Snappy retorts for rude pregnancy comments
My husband once approached a former classmate in a store and asked, “When is your baby due?” She responded with a cool, “I had her two months ago.”
What is it about a pregnancy that brings out the rudeness in others? The July 2008 issue of Parents magazine offers some helpful advice for moms-to-be who just want to scream, “Leave me alone, and mind your own business!”
Here are some rude pregnancy comments and recommended retorts from Parents magazine:
Haven’t you had that baby yet?
Once the due date has passed and there’s still no baby, people just can’t resist asking this inane question. Answer with humor: “I guess he’s happy where he is,” or “I love being pregnant so much I decided to put off delivering for another month.”
May I touch your belly?
Even if someone feels compelled to rub your Buddha-like belly for luck, you don’t have to permit it. Stop it with a friendly “You may look, but please don’t touch,” or “You can touch my tummy if I can touch yours first!”
Did you have fertility treatments?
Perhaps someone asks this because you’re not in your 20s anymore. Or because they know you’re having twins. Whatever the motivation behind their curiosity, this is one of those instances in which it’s perfectly fine to say, “That’s a really personal question.”
My labor was awful…!
All too often, this unsolicited comment is followed by frightening details that serve only to terrify you. Some women try to share their story in solidarity, but you can feel free to bring it to a quick end by interrupting with “Please stop. I’m anxious enough about the big event.”
Are you sure you’re not having twins?
This comment refers to your size and is downright insensitive. Don’t let anyone get away with it. Respond with a silent, stunned look. You’ll send the message that you’ve been offended.
Share the rudest comment you ever heard when you were pregnant.
Read Things you should never say to a pregnant woman for more rude comments.
What is it about a pregnancy that brings out the rudeness in others? The July 2008 issue of Parents magazine offers some helpful advice for moms-to-be who just want to scream, “Leave me alone, and mind your own business!”
Here are some rude pregnancy comments and recommended retorts from Parents magazine:
Haven’t you had that baby yet?
Once the due date has passed and there’s still no baby, people just can’t resist asking this inane question. Answer with humor: “I guess he’s happy where he is,” or “I love being pregnant so much I decided to put off delivering for another month.”
May I touch your belly?
Even if someone feels compelled to rub your Buddha-like belly for luck, you don’t have to permit it. Stop it with a friendly “You may look, but please don’t touch,” or “You can touch my tummy if I can touch yours first!”
Did you have fertility treatments?
Perhaps someone asks this because you’re not in your 20s anymore. Or because they know you’re having twins. Whatever the motivation behind their curiosity, this is one of those instances in which it’s perfectly fine to say, “That’s a really personal question.”
My labor was awful…!
All too often, this unsolicited comment is followed by frightening details that serve only to terrify you. Some women try to share their story in solidarity, but you can feel free to bring it to a quick end by interrupting with “Please stop. I’m anxious enough about the big event.”
Are you sure you’re not having twins?
This comment refers to your size and is downright insensitive. Don’t let anyone get away with it. Respond with a silent, stunned look. You’ll send the message that you’ve been offended.
Share the rudest comment you ever heard when you were pregnant.
Read Things you should never say to a pregnant woman for more rude comments. 
I was once told that I “took the easy way out” when I told someone that I had to have an emergency c-section after 22 hours of labor!!!
Comment by Jami K. — September 15, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Ouch, Jami. That’s just wrong! I had toxemia with my first pregnancy and retained so much water that I swelled up like a balloon. My brother-in-law took one look at my stocking feet and asked me why I was wearing my socks on top of my boots! When I removed my socks to show him the swelling, he grimaced and said, “I don’t think I want my wife to get pregnant!”
Comment by Mary — September 16, 2008 @ 5:43 am
What’s the best way to reply when a friend says, “I personally never had a burning desire to have children?”
Comment by Jocelyn — October 1, 2008 @ 11:48 am
“Then we’re all fortunate that you didn’t!”
Comment by Mary — November 10, 2008 @ 11:27 am
When I first was letting people know I was pregnant, someone (an older man) asked if I was keeping it. He was obviously joking….I was around 5 months at the time. It was my first child, I’m married and 33…I was stunned.
Comment by stephanie — November 15, 2008 @ 11:05 am
My father in-law made a joke that the baby better be a boy or not to bother telling him. I was so hurt! How do you even respond to comments like this?
Comment by Kat — April 15, 2009 @ 1:13 pm