People staring

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi everyone,

I'm 37 weeks pregnant on Tuesday with my first baby and decided to brave the cold and meet up with a friend I haven't seen for a few years at spitalfields market. It was a lovely leisurely day, spent mostly having lunch and stopping off for a couple of hot chocolates on the way but I really felt a bit self conscious because people were just literally staring at my bump. I'm petite so I think my bump looks bigger anyway but I did feel a bit sad for some reason. Almost like I should be at home locked up in my room or something. I just found people's reactions a bit bizarre.

Apart from that I'm thoroughly enjoying my time off before my daughter arrives xx

opopanax you've just reminded me of the lady who asked me how long I had to go and I said 2 months, and she just put her hand on my arm and looked consolingly at me and said "I'm sorry"!!

I stare at bumps now but only because I'm thinking that will be me soon! I've had some stares at work when I've worn something more tight fitting but I think it's just people getting used to the change I hope!

Yes, I was your tribe of baby elephants twin 8 years ago, Cherryblossom! Embrace it. Nobody needs to feel bad about the size of their bump. You are growing an actual human being. It would be weird if you were bumpless.

LOL, HappyIdiot. The woman in Sainsbury's who asked when I was due at 6 months and clearly thought I was going to say next week just stared. And stared. And then she said 'Oh,' and then she said 'I really didn't think you were going to say that,' and then she ran away. After that, when people asked, I took to saying 'In three months (or whatever) but I'm quite big, aren't I?' so they didn't have to feel weird about it.

i had just yesterday off my friend ive known since she was home from hospital as a baby. (im a good 2 years older) he's probably so big because he ate his twin well yes his twin was absorbed but he certainly didnt eat it

makes it sound like im growing some kind of cannibal with teeth like razors

I find in the last few weeks you get looked at a bit but it's in a lovely way. Other women want to ask you how long to go and how you're feeling, it takes them back to when they were last there, be it six months ago or sixty years ago! My gorgeous next door neighbour is in her 80s and she loves that I'm massive with my third girl as she had three girls, she tells me the same stories about her labours every time and about how proud she is of her children now that they're all in their 50s and 60s! All the Mums at school, even the ones who I don't really have much contact with chat to me and offer help with school pick ups and drop offs when the time comes. I also do this when it's someone else in the heavily pregnant phase AND my husband gets so annoyed with me because I'm a terrible pram starer. I just love babies!!!!

Men I find do this thing where they want to be accommodating and so things like open doors for you when you're 50m away meaning you have to waddle 10* faster than you were before! They're just trying to be helpful though! I think quite often they're thinking of when their children were born too.

It's a lovely thing being heavily pregnant in that sense. Brings people together.

Reminds me of going to change my name in the bank to my married name (shotgun wedding!)

I was MASSIVE and made a joke about the enormous bump and sudden name change. The cashier and I had a right laugh about it because she'd done the same thing but 20 years before!

Im on number three so know to laugh now. When I was having number one I felt huuuuge my belly went from a size six to a size sixteen but still had teeny skinny arms and legs. With number two I was a size tenand ppl wewere asking how long I had left when I was four months! With this one im only 14 weeks but I was getting funny looks at 6 weeks and the lollipop lady said I dont want to offend you but are you pregnant....when I laughed and told her yes she looked relieved and said thank god I was worried I was wrong and you were just getting fat!. Look forward to having the baby and people asking if its yours.... well no I just shoved a cushion up my top and stole a baby!!!

I only ever had a tiny bump so people rarely even knew I was pregnant, particularly since it was Winter and id be wearing a coat.

Honestly this time is so precious and when your pregnancy is over you will miss you bump, so try not to let other people's reactions taint this special time (plus I'm sure they weren't looking in a negative way).

I'm pregnant again and looking forward to having a huge bump this time which I will display with comedy t-shirts and maybe the odd crop top

Ha ha! You ladies are making me laugh! I'm feeling a lot better today and displaying my bump proudly I don't mind if I look like a baby elephant anymore! xx

And I think you will be right, I'll look back at last night and laugh. I must have looked a right state, walking in with mascara all down my face scoffing a cupcake I found on my journey home mumbling something about looking like an elephant in between sobs I definitely think hormones also played a bit of a part of it x

I almost always stare at heavily pregnant ladies. I'm pretty sure not in a jaw on the floor, creepy way though.

It's just interesting. It's common to see people pushing prams around or whatever, but much rarer to see someone heavily pregnant. I guess it's because it's so fleeting in the grand scheme of things, so you're less likely to come across it.

I also like seeing how they styled their bump :-D

Overall, I think for the vast majority of people, for whatever strange, biological reason, they like seeing obviously pregnant people.

No idea why!

At the hospital recently having my 12 week scan and was trying to sneakily peak at all the big bumps there... just fascinating - the ladies all looked lovely but I just wanted to stare at the bump.... hope they didn't notice!