Put Your Hand On The Baby

For some reason, everyone feels the need to touch the expectant mother`s belly and feel the baby inside, but not everybody feels comfortable enough to ask the mother for permission to do so.  If the mother decides to show off her belly, however, and asks if people want to feel it, everyone will do so, whether or not they even know who the woman is.  That is, this will occur just as much in public places as in the privacy of the mother`s home.  If a pregnant woman shows off her belly, someone will begin to rub it.

If this practice drives you crazy, rest assured that you are not alone.  Turn to your husband next time and you will see his reaction.  He may tolerate it, but deep down he is likely feeling like he wants to punch somebody.  Talk to him to find out what he feels about this.  Consider that although you may be OK with this, he may feel entirely different about another man putting his hands on your belly.  He may be fine if a woman is doing it, but will probably feel much different when it is a man.  Put yourself in his shoes and picture another woman with her hands right on your husband`s chest.  Maybe this will help you talk to him and both of you can reach some type of agreement.  Besides, who said that you must give everyone permission to feel your belly?

Remember that your stomach, whether exposed or not, is part of your own personal space.  This is why people need to ask for permission before touching your stomach, and respect the answer you give them.  Say “no” if you do not want them to touch.  There are some women who do not mind all this attention, but others do not like being touched.  Many women feel self-conscious about the weight they have gained during the pregnancy and do not necessarily feel comfortable with the entire world seeing it, let alone actually feeling it.

Children are also often compelled to touch your stomach.  This is usually because someone they know has had a baby and allowed them to do so.  Now they may think that it is always OK to do.  If you feel uncomfortable about it and would prefer if they do not touch you, you must let the child now.  If you decide to allow them, be mindful that children often slap the belly as they reach for it out of excitement, so its probably a good idea for you to physically place their hand on top of your belly.

Having someone else poking at your belly is even worse.  Its very painful although most people are not aware of that.  Try, in a very nice way, to explain to them just how painful it is.  Most likely they were doing it in order to induce the baby to move and did not realize that it was hurting you.  But by letting them know, they are more likely to stop and think before doing the same thing again.

Now, if you have tried being polite and saying “no”, but people still don`t get it, then by all means give your husband the green light to act, or you can even start swatting hands away when they continue to reach for your stomach.  You have given a fair warning and that is enough.  You need not feel any remorse about smacking someone if they chose to ignore your warning.  Besides, these same people would never dare to lift your shirt up and touch your stomach if you were not pregnant, so what leads them to believe that it is alright simply because you happen to be expecting a baby?

References:
www.momswhothink.com
www.babycenter.com/pregnancy
www.wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ