MTV reality star and designer Lauren Conrad is expecting her first child this summer and the mum-to-be is using the opportunity to be a voice for pregnant women everywhere.
The style icon (30) has set the internet abuzz once more by sharing a list of ‘ladylike laws’ she would like family, friends and even strangers to adhere to when they are around a pregnant woman.
Writing on her blog, Lauren said: ‘Most people only mean well when they are commenting on a pregnancy, but it’s one of those situations where it’s hard to know what to do or say. I may only be in my second trimester, but I’ve already noticed quite a few etiquette missteps when it comes to how people behave around someone who is expecting.’
First on the list is Rule No. 1: Do not ask a married couple when they are going to have kids.
‘Yes, a lot of married couples do start trying to get pregnant relatively soon after they tie the knot.’ says Lauren. ‘But that is definitely not always the case—and it’s never a fair assumption to make. Keep in mind that the decision to have children (both if and when), is an extremely personal one.’
Rule No. 2: Never ask when someone is due unless you are 100 percent certain they are expecting.
‘I’ve heard from my several of my friends that this is a question they have been asked in the first few months postpartum when they haven’t quite lost the baby weight and still have a little “bump.” There are also some people who just carry their weight in their belly even if they have never had a baby.’ writes Lauren. ”
‘There’s no bigger blow to someone’s self-confidence and body image than asking them if they are pregnant when they are not.’
Lauren’s other rules include ‘Refrain from commenting on the size of someone’s bump’ and ‘Don’t touch the belly without asking!’
‘This one might seem like a no-brainer, but every mama I know has some story about a stranger touching her pregnant belly.’ she writes.
‘No matter what your relationship to the mama-to-be is, keep in mind that it’s much more pleasant to have someone politely ask if it is OK before groping your midsection.’
Take that, bump watchers. Keep your hands (and your opinions) to yourself.
Do you agree with Lauren’s laws? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
