GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- For the last several months, KARE 11 viewers and readers have contacted reporter Karla Hult to inquire about her pregnancy.
And the comments and questions from those viewers and readers, along with those from friends, family and colleagues, have run the gamut -- from bizarre, to offensive, to outright funny. You have only to read her latest blog to see that that is true.
But Karla long ago discovered she's not unique in this experience. To the contrary, people love to approach a pregnant woman. KARE 11 found proof of that at Blooma in Edina on Friday night, where pregnant women recounted their favorite "pregnancy comments."
"She said, 'you're huge.' And I said, 'I know.' And she said, 'no, you're REALLY huge,'" said Teresa Espanas, who's expecting her first child on Feb. 3.
"Especially with my first, when I was really big, everyone was trying to touch," related Kristin Young, also a pregnant mother.
But at least one expert suggests that what seems to be a universally felt phenomenon is also an example of people attempting to do the right thing.
"A lot of people get very excited when they see someone who is expecting... and it might remind them of themselves or their children, so they get very excited," said Laura Barclay, the President and Founder of the Minneapolis Civility and Etiquette Center.
Barclay said pregnant women should try to give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to even the more obnoxious comments. She suggests women ignore the comments, make a joke about them, or have a few quips ready. But bottom line, she recommends women take the high road -- responding with a polite, "thank you for sharing."
As for those who can't contain their "excitement," Barclay also recommends rephrasing their approach.
"You don't need to make any negative comments about weight or that the person looks tired, you can just simply say that they're glowing," she said.
One final recommendation from Barclay: avoid the impulse of reaching out and touching the pregnant belly.
"Just as you wouldn't go and automatically touch any stranger, it's not appropriate to touch someone who is pregnant," she said.
By the way, Karla reports she's "due any day now."
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