Pregnant bellies being public property: a huff

[Teeste]

I'm 17 weeks and overweight, so I probably look a lot more pregnant than I am. Nevertheless, we went to my dad's for Xmas and EVERY SINGLE PERSON greeted me by stroking or patting my belly. A friend and her aunt dropped by yesterday and did exactly the same! I have seen said aunt once since I was about 12.

I know, it's one of those things and inevitable etc., but seriously?! I hadn't expected it to start this early. And my belly is an area I'm a bit sensitive about anyway. But saying something feels all Scrooge-like, IYSWIM.

I may start patting their bellies back. Huff huff huff!

I don't really mine but I've never had a stranger go it!

My DS constantly fusses over it which I think is quite cute!

I do get a fair few pats on the school run as well.

I Tend to get more frustrated when people comment on my bump size, they always ask his far on I am, take a second to process then say how small I am! I wouldn't have minded with my first pregnancy even there were no concerns but I've been told the baby may be growth restricted so I do get a bit worried!

Letmeeatcake - I get the 'aren't you small' thing all the bloody time!!!

It's soooo annoying. Do people not think about how the effects us? All it's made me think is - is everything ok then? Is the baby an ok size? Especially as I am only 19 weeks and yet to have my 20 week scan.

People can be assholes.

I am dreading this happening. Not sure if it will because I give off excellent "fuck off" vibes (or so I'm told )

The only person who's had a feel so far (aside from DH) has been my mum, and she did at least ask first, and then I pointed out she was mostly cooing over just my stomach (21 weeks, getting a bit rotund but nothing massive!).

Move to Pennsylvania! We have a state law that says that touching a pregnant woman's belly without permission is assault.

Feeling very similar here. I'll be 11 weeks this WE and haven't told anybody yet. But dreading everyone incl parents & other family wanting to touch. And I know already it will drive me crazy as not even I myself touch my belly unless I am washing myself or putting cream on it or whatever. How do I bring the message across politely to everybody right away so that nobody even tries??

Most people haven't touched my bump thankfully as I hate it! However today a colleague who I don't see much of approached me in the corridor and while asking how I was started touching the bump. It felt really weird!

I find it very odd when people want to touch my belly.
If the baby was kicking and there was something to feel then that would make sense but I only want DH to share that with me.
I put one of those pregnancy memes about no tummy touching on my Facebook- everyone soon got the message

Hi all, am mostly with the not too botherred people. As a supply teacher children have decided my big belly is the perfect way to get my attention, now I always tell children not to tap me when they want my attention, but their curiosity and their interest in why I have such a big belly always makes me laugh. I even had a toddler in a queue today turn around and pat my belly, his mum was mortified, again it made me laugh. Iv not had many adults do the same except my neighbour who loves to have a feel and my mum, although in her defence she is my MW. I personally never touch anyones pregnant belly unless invited to, not even my sisters but I'm not too bothered as children seem to think it is public property.

I even had one child dressed as Ironman punch my pregnant belly a while back because he thought I was in costume too, for children in need. He wouldnt believe it was my actual belly I had to lift my top and show my belly button to prove it after he swung again. After that he kept rubbing my belly when he wanted attention, we had to have a conversation about that too! His mum was also mortified! xxx

A child doing it or someone close to me doing it when I have said there's movement/hiccups to feel would be absolutely fine, I just can't stand adults thinking it's ok to touch a bit of me that they would NEVER have dreamed of touching as a greeting or otherwise 6 months ago.

Exactly Foggy, same as people feel free to comment on your size or tell you what you should or should not be doing, when it's none of their damn business. Pregnancy somehow 'belongs' to other people, too, in their minds.

My mum laughed at me when I told her about it, said it was just people trying to be nice and connect, build a community. I said I'd quite like my community to include bodily autonomy.

MrsN - I might have to google that meme ;)

At 39 weeks I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong, so few people have shown an interest in my belly and I really wouldn't mind! The people that have, have asked, I see it as a way for them to 'bond' with the baby so let them.

Most usually I'm shoving my belly in their face so they can feel the baby move.

I must say I'm relieved it is winter as a big coat puts people off or maybe they don't want to be wrong. I'm quite grumpy though.

There's this awful witch woman at work who insists on grabbing pregnant bellies and waking the baby up. I'm in fear of encountering her.

Ive had it done once and hated it. It wouldnt be as bad if they asked first