Why are people so afraid of pregnant women going into labour?

Question

Okay here's a good rant for me hehehe - yesterday at work one of the ladies was just chatting to me in the toilets asking how long I have left and how long I'm working for etc. When I answered 6-7wks to go and working for another 5 she looked like she was going to faint. She even went back and had a word to my boss about it (who laughed at her mind you) but it brings me to so many other examples. The first aid officer in my area is afraid that I'll go into labour at work and it will be her responsibility to look after me and even deliver the baby (cause people have first aid officers in their homes ready for these moments), other people are often looking at you funny and saying "don't go into labour on me" Um hello, a pregnant woman generally only goes into labour once. It ain't that common an occurence and it's not like my baby is just going to pop out and land at your feet any second, if I were to start experiencing labour right at this second trust me, I don't want you sticking around either, I'll just go home nice and calm thank you! This especially annoys me when coming from other mothers they know better than anyone that it isn't that common an occurence. They also know that when bub moves sometimes it causes you to grab your tummy cause it can hurt, yet they still freak out the second something like that happens. Why is it such a common thing for people to assume that you will go into labour whilst they are there out of the blue and pop out a baby within seconds? This is very rarely what happens, hugely rare in fact yet it's every second persons forethoughts the minute they lay eyes on a pregnant woman. What the???

Answer 1

Yeah, it is pretty funny, people are so paranoid about the silliest stuff!  When I went into labor, we actually stopped for coffee on the way to the hospital!  The Dunkin Donuts guy was a little nervous with that one...   That said, I was pretty glad that I was home when my water broke, it was a little messy.  :)  I worked all the way up until I delivered, too.

Answer 2

Because anyone can be that one person who delivers their baby within 30mins or so and no one wants to have the responsibility of getting to deliver a baby. Haven't you ever seen those movies where a woman goes into labor and they end up delivering the baby in the taxi? That's what people are afraid of.  

Answer 3

lol! been there, done that. it's insane, isn't it. i remember telling someone that if i go into labor and deliver all within the 5 minutes that it would take for them to realize then freak out, then they better put me into the guinness book of world records!! otherwise i'll have plenty of time to put up my things, call the necessary person and get to where i need to go in order to deliver the baby.

you'll definitely have fun once the baby comes and every mother, aunt, grandmother and woman over 40 will give you her "opinion" on parenting.  that drives me nuts more than the labor. mainly because he never ends!!!!

Answer 4

Actually at my job one of my friends always joked with me and said that he wanted my water to break at my desk...he sat behind me and thought it would be so funny if he saw it leaking under the cubical wall that separated us.  Everyone joked that they were going to get a roll of paper towels ready for me.  My manager even said that if I went into labor everyone would pack into a school bus and come with me to the hospital lol (thank goodness I didn't end up going into labor at work!).  It sounds like you are not in America...maybe it's a difference in cultures?

Answer 5

Well I think most people are intelligent enough to know that it will take time for baby to come out. Most people just don't know what to say or do when confronted with a women who is so far along. It also makes for boring conversation if you have nothing better to say. Many people also don't have a clue as what to do if a women does happen to have a quick labor and can't get to the hospital. I'm expecting my third and have come to find this is just one of those thing we pregnant women have to deal with. The good thing is we have the complete right to let them know we are uncomfortable with the conversation. Also if people are feeling up the belly and invading your space let them know if you are off limits at that moment.

Answer 6

That is a good question!!! haha, funny too.

I guess people are just worried?? Too much hollywood is my answer.

Answer 7

I totally agree! I had the same thing happen to me. I worked right up until I was 11 days OVERDUE and had to be induced!!! My co-workers were always looking at me like I was a time BOMB about to go off! IT MADE ME SOOOO MAD! AND people ALAWAYS asking HOW ARE YOU FEELING!!! I heard that atleast 20 times a day!! FEELING MY BELLY! I was ready to knock someone OUT!!!! :) I have NO IDEA why people freak out about a women going into labor! Probably because of all the TV shows that show women going into labor ***They OVER DRAMATIZE IT!*** Hang in there and just FREAK THAT LADY OUT A LITTLE BY PRETENDING TO GO INTO LABOR!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! :)

Answer 8

It is annoying isn't it! Reminds me of the episode of Murphy Brown when she goes into labor and Myles slides down the hall and puts his hands under her to catch the baby. Lol! It's just one of those things you have to let roll off your shoulder.