Health
Is it ever OK to touch a pregnant woman’s belly? Experts and moms weigh in
For most women, a pregnant belly is a miracle to celebrate — but not necessarily an open invitation for strangers’ hands.
Almost every expectant mother has been on the receiving end of a well-meaning reachout to her tummy. Is this socially acceptable, or are the belly rubbers crossing a boundary?
Multiple etiquette experts — and two mothers with very different viewpoints — weighed in on the hot topic.
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Jamila Musayeva, a certified etiquette expert and coach in the U.K., believes that touching a woman’s belly without her invitation or permission is “absolutely unacceptable.”
“Touching a woman’s belly is being in her intimate space,” she told Fox News Digital. “This space is only for partners, siblings, parents or people we deem close to us. An acquaintance or a colleague touching is not acceptable, let alone a stranger.”
Multiple etiquette experts — and two mothers with very different viewpoints — weighed in on whether it’s OK to touch a pregnant woman’s belly or not. (iStock)
There is no universal protocol when it comes to touching a woman’s belly, Musayeva noted, as it varies based on the person’s religious, cultural and personal values and beliefs.
“One should be aware of these factors as well as use common sense to understand when it is appropriate to do so,” she said.
“If the pregnant lady demonstrates the slightest doubt or pause, it is better to refrain from touching.”
“As a general rule, I would suggest taking into account personal cues from the pregnant woman. If for some reason someone really wants to rub a belly, one should ask the woman if one can do so. If the pregnant lady demonstrates the slightest doubt or pause, it is better to refrain from touching.”
For pregnant women who don’t welcome hands on their bellies, Musayeva recommended using verbal and non-verbal cues to keep unsolicited touches at bay.
For pregnant women who don’t welcome other people’s hands on their bellies, one etiquette expert recommended using verbal and non-verbal cues to keep unsolicited touches at bay. (iStock)
“With verbal communication, let the person know that you do not like receiving belly touches if one is reaching out to touch you,” she said.
“Be affirmative in your tone, but add a smile. It is possible that a person comes from a different culture where touching one for greeting and affection is acceptable.”
She also said, “You can also place your hands over your belly and if someone is about to touch it, let their hand land on your hand instead of the belly.”
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Michelle McMullen, owner of MGM Etiquette in Dallas, Texas, agreed that discretion is called for when it comes to touching pregnant bellies.
“A symbol of hope and humanity, the enormous belly of a pregnant woman may seem irresistible to touch — yet you must resist,” she told Fox News Digital.
An etiquette expert said that discretion is called for when it comes to touching women’s pregnant bellies. (iStock)
“While the idea of a new life sparks joy for many, the emotions of pregnancy can be complicated for the mother,” she went on. “Feelings of vulnerability and protectiveness are common.”
In most instances, McMullen said, laying hands on a woman’s belly would be considered intrusive.
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“If you are very close to the woman — husband, mother, sister or child — you may ask permission to touch her,” she advised.
“For all others, a warm smile and congratulations are more appropriate ways to express your sentiment.”
Two mothers’ viewpoints
Megan Elizabeth Guist, a mother who lives in South Lebanon, Ohio, said she was very protective of her belly during her pregnancy nine years ago.
“I have had multiple pregnancy losses and was told I would never be able to carry full term — then we got pregnant with our miracle baby,” she told Fox News Digital.
Megan Elizabeth Guist, a mother who lives in South Lebanon, Ohio, said she was very protective of her belly during her pregnancy nine years ago. (Megan Guist)
“I loved rubbing my belly and talking to our baby, but I did not like people outside our family or inner circle touching my belly.”
She added, “I feel that all too often, people invade a pregnant woman’s space.”
“I loved rubbing my belly and talking to our baby, but I did not like people outside our family or inner circle touching my belly.”
If someone were to ask permission to touch her pregnant belly, she said she would have been more likely to allow it.
“I am someone who gets claustrophobic with too many people, and my pregnancy magnified that for me,” Guist said.
“During my pregnancy, my husband and ‘bonus son’ were really good about acting as a buffer for me in public and not letting people get super close to me,” she noted.
“During my pregnancy, my husband and bonus son were really good about acting as a buffer for me in public and not letting people get super close to me,” Guist said. (Megan Guist)
Another Ohio mother, Karen James-Hall, had a different opinion about people touching her belly when she was pregnant with her daughter, Erin, 39 years ago.
“I loved every belly rub or touch that I got,” James-Hall told Fox News Digital.
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“I felt like the person who touched or rubbed my belly was getting to know my baby before she got here,” she went on.
“I believe all of this gave me the happiest baby once she was born. She felt so loved from her first breath outside the womb.”
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As winter weather moves in, cozy essentials like scarves, plush throws and heated bedding become everyday comforts.
But dermatologists caution that these cold-weather favorites can secretly undermine skin health — trapping sweat and bacteria, causing irritation and exposing the skin to excess heat.
Choosing the right materials for wellness — and using them safely — can make a big difference.
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Here are five winter must-haves and gift ideas, with expert tips on how to keep skin healthy and happy while staying warm this season.
Soft scarf, $19.99, Amazon.com
Scarves made of natural fiber, like this one that is 100% cotton, may help if you’re prone to irritation. (Amazon)
A soft scarf is a staple for cold days and an easy way to elevate a winter outfit.
Yet, if breakouts are appearing along the neck, jawline or chest, that favorite accessory may be part of the problem.
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“You should wash your scarf as often as your clothes to prevent breakouts,” Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at Fresha, a beauty and wellness booking platform headquartered in London, told Fox News Digital.
Cotton is a better choice than polyester, she also noted, as it’s more breathable and allows sweat to evaporate.
Fluffy blankets, $28.97, Potterybarn.com
Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin — which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth. (Pottery Barn)
Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin, which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth.
Rough textures or infrequent washing can also irritate sensitive skin and worsen breakouts.
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“Regularly wash your blankets, especially those made from synthetic or fluffy materials, to remove built-up oils and dirt,” Taurua advised.
She recommended breathable materials like cotton or linen, as well as hypoallergenic options for anyone prone to irritation.
Good set of sheets, $49.99, Amazon.com
Much like scarves, natural fibers are the way to go for your linens to avoid irritation. (iStock)
Cold weather makes lingering in bed especially tempting, but lying on unwashed bedding can worsen acne.
Pillowcases and sheets quickly collect oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, which transfer directly onto the face.
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“Washing bedding frequently is important,” Taurua said. “You should aim to change and wash your pillowcases every two to three days and your sheets at least once a week.”
Heated blanket, $33.99, Walmart.com
Heated blankets are a great way to stay warm during the winter. (Walmart)
When using a heated blanket, start with the lowest heat setting and limit use, said Taurua.
“Once you’re warm, switch to a regular blanket,” she advised.
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She also said it’s best to avoid direct contact for long periods to reduce irritation.
Hot water bottle, $12.99, Amazon.com
A traditional winter staple, hot water bottles offer quick comfort — but they come with risks similar to heated blankets, including burns, scalding and long-term heat-related skin damage.
Hot water bottles should never be filled with boiling water, experts advise. (Amazon)
“Never fill a hot water bottle with boiling water,” Taurua said.
“Only use hot, not boiling, water, and fill it to a maximum of two-thirds.”
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She recommended wrapping the bottle in a towel or cover to avoid direct skin contact and limiting use to around 20 minutes.
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Comedian Amy Schumer, 44, has recently come clean about her struggle with Cushing’s syndrome, leading to a dramatic weight loss.
Schumer’s transformation has sparked conversation online, to which she responded in a now-deleted Instagram post that shut down speculation about cosmetic enhancements.
“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” she emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler.
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Schumer doubled down that her weight loss was not about her appearance, but about staying alive.
“Not to look hot, which does feel fun and temporary,” she said. “I did it to survive. I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it and that disease has cleared.”
Amy Schumer attends Variety’s 2024 Power of Women: New York event on May 2, 2024, in New York City on the left. On the right, Schumer later poses for a photo posted to Instagram after her weight loss. (Marleen Moise/WireImage; Amy Schumer/Instagram)
“Sorry for whatever feeling it’s giving you that I lost that weight,” she added. “I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro]. Sorry to anyone they let down. I’m pain free. I can [play] tag with my son.”
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The actress also addressed her shifting hormones, saying that she’s “happy to share more if anyone has any questions about how I’m looking or feeling or where I am in my perimenopause process.”
“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” Schumer emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler. (Amy Schumer/Instagram)
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Schumer previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can cause extreme swelling, fatigue and potentially fatal complications.
Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight loss specialist in New Jersey, provided more details on the condition in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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“Cushing’s syndrome is caused by prolonged, high exposure to cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone,” he said. “Usually, the excess cortisol is a result of prolonged steroid use. We see this many times with patients who have some autoimmune disorder.”
Balazs said the “key” to Cushing’s syndrome is not just weight gain, but a “specific redistribution” of fat caused by too much cortisol.
Amy Schumer is photographed during a guest interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Feb. 13, 2024 (left), and later seen walking through midtown New York City on Oct. 28, 2025 (right). (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images)
Fat may be driven to the abdomen, chest, upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”) or face, sometimes considered “moon face,” the doctor said.
Cortisol also breaks down protein, which leads to a thinning in the arms and legs. “Weight gain can be tough, involuntary and hard to manage,” Balazs added.
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Cortisol stimulates “hunger centers” in the brain, raises blood sugar and promotes fat storage, especially deep belly fat, according to the doctor.
Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, bone loss and sometimes type 2 diabetes, per Mayo Clinic.
In addition to weight gain in certain areas, other symptoms may include pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms, as well as acne, slow wound healing, and thin, frail skin that bruises easily.
With Cushing’s syndrome, fat may accumulate in the abdomen, chest, face or upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”). (iStock)
Women with Cushing’s syndrome often experience thick, dark hair on the face and body, as well as irregular periods. Symptoms among men can include a lower sex drive, reduced fertility and erectile dysfunction.
Mayo Clinic listed other potential symptoms, including extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, trouble with concentration and memory, headache, sleeplessness, skin darkening and stunted growth in children.
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Those with symptoms should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they are taking steroids to treat health issues like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, as these medications can exacerbate the condition.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that the “sooner treatment starts, the better the chances for recovery.”
“I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro],” Schumer stated in a social media post. (George Frey/Bloomberg)
For patients like Schumer, weight loss is typically not the main goal, Balazs noted, but it is a “critical sign” of successful treatment.
“The primary goal is to normalize your high cortisol levels,” he said. “I believe Amy Schumer got treated first for her underlying problem. Once the cortisol is normalized, which is the most important step, there’s a role to use adjunct medications to decrease weight.”
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Among GLP-1s, Mounjaro is an “excellent choice to decrease deep belly fat and increase insulin sensitivity of cells,” Balazs added.
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.
Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s rep requesting comment.
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