While many shows take the plunge and write a pregnancy storyline into the show once an actress is pregnant in real life, others take a different route.
From hiding behind furniture and drastic wardrobe changes to creative new storylines, here are 19 ways TV shows have hidden pregnancies.
1. Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
When Zooey Deschanel was pregnant during New Girl Season 5, they got really creative about hiding her baby bump. From a fall down some stairs to have her stuck in bed during the season premiere, to a scooter and sequestering her for jury duty, it made for a very different season for Jessica Day.
2. Ellen Pompeo, Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy has had to deal with this a lot, you guys. While Jessica Capshaw’s Arizona went overseas during her pregnancy, the writers went in a different direction with the show’s titular character, coming up with a liver transplant storyline that kept Meredith Grey in bed and well-hidden.
3. Alyson Hannigan, How I Met Your Mother
Mostly, Lily found herself hiding the bump in some obvious ways, but How I Met Your Mother did give her a reason to show off her bump more than once — only they showed it as a massive food baby instead!
4. Julie Bowen, Modern Family
On Modern Family, Claire Dunphy was hiding behind throw pillows and counters to hide the fact that Julie Bowen was actually pregnant during filming.
5. Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Yes, 30 Rock used things like big coats to hide Jane Krakowski’s pregnancy, but maybe the best choice was just putting her in a giant dog suit. Hilarious.
6. Kelly Rutherford, Gossip Girl
Big sweaters and giant handbags really are the go-to, aren’t they? Well, that worked for Kelly Rutherford when she was pregnant and filming Gossip Girl during Season 2.