A friendly reminder: a pregnant woman’s body undergoes significant changes, and there’s absolutely no need for anyone to comment on them.
It’s astonishing that we still live in a world where it’s deemed acceptable for people to feel entitled to comment on the bodies of expecting mothers. Even worse, many seem to think that these women should welcome unsolicited opinions from strangers about their appearance. When a pregnant woman steps out into public, it can feel like being a contestant in a bizarre game show where everyone is eager to guess her weight, due date, and even the sex of the baby!
Enter the brilliant Lila Thompson, a comedian and star of the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, who took to Twitter to humorously and effectively address the issue of commenting on a pregnant woman’s body (the short version: just don’t do it). Currently pregnant with her first child alongside her husband, a well-known director, Lila decided to respond to the multitude of strangers that expectant mothers encounter.
Seriously, thanks to the random person in line who doesn’t need to know that there’s still a whole trimester to go. If you feel compelled to tell a pregnant woman she looks big, be prepared for a witty comeback!
Isn’t it amusing how suddenly everyone around you becomes an expert on predicting your baby’s gender? Perhaps we should just start responding with vague timelines like “Oh, I don’t know, some time next year” when asked about due dates. Do people see a pregnant woman and their brains just go into overdrive with the impulse to comment?
Lila’s Twitter tirade perfectly illustrates why it’s inappropriate to ask pregnant women silly questions or remark on their appearance. Her humor resonates with many, but the most crucial message is this: if you feel the urge to speak to a pregnant woman you don’t know, pause and think before you comment. You have no idea what she might be going through. Perhaps she faced infertility challenges, or her pregnancy has been physically taxing. Maybe it’s high-risk, or she’s considering adoption, or maybe she simply wants to escape the grocery store and relax at home!
A simple “congratulations” or kind well-wishes are perfectly acceptable. Telling her she looks radiant or mentioning that “pregnancy glow” is usually fine too. However, refrain from offering your expert insight on how she’s carrying her baby or pointing out that her face looks swollen—she’s likely already aware and doesn’t need that from you.
For more on pregnancy and insights into the journey, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy week by week at March of Dimes. And if you’re interested in home insemination options, you can find valuable information in our post about the at-home insemination kit here. Additionally, for more in-depth understanding, visit this authority on the subject here.
In summary, Lila Thompson highlights the importance of respecting pregnant women’s experiences and refraining from unsolicited comments about their bodies. It’s essential to offer support while understanding that each woman’s journey is unique.