How to politely tell coworkers to mind their own business?

I am very nonconfrontational. However, I'm really taking offense at how pushy, pissy, and opinionated some people can be. I am an educated woman and would not do anything I thought poised even a moderate risk. How do I firmly tell people to butt out?

The two times I was pregnant, I told nosey people that I was the one gaining the weight, dealing with swollen ankles and will ultimately have the C section and stretch marks. I bluntly told people like that I was not an idiot and was perfectly capable of following my own doctor's advice.

Good luck on this one! I hate people who think they know it all when it comes to pregnancy. Things change so often it is difficult for anyone to keep up with all of the latest in the OB field.

There's nothing wrong with having some caffeine when you are pregnant. Or even some wine! Maybe come up with something that works for you that you can use as your go to statement. Like Mrs. Carole, sounds like she had her story and was stickin to it!

I think I'd just maybe say well my OB and I make the decisions that are right for this baby together and I'm going with that but I appreciate the concern. And make it clear the opinion isn't welcome.

Good luck!

Lol- I like Carole's answer.

When I was pregnant I also had my 1 cup of (cherished) coffee every morning. My OB said it was fine and I have a beautiful 3 year old to prove it. Good Luck Patricia

I like what you told them! lol I'll have to try that/being more blunt as I am too polite/ non-confrontational for my own good sometimes.

I did tell this CANCER nurse that my doctor is in her early 50s/late 40s, is a specialist w/quite a lot of experience and knows what she's doing. (Translation: I think she knows better than you). To make matters more annoying, there was another (also opinionated) coworker listening (whom I thought was a friend) nodding her head yes to Natalie's remarks in the background. I am ready to blow! erghhhh

I can definitely understand your frustration and it can be very dificult to be blunt with co-workers since you spend most of your waking hours with them. Sorry you're dealing with this. I think Jenn's "go to comment" was well put though.

@Jenn E- I'm glad you mentioned the wine- that was the other issue I ran into with another coworker (whom I also thought was a friend) the week before Christmas. I found out she & others went to a bar after the staff Christmas party and were talking about how I had ONE glass of wine at the staff party... which again, my OB ok'ed, as does the UK College of OB & Gynecologists.. and numerous multiyear studies, including one in Canada over several decades.

We all have a right to our opinions. If she had any concerns, this person should have approached me directly, not brought the topic up with coworkers who know very little about me/whom's business it is not.

Patricia....Good job! If you don't want to tell your co-workers to MTOB, I think you should emphasize how quickly things change in this field. That would be like me trying to tell my 25 year old daughter what to do whenever she gives me a granddaughter. I haven't been preggars in 17 years. Heck, even newborn care has changed rapidly.

Patricia....Good job! If you don't want to tell your co-workers to MTOB, I think you should emphasize how quickly things change in this field. That would be like me trying to tell my 25 year old daughter what to do whenever she gives me a granddaughter. I haven't been preggars in 17 years. Heck, even newborn care has changed rapidly.

Patricia....Good job! If you don't want to tell your co-workers to MTOB, I think you should emphasize how quickly things change in this field. That would be like me trying to tell my 25 year old daughter what to do whenever she gives me a granddaughter. I haven't been preggars in 17 years. Heck, even newborn care has changed rapidly.

Ah yes, the wine. My doctor allowed me up to 2 glasses per week. I didn't always do it ofcourse, but if we had friends over and I wanted to take a load off...i certainly would have my 2 glasses.

Very ture, Mrs. Carole M! Things do change quickly. Another example is how some docs and women still think they should not do any exercise whatsoever while pregnant, that it will harm the baby. It's now been shown to be helpful to work out regularly, especially during delivery. I don't belong to a gym, alas, nor jog or anything, just take my german shepherd for long walks a few times a week. But again, another example of the polar divide of opinions about pregnancy.

*true (typo)

Also, I meant working out regularly while pregnant makes the labor easier, not to work out while delivering, lol.

Sorry to say this but your going to have to get used to the unwanted remarks and advise from anyone and everyone around bc its the inevitable part of being pregnant. I have a alomost 2 year old and when I was pregnant I literally wanted to just punch some ppl in the face...

Geez, it's a miracle most of us turned into healthy adults given that our moms didn't have all the *modern* advice. They drank coffee. They didn't really have this many gyms around. And organic wasn't really a concept until recently.

I usually find it that a brief "Thank you" an d the change of subject gets people off my back. Eventually.

This is just one of those things that people will never stop giving unwanted advice on! lol And once your baby is born, it will be on childrearing instead of pregnancy!

I tend to agree with not drinking any coffee or wine, but that is my personal opinion, and I'm well aware that other people have other opinions that they are entitled too! Some people don't get that second part though!

When I get unsolicited advice I generally just say oh yea, and nod and change the subject, and if they really persist I will just tell them flat out that its really none of their business. But I'm a pretty assertive person lol. Or you could always just say WOW great idea Id never thought of that, just to shut them up!! lol

Tell them you've heard caffeine stunts growth and you want a petite daughter. Or that wine causes drowsiness and you're trying to train your baby to sleep through the night early.

LMAO at Ryan's response- I love it. perfecto *muah*

I always told people that every parent screws up their kid and unless they are paying my kids shrinks bills, they do not get an opinion.

The next time she gets pissy with you about something like that, just tell her that one of the worst things is actually stress. A cup of coffee a day may have a tiny weenie effect, but too much stress can cause a miscarraige. Then tell her that she is stressing you out and therefore must be a horrible person for doing that to a pregnant woman.