I don’t know if you don’t want to reply to the above, which is fine. I am sorry if I asked something you were not comfortable answering. If that’s the case, feel free to delete my prior comments. If you wish to answer the above at a later time, that too is fine.

a. You come across a young man(say in their 20s and 30’s) who is fascinated by new life at Target(where there are lots of people). This young man has never touched a baby bump before. This person asks you to rub the bump because they want to experience what it’s like. Would you allow it under that circumstance or even if you did would it be uncomfortable?
b. You encounter an older man(say 65) in a park(where there are less people around, but still some people) who strikes up a conversation with you about his past and when he had kids in the past. He then asks to feel the belly as a memory of the past. Would you allow it under that circumstance and would you be uncomfortable?

b.

You know, I don’t think I have ever had a man rub or touch my belly while pregnant, except my husband (or my son). I do think that would make me far more uncomfortable, because touch is intimate, right? And I am less sure of men’s intentions with touching me, especially if I don’t know them. I think it wouldn’t be as awful if they were to ask first, if there were others around (or the man was like with his wife, especially if like elderly or something). The reality is that while men are TOTALLY fascinated by new life (as I’ve had many men comment to me while pregnant about the size of my belly, remembering when they were expecting, etc) it is just not socially acceptable to touch a woman, especially with an unwanted touch, to someone you don’t know.

Hi Katelyn: I am just someone who came across your article here. I don’t want to ask what may be a random or stupid question, but I am curious. Given your perspective on baby bump rubbing here, what is your view on men rubbing your bump? Is it different than with women? I know there are some pregnant women who are fine with women(friends and strangers) rubbing the bump, but are not so with men. Do you feel the same way? Also, if you are fine with men rubbing the bump, does the demographic of men matter(say young men(teenagers to those in their 30 s and 40s) as opposed to older men(say 60+) , assuming that none are creepy and uncomfortable, but rather fascinated with new life. A

Yes. We need more people who are excited about babies, kids, and pregnant women. It’s a beautiful thing.

Thanks Tammy! I agree that it’s wonderful people want to connect, and I don’t always get why people are so offended by strangers talking to them while pregnant (well, some can make rude comments…)

Love that! And I agree that talking about pregnancy is fun and often so connecting for people! And I love the comment from the woman who couldn’t have her own babies. I really don’t think people are making comments to be jerks at all (well, there may be a few out there, but whatever).