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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Comments on bump size

33 replies

rrreow · 20/04/2013 20:36

Apart from this being a total pet peeve of mine, I've just realised something! I've started noticing that it's those people who've never been pregnant who tend to comment how big my bump is, how much it's grown, and the occasional "OMG YOU'RE HUGE!" (how anyone can think this is something you want to hear is beyond me..). It's those people who have been pregnant themselves who say I've got a cute bump or say I don't look very big for my dates.

I'd love to have a good comeback for the people in the former category though. I love the Mumsnet classic "did you mean to be so rude" but I kind of feel like I could only get away with saying that to people I don't know, if a friend comments I'd feel awful saying something snarky like that!

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ThedementedPenguin · 20/04/2013 20:41

You'll be told on here now your pregnant your body is public property and to get used to it as it gets worse when baby is born.

I however completely disagree. Your body is not public property. I agree with the witty comeback. I'm just not sure what to recommend

soontobeslendergirl · 20/04/2013 20:48

Cant say it ever bothered me, I loved being pregnant and having a huge bump and people talking about it and touching it. I'm not a touchy feely person normally.

But then we are all different, what is it that annoys you? Is that that you don't like feeling big?

Don't really know what to suggest to be honest other than just letting it wash over you and keep focussed on the beautiful baby inside the bump. :)

Original poster

rrreow · 20/04/2013 21:08

I don't mind as much as I did in my first pregnancy but I think what annoys me most is how people think it's suddenly appropriate to comment on your size when ordinarily that would be a total social no-no. So it's more of a principle thing I think. I do like when people are genuinely interested and I don't mind people touching my bump (although no one actually has!). It's funny soontobe, now that you've asked I realise I don't mind having a big bump at all, I'm actually quite proud of my bump and I definitely tend to wear bump-hugging clothing, I just dislike the comments about size!

OP posts:

Springforward · 20/04/2013 21:18

In my first pregnancy one person too many commented on how big my bump was, so I told him how fat he was. Oops. I don't recommend it as a general strategy but I never had another peep out of him.

There is currently someone else at work who sailing close to the wind right now as she won't stop going on about it. She is overweight herself. I am still just about managing to keep quiet for now!

soontobeslendergirl · 20/04/2013 21:21

Ha ha - sometimes I think it's just something to say iyswim?

I did have a huge completely round bump tho (No1 son was 9lb 13!!) - even the midwives in the hospital when I was in labour commented on how perfectly round it was - I used to get all the smart arse guys at work shouting - hey missus can I get my ball back? :o

LittleMilla · 20/04/2013 21:21

A nurse in a&e asked me (whilst assessing ds1 who'd cut his head open) when I was due. I said three months and she actually said "wow, a while to get yet the and you're huge!"

Nice.

Springforward · 20/04/2013 21:24

Oh god, that's the worst bit - " blimey, that big and 6 weeks left to go" - aargh!

LittleMilla · 20/04/2013 21:37

I am always so polite and joke that ppl would cross the rd to avoid me towards end of first pg (they did). Inwardly I'm screaming "fuuuuuuuuuck offfffff everyone!"

Bad? So less tolerant this time. But I'm 5ft 1 so where do ppl expect my bump to go!?!?

ZolaBuddleia · 20/04/2013 21:40

But, it's not like they're saying you're fat, is it? Or you look ugly? And at the end of pregnancy bumps are enormous.

SacreBlue · 20/04/2013 21:48

Just tell them you're not pregnant and watch their faces crumple into mortification or well mine would maybe if they are being thoughtless anyway they wouldn't care!

I was really ill vom city so had no real bump - but was mortified on Dsis behalf when she came with me to my 7mnth prenatal (after having her own DS 7mnths before) and the peeps in class thought she was the one PG!

Some folks are just rude silly. Hope you have a fret free rest of PG

skislope · 20/04/2013 21:51

Didn't bother me, it's not as if they're saying 'you're fat!' is it. I had that with both pregnancies..I did have a huge bump but wasn't big elsewhere..didn't bother me and I've had eating disorders in the past too.

LittleMilla · 20/04/2013 21:57

I just feel shite when pg. Big, uncomfortable and generally bloody unatrractive. So comments on my size smart a bit

Plus, I'm used to having control over my size and whilst I prob could eat less when pg, I just resign myself to being huge. So I suppose my vain side is used to being quite slim so ruddy hate not being that. AND then having ppl remind me pisses me off.

midori1999 · 20/04/2013 22:00

I agree, they're not saying you are fat/big in any way. It's never bothered me when people comment on my bump, I don't find it rude or insulting. Plus, one person will say it's huge, the next will say it's tiny, they just want to say something.

mamabrownbear · 20/04/2013 22:03

I'm 37 weeks and constantly get "you're so neat" "your hardly showing" or "such a small bump". I'm sure folk think it's a compliment but they don't realise at the back of my mind I'm dealing with the fact that bump last measured two weeks smaller than it should or that anaemia can led to smaller babies etc. obviously this is all stuff we try not to worry about so people pointing out how big or small you are isn't very helpful if you have underlying health issues which might affect the suze of your bump which you are trying not to focus on as they usually mean nothing! Im fine with the "you look Healthy" but mention my bump and i'm pissed off. I'm hoping bump is all tucked away under rib cages and things but the next "oh you're so neat" is in danger of a pregnancy rage rant...

nomoreminibreaks · 20/04/2013 22:32

Mine was a big bump - got all the comments about twins etc. In the end I'd just lie to people about when I was due, or just say I was due in March when it was at the very end of March.

When questioned about the size (with the obligatory wincing look) I think I just said 'oh thanks, that doesn't freak me out at all!'

Chottie · 21/04/2013 05:34

For the all above reasons I never comment on bump sizes, I just give congratulations and ask mum-to-be how she is feeling :)

fruitypie · 21/04/2013 11:02

It's quite the reverse for me...I'm 30+1 and work in a childcare environment where I'm always around other mothers. My bump is very compact and baby is a very good size but actually sick to death of other mothers saying to me on a daily basis "ooooohhh you're tiny, is this going to be the smallest baby ever?" or even worse the other day "is everything ok with the baby? It's just you're so small".

The people I know who haven't had children before have never said anything like this to me!!

How other women who have gone through pregnancy before can say such idiotic things to someone with a 'small bump' is beyond me....surely they must remember that feeling of utter vulnerability during pregnancy and that constant worry that things may not be ok.

I don't think it's something that people who haven't had children do...I just think some people just don't think!!!

joanna1990marie · 22/04/2013 15:32

I work in a shop so every single customer makes comments about my size, im measuring exactly what I should be and yet from about 28 weeks I've had people say...not long left now....im like; try 3 months!! I even had one fella ask me if I knew the sex, I said yes a girl, he then told me how disgusting I was for not keeping it a surprise...stupid man expecting me to be polite because I was on a till underestimated my hormones and nearly shat himself when I said why the fuck did u ask then! He complained but my boss laughed thank god, and that was me on a good day. Now 35 weeks and having guys with enormous beer bellies tellin me how big I am....erm....have u seen ur silhouette?

HadALittleFaithBaby · 22/04/2013 15:37

If I had a pound for every person who said Oh you've got a very neat bump!....I think it's just something you have to nod along with. I even got one Well it's not going to be a small baby, is it? Clearly she knew nothing because DD was 5lb 4oz so yes, actually she is small! Unfortunately people think your body is public property when you're pregnant. I drew the line at people touching my bump but comments just have to be taken with a bit of a and an eye roll!

mamabrownbear · 22/04/2013 16:48

I wonder if anyone has been told "what an average sized bump up I have, exactly what I'd expect to see at your stage" other than from a midwife. It's funny how you are either neat or enormous, never just right!!

BraveLilBear · 22/04/2013 17:13

Lol - I've just entered public property range at 27 weeks, and agree rrrreow that the comments can be split almost exactly between mums/parents and non-parents.

From parents: 'You're looking great, how are you feeling?' 'ooo are you still in that between tiredness stages, that's the best' and 'you really are glowing' (from a dad).

From nonparents: 'OMG you're soooo much bigger than three days ago', 'wow you're getting bigger and bigger all the time' and 'just look at that bump!' (surprisingly, that one from a dad-to-be, whose GF is four weeks ahead and much bigger)

It's mainly amusing at the moment, but there's a long old way to go yet!

Wishfulmakeupping · 22/04/2013 17:17

Ignore! I was told I was huge and small on the same day sometimes! Don't let it bother you

GreenShadow · 22/04/2013 17:24

I genuinely don't get why people don't like people commenting on the size of their bump.

They aren't calling you fat, they are in effect, complimenting you on your pregnancy and how well it is doing. What's not to like?

enormouse · 22/04/2013 17:27

Don't let the comments bother you. I was made so paranoid by the 'you're so small/neat/etc' comments I ended up convinced I was small for dates. (I wasn't). I was just 5ft 2 and petite built. In the end my bubs came out at 8lb 10.

babyradio · 22/04/2013 17:41

Some women in a shop just told me I am "huge". Thanks, just what every girl wants to hear. They also asked "are you about ready to drop?!" No, just the five weeks remaining, thanks again.

And again "it looks like a girl", IT'S A BOY.

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