Anonymous wrote:I actually used to make comments like this and had NO idea it was rude until a friend of mine told me this bothered her. (I had never said it to her - she was complaining about other people saying it.) I guess I just figured that when you are pregnant, yeah, of course you are looking big, you are supposed to because you are pregnant! So it's ok to say that because you are just making convo because it is OK to look big when you are pregnant.

Now I never make these comments, after what my friend told me. But I really was just clueless before.

Wow. I’m always surprised when people are surprised saying such things are rude. Do you worry that you go through life saying other impolite things that you are “clueless” about? You probably should be.

"I am in pain right now. Do you feel your constant comments are improving my mood?"

And then I'd have my husband explain to her privately that she must stop talking about this.

Last option - leave early.

My MIL who was actually a good person (she passed away a few years ago) did this to me and I honestly had a very difficult time ever feeling the same kindness toward her again. I withdrew somewhat and stopped being so affectionate. I’m sure she was confused about why our relationship cooled.

This worked for me with an annoying co-worker who would not stop commenting on my size. It was like a daily occurrence and I finally got fed up enough to address it.

Her for the zillionth time staring at my stomach: Oh my gosh you are getting SO BIG!

Me (deadpan staring flatly back at her): You know Sally, every pregnant woman just LOVES to hear how big she’s getting. (Wait a long pause.)

Her: Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean it like that....

Me (break into a smile): Oh I’m just kidding, it’s totally fine! Don’t worry about it.

She never said anything about my size ever again.

“Why do you keep commenting on my body? Are you okay?”

I would say, "that kind of comment hurts my feelings. could you please not comment on my body?"