Um, no. I'm actually not pregnant.

[Eden]

I stopped by the store one day to pick up some Airborne for my husband who swears it works although I don't believe him. Anyway, I had on a bulky sweatshirt. I couldn't find the stuff and finally asked an employee who pointed me in the right direction and then said, "But it's harmful for pregnant women." I just said, "No problem. It's for my husband." It wasn't until I was on the way home that I realized she thought I was pregnant.

I don't recall ever making the pregnancy mistake with someone else. My hairstylist is an absolute rail. Super thin. Last time I was in I noticed a fairly prominent bump in her belly. I knew she was trying to get pregnant and she's so consistently thin and had gained weight nowhere else that I assumed she was pregnant but didn't say a word. About halfway through my haircut a conversation she was having with another stylist confirmed my suspicion. I told her I thought she was pregnant but didn't want to say anything. She thanked me profusely saying she appreciated someone exercising some restraint especially considering all the unsolicited comments she's received about how she must be having twins or she must have the due date wrong because she looks so big.

[Just Lori]

I confess, I once asked the dreaded "When are you due" question.

But, in my defense, I was in the waiting room of an OB office.  The woman in question had her child with her and made comments about "When we have a little sister or brother you'll have let him or her sleep in the crib."  Apparently, she was discussing a hypothetical future child.  We started making small talk and I asked her when she was due.  It seemed to be an appropriate question, given the setting and the comments about where the next baby was going to sleep.  I received the "I'm not pregnant, I'm fat" answer and was mortified, as I based my question on the conversation taking place and not on her belly, which wasn't even readily apparent in her sitting position.

I've since learned not to ask that question until I see a child springing from the loins.

[zi_fairy]

LOL, I will definitely go to EHEll for this, and I still cringe whenever I think about it, but I was just so darn mad about it at the time!

About two summers ago, I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter. I needed to buy a baby shower gift for a friend of mine, so i went to ShopKo. As I entered the store, i had to pass the Juniors clothing department, where two teenage girls were standing. Both girls were wearing the "standard" low jeans and cropped shirts that most girls wear nowadays, but I thought nothing of it. As I walked by, the taller of the two stage-whispers (as in, I'm whispering, about you but I still want you to hear this), "CRUD MONKEYS!! That lady is SO FAT!" 

Shocked as I was, I still managed to stop, turn around, and as I glared at her, said, "Well, I'm 6 months pregnant! What's your excuse?!"

Her jaw dropped and her eyes totally bugged out, and she managed to stutter, "How rude!" But, my angry stare shut her up after that. I still can't believe someone would say that about another person, without even knowing them!

[alohomora]

Luckily, I've been spared being asked the pregnancy question, though I'm surprised I haven't been.  I'm carrying more than a few extra pounds and I'm busty, so if I wear the wrong style of shirt or dress, I can easily look preggers.

However, an old manager of mine did get the 'when are you due' question.  She had had her son about 8 or 9 months before and she was starting to wear some of her pre-pregnancy clothes again.  She was sitting in a meeting where she knew a few people, but not everyone.  During a break in the meeting, she said the girl next to her turned to her and started chatting then said something along the lines of "Oh, I love your shirt, it's so cute.  When are you due?"  My manager said that she was stunned speechless for a second, then said "I'm not."  She said that the girl just said "Oh," then kept talking as if nothing had happened. 

Let me clarify that the shirt in question was indeed cute, but in no way resembled a maternity blouse.  The fabric was a bit clingy though, and it didn't hide the fact that my manager hadn't lost all of her "baby belly" yet. 

I know that the girl in the meeting was just trying to be nice and friendly.  But I don't think she has any idea how badly that comment hurt my manager's feelings and self-esteem.  She said that she pretty much wanted to burst out in tears, but seeing as how she was stuck in a meeting for another few hours, she had to keep her calm.  I felt terrible for her.  I don't think I ever saw her wear that shirt again unless she had a blazer or sweater over it...

[Brentwood]

Who was it, Jeff Foxworthy or someone, who said they had learned their lesson and now "never refer to a woman as pregnant unless you actually see a baby coming out of her while you are talking!"

I believe it was Dave Barry.

[cranberry]

I was asked at Church on Christmas Day if I was having another baby.  I'm 5'9 and 150lbs - not overweight.  I'm not busty.  I go to the gym regularly - my tummy is fairly flat (I'll never get rid of the soft skin which comes from having had babies).  I couldn't understand the reasoning behind the question.  If I'd put on weight, sure, you can think it.  But honestly, there was no reason for this person to ask me.

[oogyda]

I've known that little "rule" for most of my adult life and being on the chunky side myself, I  certainly understand it.

A few years ago at a family reunion, one of my cousins ended up being extremely upset because no one had congratulated her on her pregnancy.  She's overweight and has a body type with a thick middle and the rest of us honestly couldn't tell.  She always looks like that.

[CosmicPossum]

Anyone else ever had to fight the urge to ask that question of a bloke with a beer belly?

Old joke - Said to a man with a beer belly, "If that was on a woman, I'd know what it was."  Answer, "It was on a woman last night.  What is it?"

[LadyJaneinMD]

I've known that little "rule" for most of my adult life and being on the chunky side myself, I  certainly understand it.

A few years ago at a family reunion, one of my cousins ended up being extremely upset because no one had congratulated her on her pregnancy.  She's overweight and has a body type with a thick middle and the rest of us honestly couldn't tell.  She always looks like that.

My mother was like that!  No, no upset, just fat and never really looked pregnant.  Granted, I only remember seeing her pregnant once, with my youngest brother, but she never really looked like it, and he was a bruiser at 11 lbs 10 1/2 ounces!  Her belly just got harder, not bigger.  Come to think of it, my sister never really looked very pregnant either, but she was  pregnant for barely 7 months. (Her twins were 9 weeks early, and very very tiny)  Our family has very large bones (for real, not just an excuse for being fat), so we carry weight very easily.

Now that I'm an old fat diabetic, I have the belly.  I used to be a Ruben figure, but the stupid age/insulin thing has grown me a nice 9-month pregnant belly.  I haven't had too many questions, though.  Not yet. 

A few years ago, though, a little girl once reached up and hugged my belly and asked, 'Is there a baby in there?'  I just smiled at her and said, 'No honey, it's all me. I'm just fat'.  I'm not embarrassed.  Life is too short.

[Bijou]

One thing I absolutely hate is when people assume I am pregnant. I know I am chubby, OK? But I would rather be called fat than pregnant. But many times people have alluded to pregnancy when, in fact, I am not and never have been pregnant.

Once, when I was 12, I was babysitting my one-year-old niece. A lady walked up to me, patted my tummy, and asked, "When's it due?"

I swear, unless someone mentions a due date, I will NEVER assume pregnancy. Really, it's humiliating. Especially when you're young. Like 12.

So, Ehellions, ever made the mistake of thinking someone's pregnant? Or ever been called pregnant?

Edited for clarification.

I am careful to make no assumptions because I know how hurtful it can be.  On the receiving end though, I had this big flowing blouse that I loved and made the mistake of wearing it to work one day.  A stranger came in and said, "I'm betting on twins!"  I didn't say anything back (I was so aghast).  Honestly, I was carrying some extra weight, but not enough to look pregnant at all, let alone with twins. 

[CynthiaBelle]

I never assume people are pregnant. It really could damage someone's feelings, and it's truly not worth it!!!

I feel bad when I hear stories about it, I've actually seen it happen, although it's never actually happened to me or anyone I was with.

[Slartibartfast]

New one for me yesterday - "Are you pregnant or have you just gained weight?"

Um, NEITHER!  I'm 5'6" and 130 pounds.  I KNOW I don't look pregnant!

The worst part - this was coming from my boss, the mayor!  (She regularly asks me if I'm pregnant, because she knows DH and I got married last spring and of COURSE we're trying to procreate already!)

[Brentwood]

New one for me yesterday - "Are you pregnant or have you just gained weight?"

Um, NEITHER!  I'm 5'6" and 130 pounds.  I KNOW I don't look pregnant!

The worst part - this was coming from my boss, the mayor!  (She regularly asks me if I'm pregnant, because she knows DH and I got married last spring and of COURSE we're trying to procreate already!)

Next time she asks you if you're pregnant, put your foot down. Tell her you don't like being asked about that, and if and when there is a pregnancy to announce, you'll be sure to tell her.

[NYGirl100]

I got the opposite when I first became pregnant but hadn't announced it.  A co-worker actually took me aside, said that she had noticed I had been gaining weight and she can recommend diet pills for me.  Sigh. 

[Gyro Widget]

I am usually pretty thin, except for the tiny "baby belly" as I call it that I've developed recently since I started to eat red meat again.  I've kept most of my physique the same except for the tiny "pooch" on my tummy.  So naturally whenever I go home to my small hometown, the rumors start to fly about me being pregnant.  lol.  I don't know how many times they will be proven wrong before they just accept that I'm not!