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Pregnancy is a beautiful experience that is universal to all soon-to-be mothers. The thought of nurturing a little being inside you is quite overwhelming. No wonder then that not only is an expecting mother cautious at every step, but even those around her are also very careful once they know her ‘condition’. However, people at home and the general public sometimes take their concern a bit too far by imposing their own set of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ on a pregnant woman. And because of such prejudiced ground rules, they begin judging unfairly when they spot a pregnant woman not toeing that line. Sounds familiar? Here are a few instances where an expecting mother might be unfairly judged for her demeanor:
Binging On Junk Food
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Eating healthy is the number one prerogative for an expecting mother. But those weird food cravings are a reality too. However, when a pregnant woman does step out to gorge on a cheesy burger or digs into those dollops of ice cream, she ends up raising quite a few eyebrows. From been mansplained about those unhealthy calories to being reminded by random strangers about the ill effects of such binging, she’ll have to face it all. But this is something you shouldn’t really worry about. In fact, your doctor too might let you have a go occasionally due to the dairy in the cheese and ice cream!
Unending Baby Talk
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When you are pregnant, it is obvious to have a lot of doubts and questions on your mind. And with so many myths and advice attached to it, you’ll only get more confused. That is why all your conversations might eventually drift towards questions and discussions about pregnancy and baby care. This is when a lot of your friends and family will label you as a bore, or avoid you thinking all you’d want to talk about is your baby. But, take this behavior of theirs with a pinch of salt and don’t bother much. And for all those questions on your mind, of course, your doctor will always be there.
New-Age Maternity Wear
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You would have loved those new maternity dungarees, but kept it aside due to the fear of being judged. This is because, in certain societies, a pregnant woman is expected to dress modestly and cover her growing bump. This, despite the fact that no matter how much you hide, the bump will eventually show. So, wear what you want to and show off your bump with pride like a badge of honor. There is nothing to be ashamed about it!
Time To Stay At Home
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A pregnant woman is often told that once she has her baby, she’ll never get to venture out. Because of this, she is forced to attend each and every event that comes during this phase, no matter how uncomfortable she is. There may be a grain of truth to it since the initial few months a woman needs to rest and recuperate. But, it is not mandatory for you to attend every gathering, especially in your third trimester, which generally tires you out. So, do not think twice before refusing an invite. Even if you do accept, don’t shy away from requesting for food to be served on time or leaving the venue earlier if need be. After all, your health and your baby’s well-being should always be a priority!
Those Mood Swings
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Hormonal upheavals are pretty common during pregnancy and result in terrible mood swings. You might swing from happy to snappy in a matter of minutes. For those who know you well, this might come as an unexpected change. And some might even get offended or judge you based on your reactions. It is always better to have a small chat and let your dear ones know that it is a phase that will soon be over. This way, when you get your next bout of mood swings, they’ll not be caught unawares and will accommodate you.
Were you able to relate to some of these scenarios? Did you too face similar situations where your reactions or decisions became a subject of unfair judgment? Do share some of your experiences in the comments section below.
