Mom Corner: The bump is none of your business!
I remember the first time I felt uncomfortable with the way someone disregarded my physical boundaries while pregnant. I have never been fond of being touched or having my personal space invaded, and when you’re expecting you wouldn’t think that would be a concern. Though, sadly, it is – but it shouldn’t be! Growing a human isn’t a universal invitation to put your hands on another person.
The first time someone touched my bump, which wasn’t even a bump yet, I immediately said, “I don’t like to be touched, don’t do that.”
Not rude or anything. Just to the point – a 5-year-old would understand it!
Of course, it was met with a roundabout way of attempting to blame me for being “mean.” They explained that they were just trying to show my baby and I love and affection.
I thanked them, but pointed out that they could show the baby affection when the baby was born. As of right now my baby, my child, was safe growing within me and I had every right to set a boundary for myself and my body. Plus, I hadn’t even known this person for very long.
There seems to be this fixation on touching an expecting mother’s bump. I want to say I see pictures of family members doing this and I think it is very sweet! I’m not saying all forms of affection should cease for pregnant women and unborn children. My point is you should ask someone before invading their space and touching their body. Better yet, wait for the mother to offer first.
Just because a sweet, tiny bundle of joy is growing within them doesn’t give you free reign to violate a woman’s bodily autonomy. It doesn’t matter if you are a relative, close family friend, honorary sibling or have known the expecting mother since grade-school. You still need to get consent before you touch someone.
Can you imagine going up to someone and grabbing their stomach and talking to it? That’s weird! The fact that people try to defend doing so when there is a tiny human, unable to speak or consent for itself in the womb is even weirder.
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and you shouldn’t insert yourself into someone’s experience and touch their body without their permission. The bump in none of your business.
