Mpreg
Mpreg, short for male pregnancy, is a trope in fiction in which male characters become pregnant. Commonly found in fanfiction, particularly in slash fiction, mpreg explores themes of gender, identity, and societal norms. It has also appeared in mainstream media, where it is variously used for comedic, dramatic, or fantastical purposes.
Mpreg fiction frequently normalizes male pregnancy within its fictional worlds, allowing authors to focus on interpersonal relationships, domestic life, and emotional bonds rather than biological or societal conflicts. While the trope presents opportunities to challenge traditional gender roles, it has also been criticized for reinforcing traditional gender norms and overwriting female experiences. The trope intersects with broader discussions of gender and sexuality, though it is typically portrayed outside the context of transgender experiences.
History
Male pregnancy has been explored in literature and popular culture since antiquity. In contemporary fiction, male pregnancy is often given a comedic or monstrous presentation. For instance, the 1994 comedy film Junior followed a man who agreed to become pregnant as part of a scientific experiment. Additionally, the Alien franchise frames male pregnancy as a form of body horror, with the design of the Xenomorph species and its life cycle symbolizing rape and pregnancy. Alexandre O. Philippe interprets the depiction of male rape and pregnancy in Alien as a manifestation of widespread unspoken, unconscious patriarchal guilt that existed in the 1970s.The modern trope of mpreg originated in the 1980s, and became popular as an outgrowth of the Omegaverse in the Supernatural fandom in the 2000s and 2010s. While not all mpreg fiction is fanfiction, even original fiction mpreg has its roots in the fandom trope.
Description
Mpreg fiction centers around the impregnation of a man by another man. Mpreg tends to present male pregnancy as a positive and sometimes even unsurprising fact. The mechanism of the pregnancy varies depending on the work, from one-off magical interventions to the biology of the Omegaverse. The birthing process also varies, including c-section, special "birth canals", and birth through the anus or penis. Within the community, anal birth is typically looked down upon, often derisively referred to as "ass baby" stories.While not necessarily sexual, the stories are often partially pornographic. However, they can often simply focus on the romantic relationship between the central couple. A survey of users of the primarily original fiction site "Mpreg Central" found that 57% preferred their stories to include sex, while 43% preferred it to be deemphasized or not included at all. Mpreg fiction can also focus on the experience of pregnancy itself, including morning sickness, mood swings, and cravings, or its impact on a relationship. Some mpreg does not focus on the pregnancy at all, choosing to write a romance in which a male pregnancy features but does not dominate the plot. Those authors may choose to focus on the domesticity of the couple or the romantic bond between them.