This Is Us
When Baby Arrives
On the twee language of pregnancy and motherhood
Like many areas of life, pregnancy has its own jargon. In corporate America, we think outside the box. In the tech world, we’re all about seamless integration. In pregnancy, we inquire about Baby. Not the baby. Not your baby. Just Baby, like this is Dirty Dancing. We might ask who else is preggers, or if there are any other preggos in the house. We request bump pics. We provide encouragement with Mama, you got this!
It’s embarrassing to admit, but one of the things that always put me off the idea of becoming pregnant was the language. I felt the same about getting married. I didn’t want to change my name, I didn’t want to become a bridezilla, and I didn’t want a hubby. I did eventually get married, and I didn’t change my name, but every Christmas, the cards still come addressed to a stranger, and I never stopped cringing at the twee marriage terms. Because ultimately, it’s about more than just words. It’s about your place in the world.
Experiencing the infantilized language of pregnancy feels like stepping through a gateway. Hey, you, growing a human inside your body! Welcome to the club. It’s time to buy a mini chalkboard and post a clever announcement to Facebook or Instagram. Wear a form-fitting top and take monthly bump growth photos…
