So, Have You Heard of Preggophilia?
If you are a mum-to-be, you have probably shared a bump photo or two. It feels exciting, it connects you with other expectant mums, and let’s be honest, it is fun to celebrate that growing belly.
But pregnancy support groups are now warning mums to be careful. Scammers are slipping into private groups, pretending to be expectant parents, and asking others to share their bump photos. Once trust is built, those photos may be stolen and used on fetish websites.
Ali Mountfield from the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) explained:
“People are posing as parents of twins or more and asking others to share their photos. Later, we discovered these fake profiles were stealing the images and uploading them to pregnancy fetish sites.”
It is a confronting thought that an innocent photo you post in a mum group could end up on a site for strangers to ogle. But that is exactly what is happening, and it is why mums need to know what Preggophilia actually is.
What is Preggophilia?
Preggophilia is a fetish where someone feels sexually attracted to pregnant women. This attraction can take many forms, including:
- Sexual arousal from physical changes such as a round belly or fuller breasts
- Fascination with the “glow” of pregnancy
- Pregnancy-related role play or fantasies
- A fixation on fertility and motherhood
The word itself comes from Preggo (slang for pregnant) and philia (a suffix meaning love or attraction).
Pregnancy has long been celebrated in art and culture. From ancient fertility statues to modern “goddess” maternity photo shoots, societies have often linked pregnancy with beauty and power. So it is not surprising that some people find it sexually appealing.
Like many fetishes, Preggophilia exists on a spectrum. On one end, it is harmless, such as an expecting dad who finds his partner glowing and irresistible. On the other, it can cross into dangerous or creepy behaviour.
Why Do People Develop This Fetish?
Psychologists suggest a few possible reasons:
- Early exposure – children who grow up around pregnancy or breastfeeding may develop a fascination that carries into adulthood
- Symbolism of fertility – pregnancy represents life, health, and nurturing, which can be strongly attractive
- Body changes – the physical differences in pregnancy such as curves, breasts, and hormones can be highly sexualised
- Role play – some couples enjoy pregnancy role play, even outside of actual pregnancy
It is important to remember that having a fetish does not automatically make someone dangerous. Problems only arise when consent and respect are ignored.
Symptoms of Preggophilia
Admiring pregnant women is not inherently bad. Many cultures idolise fertility and motherhood. But there is a difference between healthy attraction and unhealthy obsession.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Treating pregnant women as objects rather than people
- Constant requests for bump photos in mum groups or online chats
- Spending large amounts of time on pregnancy fetish sites
- Unsafe or non-consensual fantasies involving pregnant women
- Difficulty being sexually satisfied without pregnancy role play
- Joining online mum groups under fake profiles to steal images
If you notice these behaviours in yourself, your partner, or others online, it is worth pausing to consider whether it is crossing into unhealthy territory.
Tip for mums: If you are in an online group and someone seems a little too eager for bump photos, trust your gut. You can always say no, report the account, or block them.
Is Preggophilia Wrong?
The short answer is no, not automatically.
Fetishes in themselves are not “bad”, they are simply variations in human attraction. Preggophilia is fine when it exists between consenting adults who both enjoy it. For example, a husband who finds his wife extra sexy during pregnancy, and she is perfectly happy with the attention.
It only becomes wrong when boundaries are crossed.
Healthy Expression
- Admiring your partner’s body during pregnancy
- Mutual role play where both people are comfortable
- Respectful appreciation of fertility and beauty
Unhealthy Expression
- Pressuring someone into sex they do not want
- Unsafe sex that risks the wellbeing of mum or baby
- Stealing or sharing pregnancy photos without consent
- Reducing pregnant women to objects
Research shows attraction to pregnancy is more common than many people think. Porn searches for “pregnant” have risen nearly 20 percent since 2014, and the term is now one of the top 150 search keywords in the US. Some studies even show men find their partners more desirable during pregnancy than before.
So Preggophilia is not automatically wrong. It is all about respect, safety, and consent.
When Fetishes Go Too Far
The internet has made it easier for people with niche fetishes to connect. Sites like Preggophilia.com host tens of thousands of members. On these forums, users trade photos, stories, and fantasies.
While some conversations stay harmless, others cross into dangerous territory. Members sometimes upload stolen photos of wives, partners, or even colleagues without permission.
Studies highlight that these communities can normalise unhealthy behaviour. For example:
- A 2010 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found early exposure to pregnancy and breastfeeding can sometimes lead to an adult fixation
- Another study in the Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality found men often desire their partners more during pregnancy, suggesting the attraction is not unusual but can become intensified
So while interest in pregnancy is not inherently bad, online spaces can quickly blur the line between appreciation and exploitation.
Mummy blogger shares her creepy experience
One mummy blogger has warned women about posting pregnancy photos online after hers ended up on a pregnancy fetish site.
Meg Ireland, was horrified to find 15 of her pregnancy images had been set up on a porn site of pregnant women.
“I see so many people upload their bump pics and now I just gasp and hope to god they don’t get into the hands of someone they shouldn’t.
We shouldn’t have to worry about people stealing our photos, but unfortunately it happens ALL THE TIME!
When I was scrolling through this god-awful site trying to find where this thread was, I saw some pretty fucked up shit.
People who were uploading pictures of their wife to other users, brother-in-laws uploading pictures of their sister-in-laws and women uploading pictures of their work colleagues!!! I literally couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Who was I to blame for this?
People would say I should only blame myself for uploading “personal pictures” and that it was my own fault (even though my profile was then private).
I see it differently. I didn’t care that someone had screenshot my photo to show someone, it’s was what they did with my photo/s that made me physically sick to my stomach.
WHYYY should we have to sit and worry about this when uploading a photo on our social media sites?
Please be cautious about who follows/adds you. Block them if they look like a creepy MF.
What to do if you are worried your photos are being used on porn sites
If someone has shared an image of you without your consent, you can take action now.
Report an image or video to eSafety
Their expert team are ready to work with you and find the best way to help.
You can report image-based abuse to eSafety if:
- you are the person in the intimate image or video, or
- you have been authorised by the person in the intimate image or video to make a report on their behalf, or
- you are a parent or guardian on behalf of a child who is under 16, or
- you are a parent or guardian on behalf of a person who is in a mental or physical condition that means they need assistance to manage their own affairs
- Report an image to the website or social media service it is posted on
Most major websites and social media services have policies that ban the posting or sharing of intimate images without consent. They also have processes to report and request the removal of such content.
Collect Evidence
It is a good idea to collect evidence of the image theft before you take any steps to have the images or video removed. Screenshots are a common way to collect evidence.
You will need to collect evidence if you wish to make a report to the police or take legal action.
Many sites will send you a reply once you report, sometimes with a case number. Keep this as evidence too.
Get Help from the Police
If you are experiencing image-based abuse, your local police may be able to help.
In some cases, the police may be able to charge the person responsible for a criminal offence.
For non-emergencies, you can call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or contact your local police station.
Find more helpful advice at http://www.esafety.gov.au
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