Never ask a woman if she's pregnant

Definitely true!  A lady I work with had gastric bypass surgery and didn't tell anyone.  When she came back to work after summer vacation (we are teachers) she had a very swollen belly (she looked about 6 months pregnant)  The rumors began to fly.  I just assumed she was pregnant. She stayed the same size all year and finally I figured she couldn't be pregnant because surely she would be about 15 months pregnant if she was.  Finally I had to know.  I asked a coworker and she told me about the surgery.  I came so close to asking this woman if she was pregnant.  How embarrassing would that have been....."No I'm not pregnant, I just had gastric bypass and didn't want anyone to know........"

This is so true! i work at a doctor's surgery so even if a patient is about to POP i know nothing! unless they tell me i dont know whats going on...also we've had a few pts lose their babies very sad so that doesn't put either of us in an awkward position...and also as a medical receptionist its my job to support not to stick my nose in! as in my job i do outside of work a woman might knock me over with her belly but i dont know anything lol when i was 14 i asked my mums friend when her baby was due...and she wasn't pregnant it was so awful i felt so bad! never again have i commented on anyone i think or know is pregnant till they spill the beans and also its their place to let everyone know their happy news =)

First I would like to say - thanks to all who have posted replies and for the intial thread - it made me remember what over the years I had forgotten. Having been in many of the positions listed above, I understand (and remember) the stuned looks I am sure I gave over comments made.

Now all of my children are grown and gone,I did "forget",what was like for me over 20 years ago but now it is with a child who you wonder on - but instead of asking, I am going to allow her to tell us in her time and save myself the ackward situation I would be putting myself into. Could be they are enjoying the blessing on their own for now.

I also agree!  I spent my entire third trimester trying to ignore rude questions.  Are you pregnant?  Oh, are you crazy?  Don't you already have your hands full? Can I feel your belly? (Do I know you?)  Do you know what you're getting yourself into?   It was only my third for goodness sake!!  And after I had given birth to him, he had severe jaundice, so I had to bring him to the hospital every day for 10 days.  When he was three days old, my mom was walking him so I could sit down, and these people said, "oh, when are you due".  I told them that  baby was three days old and they exclaimed, "wow, your stomach is still so big!".  I was mortified.  I mean, what did they expect?  9 months of baby belly to just dissolve?  I managed to bite my tongue, get up, and waddle away!!

I agree! There are just so many things that it could be. But at the same time being asked if you are going to have any more children when i am 32 weeks pregnant was a little upsetting as well! How big does she think i am normally???
And especially if you dont really know the person, unless they speak about it there is really no reason to bring it up!

I agree!  Been on the receiving end a few times.  Had to laugh recently though when a friend announced she was pregnant - six montths!  "I can't believe none of you had noticed - it's a bit obvious!"  We all thought the same thing - we may notice but you never ask!

Lol I'm with you!

I had recently had a c-section and was in a store buying newborn diapers with my 6 week son in his pram when the cashier asked me when I was due....HELLO!!! I was gutted as I didn't realise I was still that big  

Lorna

With my first pregnancy i would have loved anyone to ask. The day i was leaving work to have the baby i actually told a regular customer that today was my last day and they asked me why i was leaving. I think that can also be embarrassing too.

Great artical. Very lighthearted

Yeah Im 29 weeks pregnant and people can be so rude sometimes, its amazing how your weight gain is suddenly their business, Ive had some comments that I have just shaken my head at like hmm your getting large are you having a baby? (Thinking) Well I think its a baby or it could be and elephant......I'm quite surprised that most of the comments have been from other mothers I think we should all be educated in how to speak to a pregnant women. So great advice lightbee.......

I agree, especially soon after you have given birth and still look 5 months pregnant because it all hasn't gone done.  I wonder if mine ever will.

i agree, i have been asked numerous times by strangers if i am-this has occured before and after i was pregnant,as i've alway has a bit of a belly. in the end i stopped getting embarrased and hoped more i embarrased the person asking me!!

I can't believe the amount of people who are confident in asking a woman if she's pregnant. With my 1st, I was still working and some customers would actually ask me if I was and how far along I was! What if I wasn't pregnant? How would they fix that up?!

You forgot also..

"NEVER PAT A PREGNANT WOMAN ON THE BELLY WITH OUT ASKING FIRST"  realated or not... :)

If you have ever seen a certain episode of "Frasier" then you definately should never broach this subject (or offer your seat on the bus) ... as it could actually turn out to be a bloke!!

Absolutely!!

lol xxxx.

haha great advice..
and with a piece of comedy too ! hehe

xox

Great advice.  Sadly it is awareness of being pregnant that makes us tactful to others who are going through what we have (recently) been through.  As time goes on, somehow many women forget how annoying those questions were - or figure that since they have been there then they have rights above anyone else to ask.  Just wait though, I know this right now, but I bet there will come a time when I too put my foot in it - just hope it is not with anyone who reads what I have written here!!!
Peace
EF.x 

This season and last season those flow-y dresses which hang from the bust are in fashion - it looks like everyone is wearing maternity dresses! My man almost asked a friend of mine about her (non existant) 'pregnancy', then remember the golden rule and didn't ask - thank goodness. She was wearing one of these dresses; it was just the way it fell.

Must make it easier to find nice clothes if are actually pregnant at the moment I guess!