My new favorite comment to the public

[LittleLlama]

I went to costco today with high hopes of setting off contractions. No such luck, but plenty of people asked with bugged eyes and dropped jaws when I'm due. Just as cool and calm as could possibly be I say "Now." Most people would say "Oh, so any day?" " No, I mean now, I'm having contractions. I think I'll go home and cook dinner and maybe have a bath and see how I feel then." Just pass it off as a sort of "What, don't all laboring women do major shopping just before it's time to push?" :

Not a once did I get any of the usual comments about my size or twins after that. They just went

[akwifeandmomma]

[Elena'sMami]

My DH has been really shocked and annoyed by people in his office building. They used to stop him in the hallway, to ask if we had a baby yet. Now they come into his office - every day - to quiz him. Mind you, these aren't necessarily people with whom he works closely, who might be excused for prying. These are just prying-types. So a few days ago, he made up a sign and put it on his wall. When people come into his office, he doesn't look up, just points with his finger to the sign, which says, "My wife still has not had our new baby. We believe that every baby is different, and that the baby will arrive at the right time. Thank you for your concern."

Nice, huh? But that doesn't stop them. Lately he's been getting questioned about my stage of dilation! The first time, he was so shocked he just said, "NO!". The next time, a bit prepared, he answered "That's a really personal question!" Now he's thinking about adding a line to the bottom of his sign: "My wife's private parts are just that. Please don't ask me about them!"

When the questions don't come directly to me, they are a lot funnier

Rebekah

[dani76]

I remember when I was in labor, I was so hungry I made DH stop at a deli/market. I went in and got some water and a turkey sandwich. The lady asked how I was and I said in labor. She of course asked why I wasn't at the hospital, and I said...because I'm hungry.

[GooeyRN]

Originally Posted by dani76

I remember when I was in labor, I was so hungry I made DH stop at a deli/market. I went in and got some water and a turkey sandwich. The lady asked how I was and I said in labor. She of course asked why I wasn't at the hospital, and I said...because I'm hungry.

[joannalovesyou]

people really seem to believe in the TV/movie mythology of: "oh my god, i just had my first contraction! better rush to the hospital!"

i've told a few people that i plan to start baking a cake when i go into prelabor to keep myself occupied and distract myself, and they're always like: "no! you won't have time to do that! you need to go right to the hospital! it's a half hour drive." when i tell that i will likely have 6-8 hours between my first contraction and when i need to go to the hospital, if not more, they're in complete disbelief even though i am a labor doula.

it's really strange. childbirth is the most common experience on earth and yet the majority of people on the planet seem to have no idea how it works!

[scheelimama]

A few days ago when we had Piper, it was my due date and everybody of course was asking when I was due, as dh and I were out and about a lot that day. One of us would say, "Today." One lady asked us why we weren't at the hospital then? "Ugh, because I'm not in labor." That evening, we went out and when I went to pick up the girls (from a daycare center) I was very much in labor (started up while they were there). As I was signing them out, the lady asked at the desk asked me when the baby was going to be coming. I said "tonight, hopefully." They said "are you in labor?" I was like "yep." They told me to quit signing the girls out and get out of there! It wasn't like I was going to pop the baby out in front of them. But it was fun freaking them out!

[Undercover Hippie]

My mom says that the day before she had me, she went to the store and everyone was just staring at her and keeping their distance, like she might pop right then and there. So her theory is that you're not "ready" until people are staring LOL.

Seriously, why are people so scared of hugely pregnant women? We might be tired, hormonal, and cranky but it's not like we're going to suddenly go into labor and ask them to catch our baby...

[AimeeandBrian]

I was at Costco yesterday too. A woman said "Do you want to have the baby here or something!?" Like because I'm huge I shouldn't leave the house. People really know how to make others feel good.

[chrysalis]

Originally Posted by Elena'sMami

My DH has been really shocked and annoyed by people in his office building. They used to stop him in the hallway, to ask if we had a baby yet. Now they come into his office - every day - to quiz him. Mind you, these aren't necessarily people with whom he works closely, who might be excused for prying. These are just prying-types. So a few days ago, he made up a sign and put it on his wall. When people come into his office, he doesn't look up, just points with his finger to the sign, which says, "My wife still has not had our new baby. We believe that every baby is different, and that the baby will arrive at the right time. Thank you for your concern."

Nice, huh? But that doesn't stop them. Lately he's been getting questioned about my stage of dilation! The first time, he was so shocked he just said, "NO!". The next time, a bit prepared, he answered "That's a really personal question!" Now he's thinking about adding a line to the bottom of his sign: "My wife's private parts are just that. Please don't ask me about them!"

When the questions don't come directly to me, they are a lot funnier

Rebekah

that is awesome of your DH! wow!!! good boundaries!!!

[pixiedust]

I love it LOL... I get wide eyed enough expressions when I tell people I was due several days ago.. that would really get them going

[lisarussell]

my DD#3 was due on the last day of November and born Dec 2nd- I had so much fun those last two days whenever anyone would ask when I was due, I'd say "Last month."

Yeah- people are stupid. We already knew that, though- didn't we.