If you’ve recently learned that you’re expecting, you may also be thinking ahead to Halloween, and wondering how to dress up that belly. While most women won’t be noticeably showing in the first trimester until the twelfth or thirteenth week, you can still have fun with Halloween costume ideas for pregnant women and make the most of the first trimester.

Costume Ideas for Pregnant Women

Most costume ideas for pregnant women in the first trimester aren’t different from regular women’s costume ideas. You can go with contemporary, historical, supernatural, sexy – you name it. Costume rental stores can adjust up for your newly-expanding size, but be careful to order well in advance and to make sure the size will be large enough.

If you’re a first-time mom, your body won’t grow too much in the first trimester if you’re pregnant with a singleton (all bets are off for twins and higher). Expect to gain a size or two, and order in that new size for your costume. Second- and third-time (or more) moms need to plan for their mid-sections to expand earlier in the first trimester, as the abdominal muscles and uterus are looser from prior pregnancy, so keep this in mind as well when ordering.

If you’re making a costume for a pregnant belly, the same rule applies: plan ahead for the size you think you’ll be on Halloween, not for your size now. If possible, just make the outfit adjustable in case you need more or less room for your maternity costume.

Halloween Belly Ideas for First Trimester

If you want to emphasize your new condition and make a pregnancy Halloween costume part of your festivities, consider these pregnant women costumes for the first trimester:

Pregnant belly. Ironic, right? Rent a pregnant belly costume or just stuff a few pillows under a maternity shirt and pretend you’re further along than you really are. For added realism, rent a weighted pregnancy belly from a childbirth educator. You’ll get a taste of what’s coming in the future!

Bun in the oven. Take a cardboard box and decorate it to look like an oven. Place a bun inside, viewable through a window. Couples can have the partner dress as a baker for an added joke.

Alien. Remember the 1979 classic movie “Alien” starring Sigourney Weaver? Make a very fake “alien” and attach it to your belly. It’s meant to be campy, so no need for realism here.

Bump. Paint your belly with the road sign “Bump” and wear a bikini top.

Be creative – only your imagination (and fatigue level) limits you. Use these ideas and others you find in your pregnant Halloween costume research to choose a fun, affordable, hilarious Halloween costume for your pregnancy.