Belly Touching

Gingermom15 · July 2015

Does this drive anyone else insane? I am hardly showing and people are starting to touch my belly. It was bad enough with family, especially BF's grandmother and aunt now it's strangers, too. I understand they're excited and happy, but I have personal space. Is it socially acceptable to start smacking hands? Lol

littleSkittle14 · July 2015

I think it's socially acceptable to remove a hand from your belly!

I only had one person do this to me repeatedly last pregnancy and she was a coworker/friend so I let it slide.

kdoak2015 · July 2015

My mil touched my belly in public the other day, I don't look pregnant just fat so I was a bit embarrassed. She also likes to announce to waitresses(anyone we come into contact with) that I'm pregnant.

Gingermom15 · July 2015

I just try to remind myself that they are thinking about the baby. But I just don't like it except when my BF touches my belly, but that is entirely different.

lstheo · July 2015

I actually don't mind the belly touching. From family is a little different and at first it was awkward. Now that I'm showing I really don't mind my family touching (especially since my husband and I live far away - across the country). As for friends or coworkers I don't mind so long as they ask first. Then it really doesn't bother me. I've always loved hugs and maybe that's why I don't see it as an issue. But I will not tolerate strangers or even acquaintances touching unless they ask first. I will remove hands and politely tell them that it makes me uncomfortable.

Gingermom15 · July 2015

Lflo17 said:
I actually don't mind the belly touching. From family is a little different and at first it was awkward. Now that I'm showing I really don't mind my family touching (especially since my husband and I live far away - across the country). As for friends or coworkers I don't mind so long as they ask first. Then it really doesn't bother me. I've always loved hugs and maybe that's why I don't see it as an issue. But I will not tolerate strangers or even acquaintances touching unless they ask first. I will remove hands and politely tell them that it makes me uncomfortable.

I can't stand strangers doing it. Family is a little more understandable, but still frustrating. We told everyone at 6 weeks as soon as it was confirmed and that's when it started. If I were showing or if his kicks could be felt from outside it may be a bit different. I just wish people would ask because I do enjoy my personal space.

ealiska · July 2015

I'm the first of both my high school and college friends to be pregnant and they're all so funny -they just stare at it and smile until I tell them they can touch in and then they're all over it.
My friend's mom touched it though without asking and it wigged me out a little so I can't imagine how I'll feel when a stranger it!

missphil · July 2015

I don't mind it. People are excited for us! I take it as a compliment.

BrookeBrown2015 · July 2015

I got a shirt at Ross that said hands off the belly! Lol I haven't had too many people doing it though.

Gingermom15 · July 2015

I need that shirt! Lol. I understand some women don't mind and that's great because babies do make people happy. But it makes me so uncomfortable to have a stranger touching me.

MoreKittens · July 2015

My aunt touched my belly without permission and I removed her hands and said "no!"

Fortunately, that's been it, but I plan on doing that same thing to just a bout everyone. Is it your baby? Then don't try and touch it.

dec15mum · July 2015

I dont mind close friends and family doing it but this one time by SO tried to lift my top to show his parents my "bump" (i was like 10 weeks and it was bloat)
People need to learn to either ask or learn personal space

jrm2149 · July 2015

I don't mind people touching my belly. In a strange way... I feel like the baby can get some loving vibes from it or something (like a hug?). My sister feels completely different though (she is also not the hugging type).

donna122 · July 2015

I thought would mind people touching it but It has not bothered me yet. As long as I know the person (family, friends, coworkers that I know well). Have not had strangers try it yet so that will probably be a different story!

tewinkle27 · July 2015

I went to a neurologist the other day for my migraines and after the appointment the doctor(female) was like "let me see if I can feel your uterus!" And started poking at my belly lol

Mizuiro007 · July 2015

This thread is making me feel lucky. Besides hubby my mom and grandma touch my belly. I'm close enough to them and they're touchy enough that it's almost expected.

Only other time someone has touched my belly outside of an OB setting was when I went to the dentist during the third trimester of my last pregnancy. The hygienist asked permission first but wanted to feel how the baby kept moving when she'd turn the polisher on.

Taylovesbrad · July 2015

I literally had some one continue to go in for the belly rub when I said no thanks and.my.reflex was to push them in the boob. This was in church.

Gingermom15 · July 2015

The first time anyone touched my belly was the day I found out I was expecting. I only took a test because I was going to the dentist for my check up and x Rays and my period are super long. Surprise lol. Anyway, the dentist was the first to know besides us and he rubbed my belly while I was laying in the chair. It was so creepy and weird. Maybe that's why I hate it haha

nram25 · August 2015

I'm only comfortable with my SO touching my belly. It irritates the crap out of me when anyone else does it.

laurabwalker · August 2015

As long as I know the person I'm totally okay with it

spottedginger · August 2015

Make and maintain silent eye contact while grabbing their boob (if you are brave) or belly (if you are less brave). Don't let go until the offender does. They'll get the point.

kristen2b · August 2015

spottedginger said:
Make and maintain silent eye contact while grabbing their boob (if you are brave) or belly (if you are less brave). Don't let go until the offender does. They'll get the point.

Eye contact!! Dying!

VixDecember2015 · August 2015

I am only ok if my husband touches. And I don't think it would bother me if my daughter does it either. But that's it. When I was pregnant with my DD, I warned everyone not to touch when they would first start reaching for the belly. My mom kept going, so I smacked her hand. She told me that she was the grandmother so normal rules don't apply. Like hell they don't!

taysun · August 2015

I see it as okay depending on the situation and person. Basically I think it's only okay for people who aren't my boyfriend to touch if I mention baby moving/kicking and it's able to be felt on the outside.
I'm not above being "rude" if someone one touches me without asking.

laur0n · August 2015

I haven't had anyone I don't know touch my belly. My husband has a couple times and my stepdaughter hugs it lol ..when I was on vacation, my aunt rubbed it (slightly awkward). Then my mom hasn't really seemed to care one way or the other except for when people are around then she wants to like "show off". The one day she lifted my shirt when my grandma and (step)grandma were over then at my grandmas house, she showed interest once my grandma asked how I've been feeling.

adbrading · August 2015

I don't mind it at all. I'm guilty of it myself. I mean not with strangers but with friends/coworkers and family. I think people are just excited!

Gingermom15 · August 2015

I'm only just now getting comfortable with family since I'm starting to show, so j feel there is something to touch. I will never be ok with a coworker I don't know well or a stranger touching my belly.
I'm a huge fan of personal space and I would dream of touching someone anywhere without permission.
I would love to gently stroke their cheek and go in for hug while maintaining eye contact. See if I can make them as uncomfortable as they make me lol

rmarie13 · August 2015

Love this thread! I flipped out on my in-laws when I was 3 months. They knew I didn't like the belly touches but since it's part of their culture (it's "good luck") they didn't really care about how I felt, until I told them that they were grabbing my organs and that baby was below my panty line.
After that I asked my SIL's bf to teach me a karate move (he has a blackbelt). Basically when you see a hand coming at you just lightly but firmly karate chop it with your left hand and push them on their shoulder (again lightly but firmly) with your right hand.
I told a coworker about it and for 2 weeks he tried to sneak up on me and touch my belly. Caught him every time! Haha it was good practice

)

groovylocks · August 2015

I don't get annoyed by the touching itself, though i'm not usually a physical person.

I get annoyed by strangers or even casual acquaintances ASSUMING that my abdomen is public property and it's socially acceptable (ie: NOT completely psycho) to just reach out and touch me.

If you ask, i might say yes. To not ask, whatever mood i'm in, puts me off.

Tell people you're ticklish and will pee yourself. This usually puts off most people (Be warned though this "most people" demographic does not include most children)

momotheflyinglemur · August 2015

Family, friends, and coworkers I let slide. I just continue to tell myself that I should be proud to have all these people who care about me and are excited for me. I work at the front desk, so if I am having a day or some time where I don't want people touching me I lower my chair and refuse to get up from behind the reception area. That is a pretty reliable deterrent.

As for strangers, I have not had any run-ins yet. But I know how people are with me in public, I must have one of those friendly, approachable faces. Damn, my years of working in childcare! I know that someone at least once is going to be too brash and I will grab boob, man or woman. That is my instinct. I've done it accidentally to my sister and a guy-friend of mine. The guy actually told me that he understood exactly what I meant about invasion of personal space after I instinctively groped him.

VesperLove · August 2015

I. hate. it.

I haven't had anyone who isn't family or close friends touch my belly yet and most ask first (thankfully). But, I have absolutely no problem saying no when I'm not feeling it ... and I ABSOLUTELY will be removing people's hands and asking them to stop being rude if they are a stranger and don't ask.

arichlife · August 2015

I actually have to say I don't mind the belly touching although I've never had anyone over do it. And I'n a pretty touchy-feely personality in general. And I never had a complete stranger do it.

Marchmellow2 · August 2015

I've never had people do that without me doing it for them. I remember at my baby shower when I was pg with DS I would grab my friends hands and make them touch my belly lol! They weren't comfortable doing it for some reason. People do not touch my belly at all and it makes me insecure lol. I'd be happy if someone wanted to. Maybe it's just a regional thing? My observation is Texas people are more touchy then Colorado people.

Rawr052992 · August 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlFbYb55ORs

Knottie15742183 · August 2015

I thought I would hate to the point I was warning my hubby to tell people to back off lol. but I actually think it's sweet. And when my tummy or back is sore a good rub from my hubby is heavenly it's so weird but I think the touching distracts me from my back pain .

I think just saying please don't touch is all you need to say.

kaitykins · August 2015

I had one lady who goes to my church that I felt awkward when she did. But my family is fine we are huggy anyway.

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