Hey Sis,
Whether you’re expecting, trying to conceive, fresh from giving birth or just plain curious welcome. Grab a seat. And while you’re here, let’s get straight into it. And no, we’re not about to list every symptom you can google. Let’s go general, real, and a little mischievous.
Your Belly, Everyone’s Business
The moment you start sporting a cute bump, it’s like an invisible sign light up: “Free for touching and free advice!”
From aunties at church to strangers in the Woolies queue, everyone suddenly thinks your tummy is public property.
“Hai it’s a boy I can tell by the shape of your nose!”
“So, when’s the due date?” (Like they can do anything with that info.)
“Who’s the father?” (What if he isn’t in the picture have, they thought of that? What if there isn’t one in the way they imagine have, they stopped to consider how family structures have evolved?)
It’s funny until it isn’t. You’re literally carrying a baby and other people’s expectations. Like a walking factory producing life, emotions, and unsolicited opinions all at once.
The Worst Things People Say (Yes, They Really Do)
Sometimes it’s ignorance. Sometimes it’s just plain rude. Here’s a hall-of-shame list collected from real South African experiences:
“Are you guys done, or going for a rugby team?”
“Was it planned?”
“You chose a terrible time to get pregnant.”
“Aren’t you too old to have another baby?”
“Is it the same dad as your first?”
“Are you having a boy or a girl?”
“Are you going to breastfeed?”
…and the list goes on.
They might mean well, but is it necessary?
Tip: Practise putting in boundaries early “Thanks for caring, but we’re keeping that private for now” works wonders.
Here's how to deal with unwanted advice you never requested.
Oh, the “helpful tips” start rolling in the moment you announce a pregnancy and go into overdrive once baby arrives. Suddenly everyone’s an expert telling you how you must give birth, when to feed, whether to breastfeed or formula feed, how long baby should cry, and even how fast you should “bounce back.” Aunties swear by secret teas, neighbours share old wives’ tricks, and random strangers in the shop will warn you not to lift your arms or the cord might “knot.” It’s like the whole world has a manual for your baby except you didn’t ask for it!
When the advice comes flying, take a breath first. A friendly “Thanks, we’re happy with our plan” is enough and you can say it again if they keep at it. Keep what’s useful, let the rest slide. Spend more time with people who lift you up and less with those who drain you. And if it all starts to feel heavy, talking it out with a therapist can help. End of the day, it’s your baby and your call.
It Gets Worse (But We’ll Laugh Through It)
You think you’ve heard every pregnancy story until your own hormones start a full-on protest. One day it’s swollen ankles and midnight heartburn, the next your nose can sniff out a bakery two suburbs away. Your emotions? A rollercoaster. Crying over an ad at 10 a.m., then suddenly deciding the whole house needs decluttering by lunch.
Deep down, you may wonder: Am I ready? Will I be enough? Will I ever sleep again? And while we don’t talk about it enough, pregnancy can stir up real loneliness or even depression. Sometimes life throws in extra curveballs like weeks of bed rest or labour kicking off right when Eskom cuts the power.
And sis, we hate to tell you…even here, the advice brigade will still show up, louder than ever.
The Bigger Picture
By now every woman reading pregnant, once pregnant, planning or proudly child-free has seen herself somewhere in these pages. Maybe you’ve asked those awkward questions. Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end. Either way, this is our shared reality.
Your Silent Takeover
Sis, you are not alone.
Most people honestly don’t know they’re crossing a line. You get to choose how you respond:
Speak up: “I know you care, but those comments make me uncomfortable.” Lead change: Show the next generation that pregnancy deserves respect and privacy. Or simply laugh it off: Protect your peace and move on. Whichever route you choose, remember your pregnancy, your rules.
Your Turn & Next Step
Every story shared helps break a little more silence.
👉 Drop your own “did-they-really-say-that” moments in the comments or DM us if that feels safer.
👉 Share this post with another mom-to-be who needs a reminder that she’s not alone.
And if you’re ready to go beyond the basics, follow us for more tips and honest advice or sign up so you never miss a Sisterhood Redefined guide. We’re sorry (actually we’re not sorry) for keeping it deliciously real and sometimes just plain basic because sometimes that’s exactly what we need. Now let’s teach you how to speak up, laugh through the awkward bits, and keep rewriting the pregnancy playbook together.