https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:33:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2901075 Wed, 30 Oct 2019 10:00:32 +0000 Pollywog 2901075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry. My neighbor called me out at 6 weeks pregnant! I was mortified (history of loss).</p> <p>What I wore was a bunch of dresses that fit my natural waist or were wrap dresses. No one at work called me out until much later </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2901046 Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:12:11 +0000 QBbride 2901046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: ahh I hear you. I’m a nurse and a mom asked me when I was due when I was 9 weeks pregnant and wearing scrubs (!!!). I couldn’t believe it. Even if I suspected something, I NEVER would have said anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900900 Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:46:20 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was so angry for a few days, but then I read a quote about not letting others words affect your days. Today when I walked past the mirror, I just couldn't stop thinking how ballsy she was. I'm still sleeping on my belly and my 5 year old hasn't noticed anything...totally inappropriately early to comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900643 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:55:42 +0000 Ajsmommy 2900643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow so sorry someone had the gall to do that to you! I had a co worker constantly asking me if i was pg when we were going through infertility... at first i just said no, but we hope soon. .and finally i said "no, i'm just FAT".. she stopped asking after that. I'm sure all the bloating from shots/etc and my over eating didn't help... but it's rude in any shape or form to ask. I hope you put said person in their place and they won't bother you again!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900641 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:14:57 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I had been considering doing exactly that! About 1/3 of the coworkers I interact with every day and am close to know our history of loss and would never comment. The other 2/3 are reasonable humans and would never say anything, so I was ready to just not GAF. Then the comment earlier this week just left me flabbergasted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900640 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:12:17 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: yeah, so this was not a coworker but a business associate unrelated to my employer. I have already spoken to the person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900636 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:48:43 +0000 erinbaderin 2900636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This isn’t helpful to your specific question, but I think you should consider talking to the person, her manager, or your HR department, depending on your comfort level. That is completely inappropriate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900635 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:47:41 +0000 LCTBQE 2900635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, what an asshole, I'm sorry this happened to you. </p> <p>This isn't an answer to your question, but just a different perspective to offer-- not a suggestion that you do this, but just to re-frame--a few of my friends and I took the approach of going about our business and not even trying to hide it. I remember getting a few looks, but I probably would have gotten them regardless even if I *had* been doing long drapey cardigans etc, and even though I still felt vulnerable AF (history of early loss plus everything else) it was the tiniest bit liberating and felt a little bit middle-finger-style good to just be in my body and my clothes. Big benefit being I didn't have to buy anything I wouldn't have already :) I hope the hardest part is behind you and you can just go to work and not be bothered ! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900630 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:29:59 +0000 psw27 2900630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I think your post should really be titled "good comebacks to super rude intrusive people who are insensitive." LOL. I hope you can find a way to say something to your colleague... blah. </p> <p>I always did blousey shirts, blazers, cardigans, loose dresses, etc. I'm sure at 11 weeks you mostly look normal to anyone except weirdos who are staring at your stomach for any sign of pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900625 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:01:11 +0000 hitchhiker 2900625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like a rude coworker to me! I had one of these during my first pregnancy, too. </p> <p>Side note - my husband recently asked me if I thought the mom of one of my daughter's classmates was pregnant. I hadn't really noticed and was indignant: "We DO NOT comment on people's potential pregnancy status!!" But the next time I saw her, it was so obvious - she was definitely 6+ months with her fourth and was not hiding it at all. We had a good laugh at my expense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900620 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:50:25 +0000 nwm 2900620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, seems to me the problem here isn't so much your wardrobe but your exceedingly rude coworker!!! I can't believe someone would call you out like that. I hid it at work until post-16 weeks and I'm sure people were suspicious but everyone had manners. Hope you find something that works for you and sorry that happened! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900618 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:48:40 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: I do have a belly band, guess I'll break it out. Thank you </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900617 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:47:48 +0000 graceandjoy 2900617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally think it's just that person too and nothing more you could do! I am sorry you got called out like that :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900616 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:45:11 +0000 Ms. RV 2900616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wore one of these under my clothes. It seemed to make the bump more of a too-big-of-a-lunch pooch. It also helped hold up maternity pants <a href="https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3433694/maternity-bali-2-pack-seamless-belly-band-plmtb.jsp" rel="nofollow">https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3433694/maternity-bali-2-pack-seamless-belly-band-plmtb.jsp</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900614 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:16:56 +0000 Shantuck 2900614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: That is crazy. There is no way I wasn't showing but nobody was brazen enough to say anything. My plan was to deny if anyone said anything, thus making them feel awkward. Congrats on the new pregnancy and I hope this one is smooth sailing for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900613 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:14:27 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: almost all my tops are from LOFT already :silly: I guess I just better hope I just don't run across anyone else so bold and rude. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900609 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:06:05 +0000 Shantuck 2900609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pregnant with baby #3 and recently shared with work while 18 weeks pregnant (long story involving work announcing a promotion and I didn't want my pregnancy to have any bearing on the decision - but I've also had 3 losses). Anyway, I bought several flowy inexpensive tops at H&amp;M (I've also seen some great options at Loft). I'm sure those that knew me well thought I gaining but most people acting genuinely surprised when I did finally announce. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900607 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:00:27 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: @jennlin821: Thanks for the ideas! I think I'll see what new cardigans Gap has for fall. And dust off some of my blazers and scarves.</p> <p>The most annoying thing is that I literally have not changed my wardrobe at all, except for maternity pants. The pants are so similar to my regular pants, that unless I flashed the belly panel, nobody would know. ALSO, the belly panel is still loose and not ideal (thus my bump isn't THAT big) but my nausea is so bad it helps to wear them. Also, I have always worn blouse-y tops, so nothing new there. Vent over...for a little bit anyway :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900605 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 09:48:14 +0000 jennlin821 2900605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found that my suit coats were great for early bump-hiding, because they were a little boxy and framed my hips instead of my waist (like a sweater). </p> <p>But I also think that people become suspicious when you change your wardrobe... and there isn't much you can do about that, if you have to buy new clothes that fit! </p> <p>As for the person who called you out, shame on them. Hopefully it won't happen again, but perhaps have a neutral saying ready to shut down any conversations. Something along the lines of "My health is none of your concern, thank you."<br /> Or if you want to be snarky you can totally reply back with "My recent weight gain is due to medical issues, I would thank you not to comment again." :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900603 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 09:45:42 +0000 Becky 2900603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Blazers and scarves 😊 They’re also seasonally appropriate and probably less suspicious than blousy shirts.</p> <p>I can’t believe someone would call you out this early. Unless you’re 6 months and obviously pregnant I feel like no one should ever comment unless you volunteer the information. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/camouflaging-the-bump#post-2900602 Fri, 25 Oct 2019 09:30:47 +0000 SweetCaroline 2900602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm almost 11 weeks and have a bump I'm camouflaging using blouse-y shells paired with cardigans. On Monday, someone called me out after a meeting...the meeting room still full. We have history of loss and will not be announcing until 14 weeks.</p> <p>I'm pissed and hurt and now I need to go through my whole closet and sort stuff out. I'm not showing THAT much, and the comment was completely inappropriate so I know I'm overreacting a bit.</p> <p>Please share your tips for hiding the bump. Specific top recommendations I can order would be so awesome, I need to dress business casual. Thank you in advance! </p>