Comments about ‘C. Jane Kendrick: There are only 3 things you should say to a pregnant lady’

Being just four weeks away from my due date, I completely agree!

The very WORST thing to say to an expecting woman? "Haven't you had that baby YET?"

What, as if making me feel it's my fault for some reason the baby hasn't been born will suddenly make it happen? Guilting me into labor?!

Over the years I've found myself saying just one thing to moms in their last month who seem miserable: "I'm so sorry--the last month is the worst!" At least they know someone understands their many pains.

I enjoyed this article very much. Nice to still have a sense of humor when you're overdue and over ready. Much more uplifting than the usual patter on the oped pages.

Thanks!

When I was a missionary in Brazil we would say "Wow! You look like you're about to explode!" The women there always seemed pleased, but this saying doesn't seem to go over so well here in the states.

Yes, thank you! I get very big with my children by month 5 and you can only imagine how huge I am when I am in my last weeks. I have heard: "Are you sure you aren't having twins?" for all, but one of my four pregnancies. And the "Are you sure you have the due date right? Because you look like you are ready to have the baby any minute." I even had a lady at Wal-mart ask me to "Please, please don't have your baby here."

Top 5 things NEVER to say to a pregnant woman:

#5. "Find your own seat, this is a public bus!"
#4. "You don't hardly look swollen at all!"
#3. "You know, they discovered what causes that, and it can be avoided."
#2. "Can I buy you a drink?"
#1. "Do you know who the father is?"

Never ask a woman who looks pregnant: "When is the baby due?" I made the mistake of asking that to a woman who wasnt pregnant! Just don't say anythng is the best policy.

LHOL Laughing hysterically out loud! Love you C.Jane, you are one of my favorite writers ever!

Thank you for writing this column. And I hope your delivery goes well.

I carried big, and had 3 ten pounders. When I was about 4 or 5 months along, I looked like 9 months. And other people said so. I felt like I wasn't good enough, that I was a bad person for being so big. Wasn't that silly of me to think that? Young mothers felt they should tell me that they were never as big as me. I just took it. My doctor told me that I should tell them all to go to heck. But I didn't.

Sometimes you have to take into account the culture of the person and be understanding. A while ago, an elderly Samoan lady asked me at the church library if I was pregnant or just fat. I had just had a miscarriage the week before. So I told her I was just fat and left the room.

Thanks for sharing the 3 things we should say to pregnant ladies. I hope everyone reads it.

I delivered my first baby 42 years ago, and have delivered many thousands since. I laughed the whole while reading this wonderful column.Best wishes, Jane!

High on the list I call The Basic Principles of Being a Man: "Never ask a woman when her baby is due unless you can see an actual baby coming out of her at that moment!"

JSB, with all my expertise and experience, I have made that mistake, too. If I've just heard her fetus' heart, palpated fetal parts or done an ultrasound, I can be sure. Otherwise, I keep my mouth shut. There is no going back when you ask a non-pregnant woman about her pregnancy!

My now deceased wife used to say, that she looked like a blimp on stilts. I never verbally agreed . . . but . . . .

One thing to NEVER say to a lady who is NOT pregnant:

1.) Congratulations...when are you due?

I agree with Joshua Steimle. Any other culture, the women are proud to be recognized with a little sense of humor about their being pregnant. In the U.S. we call that harassment. Lighten Up eh. LOL.

tlaulu, are you male? Be honest.

I have never forgotten, and am still offended, when my brother in law made fun of my sister (his wife) at an extended family function. He said "she WADDLES" (emphasis his).

Question to the forum: Was I right to cringe but say nothing? Should I have put him in his place?

I feel I should have at least said, loudly, "Gee, that was sensitive and caring." But then...that sounds petty. But I should have SAID SOMETHING, shouldn't I have?

The one I hated the most was, "Man, I am so glad that's you and not me!" Well, so was I. I LOVED being pregnant, all 7 times. (And I NEVER ask someone about their pregnancy unless someone else has confirmed it.)

But don't tell them they HAVE to sit down! If the woman wants to stand, let her stand. When I was overdue, it would drive me crazy when people made a huge production over me for whatever reason. Rule of thumb: When a woman is 9 months pregnant (or more), let her do whatever she wants!

Wait until afterwards when you get....when are you going to have another one? Only in Utah!