Pregnancy and childrearing are as precious and wholesome as they are messy and challenging, and that's what these illustrations by artist Amanda Oleander show. She was pregnant in 2020, and since then, the internet's fallen in love with her relatable drawings depicting her and her husband's journey from newlyweds to mom and dad. Whether you're already a grandparent or just curious about parenthood, you'll enjoy her quirky art in the form of pregnant illustrations - and you'll want to stick around until the end to see what Amanda and her beautiful family look like in real life. Whether it is labor birth art or giving birth drawings or illustrations of the joys and challenges of parenthood, this artist covers it all.
Breaking the Happy News
How do you go about telling your partner you're pregnant? For many couples who have been trying for a baby, this is a gloriously happy moment filled with excitement and sometimes even relief. We love this beautifully frank illustration of this smiling Mom-to-be holding her positive pregnancy test, telling her husband the happy news. He seems shocked. We would love to know what's on the bit of paper he's holding.
Is it a handwritten note? A photo? A drawing? The pregnant illustration doesn't tell us exactly what this couple decided to do, but one thing is for sure, Amanda's knocked it out of the park with her gorgeous artwork.
Obsessing Over Ultrasound Pictures
Here marks the beginning of this couple's journey into parenthood. There is nothing more exciting for a couple who have been trying for a baby to finally have their first scan and get a glimpse of their little bundle of joy. It's beautiful to document the growth and development of the life growing inside of you and that is exactly what is described in this beautiful pregnancy illustration. We can well imagine this happy couple taking their time to share their joy as they mull over these pictures.
Although we often take the time to savor our ultrasound pictures, it is rarer to see images of couples marveling at these kinds of photos. We certainly think that it's a special scene worth capturing!
Midnight Snacks Are a Nightly Must
We won't lie; this picture initially creeped us out a little. The hand poking out of this pregnant woman's belly took us a bit by surprise. But then, once we got over ourselves, we found it funny. Of course, this illustration cleverly depicts pregnancy's effect on cravings. This is how Amanda imagined her pregnancy cravings that happened at all times of the day and night. "Sometimes 10 pm comes around, and my stomach starts grumbling," she said. What better way to describe that unique and interesting feeling than in a pregnancy illustration (albeit a bit shocking at first glance)?
Amanda added, "Bananas and nuts have been an easy, quick go-to for those late-night hunger pangs." We're in awe of her healthy eating habits. We're not sure we could stay so healthy - we might be more inclined to reach for a bag of Doritos! But according to this pregnancy illustration, it looks like the baby is the one that does most of the deciding when it comes to food choices.
First Trimester Vs. Second Trimester
Amanda candidly depicts the stark contrast between her first and second trimesters. The on par pregnancy illustration below represents the rough ride she had during her first trimester. Here the Mom-to-be looks stressed, sleep-deprived, and maybe even a tad terrified. But the drawing next to it seems to be the polar opposite. She looks happy, relaxed, and very comfortable as she chills out on the sofa in her pajamas. She seems to be cheerily picking into what appears to be fruit salad. This drawing could not be a more perfect or accurate representation of the range of feelings that a new expecting mother will experience.
We also can't help but notice that the image depicting the second trimester seems lighter in color, which is probably indicative of how the Mom-to-be is feeling; brighter, happier, healthier, etc.
Time to Bring in the Maternity Pillow
While the last illustration showed the couple blissfully cuddling, this drawing shows what usually happens some months into pregnancy: human cuddling is out, and the maternity pillow is in. Suddenly, one's significant other doesn't cut it for comfort in bed. "Sleeping on my left side is best for the baby, so every night I sleep with this gigantic maternity pillow plus another pillow behind my back... Last night we fell asleep just like this," Amanda said of this piece.
This picture screams quiet delight. On a separate note, that pregnancy pillow looks really comfortable - is it wrong to purchase one if you're not pregnant? Asking for a friend.
We're Gonna Need All Hands on Deck
As this illustration so aptly and humorously showcases, new parents will be the first to tell you that raising a newborn is far from glamorous. Occasionally things get poo-y, and in some instances, quite literally. We think it's safe to say that most new parents have experienced diaper-related disasters that demand more cleaning up than anyone would have liked. By the looks of it, that is what seems to be going on in this picture!
We love how the Mom is on the phone, and without explaining the situation, she just says, "Hi, I'm going to need backup," as if the person on the phone will know exactly what she's talking about!
A New Morning Alarm Clock
We're sure that most women who have been through the pregnancy process will be able to relate to this pregnancy illustration. Here it seems like the poor pregnant woman was either trying to get to sleep or has just been woken up by the baby in her belly jumping around. Either way, this Mom-to-be seems taken aback and surprised by the situation. But the baby seems to be having a great time!
According to Amanda, there was a period during her pregnancy when her son moved "like a wild man" and functioned as her morning alarm clock. That is one way to get on a completely new schedule, one that will prepare you for the challenges of motherhood, even before you actually give birth.
Developing Matching Bellies
We love the wholesome backstory behind this illustration. According to Amanda, it was inspired by a moment when her husband pushed his tummy out to match hers. This sounds like one of the many sweet, goofy moments that couples share behind the scenes. We picture the two of them giggling afterward and then going about their days. And as with all of Amanda's illustrations, she isn't afraid to get real.
Just look at the toothpaste smattered around their mouths and the toiletries cluttering up the side in this pregnant illustration. The fact that this scene is far from glamorous makes this piece so relatable.
Last Vacation Before the New Arrival
Couples need to enjoy their time together as a duo before their first bundle of joy arrives in this world. Anytime a family welcomes a new addition, it is quite the change and a big transition. But the most significant shift is probably when that first baby pops out. So it's become quite popular for some couples to go on a 'Babymoon' - their last vacation as a couple without any children in tow or waiting at home.
By the look of it, it seems like these two managed to get some well-deserved R&R in before the madness began!
Preparing the Nursery
From what we can tell from Amanda's commentary on this piece is that she drew it when she was around 30 weeks pregnant. This picture captures Amanda's 'nesting' period - when pregnant people have a strong urge to prepare their home for the baby's arrival. "We have been organizing our home and getting projects done we've been meaning to for a while. All I want to do is organize and clean, and it feels so good," Amanda shared.
Look at all the tiny baby clothes waiting to be organized and hung up in the baby's closet. We also love the stuffed bunny on the shelf - adorable.
Post-Partum Hair Loss
We love that art can spread awareness. Until we saw this image, we didn't even know that postpartum hair loss was a thing. This prompted us to do some digging. Apparently, postpartum hair loss is pretty common during the first six months after you give birth and can last as long as the first year. Those living with it might experience sudden shedding, which occasionally comes out in clumps.
We think this is what this picture is highlighting. The squiggles and circles all over the bed are supposed to be Mom's hair all over the bed.
Packing for the Hospital
You don't hear many people talk about packing for the hospital, which is weird because it's super important. While the process itself - figuring out what exactly you need, stressing about missing something - can be overwhelming, the result is worthwhile. Nothing brings peace of mind to an expecting couple, like knowing their baby is healthy and they're ready to hit the road to the hospital in a heartbeat.
We love that some essentials are seen around the table - a charger, wet wipes, shirts, deodorant, and a travel bag to put it all in.
Feeding While Feeding
Babies don't like to be kept waiting for their dinner - if they're hungry, they'll certainly let you know! Sometimes the baby may demand to be fed when it's not always convenient, like when you're in the middle of eating yourself. This has happened a few times to Amanda, who said that "Being fed while feeding has become a thing around here." Teamwork makes the dream work!
Amanda remembered how she had to start nursing her baby boy one evening just as she was about to dig into her strawberry oats. Fortunately for her, her husband wanted to ensure she got to eat the goodies while they were still warm, so he fed them to her while she fed their son.
Meeting Grandma and Grandpa
Someone once told us, "There's nothing more beautiful than meeting your child's child." We think this drawing wonderfully encapsulates that sentiment. You can see the look of love and adoration on the faces of both the grandparents and the little baby. It seems like smiles all around! This illustration captures this wholesome moment perfectly. Perhaps it depicts their first meeting or, if the family is lucky, a weekly visit.
Either way, it's gorgeous. When you consider that not everyone has the privilege of meeting their grandparents, it makes this snapshot all the more special, prompting us to remember that these day-to-day moments shouldn't be taken for granted.
Before Bath Time Becomes Mess Time
How adorable is this? From this cute illustration, we can safely assume that Amanda Oleander's baby boy enjoys bath time. Just look at his huge, content smile as she carefully rinses his hair. Also, we love how the baby toiletries and towels are set on the bath's side within arm's reach. It's an honest depiction of what getting prepared for bathtime might look like. Every little detail can make things a million times easier.
We also love the sweet little bath toys bobbing around in the water, especially the duckie and the blue elephant. Perhaps this little guy is an animal lover.
A Belly That Doubles as a Table
If this isn't a genuine snapshot of adult life, we don't know what is. It successfully captures exhaustion, love, and one of our favorite hobbies - reading. Here the Dad-to-be is lovingly cradling his wife's pregnant belly while he falls asleep at her side. At the same time, she sits propped up, reading in bed. And possibly our favorite part of this piece is how she's using her pregnant belly to prop up her book.
This picture really hammers home the blessing it is to have someone that you can fully and completely be yourself around and just relax.
Early Morning Cuddles in Bed
Sometimes it's the little things that truly make life worth living, and again, this gorgeous illustration really speaks to that. This depicts Benny (Amanda's baby boy) after he's been fed first thing in the morning. As you can see, afterward, he sleepily snuggles into her chest, and in turn, she also dozes back off to sleep. It shows the beauty and the tiredness that's so inextricably linked with parenting a newborn.
When we look at the picture, the words warmth, love, and comfort all spring to mind. Both mother and baby look so cozy and happy together nestled in Mom's bed.
Reading Baby's Favorite Book a Million Times
If this doesn't make your heart melt, nothing will. When we first saw this beautiful illustration, we were thrown straight back to our childhoods when our mothers would read to us to send us soundly off to sleep. This image captures those precious, simple moments that, for many, will last a lifetime. We love how real this image is, with some of the clutter left behind from a day of play and exploring the world.
Colorful baby toys seem to be scattered around the room - but it doesn't matter. Instead, the focus is on snuggling up and spending precious time together, and we adore that!
Never Let Go
The beautiful thing about this illustration is that we're not sure whether the Mom is holding the baby's hand as he sleeps because she's so in love and doesn't want to let go or if she's positioned herself on the rug to help her baby get to sleep. Little ones can be notoriously difficult to get to sleep the night through, so perhaps this is part of his crib training.
Either way, the image is beautifully real and wonderfully depicts the love and devotion this Mom has for her baby boy. We also love the little details in the background, like the baby toys on the floor. Again, this lends a more authentic feel to the image.
Do You Feel Her Kicking?!
The excitement in the faces of this Mom and Dad-to-be is almost palpable. The wide, bright eyes and enormous smiles exude a sense of wonder and awe. Amanda shared that she and her hubby have a nighttime routine where they both feel the baby moving around and have a little chat with him - and the excitement of it never gets old. Does it get much more wholesome than that? We think not.
Special moments like this must be so exciting for prospective parents. Pregnancy doesn't last forever, and at times, it's pretty rough - so it's lovely to make the most out of the nicer parts.
Singing to the Baby
We love the story behind this wholesome illustration. The artist explains that their baby starts kicking every time her husband plays a song on the guitar. Is this a sign that the baby likes to dance? Or maybe, like his Dad, he'll also have a passion for playing music? Or perhaps he's already developing a life-long love for live shows. Whatever the reason, everything about this drawing and this story is heart-melting.
Again, we love the smiles on both Mom and Dad's faces and how relaxed they both look; this was clearly a very special memory that's been wonderfully memorialized in this drawing.
Spoiling Mama
It seems to us that Joey wins the husband of the year reward. From what Amanda said about Joey's support, it looks like he went above and beyond to support his wife during her pregnancy. "It's not the daily fruit salads you make fresh for me every morning but the way you make them. The excitement you get from seeing me happy and enjoying them. Each and every bowl is made with so much love," she wrote to her husband.
So, if your partner is currently pregnant, take a leaf out of Joey's book! This illustration beautifully showcases the truth and wisdom behind the age-old adage: 'actions speak louder than words.'
Welcome to the World, Baby
We love that both Mom and Dad look so in love with their newborn. If you look closely, you can even see tears of happiness streaming down both of their faces. But the events leading up to this blissful moment aren't always all that blissful. Amanda shared that she was in labor for 30 hours before they realized the baby was too big (over nine pounds!) to be born without surgery.
Finally, she had a c-section, and they met their baby boy, Benny. The above drawing is a beautiful illustration exuding comfort and contentment.
Alone Time Becomes Extra Special
This is what Amanda has said about this illustration: "This is inspired by the other night when Joey and I held each other and said what we say at least once a day to each other 'Do you feel it? Do you feel how much I love you?!'" We don't know about you guys, but we're certainly feeling this couple's love for one another! It's in the way they look at each other.
It's the sweet, wholesome love we all long for. You look at this picture, and you can't help but smile! There's nothing glamorous or showy about it. It's just natural.
Nurturing One Another
When we dug into Amanda's Instagram, we couldn't see her interpretation of this thought-provoking illustration. So, instead, we're just going to give you what this image brought to our minds. For us, we think the plants sprouting out of the heads of the Mom and Dad represent personal growth, and perhaps the watering can the husband is using to water the Mom's plants symbolize that he's supporting her in her development as a mom and a person.
Likewise, the Mom is doing the same for her baby, maybe symbolically helping him to grow and develop. The bottom line: perhaps this image depicts family members' impact on one another's growth. We're not sure, but that's what spoke to us from this picture!
So Much Love to Give
According to Amanda, her husband's daily check-ins and conversations with the baby inspired this drawing. How sweet is that? It's beautiful when both parents are equally psyched to welcome their new baby into the world and start bonding with it from the get-go. The love is practically oozing out of this illustration. From the contented facial expressions to the loving embrace, there's nothing but adoration to be taken from this image.
We also love all the greenery in this picture - the indoor house plants and the snippet of their garden. Whenever nature is injected into art, we can't help but think it helps create a sense of peace.
Nighttime Snuggles Brought to You by Pregnancy Bliss
This heart-warming illustration shows a husband and wife lovingly embracing one another in bed. Lower down in the lady's belly, we see a tiny baby growing inside her. They both look blissfully happy to be with one another and are savoring this moment of contentment. "This was us this morning. It was the best. So thankful for this life, for this love, and for our son," Amanda said about this particular illustration.
For us, it's a stark reminder that amidst all the doom and gloom in this world, it's important to savor the small things and the people in life that make us happy.
Growing Quickly
Isn't it incredible to think that women can grow and nurture a tiny human inside of them? Those were our exact thoughts when we first saw this image. It's a beautiful, eye-opening depiction of pregnancy. The baby looks incredibly comfy in his mother's womb. He's even sucking his thumb, just as he most likely will when he eventually makes his way out into the world. How cute is that?
We like how this image highlights that the baby is only a few inches away from life as we know it, something that no one really talks about during pregnancy! It is something that should be included in the dialogue more when it comes to labor birth art and giving birth drawings.
Pregnancy Joy
We love the realness of this illustration. The body shapes haven't been immaculately carved; there aren't any elaborate hairdos or over-the-top makeup. It's just a husband holding his wife's bump, and the wife reciprocates his embrace. In a world of filters and airbrushing, this is beautiful. Plus, we love Amanda's depictions of a pregnancy journey where both partners seem so involved, dedicated, and attached to the process.
Again, Amanda's attention to detail is second-to-none. For example, in the background, there's a bedside table. There's a book inside the top drawer and a phone on charge. It's things like this that make her art so relatable.
Mother Nature Growing Inside Her
We're getting some pretty strong goddess/Mother Earth vibes from this intricate illustration. We dug into Amanda's Instagram and couldn't see her specific interpretation of this piece. So, instead, you'll have to put up with our take on this gorgeous drawing. At first glance, this image said to us that pregnancy and childbirth, like the fruitful plants splayed around the pregnant woman, are one of the most natural things in the world.
This piece speaks to the magnificence of fertility, growth, and the beauty of nature, all wound up into one thought-provoking image. On a more frivolous note, we love the splashes of color the flowers bring to this image.
Best Friends Already
Is it us, or does it look the husband and the baby in this picture are trying to high-five one another through the Mom-to-be's belly? We're not sure that's what the illustrator was going for, but either way, we think it's super cute. We love how the pregnant woman is happily sleeping soundly next to her husband. We're equally huge fans of the massive smiles on both the Dad and the baby's faces.
To us, this illustration screams happiness, love, and contentment. It's the perfect snapshot of the tiny, seemingly insignificant moments that pass us by every day that we should all make more of an effort to cherish.
Koala Cuddles
According to Amanda, what we see here in this illustration is her son's favorite way to be held. We love that there isn't a background or anything else in the illustration to distract us from the subject matter: a mother lovingly holding her baby boy. It's simple and real, and that's what we think makes this illustration so remarkable. His ear gently rests on her chest. Both mother and baby look happy to be embracing.
As a side note, we think her floral print dress in pinks and greens on a white background is pretty too.
The Center of Their Universe
We love how in this illustration, Mom and Dad are obsessed with their beautiful bundle of joy. Around the time of publishing this picture, Amanda says: "We have a baby fever over here!" In the picture, we see both Mom and Dad, with their baby in between them. They're cuddled up together with their hands protectively encompassing their sleeping newborn. It's adorable! All in all, it's a lovely demonstration of the love new parents have for their baby.
We love that both parents are casually dressed, including cozy-looking socks. They're both smiling and seem relaxed and happy. All of this lends a sense of authenticity and realness to this drawing.
We Fit Like Jigsaw Pieces
Have you ever seen such a seemingly simple illustration say so much about the completeness, security, and fulfillment of a healthy, loving family unit? We certainly hadn't! We love how the artist has cleverly personified three jigsaw pieces. One represents Mom, the other Dad, and the one in the center symbolizes their baby. The jigsaw pieces fit together seamlessly, hinting that each piece plays an integral part in fulfilling the other.
All three jigsaw pieces are smiling, embracing, and by the looks of things, snoozing soundly. Again, we love the tiny details - just look at the bedside table; phones are charging!
The Artist and Her Beautiful Family
So you've finally made it to the end of the list for our bonus snap: an actual photo of the talented illustrator behind all these pics, Amanda Oleander. Here she is accompanied by her husband and adorable baby boy. We can't help but think that the gorgeous autumnal aesthetic in the background further lends to how beautifully wholesome this family photo is. Everyone looks happy, cozy, and in love - just like in her drawings.
If you look closely, even the baby looks like he's trying to smile for the camera. It doesn't get much cuter than this!
Just as you can see in the pregnancy illustrations that she created, the love and excitement about bringing a new child into the world and starting a family with your partner is not like any other feeling in the world. Although the pregnancy illustrations that Amanda created to portray her feelings at the time come pretty close to expressing the real deal feelings in the moment, nothing is exactly like the reality. However, sometimes it can feel lonely if you do not have a community to share your exciting pregnancy moments with and these pregnancy illustrations and drawings will make you feel the communal excitement that happens to all expecting and new mothers. It is truly wonderful when people use their gifts and talents as an artist, or with anything in life, to help other people through the most meaningful times of their lives. This artist not only did that, but expressed her joy and excitement over her new child in the process.
Whether you are an expecting mother for the first time, or know someone who is excited over the impending birth of their next child, these pregnancy illustrations are sure to brighten their day and make the entire pregnancy experience even more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise. Share this list of illustrations and pictures with friends and family members to help them understand how exciting and meaningful all the little moments are in their pregnancy journey.
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Whether you are an expecting mother for the first time, or know someone who is excited over the impending birth of their next child, these pregnancy illustrations are sure to brighten their day and make the entire pregnancy experience even more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise. Share this list of illustrations and pictures with friends and family members to help them understand how exciting and meaningful all the little moments are in their pregnancy journey.
Enjoyed this post? Why not share it!