Apparently a lot of people do!  But why?  The hysteria over the state of her hystera is perplexing to those of us who have little interest in the reproductive decisions of complete strangers.  The rumor mill has been churning overtime in Aniston's case, who has been reported to be pregnant by various random sources and tabloids for months now.

The first thing that's problematic about the constant Aniston pregnancy rumors is that most of them rely on visible confirmation.  In other words, the fabled "baby bump."  In an actress as greyhound thin as Jennifer Aniston, a large meal could end up looking like a baby bump, given the right sheer top and a fortuitous gust of wind.

Since when has it become acceptable to stare at someone's slightly-less-than-concave belly and proclaim her pregnant?  For pity's sake, people.  Get a grip!  And stop assuming that a half pound weight gain indicates pregnancy!

From a broader perspective, Jennifer Aniston is 41 years old and childless.  I have to assume that she's childless by choice.  If she wanted children but was unable to conceive for some reason, then surely she would have adopted by now.

I suspect that a lot of people just can't get this through their heads.  It's not likely that a childless 41 year-old celebrity is "just waiting for the right guy."  If you're the 10th richest woman in the entertainment industry (according to Forbes magazine) that kind of money can buy a lot of artificial insemination or adoption fees, and top-quality child care.  

Heck, Aniston made $27 million in 2008 alone.  She could retire right now if she managed her money right, and spend the rest of her life at home being a mom.  If she wanted to, that would be fine.  But clearly she doesn't want to.  Or she would be doing it.  See how that works?

The tabloid feeding frenzy regarding Aniston's belly is a little disturbing.  The implication is that her clock is ticking, that surely she will be pregnant any day now.  Who wouldn't be?  Who doesn't want children?  Why would such a beautiful woman, who has had a series of such handsome partners, not be pregnant yet?  It's inconceivable!

One early pregnancy rumor was started when Aniston was spotted visiting an OB-GYN.  OMG!  She must be going for fertility treatments or some such baby-related medicalness.  But no; most likely the poor woman was just getting an annual pelvic exam just like the rest of us.  

Sidebar: can you imagine what life would be like if every time you went in for a PAP smear, it kicked off an entire tabloid news cycle?  A lot of people feel that "it just goes with the territory," but I don't think anyone deserves that kind of invasive attention.  Just because we all know who Jennifer Aniston is, that doesn't make her public property.

People seem to feel that Aniston's life, and her story, will only be complete when she has a child.  The word "FINALLY" crops up in these cover stories a lot.  But who's to say it isn't complete right now?

Original photo credit Flickr/SpreePiX Berlin