ASDA REVEALS THE THINGS THAT MAKE NEW MUMS GO ‘GRRR’
A recent survey has revealed the top bugbears expectant and new mums face on a daily basis. Hitting the number one spot is personal space invasion with ‘bump touching’ by friends and family, but mostly complete strangers,voted as the ultimate of irritants by 60% of women asked.
I always felt like my personal space was invaded when friends,family and strangers felt the need to place their hands on my pregnant bump, especially without asking or even warning me. The bump became the only thing people were interested in, forgetting I was a person and not just a walking baby incubator. I know some mums to be do not mind this at all, but I always think it is polite to ask first before you start ‘bump touching’.
At number two came the unsolicited advice when you reveal your pregnancy, with over 43% of new mums constantly being told “to sleep when the baby sleeps” and being asked “are you looking after yourself and taking your vitamins?”
I always took any advice I could get from other experienced Mums, granted it did get tiresome being told the same advice over and over again.
However it’s not all good intentions and helpful ‘friendly’ tips with “you look tired” and exclamations on the size of the bump – “you look huge for how far along you are” (26%) – as well as terrifying labour stories pre-birth (18%) also making the list! One in ten expectant mums admit to avoiding going out and seeing friends in order to escape the tips and bump touching.
The pre-birth stories were extremely distressing especially when you have no first hand experience in childbirth yourself. I have to admit I have done this myself without thinking first.
It looks like Kate Middleton isn’t the only pregnant mum hoping to keep things private, the Asda survey of over 1,000 women also revealed that well over half (58%) of expectant mums would rather keep their chosen baby names a secret, despite being constantly asked what it is.
My advice is to tell people a fake name, there is nothing worse than someone taking your chosen name for their baby, It did happen to a friend of mine! I had names for both my boys throughout both pregnancies and when I Saw them face to face for the same time they did not look like any of the names I had chosen so it was back to the drawing board!
Post baby, 34% of new mums secretly dread the unexpected invasion of early visitors hoping to get a sneak peak before they’re ready to let the world back in and secretly lamenting the days of socialising with friends also made the cut as almost 16% included losing touch with childless friends and their fancy-free social lives within their top ten.
For a third of women came the pre-announcement annoyance of friends continuously insinuating if you are expecting in front of others – “why aren’t you drinking – are you pregnant?” (33%). Questions about cravings came bottom, with just 9% being irritated with constantly being asked the same question.
The early visitors were my biggest nightmare.My little baby was only 24 hours old and I had 10 relations and friends all sat passing him around like a little toy. I wanted to scream “give him back” I would do now but you feel compelled when you have guests to be hospitable.It left my new little bundle of joy very unsettled and harder work for his very exhausted mum.
As well as the top bugbears, the survey also reveals the top bittersweet expectations vs reality for expectant mothers:
| EXPECTATION | REALITY |
| GLOWING SKIN | SWEATY OUTBREAKS |
| STYLISH MATERNITY WARDROBE | SPENDING THE MAJORITY OR YOUR TIME IN TRACKSUIT BOTTOMS & PJ’S |
| HEALTH CONSCIOUS VEGAN DIET | DIET CONSISTS OF CHOCOLATE & SWEETS |
| DAILY PREGNANCY PILATES & YOGA | EXERCISE LEVELS DROP TO 0% |
| BRUNCHING WITH OTHER EXPECTANT MUMS | TOO TIRED TO LEAVE THE HOUSE |
| MAINTAIN BODY SHAPE WHILE BOASTING A BEAUTIFULLY SHAPED BUMP | GAIN WEIGHT ALL OVER |
| HAVE A CALM, SERENE MENTALITY | REGULAR MOOD SWINGS |
An Asda spokesperson said:
“No pregnancy comes without its fair share of exhausted smiles and plenty of ‘friendly’ advice but it’s been interesting to see what exactly hits the nerves of our Asda mums. Whether its personal space issues or advice on fancy gadgets, it looks like most mothers would much prefer to be the one asking for advice, rather than being bombarded with it. With Asda’s extensive Baby & Toddler range, we hope to make life a little easier for new mums with fantastic prices across baby essentials, meaning at least the purse strings aren’t being pulled in the wrong direction along with mum’s patience!”
Have you any experiences of bump touching,the unexpected invasion of early visitors or the dreaded pre-birth stories? I would love you to share your stories or comments with us.
Very true! Did have a giggle at a few of them – sleep when the baby sleeps…. so when will I do the housework/have a shower/eat?!
I didn’t mind when close friends and family touched my bump but then one work colleague that I had nothing to say to was doing it quite often and almost stroking it, it just felt weird. The same woman kept giving me advice and suddenly being friendly with me. I am going back to work soon after 9 months of maternity leave and I wonder what she will be like this time.
Oh Good luck with that! It’s strange how people react when us ladies are pregnant. I hope it gets a little more comfortable when you get back to work, hopefully she won’t continue to rub your tummy.. Keep me posted I would love to hear more.