How to hide a first trimester pregnancy this Christmas.

By: Gemma Finlay for Pregnancy Exercise.

Ah, Christmas. Cheese boards oozing with soft camembert. Hor d’oeuvres featuring barely cooked shellfish. Platters groaning with cold, un-refrigerated meats. Cocktails, champagne and other delicious alcohol-filled drinks flowing.

It’s all great fun, unless you happen to find yourself in the first trimester over the festive season. If you’re trying to keep your pregnancy under wraps this is a tricky time of the year.

We’ve rounded up some tips to help you fend off prying questions. And if you have other suggestions make sure you share them in the comments.

1. Invent an illness.

The day I found out I was pregnant I had to attend a surprise birthday party for my boss. As if my mind wasn’t reeling enough, it felt like every person there asked me why I wasn’t drinking. Conveniently I’d just had the flu, so I used the “I’m on antibiotics excuse”. If that won’t fly, saying you’re taking antibiotics for a urinary tract infection should shut people down pretty quick – discussing someone’s bladder isn’t very party-friendly!

2. Find a drink that looks like alcohol.

Eg the old vodka soda with no vodka trick and discreetly order it. If people just assume you’re drinking you should avoid the annoying questions about why you’re not. Of course this is tricky when you’re at a table situation and have to state your order in front of everyone.

3. Play the ‘I’m so hung-over I’m never drinking again’ card.

Sigh dramatically and say something vague like ‘Too much tequila last night – bleurgh’. For added effect, keep your sunglasses on and pop a Berocca in your water!

4. Make like a diva.

I was once at post-work drinks and a colleague kept complaining that she didn’t like her cocktail and giving it to me to finish. Needless to say I ended up rather tipsy, which is probably why I didn’t clock on to her cunning pregnancy-disguising ruse.

5. Rope in a helper.

If there’s someone you trust with your news, use them as a drinks disposal unit. This is similar to tip 4, but it makes it easier for them to plan their own drinking if they know what’s going on (I say, from the previous aforementioned experience).

6. Nurse a drink.

Instead of stating that you’re not drinking just accept the glass of wine and sit on it until you can discreetly dispose of it. No one will actually notice you’re not imbibing. Be warned though – it’s easy to forget and take the odd sip, which is not the end of the world unless you suddenly realise you’ve downed a few glasses!

7. Food is much easier to get around.

Although you’ll be surprised how often you will be confronted with totally un-pregnancy friendly options. If everything on offer looks listeria-ridden play it safe and stick to the bread. If you have to leave a heap of uneaten food on your plate just mush it around so it looks like you had a good go and simply state it wasn’t to your liking.

Celebrity maternity fashion is a whole other ballgame. (Post continues after gallery.)

Celebrities during pregnancy

8. Watch your outfit choice.

A bad choice of top gave my pregnancy away to most people in my office long before I was ready to make it public. Dressing for your expanding body is a nightmare in itself, but do try and find an ensemble that won’t draw attention developing bump. This article here has some tips.

Of course life would be easier if people weren’t so damn nosy. So how about if you’re not pregnant, resist the urge to loudly ask your potentially-pregnancy-aged colleague why she’s sticking with the sparkling water.

Do you have any other tips to add?

This post originally appeared on Pregnancy Exercise.