Chelsea Phillips wants to know if anyone who attended the Perceptions of Pregnancy conference can recall the source for the phrase ‘rising of the apron’ (or something similar), which was used at one of the sessions. If you know, post your answer below. Thanks!
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Perceptions of Pregnancy 
Hi Chelsea,
I think I briefly mentioned it in my paper. After a hunt around, I’ve found it is in Sarah Jinner’s 1659 Almanack. This reference is discussed in the chapter ‘Construction and Experience of Maternity in Seventeenth-Century England’ in Patricia Crawford’s ‘Blood, Bodies and Families in Early Modern England’ (2004). I seem to remember that Laura Gowing discusses this phrase which was used often in court when referring to unmarried female servants that got pregnant. I think this is in her ‘Common Bodies’ but haven’t been able to find a specific chapter or page reference. Hope this helps! Was fantastic to meet you at the conference and hope your research is going well! Leah
Cf also this song, which occurs in various versions both in England and US:
I wish, I wish, but it’s all in vain
I wish I were a maid again
But a maid again I never shall be
Till apples grow on an orange tree.
When my apron strings hung low
He followed me through frost and snow
But now they reach up to my chin
He passes by and he says nothing.
Oh grief oh grief and I’ll tell you why
That girl she has more gold than I
More gold than I and beauty and fame
But she like me must come the same.
I wish my baby it was born
And playing on its daddy’s knee
And I to be in yon churchyard
With the tall green grass growing over me.