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?
Back to blog

38 comments

It is literally the most annoying thing to see a woman hold her stomach for nine freaking months in every photo. It is so stupid. it’s not like the thing is going to fall off

Mila

It’s so unclassy. The whole way this generation wears skin tight dresses while pregnant, and then, like a disclaimer, holds their stomach as to say, “I’m not fat”. Then to top it off, says they are doing it to bond with the baby. If they were doing it to bond with the baby, they wouldn’t be running around in skin tight clothes, trying to look sexy, and trying to emulate Beyonce. It shows the general lack of maturity that’s needed to be a parent.

Julie

Disturbing new mom’s, that want the world to know I am pregnant, by holding on to their belly. Excuse me, you are not the 1st woman to get pregnant. How the heck did you get here lady.

Della Diaz

Well stop it. You all look ridiculous. Are you afraid it’s gonna run away or something?

Joshua Strobel

Back in the ‘70s and 80’s we did NOT show our bodies and especially a baby bump (bellies) with NO clothing around it. I think it is distasteful and it does not take that to show you are pregnant. I think it is a new way to make money for photographers. It is always in style to be discreet and respectful of the human body. And that goes for pregnant moms. It is not necessary as I said.

CYNTHIA W LAUGHLIN

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.