Pregnancy Etiquette

[calendarbay]

Last summer we did a kimono fashion show for the public, and an audience member asked what women do when they're pregnant. Good question! I still don't have a clue! Obviously after a person starts "showing" it's going to be impossible to maintain the desired cylindrical shape no matter how much accessory padding is used. I'm curious now, from either a historical or contemporary perspective for those who still follow tradition, how pregnant women wore/wear kimono. Do they avoid going out in public? Do they not wear maru and fukuro obi? I would think length if not the discomfort of wearing them would make them unsuitable.

Just a word for all those who've been accumulating kimono, and who sometimes feel guilty for keeping them in storage most of the year as we did. The fashion show here was a big hit beyond expectations. We had local kids who have done student exchanges with Japan model a kimono from each level in formality, with other things like stencils, fabric bolts, design drawings, etc. related to the kimono-making process on display. It was a great way to get our kimono out of storage and share what everyone here on the board already knows is an incredibly fascinating subject, but something most people have no conception of. Here's a link to a site showing what happened at the event: mysite.verizon.net/calendarbay/kimono/index.html

[Flock]

It is my opinion that when kimono was worn daily pregnant women would have worn more low slung obis, a bit like men wear them today, under the belly.
in general take say, meiji era kimono, obi were more flexible, adaptable and less thought was given to neatness in everyday streetwear.
For pregnancy yukata might be fun as a loose fitting ajustable garment, you'd just need to put the obi lower or attach it by some other means, not traditional, but comfortable.