How to Hide a Pregnancy Belly: 20 Tips

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Learn how to hide every aspect of your pregnancy before going public

Co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: August 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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Pregnancy is a very personal matter, and you should never have to tell anyone about it before you’re ready. Maybe you’re waiting to break the news until you get past the first trimester, or perhaps you don’t feel like sharing with nosey relatives or gossipy coworkers. Whatever your reasons, you can keep your pregnancy under wraps early on by managing your symptoms and having some clever excuses lined up. Once you start to show a bit more, you can use strategic clothes and styling tips to hide your pregnancy until you’re ready to announce.

Hiding a Pregnancy

Wear flowy and oversized clothing.
Dress in layers and printed patterns.
Add a long scarf to disguise your shape.
Opt for flashy jewelry and low-cut tops.
Soothe nausea with ginger chews.
Sip mocktails to cover up for not drinking alcohol.
Keep your hands off of your belly as much as possible.

1

Use shapewear in the first trimester.

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Smooth out early pregnancy bloat with shapewear. Hormone changes early in your pregnancy can cause bloating, so you may notice your waist expanding a little even before you get a true “bump.” Try putting on some slimming undergarments, like Spanx or control-top stockings, to tuck in your belly and help you fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes a little longer.
- If you’re concerned about what the pressure of shapewear might do to your growing baby, don’t worry. The protective layer of amniotic fluid in your womb will keep them nicely cushioned. ^{[1]
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- You might find tight garments more uncomfortable as your body grows, however.

2

Opt for slightly oversized clothing.

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Hide your growing bump with a new slouchy style. Try tops that are loose, ruffled, or flouncy—like a flowy tunic or a blouse with ruching along the sides. Tops or dresses with empire waists are also a good way to go since they skim your figure without accentuating its curves. Avoid any form-fitting or tight pieces of clothing. ^{[2]
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- In cooler weather, big, slouchy sweaters are a comfy and fashionable way to conceal your baby bump.

3

Wear layers to disguise your changing shape.

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Distract the eye by adding volume and bulk to your outfit. Try putting on a loose blazer or a drapey cardigan sweater over a blouse or tunic. If you feel brave enough to try layers with contrasting prints or patterns, this can also minimize the appearance of your belly. ^{[3]
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- For example, you might wear a black-and-white polka dot blouse with a colorful floral blazer.

4

Balance your loose top with a fitted bottom.

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Create a streamlined look to avoid a bulky appearance. Create a slimmer silhouette and balance out your top half by wearing something more form-fitting on your legs. For example, you might try wearing a baggy tunic sweater with a pair of comfy leggings or skinny jeans. ^{[4]
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- In cooler weather, you could match a flowing blouse or shirt-dress with some tights or stretchy slim-fit jeans.

5

Wear printed patterns to distract the eye.

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Flashy prints are a great way to draw attention away from your changing shape. Experiment with colorful floral tops or geometric patterns like houndstooth and chevron. Or, stick to more conservative patterns like spots, checks, and stripes. ^{[5]
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- While conventional wisdom has it that vertical stripes are more slimming, studies have shown that wearing horizontal stripes is actually better for minimizing the appearance of width.
- Horizontal stripes are very popular in maternity wear, however, so be careful not to clue people in with too many striped outfits!

6

Wear low-cut necklines to draw the eye up.

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Wear V-neck or scoop-neck shirts. You don’t have to wear anything so revealing that you feel uncomfortable, but drawing a little attention to your chest will take away any focus around your stomach.

7

Add accessories like scarves and bold jewelry.

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Eye-catching accessories can draw attention away from your baby belly. Wear a long, oversized scarf and drape it on so it hangs down in front of your torso. Add bright or colorful accessories around your face to create a new point of focus for your outfit. Try a big pair of hoop earrings or a sparkly necklace. ^{[6]
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- Scarves in dark colors, like black or navy blue, may create an extra slimming effect.

8

Snack on bland and soothing foods.

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Combat morning sickness with small snacks. Keep crackers and ginger candy on hand to stave off nausea . Eating ginger candy or sipping ginger-based drinks (like ginger tea or old-fashioned ginger ale) can help settle your stomach and make your symptoms less obvious to others. Bland foods like plain crackers or dry cereal can also help combat nausea. ^{[7]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Make sure to sip plenty of water throughout the day, too—getting dehydrated can make morning sickness worse.
- Another way to ease nausea is to wear an acupressure bracelet. These bracelets, which you can find at most drug stores, hit pressure points on your wrist to relieve some of your nausea. ^{[8]
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  PubMed Central
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- If you do feel the need to vomit, try going into the bathroom or finding another secluded spot where you can sit with your head between your knees for a few minutes. This may help the feeling pass or at least buy you time to find some privacy before you have to throw up.

9

Prepare excuses for morning sickness.

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Say you're not feeling well. You can use food poisoning or a standard stomach flu as a cover the first time this happens. Make an excuse like, “My partner had a stomach bug, and I must have caught it,” or “Oof, something from lunch isn’t sitting right.” ^{[9]
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- If someone observes you throwing up or being sick multiple times, they may begin to catch on. After the first incident, try to be more careful or come up with new excuses.

10

Claim to be on a hydration kick.

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Disguise your frequent bathroom trips by drinking a lot of water. Start carrying around a large water bottle and proclaiming your new daily hydration goals. No one will suspect a thing when you start having to run to the bathroom once an hour.
- For closer friends and family, you could also explain away your constant bathroom breaks by claiming to have a urinary tract infection.
- If you’re trying to stay under the radar at work, try to use the bathrooms when your colleagues step away from their desks or go on lunch.

11

Cover up doctor’s visits with dental visits.

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Frequent doctor visits raise much more suspicion than the dentist. Make up a minor dental procedure that would require multiple visits. Use these visits as an excuse to cover up your recurring visits to the doctor. ^{[10]
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- For example, you could say that you’re getting a root canal, having a teeth whitening procedure, or filling a row of cavities.

12

Keep your hands off of your belly.

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Avoid touching your belly when you’re around people who aren’t in on your news. Try sticking your hands in your pockets instead. If you’re wearing a dress with pockets, this trick may also help disguise the growing bump under your hands. ^{[11]
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13

Order mocktails or say you're giving up alcohol.

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Have an excuse prepared for social drinking situations. Try discreetly ordering a mocktail or virgin version of your favorite drink next time you’re out. Offer to mix the drinks yourself if you’re socializing at home—that way, you can mix your own alcohol-free cocktail without anyone noticing. ^{[12]
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- Alternatively, you can claim that you’re on a “cleanse” or are cutting back on drinking for health reasons—both of which are unlikely to prompt any additional questions.
- If you’re out with your significant other or a friend who knows your secret, you can both order the same drink. Pretend to sip yours, then sneakily switch drinks when their drink starts to get low. Other people drinking with you are unlikely to notice.
- You can also offer to be the designated driver on a night out, which gives you a great excuse to refrain from drinking—your friends will be so grateful that they won’t even question it!

14

Make excuses to avoid unsafe foods and drinks.

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Claim a new diet or cleanse. You can pass it off as a lifestyle change or health issue unrelated to pregnancy. ^{[13]
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- For example, if someone offers to buy you a cup of coffee, you could tell them you’re trying to cut back on caffeine to improve your sleep at night.
- If you have to turn away a soft cheese hors d’oeuvre, you can say something like, “My stomach’s been upset a lot lately, so my doctor recommended I try going dairy-free.”

15

Schedule activities for when you feel your best.

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Try to capitalize on the times when you don’t seem pregnant. If you know that you tend to feel more tired and queasy at particular times of the day, avoid planning exercise or other tiring activities with friends at those times. Figure out when you’re at your most energetic, and make time then.
- For example, if you feel too tired and sick for a morning jog with a workout buddy, you might suggest doing some afternoon yoga instead. Try saying something like, “I’ve been wanting to check out this new yoga class for a while. Want to give it a shot?”
- You can also make an excuse if necessary. If you’re too exhausted or nauseated to participate in an activity, you could say that you’ve got a mild stomach bug or that you’re busy trying to catch up on work deadlines.

16

Rest as much as possible.

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Avoid any questions by saving up your energy and resting as much as possible. Go to bed early and nap whenever you can. Look into a work-from-home or hybrid option with your employer. If you can, join meetings virtually rather than attending in person. ^{[14]
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17

Turn down any major travel plans.

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As soon as you start planning to get pregnant, avoid scheduling any significant or fatiguing events. If a friend or family member invites you on a trip, make up a reason to regretfully decline. For example, you could claim that you’re trying to save money or you have a prior commitment that weekend.

18

RSVP no to major holiday events.

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Holidays can be one of the hardest times to hide a pregnancy. Between rowdy festivities and loads of family time, you’ll have to come up with lots of excuses to get through the winter months. If you’re truly not feeling well or feel like you won’t be able to hide your pregnancy belly, you can tell your loved ones that you’re not up for this year’s holiday extravaganza.
- If you’re invited to a party you can’t get out of, show up early and get a bit of face time before ducking out early (you can blame your early exit on a sore stomach or holiday fatigue).
- While you’re at the party, make friends with the bartender or waitstaff. Explain your situation to them so that they know to serve you only non-alcoholic “mocktails” without you having to explicitly order them. ^{[15]
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- You can also offer to host this year’s parties at your own home, which will give you the opportunity to mix your own drinks, select your own foods, and remain within your comfort zone.

19

Connect with loved ones over the phone.

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Virtual chats will make it easier for you to hide your bump and feign normalcy when you’re feeling tired, but your loved ones won’t suspect anything after not seeing you for a while.

20

Ask confidantes to keep your secret.

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You may want to share your hidden pregnancy with a select few. If you do tell someone, let them know in simple terms that it’s just between the two of you. Ask them to respect your desire for privacy until you’re ready to tell others.
- Try saying something like, “I wanted to let you know that I’m pregnant, but I’m not ready to share the news with anyone else yet. Please don’t talk to anybody about it without asking me first.”
- If you know that one of your close friends or family members can’t keep a secret to save their life, then you may want to hide your pregnancy from them until you’re ready to tell everyone.

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How can I hide my pregnancy belly?

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.

Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Hiding your tummy might bring more attention to it. Act confident with your own style and look.

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You are not obligated to tell anyone that you are pregnant before you’re ready, and you don’t owe anyone a reason or excuse for not letting them know. If anyone asks why you kept your pregnancy hidden from them, say something like, “I wasn’t ready to share the news yet.”

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Some people like to tell friends early so they have someone to confide in, or even tell their employer so they can benefit from time-off laws. Others prefer to wait until the pregnancy has fully developed and they’ve received any critical genetic test results.

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If you want to hide your pregnancy from the people in your life, try talking to a mental health provider or therapist instead. It may help to have a place to process your feelings throughout your pregnancy without having to spill the beans.

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How to Hide a Pregnancy Belly: 20 Tips

Hiding a Pregnancy

Steps

Use shapewear in the first trimester.

Opt for slightly oversized clothing.

Wear layers to disguise your changing shape.

Balance your loose top with a fitted bottom.

Wear printed patterns to distract the eye.

Wear low-cut necklines to draw the eye up.

Add accessories like scarves and bold jewelry.

Snack on bland and soothing foods.

Prepare excuses for morning sickness.

Claim to be on a hydration kick.

Cover up doctor’s visits with dental visits.

Keep your hands off of your belly.

Order mocktails or say you're giving up alcohol.

Make excuses to avoid unsafe foods and drinks.

Schedule activities for when you feel your best.

Rest as much as possible.

Turn down any major travel plans.

RSVP no to major holiday events.

Connect with loved ones over the phone.

Ask confidantes to keep your secret.

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