How to tell people not to touch your stomach when pregnant?

I have a friend who hated getting her belly touched by strangers. Here are some of the things she said that worked:

1) She said that her best defense was to wear a lightweight jacket or cardigan sweater when she went out. For some reason, people were less likely to touch her belly, because the jacket formed some type of physical and psychological barrier between them and the belly, and most people won't reach inside your jacket to touch you.

2) If a stranger would ask permission to touch, she would tell people that she is really ticklish or her belly was very itchy (from stretching) and that she would prefer they not touch her belly. You could also just take a step back, smile and say, "I think it must be my wild hormone levels, and I hope you don't mind, but having others touch my belly makes me uncomfortable." If you want to sugar-coat it to not cause hurt feelings, just add "I never minded it before, but my obstetrician said it happens sometimes--crazy hormones!"

3) For the hot days when it was too hot for her protective jean jacket, she had a couple of cute tshirts that made light of the situation. Most people would read the shirt and respect her space, but if they didn't, she could just stop them and point to her shirt.

For the most part, I have found with my two pregnancies that people are pretty respectful and don't touch your belly or at least ask first (in which case you could use excuse number two).

Good luck!

I actually haven't experienced that much this time around, but maybe it's because I always seem to have my hands over my belly. I would say if approached by a stranger that might be a little too touchy, keep your hands there. I think they would have a hard time just touching the belly if your hands were already there. Maybe that would force them to ask and you could just tell them you're not comfortable with it. I actually thought it was a little strange when my mother-in-law asked for permission long before I started showing (I would never have a problem with her, cause we have a great relationship), but now I realize she was just being very respectful of my personal space.

Well, I was the same way when I was pregnant, and at first I would be polite and ask people not to touch my stomach. Eventually though, I just gave up, because while the people I saw every day respected my space, other people did not. So, my husband ended up making me a prego shirt that said " touch the belly and die..." and that worked pretty well! Ofcourse, some people did not see the humor; but by the end of the pregnancy, I didn't care. Good Luck, and try not to stress too much about it!

Some people just have no manners. Try to let your friends and family know about your preference, and tell them to spread the word.

As for stangers on the street, try rubbing their belly and see how they like it.

It might be worth investing in a shirt or two that says something like 'Hands off' or 'Look, but Don't touch'.

You know what? I didn't. SOOOOO many people have reached out to touch my belly, it would just be a nuisance for me to try and tell everyone who has done it, not to do it. EVERYONE....My mom, all of my friends, cousins, aunts, dad, mother in law, etc etc. I don't mind if I know the person, but if it's a complete stranger....NO WAY! I tell them right there.

I know I am not helping you any by not giving you an answer but I have to tell you i 100% agree with how you feel. When someone does it to me I just kinda look at them and back away. They get the point. I know it is kinda rude but so are they for touching you without asking.

Move away when people go to do it. That should send the message. Then just laugh it off and say that you aren't really a touchy-feely person or you can go with something less obvious like "I'm having a stomach issue today and the slightest touch can really set it off." It isn't another person's God-given right to touch your stomach because you are pregnant, and if it bothers you, then you are perfectly right not to let people do it.

Personally, I don't know why complete strangers are touching your stomach or touching you in the first place. Even people that i know, even my family, they ask me first if they can touch the belly. I don't know, but i'd just tell them, (especially if you don't know them) not to touch you. That's just my opinion... what the heck?

Well, my first thought was to just grin and bear it, but... I guess unless you wear a shirt that says "Don't Touch", maybe when you see them going to pat the belly, just back up a little and say "please don't touch - I'm not really a touchy person" or something similar. If people ask first (which they should do anyway), just say "I'd really rather you not..." and leave it at that.

I am also pregnant, and I am wondering what to say to people when the time come

I think that I would say please do not touch without permission

or wear a t-shirt or remove the hand or just smack it off my stomach

but somehow I have to find away

because I found that repulsive to have people touching me