There used to be such a stigma on young women becoming pregnant out of wedlock, that the young woman in question was often smuggled away from the family to have the bastard child. It was considered shameful, so to avoid gossip and embarrassment, the family would make excuses, such as: 1. * She's studying abroad. 2. * She's joined a convent. 3. * She's visiting her aunt/sister/old family friend. 4. * Rheumatic fever or some other illness that requires a long convalescence. Tropes resulting after the baby is born: Examples of Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism include: