Is there a polite way to tell someone to stop talking about pregnancy?

[Anonymous]

Maybe the pregnant woman is not really that excited about having another baby, but still wants all the attention of a first baby. I have seen this. Other moms are just saying : cut it out. They do not want to hear it, so infertile women is her main outlet. "I have something you want!" People are not always kind.

[Anonymous]

"The infertile women is using a lot of energy to be polite when really it is killing her. I have seen those tears well up. I know it is not the end of the world to be infertile but only an idiot would keep up the chatty Cathy about her pregnancy in that situation. I still think Chatty is enjoying the drama."

Since Chatty Cathy isn't a mind reader, it's up to infertile friend to speak up for herself and stop being a captive audience and martyr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you trying to referee the interaction between these two coworkers? In my experience, that never goes well. Let your infertile coworker make her own decisions and let your pregnant coworker do the same. It'll be way more awkward if you insert yourself in the middle of it.

Because infertile friend has told me how much it upsets her. She looks like she is about to cry every time pregnant friend says anything. Maybe I should just be quiet, but I really feel for infertile friend.

If you guys are friends then maybe a gentle approach like, "It's gotta be so hard for X with so many happy pregnancies like yours this summer and then all the media over the royal baby. I wonder if there's anything we could do to help make her feel better. What do you think?" Then let Y kick out somme ideas. Applaud those ideas and then add "Great! These plus maybe going a bit easy on the baby talk will probably really help X soooo much. Thanks for helping!"

Best suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you trying to referee the interaction between these two coworkers? In my experience, that never goes well. Let your infertile coworker make her own decisions and let your pregnant coworker do the same. It'll be way more awkward if you insert yourself in the middle of it.

Because infertile friend has told me how much it upsets her. She looks like she is about to cry every time pregnant friend says anything. Maybe I should just be quiet, but I really feel for infertile friend.

If you guys are friends then maybe a gentle approach like, "It's gotta be so hard for X with so many happy pregnancies like yours this summer and then all the media over the royal baby. I wonder if there's anything we could do to help make her feel better. What do you think?" Then let Y kick out somme ideas. Applaud those ideas and then add "Great! These plus maybe going a bit easy on the baby talk will probably really help X soooo much. Thanks for helping!"

Best suggestion.

X doesn't want Y to know that she is infertile.

[Anonymous]

Update - I spoke to coworker and told her generally that I thought there might be someone in the office who was struggling with infertility and maybe we should save the baby talk for when it was just the two of us. Seemed to go over well and she has cut back discussing it when other friend is with us.

[Anonymous]

So glad to hear it! Very glad you took a kind, honest, and tactful approach. Way to go!