Bump pride - you showing off or shy?

[BraveLilBear]

Am 21 weeks gone and bump has erupted from vague fat-looking teardrop shape to bump in last 48 hours. I knew this moment would come but it's all a bit of a trial, especially at work.

For some reason, I feel compelled to conceal bump at work, especially around people I don't work with all the time (who all know I'm pg), and as this is nigh-on impossible this is now a bit of a struggle.

I think I'm worried that people will treat me negatively because I'm pregnant, although I have no evidence to suggest this is the case. This is a planned baby and I am delighted to be carrying this lovely little wriggler, but feel weird about everyone knowing my business without me wanting them to. I am also dreading the open season comments on how big/small I am!

I have heard of people showing off their bump with pride, so would love to hear some inspiration here...! Are you bump-proud or bump-shy?

I am bump-proud :) I feel more comfortable and confident dressed in well fitting clothes, and that includes during pregnancy (am also about 21 weeks but with DC2).

Although, I very rarely mention my pregnancy among colleagues. I happily make a little small talk if someone else asks, before changing the subject, but I don't normally refer to it myself. I hope that by carrying on as normal, getting on with my job and not hiding my pregnancy I'll go some way to convincing my (mainly male) colleagues that pregnancy is no reason to be negative about women.

I'd love to show one off; 37 weeks, still too small for maternity clothes and unfamiliar midwife did not realise I was pregnant! Grr!

I am bump proud but don't want to show it off too much - as there may be people around me who can't get pregnant and I don't want to make it difficult for them.

Hi Brave , I would love to be bump-proud if mine actually looked like a pregnancy rather than just fat at the moment (25+1) , so for the time being I am definitely bump-shy and conceal it with well-chosen clothes as much as possible.

I know what you mean though about it not wanting to affect people's judgement of you at work. I kind of feel I am viewed as somehow being less-competent than non-upduffed colleagues even though I haven't received any noticeable discrimination. I suspect it's probably more to do with my own concerns about not being able to do my job as wholeheartedly as before when I return to work after the baby is born, but we will see.

Pleased its starting to look less like a gut and more of a bump. I work with three other girls who are pregnant so lots of bump talk. my pupils know i'm pregnant etc but one girl yesterday came in and said 'ooh bumpy!' And then they all wanted me to take my baggy cardy off so they could see! Guess i'm bump proud then!

I love mine (27wks I think?), it is the first time in my life that I look in the mirror in the morning and think, wowzers, I look awesome! I wear fitted clothes and short skirts / tight jeans all the time. I don't talk about it or rub constantly, as I am enjoying it but don't need others to enjoy with me (also aware of those around me with experiences of miscarriages or difficulty conceiving).

However, since I started actually showing, the comments have been non stop. Mostly fine, I'm pretty relaxed and well trained at ignoring unwelcome comments, but on days where I'm emotional the 'oh my god I can't believe you're drinking coffee / diet coke / wine / eating cheese / salmon / parma ham / riding your bike, etc.' comments get to me, I start feeling guilty and turn into a nun for 3 days, til I decide I don't care again...

Bump proud. 21 weeks also and got my own lil' baba bump.
I'm enjoying it and love wearing my tops that exaggerate it. I kinda love lifting up my top and going 'wow, look at that' to my partner.

I'm 24 weeks and bump proud, I like being able to see it and it's the first time I've been happy with my body and happy to show it off so I'll enjoy it while I can. I do occasionally get the wow you're huge / wow you're small comments but I ignore them.

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling more inspired already! After having a day off my OH telling me exactly what you said javabean about kicking ass at work so no-one cares, I now finally think there may be truth in it

I might even consider showing it off a bit at the weekend... It's such a strange situation, but I'm feeling a lot better about it now, so really appreciate the inspiration and mutual support from fellow shys!

Mine was so discreet for a while that strangers didn't realise. I find it weird now that strangers ask about the baby! I am happy to wear stuff that shows I'm pregnant but I always keep it covered. I don't like people to see the bump naked like this but then is never have shown my belly off before!

I'm bump proud. I've never though of others at work thinking I'm less able to do things now that I'm pregnant. I would imagine that's more your own worries than reality.

Growing this little wriggler in my tummy makes me feel quite the opposite, if i can do this then I'm even more able to accomplish anything. I am super-lumpy-body woman!

I had no choice but to bump-proud, I was in maternity clothes from 10 weeks, and it was very obviously a bump, no way I could have passed it off as weight gain! Absolutely no-one was surprised when I announced it at 12 weeks - although a lot of people was convinced I was expecting twins (I wasn't).

I'm 16weeks with DC2 and still looking quite fat rather than pregnant. Last pregnancy I wore quite a lot of bump-hugging clothing rather than floaty stuff, and I intend to do the same this time around once I stop looking like I've eaten too many pies.

Proud.

Pregnancy is the only time I like my tummy as it firms up and isn't just squishy fat blobbing everywhere

I don't think loose clothing is flattering at all for most pregnant women actually, as with overweight women, fitted clothing is much more flattering. I'd look like a marquee tent in floaty stuff!

That said I don't "flaunt it". I'm not all ooh look at my bump! It's just... there.

i agree with fooffighter i love my bump.. im goin on hol at 30 weeks and wearing a bikini... just need to slim my fat blobby legs :/ x

Bump proud all the way. I agree with foof - fitted clothes are much more flattering. Loose tops just leave a weird looking fringe hanging off the front of the bump on me At 37+2 now and measuring very big so frankly at this stage am wearing anything I can get into - mostly pyjamas

Definitely bump proud. I wear maternity clothes as soon as possible because I think well fitting clothes that cater for a bump are so much more flattering that clothes that are just big. I love the way I look pregnant. I have always carried weight on my belly but when pregnant it just looks better, all taut and lovely and makes the rest of me look slimmer! Am just slightly beyond that stage now at 37 weeks, am all swollen and just look like a blimp :(

I'm bump shy but my body isn't allowing it! I'm 34 weeks and huge. People in the street I don't know comment on how soon I must be due. I wish there was a way to hide it because its just so huge.
It definitely enters rooms before I do and gives me the same side profile as Mr Greedy haha!