Let's face it - pregnancy bellies are meant to be rubbed and patted and gloated over. If you are pregnant you are bound to have people come to you to rub that growing belly. I'm guilty of doing this too. But I am the type of person that it didn't bother me for people to rub my belly. I was always glad that others were happy with me about my pregnancies, however there are many women that are very bothered by this and would rather not have people to touch them in this manner.

I have to admit though, during my six pregnancies, I don't think I ever had a man to want to rub my belly - it was always a woman. And children. I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for another man besides the baby's daddy (or baby's brother) to be touching the pregnant belly. Harmless belly rub or not.

The proper thing to do in the case of seeing that beautiful pregnant belly if people must reach out and touch it is to ask permission from you first. "Oh, may I pat your belly” or "May I give a good luck rub?”. As corny as that sounds, at least that won't be making you feel uncomfortable if you happen to be one of those that doesn't want anyone rubbing your belly. Because you can always reply with a polite, "no".

Little kids are very curious when it comes to pregnancy bellies. If you don't want a child touching your belly, try to avoid a situation where it may be possible. But if you can be tolerant to it, you may want to even grab their little hand and place it on your belly, asking them if they can feel the baby move. This fascinates children, and they will feel important that you thought to allow them the belly rub. Encourage them to be gentle when they do.

It is rude if anyone comes up to a pregnant mom and actually pokes at the belly. In this case you should shield her belly and turn away, politely expressing that the pokes hurt, and please don't do it again.

You could approach your unwillingness to be touched in the belly with a humorous T-shirt that says "You can look, but don't touch.” Everyone is different, and if you simply don't like to be touched, then let folks know - nicely - that prefer not to have that belly rub. There are plenty other pregnancy bellies around that they can pat on.