17 Things You Should Never Say To A Pregnant Woman

Hours

As a pregnant woman, we come across people who can’t help but say things that aren’t helpful. Being pregnant can be stressful and scary, there’s so much going on and so much to think about. Now is the wrong time for comments that are going to have a negative impact.

However, even though you’re a crazy hormonal pregnant lady, people still insist on asking you or commenting on the most flipping annoying things EVER!

These people really need to think before they open their mouths – are your comments actually helpful to the mum – if not, keep quiet and move on. 

Here are the top things you should never say to a pregnant woman.

1. Will you still work after the baby comes?

I may still go to work, I may stay at home … what does this matter really? Either way, I’ll be loving and providing for my baby. I can still be a good mum and have a full-time job if I choose to! 

Whenever I’d reply yes, I’ll be returning to work I’d be greeted with ‘oh well you’ll change your mind when it comes to it’. It was like I was making the wrong decision about how to care for my child – thanks, way to make me feel better I haven’t even had the kid yet!

2. Are you planning on breastfeeding?

I may breastfeed, I may not breastfeed. What has what I do with my boobs got to do with you? Get Lost! All I know is I will feed my baby somehow – always a good option, that one by whatever option!

3. Look how huge you’re getting!

So you’re saying I’m looking fat?! Really? Well, I am growing a human in there so I’m glad something is happening, but there’s still no need to mention the fact that I’m so huge and remind me!

Expectant mothers – don’t take this as an insult, take it as a point of pride! After all, getting larger as a pregnant mother is more than natural, and of course, that’s what happens when you’re hoping to welcome another beautiful addition to the family. It’s only temporary, and we’re sure you’ll look wonderful in your casual wear, your maternity pyjamas, and when you glam-up all the same.

4. Was it planned?

I never really see the purpose of this question. Whether my baby was conceived by us planning for a family or by accident is none of your business. Anyway, does it truly matter? 

Either way, the baby will be loved and very much wanted. What if I say no, it was an accident – I cannot see how my sex life is any of your goddamn business right now or ever?

5. Are you planning on having more?

Come on! I haven’t even got this one out yet. Give me a break, yeah! Nuff said you crazy fool!

6. You look tired.

Well, I’ve been up 50,000 times in the night to go pee. I can’t get comfy when I’m in bed because I’m getting huge, as you so nicely reminded me.

Then there is that small thing about me growing another human being inside me – I’d say that’s a fair assessment of why I look tired, wouldn’t you? Oh yeah, and I have this gig on the side called a full-time job too..

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but some comments can be unintentionally hurtful or annoying. Discover the 17 things you should never say to a pregnant woman and why it’s important to choose your words carefully. Perfect for friends, family, and anyone interacting with expecting moms. Click to learn and share for a more supportive environment! 🌸💬

7. Sleep now, because you won’t be able to when the baby comes!

No shit, Sherlock. This has to be the one that annoyed me on a whole new level. Yes, I know well that a baby will be up every 2-3 hours to feed, etc. 

I’m not under any kind of illusion that I’ll be sleeping 8 hours a night in one lovely chunk. I mean, come on, yeah, stating the bleeding obvious.

8. Enjoy your life whilst you still can!

Is this supposed to mean my life is over? That after the baby comes, I won’t enjoy my life anymore? Oh, my god, what have I done?! 

What a terrible statement to make to someone who’s expecting – their life isn’t over, they are beginning a new chapter and yes, it still will be very much enjoyable – if not more so.

9. You shouldn’t be eating/drinking that!

Yes, I should be. Don’t worry, I have read the list of things I should avoid. I’m not daft!

This is so annoying – making out like I’m naïve and risking the health of my baby in some way – eurgh. Also, I feel I should mention decaffeinated tea-bags are god awful!

10. You’re still pregnant!?

Being overdue is massively uncomfortable and I can assure you we wish were no longer pregnant and that the baby would just hurry on out already! 

We are well aware we are ‘still’ pregnant, thank you. I have tried everything to get this baby out, but to no avail. We are pissed off and fed up to the max. Your statement isn’t helpful. 

11. Birthing horror stories

Anything to do with any labour related horror stories. The amount of people who would launch into telling me what a horrific time it all was. REALLY not helpful when it is imminent. From Twinderelmo 

12. How did you conceive them?

We have twins, and every random stranger asked if they were naturally conceived or IVF. Such a personal question to ask! From Living With Peas

13. What’s the baby’s name?

Repeatedly asking what you are going to name the baby when you’ve said you’re not ready to share. I don’t mind people asking whether I’ve got names in mind etc but it’s so awkward when I don’t want to share the name yet and they continue prying. From Growing Mum

14. But you’re so small!

‘You’re so small, I can’t even tell you’re pregnant’. I’m 25 weeks pregnant and get this A LOT. It makes you feel you’re getting the pregnancy wrong somehow and leaves you feeling very uncomfortable about what to say in response. I hate it! My go to is ‘sadly I definitely feel pregnant’. Just don’t comment on a pregnant woman’s size! From Mum Full Of Dreams 

15. Are you going to use pain relief?

“Ohhh, do you think you’ll use the drugs? I didn’t, I had a natural birth – if I can do it anyone can!” Or anything at all judgemental about a woman’s choices on whether to use pain relief such as an epidural. I had one, but hated how in the back of my mind I thought I was doing something wrong when OF COURSE I wasn’t! From Gluing Cheese 

16. Can I touch your baby bump?

 ‘Can I have a feel?’ Please don’t ask this one! If you’re going to be invited to touch ‘the bump’ you will be. Otherwise it’s hands off. Asking just makes it all very awkward. Unless you’re the midwife, of course 😉 From 3 Little Buttons

17. Oh, so you’ll want a boy/girl then?

Making any assumption about whether you have any gender preferences. It really annoyed me to have everyone assume I wanted a boy with my third pregnancy, as I already had two girls. From Little Hearts Big Love

I’m betting you’ve all had plenty of these comments and more! If you could add one thing to this list of things you should never say to a pregnant woman, what would it be? Comment Below! You can read more pregnancy and birth tips and advice here.

What NOT to say to someone who is pregnant - unless of course you don't value your life. Just dont day these thing to a pregnant mom.

Similar Posts

46 Comments

  1. Ahh I hate when strangers ask if it was planned and was so tempted a few times to say “No it was a one night stand”. “Is it your first?” “No my 10th”. I swear when you become pregnant people automatically feel they can touch your belly and ask stupid questions. The same once you have the baby and people want to touch your baby’s feet. Weirdos!! #kcacols

  2. The tricky thing is…you then fear saying anything for fear of causing offence! My personal strategy is just to answer every question as it comes and laugh to myself/roll my eyes afterwards. #PuddingLove

  5. For me the breatsfeeding one is so annoying. It is a personal choice. I also hated when people thought that is twas ok to touch my bump without asking or questionning about names and disagreeing with my ideas #PuddingLove

  6. My preggers friend was asked if she’s found out the gender of the baby and when she was expecting a girl this women went on a 10 minute rant about how she thought it was wrong to find out. It’s like, why ask?! #puddinglove

  10. I swear so many of these are questions people just blurt out when they don’t know what else to say and without thinking. So many people kept asking me if I was planning more when A was just born. ‘Err no not right now’ Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo

  12. One thing I HATED about being pregnant was the feeling that I lost my privacy. Complete strangers would come up to me asking these EXACT questions, and I would just be like “uh…?”
    I hated when everyone felt like, because I had a huge belly, it was there for anyone and everyone to touch whenever they wanted. I’m not sure why everyone felt like they had access to the information about my baby and my body-but it was definitely weird. Thanks for sharing! <3 #KCACOLS

    1. Yeah having random strangers feel your bump is the worst. Every time I went to the shop on lunch break I’d get asked ohh how far along are you, do you know what your having etc etc… Look lady I just want to buy my meal deal for £3 and go have a quick nap in my car before I have to start work again lol!

    1. Hahahahaha yeah same here had a summer baby! I think I got so annoyed because every person asked me exactly the same set of questions lol.

  16. Yes! I completely get this! Clearly…you know all these things and the one that really annoys me is the “enjoy life whilst you can” is so riduculous…er I have a reason to constantly go to the beach, theme parks and disneyland now…thanks so much for linking up to #KCACOLS hope to see you back next time!

  18. Urgh that was my main bug bear about being pregnant was the constant stream of idiocy I had to put up with from complete strangers. For some reason people assume you become public property when pregnant and say some horrible things. Great post 🙂 #bestandworst

  19. I will confess that I ask about breastfeeding. If the answer is no, I say, “My twins were formula fed and are doing just great!” If the answer is yes, I offer my experience breastfeeding twins, and formula-supplementing. The question that made me crazy was (still is) “Are they natural?” Asking people about their fertility is so rude! Here from #bestandworst.

  22. Oh my god yes!! I’m 7 months now and I’ve had all of these comments, it’s so annoying! Especially the one about sleeping while we can – I can’t sleep at night for all the reasons you’ve mentioned, and I have a full time job, when am I supposed to get all this sleep?! I wrote a post recently about people saying how massive I am and how I’d prefer people just lie to me and tell me I look amazing even if they think I look awful, it’s so inappropriate! Great list, you couldn’t have got it more spot on! #FartGlitter x

  23. I was nodding along to every point in this list! Especially “was it planned” I got this a lot – having been married for 2 years and asked every day when we were going to have a baby, a LOT of people were surprised when we actually did and thought we were too young so it must have been unplanned (we were 25, and as I said, married for 2 years!!) Everyone loves to have an opinion #fartglitter

  27. Yes yes yes to so many of these! “Was it planned?” has always struck me as being such a personal question to ask and yet random strangers seem to feel entitled to enquire about your contraceptive measures or lack of them? The last one is so painfully irritating too! Along with “No baby yet then?” As though you might have just accidentally sneezed it out and forgotten to tell anyone. Grrr!

    Great post. Thanks for linking with #fartglitter x

  29. Haha was I planned was something we were asked countless times, more so given the small age gaps and whilst they actually weren’t planned that way I think its damn right rude to ask someone that question!! #justanotherlinky

  30. Yup! I was so huge with my second that everyone asked ‘are you sure there’s just one in there?!’ Errrr?! After a few of them I used to play dumb and say “shit, you think it could be twins?! I’d better sign up with a doctor and check!” #justanotherlinky

  31. I was so big with my second that everyone asked ‘are you sure there’s only one in there?!’ After a while I used to just play dumb and say “Shit, you think it could be twins?! I’d better sign up with a doctor and have it checked!” #justanotherlinky

  33. Try adopting a baby. The questions get even more personal. How long were you trying for a baby? Who was his birth mother? What was his original name? Why did his birth mother give him up? How could anyone give their baby away? (This was before the adoption order and still terrified that birth mum would change her mind.) Where does he come from from? His ears stick out like Prince Charles’. (Implying what?) Only the nice girls get caught so you’ll have a baby from a nice girl. And the prize one left me in tears when he was six weeks old – He would have been better being aborted than adopted, look at the stress he is going to go through.

    I have also had a birth child and got most of the pregnancy comments too.

  35. These made me laugh!!! I never forget being told I’m August that I must be due any day now so why was I doing the food shopping??

    I wasn’t due until end of October. Literally could’ve killed the checkout girl!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.