Idioms are colorful expressions that add flavor and warmth to our conversations. When it comes to pregnancy, these vivid phrases capture the wonder, anticipation, and humor of expecting a baby. They don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they paint a picture that everyone instantly understands—whether it’s describing a sudden craving, the joyful glow of an expectant parent, or the whirlwind of preparations before the little one arrives.
Pregnancy-related idioms can help friends, family, and parents‑to‑be communicate feelings that are sometimes hard to put into plain words. In this post, you’ll find forty‑five popular idioms, their meanings, and examples of how to use them in long, expressive sentences. You’ll also discover synonyms to vary your speech, plus a fun exercise to test your new vocabulary. Let’s celebrate this remarkable journey with language that’s every bit as lively as the kicks from a growing baby!
Idioms for Pregnancy
1. Bun in the oven
Meaning: Someone is pregnant.
In a Sentence: After months of keeping it quiet, Maya finally announced she had a bun in the oven during Sunday brunch, and the entire family erupted in delighted applause.
Other Ways to Say: Expecting, Carrying a baby
2. Eating for two
Meaning: A playful way of saying a pregnant person has an increased appetite.
In a Sentence: Liam smiled as he watched his wife reach for a second slice of pizza, teasing her that she was officially eating for two and deserved every cheesy bite.
Other Ways to Say: Satisfying pregnancy cravings, Feeding the baby too
3. In the family way
Meaning: An old‑fashioned, gentle phrase for being pregnant.
In a Sentence: The neighbors suspected Clara was in the family way when they saw her browsing tiny onesies at the weekend market.
Other Ways to Say: With child, Expecting a baby
4. With child
Meaning: Pregnant.
In a Sentence: Historical novels often describe a queen as being with child to hint at royal succession without stating it outright.
Other Ways to Say: Pregnant, Expecting
5. Expecting
Meaning: Awaiting the birth of a baby.
In a Sentence: Jenna and Marco are expecting in early autumn, and their calendar is already filled with prenatal classes and doctor appointments.
Other Ways to Say: Pregnant, Awaiting a baby
6. Knocked up
Meaning: Informal slang for being pregnant.
In a Sentence: Although the phrase “knocked up” sounds blunt, Ella laughed it off when her brother jokingly asked if she was officially knocked up after she declined a glass of wine.
Other Ways to Say: Preggers, Up the duff
7. Carrying a little passenger
Meaning: Lighthearted way to say someone is pregnant.
In a Sentence: On their babymoon cruise, Tyler joked that his wife was carrying a little passenger who would soon qualify for a lifetime of free bedtime stories.
Other Ways to Say: Expecting, Carrying a bump
8. On stork watch
Meaning: Eagerly waiting for the baby to arrive.
In a Sentence: As the due date drew near, the grandparents were on stork watch, phones fully charged and suitcases packed for a midnight hospital dash.
Other Ways to Say: Awaiting the big day, Ready for labor
9. The patter of tiny feet
Meaning: The sound or presence of a new baby in the house.
In a Sentence: Ever since they painted the nursery, they could almost hear the future patter of tiny feet echoing down the hallway.
Other Ways to Say: Baby footsteps, Little one arriving soon
10. Nesting instinct
Meaning: A burst of energy to prepare the home for the baby.
In a Sentence: At thirty‑six weeks, Priya’s nesting instinct kicked in so fiercely that she reorganized every closet before sunrise.
Other Ways to Say: Preparing the nest, Home‑ready frenzy
11. Baby on board
Meaning: Indicates someone is pregnant or a baby is present in the car.
In a Sentence: The “Baby on board” sticker on their rear window made other drivers give them a bit more space on the highway.
Other Ways to Say: Expectant driver, Tiny traveler inside
12. Baby bump
Meaning: The visible swelling of a pregnant belly.
In a Sentence: Serena’s baby bump made its grand debut at the company picnic, and her coworkers showered her with congratulations.
Other Ways to Say: Pregnant belly, Growing bump
13. Pregnancy glow
Meaning: The radiant look often associated with pregnancy.
In a Sentence: Friends swore they could see the pregnancy glow on Nina’s face even before she shared the news.
Other Ways to Say: Radiant mama, Expectant glow
14. Morning sickness
Meaning: Nausea during pregnancy, especially early on.
In a Sentence: Despite the misleading name, Hannah’s morning sickness lasted well into the afternoon, making ginger tea her constant companion.
Other Ways to Say: Pregnancy nausea, Queasiness
15. Water broke
Meaning: The amniotic sac ruptured, signaling labor is near.
In a Sentence: When Maya’s water broke in the middle of a movie, the couple made a dramatic exit worthy of Hollywood.
Other Ways to Say: Membranes ruptured, Time for delivery
16. Due date
Meaning: The expected day of birth.
In a Sentence: Their baby’s due date falls on Valentine’s Day, adding extra sweetness to the holiday.
Other Ways to Say: Expected arrival, Delivery date
17. Counting kicks
Meaning: Monitoring fetal movements for health.
In a Sentence: Every evening, Oliver would place his hand on Ella’s belly, counting kicks and marveling at each tiny thump.
Other Ways to Say: Tracking movements, Baby wiggle tally
18. Baby brain
Meaning: Forgetfulness or absent‑mindedness during pregnancy.
In a Sentence: Sam put the cereal in the fridge and the milk in the pantry—a classic case of baby brain, she laughed.
Other Ways to Say: Pregnancy fog, Mommy mind‑blank
19. Pickles and ice cream
Meaning: Unusual pregnancy cravings.
In a Sentence: Ben knew the cravings were real when his wife requested pickles and ice cream at 2 a.m., and he happily obliged.
Other Ways to Say: Odd cravings, Midnight munchies
20. Preggers
Meaning: Informal, playful term for pregnant.
In a Sentence: “Guess who’s preggers?” Laura shouted, waving her ultrasound photo at the family barbecue.
Other Ways to Say: Knocked up, Expecting
21. Up the duff
Meaning: British/Australian slang for being pregnant.
In a Sentence: Amelia’s mates teased her that she was officially up the duff when she traded cocktails for mocktails.
Other Ways to Say: Preggers, Bun in the oven
22. Big as a house
Meaning: Feeling very large late in pregnancy (often humorous).
In a Sentence: At forty weeks, Zoe joked she felt as big as a house, yet still somehow graceful enough to tie her shoes.
Other Ways to Say: Huge bump, Ready to pop
23. Ready to pop
Meaning: Very close to giving birth.
In a Sentence: Everyone at the baby shower whispered that Jen looked ready to pop, but she insisted the baby was taking its sweet time.
Other Ways to Say: About to deliver, Due any day
24. Labor pains
Meaning: Contractions signaling childbirth.
In a Sentence: When the labor pains began, Alex breathed deeply and reminded herself that each wave brought her closer to meeting her son.
Other Ways to Say: Contractions, Birth pangs
25. Breathing through contractions
Meaning: A technique to manage labor pain.
In a Sentence: The doula coached Maria on breathing through contractions, and each focused exhale helped her stay calm.
Other Ways to Say: Labor breathing, Rhythmic breaths
26. Braxton Hicks
Meaning: Practice contractions felt before true labor.
In a Sentence: Those Braxton Hicks fooled Tara into thinking the baby was on the way, only for everything to settle down an hour later.
Other Ways to Say: False labor, Practice pains
27. Kicks like a mule
Meaning: Baby’s strong movements in the womb.
In a Sentence: At night the baby kicks like a mule, turning Lucy’s belly into a live drum solo.
Other Ways to Say: Strong kicks, Energetic baby
28. Baby shower
Meaning: A party to celebrate an upcoming birth.
In a Sentence: The baby shower overflowed with pastel balloons, tiny socks, and heartfelt wishes for the parents‑to‑be.
Other Ways to Say: Pre‑birth party, Shower of gifts
29. Stork’s delivery
Meaning: A whimsical reference to a baby’s arrival.
In a Sentence: Grandpa joked that the stork’s delivery was scheduled for first thing Monday morning, so everyone should keep their phones on.
Other Ways to Say: Stork visit, Baby drop‑off
30. Maternity leave
Meaning: Time off work for childbirth and care.
In a Sentence: Jenna organized her files meticulously before starting maternity leave, determined to return to a smooth‑running office.
Other Ways to Say: Parental leave, Baby break
31. Swollen ankles
Meaning: Common late‑pregnancy symptom.
In a Sentence: After a long day, Kira soaked her swollen ankles in warm water while her partner massaged her tired feet.
Other Ways to Say: Puffy feet, Pregnancy edema
32. Waddle like a duck
Meaning: The side‑to‑side walk late in pregnancy.
In a Sentence: She tried to glide gracefully, but at nine months she could only waddle like a duck—and laughed at herself each step of the way.
Other Ways to Say: Penguin shuffle, Pregnancy sway
33. Babymoon
Meaning: A vacation taken before the baby arrives.
In a Sentence: Their seaside babymoon gave them precious quiet moments before diaper duty began.
Other Ways to Say: Pre‑baby getaway, Last‑hurrah trip
34. Gender reveal
Meaning: An event announcing the baby’s sex.
In a Sentence: The gender reveal confetti cannon painted the sky pink, and cheers echoed across the backyard.
Other Ways to Say: Baby‑sex reveal, Pink‑or‑blue party
35. Nursery ready
Meaning: The baby’s room is fully prepared.
In a Sentence: With pastel walls, a rocking chair, and shelves of storybooks, the nursery was ready for its tiny occupant.
Other Ways to Say: Baby room set, Crib‑complete
36. Birth plan
Meaning: A document outlining labor preferences.
In a Sentence: Their birth plan included dim lights, soothing music, and immediate skin‑to‑skin contact.
Other Ways to Say: Delivery blueprint, Labor preferences
37. Cut the cord
Meaning: Sever the umbilical cord, or let go emotionally.
In a Sentence: When Ravi cut the cord, tears filled his eyes as he welcomed his daughter to the world.
Other Ways to Say: Snip the cord, First parental act
38. Skin‑to‑skin
Meaning: Placing the newborn directly on a parent’s chest.
In a Sentence: Moments after birth, the midwife placed the baby skin‑to‑skin, and the room seemed to hold its breath in reverence.
Other Ways to Say: Kangaroo care, Chest‑to‑chest
39. Diaper duty
Meaning: Changing the baby’s diapers.
In a Sentence: New to diaper duty, Ethan approached each change like a delicate surgical operation—gloves, wipes, and plenty of humor.
Other Ways to Say: Nappy change, Changing time
40. Sleepless nights
Meaning: Frequent night awakenings with a newborn.
In a Sentence: They braced themselves for sleepless nights, stocking up on coffee and lullabies.
Other Ways to Say: Night feeds, Midnight wake‑ups
41. Bundle of joy
Meaning: A newborn baby.
In a Sentence: When they finally cradled their bundle of joy, every sleepless night already felt worth it.
Other Ways to Say: Little miracle, Precious newborn
42. New addition
Meaning: A baby joining the family.
In a Sentence: The dog sniffed curiously at the new addition, wagging his tail in approval.
Other Ways to Say: Growing family member, Latest arrival
43. Family of three
Meaning: A couple plus their first child.
In a Sentence: The selfie caption read “Our first outing as a family of three,” and the smiles were wide enough to light the park.
Other Ways to Say: Trio, Party of three
44. Mama bear instincts
Meaning: Protective feelings of a mother.
In a Sentence: Even before birth, her mama bear instincts kicked in whenever anyone suggested skipping prenatal vitamins.
Other Ways to Say: Protective mama, Motherly fierceness
45. Dad‑to‑be
Meaning: A man whose partner is pregnant.
In a Sentence: The dad‑to‑be practiced diapering a teddy bear, determined to ace parenthood from day one.
Other Ways to Say: Expectant father, Father‑in‑waiting
Exercise to Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom:
- When her ________ finally broke, they rushed to the hospital.
- Theo is already on ________ watch, jumping every time the phone rings.
- At thirty‑nine weeks, Carla felt as ________ as a house but still baked cookies for her neighbors.
- During their tropical ________, they savored quiet sunsets before parenthood began.
- Lila’s ________ instinct had her alphabetizing baby clothes at dawn.
- “Guess who’s ________?” Maya giggled, waving her ultrasound photo.
- The grandparents can’t wait to hear the ________ of tiny feet in the hallway.
- Oliver joked that his wife was ________ for two when she polished off the entire lasagna.
- The midwife praised Clara for calmly ________ through contractions.
- After weeks of false alarms, she finally looked ________ to pop.
- Ethan took charge of nightly ________ duty with surprising enthusiasm.
- Their friends threw a surprise ________ shower filled with pastel cupcakes.
Answers:
- water broke
- stork
- big
- babymoon
- nesting
- preggers
- patter
- eating
- breathing
- ready
- diaper
- baby
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a season filled with anticipation, excitement, and plenty of memorable moments. These idioms capture the joy, challenges, and humor of the journey, giving us playful language to share our stories and connect with others. By weaving these expressions into your conversations—whether you’re the parent‑to‑be, a supportive friend, or an excited grandparent—you add warmth and color to every discussion about the new life on the way.
Keep practicing these phrases in real‑life chats, journal entries, or social‑media posts. Soon they’ll roll off your tongue as naturally as a lullaby, helping you celebrate each kick, craving, and milestone along the path to meeting that beautiful bundle of joy.
