How's Bump??? And other inane questions...

[CornishFirstTimer22]

OK, so they're maybe not all inane, but I must be asked 'how's bump?' about fifty times a day!!!

How do I reply?? 'Bumpy', 'Fine' or instead provide them with a 20 minute assessment of my current pregnancy status?

Other crackers are - 'Does the bump hurt? and 'What can you eat?'

So come on ladies... what other questions really 'get your goat'???

Disclaimer - This is just for fun, I know most people are just genuinely being curious...

:-)

[20wkbaby]

Not a question but when I was pregnant with DD1 my BIL was eating a tart with some goat's cheese on and kindly pointed out to me, 'You can't eat this'. I was irritated but replied, 'Mainly because it's yours!'.

Now I still don't know whether as I was newly pregnant he thought I was woefully uninformed about the food advice, whether he was trying to rub it in that I couldn't eat something delicious or whether he suddenly remembered that was the advice. Obv I know now it is OK if cooked, I often wish I could go back in time to wipe the smug expression off his face.

My sister went through her entire pregnancy feeling she was missing out on so much lovely food and no wonder with support like that at home.

[parttimer79]

I find it odd that people I don't know ask me what it is, and when I say I don't know (I do know really) they say ooh that's best isn't it. And I think whatever answer I gave you, you inane moron you would have validated it...
Can you tell I'm 38 weeks and too hot??

[blondebaby111]

Maybe I'm a bit odd but I love being asked how my bump or pregnancy is doing. I think its nice that people take an interest and I find its the only time I talk about it, is when I'm asked as I don't want to go on and on about being pregnant.
I never ever thought ikd be lucky enough to be in this position so when I'm asked I love to talk about it xx

[parttimer79]

blonde I find it very sweet when people ask how I am or how bump is but find probing questions about my family planning or finding out the sex a bit odd.

I also keep seeing people on here say ooh you just have to smile and nod - I didn't realise that one of the deals of motherhood was that I had to suffer fools gladly!

[MrsO27]

"Do you know what you're having?" is the one I'm asked the most. I probably find this the most frustrating because we don't and I normally have to then explain our reasons for not finding out, which you get tired of doing. I guess people are just trying to be kind though and show an interest. I think I've been guilty of asking some of these questions myself...apart from the "was it planned?" question. That's just rude!

[bellamysbride]

I loved being asked about my pregnancies. It would be odd to simply ignore the fact that you are pregnant wouldn't it? We live in an area of London with a REALLY high birth rate so women's pregnancies are just not that interesting and you never get asked. I used to love going to stay with my parent's when I was pregnant and people actually acknowledged you were pregnant.

[IsleOfIslay]

Towards the end the thing that annoyed me the most was "oh she'll come when she is ready"
Yes I know that but I'm uncomfy, need to per every 5 mins, I now walk with a waddle and I'm now so big even my maternity clothes don't really fit!
Get out baby!

[RunningBear78]

I agree, I think the level of annoyance at the usual questions depends on who the person is. Some people look genuinely excited and interested to know how you are and whether I am ok in the heat, and some seem to ask just to gloat about my likely levels of discomfort (more glee from me to say, actually, I'm quite enjoying being warm for a change and given me the perfect excuse to a buy a beautiful fan).

Again, some people are quite excited by a reply of ooh only 7 weeks to go, although the mad lady in the health food shop thought that was the appropriate time to say 'but you are so big' - answer, no I'm actually about right, if not small, followed swiftly by 'are you having twins?' wtf!

[weebarra]

I'm not annoyed by many of the questions, friends and colleagues are just showing an interest.
Although, I was at a football match last night (got through the turnstiles, yay) and a random woman asked when I was due, then asked if I was sure it wasn't twins as I was huge. Cheers, like.
Though it was a very exciting game and I think my poor dad was worried the stress would start labour - and he's a doctor!

[Sparkeleigh]

"Can you feel the baby move now?"
"Yes, it's kicking a lot"
"Can you ever see a hand poking out of your skin?"
"Uhh, no..."

[beccala]

"Is the heat getting to you?" That one is getting g on my nerves must be asked it several times a day - really bored with giving same answer ( no I'm lucky no worse than anyone else)

One I hate most tho is "have you thought of any names?". Would prefer not to tell anyone really in case they tell me they hate it or know someone called that who is horrible etc. I managed to last the 1st 6 months or so saying no we haven't decided yet or by saying amusing names that would be very wrong with our surname (my favourite pasttime if I'm honest) but now have run out of new ways to answer it so just bloody tell them and dare them to say they don't like it.

Great thread - thought was just me who was miserable old bag and hated all the questions :-)

[grimbletart]

My best one at 40 weeks was "haven't you had it yet?" What do you think this is FFS - a bloody great beach ball I've stuck up my dress for fun?

Second time around to head this sort of question off at the pass was to give everyone except my immediate family a date a month later than it was due. That rebounded as the questions then became "is it OK, must be worrying having a premature baby..?"

Can't win.

[ScrambledSmegs]

With DD1 we did quite a bit of last minute online shopping (cos we bought the pram but forgot nappies, muslins, clothes etc) . No matter what site we bought from we seemed to get the same courier. And he kept asking me the same question -

Courier: Is it twins in there?
Me: No, just the one.
Courier: Are you sure?
Me:

Every. Fucking. Time.

DD1 wasn't even that big. Newsflash, gitwad - that's what full term looks like.

[blondebaby111]

Although I do love being asked about my pregnancy the one thing that does annoy me is the comment 'ahh yours is a very much wanted baby then' how ridiculous, most babies are wanted whether planned or not and its not like you can take them back For a refund afterwards!!! [Shock]

[Mayanbob]

scrambledSmegs I think I may have killed him.

For the most part I can deal with inane questions, but one thing I have recently discovered I CANNOT STAND is the advice offered to me by dear male friends who have recently had children. To the extent that I actually avoid them now. Their DPs are fine and lovely. It's just them.

"You won't need that thing that you are buying because the baby will be in with you for 6 months anyway" - yes it will, but if I want to buy a new rug for the lounge I will!.

"you'll find your nipples will leak quite a bit when other babies cry" Thanks for that.

"When it cries, it's just a matter of trying to work out what it needs, it will usually be food, or a nappy change or maybe just a cuddle"
no shit sherlock.

And the favourite was a description of the guy's poor wife's epsitioptomy (sp?) and the stitches.

[RunningBear78]

Just had an electrician round to quote for some more work. He asked 'Weren't you expecting last time I came around' Yes ... that would be about 3 months ago. It does tend to take longer than that to grow a baby!!!

Oh, and the lady in the bra shop the other day when I asked about maternity bra's (at 28 weeks) 'Have you had the baby yet?' eh

[SupermansBigRedPants]

I have not long got home from shopping. I was politely asked how long I have left, politely replied 2 weeks ooh I can't wait, the nosy wifey at the other side went 2 weeks?? which I politely gritted my teeth and smiled at. Nice woman asks if I know what I'm having and I say a wee girl . . Cue nosy wifey blurting ''wee? I'd hardly call that a wee girl!'' To my embarrassment I welled up - I didn't cry but my eyes were soaked :( I was so upset!!

[TickTockTimesUp]

I went to the shop to buy some sweets and a woman next to me just brazenly asked if my partner still found me attractive I didn't know this woman at all and then the shop assistant asked if I should be eating chocolate.

[SugarMiceInTheRain]

I generally didn't mind the questions, funniest one was when I was having lunch with a couple of male colleagues, with whom I got on well, Colleague A said 'Can I touch your bump?' I said I didn't mind and Colleague B looked horrified and said 'A! You can't ask that!!!' He hadn't heard the 'p' at the end of the last word...

However now that I'm expecting DC3, it's very hot and despite not yet being 3 months gone I have a bump (which must surely be bloating rather than baby) I expect I am going to get very annoyed very quickly at stupid questions from random strangers...

[ChippingInHopHopHop]

If you put any store in MN being relfective of the general population (which thank god I don't) you wouldn't ever talk to anyone for fear of pissing them off. Honestly, when did people get so ... unfriendly and easily irritated?

[Mayanbob]

chipping I think it was when they were hot, tired and pregnant.

[MrsHY1]

I for one welcome all questions, inane or otherwise, about my pregnancy- nothing irritates me. I'm finally pregnant after my third IVF so maybe that's why. When I get asked a question it's like I've been reminded that it's finally come good for me- and I love it!

[whiteandyellowiris]

I like being asked how I am etc and hows baby

what I don't like are comments like oh your huge

or your small

or statements telling me im this that or the other

[FoofFighter]

It's not so much the actual content of the questions, just the sheer amount, waddling walking down the High St and getting stopped what feels like 20 times in a row and having the same few questions over and over and over and over.....

You know people mean well really but my goodness it grinds my gears. I shall never again ask a question of a pregnant lady without them bringing up the subject first!