Unnecessary Comments

Hi L.,
I'm 35 weeks and getting the same thing, have been for a while now. Now when someone says, "wow, you're big!" I say, "Yes, I know!". Usually ends it.
Hang in there, you'll be done soon.

I know you've already received a lot of posts about this, but I think we've all been there! I gained 40 lbs with my pregnancy, and I was (mostly) very careful about my diet! I started getting comments about the same time you did. I just learned that some people just don't know what's appropriate and what's not. Don't let them bother you. Try to enjoy this time as much as possible!

Wow. For a minute I thought I posted this. :) I'm due on Sept. 3rd and I'm getting those same comments. I just had another ultrasound done because we thought the baby might be 2 weeks earlier than scheduled. But no, the sono still says I'm due in Sept. I feel like gravity is warping around me sometimes. I just use that as a joke. I find it humorous myself when I walk into a store and the doors automatically open in front of me (actual proof that gravity is warping..hahaha). It may be the way you are carrying the baby. Mostly I think those that are making the comments just don't know they are being insensitive and they probably don't mean to be either.

i'm 5'3" about 110 pounds. in all three pregnancies i was "all baby, little body with a huge belly! sure i got lots of comments--3 times!! please know that you are perfect just as you are. your being small makes people gasp but i wonder why that matters to you as long as you and the baby are healthy? there's no one way, or look or experience that defines pregnancy. as long as you're comfortable with how you look, all is well. you are home and host to a new being about to emege into this chaotic world. you are providing the perfect, nurturing home for your baby until he or she is ready to emerge. i hope you can connect with your body being the perfect place for your baby to be--and say that to people -- this is the perfect body for this pregnancy and i'm happy to be chosen to bring this child, who must have a HUGE spirit, to life. your attitude about you is what makes the difference. happy labor day! much love.

I suggest something along the lines that stop them in their tracks without being rude.
something simple like

"Is that a compliment?" it makes them realize what they said without you having to be as rude as them.

or if you want it to be even sneakier you can say "Thank you. I assume you could only mean that as a compliment"

it really does shut them up. I promise. and inside you can smile secretly knowing you returned the uncomfortable sentiment.

Hi L.,
Congratulations on such a beautiful occasion that you are going through. I was super huge while pregnant with my first and third and people always commented and asked if I also was overdue or if I was having twins. No need to worry....I have a 21 month old and and 8 and 11 year old. The two older ones asked me if I had gotten as big with them as I did with their brother and in turn I tell them no, but I did gain a lot of weight. Although I have been working very hard to get back to my before baby figure, I don't regret any of the weight I gained....all three kids 185 lb gain, and three healthy children. I weigh 173 pounds today and people tend to think I have always been this big, but I proudly tell them that I was a hot mama before I got pregnant, I was a hot mama while I was huge and pregnant, I will always be a hot mama as far as my children and my husband are concerned.
Take care of yourself, try to walk everyday and I agree with the t-shirt advice.....get one that says....I dare you to ask!

Although this is really late, I have to add my two cents. I did have twins 23 years ago. I got so large that I outgrew the only pair of pants I had at 4 1/2 months. I'd made them with a 54" waist! When I approached glass doors at the grocery store, people would just stop and stare at me through the glass with a horrified look on their faces. Once I was in line behind another pregnant girl who was TINY. The cashier just chatted away with her about her pregnancy, but when I got to her she just looked at me with her mouth open and then started whispering to a co-worker as I left. The whole place got quiet as I left. I got to where I didn't really want to go out and take care of the daily errands. And then I had the babies. Boy were some of those people embarassed!! You just have to let it go. The end result is what's important. I know yours is as big a joy as mine were. Boy or girl?

L., I was huge when I carried mine and I had my first exactly 9 months after I was married, so you can understand all the "talk" back 35 years ago. My youngest daughter just had number 4, weighs about 110 before pregnancy and about 145+ just before delivery. She always got comments also. She too looked like she swallowed a watermelon and had beautiful, healthy babies ranging from 6 lb, 15 oz. to 7 lb 15 oz. When you get a comment, I wouldn't give them rude comments back. Just smile and say, "Yes, but the doctor says it's perfectly fine and our goal is a healthy, happy baby. Anymore, people just blurt what comes out and don't pay any attention to how it sounds. I always "try" to be positive in hopes that it rubs off on them. LOL Best wishes on that new little one, L.

You don't need a new response, but your post hit the mark with me, too! With my 1st pregnancy I had many comments. The best was "Are you sure you're not having an elephant?" Now I'm about 5 months and the comments are starting again. Sadly, I think people just want to connect and they don't think about what kind of reaction they expect. If they did, they wouldn't say it. I just try to smile, laugh half-heartedly and change the subject. If it fits, I say something like "Perhaps you meant to tell me how radiant I look!" Just remember that most people have no idea what the range of "normal" is for a pregnant "look" and are making comments about something they have absolutely no knowledge of.
Enjoy this time - it flies by and you will forget how it felt to be pregnant in 2 months!

just tell them you're having quintuplets and if they'd like to help out they're welcome to do so!

Bless your heart! I know how you feel and as others have said, this is only the beginning of rude comments in your life. I never had the size questions but here are a few that I did hear:
You're still pregnant??!!??
Your pregnant again, that was quick??
Your not pregnant again are you??
Wow - three kids? You sure are busy aren't you??
Your baby girl is so big/Your baby girl is so tiny - are you sure she is growing the way she should?

Yes I have three kids, they are all less than two years apart. Yes, I am busy, no I didn't plan them to be this close in age. No we're not having any more, but is that really anyone's business but ours? My daughter is just the right size THANK YOU VERY MUCH! ARGGGG! It doesn't stop after they are born either. Everyone has an opinion about everything. So have a few snappy come-backs lined up, sorry I have none to share. Take this as your trial run as another said to get used to people saying assinine things to you because they have no filter between their brain and their mouth. And know this: YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Now, go get yourself a treat, you deserve it.

L.

Even my Dr. checked me for twins because I was so big my 2nd pregnancy...feeling your pain!I am only 5'2". Just laugh and blow them off or tell em you are pregnant with triplets. Six weeks AFTER I had my son I was at a grocery store HOLDING my 6 week old infant and some man walked up and said "Oh Honey- pregnant again with such a little baby?" I was dumbfounded for just a second then replied..."No, he is six weeks old, I am still fat from having him but thanks for making my day." He shut his mouth and walked away. Don't screw with the sleep deprived new mom either...HA!

umm L. its almost time for your baby that makes you huge!!! and people making comments is one way of asking when your due and ect. dont be so worried about this you have a much better thing to worry about!!! Babies are awsome and your a MOM now we dont look like super stars we look like perfection to our new little joys and the belly goes away while we thank God for the blessing he sent in the new joy! depression after child birth can easily come from you being too worried about your vanity and not the baby! STOP IT move on and ENJOY THIS ITS AWSOME!!!!!

Hi L. C.,

I am "vertically challenged"....oh heck....I'm just plain SHORT!!, and pretty small framed, and was given the same looks and comments with every one of my preggo's.

My all time favorite response to these rude people was....."I normally wear striped over-all's so I can tell if I'm walking or rolling." That normally shut them up!!

Just try not to be so hurt. Not too much longer, you'll be back to your beautiful self with ANOTHER beautiful life to love.

Hang in there,

"J"

Commenting on another person's size, regardless of whether they're pregnant or just overweight is just plain rude. I don't "deal" with rude people, I shut them up if at all possible.
I'm small-framed as well, and when I was pregnant with my daughter, I looked like I had swallowed a watermelon. When people commented on my size, I simply replied, "I'll be sure to teach my child better manners than your mother taught you."

hi L.:
i too am 32 weeks, short and small framed. this is my third. and let me tell you, i feel your pain. i get such insensitive comments from random people. it makes me crazy that people have no filter on their mouths. your baby isnt superhuge as you asked. you have nowhere else to put it! i have many tall and slender friends that looked gracefully pregnant...i look very round, like i have a giant beachball in my shirt. i have embraced that its just the way im built and how i look when im pregnant. right now is a rough time too...my hormones are kicking again, im hot and tired and cannot do all the stuff im used to doing. it all adds to my frustration when some random stranger decides to put their two cents in on what they think i look like. bottom line, you are growing a LIFE inside of you...you are creating the most amazing thing IN your body. you will soon have a new life to love! so embrace that and if you feel a little snarky when a comment is thrown at you, react like you feel. good luck in the last few weeks! im right there with you, sister!

Hi, L. -- first: enjoy your situation because it's a blessing. I used to think I wanted to get a biohazard marker and wear it on my shirt so people wouldn't touch my stomach. People don't think and when they don't, you can relax and consider that they are filling your space with verbal clutter and ignore it. You and your family are growing and recognizing that your hormones are making you more sensitive will help you to let the comments pass. I rather liked some of your responses which offer preventive measures, such as a hat which says,"50 cents for foolish comments, $1.00 for really foolish comments -- college fund in progress!" It's the first stage of learning how life with children is going to change everything. May you be blessed with much more happiness than challenge and learn now how to laugh because it seriously beats letting life's irritations add to your stress. God bless you and keep you happy and strong. G. B

I know you've gotten oodles of feedback....my one thought (other than people are morons and say stupid things to pregnant women) is that it's good practice for once you have the child. Then people think it's okay for them to make comments about the baby, and how you care for him/her. "Oh, you're not feeding him enough" or "You're feeding her too much." It doesn't stop just because you've had the baby, so be prepared.

I got the same thing too -I even got asked if I was having twins! I am 5'2" and also didn't have anywhere for the baby to go but out in front. Also, I was told I was going to have a big baby, which made me nervous, but he was only 6 lb, 7 oz.

I know it is hard to ignore people's comments, but for the most part, they don't mean to be rude. I think people just don't think before they speak. Hang in there!

congrats on your pregnancy!! i have two children, four yrs and four months, and with both pregnancys people were always asking if i was having twins! i have never been on the thin side, ok in high school, and with my first i gained weight everwhere, but i was not eating like crazy and worked out with a trainer til the day i delivered. my second i was all belly. i was not embarrased but really just tired of all the comments!! i just carry big. but i did not let it bother me, i would have been a lot more embarrased if i had not been pregnant, now i have the belly and am trying to work it off. i guess the big thing with me was that my babies were healthy adn that is the most important. lots of luck to you and who cares what others say, you have a great gift inside you.

Hi L.~
I just had a baby (my 4th) three weeks ago. While I was pregnant I would get very unnecessary comments! People would say "you'll never make it to your due date", "are you sure you're not carrying twins", "do you have diabetes". It was insane!! So i do know how you feel. I would respond by saying that I always carry this way, my baby is healthy, my doctor says I look just great!! and NO I do not have diabetes! Sometimes people say things and don't realize how stupid they sound! But to say these things to a pregnant, sometimes grumpy, uncomfortable & always tired woman! YIKES! I did also have the people who said I looked great! that helped. I don't think you'll necessarily have a big baby, since you're small the baby just seems big. everyone carries differently. I'm short so there wasn't any place for the baby to grow. that's probably the same with you. You should have a shirt that says "don't even ask!!" or "ask me I dare you!!" Good luck! you'll have a healthy baby soon!!!

Hi L.,
I went through the same thing with each preg. Ive had 3 babies. And of course my belly popped out sooner with the 3rd then with the 1st.
With each preg. I received comments from friends, family, and total strangers. "Are you sure your not farther along?" and "Are you sure that there are not twins in there?" Or my favorite from my mother-in-law. "Look how fat your getting!"
I am only 5'2 and short waisted. The only place for baby to go was out.
I know, when your preg. , hormonal, and watching your body expand to new proportions, then unsensitive comments come flying at you, it can be disheartening! The only thing you can do is just smile, and try to not let those comments get to you. Think about that beauitiful baby that you will be able to cuddle soon.
Oh, this doesnt mean that your baby is huge. Mine were 6.5, 7.3, and a preemie at 4.10.
Congradulations on your baby!
Heidi

I know by looking that you have PLENTY of advice on this subject. BUT, for us on the taller side (I am 5'8"), we too go through it. I do believe it is a universal rudeness towards pregnant women, and I don't think anyone intends for their comments to come across that way. I remember looking back and saying what I thought were funny comments to my closest pregnant friends.....well, once I was pregnant I apologized to them all for the insensitive things I said to try to make them laugh!!

I gained a whopping 75 pounds with my daughter who was 8lbs 4oz, and 4 months later I was back down to my normal size.....so you too will get that to die for body back AFTER it is done with the most important job a human body can do!

I have always worked in offices with mostly men, and they even had office pools about how much weight I had already gained, whether I would ever lose it or not, and all sorts of insensitive things. People are dumb and do not think the things they say will hurt feelings. TRY to look at the bright side and have fun with it. I do have to share the ONE thing I found worked well and always got an apology from strangers. IF they dared to touch my huge belly without asking I calmly reached over and put my hand on theirs. They immediately removed theirs from my tummy and apologized to me. I also, after receiving several about to pop comments at 7 mos pregnant would look at the strangers and say "I am not pregnant" they immediately shut up and I had a good giggle.

As everyone else said, you are doing a wonderful job and I am sure you are BEEEEEAUTIFUL! It will all be worth it I promise you!!!

When I was pregnant with my twins, from about 6 1/2 months on I got comments about how big I was, and, "You're about to pop." We had a garage sale about 2 weeks before I delivered, and the only person to ask me if I was having twins was a neighbor, he came up and saw me and said, "Well, I just don't believe there's less than 2 in there." lol But I just had some good-sized twins, 6 1/2 lbs. each, and they didn't spend a day in the NICU, so I say, "So what if I was huge?!" lol I only gained 35 lbs.

Congratulations on your forthcoming baby. I too received rude comments and it upset me. My children are married now and I am a grand mother 5 times over. I think women look beautiful when they are pregnant, their faces look aglow, and it is a beautiful time. One is pregnant for a short time only, ignore the rude comments, think of yourself as the beautiful woman you are.

As for the men, they should keep their rude comments to themselves.

M.

I just wrote a long letter to my mother in law about how I need ear plugs for everyones "friendly advice" or comments. I have the opposite problem that you do, I am 25 weeks pregnant and just starting showing I'm a very tall person and the baby is just sitting low and not pushing out my stomach. Everyone tells me how they think I am still first trimester or oh don't worry in another 4 months you'll have plenty of a belly. In 4 months I will have an infant. There is no winning. My husbands family always asks if we are sure the baby is growing! And telling me to eat, make sure you are eating. AHHHH... I'm gaining the weight exactly like the Dr. told me to. My family is smarter because all the women in my family are the same way. There is no winning when you are pregnant.

It happened to me, too. I had my doctor double check that I wasn't carrying twins. I was sure, as was everyone else, that my daughter would be huge. She came 3 weeks early and weighted 6 lbs, 9 oz (and was gorgeous and fabulously healthy (and still is)). All bodies are different and your body is wise. It knows what it needs to do to grow that little person inside of it. Try to enjoy your pregnancy and congratulations!

You are not alone! I'm only 21 wks along and my own mother came over the other day, sat on the couch and stared at my belly the whole time. It was downright creepy. I hadn't seen her in a week. Every few minutes she'd say something like, "You've gotten bigger." or "You're really showing." I felt like one of those mutated animals on display at a state fair freak show. Then my dad shows up and the first words out of his mouth are, "You've gotten fat."

Truthfully, the staring bothers me more than the comments. I'm carrying most of my weight in my belly area, so when I'm talking to them, they aren't looking me in the eye, they're looking at my stomach---the new focal point. UGH.

I love my parents, but was honestly relieved when they wen't home that day.

This is my third pregnancy. It's over soon enough. Folks don't mean to be insulting......they just sometimes are.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You're almost through. Hang in there!

B. D

...and here's yet another response.

I got comments like that from the time I was 6 months along. I've always battled with my weight, so I thought I'd be upset when people commented on how big I was, but it actually thrilled me! I knew they were commenting on my belly, not my butt, and the bigger I got the more it meant I was carrying a healthy baby inside me.

I carried my wide load with a sense of pride and accomplishment, and when people commented on my belly size, I smiled and said, "I know...aren't I just HUGE? I'm going to have a big, healthy kid!"

L.,
I too received uncalled for remarks about my weight while pregnant. Along with too many people wanting to touch my belly withoug asking first. I found a website (http://www.evilgeniuswoman.com/) with really great snarky remarks. I purchased a couple of items & they really helped cut the remarks & belly touching down.

Good luck,
S.

Hi L.,

Congrats on the baby and the baby belly! Great advice all around, hang in there. Two things - first, if you have more kids, you may carry the next pregnancy different than your first (as I'm experiencing now) but the comments still come no matter how big or small you are with each pregnancy - people are just rude.

Second, after my best friend had her first baby, her husband looked at her stomach and asked, "are you sure there isn't another baby in there."

They've gotten past that remark and went on to have a total of four children but he learned his lesson IMMEDIATELY and coughed up a pretty nice piece of baby bling for her. She and I still laugh about it today.

Good luck and enjoy your new baby, however big or small!!

I loved it when someone told me how huge I was getting, as I was 99% all baby. I gave birth to an 8 pound baby the first time and a 7 pound baby the second time. I guess I just wore my 'bump' very proudly. Congratulations on your baby and I'll pray for a fast and painless delivery.....and no colic for your baby! (both of mine cried so much that it made colic look easy)

I was told I looked like "a weeble that wobbles but doesn't fall down" made me LOL because it was said by someone who I know loves me. :D They were trying to be funny and they did make me smile. So....... do you have a son? Or a daughter? Enjoy every minute of every day. It goes by soooooooo fast!
D.

I went from 135 to 150/160 at 5 months. I went into the hospital at 180 and came out with a baby and weighed 179.2 because of the fluids. Your having a baby, you have a reason to be big. Just embrace your situation. Then lose the weight and they will say you are too thin. Happened to me!

I wouldn't worry about it. Just as long as the baby inside is healthy and growing strong. I just had my baby 3 months ago today and yesterday someone asked me if I was pregnant. I am a petite size 3 and had a 8lb baby. I am still a 3, but I still have a little pudge. I didn't think it would bother me when he asked me that, but it stuck in my head all night long. It will just encourage me to do even more crunches.

I know you already have more than enough responses... But I envy you and can only hope to get so huge that people do a double-take! (You probably only look so large because, as you said, you are small-framed; I don't think you're going to have a 12 pounder or anything)...

In my case, I never looked more than 6 months preggy, even when I was OVERdue! And my baby was 5 1/2 pounds (too small)... I'm pregnant again and this time we know of the issues in advance so I'm hoping I can avoid them, and one of my hopes is to get nice and huge like you. Don't be offended please, because I really say it with the utmost respect AND envy. Best wishes to you!

Having a healthy baby is all that counts! It's pretty hot out there these days. Kudos to you for enduring pregnancy in this weather. Some just don't know how hard it gets towards the last months. I just hope you know that lots of moms out there are rooting for ya!

Having comments is just the prep work for all the advice you'll get when your child arrives.

I got some great advice when my daughter was born....

It is EVERYONE'S job to give you advice/comment and it is MY job to sift through it and use what I like.

You will be amazed at some of the comments you will get....

Here are just a couple that I experienced:
"I hope you aren't one of those moms..." - in my doctor's office.
"That baby is too small, she should not be out in public." - while waiting to be sat down for a meal.
"You better not spare the rod." - while eating in a cafe.
"Are you breastfeeding, because you should be." - in a shopping line.

Crazy to me how people just have to comment. But look at me - I have to give you advice...but you asked for it right??? HeeHeeHee

Positively,
M. H.

L.,

This makes me laugh. Because I was so you 12 years ago.

My second pregnance I was big at 3 months, I'm talking I looked 7 months preg. So when I went to the hospital at the beginning of my 5th month for early labor, the nurses where standing around with nothing to do saw me and said oh good, we are going to have a baby today, I just looked at them and said, no we aren't I'm here to stop these contractions I'm only 5 months along. Once they got me on the monitors they would leave the room, and as soon as they got out of the room my baby would run away from the monitors, I guess she didn't like to hear her heart beat so loud. She kept running until they turned the monitor down so low, I could barely hear it. The nurse said, she must be really small still just a lot of water to swim in to move the way she does.

This made me feel better. I always say, the minute she grew a hand she turned on the water till she got an olimpic size pool, and she was constantly doing flips and dives. This makes us both happy.

I think people say things before they think, and this has made me very aware of what I say, before I say what I'm thinking.
1. I hate people who say they need to eat 2 plates or alot extra, because they are now eating for 2. (someone the size of a grape doesn't need an intire plate to it's self) (or the size of your hand, or the size of a baby) I have never seen a toddler eat as much as I. But after being preg with my first (though I never sat with 2 plates) I was always hungry, I snacked all day, fruit mostly. my 2nd I went through a bag of chips ahoy cookies every other day. My 3rd marshmellows. I Still think you should never say you are eating for 2 but I never say that aloud.
2. Because I know that it hurts for people to say how (hugh) you are. Because by the time I delivered my second I could use my belly as a shelf or a table. (I could but 3 glassed in a strait line going out, on my belly, and not hold on to them, I could set my purse on it to look for my keys). I never tell a preg lady how big she looks. I always just say you look great how much longer do you have. This makes them feel better and lets face it (she knows how big she is, she is carrying it & she looks in the mirror everyday and holds back the tears, saying 3 more months, 2 more 1 more, then I'll get my body back).

Maybe we should just state (that's rude, and walk away. Or maybe (you don't thing I already know that.) Maybe if we all pointed out the rudeness we could start people thinking kinder words.
All joking aside, non of this matters, you are beautiful, and in Gods eyes that's why he made you an inkubater, to the most beautiful baby ever. After all, that's why your glowing. Be happy and love what your doing now, because it can always get worse. (your ugly tummy after). God bless you that you will be a better person from the things you are learning. May all be well with you and your new arival. J. P.

Dear Lori,
Believe it or not, someday you'll laugh at this. As I was reading all these comments, I laughed and thought, "I remember those days!" My youngest child is now 14, so it's been awhile, but everyone said that to me about every pregnancy. I am short, and I did have big babies. All of my children are thin though and never stayed fat. I do think the smaller you are, the harder it is too hide it. So, I think you just must be in pretty good shape to start with! I still don't know why people feel the need to comment on pregnant women's size. Just grin and bear it. It'll all be worth it! At least people aren't saying, "Oh, no! You're not having another boy!" I heard that one a lot! People are just really stupid and insensitive. Don't let them get to you.
R.

Hi, I'm sure you've had your baby by now...but I feel for you. You would think women that have had children would know better than to make comments but I found they were usually the ones making the comments abut the way I looked!

Yes,I agree with the latest response that alot of people say things without thinking about them sometimes,and unless you have been pregnant(I am due anyday with my first) they really don't understand how a little pffhand comment can feel amplified to and alreadysensitive pregnant woman!I try to not take it personally and have a sense of humor about it,and realize that it's not intentional,it's just insensitive!Good luck to you and it is a blessing!
K.

I loved the idea of starting a college fund with the $1 for each time a person made a comment. When someone comments you can say "Thank you, you have just added $1 to my baby's college fund with your comment, it is now $697" or something to that effect. I wish I had thought of that with my 2.

I love all the comments, Lori M is pretty funny and the one about Lord, I hope so- I think a sense of humor is the way to go because people just often don't think of what they say. When I had my little girl all dressed up in a dress and a headband I still got, what a cute little fellow you got there! So go figure, I think people are just making small talk. I like Mom P's advice too, be thankful you are small because in this culture people put an unreasonably huge value on looks and weight. The biggest problem I was annoyed with was rude people running into me. I had someone push there shopping cart into my stomach two times. After the second times, I told my husband if they do it again I'm going to shove it back!
Take care and have a healthy, happy baby.
K.

P.S. My daughter was 8 lbs 10 oz., my largest child at birth, but she is smaller now as a teenager than my first born that was 6 lbs. 8 oz. So you never know, their size at birth is not always a good measure of what they will be later. Also, she was the easy going because of her size she slept longer hours at a time which was a real blessing since I was so tired! God Bless You.

I had many, many comments with both pregnancies. Honestly, I knew I was huge. I started telling people that the baby was a future linebacker, and most of them got the point and stopped.

I found it very interesting that everyone else had some opinion on how 'big' I should be. My last pregnancy was twins, so you can imagine the comments. I am small/medium frame and gained under the recommended amount of weight, yet to so many I was HUGE!

I just told people, "the doctor is happy with my progress, and since he (she) is the expert, I'll go with that!"

It depressed me at times too, but I just tried to focus on the end result, a beautiful baby (in my case, I got two!). After a few months, these memories will fade, and you'll be too busy celebrating the new life you are blessed to raise to worry about what others think of your stature.

Good luck to you! You will get through it.

D.

You are awesome. :-) It will all be worth it, don't worry.
Perhaps you could tell the mean ones:

"Yes, I am, but at least I have the excuse of being pregnant, what's yours?" ;-)

To the nice ones you could say:

"Yes, I am! Fat and happy!"

Best Regards,
A.

Just act like you have an imaginary notebook and respond "Another comment to add to my list of things NEVER to say to a PREGNANT Woman." Watch how fast the appologies start coming. This was really effective with my MIL and co-workers. The worst comment was from the secretary at the preschool that my son went to. Each day for the last month of my pregnancy with our daughter, she would see me and say "My God can you get any bigger?" I would always respond with "Lord I hope so, it means that the baby is healthy and thriving." Then smile and walk away! Blessings for great times being a mommy!

I know this is late, but I had to tell you a funny story regarding my situation at 6 months. I was six months pregnant with twins no less and I walking around the farmers market with my Mom and this elderly gentleman came up to my Mom and started yelling at her and told her to get me home or to a hospital now! Needless to say I had a set of beautiful full term twin boys both over 8lbs each. At the time I was called the purple pool monster from kids and adults all had their silly comments, at the time was hurtful, but the blessings that come from far out weigh the remarks. Stay strong and God Bless.

Hi L.,

I just saw your post and thought I can share a bit of my experience with you. I am 5'1 a size 6 at the time of my first pregnancy so by the time I was 3 months along, I was wearing full maternity clothes. Now by the time I was six months along, EVERYONE - except a few close friends really believed that my baby would not be full term. I think I was more annoyed by the suggestions of the baby being born really early (in September rather than February)! Anyways, by the end of my pregnancy, I looked like an over-sized torpedo! (smile!) so be encouraged and don't let anyone get to you. enjoy your pregnancy, especially if it's your first.

take care

I just saw your post and I wanted to respond to it even though you have so many responses...

I am going through the SAME thing.

I am now in my last month, but I started getting comments in my 5th month about how I looked like I was due anytime and how big I am, how it would be impossible for me to get any bigger, how huge my baby must be, how they hope I am having an epidural, how they can't believe I am still walking around.

I am 5'3'' so my baby has no where to go but OUT.

I also started getting comments about how my doctor must be wrong about my due date and I must be having twins and your baby will have trouble getting out...
My favorite was man at the store who said, "Girl, it looks like you've had one two many cookies!" Umm...what? excuse me?? I ripped him a new one.

But I cant believe how many women make stupid comments that have HAD BABIES or just delivered!!

I finally started flat out telling them that I am sick of the BIG comments and that it really bothers me. I tell them that I hear it all the time from all sorts of people and that it is really old. I am just honest with them. I tell them that my doctor is not worried and knows that my uterus is sized correctly and that I carried my last baby like this and she was only 7.5lbs.
I tell them "Everyone carries differently and this is how my body carries babies. I am not abnormal or anything. This is how women who are short with small torsos carry babies because there is so little room for them."

Or if I do not know them, I just say "huh." and sort of roll my eyes and walk away.

You know what has really helped me? Going to water aerobics three times a week. It feels so good to be weightless and to do something so good for my body. I forget that I am "so big". When I first started going, everyone was trying to pamper me and make my workout easy- well I showed them! I beat everyone in the relay race and anytime we have an endurance challenge, I beat everyone by leaps and bounds. I get comments like "I can't believe the pregnant lady beat me" to which I reply with a sweet smile, "You BET I did! Never underestimate the power of a mama".

Ugh, I feel your pain. Don't feel bad setting people straight in a gentle manner. Don't feel bad about being honest! You might save another unsuspecting mama from the same stupid comment.

hugs!!
S.

Hey, at least you're pregnant... Ha ha!! Imagine if you were getting those comments and weren't pregnant.

I know it sounds retarded, but enjoy this time... even the awkwardness. It only happens a few times in our lives. May your baby be healthy and may you have a swift and easy delivery. That's all that matters! :-)

i got the same thing, i started showing before 3 months!!! i was very big but what made it worse was i was size 2 prior and when i gained weight, it was only in my stomach. now some people might think that was good, but all 45 lbs i gained was in my stomach, so you can imagine how i looked. people wont stop but they mean well. the best time is when lets say you are due september 30, and its august 1st, well then you say next month. that made me feel better even though i still had longer than a month, but be a mental thing.

your baby wont be huge:) good luck

I know you've gotten lots of advice. But since I'm also 32 weeks pregnant right now, thought I'd share the sympathy.

Last week, within two days I had FOUR people ask if I am having twins. Two of these people were total strangers. Even family members keep hinting at it. And on a regular basis, people say to me, "Wow! You're due any day!"

I think it must be the small frame proportions you're suggesting. I have very skinny legs, and all the weight is going to my belly, so my belly must just look even bigger as a result. I keep asking the doctor and he says everything is totally normal, so I wouldn't worry. I'm just trying to be positive in the fact that I am capable of growing a healthy, normal-sized (or large-sized) baby!

I'm sorry that people are saying that to you. I remember and it isn't fun. I hope you'll remember that they aren't trying to be mean - people are fascinated by pregnant women and their bellies and sometimes they just say silly things. Try to just say "oh well" and remember it really isn't about you, it is about your state of being pregnant and that precious baby. And being "big" - just think yes, I have a very healthy baby - "Thank you God for my healthy baby".
And, no, your baby is not huge - I always had an abundance of amniotic fluid and was huge....
Congratulations on that healthy baby!!

you shouldn't let what people say get to you. be grateful that you don't look anorexia while youre preg.

Hi! I just had my 3rd on July 4th and my ENTIRE pregnancy everyone was telling me how big I was. I would be 8 weeks from my due date and people would be saying things like, you must be due soon, are you having twins, you're so big, you must be having a big baby! I heard it all. It didn't make me feel to good about my self either! I didn't even gain that much weight my stomach was just big for my small frame. Anyway, it was no indication of the baby's size. He was born just a day after his due date and weighed 7lbs10oz. I know it's hard to try and ignore all the comments but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

sorry L.--you got a million responses--but I jsut wanted to quickly tell you how my mother-in-law (who is now no longer living--so I can look back and laugh/smile--although it wasn't so funny when she said it) was constantly talking about how big my BUTT was getting during my pregnancy!! granted, I did gain a ton of weight, but my son is now 4 and I am def. back to my pre-prego weight (if not less). I will say I wish I didn't gain so much, it's been hard to get rid of some of the extra "skin"/ fat cells.. but that's just what happened. if I do it again, I will probably be less easy going about my diet! maybe that's wrong, but I just want to be healthy and have an easier time taking the weight off then I did last time. with that said, just brush it off, eat healthy and good luck with your delivery! I found prenatal yoga to be very helpful for that! C.

HI, I know you have had a ton of responses on here but I wanted to throw my 2 cents in. I would give a stock answer of "more of me to love" and then let it go. I didn't have that problem of people coming up to me but my friend did. We were side by side getting a pedicure when a lady walked by and actually stopped in her tracks and said to my friend "wow! you're huge, when are you due?" I was was stunned! Granted my friend was due that day BUT I couldn't believe it! Good luck and be happy with your body! :)

Mandy

It could be worse.... my 5 year old keeps asking me if I have a baby in my tummy and I haven't been pregnant for 2.5 years :) :) :)

It really is fun reading over everyone's individual experiences. While I don't really have much advice to offer in the way of responding to unwanted comments (I would resort to sarcasm, personally), I think it's important to really appreciate this amazing time in your life. I had a friend who had to get 'fixed' after her third due to severe health issues. She told me to appreciate every pregnancy because you never know when it'll be your last (I should add that she was planning on more children).
You're actually quite lucky to be small framed and look hugely pregnant. I was five weeks away from delivering and people I saw on a fairly regular basis were saying "I didn't know you were pregnant!". Yeah. You know why? Because I pretty much just looked like I was getting fat. Not so much pregnant - just fat. It's just another one of the sacrifices we make to bring a new little person into the world. :)

Hello Lori,

My daughter looked like she was having twins when she was pregnant with her 1st one. The nurses in L&D asked her several times if she was lol. She is small framed too, at 5 foot 1. She would just laugh and say no my boy is just going to be big apparently. It really isn't a bad thing, this is the one time in your life (being pregnant) that you can use it for the excuse lol. So just relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

Good Luck
T.

I don't care what anyone says, ALL PREGNAT WOMAN ARE BEAUTIFUL and they have such an AMAZING GLOW...I wish I would have been all belly but everwhere grew on me. Its actually good for you that your all belly that usually means you will drop back down to size in no time...Ignore everyones comments and get ready for the miracle of your life!!

I always got very large very quickly. My first pregnancy I couldn't put my hands together in front of my belly! I remember being not so nice when people would ask me at 26-28 weeks when the babies were due? (I never had twins) I would reply "What are you talking about? I'm not pregnant!" It was quit a giggle to me and any one who was with me to see the expression on their faces. Yes I admit I was mean but it gave me a laugh......

Take it all in stride. Like the others have said most people just want to say something and don't realize the wrong thing is coming out. Get ready because when the baby comes you will hear a whole new set of comments regarding the size of your baby. You will develop that tough skin and either let it roll off your back or you will squash it with a comeback.
Congrats and God bless

I Just have to share -
3rd pregnancy, 6th month, we were selling our house and an appraiser came over, I gave him the tour, and at the end he got chatty, asking me how far along etc. Without even skipping a beat, when I said I was 6 months (and apparently looked about to pop) he said and I quote "Wow, you really let yourself go." I was in such shock I didnt know what to do. I finally had a baseball cap made that said "Due Oct. 9th, NOT twins" and wore it everywhere. Even with the cap I got rude questions and comments. I did complain to the company who sent the appraiser, but never did feel any better about it. At the time I was quite devastated, even now, 4 years later it's still irritating to think about.
Hang in there and get a hat if you must.

D.

L.,
First off congrats on your pregnancy!!!

I know you've already gotten many responses on this but I would like to tell you my story...I was a little overweight when I found out I was pregnant. Throughout my whole pregnacy I gained over 70lbs, so you can imagine how big I was. Around the 5th month, people thought I was already over due. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I heard "OMG how many are in there, Haven't you had that baby yet!" I swear people have no class especially stangers. By my 9th month I was miserable and could not stand to be around people because I was so sick of hearing the comments and I couldn't wait to have my son. My son ended up being 3 days late which did not help my mood. I was taken out of work in the last month as well which helped not being around people.

My point of all of this, is you are NOT alone. It is very hard to let these comments role off of you but you have to try and stay positive. Good luck and enjoy every min. of it!

OH how I relate - I'm small, also - and my last baby was 11 pounds - she was my 3rd - so I don't NEED to tell you the comments --- I even had '''' how many is it?""" --- then there was the swimming pool lady( I took my then-6 year old to sign him up for a class) and she looked at me aghast and said
''' who's going to bring him in??"" I wanted to yell at her - but now I laugh--- ( please don't think you must be carrying a huge baby- I had gestational diabetes - undiagnosed - it was 32 years ago - they do much better now)

Blessings - and let yourself laugh-
J.

HI L.,
Okay, I realize I am the 104th person to leave a comment, but I'd like to throw one in. I have learned to take everything in stride and to throw some back, but in a good way. I think it would be great to tell them your not pregnant after they make some stupid comment !! The look that they would have on their face would be priceless !! Please don't worry, I was big with my 2nd, but he weighed over 9 pounds and is a stocky, rough boy (he is now 3 1/2). My sister-in-laws sister gets really big when she is pregnant, but has small babies. She is a petite girl. How we carry just depends on our body type. I have two boys and I would have women debate with me when I was pregnant that they were not boys, but a girl. I did just have a baby girl (finally !) but I carried all 3 kids the same way, very high and my belly looked like a round basketball. Enjoy being pregnant and congratulations !

I feel your pain...I hae been asked/told...
Oh my God are you haing twins?
Does your doctor say it is ok to be that big?
You're not going to make it till your due date.
That is going to be one BIG baby.

I have just started telling strangers that I am due earlier than I really am or that I AM having twins (they don't know its not true) and then I walk away with a smile on my face. I have to admit that with raging hormones it is really hard to not have a mean come-back but rude people are just not worth it.
For people who know me, I have noticed that just the right smirk on my face will usually get them to stop with the comments and leave me alone.

Good luck...

I was very large at 30 weeks and had to go to a formal dinner for my husbands work...lets just say that the dress that I wore made me look even bigger. I just laughed off the comments that people made! I highly recomend watching Knocked Up at this point in your pregnancy. There are some really funny parts that only a pregnant woman can appreciate!
Blessings, K.

L.,
When I was pregnant with both of my kids people would say: "At least you have a reason for being fat (being pregnant). I would hate to be that fat". Sad to say I was fat before, during and after pregnancy and still am.
Be glad of your small frame and just let all those comments roll off your back. The end result is worth it.
Mamma P

I love all the advice so far. Stand and be proud that you can do something half the population can't do! I've never been quick with a snappy comeback, but I've heard a few. I love the one when they ask are you pregnant, overdue, etc. and you say...No, are you?? or I was just wondering myself if you were pregnant also!! You could also try answering them correctly, then saying...okay, now it's my turn for a rude question...how's your sex life, or how much do you weigh, or how old are you?! Sometimes humor will get you through, and I know most folks really don't mean any harm, but that doesn't excuse bad behavior. I always reacted depending on how I felt at the time the question was asked, and made no apologies!! You'll make it through, and then have a beautiful baby to show off. Be proud, and best wishes!!

Hi L., this is wayyyyy late but I thought I'd tell you about my pregnancy in Alaska. At seven months I felt like a moose ((and believe me, up there, I knew what a moose looked like!) Anyway, my husband and I were invited to our next door neighbors' home for dinner just before my last trip to "the lower 48," Dallas, where some friends were giving me a baby shower. These neighbors, a psychiatrist and his wife, a nurse, could not stop commenting that I was so big they probably wouldn't let me fly...which scared me to death! I desperately needed to get out of Alaska before the January birth. I went home and cried and cried--my husband soothed me by saying I was the cutest little pregnant woman HE had ever seen. When we left for Dallas, NO PROBLEMS with the airline--in fact, the flight attends pampered me to death--and seemed as excited as I over my size. My girlfriends here, at the baby shower, were APPALLED by the rudeness of those neighbors and went on to tell me their stories of how huge they bacame. Some gained 60#s or more, not uncommon!

Here's the bottom line: some people who should know better are just rude and goofy! You are experiencing a miracle and what a blessing that is. What comes around eventually goes back around with these people. I say, listen to your friends who know you and love you. They are your best support and resource. Congrats on your pregnancy! Did you have a boy or a girl?

I know how you feel. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and I am getting the comments on being big and not making it to my due date, etc. Last week, a man I work with told me I was "pleasantly plump" and he's married with 4 kids! You'd think he'd have a clue. I just tell people the only acceptable thing to say to a pregnant woman is "you look great!" With my first, people used to say I was small. You can't win! It's more annoying when you receive a lot of comments in the space of a week. My other favorite comments are how I have to be so big during the hottest part of the summer. I finally started telling people, "Thanks. I never get tired of hearing that." You'll forget about the comments when you finally hold your baby in your arms. They won't matter. Congratulations! I'm guessing you're due mid-September? (I'm due the last week.)

I had the same situation and I would just laugh. The reality is you likely a very healthy baby. I had making comments to me at work everyday for over a month before I was due - "You're still here???" So, your situation is very, very common and laughing IMHO is the best approach. Getting mad is actually unhealthy for you and your baby - research shows that your immune system is suppressed for about 4-6 hours after getting angry and your baby doesn't need all the stress hormones circulating. And, if it makes you feel any better, when my SIL was 5 months pregnant and would go see her doc at the hospital, she would have the staff offering to bring her a wheel chair :) As you say petite women look alot bigger because there just isn't much space to hide it.

There is a global phenomonon, and it is called "No Sensitivity For Pregnant Women's Feelings Or Privacy."

For whatever reason, people's common courtesy and political correctness fly out the window when it comes to pregnant women. Even other pregnant women and mothers do this--in fact, they can be worse because they think they know what they are talking about. People make comments about your size, ask if you plan to breastfeed, if you plan to get an epidural, and don't hold back in speaking to you in a judgemental manner if you aren't doing what they did. And I love the people who are perfect strangers who think it is okay to put their hands on your belly. The bottom line is that this is a cross we pregnant mothers must all bear, and it is preparation for the many future years of unwanted and unsolicited advice from friends, sisters, mothers, inlaws, strangers on the street, and even doctors!

I had the opposite problem--I was VERY small. People accused me of not eating enough and sacrificing my baby's health for my own vanity! I was 5'1" and a size 2 when I got pregnant and a professional dancer. This was upsetting to me for people to insinuate that I was not doing the right thing for my baby just to stay skinny. This was not the case. You just have to let it roll off your back. You can make a joke, or a slightly sarcastic comment like "I wasn't aware that you have had a baby" (this works great for a man or woman with no children) or "Well I'm gald to know that you have been to medical school, so that when the time comes I'll have experienced hands near." This may sound a bit bitchy (and who has a better excuse than a pregnant woman in her last trimester) but it sends a signal that their comments about your size and/or pregancy are unwelcome.

No matter what you do, however, remember that this is a global phenomenon and every pregnant woman goes through it, regardless of her situation.

Hi L.,
This is quite late, but I want to send you a response. By now, you probably have your baby already.
I'm a little over 5 ft. I gained over 40 pounds during both of my pregnancy. I was so huge that you could not believe I was the same person. I did not walk; I waddled because the weight of my stomach was so heavy that it pressed on my pelvis and it hurt. In my 5 month, everyone asked me if the baby was due anytime. Compared to some of my friend, the size of my stomach in 5 months was much bigger than their full term. Both of my girls came out normal size, not super huge. I did not mind the comment. Everyone's body reacts differently even when they go through the same process. I was glad that I had all that good nutrition in me that my girls came out healthy and normal. I worried more if I could lose the weight afterward.
N.

Hi L.,
I know that you've already got a lot of wonderful feedback but I had to comment because I went through the same thing. My baby boy is almost 6 months old now but when I was preggers with him I had everyone and their mother making comments like the ones you are getting. It really is rude and it gets very monotonous to hear the same things over and over. I worked with the public while I was pregnant so it was everyday. Now my baby is off the charts in height and weight(my husband is 6'3") so now ALL I hear is WOW! What a big boy, I can't believe he's only 5 months old. I've just gotten to the point now when strangers stop to look at him I say,"yeah he's off the charts". I beat them to it which is also annoying. I have a beautiful,healthy baby boy with gorgeous blue eyes, why can't everyone comment on those things (some do).
Everyone has opinions and some people feel the need to voice theirs ( a lot of people actually).My advice to you is just to Enjoy your pregnancy...it goes by so fast. Never mind what people say, you've got a beautiful, healthy baby growing inside of you and that's what's important. Good luck with everything! Being a mom is the so much fun!

i am 23 weeks pregnant with my second and apparently, i just look big. by the time i was only 15 weeks along, i had already had 3 people ask me if i was carrying twins. i got that comment, along with the "ooooooh, girl, you look like you about the pop" all the time when i was pregnant with my daughter. people thought i was due any minute and i still had at least 3 months to go. personally, i too have a hard time with the expressive comments by random strangers about the size of my body. regardless of their intentions, it's still rude in my opinion. i've talked to my husband and several friends about it and when it happens again, i'm just going to say that i have big babies (my daughter was 8 lbs. 11 oz) and my doctor says i'm right on target for growth and weight gain (true). depending on my mood, i might also tell them that i'm offended. i think it's normall to feel down about your body when others are always commenting negatively on it, regardless if it's due to pregnancy. your baby is not super huge and every woman carries differently. like someone already wrote, i have a friend who gets her feeling hurt because people tell her she doesn't look big enough. hang in there, your body is in the process of creating another little human, which is amazing!! when i think of that, it honestly helps me to focus on all of the miraculous (sp?) things my body in is the process of instead of how it looks. and then i eat some ice cream (just kidding!)

Hi!

I just had a baby 6 weeks ago and during my whole pregnancy I got that kind of comments from strangers. One day I ran into a website with pictures of pregnant women about the same time I was and I realized that maybe for persons that are not pregnant they do not realize that your size is JUST NORMAL. You have a whole little person inside, plus liquid, placenta, etc...

Needless to say that the women in the pictures, some of them were bigger than me and other smaller, that may not have an impact in the size of your baby. My girl was a normal and healthy size 7 pounds 11 ounces.

You have enough with your pregnancy, do not give credit to people that just are not in tune with a pregnant belly.

Congratulations and YOU ARE ALMOST THERE!!!

Wow aren't people great sometimes? I had some of that-the worst being from my own mom who swore she never showed until her 7th month! I'm like yeah right. Anyway, I got big, I got commented on and then I lost all of it and more. So don't worry about it. People are RUDE sometimes. I think no comment back is the best-stare at them blankly, maybe they'll get it. Looks like this was a while ago so good luck with the really hard part-the baby!

Ahhhhhhh, memories!!!! My son Jeramiah, is one year old now!! Boy does time go by fast! Anyway, When I was about 6 1/2 months people asked me, "Oh my gosh, you look ready to pop!!! when is your baby due?"...... I actually loved every minute of it! I was ever growing an amazing baby in my tummy!! This is the ONE opportuniy it does NOT matter as far as society is concerned, "what a woman's weight" is. Enjoy it!!!! Know you are taking part in making another human beings LIFE!!!!! You look amazing, without me even seeing you!!!!! Pregnant woman should be on the cover of every magazine! You are beautiful!!!!!! My son ended up weighing 10 lbs 5oz!! WOW!!! That deinately explians the huge belly!!!! It was my tank! Yes, Tank has become his nick name :)!!!!!!! It doesn't matter if you gain 150 pounds..... you are a mommy..... Mommies due WHATEVER it takes to ensure the health of their children!!!!

Hi Lori-

Just had to add this. I too am short, under 5ft in fact, (100 lbs nonpreg weight). When I was preg with both my children, I was so huge from the front. I could barely reach my arms around my belly. Not so much from the back. So if people would first see me from behind they wouldn't realize that I was preg, but wait until I turn to the side or front OMG the GASPS!! People would actually go to grab me a chair so that I was able to sit down - I dunno if it was fear that I was going to go into labor that very minute or if it was fear that I was going to tip over and they wouldn't be able to put me upright again!! Enjoy it! I used to joke with my husband about the number of comments that I would receive! People started asking if I was overdue and I would tell them, OMG, thanks so much for reminding me, I knew that I forgot to do something!! One thing I didn't see - was anyone reminding you to take pictures of that beautiful preg belly!! My kids love looking at those pictures of when they were in mommy's tummy!! Enjoy!!

Hello L.,

First let me start out by saying congrats on your pregnancy. People are so insensitive it isn't even funny, I think they try to say things just to say stuff you know.
I was HUGE with my first I gained over 46 pounds I am talking moosey.... haha... My baby came out and he was 10 pounds and 22 1/2 inches long, my doctor about fell over seeing how he kept saying through the pregnancy that I was going to have about an 8 pound baby, I mean really that is like delivering a 3 month old you know. Just remember in the last two months is when the baby is really growing, I am sure you look lovely and don't worry about what people say enjoy your pregnancy and God Bless you.
K.

I can TOTALLY relate to what your feeling. I have 3 children and all of them were big pregnancies, However, my last 2 pregnancies were really really big. There was nothing wrong with my babies, I just have really big pregnancies. So big in fact that I was getting asked all the time if I was due at any time (at 5,6,7 months) when I said no, they would continue to ask if I was having twins! I was a very average sized girl, so it wasn't mistaken with weight. It was a bit irritating only becauase I had to constantly explain the same things over and over. Sometimes I would just lie and say "Yes, I am due soon". So, don't worry, everything will be fine.

Ok You don'tneed more advice, but when people are giving unsolicited comments on ANYTHING about my appearance to me, I like to say 2 things..either " I'm sorry but I don't recall asking for any opinions" or "if you'll forgive my ignoring you, I'll forgive your comment- or asking" . People are SO nosey sometimes. I also like to remind ladies during weight conversations..that I only worry about the size of my own butt and theirs is their business..life is SHORT!

Have a great pregnancy ..rub that Buddha for luck and stay away from that bad Karma. Their own butt will get them!! :)

Hi L., people feel a need to comment on pregnant people regardless it seems. I had the opposite problem - I was quite small and people commented on the fact that I should have been bigger continuously. This had the opposite effect on me because it felt like people were criticizing me for doing something wrong or suggesting something was wrong with my baby. I delivered a good, healthy baby regardless of my size (I got big towards the end!). Now that I'm not pregnant I realize it's just something that people do - they have this build in social need to make a comment and they usually don't mean anything. They often think they are being nice(!) and considerate(!) by commenting and asking....so - DON'T WORRY - just smile and ignore it!!

I think a lot of people just want to be involved in the experience and need an "in", a conversation starter. Besides "When are you due?" a comment on your size is a quick and seemingly obvious thing to comment on. People don't generally intend to be rude - they aren't looking to hurt the pregnant girl's feelings. On the contrary, they are wanting to be an involved part of the experience - a lot of times we just forget how sensitive someone can feel when they're bodies are so different from what they are used to. Try to remember that when they make comments - think of it as a positive attempt to support you, not attack you.

Unfortunately it is hard to protect yourself from ignorance. For some reason people feel a liberty to do/say things to a pregnant woman they would never otherwise do/say. Imagine if you were to walk up and rub someone's belly without their permission. They'd think you were insane, but people do it to pregnant women all the time. You can't control what they say or do, only how you react to it. Don't get depressed! Give yourself a dollar for every stupid or insensitive comment and use it for something good - buy yourself a treat (pedicure, massage, etc.), or start the baby's college fund. Or simply say, "Well it's a good thing I'm not the typical sensitive pregnant woman because that sure was rude. Lucky for you I have a thick skin, but you may want to be more careful about saying things like that." Good luck!

Just focus on the little person inside of you. People don't mean to be rude or unkind. In a way it's their way of being sympathetic.

Just think what an accomplishment it is and how far you have come. I too am small framed and carried a 7 lb 3 oz baby to 38 weeks. I was HUGE at 32 weeks... she was TINY when she got here.

I'm sure you are absolutely gorgeous! I look at the pictures of me at that size now and see that I was a cute preggie and I remember the feeling of her inside me. I miss those movements... so take in every moment. 40 weeks is such a short time!

GL and big hugs!

Seriously, tell them that you're growing a whole human being in there; it requires some space! If that's not good enough for them, so what? I'm sure you're exactly the size you need to be to get the job done and you're probably too busy being the best-looking human manufacturing plant ever to waste time being concerned about them anyway.

People make rude comments either way... I'm just the opposite of you. I have a large frame and I carry my babies very compactly. I am 29 weeks right now, but even with my first son, a week before he was born, people were saying how I wasn't big enough and asking me if I was sure I was really as far along as I thought or if my baby was not doing well because he was small. I think that people just like to be critical! With my first pregnancy, I remember wishing I was small framed with a huge belly like you, so that people wouldn't make those comments! This time around, I just don't care what people say because the only thing that matters is the precious cargo I carry ;-)
Forget the rude people and look forward to your precious little one.

Ok, so you do not need another comment on this one but...
I am also short and I gained a lot of weight and I had a baby that almos weighed 9 lbs. Everyone started making comments when I was two months along. Somedays I just wanted to hide and cry. One man (a huge man) kept saying I was huge and going to have twins. Finally I was angry and commented that yeah I would be having twins about a trimester after his twins were born perhaps they could be friends.
I still have a pooch and my daughter is five years old. Now people ask if I am pregnant again. I calmly say, "No, just fat now; thank you for noticing."

Hi L., So sorry you are getting these comments, a lot of people are going thru hard times right now, and don't even realize what they say sometimes. Remember the bottom line is Life Is very Short you need to try not to let people bring you down, be above them I know you can do it. You are going to have a beautiful baby and you need to get yourself ready mentally and physically for your new little one. Have fun and enjoy these last special moments of people staring and saying dumb things , and most important the life you have made, '''''''''good luck and god bless.

So at least they think you are prego...My story... My best friend and I were both expecting, me with my 2nd her with her 1st. She was due 9 days before me and EVERY WHERE we went everybody would comment on her belly and ask her all the questions when is she due? Can they rub her belly? Well I guess they just thought I was just plain ole fat because they never asked me. We would laugh about it when the people would leave. So just take it in stride and be glad you have a blessing growing inside you!!!

CONGRATULATIONS on your bundle of joy!!!
S.

Oh my God, L.. Women - especially older heavy women - at work gave me such a hard time about my size while I was pregnant. One woman even asked me if my doctor told me that I was eating too much. What is wrong with people?! My baby is 11 weeks old and I've lost all of my baby weight and I'm working on some weight that I had gained before my pregnancy.

My first pregnancy, I had all of the same comments, too. Like: Are you having twins? Are you supposed to be driving? How much weight have you gained? (from the guy giving me a pedicure) and on and on. Now I'm on my second pregnancy and since about 6-7 months, I've gotten: You must be due any day! You're so big! Are you having twins? So now that I'm due in a few weeks (1st week in Aug) I get even more comments (or just weird stares at my belly) But sometimes a woman will stop me and say I'm so cute being pregnant. I think there are many women out there who want to encourage all pregos that they're not as fat and ugly as they may feel! So it's been nice to have a few nice people out there to offer encouragement. Even my dr. w/ my first pregnancy said I would have a 9-10 lb baby and he was 7 lb, 8 oz. Just brush off the insensitive and ignorant people w/ a smile and be proud of what is going on in your body! a beautiful miracle. Blessings! Stephanie

I just saw your post. The exact same thing happened to me, except from the very start. I was working in retail when I was pregnant so I was getting comments from everyone, co-workers, customers, even my husband teased me. I started showing by the third month. Now, I did put on a lot of weight during my pregnancy, but it was my belly that was huge. Everyone thought I was having twins because I was getting so big so fast. I knew that my husband was just being silly, but the other people making comments over and over did upset me. I was self-conscious enough as it was without everyone thinking I was having twins. I even had a nurse come into the store and told me it looked like I needed to be going where she was going (she was a labor and delivery nurse). I was only 6 months pregnant. My baby was 7lbs 7oz. I also worried about her being huge. Everybody carries their pregnancies different. Try not to let those people get to you. I know it's hard. Good luck and congratulations!

Yes, everyone gets the "oh my you're so big!" comments. The best thing you can do for you is to just to toughen up and let it go.

I really think it's God's way of preparing us for the humbling experiences ahead.

Just imagine going potty with a toddler in a public bathroom and having them comment on what you're doing or opening the door while you're on the toilet. If you didn't know, you know now, they must stay in the stall with you. You can't leave them alone or they'll crawl under the door of the stall.

I don't want to give you too much of the glimpse ahead of the joys of motherhood(and they really are joys, even though at the time you don't think so).

But just know that learning to let things roll off you is a required skill for motherhood. So start by letting comments from people about your size be your practice run.

Try to make a joke about it and brush it aside. With my first pregnancy, I was huge. I too am petite, but was very swollen. I knew that my child was large as I had gestational diabetes. He ended up being 9 lbs 5 oz and nearly 22" at birth. More important, he was strong and healthy at birth. And no matter how bad/heavy/bloated I looked, he was a blessing. He was concieved after a year of infertility and a miscarriage.

So many people feel that they can make comments about it, especially strangers. I just kept reminding myself that I'll never see these people again, so what did I care what they say in ignorance.

K.
Mom to 3 ages 6, 5 & 3

If you are smalled framed of course you're going to look bigger than someone who is larger framed or someone who was heavier before being pregnant. That's just the way it works, so don't feel bad. Sounds like you're doing a great job growing that baby and that's all that matters.

My co-worker is about 32 weeks pg and she is small framed too. She wears a 32 for her bra size and XS clothes (pre-pg). Honestly, she looks bigger than her gestation, but that's because the baby has no where to go but out! ;)

I have belly pics that I took every month when I was pg on my website. If you really want to compare, contact me and I'll give you the link. I think you'll be surprised to find that you're no bigger than anyone else who is the same pre-pg size you are.

I got the same comments and hated it, too! It drove me crazy! People just don't know what to say sometimes so they say really insensitive stuff. Like everyone said, just stay focused on your sweet bundle of joy. You're going to make it, hang in there! congratulations!

You are probably not the only one who has felt this way at one time or another. I know its hard, but just smile and enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy. Don't get stressed out over the unnecessary comments. Don't sweat the small stuff. If you're small framed, that's probably why you are being noticed. God doesn't make any mistakes.

I used to hang out with a friend who was pregnant but due about three months before me, I was having twins and we were the same size. I actually drove her to the hospital when she was in labor because her husband doesn't drive due to epilepsy, anyway, when we went into the hospital, they asked which of us was in labor. Grin and bear it. Now I get the "are they all yours?" and "wow, you have your hands full" but I also get a lot of God bless you, I wish I had the courage."

Hi, L.. First, let me say congratulations on your impending new arrival! It's an exciting time. Next, I just want to say that the only person whose opinion about your size you should care about (other than your own) is your doctor. As long as your doctor is not concerned that you are too big, too small, or anything, then you are JUST FINE. Everyone carries differently, and just because you look big on the outiside does not mean you are going to have a gigantic baby. I suppose it could :), but as with so many other instances, size doesn't mean anything. LOL

Try and ignore the unsolicited comments and advice from people other than your doctor, and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Congrats again!

N.

Hi L., I know this is late but I just wanted to say me and my sister can feel your pain. My younger sister is 37 weeks preg with her first and she just turned 37. She looks fabulous and is taller than me and is all baby, she told me the other day if one more stranger looks at her and says "whoa!", she's gonna go poltergeist on them, hee hee I'd like to see that. But I also was large with my kids, I'm 5" 2" and my last one was 9 13 and 22 inches so you can imagine I felt way out of proportion. It's ok, you'll have a beautiful baby to show for it, I hope you took pictures cause they will be fun to look at years later. have fun with the new baby who is probably a great newborn now, get some sleep. ;)
M.

I had to respond. Obviously don't take it personally! I'm not super overweight but a little I admit. Maybe about 25 pounds which is a good amount. You have an excuse. You have a baby on the way and I know it gets irritating when you hear how big you are but some people get big, some bigger, some not so big. . . I had someone ask me how far along I was and I am not pregnant. So look at the bright side . . . You were not me when they asked! I have since lost those 25 pounds but I will never forget that!

Hhahahaha.

A little about me.

I am co-owner to the Dream Dinners in Thousand Oaks so if you need help when you give birth, food wise. Look us up.

L.,
I understand how you feel, but there is truly no need to over think this and become depressed. Every woman carries their pregnancy different. As long as you are eating healthy and exercising you should not threat. However I say this for self confirmation...This is my first pregnancy and I'm presently 27 weeks. Every day I receive comments, "are you having twins?" and several people commented yesterday at work, "oh my goodness, you keep getting bigger each day." I just laugh it off. I know that I have a very healthy baby, and also that my body is doing what it needs to do to create our child. Despite the fact that I do over obsess about whether I'll be able to lose it all and get back to my normal weight of 114. Did I mention I'm already 151 at 27 weeks?

I go to a prenatal yoga class two times a week, and their are many woman in the class. We are all very round and pregnant in our own ways due to height and weight differences. Being around so many pregnant womean truly helps to put things into perspective, allowing you to normalize yourself.

Be proud and carry your baby with confidence. As a nurse and the best friend of a woman who had ovarian cancer at age 18, there are millions of woman who would give their right arm to be round and beautifully plump like you and I. Enjoy the miracle!

Preggy Hugs-K

PS. Your baby, I'm certain is a healthy weight. A very large part of your weight is fluid...water, blood, and placenta. And if your baby is large, great... The bigger the cuter I think. As for chubby rolls, I had many, so many... my mom cried thinking I was going to be a fat kid. Not the case at all. I grew into my rolls, and was a very healthy lean and athletic kid.

Everyone kept asking me if I was having twins! Even the ultrasound guy! Just hang in there!

blessed be