Never ever OK to call a woman "fat!"
This week marks my 35th week of pregnancy, leaving five more weeks for our little bundle of joy to incubate until she's ready for her grandiso arrival! As I near the end of this incredible journey, I'm beginning to reflect on the early, mid and final days of my experience in pregnancy.
If I could point out one negative, and to be honest, I am curious how others mothers and moms-to-be feel about this ... lately I've had alot of people (again ... friends, family and strangers) call me fat, round, chubby, blown-up and the worst upon worst comment was from a woman at my workplace who called me "fatso," and while at 35 weeks it may be Ok (although not really, because hello people it's not FAT - it's a baby!), she uttered this atrocity at about 21 weeks!
If you want my opinion - it's NOT Ok to call a woman "fat" at any point in her life - pregnant or not, EVER! And if I could repeat this a million times - women who are pregnant can't even logically be called "fat" because the majority of weight gain is in the uterus and water weight - neither of which I recall being fatty tissue! So call me super sensitive, but when you're an average weight for the majority of your life, and all of sudden people of all sorts are calling you "fat" it takes a toll on your self-esteem. It's not as if pregant women don't have to endure enough already!
So how can you approach a pregnant woman and make a comment that is respectable and appropriate - in my mind it should center around the belly itself ... "Boy, you're baby bump has really sprouted!" or "Goodness, that belly of yours has really grown!" Be kind to all those prego chicks out there, and if at all possible avoid - "Man! You are sooo fat!" and "Good grief, you sure have gained a ton of weight since the last I saw you."
7 comments
Anything but a pleasant comment about the anticipation of the baby is (to me) rude. Best advice I can give you is to accept the gracious comments and ignore the rest.
ReplyDeleteSomeone visiting me shortly after my first was born said, 'gee, I thought you had the baby'. It was probably supposed to be cute or funny but it wasn't. The belly doesn't bounce back in 24 hours, but does eventually return to an acceptable level of 'flat'.
Second preg - I gained A LOT of weight (went into hosp at almost 190#s) and could barely wear any of my maternity clothes. I wore flip flops for the last 5 weeks or so simply because I couldn't tie my shoes. I had plenty of stares, as you can imagine, but I didn't let it get to me. That was one large baby - over 14 pounds - no wonder!
In any case, the most important thing right now is YOU and taking care of you and that baby. You'll probably get additional comments about your child-raising style - once again, take what you like and leave the rest!
You look great - definitely don't look fat at all!
ReplyDeleteI like your baby bump! I think it is cute!
ReplyDeleteYou look really wonderful, don't let anyone tell you any different!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower from New Friend Friday, I look forward to reading more of your blog. Have a wonderful weekend!
Eloise
Mommy2TwoGirls
http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/
You look darling...and I love the color of that bathroom too!
ReplyDeleteFollowing from New Friend Friday! Looking forward to visiting again soon!
You look wonderful!! =]
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower, looking forward to reading more of your blog! Have a wonderful weekend!
http://mommyofoneandcounting.blogspot.com/
Hi..stopped by from New Friend Friday at the Trendy Treehouse. Congrats on your pregnancy! I am sure you are anxiously awaiting your new little girl. Kids are amazing. You world is surely going to change, it is not your own anymore. But it is all worth it. And you look fabulous (not fat) for a pregnant farm girl :)
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