Stop Policing Pregnant Women

Stats!
How far along? 35 w 4 d
How much weight gained?  35 lbs (as of last week's midwife visit)
Symptoms? The Sampler Platter: Backaches, heartburn (sometimes), shortness of breath, hip/side pain, fatigue
Mood?  Excited and scared about how much our lives will change, and how soon
What do you miss? Alcohol, deli meat, caffeine, roller skating, the ability to walk a mile without gasping or limping
What are you looking forward to?  Baby feets for tickling, roller skating (when I get the all-clear), being able to diet, buttoning pants
Wedding ring?  On!
Belly button?  In!
Feet? Remain unswollen

I am starting to get pretty sick of everyone thinking they can police my actions.  When you are pregnant, people feel completely free to comment on what you eat, what you do, where you go, etc.  Pregnant women are fully functional, (mostly) rational adults.  Most pregnant women today are also very well informed about pregnancy and dangers for pregnant women.  Some women choose to take calculated minor risks -- for example, I ate a club sandwich yesterday (deli meats are a no-no), and I had a cup of coffee today.  These aren't things I do every day, or even every month, so I don't want to hear from you or anyone else about it.

This past weekend we went on our babymoon to Ocean City.  For the most part, we had a really good time.  We bounced in the ocean and pool, read books in the sand, played mini golf, ate fancy dinners, rode a boat out to Assateague island, relaxed, etc.  However, one thing I was really looking forward to was going to the Jolly Roger amusement park.  I even picked a hotel close to it so we could walk.  I wasn't going to ride the Zipper or anything, but I thought it would be fun to ride the carousel and maybe the ferris wheel (if it looked sturdy).  However, every single ride (including the carousel, and even the house of mirrors had this sign):

NO PREGNANCY

First of all, that lady does not seem pregnant.  Pregnant ladies usually don't just push around a stroller for practice, with their flat bellies.  But that's an aside.  You can put your 2 year old on a carousel.  Do you really think it's not safe for a grown woman?  And the hall of mirrors?  That's just walking!  Do they think pregnant women are so addled that they will walk into the mirrors, break them, and then cut themselves?   It really angered me.  I can make these decisions for myself.

At work, if I lift a ream of paper, people freak out.  I have one coworker who constantly comments on my food choices.  I tell him where he can put his commentary.  I went to a wedding where I was helping out.  I lifted a 10 lb bag of ice and was promptly told by several people to stop doing that.  If I can't lift 10 lbs, I'll be in trouble when the baby reaches a month old. 

So this is my plea to one and all.  LET PREGNANT WOMEN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.  I really, really mean this.  Even if you see a pregnant lady smoking.  Even if you see her having a drink.  You DON'T KNOW her situation or her life.  Maybe she was a 5 pack per day-er and has cut down to one cigarette a day.  Maybe she's 8 months along and this is the first and only sip of wine she plans to have her whole pregnancy.   Even if not, it's not your business.  It's not.  So leave her be.

Pregnant women are rational adults capable of making their own choices.  That is all.