Vanity alert - how big might I be at 23 weeks?

[AKMD]

I'm going to visit some friends, including still-single ex BF, who I haven't seen in several years (pre-DC1 by some way) at the end of June and I'm having a vanity crisis. The last time they saw me I was about 3 dress sizes slimmer and I'm wondering how much I can pass off the weight gain as pregnancy-related and completely temporary :o A decent-sized bump would come in handy!

I'm going to be 23 weeks with DC2 - any ideas how big I might hope to be? I can't remember from last time round and I'm hoping the pre-stretching might work in my favour. Thankyou for indulging me...

Completely a case of how long's a piece of string I'm afraid

How much do these friends know about pregnancy? Pre DS I would have believed whatever someone told me about bump size, so could just mention subtly about "my bump feels huge, can't wait til I'm back in my size 10's after (s)he's born!"

Otherwise, just wear most bump-enhancing clothes you can?

Yeah go for total bump emphasis, maybe a nice empire line or smock?

Plus much bump rubbing, back holding and sighing.

At 23 weeks I wasn't in maternity clothes yet......but I reckon I could have pulled off a convincing bump if I had to see an ex-bf!

Had to LOL when reading this, you sound like me!

I'd agree with Ozziegirly plenty of patting and signing,

I'd also remove the '23wks' and insert '6 months' as everyone expects a sizeable bump at 6 months :)

Yes go for slim fitting bump-enhancing clothes rather than voluminous blousy type things. Agree at 6 months people expect you to be huge! Plenty of blusher and bronzer for the infamous pregnant lady glow- maybe a professional blow dry before hand as well?

I'm in a sort of similar predicament myself- seeing a frenemy friend in a couple of weeks and she is the type I know will be absolutely ecstatic if she thinks I have ballooned. Thankfully so far a bump is developing nicely as is the back fat and bingo wings but heyho.

I'm 18 weeks and already have a massive, totally unmissable bump! Think it's different for everyone :)

I am 24 weeks and my bump is pretty big - definitely not missable.

My tip would be to wear clingy maternity tops, not the flowy, billowy type. And lighter colours seem to make bump look significantly bigger - I wore a light pink top the other day and had lots of comments about my big bump. It's much smaller in black tops.

Also cropped trousers seem to emphasise the bump more - perhaps because legs look shorter, so it looks like more body space is occupied by the bump?

With my 1st pregnancy I didn't start showing till around 5-6months, with my second and third I have been much bigger much earlier on. So hopefully you'll be the same and have a sizeable, but not uncomfortably big bump

I second getting your hair done, and blowdried before the event. You can easily pass that off as having naturally fabulous hair in your pregnant glow.

Hahaha thanks everyone! I already have a facial, full body exfoliation and haircut booked and my bag is packed for the gym tonight

Most of the friends I'm going to see already have children. They are very stylish though It wasn't a good break-up with exBF and I just know he will sigh with relief if I look matronly. Childish much but I don't want to give him the satisfaction...

You may be better off starting a new thread jesuismargaux to get more responses. Either in pregnancy or style and beauty

Thanks RockChick1984 for your advise. :)

Vanity update: I am 4 days awya from departure date and tiny. I just look fat, even sticking out as much as possible and wearing bump-enhancing clothes :o I am considering purchasing a fake bump...

This is when being pregnant with twins is handy. I am 20+1 and enormous!

at vanity update. Oh no! Have you tried over bump trousers and long stretchy but non-maternity t-shirts? I find my bump looks biggest in these. I also find my bump looks bigger after eating a large meal so maybe start carb-loading now?

Ah, twins. Now why didn't I think of that?!

I am experimenting with different clothing combinations. Maternity clothes make me look enormous all over.

The problem is that instead of the baby bump absorbing the mummy tummy from last time round, it has just shifted the mummy tummy up So where a more fortunate pregnant woman would usually have a smooth curve going from the crotch upwards, I just have a sticky-outy tum from the waistband up i.e. exactly how someone looks when they're just a bit flabby. Sadly, shapewear is not compatible with pregnancy and also fairly uncomfortable in 36 degree heat.

Oops, sorry. Forgot to say that large meals are definitely part of the game plan.

Also dresses with a ribbon/belt under your boobs above bump is a good tip for looking more pregnant than podgy?

FWIW though I am 23 weeks and though I have a definite bump I wouldn't sy it is completely smooth/rounded- it still goes ina tiny bit where my tummy button is, although over the bump trousers and skirts do make it look more rounded.

Ribbons is a good tip, thanks. I have big ribs and a small bust so belts don't work but a sewn-on ribbon gathering in the material might do the trick. Excellent.

I was just going to suggest the ribbon thing too! A silk scarf worked for me recently - and used on a non-maternity empire line frock which then rose up a bit in front it definitely worked. Am also 23 weeks and bump is huge but sadly not smooth due to pre-accumulated lard. Have used a bump band and a tightish fitting vest to decrease wobbliness.

I also shamelessly tied my jumper over my bump (instead of round my waist) the other day in order to make sure it was unmissable!

Amsure you will look lovely - I am struggling to be bothered to brush my hair at the moment!

No chance of hair-brush avoidance :( I am getting up at 3am so that I have time to wash and style my hair and apply makeup before waking DS up to get ready. I also have a facial and pedicure booked in for Friday and will be wearing high heels every single day we are out there.

Beat that for vanity :o In fairness, I haven't booked myself in for highlights yet and, after weighty consideration, decided that getting my makeup applied professionally the evening before and then hoping it stayed put all night was too expensive much.

That sounds mental doesn't it? I can laugh about it later.