I hid my 6-month baby bump to get a job

But there it was. And there was I – working in a well-paid but temporary job. And, with a freelancing husband who works from home, when it came to getting a mortgage to upgrade to something a bit more baby-friendly than our 1-bedroom apartment, we were told by every bank we visited than least one of us had to have a permanent job if we wanted to secure any kind of loan.

And so I started looking. As anyone who's ever looked for a job knows, it can feel like a full-time job in itself – tough when you've got an actual full-time job. Even tougher when you're feeling a bit queasy. Add to that the panic I felt about the massive life change we were about to go through – and that the bigger I got, the more time was running out to get something – and it was a bit of a hectic situation.

Luckily for me, I had an AMAZING boss who knew my situation, got it totally (no, she wasn't a mum herself at the time) and kept an eye out for roles for me.

Eek! The interviews!

And, then, I was offered an interview. And I got a 2nd interview.

By this time, I was nearly 6 months pregnant. My bump was sizeable but I didn't want it to show for the interview. Was I deliberately hiding it? Yes.

Why? Because I really felt I was perfect for the job and was worried that a massive baby bump would be a huge distraction in the interview room, and would instantly discount me.

So, for both interviews, I wore a dress that tied at the top (like the one above) and that flowed loosely over my bump and thighs, with trousers (not done up!) underneath.

And, both times, I was careful not to rub my belly (I was very much at the belly-rubbing stage...).

Coming clean

I had a feeling things had gone well and, when I got the call to say I'd been offered the job, I was delighted. I'd already talked my tactic through with my husband: if offered the job, I was going to say thank you very much and I'd think about it.

Then I'd work out how to tell them I'd be leaving in just a couple of months to have a baby.

When I was ready, I rang and said I'd love to accept the role. Then straightaway, I followed up by telling my boss-to-be I was 6 months pregnant. Just like that.

"Congratulations!" he said, without missing a beat.

Within a few weeks, I started and had nothing but well wishes from my new colleagues. I did hear whispers that one member of staff had asked why I'd been hired when I was so pregnant but, other than that, everyone was fantastic.

Cover was put in place for my maternity, and I worked there for 2 months before going on leave for 9 months.

(There might have been a bit of kickback karma in that I finished work on a Friday, 3 weeks before my due date, but my waters broke a mere 2 days later and I had my little girl at 12.39am on the Monday, the first day of my actual maternity leave and 21 whole days earlier than expected ?)

I sent my colleagues a pic of my new baby (pictured above) on the Tuesday morning.

I went on to have 3 more happy years at the company, and am still great friends with the boss who hired me.

But would I do the same again? I'm not so sure I would.

Now that I look back, it does feel kind of brazen, but I was simply spurred on by the fact we needed a new house for our baby and, I must admit, I had tunnel vision on it.

What do you think?

Would you / have you hidden your bump to get a job or for any other reason? Tell us in the comments below or over on Facebook

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