Do you want to ask if someone is pregnant, but you’re worried you’ll sound rude doing so?
It’s a tricky topic to bring up politely.
But, you’re in luck!
This article has gathered the best alternatives to show you what you can say instead of “are you pregnant?”
Other Ways to Say “Are You Pregnant?”
- Are you expecting any special news?
- Have you got a bun in the oven yet?
- Have you been feeling any different lately?
- Is there a possibility of some exciting news in the near future?
- Have there been any changes in your life recently?
- Have you noticed anything new about yourself lately?
- Is there something you might want to share with me?
- Have you been thinking about the next chapter in your life?
- Have you been considering any big life changes?
- Is there a possibility of a new addition to your family?
- Are there any surprises on the horizon for you?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Are you pregnant?” is never okay to ask. Generally, it’s rude to ask if someone is pregnant.
- “Are you expecting any special news?” is a polite way to ask if someone might have pregnancy news, as it keeps things more generic.
- “Have you got a bun in the oven yet?” is a funny synonym that works when asking close friends if they’re pregnant.
Keep reading to learn polite and funny ways to ask if someone is pregnant. We’ve covered the two best alternatives to show you what options you have.
You can also read the last section to learn if it’s rude to ask if someone is pregnant. Then, you’ll know whether it’s appropriate to do so or if you should avoid it.
Are You Expecting Any Special News? (Polite)
While it’s never wise to ask if someone’s pregnant, you should at least come up with a polite question.
Something like “are you expecting any special news?” is as polite as it comes.
It’s respectful and sincere. It shows that you’re interested in hearing updates about someone’s life, even if they aren’t pregnant.
The best thing about this question is that “special news” is generic and open-ended. Therefore, it doesn’t offend someone if they’re not pregnant.
Generally, you would use something like this when asking a potential employee if they’re pregnant. You can include it during the interview process to learn more about them.
It also works well when asking a coworker if they’ve got anything to say. This could encourage them to discuss their pregnancy with you (if they trust you enough).
You should refer to these examples to learn more about it:
Hey Diane, are you expecting any special news? It’s been a while since we last spoke, so I’m just checking in.
Are you expecting any special news? It’s important for me to know if any major changes are coming up before I hire you.
Have You Got a Bun in the Oven Yet? (Funny)
For a funny way to ask if someone is pregnant, you can use “have you got a bun in the oven yet?”
This is a great phrase to include when messaging friends.
Generally, including “yet” shows that your friends have been trying for a while. So, it’s not a direct comment on someone’s weight when you use it.
Instead, it shows you’re growing impatient and want to know if they’ve finally managed to make a baby.
This could be a fun and exciting way to announce their pregnancy. Give it a go, but only if you’re really good friends with them!
These two examples should help you to understand more about it if you’re still stumped:
So, have you got a bun in the oven yet? I know you’ve been trying, and I really hope things have worked out.
Well, I need to know, have you got a bun in the oven yet? I’ve been rooting for you for the longest time!
Is It Rude to Ask Someone If They Are Pregnant?
It is rude to ask someone if they are pregnant. Generally, you should completely avoid doing it to avoid any embarrassment.
It’s not ok to ask. Asking someone if they are pregnant often results in insulting the person, especially if they’re not pregnant (as you are simply calling them overweight).
The best thing to do is avoid asking if someone is pregnant at all. If they are, they will tell you themselves. Don’t try to get it out of them.
It’s much nicer to wait until someone is comfortable with you and willing to share the news.
You can tell if someone is pregnant without asking when they’re far along in their pregnancy. But even then, you should avoid asking them directly, just in case you’re wrong.
It is not illegal to ask about pregnancy. Technically, you can ask in an interview setting. After all, if an employee is pregnant, they may need to disclose that, as they’ll need time off.
If you ask someone if they’re pregnant and they say “no,” you should apologize immediately for offending them.
As we said, it’s best practice to avoid asking someone if they’re pregnant entirely. It almost never results in positive situations.