch your pregnant tummy, but it kind of gives me the creeps.

[cupcakebakerer]

I know this is awful but I dislike my close family doing it - I have no idea why but to me it just feels like they are touching tummy not baby! I also feel like they feel they have to feign interest and touch it. Only like my hubby touching it and that's it.

[cupcakebakerer]

I now feel bad for all the times I've done it to other women pre my own pregnancy experience! Never again.

[WanderingSheep]

Nobody has ever done it to me apart from my friend and she only did it once and I didn't really mind. I don't mind it, TBH. When my SIL was pg her cousin (male) was stroking her bump for ages saying, "ooh, I love it!" I think that would bother me.

You need to get one of those t shirts that say "hands off the bump!"

[MrsChemist]

I worked in a pub whilst pregnant and a weird guy went to kiss my stomach.
Yes, kiss it.
I'd already asked him to leave because he was a weirdo, so I quickly backed away and said, "don't touch me, and get out of my pub."

I dislike people touching me at the best of times as well.

[WanderingSheep]

Cupcakebakerer - I used to comment on the size of pregnant women before I ever came on MN only in an excited "ooh aren't you getting big!" way but I will never ever say anything like that ever again! The only things I'll say now are things like, "oh you're blooming/looking lovely/your bump is so lovely and neat!"

[LilRedWG]

I preempt the comments ony huge bump by saying, "Yes. I know, I'm enormous for dates". As for touching, I hate it; unless it's DH or DD. MIL and I were discussing the way total strangers feel that they have free rein to feel when FIL piped up, "I agree, that's not nice, but I have a right as I'm you FIL". I didn't comment and tend to try and protect my stomach at all times.

[thefurryone]

This happened to me for the first time a couple of days ago, I do know the person but still it was a bit weird. I would never even consider touching anyone elses.

[tebbles]

I have never even thought to touch someone pregnant belly, even close friends! It is their stomach and I wouldnt normally touch it and expecially not when their pregnant as I wouldn't want to invade their and their baby's personal space.

I have never understood why people would want to touch it either? I can understand your husband and your children but not friends and especially not strangers. I plan on being very protective and standoff-ish about my belly.

If someone tries to I will say that I have a sore stomach/sickness.

[CocoPopsAddict]

Has anyone else noticed that this thread is nearly ten years old?!

I don't let strangers touch me - I just step backwards!

[CrazyPlateLady]

I loathe this with a passion. I have had a previous thread on being literally groped by my MIL who had been previously told to stop touching my belly but she carried on anyway. Now she stares intently asking if the baby is moving. If it was I wouldn't tell her!

I have only had one stranger do it, the woman who was serving me in the jewellers. I didn't like it but as she was serving me I didn't like to say anything, I am a wimp who will avoid confrontation at all costs.

My friends know how I feel but they ask, which is fine. I am close to them and see them all the time. For some reason, this time I don't like DH doing it which makes me feel awful. Last time I was desperate for him to feel every little kick, but this time I just don't want him to touch me at all. Doesn't help that this baby is far lower than DS was any any touching is getting a bit too low down for comfort.

I have never felt the urge to touch another pregnant woman either, I don't know why people do.

I don't like my size being commented on either.

[CrazyPlateLady]

Cocoa nope I didn't notice that!

How did such an old thread come up!?

[Dummyhunter]

l hated people touching my bump even my dh and mum

dh had a t shirt made for me saying 'do not touch my bump or my hormones might rip your head off' not very subtle but it worked