How to hide my growing belly at work?!

DCmama4248 · March 2016

I'm fully annoyed to be already starting to show at 6 weeks, 4 days, and getting really nervous since the weather is getting spectacular. New clothes or maternity clothes seemed to give me away during my last pregnancy (by letting that belly pop, they just make it obvious I feel. Any tips on dressing well to hide the baby!? what are your ladies' secrets? I want to at least wait until 11 weeks to announce! Longer if possible, but I don't think I'll ever get away with it.

juliehollz13 · March 2016

It's just bloat, and you probably notice it more than anyone else. I feel like I look huge but obviously at only 4 weeks it's all just "pooch". I wear looser tops. Most people won't ask if you're pregnant if you just look like you ate a big lunch, in fact, most people - at least at my office - don't bring it up until it's super obvious. We had 3 female coworkers who we speculated were pregnant but didn't say anything to them until they said something about their due date....so not until 7/8 months lol.

TheBorg7of9 · March 2016

Trust me, no one notices. This is my 5th pregnancy, I have a belly for sure. Even if someone does notice, no one is going to ask me why i look fatter.

ETA: word correction

muybueno · March 2016

I agree w PP.
It would be suuuper tacky for someone to ask you at this point. You likely feel a lot bigger than you look to other people (I say this as I stare down at my hugely bloated belly, hoping that's true). In case someone mentions it, have a retort at the ready, like "Sheesh you can't eat a big lunch around here without someone accusing you of being pregnant!"

Stay away from tight tops (which you probably don't wear to work anyway) and maybe grab some interim flowy tops that will work for the first and early second tri.

Edited: wording

tvh1982 · March 2016

It's difficult, I'm pretty skinny but due to hormones I got a belly pretty fast even though I wasn't yet pregnant. So I suck it in.
I still wear my same fitted clothes, just have a loose cardigan that covers it.
I have one maternitytrouser I wore today at home, and it indeed makes you look preggers, but it was so comfortable.
At work I use my regular clothes and my trousers just give me a muffin top and make me look like I need to loose weight. I'll take it.
One colleague hide it until 7 months in...she wore a lot of loose fitted dresses and tunics. I did start wondering and had a 'ah-ha' moment when it got official

LikeICantEven · March 2016

Most of it is probably just paranoia. You think it's more noticeable than it really is. If anyone asks, it's perfectly acceptable to outright lie. It's your job, you'll want to face HR/time off/your supervisor on your terms. Don't give in to someone else being nosey.

If you really want to ease your mind, try flowy tops, maxi dresses, pair with a scarf, go belt free to keep attention off your waistline. Carry a folder if you think it's unavoidable.

Hedgessm · March 2016

You see it way, way more than anyone else. No one should be staring that hard!

CCrane22 · March 2016

I work with mostly women that are very keen on figuring out is someone is pregnant. I'm sure they already figured it out. And I have been awful at not telling people - I have felt so icky that I had to tell 2 of my upper management, and then I told 2 people that had babies less then 6 months ago because I knew they had bad morning sickness and I wanted to know if they had any secrets. My ginger ale and crackers are probably not helping hide it either

lajoliedreamer · March 2016

I have IBS and can get very bloated so I'm used to getting creative to hide my belly. I plan to use the same things to hide my baby bump until the first trimester is done.

Here are my tips:
- Solid tops with open jacket/cardi/ button-up over it (the straight line of the open layer over the solid color gives the illusion of a flatter tummy)
- Big scarf or statement necklace (draws the eye away from the belly)
- Leggings with loose top (self explanatory)
- Maxi or shift dress with belt at waist (if comfortable) or at the bottom of your rib cage (belt makes your waist look smaller)
- Anything black (it's a slimming color)

That's all I can think of right now! I hope that helps.

Ash9614 · March 2016

I'm just wearing flowy tops to cover my bloat. It's not terrible yet but I definitely notice it. I got a few extra loose tops last week to get me through the transition stage.

Texafornian · March 2016

I'm going to play devil's advocate here...
While i'm sure most people probably won't even notice a little bump, I get it that YOU do. Seeing as it's you're second you will show a month to a month and a half earlier than you did with the first so yes, most likely bloat but it's not out of the realm of possibility for you to actually show a little early on. I had a pretty flat belly and didn't show until like week 16-17 last time and even then it was slight but because I always wore super fitted stuff, a co-worker DID call me out when I started bagging' in up with hoodies which royally pissed me off. lol
I'm totally bloated right now but even on a good day, I'm showing a tad too but not enough that anyone but me would notice.

I'd say if you're truly concerned...wear a more A framed tank rather than fitted, perhaps a lightweight scarf that covers the belly, a spring sweater at work, etc. Draw the eye up with a statement necklace...

rspalding001 · March 2016

Flowy tops! I feel like its not an issue for me since I have been wearing "flowy tops" ever since I had my first ha ha ha. Mama belly pooch and skin tight clothes never worked for me after #1

DCmama4248 · March 2016

Thank you all, this advice is simply marvelous!!! I'm gonna stock up on flowy tops, cute scarfs, loose jackets, the works. The only continuing debate I see from all of this advice is: does a belt hide your waist or accentuate it? Any thoughts?!

alanaw121 · March 2016

I'm already showing at 8 weeks (baby #3) and I've found that dresses that flare out at the waist or under the bust are the best for hiding it. They're also way more comfortable than pants because well bloating.

lajoliedreamer · March 2016

Depends on the belt and the placement. For me, I feel like a medium-skinny belt does it's best slimming right under the rib cage while a thick belt can be better if you're comfortable enough to wear it on your waist. But every body is different so what may be slimming for one person may not work the same on another.

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