In discovering a sudden affinity for billowing floral-print maternity dresses, Nicole Kidman is doing little to quell growing speculation that she is expecting her first natural child.

The Oscar-winning actress is most often pictured wearing clothes which cling to her, making the most of the honed tummy she spends hours in the gym perfecting.

Yet the attire was noticably more comfortable as she stepped out yesterday for lunch with husband of 18-months, the country singer Keith Urban, in her home city of Sydney.

 Kidman has denied reports she is expecting, despite showing a noticeable bump

Her dress even appeared to balloon out markedly below a very high waist band.

Earlier this week, this newspaper revealed that the actress had told both of their sets of relatives over the Christmas break that she was indeed with child.

Since that time further details have emerged about the pregnancy.

Friends have told the Mail how Miss Kidman hopes to give birth at a private hospital in Sydney, and is keen to have the child raised as much as possible in Australia, to retain a "national identity".

Both Kidman and Urban were raised in Australia.