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Pregnancy marks a miraculous creation phase in a woman’s life! It is intense and transforms a woman both emotionally and physically. All through the first trimester to the third trimester, a pregnant woman undergoes hormonal changes and fluctuations which have an impact on her mental make-up, thought process, diet, taste palate as well as her innate response to everyday happenings. This suggests she needs to be attended with care, warmth and sensitivity. Also, any untoward comment on her body needs to be avoided as it has an adverse effect on her thinking, at times leading to depression, which ultimately isn’t healthy for the baby.
The obvious changes in the body size during pregnancy are expected! In today’s new era of free expression, sometimes people go slightly overboard in expressing their concerns or excitement in an inappropriate manner. There are times when a pregnant woman has people marvelling at her belly size, questioning her about her weight, her minute to minute health status and other embarrassing questions that can completely rob her of her internal peace.
It is essential to understand that a pregnant woman needs to be talked to in a compassionate and sensitive manner. So, asking the following questions sans any intrusion makes sense.
- How do you feel?
- Is there any way I can be of any help?
- Do you want to talk about anything you feel is precious?
Another way you can add to her ease and relaxation is by telling her she has a fantastic glow on her face. Add in compliments like “You look so beautiful and happy” and this will activate her happy hormones more having a tranquilizing effect on her and in turn support the developing foetus.
But most often than not, people in excitement or an urgency to part their knowledge end up making a pregnant woman feeling stressed and anxious! So, here’s what not to tell her and not to do with her during those 9 months.
Stop Telling Her She Looks so Huge, Thin or Bloated
It’s pregnancy and her size is bound to increase. But having someone constantly gaze at the belly of a pregnant woman and telling her she’s growing in size or is shrinking even in jest would make her feel unpleasant about her body. This could also be counted as a subtle act of body-shaming. Also, no two women have one size of pregnancy. So, commenting on her size would trigger her stress, thinking if her pregnancy is going right for her.
Don’t Ask If Her Pregnancy Was Natural
Naturally pregnant or through IVF treatment, a woman has complete freedom in choosing her pregnancy. Asking her this question shows an obvious discrimination towards the baby who is yet to be born, which won’t be received well by her. It might also invoke worries and anxieties that she could have read somewhere about assisted reproductive techniques. The life-form in her womb is natural, all the way.
Refrain From Touching Her Belly
There have been several instances where a pregnant woman’s belly was rubbed stating this is a good gesture and signals the birth of twins. Apart from the fact that it’s inconvenient and feels irksome, such a gesture is completely rude and violates personal boundaries that are essential to maintain.
A pregnant woman shouldn’t be treated as an object of good omen. Neither as someone who needs to be overloaded with case studies on pregnancy. Being a human being who’s chosen by the creator to give birth to another life, she needs to be handled and talked to with compassion and maturity.