6 “harmless” phrases you should never say to a pregnant woman

On August 15th, World and National Pregnancy Day is celebrated, a date that aims to honor this special moment, but also to raise awareness about the importance of taking good care of your health during pregnancy .

Since taking care of your health isn't just about paying attention to your body, but also your mind and emotions , Metrópoles spoke to a specialist to find out which phrases, which may seem well-intentioned, often cause discomfort in pregnant women.

"What you say (or do) to a pregnant woman matters—a lot. Some phrases penetrate the skin and remain in the emotional memory for years," reveals Érika Mariana, doula, psychologist and neuropsychologist, specializing in perinatal psychology .

Érika details some of the things people usually say to pregnant women in their family, or even to those they don't know and see on the street for the first time, which can be, at the very least, inconvenient.

"Pregnancy is a profound, transformative—and often extremely lonely—time. A pregnant woman hears everything, all the time. And not always with the care and support she truly needs."

See 6 phrases you should never say to a pregnant woman

1. “Wow, your belly is huge!” or “Where’s your belly?”

From the beginning of pregnancy, a pregnant woman's body becomes an endless source of expectations and comments about the size of her belly, phrases that fuel comparisons and insecurities, and reinforce the idea that a woman's body is a public space—when it is not.

2. “Are you sure there’s only one in there?”

Erika emphasizes that this type of comment, even if made jokingly and without malicious intent, can cause discomfort and shame. "A woman may be sensitive about her body, weight gain, or the way others look at her. Laughing about it doesn't help," she explains.

3. “Will it be a natural birth or a cesarean section?”

According to the psychologist, the question often conveys judgment disguised as curiosity. She adds that the choice of delivery method is intimate and highly personal, and that it's not just a choice, but rather a health need for both mother and baby. "Often, this question is loaded with opinions, which can create even more pressure at a time already full of doubts," she adds.

4. “Take the opportunity to sleep now, because later…”

Some phrases or warnings that supposedly serve to prepare the mother for what the future holds can increase anxiety and be frightening, especially in the case of first-time mothers.

5. “You’ll gain a lot of weight that way” or “Can pregnant women eat that?”

The expert emphasizes that monitoring a pregnant woman's body or diet is outdated—and offensive. Comments like these can trigger eating disorders and harm a woman's connection with her own body.

6. “You’re too sensitive.” or “It’s the hormones.”

A pregnant woman is going through hormonal and emotional turmoil. Telling her she's overly sensitive or overreacting due to hormonal fluctuations invalidates her feelings and silences what needs to be heard.

“As one patient of mine told me, ‘The worst part was when they told me I was overreacting. I was already tired, sensitive, trying to cope—and I still had to smile like everything was fine.’ What she needed was acceptance, not judgment,” says Érika.

Respect and acceptance

In addition to inappropriate phrases, the psychologist also highlights one of the most invasive gestures: touching a pregnant woman's belly without asking. "A pregnant woman's body is hers. It's not a public space. Touching without consent is invasive—even if it's 'cute.'"

Another sensitive point the specialist cautions against is sharing traumatic or frightening birth stories. She explains that this is not the time for these types of conversations, as they can increase fear and tension at a time when the woman should be surrounded by sound, evidence-based information, if that's what she wants.

Erika adds that constant, unsolicited advice can also be upsetting, especially when it involves veiled questions and criticism. "Every family is forging its own path. It's important to respect this space," she concludes.