The expression "to fall pregnant" - is that Brit?

Question

In America we say "to get pregnant" - is it "fall" preg in the UK?

Answer 1

We definatley say to "fall pregnant" in Australia. I remember asking a question on here once about people falling pregnant on a certain type of fertility drug and recieved the rudest answer from someone that obviously didnt understand that this is a common term in the land of OZ - there is a good chance it originated in the UK given that Australia and the UK share ties.

There are a couple of pregnancy related terms that differ - we do not say diapers we say nappies.

we use dummies, i think you guys say pacifiers - not sure about that one.

And just to confuse things we usually work in KG's when talking about weight so when someone over there says they weighed over 100 lb's i have to convert it all the time to kg's......the only thing we sort of still refer to in pounds is a babies weight.

I am 36 weeks pregnant and am apparently having a 9 pounder according to my Doc,,,,,,,,that spells ouch in any language

Answer 2

I asked about that a while back.

Verdict, more or less: though used elsewhere, yes. A regional thing there.

See also:

"Why do women "fall" pregnant?

The term to "fall" pregnant originates in the Creation story with Eve and original sin. Eve fell from grace and her descendants ever since, after losing their innocence, have "fallen" pregnant. What should be a joyous and welcome event is unfairly described by a negative and judgemental term in our society, while the male somehow escapes such opprobrium.

Stuart Purvis-Smith, Killarney Vale

Patriarchy nurtured this expression to absolve men of responsibility in impregnation. The act of "falling" rarely involves a second party.

Jessica Stewart, Gladesville"

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/06/1091732082639.html?from=storyrhs

Not sure I buy the explanations, but interesting nonetheless.

Answer 3

I think so. I'm American so I can't say for sure, but I was reading a book by a British author and the main character "fell pregnant".