The belly hold: why do we do it?

The belly hold: why do we do it?

the belly hold
Does anyone know why moms pose in photos with their hands like that? I just posed for pics like that too, so guilty as charged! 
Can you imagine, if you had no bump and you were holding your hands that way in a picture? There is something so motherly about it but without the bump, it's just odd don't you think? 
I was trying to figure out what it is that makes us do that. Do you think it's just cultural - we see others do that so we do it? Do you think it's a natural reflex to the baby moving in the belly?
Thought about it for several weeks and here are some idea
#1 - If you just pose with your hands at your side, it might look like you're not that excited about being pregnant because you're already pushing your stomach forward by the natural weight redistribution that the bump brings. Pushing your bump forward without embracing your bump sometimes looks like you're distancing yourself from your bump!
#2  - it helps to make out the shape of your belly by holding it that way.
#3 - it's universal language for 'I'm expecting' - when people see that, they know that the purpose of your photo is to document your pregnancy.
#4 - caressing your belly is a way to show intimacy for a child that you can't hold yet. 
#5 - it's a way to cut up your silhouette sort of how Beyonce does this to have the nicest lines for the camera.
Beyonce posing
#6 segue here: Check these pics out: 
This pic looks more like - ouch my back hurts!
Whereas this looks like:
Beyonce bump
yup, I'm definitely having a baby and happy about it!
#6 bringing me back to another possibility - it is a way to accentuate a bump that is not very visible otherwise.
#7 It's a rite of passage - the belly hold is not something you can do when you don't have a baby there, so embrace it!
Any other suggestions and what do you think? All of the above? Or do you wish people wouldn't do the belly hold?
As long as we don't have belly hold plus peace sign, I'm fine with it!  How about you?
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38 comments

It’s the for the same reason women do every pose:

They’re worried about looking fat. Holding their belly let’s people know they’re pregnant and not overweight

Chris

I’m currently pregnant and have been puzzled by the fact that I frequently find myself doing this. I think it’s 3 things for me:
1. A way of connecting with my unborn baby (see #4)
2. I’m already feeling very protective and it’s a way to express that.
3. It’s a signal to others. If you see a woman doing this, it’s immediately obvious they are pregnant (or weird). I think for me it’s a way to signal that people should take care around me (like careful not to bump hard into me, etc). And also maybe a little ‘hey I’m not just fat, there’s something else going on!’

Lois

I noticed that I held my belly way before there was even a baby bump. I think a few reasons why:
1. I hold my belly when it’s not feeling great. I had bad gas/morning sickness/etc. It was honestly just a comforting feeling to hold my belly when it was in pain.
2. Even if other people can’t see the bump (or if they can), we know it’s there. It feels WEIRD to have a part of my body so much bigger than it usually is. At least for me. So I end up touching or patting it and it becomes a habit. Basically like a “woah this is different” kind of feeling.
3. Protectiveness or a nervous tick. When I’m in a crowd of people or I get anxious, it’s an easy comforting thing to do. Like putting hair behind my ear or tapping your foot.
4. In pictures or posing, its awkward to just stand there, it gives you something to do with your hands.

I could think of a million reasons why pregnant people like holding this protruding body part of theirs. I can not think of one reason not to, besides for some reason maybe annoying some strangers not minding their own business

Catherine DeLauro

I’ve been pregnant twice. Never felt the need to support /hold my belly. It’s obvious I’m pregnant. Ridiculous.

Isabel

I think it’s strange how the pose has changed. Back in the eighties, I remember photos of pregnant friends, but they placed their hand on top of their bellies. I can’t imagine anyone back then placing her hand below the baby. It would have felt too risqué. Nowadays, I repeatedly see the below the baby hand. Clothes are more fitted, too, so maybe it’s because people are more comfortable with showing their pregnant shapes.

Pam

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