Do you rub your belly in public?

[MummaSue]

It wasn't about the other person it was totally about my own experience and emotions.

:yeahthat:

[tinkerbelle]

I used to think pregnant women who did so were just showing it off..and I used to hate it.
But now Im pregnant myself, I find myself doing it all the time without even thinking about it - it comforts when there is pain (like that stretchy ligament pain you get at the sides), and its also something I just do naturally to bond with that little baby that is trying to get my attention with all those little kicks - I feel if I didnt acknowledge bubs when its awake and playing about, I would feel disconnected from it.. its kind of a way of communicating with each other.. like I wouldn't ignore someone who was talking to me IYKWIM.
Also being a first pregnancy, its like when baby is kicking really hard, putting my hand there gives me a sense of comfort that its foot is not going to pop right through!!
I did notice a lady look at me the other day for a bit too long when I was rubbing my belly.. I hope she wasnt offended.

[Fruit Tingles]

Yes, I used to..I did it a lot. DF used to tell me not to all the time haha.

[ezymay]

LOL PZ I very rarely get a seat on the train even with the belly rubbing. I'm on the train right now sitting between 2 ppl and the girl wouldn't move over or get up to let me in I had to haul my belly (and big bum) over her and hit the ppl in the seat in front...it makes me cross! I will get up to let everyone in regardless of being pg or not. Sorry bit off topic there!

[CrazyLady]

LOL PZ I very rarely get a seat on the train even with the belly rubbing. I'm on the train right now sitting between 2 ppl and the girl wouldn't move over or get up to let me in I had to haul my belly (and big bum) over her and hit the ppl in the seat in front...it makes me cross! I will get up to let everyone in regardless of being pg or not. Sorry bit off topic there!

That's why I rarely took a seat on the train. One day when I was a student I got stuck into a about 14 year old. he was on a seat and his bag on the other when 2 pg women were standing. I never took a seat as a student unless the train was really empty.

[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.

[ezymay]

I don't know any pg women that would deliberately rub their bellies to show off. Perhaps there are some out there but I dont know any personally. Are there ppl out there doing it to show off? I hope not that would be sad
CrazyLady I'm a bit the same with my sister. She has been trying for over 3 years and had a m/c just before I fell pg. I feel so guilty. The belly rubbing is so unconscious tho (cept for the train)I'll have to be more aware.

[angelaartsstudent]

Re public transport:

No one EVER offerend me a seat on the bus/train until I was v heavily preg and it happened ONCE.

Two school girls got up for me - I was very shamed, becuase they really didn't have to - but very thankful. However...by that point I couldn't actually fit in the bus seat anyway (P was carried high so my belly hit the back bar of the seat)...so I was really embarrassed!

[samaraxx]

I rub my belly where ever I am!! Just instinct.