YESTERDAY'S MEMORIES of a Bygone Time

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Ever Heard of Hatching Jackets?

Hatching jackets, P-G, preggo, expecting, with child, in a family way, her delicate condition - all these euphemisms were normal expressions for being pregnant or wearing maternity clothes when I was a little girl. After all, it would have been highly improper to remind anyone that you actually did have S-E-X!

I remember in fourth grade losing one of the few teachers in school I actually liked, because she was beginning to "show," and that would have been horrible for our innocent little minds to deal with!!

No, I wouldn't want to go back to that time when being seen in a pregnant condition was almost a public embarrasment, but, frankly, I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fashions of today, where pregnant bellies are poking out for the whole world to see. It seems the style now is to stretch fabric over the enlarged tummy and scream to the world that you're pregnant! Or worse, IMVHO, let a naked tummy stick out!!

Why I even know a face painter who, for baby showers, paints the baby on the mother-to-be's tummy!

Does this turn anyone else off, or is this just a generational thing, or just me?

After all, there were no such things as sonograms or knowing the sex of the baby way back then! You didn't tell people you were pregnant until you couldn't hide it any longer, and you SURE didn't show off your changing figure!

Don't get me wrong, though. I absolutely LOVED being pregnant! We had tried for years to have a baby, been tested by a fertility specialist, and been told we couldn't have children. So we adopted a wonderful little bundle of joy. And then, just as so many have done, I got pregnant!

I gloried in being pregnant through the whole nine months, but I just didn't see that it was anybody else's business (other than DH) what my body looked like at the time.

Well, how 'bout YOU? Are you comfortable with today's display of pregnant bellies?

nostalgia, pregnancy memories, maternity fashions

posted by Dirty Butter 7:06 PM

Comments:

Hi hun, just stopping by to let you know that I've gotten rid of a LOT of my pages and junk online. Now I will just be maintaining my new blog, located here: In My Life (2nd Version)

Feel free to stop by anytime, I'm going to be linking my BlogRoll links on the new journal today, so your link will be up sometime today. Take care! :-)

~ Susan

# posted by

NJMom72 : February 22, 2006 12:20 PM

Have fun at your new blog home, NJ Mom. Do YOU remember any of these expressions?

# posted by

Dirty Butter : February 22, 2006 12:34 PM

You mean when I was growing up people did have sex. I never knew it. Didn't babies come by stork in those days?

# posted by

Dr.John : February 22, 2006 6:16 PM

Shhhhh, Dr. John, don't ruin the stork story for me!

Children mature physically so much younger now than they did back then, plus I think I was particularly naive.

I did know the stork story was not true, but I was probably in 7th or 8th grade before I had a clear understanding of where babies come from. My mama's "talk" consisted of giving me a book to read. I knew better than to ask any questions LOL. It would have embarrassed her to death!

# posted by

Dirty Butter : February 22, 2006 6:33 PM

i like the form-fitting fashions, but not the belly baring ones.

# posted by

carrie : February 22, 2006 7:32 PM

So, watcha think, Carrie. Is my distaste for this style a generational thing, or just me?

# posted by

Dirty Butter : February 22, 2006 7:47 PM

I thought it was just me. There is a commercial on right now that has the stretched fabric thing of which you speak on a bunch of fake pregnant models. Sigh.

I liked sweats when I had my brood. Still do. :)

# posted by

OptyMyst : February 24, 2006 1:47 AM

I thought the magazine layout of a pregnant Demi Moore a few years back was simly beautiful. I am not sure about seeing stretch marks at Starbucks.

# posted by

Lonnie : February 24, 2006 9:56 AM

I guess I should figure out how to do a poll, shouldn't I? I'm with you, optymyst!

Thanks for stopping by!

# posted by

Dirty Butter : February 24, 2006 3:47 PM

Lonnie, I had forgotten about that magazine cover. I remember when it came out. But I don't remember being offended by it, because it was so artfully done, and there was absolutely no hint that anyone expected this to be the "norm."

Stretch marks at Starbucks ... good way of expressing it!

# posted by

Dirty Butter : February 24, 2006 3:55 PM

Yes, I too grew up in the days when pregnancy was hidden entirely, so I accept that it could be a generational thing, but I am not keen on seeing protruding, naked belly buttons either.

I know that one layer of thin clothing is not body armour, but I feel for the poor baby shoved out there, all exposed and vulnerable.

# posted by

Pamela : February 25, 2006 7:30 AM

You're a good bit younger than I am, Pamela, but we seem to see eye to eye on this one. But I don't think a bare belly puts the baby in any "danger", either. ROFL!

# posted by

Dirty Butter : February 25, 2006 9:10 AM

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