Nine things to never tell a pregnant woman. Especially number four

Please don’t tell a pregnant woman you “feel pregnant too”. Unless you are actually carrying a child in your uterus as well, then no, you don’t feel pregnant. Period. Here are our top nine things most pregnant women don’t want to hear.

Pregnant women constantly receive well-wishes and positive remarks about the new chapter in their lives, but unfortunately they also find themselves at the receiving end of some unflattering zingers.

Such comments are not always intentionally rude, insensitive or inappropriate, but they can easily come across the wrong way to a woman who is on a hormonal roller coaster.

Below are our top nine things most pregnant women don’t want to hear.

1 Is a hermaphrodite (a person or animal having both male and female sex organs)? Has a cleft lip? Is deaf? Mamas-to-be spend a great deal of downtime thinking of their own “what ifs” and they don’t need anyone else adding fuel to the fire.

2 What’s on the mind of nearly every pregnant woman? How the baby is getting out. Doctors looking at ultrasounds are the only ones ever allowed to estimate how big baby is going to be - and even then, anything less or more than normal is bound to set off a mommy-to-be.

3 Pregnant women are pretty tuned in to what they can and can’t eat - as well as what they want and don’t want to eat. If she’s going for it, then by all means, let her enjoy.

4 Carrying a baby for nine months is hard work. Chances are if she looks tired, she is. However, the last thing she needs is anyone reminding her how exhausted she feels or looks. Nothing short of, “You look fantastic,” should be said to a pregnant woman about her appearance.

5 Maybe she is looking a little large, but she doesn’t need to hear it. Would it be appropriate to comment on someone’s weight if they were not expecting? No! Same common-sense rules apply to pregnant women, too.

6 Exercise. Pick up that box. Stand up. Pregnant women are not ill, they are merely carrying a child, and making them feel like they have a serious condition only alienates them.

7 Unless you are actually carrying a child in your uterus as well, then no, you don’t feel pregnant.

8 Get an epidural (used in childbirth to produce loss of sensation below the waist). Have a natural birth. Have your mother in the birthing room. A pregnant mama’s personal birth plan is just that: personal. If she wants your opinion, she’ll ask.

9 Having a baby is exciting, and the last thing any expectant mom wants to hear is that she has just issued her personal life a death sentence. Negative comments about child rearing shouldn’t be spoken of.

The writer tweets at @PanwarSanya

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