Hands off, Karen. This bump has boundaries.
You know what’s magical about the second trimester? Besides slightly less nausea, slightly more glow, and the fact that people finally stop assuming you just had a massive lunch—it’s the glorious, awkward, unsolicited bump touches. From your colleague in HR to that random woman at Woolies, it’s like your belly has become a public petting zoo. And newsflash: it is NOT up for grabs.
Let’s get one thing straight—your bump is not a community resource. It’s your body. Your space. Your business. And just because you’re growing a mini-human doesn’t mean the world gets a VIP pass to your personal bubble. So, how do we navigate the land of grabby hands, boundary-breakers, and weird aunties with zero chill? Buckle up, mama. We’re going in.
The Unspoken Rule: Ask Before You Touch
It seems obvious, right? Like, you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and rub their stomach at a bus stop. But somehow, pregnancy makes people forget basic social etiquette. Suddenly, your uterus is everybody’s business.
"Can I touch your bump?" should never be a rhetorical question.
Here’s the deal: you don’t owe anyone access to your body. Not your coworker, not your cousin, not even your nana. If someone lunges for the belly, you have full permission to:
- Take a step back like you’re dodging a sneeze.
- Raise an eyebrow and say, “Wow, we’re getting real personal, huh?”
- Or my personal fave: “Sure, if I can touch your belly too.” (Spoiler: they’ll back off real quick.)
You are not a fortune-telling Buddha statue. No rubs for luck allowed.
Why People Feel Entitled to Your Bump
It’s a mix of curiosity, nostalgia, and good old-fashioned boundary ignorance. Some people genuinely mean well—they’re excited, they love babies, they’re reliving their own pregnancy era. But intention doesn’t cancel out impact.
Your bump might be cute, round, and giving major goddess e
So, if you’ve ever found yourself mid-chat with someone’s hand creeping closer like it’s on autopilot—know this:
Setting boundaries doesn’t make you rude. It makes you powerful.
And if someone’s offended by a polite “No thanks,” that’s a them problem, not a you problem.
Creating Your Personal Space Policy
It’s time to channel your inner CEO and draft your bump boundaries like they’re company policy. Because guess what? You are the boss of this belly.
Try these pre-rehearsed lines for various touchy scenarios:
- Friend touch attempt: “Aww, I love you, but I’m feeling a little touched out today.”
- Stranger at the supermarket: “Sorry! I’m not comfortable with people touching me.” (Said with a smile, but dead in the eyes.)
- Persistent family member: “Bub gets really squirmy when touched—let’s keep it cozy in here.”
Need help expressing it without turning into a rage volcano? Try using humour to soften the message but still lay down the law.
“Touch my bump and you owe me a foot massage.”
Why It Matters More Than People Think
This isn’t just about awkward belly rubs. It’s about bodily autonomy. It’s about feeling respected during a time when your body is doing THE MOST.
You’re dealing with shifting hormones, stretch marks, pelvic pressure, and the wild realisation that you can no longer see your feet. You deserve to feel like your body is yours—even when it’s temporarily housing someone else.
Let’s be real: pregnancy is beautiful, messy, chaotic, and sacred
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>. And your boundaries? They’re part of that sacredness.
This is your bump. Your body. Your rules. Period.
How to Support Other Mums (And Educate the Touchy Ones)
If you see another mum-to-be getting her belly rubbed like it’s a genie lamp, say something. Normalize asking first. Normalize saying no. Normalize setting boundaries while still rocking the baby glow.
And if someone gets weird when you speak up? That’s on them. Let’s raise this next gen to understand boundaries from the womb.
“We teach respect by modeling it—even when it’s awkward.”
Oh, and if you’re feeling a bit on edge from dealing with all this unsolicited attention? Do what any self-loving mama does:
- Throw on your comfiest, most flattering maternity leggings (hello, Emamaco).
- Rub your own bump like a queen.
- Take a pic and caption it: “Hands off unless invited 💅”
What to Wear When You’re Dodging Belly Grabbers
You know what helps? Feeling like a goddess. Confidence = higher boundary-setting energy. And nothing says power pregnancy like a killer outfit that hugs you in all the right places and screams, “Yes I’m pregnant, no you may not touch me.”
Enter: Emamaco maternity leggings. These babies don’t just stretch—they support, lift, and make your booty look bomb. So while you’re protecting your personal spa
Trust—your wardrobe deserves them. Your vibe will shift from “Don’t touch me” to “Bow down.”
Pregnancy style tip: Confidence is the best bump protector.
You Deserve to Take Up Space—and Protect It
In a world where everyone wants to weigh in on your birth plan, your weight, your nursery theme, and yes—your bump—remember this:
You are allowed to say no. To belly rubs, to unsolicited advice, to anything that doesn’t feel good.
Pregnancy isn’t a public spectacle. It’s a deeply personal journey filled with hormones, hiccups, and heart-melting kicks. So if you’re walking around in your third-trimester glow with a death stare that says “Touch me and lose a hand”—we support you.
Say it louder for the people in the back: This bump has boundaries, and you’d better respect them.
With Love (And Sharp Elbows),
The future you who said no to Karen and yes to peace, comfort, and power maternity wear.
Now go forth, mama. Protect that belly like it’s the crown jewels, toss on those Emamaco leggings, and strut through your second trimester with confidence and a low tolerance for weirdos.
You’re growing a legend. And legends don’t get rubbed without permission.