When I was pregnant with Emma, I wrote a post on “What Not to Say to a Pregnant Woman.” Most of the comments I listed were things that guys had said to me in the gym. Phrases like:
- “So…are you not running as much anymore?” – Clueless guy referring to my tiny bump protruding at around 18 weeks.
- “So, I see you in the gym a lot training clients, but do you not have time for your own workouts?” – Obviously this guy thinks I look like I’m gaining weight, but tries to be nice about it.
- “Is that pudge?” – This time I was over 20 weeks pregnant, and a guy seemed to notice my bump for the first time.
- “Do you not do ab exercises much?” – Yeah, I really got that question at about 19 weeks.
This pregnancy, I can honestly say that I have not heard a single idiotic comment about my baby bump in the gym. I think the guys I workout with learned the hard way that they need to keep their mouths shut when I’m pregnant (especially since I can out-lift and out run most of them even when I’m with child 🙂
However, I am about to lose my patience with some comments I am receiving lately from women. Here are a few examples of comments I receive often. Perhaps I’m just overly sensitive and my lack of sleep and increase of hormones is the problem?!? Let me know what you think.
- “You are so tiny … are you sure your baby is big enough?” — Ummmmm, unless you are my doctor, which I’m certain you are not, why are you asking me a question like that. My doctor is 100% positive that I am measuring perfectly, and I have ultrasounds to prove it.
- “Is it safe to run while pregnant? Doesn’t your baby bounce around?” — Ugh, I have heard this one millions of times throughout this pregnancy and it’s getting old. Yes, it’s safe. Please read my blog.
- “Get some rest now because once that baby comes, you’re going to need it.” — Really? I hear this at least once a day. The truth is, I am not able to sleep in my third trimester because I am a stomach sleeper and Baby Boy goes CRAZY with kicks at night. After I had Emma, I was finally able to get a good nights sleep again. We were up a couple of times for feedings, but they were fast and then we were both back to bed. I cannot wait to deliver Baby Boy so I can get some rest 🙂
- “Are you sure you should be doing ab exercises while pregnant?” — YES, I cannot stress how important core exercises are during pregnancy. They help with labor and delivery and you will bounce back faster. Why would I neglect an entire muscle group?
- “If you want to induce labor naturally, you should take a walk around the block.” — Really? A walk around the block? I have run two 10Ks and worked out for a few hours a day for the past couple weeks. A short walk around the block will do absolutely nothing for me … I promise.
- “The baby will come when he decides he’s ready. Just be patient and enjoy the last few weeks because you will miss being pregnant once he’s here.” — False. On all accounts.
I went to the hospital again last night with strong contractions every couple minutes. The nurses thought for sure I was in true labor, but after few hours there, I was still stuck at 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I have an appt this afternoon to see if there has been any progress, but I am not optimistic. SOOOO ready to meet this baby boy!
Fit Pregnancy and Parenting 
One of the sweetest (but obviously clueless) men in my church greeted me at around 20 weeks with a “hey fatty!” I was appalled! Now, every time I see him, he dramatically sticks out his own rather rotund stomach and makes some comment about how I’m getting bigger. At 28 weeks, his bump is still bigger than mine, so I just make sure to continually rub THAT fact in his face 😉
Hope you meet your sweet boy soon (or at least stop having contractions regularly!)!
Oh my goodness, Kristie! That’s terrible! HA. Some men are totally clueless for sure 🙂
I got the small comment a lot when pregnant with Xander and I would try to tell them I have a long torso so the belly doesn’t poke out as much… but people should really just not make weird comments when people are pregnant!
I totally agree Katie!
YES! Yes yes yes! I can’t tell you how glad I am to have found your blog. My biggest struggle since becoming pregnant hasn’t been any pregnancy symptom, but rather comments from others! It is so strange how people feel obliged to give you their two cents on what you “should” or “shouldn’t” be doing. I had NO idea there were so many experts on ME in this world until now! Haha. In all honesty, it’s just nice to read you blog as reassurance that the choices I make for my health and fitness are perfectly reasonable and beneficial to me and my baby.
Thanks so much!!
Emily, I’m SO glad you found my blog too! Keep it up girl! Yes … it’s amazing how any woman who has had a baby immediately becomes an expert on what YOU should be doing. LOL. So frustrating!
You look great. Like “I-can’t-believe-she’s-almost-ready-to-pop-I’m-jealous” sort of looking great! People are SO stupid when talking to pregnant gals; seriously! Gotta work that core! I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy (even for eating healthy and regular exercise) but I tell you what- I never missed a day of core work and all my nurses were amazed at how well I could move around hours after my c-section! (btw, baby boy is 6 months old and I only have 5lbs of the 55 (eek) that I put on- proof that bouncing back can happen!)
Aw, thanks Jen! I wish I felt as good as people tell me I look, LOL. Wow, great job losing the baby weight!!! Keep it up!
Aang in there mama! the whole kind-of-in-labor thing does not sound fun. During my pregnancy I heavily used the hashtag #overitpregnantedition for all the idiotic things I heard along the way. My favorite by far was always “you sure there’s only one baby in there??” uggh! And i feel you on third trimester sleep, I’d rather have the newborn with interrupted sleep than the total lack of sleep due to discomfort. crossing all my fingers and toes he arrives soon!
Ha, I love that hashtag! I also have heard the “sure you aren’t having twins” one … ironic since the next person will ask if the baby is big enough. LOL.
My favorite is the ever-famous, “Did you have that baby yet?” http://www.haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com/
Now that I’m pregnant for the third time, I get really annoyed at the people who try to give me advice like I’m a first-time mom. Hello!! I’ve been through this before. I know what to expect.
I hear ya! Yeah, I am more annoyed this second time around as well 🙂 But the minute someone has a baby they become an expert on everyone else. So annoying! Best wishes Kelly!
My two “favorite” comments from this pregnancy were, “You haven’t had that baby yet?” Or some variation of that. And once I picked up my 3 year old daughter, someone said very seriously, “You shouldn’t be picking her up, she is way too heavy to pick up while pregnant!” I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing because I was lifting that much during a cardio class called Cage Fitness and walking with her in a backpack on a regular basis.
Also, couldn’t agree more about the sleep thing the last few weeks of pregnancy, so uncomfortable! Hope you have your baby soon and get some relief!
The tiny comment and the I hope you’re not starving your baby btw I would love advice on core workouts please I’m 30 weeks
hi Amanda. this s lavanya physio from India have messaged u earlier regarding my dvd shipment to India. how long will it take.?? i would appreciate if i get the dvd as soon as possible..within this month.thank u.
Hi Lavanya. I apologize for the delay. I just emailed you with some information. Thank you!
Patty, You are on the most empowering path by doenivsricg these sabotaging thoughts of your worth. Though your father may have made this suggestion to you, now you get to choose the truth: You are worth everything your competitors’ are worth and then some. Your work is to look into all the areas in your life where you think you are not worth’ much, and create new, empowering affirmations to create a constant new belief: I’m worth it.Here’s a suggestion for a new affirmation: Instead of I’m not worth as much as them, try instead, I’ve worked hard to become this incredible. People seek me out because of my value. I now commit to myself that I will start charging what the world is gladly willing to pay me for my value. I’m sure there are words that work even better for you personally, but start with that.Believe in you, the world will follow.