by Karen Cleveland
Disclaimer: I am not pregnant (thank my stars. Repeat: thank my lucky stars). But I am loving Marta’s stuff, so I’ve crafted this based on the insights of friends who are avec bébé, or are now mamas. Some of it may be common sense, which as we all know, is not common at all…

First up: if you think someone is pregnant, don’t congratulate them, or ask them when they are due. Only proceed if you KNOW they are pregnant. How embarrassing (for everyone) if they aren’t expecting.

Do you like strangers or distant acquaintances touching you? Specifically, your belly? Me neither. And this inclination doesn’t change when you get knocked up. Baby bumps are cool, fascinating things, but don’t go racing in to feel junior kick unless it is ok with the person hosting said bump.

And natch, open doors, give up your seat, offer your place in line for the ladies room – they are carrying precious cargo, don’t you know?

Think of it as bestowing good decorum before the pricks of the world have a chance to jade them into ill-mannered heathens.