Pregnancy Dreams: An A-Z Guide

Nest: This could be related to the classic nesting syndrome most pregnant women experience around their due dates. Dreams of a nest may be your mind's way of alerting you to some important preparatory details left undone. (Also see Bird, Forests)

Nudity: Nudity represents feelings of vulnerability and symbolizes how a pregnant woman's condition is exposed to the entire world. (Also see Pregnancy)

Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers: Water represents fertility, motherhood, and the flow and movement of life. A woman who dreams of water is likely experiencing a deep connection with her pregnancy, and is very tuned-in to the more primal aspects of it. (Also see Airplanes, Bridge, Journey, Water)

Opening: Dreaming of opening a gift, or opening a series of doors, could refer to the imminent birth and opening up of a new area of your life. (Also see Key)

Past: People, places, and events from your past likely represent unresolved issues that need to be addressed. (Also see Boyfriends/Girlfriends, Infidelity, Sex)

Performing: If you dream of being on stage or performing, it could represent insecurity about how well you will play your part as a mother. (Also see Movie Stars)

Pregnancy: If you dream of being pregnant, it is likely that you are attempting to conceive or have some unresolved issues surrounding having children. (Also see Babies, Birth, Family, Girl, Miscarriage, Twins)

Quilt: This could represent family and old-fashioned values, part of the nesting process.

Rainbow: This is a beautiful symbol representing your feelings about your pregnancy.

Ring: A ring symbolizes commitment and connection. Loss of a ring in a dream suggests disappointment in a relationship. (Also see Husband, Marriage)

School: This is a classic anxiety dream, reflecting insecurity about your abilities in certain areas of your life.

Sex: Just as dreams of eating food could indicate a lack of certain nutrients in your diet, dreams of sex could signify a need for more sex, or at least more romance! It can also represent a woman's joy at the role she is playing in the life cycle. There is no denying it—sex is a critical component of pregnancy! (Also see Boyfriends/Girlfriends, Husband, Infidelity, Marriage)

Snake: Due to their phallic shape, snakes represent sex; they also indicate growth and wisdom. (Also see Animals, Zoos)

Stairs: Stairs appear frequently in dreams as a symbol of movement and advancement toward a goal. Stairs also represent sex, according to our friend Sigmund Freud, due to the rhythmic nature of climbing them. (Also see Castles, Homes, Houses)

Storms: Violent storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes reflect instability, especially among family members.