10 Rude Comments You Should NOT Say to a Pregnant Woman

Telling a pregnant woman that she is "big", is not very flattering. Women don't like comments about our size in general, and being pregnant usually does not make these comments much better. Although, intellectually, we know you are referring to the baby growing, it still just doesn't sound complimentary. So don't refer to us as "big" or tell us we're getting "bigger every day". We are aware that our bellies are growing, thank you!

Even if a woman appears to be close to her due date, saying she looks like she's "ready to pop" just doesn't sound very uplifting. It can be very anxiety-provoking to have strangers commenting on your body while you're just out and about doing errands, minding your own business. Some women are very shy anyway, so these types of comments are just not the best. You do not know when her due date is. She may still be months away from giving birth, so saying she is "ready to pop" already may not be an encouraging or kind statement.

Again, commenting on someone's size is usually not a good idea, unless you're telling them they look small or cute, etc. Commenting on someone's maternity wear and telling them that it makes them look "huge".... just definitely doesn't sound tactful or polite. It could make a woman feel more self-conscious about her body than she may already, as her baby grows and her body changes in ways it may never have before.

Sometimes when strangers see that a pregnant woman already has other children she's caring for, they may feel the need to let her know how full her hands are going to be once the new baby arrives. But this statement is just not uplifting or encouraging. Basically, you're letting the woman know how busy and overwhelmed she's going to be, caring for a newborn along with her other children. Believe me, she is already fully aware of that and is preparing for it. So there is no need to basically say "You're going to be overwhelmed!" or "You're sure going to be stressed out!"... Because that's basically what it sounds like when you say, "You're Going to Have Your Hands Full!"

Yes, I'm sure she does, and saying this is just plain rude. People have all different sized families, and even if you feel like this particular woman is always pregnant with another baby, it's really none of your business how many children she decides to have. Her methods of birth control are really not up for public discussion.

This comment is so hurtful when it is made by strangers, and even more hurtful if it is made by friends or family members. If you are a friend or family member, she probably has already told you if she is having twins (she would have been able to determine that when the ultrasound was performed). Asking someone if they're having twins, when you know the're not, is just a rude way of saying you think they look way bigger than they should, and it's just plain rude and mean! Don't say it.

Once again, unless you're a close friend or family member and she brings up the subject of birth control, you should not be asking if she's going to get her tubes tied or if her husband is going to get a vasectomy. Pregnancy is a wonderful blessing, and not everyone is able to get pregnant easily (or at all). Butting in about someone's form of birth control is rude and, especially if you're a stranger, it's really none of your business.

Even if it's her first pregnancy, chances are she is aware that she will not be getting much sleep once the new baby is born. Focusing on the negative by making this statement is just not very helpful.

Throughout my pregnancy, strangers have asked me if I'm having a girl this time, since I already have two boys. When I say no, they sometimes look at me sadly and say something to the effect of, "Oh, I'm sorry" or, "Oh, you poor thing!" Giving birth to a healthy baby, whether boy or girl, is a blessing and not something to be sorry about. One should always congratulate the mother on her upcoming bundle of joy, and not make any negative comments about the gender... even if it's her eighth girl in a row!

I would definitely tread lightly when asking a pregnant woman if she is sure it is OK to eat/drink something. I have never had any negative comments directed at me in this regard, but I do know of someone who says strangers gave her a hard time about drinking iced coffee. Unless you are a close friend/family member and are genuinely concerned about something that is obviously unsafe (i.e. drinking or smoking cigarettes, or doing drugs while pregnant, etc), it might be a better idea to keep any comments on this subject to yourself. Pregnant women are allowed to have a certain amount of caffeine, and foods like fish can be good for the baby in moderation because of the omega-3's, etc. Chances are, her doctor has already advised her on what to eat/drink and what to avoid while pregnant, so any other commentary may not be needed or well-received.