what not to say/do to a pregnant woman [if you want to live to have the opportunity to try again]

i know i've written about this before, but since my BFF (who's due two days after me) and i have been discussing the need for a "how to talk to a pregnant woman" book, i thought i'd try one more time.

DISCLAIMER: if you are a close friend/relative, these rules do not apply (mostly because you would never say them anyway:)). also, if you think that these are directed at you, they're not, as i'm pretty sure those who've said/done them don't actually read my blog:). I do know that people who say/do these things mean well, but perhaps pointing out how they are interpreted will help one or two poor souls along the way.

Words of wisdom to the non-pregnant...

• Please refrain from telling a pregnant woman that she has gotten herself in a condition and needs to lose some weight. It probably sounds really creative and cute in your head, but you are actually not the first person to have the same idea, and it's quite possible that you will be the third or fourth person to tell her the same exact thing that day. Before the words come out of your mouth, think about how you would feel if she said the exact same thing to you - and remember, she gets to lose all that weight in just a few short weeks, and you might be in the same place you were when you said it!
  


• Please refrain from telling a pregnant woman's husband that he has a problem and that his wife needs to lose weight. See above if you do not see the folly in this approach.
  


• If you have not seen said pregnant woman in multiple weeks and the fact that she is not the same size as she was back then is a surprise to you, do not hold your arms out in front of you in a circle and puff up your cheeks. She will not find this funny and will likely stare at you in disbelief until you awkwardly abandon your initial position and try to apologize for your idiotic move.



• Don't touch a pregnant woman's belly or belly button without her permission. She might just reach out and touch yours!



• Please don't tell a pregnant woman that she "still looks pretty good." "Still" implies that you will think that she does not look good at some point in the near future, and "pretty" implies that she doesn't look as good as she would like to. Just skip the qualifiers and you'll be in much safer waters.



• DO ask a pregnant woman about other aspects of her life. For example, ask her about how work is going, where she got her new haircut, or where she got those great shoes.



• DO go out of your way to compliment a pregnant woman. She will appreciate it (and no, I'm not fishing for compliments!).

Above all, just remember that you're not likely to have been the ONLY person to have said the same thing to her that day. She'll know that you mean well, but she'll also really wish you would have kept your thoughts to yourself.

On a really fun note, today, Lindsay from the Blue Yodey Boutique delivered the adorable blanket I purchased from her Etsy shop! Her work is fabulous, so you should check her out:)!

note: for those who were thinking we've given away the first name of our child, "V" is for our last name:).