Baby Advice

Something about looking like you’re hauling around a watermelon, waddling everywhere you go, and looking awkwardly miserable, garners undoubted and unsolicited advice and attention. Unless I am mistaken, I can’t recall where exactly it is written that a pregnant woman is continuously seeking advice from anyone, especially strangers. Is pregnancy some kind of universal sign? Because these folks are like a moth to a flame.

It reminds me of a certain television commercial about a pregnant woman in a supermarket. Some complete stranger walks up, places his hand on her belly without asking, and proceeds to ask inane questions about her weight and impending arrival! As he’s walking away the camera pans to her with a look of bewilderment and annoyance.

I chuckle each time I see this. Mostly because I’ve experienced the same sentiment. I have been there, and I can say with certainty that most other women have as well. Don’t get me started on the post-pregnancy weight comments.

I suppose that I could fully expect it when I was pregnant with my first child. Admittedly, there were times when the advice wasn’t so ridiculous. Then along came my second pregnancy. Even in the midst of it I had to put up with strange questions and pretty dim advice. I always politely smiled of course, nodded, and then waddled away in the opposite direction as fast as I could.

When I speak to my friends who are planning to or are now expectant, I refrain from the advice unless I’m asked. This has proven to work just fine for both parties involved. I am beyond familiar with the awkwardness of voluntary opinions. And I roll my eyes right along with my pregnant friends when someone divulges a bizarre comment.

I suppose that these occurrences, like swollen ankles and nausea-laden days, are all part the 9 months of discomfort. Aside from that discomfort and the pains that you feel and the unwanted advice that you receive, this is an experience that is unique all on its own. You will soon be free from it all in due time (no pun intended). The sound of your child’s first cry and the comfort he will get from only you will make it all worth it. And then . . . the parenting advice begins!

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