Moms...do I really have to fawn all over pregnant women?

Is it REALLY necessary for me to fawn all over a woman when she tells me she is pregnant?

We have a new staff member at my office. She walked by my desk (which is on the way to the ladies room) and introduced herself like so :

"Hi, I'm Betsy...You might see me running to the bathroom a lot, because I'm pregnant"
My response? "That's fine. Congrats..I'm Rachel, by the way"
She waited as if she expected me to say more. Personally, I didn't care to know about her frequent visits to the ladies room, nor do I particularly care that this woman (whom I've JUST met) is gestating.
A similar situation happened last week when I ran into an aqquaintance while visiting a mutual friend in the hospital. We were just sitting there chatting when she told me she was pregnant. I said congrats, but she then proceeded to go into detail about her morning sickness, bladdar pressure, and how she would try to elevate her pelvis after sex to ensure insemination. How am I supposed to respond to that?

And...do I really have to touch the bump if I don't know the person well? What is it with women I barely know taking my hand and placing it on the bump?

Hi my name is Cindy. I have a bladder infection and I run to the bathroom all the time. I also get an upset stomach at times and I don't know why so you'll see me running to the potty.

OR

Hi my name is Cindy and I found out that I'm STILL NOT PREGNANT and I'm so excited about it. I mean, I have never wanted kids so each month I'm just as happy as a clam when my little friend visits me. Would you like to put your hand on my bloated tummy to feel it? I'm SO excited. And if you see me running back and forth to the potty all day it's because my little friend is here so I have to make sure everything stays fresh....

Is that enough info? I'm thinking I should give more when I first meet people.

<grin>
Rachel, you and I are exactly alike.

To really answer your question, Saying a sincere Congrats with a nice smile is enough. Period. You could always ask if they want a cookie but that's rude. =P

I am pregnant and please do not fawn, hahahaha. I feel like a lot of women just like that attention, but I don't need that, I have a husband at home. You were really nice to her, no worries. Report It

No, you don't have to fawn all over pregnant women. It made me quite uncomfortable when strangers or acquaintances would touch my stomach.

Some people when they are pregnant, are so exicted it is all they can talk about... idle conversation revolves around it. Just enjoy their excitment, and maybe veer the conversation toward "have you decided what colour you will paint the nursery"... that at least will move the conversation away from her bathroom habits.

Yeah, fawning all over them isn't necessary. Maybe just a congrats like you said. Many women are just super excited and happy when they get pregnant... especially if they have had difficulty in doing so. I just found out I am pregnant after trying since july last year... It is just blissful. BUT, no... you don't need to do anything extra like a "cartwheel" for them. Your response seems appropriate.

I am the total opposite. I do not like the attention garned by my growing belly bump. I talk to my boyfriend about pregnancy stuff, and that's about it. I don't expect people to "fawn all over me". I expect people to fawn all over the BABY when she's born, and that's fine by me-she's the star of the show!! :-)