A new law! What do you think?

diagonalley

So it is now the law in Pennsylvania that you may not touch a pregnant belly without permission.  As a Pennsylvanian, I so want to make this into a t-shirt lol.  If you're curious, read here.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/28/living/parents-illegal-touching-pregnant-belly/index.html?hpt=us_c2

What do you think??

tbmadeamistake

On the one hand I think it's an awesome idea!  On the other, I think it's really sad that we need a law like that.  People shouldn't be touching people that they don't know without permission.  It's as simple as that. 

babygabe614

I heard about this, too (also a fellow Pennsylvanian - Bucks County!) I think it's sort of silly that this had to be made into a law (can't people just not invade each other's personal space?) but at the same time, all of my friends who are or have been preggo have complained to me about complete strangers coming up to them to touch their bumps, so I will be thankful for it in a few months from now!

diagonalley

My friend's Godmother came up to me at my friend's bridal shower, put her hand on my belly and said "So, how far along are you?" I looked at her, horrified, and responded "Not pregnant! Just fat!"  Granted, the dress I was wearing that day does poof in that area, so I can see making the mistake, but I DON'T KNOW YOU, WHY ARE YOU TOUCHING ME!?  This was prior to me being pregnant, and at that point I had had several mimosas.  I can totally understand the need for this law...

lexyhihihi

it's ridiculous that this law has to exist.  i can't even imagine just going up and touching someone without their permission!  not ok!!!!

mamileon

I am dreading strangers wanting to touch the bump. I understand the notion, but I have touched very few bumps. The few I have touched were of blood relation, or a bestfriend. I just find it strange to walk up and put my hand on someones stomach, without asking permission. 

mrs_drc_rn

@babygabe614 I'm in Bucks County too! I think it's definitely creepy when a stranger touches your pregnant belly and forgets that thing called personal space. But I don't know if we really had to go and outlaw it.

KristaU831

didn't you know once you are pregnant you don't get personal space, and everyone can tell how much you want to hear their parenting advice and labor horror stories? 

Pepper6

I'm mentally storing snarky comments for people who try to touch my belly.  My favorite so far is putting your hand on their face and saying "Oh I'm sorry, I thought it must be 'inappropriate touching day' since you put your hands on me first...."

mrs_drc_rn

With only some bloat I've still managed to keep my personal space, but I've already realized how everyone wants to shove their pregnancy advice down my throat. Yes this is my first pregnancy, yes I have things to learn, but I'm not a moron. I can read and stuff!

babybean82

Pepper6 said:

I'm mentally storing snarky comments for people who try to touch my belly.  My favorite so far is putting your hand on their face and saying "Oh I'm sorry, I thought it must be 'inappropriate touching day' since you put your hands on me first...."

I plan to touch their boobs or butt if strangers touch my baby bump...... I am going to make whoever walks up and touches me so uncomfortable lol.

owlcup

I must not have a friendly demeanor because I've never had strangers come up to touch my bump OR offer me unwanted advice. It just always baffled me reading stories on here about bumps getting touched. I mean, really? 

Valie18

I've been under the impression that unwanted touching is illegal regardless of where the touching is. Am I wrong about that?

I'll have to wait until I experience it but I feel like no one had better touch my bump unless we just shared a big hug, or they are my siblings, parents, or grandmas (I don't think I would have the heart to refuse them anyway.)

justme04

Also from PA.  It isn't really a new law.  Its been in existence for awhile.  Its just come to the forefront because a woman in central PA had a neighbor charged with harassment over touching her bump.  Under the lines of harassment in PA though and undesired contact is suspect.  The reports of the law being new is a lie.  It just wasn't really ever enforced within the realm of pregnancy until recently.

nunzchucks

This quote blew my mind:

DiLucente said he was "surprised" by the harassment charge, because what was previously considered acceptable behavior is no longer being tolerated, at least by one expecting mother.


Since when is touching someone else "acceptable behavior"?

Mrs_D_in_KY

I agree with the law. I was never one to touch someone else's pregnant belly even before I had my own children. It will be interesting if it happens this pregnancy. Luckily with DS I was able to steer clear of any grabby hands. It skeeves me out to think of some random person touching my belly.

mrs_drc_rn

IN HIS MOUTH??? Good lord, people have no boundaries these days.

diagonalley

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

This is actually already an existing law. There has just been a case recently that brought it back up to light. But yeah, sad it has to be a law. Also a fellow PA-ian here. Amish country!

Interesting!  Grew up near Amish country  Now I'm more in Mennonite country lol.

diagonalley

LilNunz1 said:

This quote blew my mind:
DiLucente said he was "surprised" by the harassment charge, because what was previously considered acceptable behavior is no longer being tolerated, at least by one expecting mother.

Since when is touching someone else "acceptable behavior"?

It was acceptable last night, if you know what I mean  No seriously, just kidding.  I went to bed at 9, by myself, and it was awesome.

deliae

Lilygrace48 said:

On the one hand I think it's an awesome idea!  On the other, I think it's really sad that we need a law like that.  People shouldn't be touching people that they don't know without permission.  It's as simple as that. 

deliae

Amen sister!!

MonaMuse

People don't touch my bump. I'm a slapper. I slap away hands and if their hands make it to my belly before I can dodge they get a slap to the face. I really, really, REALLY don't like to be touched by strangers. 

I love the idea of grabbing other people's boobs. Hilarious!!

jwarnerb

I'm going to need to hire this lady's kid for when I start to show:

""I got mouthy and pushed hands away," she said. "Before I gave birth in July, I had my own personal bodyguard. My 4-year-old son told people to not touch my tummy. 'Only me, my daddy and the doctor can touch my mommy's tummy!' "

That's right, kiddo!

babygabe614

 

Swilkins1122 said:

@babygabe614 I'm in Bucks County too! I think it's definitely creepy when a stranger touches your pregnant belly and forgets that thing called personal space. But I don't know if we really had to go and outlaw it.

Woohoo, @Swilkins1122 I love "meeting" someone nearby (the PA threads seem really spaced out across the state and I didn't see anyone really in our area that's not IN the city!)

Anjibaby84

I'm happy that they are bringing this law back to light since it will apply to me shortly. I'm Blair county PA. Friends have already been making jokes of this law, I think it's great!

jessicalynn0828

I am 10 minutes outside of PA in NJ, I would love for this law to jump over the Delaware!!!! I am going to be on guard when i start showing!! haha

Anjibaby84

@Jessicalynno828 I grew up in Hamilton Twp NJ and have family in Columbus, Bordentown and Yardville. Ladies in NJ don't care as much they are always ready to touch without asking.

jessicalynn0828

@anjibaby84 I grew up in Delran and I live in Riverside for now. I'll walk hunched over so no one can reach it haha!

Anjibaby84

Hahaha Jessica that would be an option... it's the old italian jersey ladies you have to watch out for haha.

zg49

I too think it is ridiculous that a law has to be made - it should just be common sense! Is it ok to tough non-pregnant people? Uh no, so why do us pregnant women not get the same courtesy. 

It actually bothered me a few weeks ago when my own mother did it to me. I bitchily told her to not touch me (was a crabby day) and she said "get used to - it's going to happen for the next 8 months". Yea EFF that. I'll start smacking some people.

Unless they ask and then by all means touch away.

colllydon

My MIL rubbed my belly on Sunday when we told her. I'm skinny and 9 wks and not showing at all. It really weirded me out. I am going to tell her next time to not touch me. If she wants to hold her grandchild please wait until it is out of my body. This is my first I can't imagine what I will do when a complete stranger tries to touch me. Ill probably punch them in the face lol.

BellanieNJ

I'm wearing this to protect the bump...

turner215

I cant wait for someone to try touching my belly this time.  I was nice with DD and bit my tongue but not this time.  I'm gonna reach right back out and rub theirs.  I also found a shirt that says "no jeanie inside... rubbing just brings out the B****".   

hotsaucencake@live.com

So far only my MIL has touched rubbed my belly. Being 21 weeks, so the top of my uterus is about bellybutton height, I kind of wanted to say, "gee thanks for rubbing my intestines, I know they're cute, right?" I don't know why when you get pregnant you suddenly lose your right to personal space. Of course she also insists I show everyone how big my belly is as soon as they enter the room.

 *insert eye-rolling gif here*

Mztwilson

That can't be half as bad as my dd trying to pull up my shirt to show off the alien in my belly!

wtfisup

Semi-relevant: I was at a party this weekend and a girl I don't know very well stared at my belly, then to the whole group said (while gesturing), "I just want to poke it." 

I was a little shocked/embarrassed, then said, "I'll poke back. Wherever I choose." 

WTF.

coffee-saur

I must have a look about me that puts people off because I've never had a problem with it. Could be our area/culture too I guess. I didn't think I looked like someone who would punch people out, but who knows, he he.
I dunno what I'd do if someone did though. I'm a very not touchy person, just thinking about it weirds me out.

hlp2709

I think that is a great law. I have had people just walk up to me and touch my belly with out asking at all. I feel like they are invading my personal space. My SIL to be does this every time I see her and I want to just tell her keep your hands off my belly or at least ask me first. I would be fine with that.

In NY it is not a law but I wish it was.

momof5sept18

LoHerrim said:

What's worse than when they touch your belly? When they try to touch the newborn baby!! I had an old lady stick her finger in my sons mouth so fast I didn't have time to react! I freaked out on her. DS was a preemie and we were at the drs office. I saw red and the next thing I knew the nurse called me back though I don't think it was quite my turn yet.

That woman would have one of two things to remember that mistake by:
A broken hand or a missing finger.

I'm the crazy protective mommy lol my PPD makes me want no one to touch my babies. Along with thr fact that I don't want random germy people touching my kids in general. I used to soak my family with foam hand sanitizer before they could think of touching my kid or even getting within reach haha.

Luckily the nurse saved you from an arrest though! I had a nurse trap me in a room with DS1 when he was about 15 months and I was pregnant with DS2 because the ARNP Doctor to be lady made a rude comment about my baby and I went off. She said she understood where I was coming from and would rather keep me in a room til the other lady was in another patient room cause she didn't want me to go to jail for standing up for my child.

BMonroe812

babybean82 said:

Pepper6 said:

I'm mentally storing snarky comments for people who try to touch my belly.  My favorite so far is putting your hand on their face and saying "Oh I'm sorry, I thought it must be 'inappropriate touching day' since you put your hands on me first...."

I plan to touch their boobs or butt if strangers touch my baby bump...... I am going to make whoever walks up and touches me so uncomfortable lol.
I cannot stop laughing. Using this!!!!

Jenn111211

I haven't had any strangers try to touch my bump, but my students can't resist!  I don't make a big deal out of it because I know they are just really excited for me, but it's a little strange!