'Womb shaming' barista tries to confiscate pregnant customer's coffee
![A pregnant woman, posed by model, has been shamed for drinking coffee. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gFUqjw5NxEw8FJypiQPTQg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02Njk-/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/ojjH1uyn.jnNh4QCEDjEmg--~B/aD03NTY7dz0xNDA0O2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5ce2869c2100007805809967.jpeg)
Anyone who has ever been pregnant will know how annoying it is to receive unsolicited advice from strangers.
That’s why social media users are outraged after hearing of a woman who was “womb-shamed” for simply wanting a coffee.
Tiffany Stevenson told how she intervened after witnessing a pregnant woman being confronted by a barista at a Starbucks coffee shop.
READ MORE: Why it’s so important to exercise during pregnancy
In a now-viral Twitter thread, the English comedian, who goes by “Tiff”, addressed the male barista’s “womb-shaming” behaviour.
Unbelievable bit of womb bothering in Starbucks at services . A pregnant woman got her Caramel Macchiato and the guy behind the counter said
‘Oh , it’s for you . Do you want me to make a decaf?’
She said ‘No, thanks’
Him ‘No I should because caffeine is bad for the baby’— Tiffany Stevenson (@tiffstevenson) May 18, 2019
After witnessing the man’s persistent attempts to make the woman switch to a decaf coffee, the woman was forced to intervene.
Sadly, her protest fell on deaf ears as the man continued to preach to the pregnant customer.
Her ‘It’s fine I have one a day’
Him ‘But...you shouldn’t’
Me *almost spontaneously combusting* ‘Are you a man , telling a woman what she should and shouldn’t have during a pregnancy?
Then he says
‘Oh just because it’s bad for the baby so that’s why I’m saying it’— Tiffany Stevenson (@tiffstevenson) May 18, 2019
Me ‘Unbelievable. Stop it’
Then he continues to try and justify policing a complete stranger for 5 minutes. He was maybe 30 years old max.
Are they also doing Ob/Gyn training at Starbucks these days?— Tiffany Stevenson (@tiffstevenson) May 18, 2019
Pregnant women are advised to limit their caffeine intake to 200mg a day, according to NHS advice – this is equivalent to two cups of instant coffee.
Not that she should have to justify herself to a barista, but the pregnant woman’s daily coffee fell well within these guidelines: a tall latte macchiato from Starbucks contains between 150 and 170mg of caffeine.
READ MORE: Is it possible to have a surprise pregnancy?
Last month, pregnant television personality Stacey Solomon faced a similar backlash over her choice to eat soft ice cream.
The ‘Loose Women’ star had taken to Instagram to share a video of her tucking into a 99 ice cream over the sunny Easter Bank Holiday weekend. She was later warned off the ice cream by fans.
Pregnant women are also regularly faced with the practice of bump-shaming, where mum-to-bes are judged over how large or small their pregnancy bumps are.
