"precious" pregnancies

slattern
NOUN
A dirty, untidy woman.
‘a slattern, her lipstick awry’
‘here dwelt the drunks and the slatterns’

from Merriam's Dictionary

Not how I'd describe a new mum or anyone else who doesn't wear makeup!!

paddyann, my grandmother (born 1875) taught me that a lady never wears make-up or jewellery at breakfast. A great get-out-of-jail-free card for me, but probably a bit scary for people who have to share a breakfast buffet with me on holiday.

She also taught me to sit up straight with a clear inch between my back and the chair back, so as you can imagine I'm not, definitely not, slouching over my keyboard right now with my nose nearly touching the screen.

If it takes full makeup to STOP you looking a slattern, thank god I have always looked reasonable without it. When I was young and foolish I used to put on mascara to go out in the evening, but by the time I came home I had the panda look and my eyes stung for days.

I soon learnt that it was better to keep my skin and hair looking good and stay as nature made me. It didn't seem to affect my "pulling power".

Well I was obviously a slattern before I had a baby, definitely afterwards and I continue be one. Never have my hair 'done', sometimes wear make up, but certainly didn't when I had been up feeding, changing and comforting a screaming baby with colic. I don't think I ever had myself in hand so can't possibly be accused of "letting myself go"!

Oh dear, I don't always wear makeup and definitely never before breakfast (unless in a hotel as you never know who you might meet )

The "no makeup -> slattern" idea is a bit strange. I was 17, had lovely skin, as most new mums did. No makeup was needed. I showered, brushed my hair and teeth, wondered which jeans might fit.

So does not "putting one's face on "make one a slattern? Oh dear!

What a paragon you are paddyann!

Really? I certainly didn't worry about make up, brushed my hair, teeth, and got dressed, but being made up was never on the menu.Having a good skin and being in my twenties anyway meant that I didn't need much (if any) and being tired with a new baby and on my own ( no paternity leave then, no Mother or anyone else in fact) meant that I had plenty to do.
I liked my maternity clothes, and remember that when Diana wore hers, those bows and lace were very in vogue at the time.

you never know Deedaa I had full make up and hair done the day after a c -section and have always put on "my face" before breakfast every day .We dont all become slatterns because we have babies you know,its easily possible to look good and be a mum.I'm horrified at the state some young women go out in ,as if having a baby gives them an excuse to let themselves go

But she can afford a full-time Nanny, can't she? Or even two...

I saw Cheryl whatever her name is now on a front page today. OMG she's PREGNANT! Who knew such a thing was possible! I rather suspect she won't be in full make up for those 2am feeds {grin] not to mention cleaning up all the exploding nappies and baby sick afterwards.

Mawbroon, the Baby on Board signs I referred to are the ones on cars, and Princess on Board Yuk! I hadn't even considered that the Mum's are wearing the label themselves, it's even worse than I thought. I sympathise with mum to be needing a seat on the train but we can see she's pregnant surely without a badge proclaiming the fact.
As for the FB photos, I don't look at them but you can't miss them as you scroll past.
Finally, yes I do have grandchildren, three actually, all grown up now so eventually there will probably be great grandchildren. I shall be thrilled but I won't be putting it on FB or even GN for that matter. It's a family thing.

Oh Lady Gracie you must be thrilled. We have a very precious DGD. Due to chronic health problems we never thought DD would be able to be pregnant so when she was able to produce DGD, at great personal health cost to her, we were beyond thrilled. Of course we're greedy and want her to do it again but know in our heart of hearts it's not going to happen. Even though we have 4 other DGC this one is SO special. Enjoy!

I think it's wonderful that they are looking forward to bringing a new life into the world and involving their other children. Anything that makes the family bond stronger can't be a bad thing. It's a happy time and should be embraced.

Blodwen 1910 its different times ,surely you dont expect people to act or dress like they did in the 60's? We cant go backwards so just embrace the changes,theres nothing criminal or wrong in feeling a baby move inside its mum,and you should be feeling quite privileged to have been allowed .

Still confused how does a partner hold the bump up. Wheelbarrow?

I don't like to see naked bumps, (it looks uncomfortable to me) but think a blossoming pregnant woman is one of the most beautiful things I'll ever see!
Just in case anyone starts a discussion about breastfeeding, I shall nail my colours to the mast right now; There is nothing more natural than a mother feeding and nurturing her child, in public or otherwise. If people have a problem with seeing it, that's exactly what it is......their problem!

I loved the tent dresses as my skin hated anything touching it and itched beyond belief with anything tight. I spent a while in Greece and was shocked that people came and rubbed my belly as it was considered lucky. This was over forty years ago. I was told it was the only time men would give me a seat on a bus as I might be carrying a boy. She was a girl so yaboosucks to the m

I also completely agree with MawBroon and Lona .
Pregancies are to be celebrated, however one chooses to do so.

There's such pickiness on GN sometimes, and pickiness about the pleasure of a forthcoming baby really does confound me!

Wonder what is the right thing to say when someone digs in their pocket or bag and produces a scan picture. I'm never sure whether to say how lovely it looks when it clearly doesn't. They can now have these scan pictures in 3D, sorry whoever it is I can't help feeling it's all a bit spooky. I'd rather wait to meet the baby in person

Well, I'm very happy for them all and wish them all the best but I don't particularly want to look at a naked pregnant belly displayed on the news stands which seems to be the latest sleb thing to do.

As for stroking bellies, I think it's just an unconscious thing that mums-to-be do; I used to have to push DD2's foot away from underneath my ribs as she seemed to like lodging her feet there and it was most uncomfortable.

They may be stroking their bellies with cream, oils etc later on to try to get rid of the stretch marks which appear sometimes whatever you do!

I remember those dreadful tents with giant bows or 'sailor' collars' only too well MawBroon! However , having had years of treatment to get pregnant I think I started wearing them almost from the moment of conception I was so happy to be able to put one on lol

I feel so surprised to be referred to as a grumbling granny and also it being suggested that I feel entitled and possibly estranged from my family. nothing could be further from the truth.
I was merely expressing a personal opinion which anyone is at liberty to disagree with without almost insulting my view.

I agree with MawBroon totally. Having a baby is a wonderful thing that we can happily celebrate these days. There are lots of women who would gladly have a bump to talk to and stroke, but they are unable to conceive.