🤰
Pregnant Woman
PREG-nuhnt WOO-muhn
Definitions
1
People · Family
Very Common
Depicts a woman with a visible pregnancy bump, representing pregnancy, expectant motherhood, or the process of having a baby.
Used to announce pregnancies, discuss maternity, or reference the state of being pregnant.
Guess what? We're expecting! 🤰 Due in September!
Social media pregnancy announcement
Third trimester struggles are real 🤰 Can't wait to meet this little one!
Personal message about pregnancy experience
My sister is 🤰 with twins! I'm going to be an aunt!
Family news in group chat
Widely accepted as a positive symbol for pregnancy announcements and maternal discussions across most cultures.
2
Health · Medical
Common
Used in medical or health contexts to reference pregnancy as a physical condition, prenatal care, or maternal health topics.
Appears in discussions about pregnancy symptoms, medical advice, or health resources.
New podcast episode: Nutrition needs for 🤰 women in each trimester
Health content promotion
Remember that 🤰 women should avoid these medications. Always consult your doctor.
Health advice forum
Serves as a visual shorthand in health communications about maternal wellbeing and prenatal development.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Introduction of the pregnant woman emoji as part of Unicode 9.0.
Growing demand for more diverse representation of women's experiences in emoji.
2017
Rapid adoption in pregnancy announcements on social media platforms.
Social media culture of sharing life milestones visually.
2020
Increased usage during pandemic as virtual pregnancy announcements replaced in-person ones.
COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and medical appointments.
2022
Introduction of pregnant man emoji led to discussions about the pregnant woman emoji's gender specificity.
Growing recognition of diverse gender identities and pregnancy experiences.
Cultural Context
The pregnant woman emoji represents a significant life stage that crosses cultural boundaries, though attitudes toward public pregnancy discussions vary globally.
Introduced relatively late to emoji sets (2016), reflecting the historical underrepresentation of women's experiences in digital communication.
Younger generations use this emoji more casually and humorously, while older generations tend to use it only for formal announcements or congratulations.
In some conservative regions, the emoji may be considered too explicit about a bodily state, while in others it's celebrated as body-positive representation.
Regional Variations
India
Used more formally and often in family-centered contexts rather than individual announcements.
United States
Commonly used in 'gender reveal' contexts and baby shower invitations, often paired with baby-themed emojis.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more sparingly and primarily for direct communication about actual pregnancies or congratulations.
Gen_Z: Used casually, often ironically or in memes about pregnancy scares, cravings, or future family plans.
Older: Limited usage, primarily in response to family pregnancy announcements or in congratulatory messages.
Millennials: Frequently used for actual pregnancy announcements, documenting pregnancy journeys, and in supportive parenting communities.
Common Combinations
🤰👶
Pregnancy and upcoming baby, often used in birth announcements.
Universal symbol for expected parenthood across most English-speaking regions.
🤰❤️
Loving or celebrating pregnancy, expressing joy about expecting.
Used to express positive emotions about pregnancy or support for pregnant women.
🤰🎉
Celebrating pregnancy news or announcement.
Common in social media pregnancy reveals and congratulatory messages.
🤰🤢
Morning sickness or pregnancy discomfort.
Used humorously to reference the less glamorous aspects of pregnancy.
🤰👨👩👧
Family expanding with pregnancy, often indicating second or subsequent child.
Represents family growth and sibling relationships.
Related Emojis
👶
Represents the baby that will result from pregnancy
🤱
Breastfeeding woman, often used to represent the next stage after pregnancy
👪
Family unit that often forms or expands with pregnancy
🫃
Pregnant man, representing diverse pregnancy experiences
🍼
Baby bottle, associated with infant care after pregnancy