Pregnancy Etiquette: Is it Ever Okay to Touch the Bump?

Jancee Dunn Polls the Experts


Q: I'm seven months pregnant, and I can't seem to go an hour without someone patting my stomach—even people I just met. I find this unnerving, but I don't want to make people feel bad. Do I just put up with it?

A: You should never allow someone to touch your body without your permission. You can move away and politely ask the person to not touch your stomach. — Rudy Rasmus, pastor, St. John's United Methodist Church, Houston

Rudy is right.... On the other hand, think of all the fun to be had in making people feel bad! Like, "The last man who touched me like that made this baby." But if you want to play nice, then give them a little lesson with levity: "Uh, sorry—I'm teaching my child not to let strangers touch her." — Faith Salie, host, public radio's Fair Game from PRI with Faith Salie
Stumped?

From the May 2009 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine