When someone is expecting a baby, people often use special phrases to talk about it. Instead of just saying “She is pregnant,” they may say things like “She has a bun in the oven.” These sayings are called idioms.
Idioms make language more fun and interesting. They help people talk about pregnancy in a softer, kinder, or even funny way. In this article, you’ll learn 30 idioms that people use when talking about pregnancy. These will help you understand what others mean and give you new ways to express this important time in someone’s life.
Idioms for Pregnancy
1. Bun in the oven
Meaning: A playful way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She’s got a bun in the oven and is due in July. / They just found out there’s a bun in the oven.
To Put it Another Way: She’s going to have a baby. / They are expecting.
2. Eating for two
Meaning: A way to say a pregnant person needs more food.
Samples: She’s eating for two now, so don’t be surprised if she’s always hungry. / I started eating for two when I found out I was pregnant.
To Put it Another Way: She’s pregnant and needs extra food. / She’s feeding herself and the baby.
3. Knocked up
Meaning: A casual way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She just got knocked up last month. / They were surprised to hear she was knocked up.
To Put it Another Way: She’s expecting a baby. / She’s going to be a mom.
4. Expecting
Meaning: A common way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She’s expecting in September. / They’re expecting their first child.
To Put it Another Way: She’s having a baby soon. / They will be parents soon.
5. In the family way
Meaning: An older and gentle way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: Grandma used to say someone was in the family way. / She’s in the family way and glowing.
To Put it Another Way: She’s pregnant. / She’s going to be a mom.
6. With child
Meaning: A traditional way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She’s with child and due next spring. / The queen was with child in the story.
To Put it Another Way: She’s going to have a baby. / She’s expecting.
7. Baby on board
Meaning: A fun phrase to show someone is pregnant.
Samples: Her shirt said “baby on board” at the party. / They put a “baby on board” sticker on the car.
To Put it Another Way: She’s carrying a baby. / She’s expecting a child.
8. Great with child
Meaning: Very far along in pregnancy.
Samples: She was great with child and ready to give birth any day. / By the 9th month, she was great with child.
To Put it Another Way: She’s almost ready to have the baby. / She’s near the end of her pregnancy.
9. On the nest
Meaning: A light, old-fashioned way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: Aunt Lily is on the nest again! / We found out she’s on the nest this morning.
To Put it Another Way: She’s going to have a baby. / She’s pregnant.
10. In the pudding club
Meaning: A British and humorous way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She’s in the pudding club now. / They found out she joined the pudding club last month.
To Put it Another Way: She’s expecting. / She has a baby on the way.
11. Baby bump
Meaning: The small round belly that shows a woman is pregnant.
Samples: She wore a dress that showed her baby bump. / Her baby bump is growing each week.
To Put it Another Way: You can see she’s pregnant. / Her belly is getting round.
12. Due any day
Meaning: Very close to giving birth.
Samples: She’s due any day now. / They’re getting the crib ready she’s due any day.
To Put it Another Way: The baby is coming soon. / She’s almost ready to give birth.
13. Got the glow
Meaning: Looking happy and bright during pregnancy.
Samples: She’s really got the glow these days. / You can tell she’s pregnant she’s glowing.
To Put it Another Way: She looks happy and healthy. / She looks bright and joyful.
14. On the way
Meaning: A baby is coming soon.
Samples: They have a little one on the way. / There’s a baby on the way!
To Put it Another Way: A baby is coming. / They are expecting.
15. Carrying
Meaning: Pregnant and holding the baby inside.
Samples: She’s carrying twins. / She’s been carrying for seven months.
To Put it Another Way: She’s pregnant. / She’s holding the baby in her belly.
16. Blooming
Meaning: Looking full of life and beauty during pregnancy.
Samples: She’s really blooming during this pregnancy. / You’re blooming you must be expecting!
To Put it Another Way: She looks very healthy and happy. / She looks glowing and bright.
17. In a delicate condition
Meaning: A soft way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She’s in a delicate condition, so she’s taking it easy. / You should be gentle she’s in a delicate condition.
To Put it Another Way: She’s expecting. / She’s pregnant and needs rest.
18. Growing a human
Meaning: A funny way to describe being pregnant.
Samples: She joked that she’s growing a human inside. / Growing a human is hard work!
To Put it Another Way: She’s pregnant. / She’s carrying a baby.
19. About to pop
Meaning: Very close to giving birth.
Samples: She looks like she’s about to pop! / I think she’s about to pop she’s huge!
To Put it Another Way: She’s almost ready to have the baby. / Her belly is very big now.
20. Nesting
Meaning: Preparing the home for the new baby.
Samples: She’s nesting and cleaning the baby room. / He helped her with nesting this weekend.
To Put it Another Way: She’s getting ready for the baby. / They’re setting up the home.
21. Knocked down with a baby
Meaning: A casual and old way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She got knocked down with a baby last year. / He joked that she got knocked down again.
To Put it Another Way: She got pregnant. / She’s expecting a child.
22. Swallowed a watermelon
Meaning: A silly way to say someone has a big pregnant belly.
Samples: She looks like she swallowed a watermelon! / His sister’s belly looks like a watermelon.
To Put it Another Way: Her baby bump is huge. / She’s very pregnant.
23. Belly full of baby
Meaning: A fun way to describe a pregnant belly.
Samples: She said she’s got a belly full of baby! / His wife’s got a belly full of baby now.
To Put it Another Way: She’s carrying a baby. / She’s very pregnant.
24. Kicking like crazy
Meaning: When the baby moves a lot inside the belly.
Samples: The baby’s kicking like crazy tonight. / She laughed as the baby kept kicking like crazy.
To Put it Another Way: The baby is moving a lot. / She can feel it inside.
25. Growing belly
Meaning: A way to describe the change during pregnancy.
Samples: Her growing belly shows the baby’s getting bigger. / His mom has a growing belly now.
To Put it Another Way: She’s clearly pregnant. / Her belly is changing as the baby grows.
26. Baby brain
Meaning: Feeling forgetful during pregnancy.
Samples: She forgot her keys must be baby brain! / I’ve had baby brain all week.
To Put it Another Way: She’s a little forgetful because she’s pregnant. / It happens during pregnancy.
27. Mama-to-be
Meaning: A woman who is going to be a mother.
Samples: She’s a proud mama-to-be. / That gift is for the mama-to-be.
To Put it Another Way: She’s going to have a baby. / She’s an expecting mom.
28. Expecting a little one
Meaning: A kind way to say someone is pregnant.
Samples: She’s expecting a little one in January. / They’re expecting a little one soon.
To Put it Another Way: A baby is on the way. / She’s going to be a mom.
29. Baby belly
Meaning: The round tummy during pregnancy.
Samples: Her baby belly is so cute! / She rubbed her baby belly softly.
To Put it Another Way: She has a pregnant tummy. / You can see the bump.
30. Stork is coming
Meaning: A fun way to say a baby is coming.
Samples: The stork is coming in March! / Looks like the stork is on the way.
To Put it Another Way: A baby will arrive soon. / They’re going to be parents.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Pregnancy
Reading Passage: “The Surprise Party”
It was a bright Saturday afternoon when everyone gathered at Aunt Rosa’s house. She thought it was just a family lunch, but there was a secret. As Rosa walked in, her sister handed her a gift bag. Inside was a tiny baby onesie and a note that read, “The stork is coming!”
Everyone cheered. Rosa laughed and said, “Yes, I have a bun in the oven!” Her cousin smiled and said, “We could tell your baby bump is showing!” Rosa rubbed her belly and joked, “Well, I’m eating for two now.”
Grandma whispered, “Looks like someone is in the family way.” Rosa nodded and added, “The little one is on the way, and I’ve been nesting like crazy at home.” Uncle Joe said with a grin, “She’s glowing! You’ve really got the glow.”
The room was filled with smiles, hugs, and talk of baby names.
Your Task:
Can you find and list all 8 idioms for pregnancy in the story?
Answer Key
- The stork is coming
- Bun in the oven
- Baby bump
- Eating for two
- In the family way
- Little one is on the way
- Nesting
- Got the glow
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a special time, and idioms help people talk about it in gentle, creative, or funny ways. These expressions can make others smile, feel excited, or share the joy of expecting a new baby.
By learning idioms for pregnancy, you can better understand stories, movies, or real-life conversations. These phrases give simple ways to talk about something important bringing new life into the world.
