For those who want an honest and realistic picture of pregnancy, birth and raising three kids, then take a look at my #pregnancydiary and feel free get in touch with any comments, questions or suggestions.
Superstition
The other day I attended a friend’s wedding and as is usual these days I found myself talking to random strangers. My baby bump is a total icebreaker.
After looking at my bump and commenting on it, one of these random strangers then told me he had to touch my belly. It turns out he wasn’t a weirdo. He was Mexican. He explained that there is a Mexican superstition where a baby being admired and not touched can cause them bad luck, or the evil eye. Apparently his family always touched a child or a baby bump after admiring it.
Kind of makes sense to me… seeing as I’m Indian and we have a load of random superstitions. Although it did get a bit weird when he continued touching my belly throughout our five minute conversation! If he wasn’t a friend of the groom’s I would not have been cool with it.
Blessing the baby
I generally don’t mind people touching my pregnant belly. A lot of my family members and friends regularly feel my belly trying to work out which bit is a head and which is a bottom. Others affectionately pat it. I feel like it’s their way of blessing the baby and showing it some love. They are excited for me and excited to meet the baby.
I know that some women hate people touching their baby bump and I’ve heard of random strangers touching people’s bumps too. I’d probably draw the line at a male stranger reaching out to touch my tummy, but if an old lady giving it a pat, it wouldn’t really bother me.
I’m quite a tactile person, I love hugs etc. I can understand for women who don’t it must be quite uncomfortable. I think the best way ladies can stop people touching their baby bumps is to put their hands on it protectively. If that still doesn’t work, it’s fine to say “that makes me uncomfortable”. Meanwhile, I will continue basking in the attention that my belly currently brings me. In another few weeks I’ll be trying to hide my post-birth saggy stomach under a baggy top!
How’s Baby?
Baby is now about the size of a small cauliflower and could weigh between 4-6 lbs. Her bones are hardening and her brain is developing further every day. She’s putting on fat too, getting nice and chubby for the birth.
