People Touching Your Belly

[childondaway]

Good Morning Everyone,

Im just wondering what everyone thinks about alot of ppl toucing their belly..

Are you ok with it or is it really annoying? I find it frustrating, My mother In Law feels the need to touch my belly everytime I walk throughthe door and it is becoming quite frustrating, How do I ask her not to do this without sounding too mean?

[misty]

I never had this problem with any of my pg - I mustn't be very approachable

I actually wanted to show off my bump and have people feel bubs move, but no-one ever tries or asks to have a feel and I think it might be a bit weird if I went around asking others to feel my belly - LOL.

[childondaway]

Thats the problem, she doesn't ask she just has to ouch me, even when im at the table eating and its really annoying, I have friends who hve asked me if they can feel it before just doing so and im fine with that, but for some reson with her it is just annoying..

Is that wrong?

[Kailani]

Maybe you feel that way with her because she just assumes she can touch you and not ask!! I really hate it. My cousin does it all the time but doesn't just rub, she pokes and prods it trying to get bubba to move and it's really annoying. People at work and friends also invite themselves to rub my belly! My bubba is clever and he always "goes to sleep" when someone else wants to touch and then everyone's like "oh why isn't he moving!!" My Mum, sister and DP are the only ones that have seen and felt him move - he really is choosy! I just don't feel comfortable with people touching my belly that's all

[briggsy's girl]

i find it damn annoying, and have said something to all but one person who have tried it. i'm a very private person, and just get very antsy if my space is being intruded. the one person i didn't say anything to was a family friend i've known since i was a baby - she knows of what we've been through to get here and she was so excited to see us for the first time after we went public with the news we were pg - so she walked up and rubbed my tum. i did say something to my mum (it's her bestie) who mentioned it to her anyway.

the ONLY people allowed to touch me without asking first are DH, and my bro's three kids - they don't do it often, but if i'm gettin a snuggle from them, the littlest in particular, will rub my tum - no drama there

you're not alone in feeling annoyed by it i promise!

[*Infinity*]

BG I find it really offensive too - in fact more like a violation of my personal space and body. Get this, my Mum rubbed my bump a few weeks back, I was giving her a hug goodbye and she just went for it and I have never felt sooooooo invaded ever before. I think because it was unexpected, it didn't really help either. It was just plain weird. So i can't imagine what I'll do if some random person I hardly know tries to!!!
Lolly x

[NaeNae]

I only had one person who just came up and rubbed my tum when I was preggy with Niki she just did it and I was so taken back nobody else dared too but this woman just did it.

Even my bestie never touched the belly.

I guess one way you could stop it if you were game is when someone pokes and prods and rubs your bump immediately following them (so once their hands are off) do EXACTLY the same to them but it needs to be immediate to have the most effect.

People will not do it again when they realise how intrusive it is. SOmetimes family think its ok to just go ahead so in your case Just say to MIL when you walk in and she goes do touch, "I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't" before she gets there or simply put your hands/arms over your belly hugging it and make a vline for a chair.


NN x

[TreeTops]

I thought I wouldn't like it, but I actually do like people touching my belly. The only time I don't like it is if I'm wearing white and I don't want it to get any marks on my top. Thankfully to date I haven't had any strangers try, I think that would be a different matter.

[Ozziehoffy]

Andy's grandmother does the same thing to me too!! Not just touches though, rubs it.... I don't know what else to do other than just stand and take it I find it really annoying and an invasion of my body and space to be honest.

[*Efjay*]

PSML, you should say, Im growing a nice big fart too, wanna rub my arse too ?

[childondaway]

LOL! Thanks Fiona Jill, that was the best response so far. I almost wet my pants after I read it.. Too Good!

[Ellie]

I hate people touching my belly...and have now started putting my hand on the other persons belly and giving theirs a good old 'wobble'...spins people right out!!!!

[krysalyss]

I think you have a right to say no to people touching your belly. I remember inviting people to touch mine as I had a lot of people with animals as pets and it was a real spin out for them to get a close look at a pg belly. They always expected it to be jelly like and were suprised at how hard it was. I also dont mind if people are wanting to communicate with the bub. But it is definitely good etiquette to ask before touching. If I were you I would just be straight about it. It is your body.
When I used to work in a zoo you would be amazed how many people would go straight up to a kangaroo with pouch young and start touching and even pulling etc. Good way to get yourself attacked me thinks. Perhaps you could rear up on your tail and give them a good kick with your legs?

[Sterla]

I've never had anyone come up and touch my belly. DH does of course, which I love. My sister (who is 14) has a couple of times, but it's more of an awkward poking which is then followed by a "Ew, your belly is so hard" . I think I prefer not having people come up and touch - it would feel like an invasion of my personal space.

[LaDeeDa]

I told the last person who groped my stomach without asking that if they did it again I was grabbing a handful of their titts!!!!

[Toomanytoomany]

I wonder why we feel so uncomfortable saying, "Don't do that, please." I know we don't wish to cause the other person discomfort, but that other person hasn't considered that before acting rudely, have they?

I encourage all of us who don't like the belly rubbing (me included) practise saying firmly but politely, "Don't do that, please." We don't owe anyone any explanation why we don't want our bodies touched. And if they have an issue with it, all you should need to say is, "I don't like it." That should be enough!

[Lolli]

This thread caught my attention. The thought of people touching my belly used to make my skin crawl.

Especially my dad. He cam eup to me when he first found out I was pregnant and tried to put his hand on my stomach before I even had a bump. I hated it. I remember putting my fingers up in a cross sign and saying "BACK OFF". I think word spread pretty quick amongst my rellos after that

[QueenMab]

I agree with everybody's comments about doing it right back - they should realise that it's inappropriate to touch without an invitation to do so.

When I was PG a workmate of mine went to touch my belly & I actually shreiked & jumped out of her way lol, she was mega offended but I preffered that than to be felt up by a collegue...