Costumes for Pregnant Women

Fortunately there are very few times in our lives where we are asked to don costumes. There are a couple of occasions that come to mind like Halloween, masquerade parties, Mardi Gras, etc. Finding the right costume can be troublesome for anyone, but throw a pregnant belly into the mix and it can get really interesting.

If you find yourself in this predicament, or you just want to have fun, here are some ideas to help you find the costume that works for you!

A Full Body Costume

You may decide to wear a full body costume. This can be a character that is a large character or one that can be made large. Ideas that have been passed around include Humpty Dumpty, Big Bird, an elephant (Sorry ladies!), or even a Weeble (old play toy from the 70s). Check with your local costume store for availability and other ideas. You may be forced to use whatever they have available. The sooner you go the more selection you are likely to have, particularly around Halloween.

"I enjoyed the ability to dress up like a pregnant nun! How many times in your life can you really pull that one off," asks one mother of two.

If you wear a full body costume it is important to realize that you run the risk of overheating. Be sure that you have air flow through the costume. Drink lots of water and minimize your time spent in the costume. Also be sure that you have good vision if a mask or hat is involved. Be sure that you feel stable in your costume, remember, when pregnant you are more likely to fall.

Smaller Costumes

Wearing a smaller costume may be easier and can usually be made from items around your home. You might dress up like a baby, a cheerleader, witch... There are many more options with homemade costumes. These also are usually less likely to cause you to lose your balance or overheat.

"My baby was due October 21, so we bought a tiny Halloween outfit. Unfortunately he didn't make his appearance until after Halloween. We used the outfit anyway. I pinned it, head down, on my outfit and used the time trick or treating to encourage labor..." reminisces one mother of four.

The Belly Costume

You also have the option of painting your belly and using it as a costume. Some people paint it like a pumpkin and pretend to carry it. One woman dressed up like a witch and "carried" her pumpkin with her. You can do the same idea with a basket ball a beach ball, anything you might "carry" with you. You can also simply paint pictures on your belly for fun.

No real warning associated with this type of costume except to ensure that you use paint that isn't toxic and doesn't aggravate your skin. This is also a great idea for kids to help with!