I agree, Busymum - that's a blimmin rude question to be randomly asking people!  I would ask a good friend, and would talk about our own family planning with friends, but that's it.  I wouldn't want people who weren't close to me to ask though.  I might be really wrong on this, but wouldn't the whole 'suprise' thing mostly be a factor in the early days, when you realise how life is going to change so much and have to adjust to it all?  I mean, the result of a planned or not-planned pregnancy is still the same... motherhood!!!  Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this, any ladies who've been 'suprised'! 

I've so far avoided the belly-touching from strangers.  Maybe they can tell I'm fully prepared to rub their tummies right back.  I'll almost be dissapointed if I don't get a chance to now!  My sis tried to identify what was what (head, back, etc) in my belly while I was minding my own business doing the dishes - being a first year vet student she's suddenly a genius on every topic known to mankind, and there's no arguing with her superior understanding of... well, everything!  She didn't believe me when I said the midwife is only just now able to tell how baby is lying, and there's no way us non-midwifes could tell what's what in there yet (anterior placenta).  I was being rubbed and prodded like a farm animal... grrrr. 

Eeew that's so ick and FUNNY!!   I worked for my Dad for a couple of summers and heard a customer refer to me as "the missus"... he got put straight pretty quick!  I think I was still a teenager at the time, too - DODGY! 

Ah, Janine, that is some good stuff about your poor Mike's phone manner... oh that's classic.