] At what point did women exclude themselves from social engagements. What exactly constitutes "confinement"?

A high-spirited schoolmaster's wife named Bessy Ramsden announced her intention to go on visiting, shopping, and card-playing as long as possible while pregnant -- but also reveals what was perhaps the more prevalent attitude:

"I am determined not to stay home any Longer till I take to my bed.... but they all say it is impossible I should waddle about till that time I am such a monster in size..."

(Quoted in Amanda Vickery's 'The Gentleman's Daughter')