Pregnancy in public: We’ve come a long way, baby

2023 was the year that the uncovered pregnancy bump emerged to symbolise out and proud womanhood. About time, too, says Suzanne Harrington

Sienna Miller attending the Vogue World: London show at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London. Picture date: Thursday September 14, 2023.

As we continue to decolonise the female body, taking back ownership of ourselves via body positivity, reclaiming menstruation and menopause, and binning uncomfortable underwear, so too has the uncovered pregnancy bump emerged to symbolise out and proud womanhood, and to take centre stage.

No more hiding under smocks. No more voluminous shapelessness – pregnancy has never been prouder. Or rounder – thanks to women like Rihanna and Beyoncé, the full lushness of the third trimester is being celebrated in public spaces in the presence of flashbulbs.