10 Best Movies And TV Shows About Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the perfect excuse to snuggle up in a pair of slippers and a cozy blanket on the couch, grab a big helping of your favorite snack, and binge-watch something on TV. As one pregnant person on Reddit said, " [...] my neural capacity is such that all I want is glossy, engaging, solid B+ flicks." If you're looking for maximum entertainment, as well as some empathy for your current stage of life, films and TV shows with pregnant characters and pregnancy storylines are the way to go. For mamas who are too tired to think about what to watch, we've done the heavy lifting and compiled a list, so you don't have to. 

To ensure we covered a wide range of pregnancy representation in the media, we rounded up a diverse set of 10 examples, each offering a little something different. From a drama set in 1700s imperial Russia, to a 1950s sitcom that was ahead of its time, to characters navigating the realities of being pregnant and disabled, there are plenty of raw and real scenarios. And for comedy lovers, there are also some feel-good, relatable laughs.

Lucy Ricardo, played by Lucille Ball in "I Love Lucy," was known for going against the grain of the quiet, agreeable housewife stereotype. Showcasing pregnancy and labor (and the raw emotions that accompany them) pushed the envelope like no other program at the time. The story unfolded in two episodes: "Lucy Is Enceinte" (meaning "pregnant" in Spanish), and "Lucy Goes to the Hospital." She sentimentally reveals she's pregnant to her husband, Ricky, through his own musical performance, and chaos later ensues as they rush to the hospital and Lucy is almost left behind.

A baby-focused sequel following a film about marriage isn't groundbreaking. However, what makes "Father of the Bride Part II" so fascinating is watching mom Nina Banks and daughter Annie navigate their individual pregnancies together. Nina, played by Diane Keaton, goes to the doctor after experiencing what she believes to be menopausal symptoms, only to find out she's pregnant (a rare, but very real thing known as perimenopausal pregnancy). She's understandably shocked, but the most dramatic reaction comes from the grandfather- and father-to-be, George, played by Steve Martin, who faints upon receiving the news.

"Friends" was a groundbreaking, record-breaking show that ran for 10 seasons, each with more than 15 million viewers. A show that dominated for that long contains its own mini eras, and Phoebe Buffay's pregnancy was an era all its own. Phoebe, played by Lisa Kudrow, volunteers to be a surrogate for her half-brother and his wife, and ends up carrying their triplets. Arguably one of the most endearing, eccentric characters, Phoebe and her pregnancy amplify that. She discusses using the bathroom excessively, goes from laughing to crying to laughing again, and laments the restrictions that come with pregnancy.

"Juno" was an independent film that swept the box office and went on to win an Academy Award, following the unplanned pregnancy of high school student Juno MacGuff, played by Elliot Page. While a few other shows in the mid- to late-2000's also took on the themes of teen pregnancy ("16 and Pregnant," "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," etc.) Juno stands apart for showing the journey from multiple perspectives, including the hopeful adoptive parents. Juno's relationship with her father (played by J.K. Simmons) is especially heartwarming to watch play out.

Not your run-of-the-mill baby experience, Bella Swan's half-vampire-half-human pregnancy in "Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1" was both remarkable and relatable. Bella, played by Kristen Stewart, develops substantially from the moment she discovers she's carrying a supernatural child, becoming protective and discovering her own extraordinary abilities along the way. She takes risks and, when it's time for the birth, is even willing to sacrifice herself for her baby — a display of maternal altruism. She further develops as a mother in "Breaking Dawn Part 2," where she literally fights for her family.

Dr. Rainbow Johnson of "Black-ish," played by Tracee Ellis Ross, is a feminist and champion for Black women in her community. When she becomes pregnant in Season 3, the show chronicles the harsh realities she has to navigate, as well as her humor and resilience. She attempts to hide her pregnancy at work but is discovered and subsequently passed up for a promotion. Later, she navigates having to undergo an emergency C-section amid complications from preeclampsia — one of the driving factors of maternal morbidity, with a disproportionately 60% higher chance of happening to pregnant Black people.

It's estimated that 10% to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and for people who have already experienced one, the chances of carrying that grief through a subsequent pregnancy are substantially elevated. Characters Kate Pearson and Toby Damon (played by Chrissy Metz and Chris Sullivan) navigate these obstacles during Season 3 of "This Is Us," in which Kate gets pregnant after undergoing IVF. She voices concerns about being 37, her weight, and her previous loss, and is hesitant to share the news, even with family. The delivery is complicated, dramatic, and emotional for everyone.

Hulu's series "The Great" looks into royal pregnancy in the 1700s. The show is a highly comedic take on the drama surrounding Russia's Catherine the Great, played by Elle Fanning, and her husband, Emperor Peter III, played by Nicholas Hoult. The banter between them is amplified through Season 2 as a pregnant Catherine becomes even more vengeful and impulsive, drinking vodka and developing strange cravings (dirt, flowers, rusty nails). We also see peculiar customs, like Catherine peeing on a wheat plant (it blooms, confirming she's pregnant), and family placing a frog on her stomach for good luck.

If you're not a fan of post-apocalyptic movies, this might be one to skip. But if you're open to psychological thrillers in which pregnancy acts as a symbol of hope through the film, "Mother/Android" is worth seeing. The main character, Georgia, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, and her boyfriend endeavor throughout the whole movie to keep each other safe and make it to Boston, where there are rumored to be boats transporting young families to safety overseas. In a particularly moving scene, she visits a military camp's medical tent and hears her baby's heartbeat for the first time.

Set in London with stories spanning from the 1950s to the 1970s, "Call the Midwife" offers glimpses into various kinds of pregnancies and deliveries, and viewers found the story of Doreen, played by Rosie Jones, especially groundbreaking and heartwarming. Doreen, who has cerebral palsy, initially hides her pregnancy from her mother out of fear of straining their relationship. When she visits Dr. Turner (Stephen McGann), she requests birthing classes. Viewers learn her condition is due to complications that occurred when she was born, and she is determined to have a healthier delivery.