When celebrity women are pregnant but have not yet announced it publicly, they try to wear clothing to conceal their bump. They are not always successful, however. 

 Eva Mendes who was spotted cupping her belly during the launch of her line with New York and Company the Los Cerritos Center on March 19, 2014 in Cerritos, California  amidst rumors she was knocked up with then boyfriend Ryan Gossling’s baby. 

Also, a normally scantily clad Shakira raised eyebrows when she had her signature abs covered while performing during the closing of this year’s World Cup in Brazil.  

And Zoe Saldana had no one fooled while wearing an odd attachment to her skirt she wore with a sheer print Louis Vuitton blouse while promoting  Guardians of the Galaxy at the Dolby Theatre on July 21, 2014 in Hollywood, California. 

Luckily, non-celebrity women have other options and don’t have to be so…um creative. 

1. Hiding morning sickness. You  may have one challenge to not be caught by a co-worker throwing up in the bathroom. If you work in a multi-level office environment, use the bathroom on another floor. Chances are the people from those other floors won’t know who you are or won’t recognize the shoes to the woman losing her lunch in the stall next door.

2. Shielding alcohol avoidance. You may be known to NOT skip a drink offer. So if it would be uncharacteristic of you to say no to booze,  take the glass when offered and pretend to sip it. Then replace the liquid with alcohol-free version when no one is looking. If it’s white wine, replace it with apple juice if convenient. If it’s pure vodka, water works. If it’s rum and coke, get just the coke.

3. Covering up the Early Pregnancy Look. There is a certain look that women who are suffering from morning sickness get: glazed eye, red nose, puffy cheeks are indications of vomiting and dealing with nausea. It’ll be hard, but just try. Also, don’t look too dumpy because that is a dead give-away that something is up. Keep your hair coiffed and keep wearing make up even if you’re feeling queezie and not up to it. If you have to heave, reapply your make up so you don’t look so green coming out of the restroom.

4. Disguising the hand on the tummy posture. You may feel the uncanny urge to rest your hand on your tummy. It’s an unexplainable phenomenon. Try to be conscious where your hands are and make an effort to keep them at your hips or another natural place OTHER than resting on your tummy…LIKE A PREGNANT WOMAN! A couple of years ago, when Mariah Carey was pregnant and before suffering her miscarriage, many outlets, including this blog, reported that she MUST have been pregnant based on that photograph alone! (see right)

5. Dressing to Hide a growing bump. Finally, dress in chunky but hip sweaters or A-line or empire waist tops or dresses to take the focus away from your tummy. Keep it fresh and trendy so it appears that you are wearing those tummy hiding outfits for style, not for the convenience of hiding a pregnancy you don’t want someone to know about.