Any tips on how to hide this bloated stomach?

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I'm pregnant - but only 12 weeks, so this is definitely bloat, not baby! I'm taking progesterone, which is notorious for causing bloating - and I know it's a normal pregnancy symptom anyway. The problem is, I'm back 'at' work (have been working from home) tomorrow, and it's really, really important to me that no one guesses I'm pregnant - and I look about six months gone! I work in a university so no one's seen me since the end of term (well before Christmas), so I'm worried the change will be obvious to them. I'm normally a 12/14, so not slim, but very pear shaped - so almost everything I own is designed to show off a comparatively small waist! The dress I'm wearing in this picture is normally my 'covers all sins' go-to, and it's not working... Any tips/thoughts? Ideally ones that don't start 'go out and buy a whole new wardrobe today'...

Cardigans and blazers, possibly with slightly shorter skirts and dresses to highlight your non bloated areas? Big dangly earrings? I had the same issue with all my clothes being chosen around a small waist. Also something different with your hair - like changing the side of your parting - gives people something to latch on to when they notice something slightly different about you. And be really careful with your posture, tuck your hips under and engage your core - good for you as well!

Do you work with many women with kids though? They'll probably still bust you within a few weeks, but unless they're horribly rude, won't say anything until you do. 😊

Ooh, blazer is a good idea, thanks - I basically need to stop anyone seeing my stomach in profile!

It's a mix of men and women of various ages and child-having status. It's quite a gossipy place... Although I've tried to be discreet, and was lucky that the time where I felt most ill was over the Christmas holidays, I'm worried that people will realise 'OH, that's why she hasn't come to the pub in ages/why she looked pretty peaky at the end of last term', and put together 2+2 to come up with an entirely correct 4!

Black dress, coloured blazer, scarf

Scarves have been my friend! Nice long ones preventing belly being seen from the side. That's kept my secret!

Scarves!! Scarves all the way.
Peplum tops or swing jumpers have also saved me in my first trimester

Was going to say Aquaban!

Blazer or long cardigans and a scarf...a long/big and floaty one works for me

Long scarves were my friends when I was hiding my twin pregnancy at work.

Waterfall Cardi with a long scarf .

Re the not drinking alcohol, could could say your on medication for headaches that stipulate no alcohol. I’ve a friend, beyond childbearing age, who can’t drink for this reason.

I think the photo possibly exaggerates more than real life ....... the photo has you standing at exact right-angles to the camera, which is focussed on your middle, with your cardigan pulled back.

In reality, if I met you I'd probably meet you square on, from the front ..... and any cardigan would be hanging naturally where it falls. So any small bump, whether bloating or baby, wouldn't be nearly so noticeable as in the photo.

That nothwithstanding .... yes, scarves or long jewellery to bring the eye up. Unless that's obviously not your style, as it'll probably draw more attention. Do you have any "straight" dresses ..... being empire-line or similar sitting under your your boobs, it's again drawing attention to a bump, from the side certainly.

As others have said, scarves will be your friend. I'm a similar size/shape to you and I also wore a lot of oversized jumpers, it helped that I feel the cold so could get away with wearing big jumpers and scarves in the office.

Congratulations

I would avoid waterfall cardigans because firstly, they're hideous and secondly, are likely to actually draw more attention to the area you're trying to conceal.

Scarves can work well but watch out that the ends don't 'finish' around your bump. Scarves with bright, bold patterns with a loose-fitting / shift style black dress might help you out.

Avoid empire line dresses as the cinching under your boobs will make your tummy more prominent.

I've been in your position twice, in an extremely gossipy place. People guess. But hopefully they'll be decent enough to keep their thoughts to themselves.

Sorry meant to add that I wore a lot of skinny black trousers with loose / oversized shirts or tops too. The trousers slim the legs and therefore the overall silhouette. I think I got some good Isabella Oliver maternity ones from eBay, or H&M are worth a look.

I recognise you from this pic, and we're colleagues. Congratulations!

Joke.

Also maybe clutching your tummy every ten minutes and groaning 'Gosh, I'm so BLOATED. I wish I hadn't mainlined Toblerone all Christmas/it's these pills I'm on/must have been the roasted vegetables I had for lunch yesterday.'

Which isn't exactly lying...

My tummy looks like that if I eat anything containing wheat so you could always say you’ve developed a terrible wheat intolerance but just can’t give up biscuits

I look like that I've got gallstones and my meds say do not take with alcohol.An all in one story for you.

Winter is easier than summer, big coats/cardigans and scarves help. I got to 35 weeks with ds covered by my mumsnet scarf before some people noticed!
Congratulations

God Flatpack I was really freaked out for the OP there for a minute!

I too was going to suggest that you actually say you’ve over indulged at Xmas so people have that in their heads before they have time to think “Is she pregnant”.

I’d also say your doing dry January.

Maybe try the celebrity trick of holding a large handbag in front of you?!

Just seen that this has got quite a few new comments - thanks all! I think I'll wear a black dress, a blazer and a scarf tomorrow and hope that does it. I might have to buy a couple of shift dresses, though - I don't own a single one because it's the least flattering style on me, but needs must...

Oh, and flatpack! I actually annoyed DH, who took that photo, quite a lot, as I kept making him retake it with less identifying backgrounds...

Following as I’m a similar shape and at 6 weeks am already super bloated. I got some nice wrap around dresses/tops my last pregnancy and they were very forgiving as long as there’s a reasonably heavy fabric on the skirt.

Has anyone seen any nice wrap style dresses lately?!