Good morning, dear readers! We all know how important and delicate it can be to express ourselves in a foreign language. Even simple, everyday things in our native language become more complex when we try to communicate them. And it so happens that a couple of my students over the past couple of months had their first babies and we spent quite some time discussing the topic. So I thought it might be useful to all parents-to-be to focus on this important and beautiful moment in our lives: the process of expecting a baby. So today we will work on some of the common idioms related to this unique moment, from pregnancy to birth. Let’s get to it!

baby

• John and Mary decided to try for a baby 
• The couple had an ultrasound to find about about the sex of the baby 

to miss a period, to be late

When a woman first finds out about her possible pregnancy

• Last month, Carla missed her period so she thinks she might be expecting a baby
• I’m two weeks late, so I decided to take a pregnancy test just to be sure

pregnancy, pregnant 

• After trying for six months, Joana was not expecting a negative pregnancy test 
• Alice and her partner were overjoyed to have a positive pregnancy test
• The couple is a bit scared about the unexpected pregnancy 
• I just heard you are pregnant, congratulations! 

expecting a baby 

• Now that my neighbors are expecting a baby they are moving to a bigger flat

belly 

• The baby was kicking, so Ana rubbed her belly
• Could you feel the baby moving in my belly? 

morning sickness

Usually pregnant women feel sick in the morning period

• My wife has been getting a lot of morning sickness, I wish I knew how to help her

heartbeat 

• I was able to listen to the baby’s heartbeat today at the doctor’s office

pre natal care

The medical exams a pregnant woman is supposed to take during her pregnancy

• Sara took a day off to take the prenatal care

painkillers

• Please, ask the doctor for some painkillers, I can’t stand these contractions any longer

delivery room 

The place in the hospital where the baby is delivered

• Only the parents are allowed in the delivery room
• Sarah has just been taked to the delivery room. The baby is coming!

newborn 

• It is important to take the newborn to its mother so they can bond 

Useful phrases 

• Have you picked the baby’s name yet? 
• This pregnancy is making me eat for two!
• Will you have a normal delivery or are you going for a C-section?
• Is it a boy or a girl?
• How far along are you?/ When is the baby due?
• Minha water just broke! 
• She just went into labor right now! 
• Push harder, you’re almost there! 
• The doctor already cut the umbilical cord 

So what did you think of this post? Can you think of any other pregnancy-related terms or phrases? Make sure to leave your thoughts below in the comment section. See you next time!