19 Times TV Shows Tried to Hide Cast Members’ Pregnancies

How I Met Your Mother

This show had double the trouble trying to hide a pregnancy, because both lead actresses, Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders, were expecting at the same time!

In one episode, though, there was a flashback scene where Hannigan's character shows off her "food baby" after winning a hot dog eating contest.

Friends

Because Monica had fertility problems, the writers couldn’t put Courteney Cox's real-life pregnancy into the plot. The solution: Monica wore A LOT of baggy clothes!

All My Children

Hayley and Mateo’s heartwarming wedding scene in All My Children took place in a hospital bed, which helped to hide Kelly’s VERY pregnant belly.

CSI: Miami

Emily Procter, who played Calleigh on the hit series, was pregnant during filming for season nine. Her appearances during that time were limited in general, but when she did show up on screen, it was behind desks and heavy lab coats.

The Dick Van Dyke Show

Ann Morgan Guilbert was afraid she would be fired once she told the director that she was pregnant, but fortunately for her (and her fans) that didn’t happen. Instead, they dressed her in loose-fitting blouses until she went on maternity leave half-way through the first season.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Louise Lombard, who played Sofia Curtis, was pregnant when she first joined the cast in season 5. She even had a nursery built in her trailer for her baby boy once he was born.

I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy was the first American TV show to have an expecting actress play an expecting character, but that only happened with Lucille Ball’s second pregnancy. She was actually six months along while filming the unaired pilot, which even baggy blouses didn’t hide very well.

Law and Order: SVU

Mariska Hargitay was very pregnant while filming the beginning of Season 8. Desks, boxes, and dark colored clothing all worked together to keep her baby bump hidden.

CSI: NY

In season three, Detective Lindsay Monroe was suddenly whisked away to testify on trial in her home town. This served a double purpose: giving her less screen time, and hiding her baby bump behind the stand.

Grey's Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo's pregnancy during season six was an easy fix with loose-fitting scrubs. Though we have to say--for a doctor, she sure sat a lot that season!

Guiding Light

Maeve Kinkead, who played Vanessa, was pregnant while filming her wedding to Billy. Luckily, a giant bouquet took care of that!

Modern Family

Julie Bowen was pregnant with twins during the pilot episode. Luckily, a cereal box and other props did the trick of hiding her sons-to-be!

Grey's Anatomy

This show has certainly had a lot of practice over the years! Most recently, they hid Jessica Capshaw’s pregnant belly behind another pregnant belly!

Dynasty

In the beginning of season six, Claudia Blaisdel Carrington (played by Pamela Bellwood) was filmed in loose fitting clothing until she left mid-way through the season to deliver her baby. Bellwood returned later that season, only to have her character be killed off in a fire so that she could dedicate more of her time to raising her baby.

Scandal

Did you wonder why Kerry Washington's wardrobe suddenly went from fitted to super loose? Props to Shonda Rhimes for coming up with some creative hiding techniques.

The Nanny

The writers hid Lauren Lane's baby bump behind hilariously obvious props, like this giant poster that says “BABY” on it! How funny!

Seinfeld

Julia Louis-Dreyfus held a wide variety of odd objects in front of her during season three to hide her growing bump.

Frasier

The writers covered up Jane Leeves’ pregnancy at first, but then worked it into the plot by hiding Daphne's bump behind extra padding and a stress-eating habit.

The Office

Angela Kinsey was pregnant during season four, but luckily, there were plenty of desks around to strategically hide her belly!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Melissa Fumero’s pregnancy was hidden in plain sight: her character "pretended" to be pregnant while on an undercover assignment.