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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think I can hide this?

237 replies

Itstimeforbaileys · 28/04/2024 18:33

For a multitude of reasons, we have made the decision not to tell anybody about my pregnancy until we’ve had the 20 week scan. I can successfully hide this day to day, but this is where the issue occurs.. I’m currently 17 weeks, and I’ve got a spa day planned next week where both my SIL and mum will be there. How the hell will I hide this? My bump is still small enough where i just look a bit bloated, my SIL has never seen me in a swimming costume before so for all she knows I could just normally look this way? I’ll probably get away with it with my mum as she’s not very observant 😂

My second issue is the timing of my 20 week scan, this happens the week before a family members wedding so I need to wear something where I can cover it up as I don’t want to steal focus (and this is one of the reasons why we’re leaving it so late to tell people).

AIBU to think I can pull this off? I already don’t drink so that won’t cause any suspicion, it’s just my appearance that will give me away. Bonus points to anyone who can provide clothing options to successfully conceal!

OP posts:
zingally · 29/04/2024 09:08

You're over-thinking the wedding in particular. You won't steal focus, and apart from a few "oh, I heard your happy news!" from the aunties, no one else will say a word.

As for the spa, there are quite a few facilities that they won't let you do as a pregnant woman. Personally, I'd tell mum and SIL, perhaps with the preface that they keep it to themselves for a few more weeks.

bradpittsbathwater · 29/04/2024 09:16

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and won't be telling anyone until 20 weeks. I lost a baby at 20 weeks last year. I can hide it in my dresses, but no way in a costume. I wouldn't go.

Itstimeforbaileys · 29/04/2024 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I’m actually beyond gobsmacked that someone would reply to that particular comment I’ve made and say “make a big thing of nothing”. What an awful person you are.

OP posts:
Itstimeforbaileys · 29/04/2024 09:28

Bouledeneige · 29/04/2024 08:09

Well obviously it would be much easier to tell them. Why give yourself the problem - isnt it more work trying to hide it? Is this related to previous problem pregnancies or miscarriage? Theres a reason why people normally wait till 12 weeks and not longer. And even if something did go wrong wouldn't you want to tell people so they could support you through it?

I’ve explained this in the thread but I sadly lost my last baby at 19 weeks as all their major organs had failed to develop. My family all know this. I’ve felt really mentally healthy this pregnancy and I really can’t take that away from myself by taking onboard other peoples worries/being asked 24/7 if I or the baby are ok when I just don’t know yet.

OP posts:
IvyIvyIvy · 29/04/2024 09:29

Can you book a private scan a couple of weeks early?

Itstimeforbaileys · 29/04/2024 09:31

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Please for goodness sake, read the thread if you’re going to make such assumptions like “I’m twisted” I do not at all think simply being pregnant is going to upstage the bride.

OP posts:
Itstimeforbaileys · 29/04/2024 09:32

bradpittsbathwater · 29/04/2024 09:16

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and won't be telling anyone until 20 weeks. I lost a baby at 20 weeks last year. I can hide it in my dresses, but no way in a costume. I wouldn't go.

I’m so sorry to hear that; I really hope everything goes well for you this time around!

OP posts:
BusyMummy001 · 29/04/2024 09:33

@Itstimeforbaileys am very sorry - I did ask MN to remove my post as it was inapprorpriate, but they’ve not done it yet. I missed a later post explaining your reasons and feel for you (had 5 miscarriages myself).

Itstimeforbaileys · 29/04/2024 09:33

Dyra · 29/04/2024 08:25

It's so easy to read OP's posts @Bouledeneige . There's a link saying "See All" on the bottom right of each one of her posts, that if you click it funnily enough shows each one of her posts. If you If you had taken a few extra seconds you might realise that yes, there is a reason relating to a previous pregnancy.

I would make an excuse. D+V is always a good one. Too many ways for your pregnancy to be revealed. There's the health and safety aspect, employees who forget, and strangers (both in your party and the spa in general) who wouldn't know your personal history and ask.

And never rely on clueless mothers. My mother is not the most observant person in the world. At her own father's funeral, she asked me to my face if I was pregnant. I was only 6-8 weeks with my second. I definitely wasn't planning on telling anyone that day, and was waiting for the 12 week scan. I was bloated yes, but I'm obese, so it wasn't obvious. Given she herself had a late miscarriage at 18 weeks, and I was waiting after my first pregnancy ended in early miscarriage, you'd think she'd be a bit more sensitive and tactful. But no. Not that time.

Thank you for that.

I’m so sorry that happened to you, and I completely agree. You would think that someone who has been in a similar situation would be more empathetic.

OP posts:
bradpittsbathwater · 29/04/2024 09:34

Op please don't listen to nasty comments. People are ignorant and insensitive. I had a loss at 20 weeks. It doesn't mean you are automatically safe after 12 weeks. Do what suits you x

PracticallyPerfectedIt · 29/04/2024 09:36

I'm not sure why you wouldn't have a private scan and remove a lot of the angst about quietly telling your mum? To me that seems like the obvious solution.

Wonderfulstuff · 29/04/2024 09:47

I totally understand your reasons. I really think you are going to have to opt out of the spa - even if you call and tell them it only takes one member of staff to accidentally say the wrong thing to give it all away and I'm sure that's not how you want your family to find out.

A few weeks down the line when you've had your scan and share your happy news your Mum will more than understand why you ditched her on the spa day.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 29/04/2024 09:48

Hi OP.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Spa day lover who successfully hid both her pregnancies until after the 20 week scan here.

Firstly, I would call the spa in advance and ask whether any of their treatments are suitable for pregnant women. You might be able to have, for example, a hand massage and manicure, with or without polish. Many women have proper manicures during pregnancy but some pregnant women prefer to avoid harsh chemicals like nail varnish and nail varnish remover; if that's your choice you can just have your nails and cuticles trimmed and buffed. Or they may have a pregnancy massage as an option.

If you're worried about an indiscreet member of staff accidentally revealing your pregnancy in front of the others, I would be tempted to fill out the information card as though you are not pregnant, and then when the others aren't looking you could always nip back and speak to a member of staff and explain that you're pregnant but the rest of the group don't know and you didn't want to risk it being revealed in front of them. You can then swap out a regular massage for a pregnancy massage, or whatever changes you need to make for your treatment to be pregnancy friendly.

Regarding the swimming costume, I wonder whether the one with the ruffles might make a small pregnancy belly pop out even more? I would probably just wear a normal swim suit in a size up from your normal size.

It should be fine to pop in and out of a jacuzzi for a few minutes. The reason they're not considered safe during pregnancy is because they are kept at a constant high temperature. You could have a warm bath at home and that would be considered safe because the water starts to cool immediately, so you only have the first few minutes when it's very warm. I went in my friend's hot tub for a few minutes a couple of times when I was pregnant. You just have to keep it to quick dips and don't let yourself overheat.

Presumably the spa will have a swimming pool which is heated to a normal temperature? If so you can just spend more of your time in there, maybe swimming lengths, which is absolutely fine during pregnancy and since your whole body will be under the water nobody will be looking at your tummy.

I would expect that upon arrival they will provide you with a robe and you can spend the whole time you're not actually in the water wearing that, which means nobody will be looking at your tummy or notice a bump.

Bring a book, magazine or Kindle and just find yourself a lounger and settle down to read.

Basically, just do what you can safely do and don't make a big deal of the fact that you're not doing the other things, and I bet nobody will notice. If anyone tries to get you to go in the sauna or steam room, just say you don't feel like it, or don't really like feeling overheated.

For the wedding, any dress which isn't too tight round the tummy should do the trick. If you are slim with good legs then you could go for something with a fairly boxy fit which is loose around your torso and shows off your legs. If you are more curvy then I would go for a maxi dress which is fitted round the boobs and then skims gently over your tummy all the way to the floor, with flat sandals for maximum comfort. You could wear a statement necklace or pair of earrings which will draw people's attention to your face and neck, meaning they are far less likely to be looking anywhere near your tummy.

You've got this!

Scrunshine · 29/04/2024 10:03

Coolblur · 28/04/2024 18:44

An empire line dress works well to conceal a small bump.

Yes but an empire line is the uniform of the pregnant or those with a larger stomach to conceal. If OP is fairly slim and suddenly starts wearing empire line dresses everyone will realise why.

Scrunshine · 29/04/2024 10:08

This depends on your family really. At the spa or wedding they may well guess but knowing what you’ve been through is anyone likely to ask outright? When pregnant with my second it was probably quite obvious I was pregnant due to not drinking at certain events, etc but I couldn’t be bothered to make up lies to cover it and nobody was rude or insensitive enough to ask me.

WaterBottlePurple · 29/04/2024 10:14

OP, is there a reason why you can't, or won't get a private scan?

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 29/04/2024 10:15

WaterBottlePurple · 29/04/2024 10:14

OP, is there a reason why you can't, or won't get a private scan?

Aren't private scans really just to see the baby and maybe find out the sex, as opposed to a proper obstetric scan which checks for foetal abnormalities?

SiobhanSharpe · 29/04/2024 10:18

Keep your robe on at the spa (make sure it's big enough to tie the belt up) and stay in the pool as much as you can.
For treatments, depending on what the spa offers you could have an 'Indian head massage' (bliss) a manicure and/or predicure, a facial, a neck or eyes treatment, eyebrow shaping or a Make-up demonstration and lesson.
Just keep away from the heated spa stuff.

One spa I go to has a heated rooftop pool where you can easily while away an hour or two enjoying the countryside views. It slso has a relaxation candle-lit pool, quiet spaces or rooms and several lounges with comfy sofas and ottomans.
Have fun.

bradpittsbathwater · 29/04/2024 10:18

Private scans aren't usually for anomalies, and the ones that are will cost £250+. Plus depending on previous issues/complications it makes sense to wait for your hospital scan.

Flopsy145 · 29/04/2024 10:51

Could you book in a private scan for the day before your spa day, have the reassurance and then tell your mum and SIL. Easy to hide at a wedding with a floaty dress or a wrap number.

2024istheyearforme · 29/04/2024 10:53

Get a black onesuit swimming costume and mention before hand that you feel so bloated today after a massive meal night before.

Peonies12 · 29/04/2024 10:56

It's a risk they'll notice and ask/suspect. If you really don't want them to know, I'd cancel the day or do something clothed. Kindly, it's your mum - I can't even imagine keeping it from my mum, and I had a late miscarriage last year which she knows about. there's no guaranteed safe point of pregnancy.

Peonies12 · 29/04/2024 10:57

WaterBottlePurple · 29/04/2024 10:14

OP, is there a reason why you can't, or won't get a private scan?

private scan doesn't check for anomalies, it's usually just that the baby is OK on a basic level.

Iwant2beJessicaFletcher · 29/04/2024 11:11

As a fellow person who kept my last pregnancy secret until 20 weeks, (again for good reasons) you will struggle with the swimsuit. But the rest should be manageable with dressing gown, floaty tops etc.

I just wouldnt go swimming - just choose other treatments that dont require a swimsuit (like a facial etc). If family ask why youre not going in the pool, tell them youve got a deep cut at the top of your leg and you dont want it getting all wet etc.

Scottishgirl85 · 29/04/2024 11:14

Honestly I'd just tell them and say that you're keeping it quiet until after 20 weeks, and to respect your kind request for no questions etc. God forbid anything is wrong, you'd surely tell them anyway so they could support you? Speaking from experience, the worrying unfortunately does not disappear at 20 weeks.