Dear Mary: should I congratulate a woman on her pregnancy?

Q. On two recent occasions I have noted that women I know professionally are pregnant, although neither referred to it. Should one offer congratulations or wait until the pregnancy is mentioned? I have taken two approaches, congratulating the one I know reasonably well, and saying nothing to the one I know less well. Your advice please, Mary.
— K.D., London

A. It very much depends on whether the woman is sporting the baby as a ‘display pregnancy’ i.e. with tight clothes and explicit silhouette, or is shrouded in tenting. If the first, congratulate. If the second, give an unintrusive compliment such as ‘You’re looking very well! How lovely!’ In this way, she can either confirm her happy news if she wishes to share it, or thank you and change the subject if she is feeling coy. Moreover, should the woman’s build only have become bigger due to greed-related issues, your non-specific compliment will have spared everyone embarrassment.