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.

Top Comments
Why do you need to hide a pregnancy?
No one but a medical professonal should ever suggest or ask a woman if she is pregnsnt - not even bulging at 8 months. Even if you mean well.
Always, always wait - even if you are sure - until she or her partner have announced it you to by choice. you do not know the backstory to the conception or pregnancy.
Late last year I caught up with friends who noticed I didn't immediately order a drink at dinner, and my good friend's male partner pounced "OMG You're pregnant!!" he squealed.
Ah no, but thanks for putting us on the spot to reveal we had just started the first round of high-dose IVF due to fertility challenges, which caused bloating and meant I was unable to drink because it is still a form of conception. We weren't quite ready to reveal this but felt so on the spot and pressed about it.
He also felt suddenly awkward, even though we were nice, he could see our surprise.
A colleague -- now with 3 kids -- revealed to me (when I voluntarily shared we were doing IVF) that before her first was born she had suffered three miscarriages and had since had to always go on medication while pregnant. I'm sure in her shoes she preferred to reveal her own news when she felt ready as well.