History Main / PregnantBadAss

** The women in [[GenerationalSaga the first]] [[TimeSkip half]] of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Genealogy of the Holy War]]'' may qualify, if they get paired up; we never are given estimates of when most of their kids are born anyway. At least [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Lachesis/Raquesis]] is intended to be pregnant during The Battle of Belhalla.
** [[spoiler:Louise]] in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Blazing Sword]]''. In her A Support with her husband, [[spoiler:Lord Pent]], she reveals to him that she's expecting her first baby; [[spoiler:said baby is the older of her two children from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade Sword of Seals]]'', Klein.]]
** In ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Path of Radiance]]'' we are introduced to Ena, a young woman who is reunited with her betrothed at the end of the game, only for him to die in her arms. She then gives birth to his child at the end of [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn the sequel]], three years later. So this girl, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent who changes into a dragon]], fought in two wars over four years, and was pregnant the entire time!

* The female player character in many ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' games isn't slowed down whatsoever by being pregnant, and is capable of doing everything from devastatingly exhausting farm work to riding horses to mining with no ill effects. Some of the things [[LoveInterests the different husbands]] say during their pregnancy even {{lampshade|Hanging}}s this, to the effect of "If working hard on the farm like this doesn't make you sick, ''nothing'' will."

** In ''VideoGame/TheSims3'', a heavily pregnant super-spy can raid the [[LegitimateBusinessmensSocialClub "secret"]] criminal base.

In fiction, pregnancy will more likely tend toward dramatic extremes. Either it is a debilitating condition that takes former {{Action Girl}}s out of commission for the duration -- rendering them physically and emotionally fragile or even bedridden -- or exactly the opposite. Whether it's due to [[PregnancyMakesYouCrazy surging hormones]] or newfound parental instincts, pregnancy can cause someone to [[TookALevelInBadass Take a Level in Badass]] -- sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently in preparation for becoming a MamaBear or ActionMom, or (in the case of [[MisterSeahorse a trans man]]) PapaWolf or ActionDad.

* The alpha female in ''VideoGame/{{Wolf}}'' is every bit as capable during her pregnancy as she was before mating season. Join an elk hunt the day before cubs are due? Sure!

* ''Fanfic/ToFillTheVoid'' has VillainProtagonist [[series/{{Worm}} Taylor Hebert]] get pregnant when she [[SexForSolace has grief sex]] after losing her father to another supervillain. The premise of the fic is her having to balance being a supervillain with [[TeenPregnancy being a teen mom]], she is still more than capable of joining in a gang war while pregnant.

* ''ComicBook/SpiderWoman'' Jessica Drew manages to take down a room full of Skrulls in the the galactic maternity ward after they invade and she is taken as a PregnantHostage. This leads to what may be the most grueling and difficult situation in her career. Her water breaks about halfway through the fight, she is given a a C-section while the invaders try to break into the operating room, tells the doctors ''not'' to use any anesthesia (because she intends to fight them once the Skrulls breach the door) and is ''still'' able to beat them up after giving birth. (She collapses from exhaustion and pain immediately after.) After it all, the newborn boy is safe.

'''Klundirk:''' You're also pregnant! ''Remember?!'' \\

In RealLife, pregnancy is just a natural part of the cycle of life. Mothers often manage to work until they go into labor and resume normal activity a few days after giving birth. However, it is also damned inconvenient, with possible drawbacks including tenderness of various body parts, [[MorningSickness nausea and vomiting]], painful strain on joints and ligaments, [[{{Gasshole}} burping and farting loudly]], and skin irritation. Also, a pregnant body must endure some awkward changes in size, shape and weight as it stretches to accommodate a growing fetus. Undue stress can sometimes provoke a miscarriage. Particularly troublesome pregnancies can even be incapacitating.

In milder danger, a pregnant character proves herself a BadassBystander capable ActionSurvivor. In extreme circumstances, this badass runs into a major battle nine months pregnant, [[MaternityCrisis goes into labor]] while fighting, harnesses the pain of a ScreamingBirth to become a ScreamingWarrior, retires just long enough to deliver the baby, then picks up a weapon with one hand and returns to the fray ''while [[BadassAndBaby cradling the newborn]]'' in the other. In situations where magic is involved, the unborn child can PowerUp its mother in some way, lending support in what is usually a terrible strain on their mind or soul.

Note that in order to qualify for this trope, the character should be far enough along in pregnancy that it has some physical effect on them. If their massive belly does not prevent them moving with speed and grace anyway, compare {{Acrofatic}}. If they are significantly hindered, compare HandicappedBadass.

* ''ComicBook/SpiderWoman'' Jessica Drew manages to take down a room full of Skrulls in the the galactic maternity ward after they invade and she is taken as a PregnantHostage. This leads to what may be the most grueling and difficult situation in her career. Her water breaks about halfway through the fight, she is given a a C-section while the invaders try to break into the operating room, tells the doctors ''not'' to use any anesthesia ( because she intends to fight them once they breach the door) and is ''still'' able to beat them up after giving birth. (She collapses from exhaustion and pain immediately afterwards.) After it all, the newborn boy is safe.

'''Jessica:''' It's gonna be fine dirk. Just stay right here until you hear me call for you. \\
'''Klundirk:''' This is crazy. \\
'''Jessica:''' It always is. But we'll get through it. I'll get us all through it.
* Played with in '' ComicBook/{{Invincible}} '' as Atom Eve gets pregnant (for the second time) with the titular hero Mark’s child but unfortunately she can’t use her nuclear ImaginationBasedSuperpower to kick ass since she risks damaging her baby as a side effect thus she refuses to use her power. It’s only when InvincibleVillain Robot endangers her, Mark and their baby (as well as taking off her leg) that Eve uses her powers to fight Robot off. Thankfully the baby (Terra) is born safe and healthy afterwards.

* In reference to her [[ComicBook/SpiderWoman2014 comic counterpart]], [[CompositeCharacter Spider-Woman]] in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse'' is an active superhero who engages in battle and uses her motorcycle as a defensive weapon while pregnant.

* Non-combat example: In the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' fanfic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12160468/1/Kirk-Starts-A-Family-Aboard-The-Enterprise Kirk Starts A Family Aboard The Enterprise]]'', A female-to-male transgender James T. Kirk undergoes a routine physical in the ''Enterprise's'' Sick Bay, during which he has [=McCoy=] investigate why Kirk appears to be gaining weight. [[SurprisePregnancy Kirk soon learns]] that [[MisterSeahorse he's pregnant]]. He continues to serve on the starship, ''while'' he's pregnant, all the way until he goes into labor. Said labor only lasts ''three hours'', and then ''six hours'' after he gives birth, Kirk returns to duty.

* In the ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' fic, ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11350114/1/Ready Ready]]'' Buffy is this. She's still patrolling (helps that she's not that far along) and if anything, the pregnancy is helping her slay ''better'' due to MamaBear tendencies. It ties into one of the main sources of conflict in the fic; Riley, the baby's father, wants Buffy to stop slaying period, which she can't do.
** Giles also tells Buffy about Nikki Wood, who killed a vampire whilst pregnant and without her powers simple because she didn't want it to hurt her unborn child.

* ''WesternAnimation/Primal'': Fang was pregnant from her late boyfriend Red and she was still able to help Spear save Mira and other slaves from the vikings, then she laid her eggs but she was still protective of them, even refusing to help Spear fight the remaining vikings.

* UsefulNotes/CatherineOfAragon was in her third pregnancy (her second with UsefulNotes/HenryVIII) when the Scots invaded England in September 1513. During this time she traveled to Buckingham and made “a splendid oration” to the forces camped outside the town, urging them to the victory at Flodden that followed.

--> '''Jessica:''' I just want to keep you safe. ''[the [[FeelingTheBabyKick baby kicks]]'' You know momma would do anything to keep you-- ''[baby kicks harder]'' Okay. You're right. It's time for momma to shut her mouth. ''[draws weapons]'' And go save the damned day. \\

* Jessica Drew from ''ComicBook/SpiderWoman'' manages to take down a room full of Skrulls invading the galactic maternity ward she's staying at while being heavily pregnant. An understatement, actually. This led to what may have been the most grueling and difficult situation in her career. Her water broke about halfway through it, she had to be given a C-section ''while the bad guys were trying to break into the operating room'', told the doctors ''not'' to use any anesthesia (she actually ''intended'' to fight them once they breached the door) and was ''still'' able to beat them up after giving birth. (But collapsed from exhaustion and pain immediately afterwards. Btw, the kid's okay, and it's a boy.)

Note that in order to qualify for this trope, a person should be far enough along in pregnancy that it has a physical effect on them. Compare {{Acrofatic}} when this character has a massive belly yet moves with power and grace. Compare HandicappedBadass.

Sometimes allies or others close to the mother object to this, even when they otherwise respect her ActionGirl prowess and do not think WomenAreDelicate: they worry she is at a disadvantage, or that extreme stress could endanger her or the baby. Sometimes the mother ''agrees'', which makes the character even more formidable -- they only fight when [[MartialPacifist there is no other way]], and their badassery is the raw fury of a DesperationAttack.

In mild circumstances, a pregnant character proves themself a capable ActionSurvivor. In extreme cases, they run into a major battle nine months pregnant, [[MaternityCrisis go into labor]] while fighting, harness the pain of a ScreamingBirth to become a ScreamingWarrior, retire just long enough to deliver the baby, then pick up a weapon with one hand and return to the fray ''while [[BadassAndBaby cradling the newborn]]'' in the other. In situations where magic is involved, the unborn child can PowerUp its mother in some way, lending support in what is usually a terrible strain on their mind or soul.

Note that in order to qualify for this trope, a person should be far enough along in pregnancy that it has a physical effect on them. Compare HandicappedBadass.

If they ''really'' want to emphasize what a badass we're dealing with, they'll run into a major battle nine months pregnant, go into labor while fighting, harness the pain of a ScreamingBirth to become a ScreamingWarrior, retire just long enough to deliver the baby, then pick up their weapon with one hand and return to the fray ''while [[BadassAndBaby cradling the newborn]]'' in the other. In situations where magic is involved, the unborn child can PowerUp its mother in some way, lending support in what is usually a terrible strain on their mind or soul.

* The final episode of ''Series/TheMentalist'' ends with [[spoiler:Lisbon and Jane's]] wedding, [[WeddingEnhancedFertility immediately after which]] [[spoiler:Lisbon]] reveals that she's pregnant. Which makes the fact that she helped take down a serial killer ''while wearing her wedding dress'' earlier the same day all the more awesome.

* ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf - Moon Castle: The Space Adventure'': Despite being pregnant for most of the movie, Wolnie teaches the others how to use [[FryingPanOfDoom frying pans]] with no problem and is still able to hold her own in combat during the fight with the Bitter Gourd King and his minions.

* Averted with Padmé from the ''Franchise/StarWars'' prequels in a case of BadassDecay. In the second film, she is running around [[BareYourMidriff with bared midriff]] and [[BattleCouple firing a blaster at enemy droids]]. In the third film however, once she becomes pregnant, she is very much a DamselInDistress, more emotionally than in the literal sense, but justified in that she's pregnant with twins and could easily injure herself or the children at that point in the pregnancy, and in fact suffers what's essentially DeathByChildbirth and DeathByDespair after she delivers them.

* ''Series/TheWheelOfTime'': The ColdOpen of season 1, episode 7 shows a heavily pregnant Aiel woman ([[spoiler:who's Rand's mother, Tigraine]]) dispatching several fully armored Illian soldiers while fighting off labor pains.

* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' has Freyja, a girl with powers based on her namesake, the Norse Goddess of Fertility. Despite being heavily pregnant, she can do feats like sprinting and then jumping onto a moving train, and puts up a hell of a fight against Touma. [[spoiler:However, it turns out that the girl is an innocent and her ''unborn baby'' is controlling her like a puppet to protect her mother, making for a very strange inversion of MamaBear.]]

** Kira Nerys in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' beat the shit out of a ''serial killer'' while the equivalent of nine months pregnant.
** In a Meta sense, on ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', Gates [=McFadden=] (Dr. Crusher) shot one of her best episodes ("Remember Me") while pregnant, including doing her own rather strenuous stunt (dangling from a wall-mounted chair and flailing as air was blasted at her, so it would look like she was being sucked into a vortex).
** [[Series/StarTrekVoyager Lt. B'Elanna Torres]] in "The Killing Game" is a courier and spy for the [[LaResistance French Resistance]] while (sort of) pregnant. ([[ItMakesSenseInContext Her holodeck character is pregnant, with all the physical limitations]].) Later in the series, Torres becomes pregnant for real and is determined not to let it affect her job, although she eventually has to accept certain limitations, such as not beaming down to an irradiated planet (she also ends up missing the final battle due to being actively in labor at the time).

* In ''Series/TheUmbrellaAcademy'' Season 4 [[spoiler: established badass ActionGirl Lila gets pregnant with Diego's child (after sleeping with him [[TimeTravel in Dallas during the 1960s]]) but since she's only a few weeks pregant at most she's still capable of kicking plenty of ass. However this trope does get subverted, as Diego upon learning his LoveInterest has become his baby mama immediately tries to keep her safely out of the action as much as possible (even locking Lila in a closet at one point), something Lila hates, but she does admit she's geuinely nervous about putting her unborn in child in danger herself -- having never felt such vulnerability in her life before.]]

* In ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', Maggie runs a large part of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, negotiates trade contracts with other communities, kills walkers without issue, and actively participates in a massive assault against the Saviors' compound. When she and Carol are later captured, they [[DamselOutOfDistress rescue themselves]] from their kidnappers and then proceed to kill every last one of them, [[KillItWithFire including the reinforcements.]] She bluntly states that being pregnant isn't about to stop her from fighting to protect her friends and family, although she does agree to avoid direct conflicts from then on.

* In ''TabletopGame/LegendOfTheFiveRings'', the [[AmazonBrigade Matsu]] ''[[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking daimyo]]'' thwarted an assassination attempt while six months pregnant. She, her husband, and their [[LittleMissBadass twelve year-old daughter]] killed a dozen of the Phoenix Clan's most skilled samurai.

* Averted with Padmé from the ''Franchise/StarWars'' prequels in a case of BadassDecay. In the second film, she is running around [[BareYourMidriff with bared midriff]] and [[BattleCouple firing a blaster at enemy droids]]. In the third film however, once she becomes pregnant, she is very much a DistressedDamsel, more emotionally than in the literal sense, but justified in that she's pregnant with twins and could easily injure herself or the children at that point in the pregnancy, and in fact suffers what's essentially DeathByChildbirth and DeathByDespair after she delivers them.

* ''Manga/MusukoGaKawaikuteShikataganaiMazokuNoHahaoya'': Despite her power and being the most prominent demon mother in the story, Lorem is ''not'' an example as her time while pregnant was peaceful and she never saw any action. Instead, the pregnant badass of the story is [[spoiler:the Gothic Lolita BloodKnight, Nightmare]]. She can fight the final arc's BigBad Crown on relatively even footing and, as she does so, Crown notices that she's very clearly taking care to not let her stomach be hit. He confirms she's pregnant by attacking her in such a way that she willingly takes a blow to the face over her stomach.

* ''Most Fruitful Yuki'': The titular heroine is a gloriously {{Exaggerated}} exemplar. Yuki is eager to start a family with her husband Kenji, a student at a prestigious NinjaSchool. Her hopes are dashed when Kenji and the other students are captured and magically-imprisoned by the wizard Gorou. Daichi, a sorcerer who escaped capture, discovers a [[LoopholeAbuse Loophole]]: Yuki can defy Gorou's magic as long as she is pregnant with Kenji's child. But training to defeat Gorou's minions in combat will take years, and the loophole closes when she gives birth. Yuki, willing to endure anything to save her beloved, convinces Daichi to cast a spell that will keep her pregnant while she fights the evil wizard. Her pregnancy is effectively a magical PowerUp and, thanks to her finesse, Yuki's large belly barely gets in the way of her {{Ninja}} moves.