Pregnancy Etiquette

CEBU, Philippines – Pregnancy is a roller coaster of emotional and physical ups and downs. There are so many rules to follow and it is easy to feel deprived. The consolation is that it is temporary.

While waiting for the birth of a baby, the mother-to-be, together with her family and friends should remember that modern pregnancy has an etiquette all its own.  Consider the following.

.Though some couples share the news as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, it is smart to wait until the first trimester is well in hand.

.If you presume someone is expecting either from an extra glow or a declined glass of wine, show respect by allowing her to tell you in her own time. When she breaks the news, it is okay to share the insight you had then.

.Never pat a pregnant woman's belly without first asking or being invited to do so. Some enjoy the occasional belly rub or pat from close friends and family and see it as sharing, but others do not.

.Sometimes excitement is misplaced rather than mis-expressed. Be sure a woman is pregnant before assuming she is. It could well be she is simply fat.

.It is a nice gesture to offer your seat to someone in need. Yet this is a gesture that too often fails to happen for pregnant women.

.Although it is human nature to be curious, try not to ask the couple why they haven't had kids yet or when they plan to start a family.

.It is not appropriate to ask a couple how long it took them to conceive a baby. Even if they did not go to a fertility clinic, unless you are really close, it is better to stay on the topics of baby names or nursery colors.

.All pregnancies are different, so bragging to a mother who has terrible morning sickness about your lack of pregnancy symptoms is downright insensitive.

.On the flip side, a pregnant woman does not want to be any more terrified than she already is. Keep the horror stories to yourself. You can say, "Do not worry, you will feel better soon".

.Nursing mothers should avoid breastfeeding around others. There is a way it can be done in public without making others feel uncomfortable. Use a feeding wrap.

The best part of being pregnant is the end. No matter how many hours you are in labor, whether you give birth naturally or with drugs, if the baby is delivered via c-section or the old fashioned way, the prize you get at the end makes every challenge, every deprivation, every minute of anticipation worth it. Your reward for all your hard work is a lifetime of love, joy and pride.

Your baby is a miracle. There simply is no other word. Millions of babies are born every year, some in riches, some in poverty, some in cities, some in towns, some unwanted, some devoutly wished for and jubilantly welcomed. The birth of a baby is an occasion of mystery, marvel and wonder.