About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
When will people learn? I’ve come to the conclusion that when it comes to saying the wrong things to pregnant women, the answer is never.
We all know, academically, never to ask anyone “when is the baby due?” no matter how pregnant they look, just in case they’re not pregnant. Or we should know. But, still, time after time, I hear women complain about the time they were asked when their baby was due when really they just gained winter weight.
I am pregnant so if someone asks me when the baby is due, at least I have an answer that doesn’t make me feel bad. But, still, there are questions that pregnant women do not like to hear, and still, even though it’s the year 2012, people have just not learned.
I am showing big time, at only almost five months. Like, really, really showing. I’m just the type of woman who seems to gain a lot of weight while pregnant, no matter how healthy I eat or how much I work out. I ran into an old acquaintance the other day who asked me when I was due. I told him I was only four and a half months pregnant and he couldn’t help but look shocked (really, really shocked). “I thought you were going to give birth, like, next week!” he said. Yes, my friends, nothing makes a pregnant woman, who already is having body issues, feel more amazing about herself than when someone says something like this. Not!
Another line I’ve heard at least a half dozen of times in the past couple of weeks is: “Are you sure you’re not having twins?” Again, to me, this is a question people should never ask pregnant women. Yes, I’m positive, from three ultrasounds I’ve had, that I’m not having twins. And if I was having twins, don’t you think I would have told you so before you even asked?
And the people who are asking me these questions are university educated, have jobs they need to use their brains at, and overall, are pretty smart people. And, they are parents too, so they’ve been in my shoes or at least have watched their wives go through the nine months of pregnancy. So why is it these statements like, “Wow! I thought you were going to pop next week,” and questions like, “Are you sure you’re not having twins” still occur? I have no idea! Do you? If so, please share!
Follow me at @rebeccaeckler.
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