When strangers want to touch your pregnant belly

Q: Ever since I started showing, good friends and relatives have asked to touch my belly. I was OK with that, but now that I’m seven months, people who I’m not that close to want to touch it, too. How can I say no without offending them?

A: People are so tempted to feel a pregnant woman’s tummy! Maybe it’s because pregnancy results in such a remarkable body transformation that they are genuinely fascinated. If you sense someone is about to reach for your bump, step back and put your hand out to shake hands. Or simply say, “No offence, but I’m not comfortable with that.” A little humour could work, too: “Careful, she bites” is sure to get a laugh. But don’t feel bad for requesting some personal space.