How can they not see the bump?

[ardenbird]

I've seen posts about people getting inappropriate comments at early weeks, but I seem to have the opposite problem. I'm 29+6, and apparently I still don't look pregnant. DH thinks it's obvious, and so do I --I mean there is this basket-ball (or larger) sized protrusion from my stomach where there used to be none. But I was just at a work meeting where I ran into several people I hadn't seen since last spring or longer, and no one noticed I was pregnant. My SPD has me using a walking stick and moving ridicously slow, so they did notice that, but would ask things like, "what did you to yourself?" or "what's wrong with your leg?". I started answering "pregnancy complications", which was quite funny, as everyone's eyes would then flit down to my stomach and you could see the moment they suddenly thought, "oh, that's rude", and would look back up. After the fifth or sixth time it was hard to keep from laughing out loud. But I'm mystified. How can no one notice? Do they just think I've gotten really fat? Is it not even registering somehow? My mum said she didn't show until 7 months, which I thought had to be an exaggeration, but I'm almost there are apparently not showing yet. Perhaps it is something about our body type that hides it well? Has anyone else has this sort of 'stealth pregnancy'?

hmmm... cant help, i'm 22 weeks and even strangers in shops are asking when I'm due as if its imminent :)

When we had blinds fitted in my baby's bedroom the fitter mentioned the house was quiet with just me and my husband there that morning and was my baby out with grandparents? His face was a picture when I told him it was still cooking - I was 37 weeks pregnant.

Hehe, I left work for mat leave at 30 weeks and several people thought I'd got a new job - they hadn't noticed.

I bumped into an old neighbour in town at 39 weeks and they congratulated me on being pg and said "you must be what, half way through?".... "Nope, due saturday". Their eyes nearly popped out.

Mind you after she was born I was being complimented on my flat stomach within a few weeks so it's fine by me! And she was 7lb7 so not exactly minisicule, no idea where she hid inside me though.

Hehe, I'm 33 weeks and there's still people in work who haven't noticed .... The odd person comes up to me every few days and says, 'i had no idea...!!!' So the massive bump has not been a give away then??!

Maybe it's because Ive only been back from mat leave for 5 months and they probably just think it's still the baby weight or something

I had the same thing, people at work who didn't know me well thought I was leaving for another job. Neighbours in the village I hadn't seem for a few months were shocked when they saw me with the pram. As I am not skinny I can only presume they thought I had gotten fatter.

I'm at the end of my second stealth pregnancy. Even if I stand side-on and put my hands on my bump people still fail to 'twig'.

I'm not the slinkiest girl in the world and my chest is bigger than my waist - I can only assume they think I've just got a bit of a tubby tum.

After I returned from my last ml, some people thought I'd been off sick or seconded or something. I don't get it at all.

I'm 30 weeks, and there are still plenty of people who haven't noticed- when I'm out & about with my duffel coat on and a big scarf I think it's quite hard to tell, to be honest. But also, I think people generally just don't look at your belly all that much- or if they do see you've put on some weight it's that terribly British thing of not wanting to make a faux-pas and assuming you're pregnant when you may have just put on a few pounds. There are people I've seen have clocked my tummy but not said anything and I've then mentioned it to them- they look relieved that I've confirmed it!

Maybe they are seeing the stick and thinking a lack of mobility has lead to weight gain and therefore dont want to say anything in case they put their foot in it?

Im 26wks and mostly I'm not showing. Unless I eat bread - apparently my body doesnt like bread at the minute and I swell up.

If I hadnt had the most horrendously blurgh first trimester I'd definately still be getting away with people at work not knowing etc.

I didn't really start showing until after 24 weeks, and even at 30, a friend commented that I just looked like I'd "had a big meal". It definitely depended on what I was wearing that day. Don't worry about it :-)

I wonder if it is because there are so many overweight people around with big stomachs that no-one dares ask if you are pg because they might think you have just been eating too many pies?

I have seen enough threads on here from angry overweight posters because other people have mistakenly assumed they are pregnant.

I think first and foremost, many people are pretty insular.

Further to that, men tend to notice this 'kind of thing' less than women.

And then there's also that as much as you've clearly changed to you, if you're kinda tall, or 'wear it well' then even those that notice a difference/something might just think 'bit of podge' rather than 'obviously up the duff'.

I'm sure it'll become obvious at come point, though, so enjoy your neat bump.

My Director ( who I see and say hello to every morning) overheard me saying to a colleague it was my last week of work ( off on maternity to have DS2). Apparently the Director dashed off to HR to ask when and why I'd handed in my notice and where was I going? HR were dumbfounded and said "she's pregnant."

I'm 35 weeks and wore non-maternity about 10 days ago, which tells me a lot about the way clothes are cut (for apples). I do agree though that men are less likely to notice, I work with 98% men and they're clueless.

I worked with a girl who was carrying all out in front, slim all over, and was wearing maternity health care tunics (podiatrist) which are not glam at all and make you look bigger.

You would be surprised how many patients had no idea she was pg, they would say well I usually see xxx and when we said well you wont for 12 months, shes had a baby they couldnt believe it.

I just dont think some people are observant at all.

I was just a surprised when pregnant with my son that people hadn't noticed I was pregnant. I put four stone on and Worked at my hair salon right up till I was 39 weeks and I never forget a customer looking me up and down sheepishly asking slowly "are you pregnant" I couldn't believe my ears I said "yes, I'm due in a week" his reply " oh I didn't notice till now" my response " did you just think I got fat" and he replied sorry but yeah
So I think there are a lot of people that dont comment because they don't want too offend you even tho it's blatantly obvious

The first time someone asked me if I was pregnant I was at 34 weeks, I think.

Once I was in the ladies at M&S and a lady used the next sink and joked about it being hard to reach, and indicated both our stomachs, I said I didn't have any trouble, then said oh I should wait until I got a bit further on like her. She was 16 weeks and I was 38.

Same day in M&S they refused to measure me from nursing bras as they only measure you at 36w + apparently, and judging by my 38w belly it'd be way too early

I find it hard to distinguish between a pregnancy bump and putting on weight so I would never make any comment rather than offend. I'm def one of those that is relieved when someone mentions their pregnancy! There's a nodding acquaintance at work and I am just not sure...