So this may seem like an odd question, but how do you hide your forever growing belly. I am only 10 weeks and starting to show. I wanted to hold off until 20 weeks to notify my work or anyone else for that matter because of history of miscarriage. All my pants do not fit and am pulling out mcguyver-eske moves to keep my pants up. Now my shirts are starting to get snug around the belly. I have the belly band but it's too been way too hot!! Got any good tips?!?!?
A lot of empire-waisted shirts can make you look slightly pregnant even when you're not. You could wear something like that, and most people won't comment because they aren't sure if it's your belly or your clothing style. Also, some pregnancy pants (especially those that fit under the belly around the waist) don't really look like pregnancy pants, even though they're stretchy. Good luck.
Well since it still summer find some empire waist tops - they help hide things well - baby weight or any other wieght that you may be trying to camoflage.
I willl say a prayer for you and your unborn child.
I don't think you can hide it at that point.... especially since
20 weeks is 5 months.
By then, visually, people will 'guess' that you are. And ask you.
So what will you say, then?
You can always talk to HR.... and they have privacy policies and you can privately tell HR that due to a history of miscarriages, this is sensitive for you but you are pregnant and prefer it being private.
Or to cover up your belly, use flowing dresses. Not pants.
Or you need to get and wear fashionable maternity clothing... already. Or elastic waisted outfits...
all the best,
Susan
Shorts with elastic waists.
By a size larger, not maternity.
Blazers
High waist A-line or empire waisted blouses are in style and long blouses with leggingss. Luckily winter will bring heavy sweaters and cartigans. use accesories - scarves, necklaces, earings to draw the eye upward. Keep in mind it probably doesn't show as much as you think!!
If you have a trusting relationship with your boss, maybe pull her aside and tell her and she might be a good support for you so people don't ask quesitons.
Best of luck to you!!.
I'm temped to say stick a pillow in your behind as well and just let people think you've gained a lot of weight??? ;)
Seriously though, at this point, people may start to guess, but you are NOT obligated to tell them until you feel ready. If anyone ASKS you and you don't want to let them know, you are perfectly within your rights to simply say that you don't want to talk about it. They will most likely assume that you HAVE put on weight and won't want to embarrass you by pestering you about it!
Best of luck to you- I am sending good thoughts and prayers for you and your baby!!
I did this for the same reason. You don't have to tell your employer and when you do, it is private and you have the right to tell them you will make the announcement when you are ready.
Go to the prego store and buy some prego clothes. I did. I wore them right in front of everyone. I was so comfortable. I just never said anything. They make cute jeans, and cute slacks. You just can't tuck your shirt in. Only one person said later, she thought I had a maternity top on, but didn't think it enough to ask.
I never made any announcement. My big mouthed boss begged me to allow her to tell one person and when I was ready she did...thats all it took.
Are you comfortable wearing leggings (if that's allowed at work?) leggings can be stretchy around the belly, and you can pair it with either the empire waist tops or one of those 'flowy' summer-y tops. I've also seem people wear summer cover ups as dresses - maybe Target has some with sleeves (or a light cardigan to go around your shoulders).
I waited till 20 weeks too. I had low rise jeans that seemed to still fit somehow, and big baggy t-shirts. It was also winter, so I could keep a scarf on and just say that the office was chilly. Yes, we have a relaxed dress code. I also started out with the maternity tops, but just the big stretchy shirts, not the "Hey everyone, I'm pregnant" tops. I find that empire waists make non-pregnant people look pregnant, and since they are in fashion, no one may notice.
Baggy shirts (obviously ones that still look nice but are not skin tight).
Wear a longer shirt and skirt, that way the skirt can sit below the belly but the shirt would be long and baggy enough to cover.
For the tightness of the pants you might try taking a hair tie and wrap one end around the button stick the other end through the loop on the otherside and then loop it back over the button. It keeps your pants loose and easily stretch to comfort when you sit down. This is my grandma's trick for around the holidays when she wants to eat more food. : )
Try baggier t's.
I hid my pregnancy for over 20 weeks. I have a history of stillbirths and I didn't want to tell anyone either. I know my Mother-in-law came to visit around the sixth month and she didn't ask if I was pregnant. I just bought bigger clothes that weren't PG clothes. I found looser shirts and pants with elastic.
I will say a prayer all goes well.
Peasant tops, tops with ruching at the waist and flowy summer dresses might help. If your workplace is cold you might be able to get away with wearing a loose fitting cardigan. An open neckline and interesting necklaces will draw attention upward away from your belly. Try some different looks at home or at the store and see what works. :)
I wore maturity jeans/skirts/shorts with oversized shirts that hide the maternity band waist. No one knew... I announced it when I was 18 weeks.
Even if anyone suspects or sees somewhat of a belly, you don't have to announce formally anything to anyone. Don't suffocate yourself or the child on account of hiding it from coworkers. It is what it is and when the time is right and you feel comfortable they will get the "email". In the meantime, wear bigger clothes.
sweats and baggy shirts one size larger or 2x what you normally wear
wear cardigans and flowey shirts
Go for bigger clothes without any constriction in the midsection. It is important for your body to have space...baggy is good. I agree with the earlier posts about "you don't have to answer snooping questions". There are privacy rules and this is a medical condition so you don't have to answer any questions other than to say, "hey I'm hungry"...
Carolyn
Mom of 3
There are a lot of shirts out now that are blousy and gathered at the waist, so there is nothing tight fitting through the middle, and you can't see what's underneath... is it belly under there? Or just a blousy shirt? And if need be, I'd go with some of the elastic waisted maternity pants, just make sure to wear longer tops to cover the band. I didn't tell anyone at my job that I was pregnant until I was around 20 weeks either. I wore a lot of loose fitting tops, and got some larger pants, until I broke out the real maternity stuff.
Best wishes.