5 Ways to Hide Your Pregnancy Symptoms

young woman is sitting alone in a nightclub
Nullplus/E+/Getty Images

So you’re pregnant, but the timing just isn’t right to share your pregnancy announcement, so you're working at hiding a pregnancy for a bit. And now you’ve got to find a way to hide the truth that sounds plausible. Here are five common pregnancy signs that need hiding until you’re ready to spill the beans:

You’re No Longer Drinking

You’re out with your friends and you haven’t really told anyone yet. But it comes time to order dinner and you’re usually ordering wine. Now, all eyes are on you as you say you’d like sparkling water. The questions about your lack of alcoholic intake start. What do you say?

Your first line of defense should probably be based on the truth – you’re giving it up for health reasons. Or perhaps you can blame it on a big day ahead or even a headache. These excuses will usually work only once or twice, while the health reasons take you a bit further, buying you time until you’re ready to share your big news. (This one also works with smoking.)

Your Clothes Are a Bit Tight

You’re already closing your pants with a safety pin, and now you know you can’t move to maternity clothes without raising an eyebrow. The solution is simple, try to extend the life of your clothes by using elastic waistbands or even some of the pregnancy bands that go around your belly.

You Throw up a Lot

This one is harder to cover up. The first time you’re caught you can easily blame the flu. But after that, everyone may suspect it’s really the nine-month flu. Do your best to find a solution, because morning sickness isn’t fun even when you’re not trying to hide your pregnancy. You may try to "schedule" bathroom breaks for a time of day you're particularly unwell or find a friend or co-worker to cover for you. And if this isn't a case for working at home, I'm not sure what would be.

You Cry for No Reason

Yes, the emotional roller coaster that is pregnancy can be an annoying habit and yet, you simply can’t help but feel overwhelmed with tears at the oddest times. When I was pregnant with my third child, I kept crying over this commercial where a company was talking about how they exported cars to Japan! If this happens, you can politely explain that you've been a bit stressed lately and see where that takes you. If it keeps happening… well, you’re on your own with that one.

You Have Strange Cravings or Food Aversions

The pregnancy cravings part isn’t usually early on, though some women report that they crave healthier foods in early pregnancy. I have to admit that the hardest part for many women is how sensitive their nose and palate becomes in even the very early weeks. Food that was once favored, is now on the no way list. This is particularly true of foods that are spicy and pungent. These foods can also trigger other pregnancy symptoms. Simply claim you’re really dying for (insert the name of food you’d like here). Then call it a day.

Only you will know when the time is right and you’re ready to share the news of your pregnancy, until then happy hiding.

By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH
Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor.