Do you rub your belly in public?

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I always rubbed my belly as a way of bonding with my baby. She would always have her bum sticking out so i would rub it and poke it and i ALWAYS talked to her. But i dont think i was overboard with. Because i had braxton hicks since 25 weeks id rub my belly whenever i had one.

[MummaSue]

No, I never rubbed my belly in public. When I was TTC it used to really upset me when I saw women doing this.... it felt like they were taunting me (which is ridiculous because how could they be?).

I was just really aware of doing it when I was pregnant in case there were LTTTC around me and I didn't know about it so I saved the belly rubs for just me and bubby.

[meow]

I find the idea of upsetting women who are LTTTC interesting. What do the women who feel conscious of this do with their child in public once they are born? Do you not take them out, or show affection etc in case of upsetting someone?

[MummaSue]

I find the idea of upsetting women who are LTTTC interesting. What do the women who feel conscious of this do with their child in public once they are born? Do you not take them out, or show affection etc in case of upsetting someone?

Good point.

But it's just how I felt about pregnant bellies. Not about people's kids.

[smiles4u]

I find the idea of upsetting women who are LTTTC interesting. What do the women who feel conscious of this do with their child in public once they are born? Do you not take them out, or show affection etc in case of upsetting someone?

that's a really good point meow , for me it was just when i was pregnant because my baby not being born yet i still knew i could possibly have the chance of a heartbreaking ending so therefore being pregnant i was still extemely sensitive and still in the emotional state of my not being quite to the end of having been to hell and back to finally have my 1st born baby in my arms ... so therefore i was more concious of 'possible' LTTTC woman around me because my sensitive state was more hightened as to what i myself had personally been through.

When i had my baby in public i didn't feel those emotions as much anymore because if anything i hoped my looking obviously an older Mum (in my 40's) i could possibly be a little light of hope to anyone wanting a baby too at any given age. I meet a woman about 3years ago through an aquaintance who said to me " Wow if you can do it then i must have a good chance too ", i took it as a compliment and encouraged her to keep trying and i'm thrilled to say she only a 4mths ago gave birth to twin babies (a boy & a girl)

Everyone is clearly different and has their reasons for rubbing their belly or not in public, in some way i wish maybe i could have enjoyed rubbing my belly in public but me being me i took a different approach to it and it felt right for me in not doing so but clearly that was my choice

Lots of women would rub their belly in public and not think much of it other then it feels nice, good on them for doing what feels right for them and it shouldn't really be a hard decision to make it's OUR own beautiful preg bellies after all

[CrazyLady]

On the topic of LTTTC, I was very careful about what I wore even when pregnant around my older sister. I wore looser garments and made a conscious effort not to rub my belly. I didn't want to hurt her feelings because she had trouble TTC. If I was in public I would not rub my belly on purpose to hurt TTCers. In the end DD was so active that it was more to sooth her and hold her in utero.

[briggsy's girl]

I was just really aware of doing it when I was pregnant in case there were LTTTC around me and I didn't know about it so I saved the belly rubs for just me and bubby.

funny, when i was LTTTC, it wasn't the rubbing, it was the belly itself! didn't matter what the lady was doing, if i was having a bad day emotionally, it was all about the overwhelming number of pregnant bellies and prams with little tackers in them. but reality is, it was about me and my inability to cope. i didn't have any problem with the people, just the situation - if i wasn't coping (which i wasn't, lots of times) i'd just tell DH to hurry up, i needed to go home. thankfully he got it!

when i was pg, i'm sure i unconsciously rubbed my belly - a lot. i had horrible heart burn and morning sickness from 3.5 weeks til birth - soooooo not fair! but i know i used to try and distract myself from the discomfort a lot of the time by trying to connect with DD - i'd often have my hand on my tum wherever she was kicking at the time, and i'm sure i rubbed a little but i really don't remember - it wasn't a conscious "look at me, i'm pregnant" kinda thing - it just happened lol

[dusty]

Yes from about 27 weeks on I did, all the time, it was completely involuntary and I wouldn't even realise it until someone pointed it out. I even miss it in a way as it was a special time.