All I have ever wanted to do was be a mother. The idea of being pregnant has always fascinated me and it’s something I longed for, ever since I can remember. Of course we all visualize in our minds what the perfect pregnancy will be like and how we will have the perfect baby bump and that pregnancy ‘glow’.
However, there’s one thing about a majority of the mothers I’ve encountered that I just don’t understand: They found the idea of having their baby bump touched or talked to absolutely absurd.
I get it. Personal space, strangers touching you, germs – I’ve heard plenty of different reasons as to why women don’t want their baby bump touched. It’s COMPLETELY understandable, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t understand why you would be so disgusted and perplexed as to why people would want to do such a thing. Hi! You’re growing another person inside of you. What an inspiration! What a beautiful thing you are doing! People, for whatever reason, want to be a part of something amazing like that! With the exception of a very few cases – they aren’t doing it to cop a feel from the pregnant chick.
I was reading in Women’s Day magazine that in Liberia, mothers-to-be believe that evil spirits can steal the baby from the womb, so they avoid being touched on the bump at any cost. I think that’s a tad extreme, but for you superstitious types: Hmmm…ok. Right here in the US in the state of Pennsylvania it is illegal to touch a pregnant woman’s belly. Again – I think this is just a tad unnecessary. I think you can find a tactful way to tell someone to buzz off rather than getting them arrested.
I guess I just can’t imagine getting so worked up and upset over the subject that I’d actually push the person’s hand away or tell them to lay off. If it is a complete and total stranger, I can understand if you want to immediately remove yourself from the situation – politely – because it’s not like they’re groping you. Family and friends? They just want to love on that little baby you’re growing! No harm done. Just let them rub your baby bump and move on!!
I know I’m probably in the minority on this subject, and I’m ok with that. I just want to know that I’m not completely alone on the matter.
How do you feel about this? Did you mind or even like having your baby bump touched/rubbed/patted, etc. while you were pregnant?? Let us know!
