Did/do people rub your belly?

**Cricket** · April 5th, 2008, 12:07 PM

I am curious how many mothers have actually had strangers rub their belly. I have NEVER had any one do that to me. Maybe I give off "don't touch me vibes" LOL!
Has it happened to you?

**Ozziehoffy** · April 5th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Yep, had it happen to me. I actually found it worse with some people I know. It was like they thought they had an open invitation to just touch my belly because they knew me!! I found it quite invasive at times and in particular with certain people.

**butterfly*kisses** · April 5th, 2008, 12:20 PM

I remember a friend saying something to me about people doing it to her.....even strangers! lol!

So, with bub #1 I was a bit weary of it, and must have given off those 'keep your distance' vibes - because no one did it to me!

**bellelass** · April 5th, 2008, 12:22 PM

Aside from DH, no one touches me much. His mum has a few times, only after asking. And a friend of ours spent some time holding my tummy. She had a miscarriage about two weeks before we found out we were pg. But no strangers, I think I would freak out. No no.

**~Kim~** · April 5th, 2008, 12:46 PM

I was the same as Cass. Maybe i should learn some of those 'don't touch me vibes'. I actually had to tell some people (particuarly the ILs) that I hated people touching my belly.
In my job personal space is my safety barrier and when someone invades that I gat a bit defensive.

kirsty_lee · April 5th, 2008, 01:29 PM

argh all the time! i had to have dp stop at a servo few months ago so i could pee, and whilst in the bathrooms a complete stranger came up and rubbed my belly.. i looked at her in shock and said "what the hell are you doing?" to which she replies " i love pregnant bellies" i was furious by this stage and replied with " im not f'ing buddah" as i pushed her hand away... i would NEVER do that.. its like a total stranger coming up and putting a finger in your babies mouth!!!

**{sarah}** · April 5th, 2008, 01:48 PM

First pregnancy, all the time & it drove me nuts. This time, not so much.

**nic** · April 5th, 2008, 02:10 PM

I've only had it happen a few times, but it's still a few times too many! There is one person who won't even say hello to me at the shops unless DH is with me, and a couple of months ago she walked right up to me (shock number 1) and asked 'how is bubba' while putting her hand on my belly. Yuck... I didn't like it one bit. I mean, why do it? It's not like they would do it any other time would they? "Ooh you have a nice looking belly there/ ooh are we losing/putting on weight??" My body, my space, my baby, just stay away I reckon!
I said to DH someone should make up some shirts saying 'hands off' or 'don't touch'

Nic

**{sarah}** · April 5th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Hey Nic, check out this thread - https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...-t-shirts.html

**nic** · April 5th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Hey Sarah, Yep just read that thread, and am checking out the website now. Some real good ones on there LOL.

Nic

**lilima** · April 5th, 2008, 02:50 PM

Yep. it happened to me a bit. but i really didn"t mind. i think people mean well, just they don't realise that it can be VERY uncomfortable for some people.

DoubleK · April 5th, 2008, 06:24 PM

i never minded peopple touching my belly, my mum would rub it everyday, lol i thought it was cute. or my nan. the IL's never touched the belly tho, they arent the belly rubbing type, unlike my mum lol

however i did have a stranger come up to me in centrelink one day and say 'oh my god can i touch your belly?!?!' and just grabbed it.. i just stared at her.. like i was in shock, i couldnt get words out. why why why would u ask a stranger if you can touch their belly?? i understand a friend of family member... but a stranger?

**Jesselou** · April 5th, 2008, 07:20 PM

I have strangers trying to touch my belly all the time. I dont like it, but have sort of learnt to put up with it. I shouldn't have to I know. There is one guy however, he is a mate of my husbands, he asked to touch it once, which I allowed. But now he tries to kiss my belly everytime I see him. He tells people I said it was ok, but i never have. I really hate it! It makes me so uncomfortable. But he is the kind of guy that gets easily offended, so there is no way of telling him without him being upset. He is the lead singer in my husbands band and I dont want to cause any problems with the band. So I just try my best to avoid him without making it obvious. Which is pretty much impossible at times...
I wish I said no the first time he wanted to touch.
Jess

**MummyDuck** · April 5th, 2008, 07:47 PM

dp and his brothers aunt and dad do whenever i see them. One of his brothers actually kissed my belly once and dp told him off. Never strangers though. I have had many friends and people i know that im not overly close to ask to take photos of my belly though and that really gets to me.

**The[cookie]Doctor** · April 5th, 2008, 08:47 PM

Mum was the only one to touch my belly, but we used to rub our bellies together too. Lol.
I do find that EVERYONE thinks they can touch my baby though...

And always after their trips to the toilet in parents rooms no less. Grr.

**NaeNae** · April 6th, 2008, 07:48 AM

ever since I was 10 weeks I have had a beautiful bump.
I get these two ladies in particular who I know through work (different dept) who will come up and rub my belly. One of them I don't particularly like, the last time she did it she asked "and how are you doing" I put my hand on her belly and said 'good thanks' it was funny. Now when I see her coming I just stay seated

At this point no one else has even tried, except my best friend but she will be god mother so that is ok.

**Astrid** · April 6th, 2008, 08:06 AM

It is funny in early pregnancy when they rub the top of your stomach. I just point out that they are rubbing my guts, not my baby, tends to stop them. I actually get funny about total strangers asking about the pregnancy, especially men, some are just too creepy.