Pregnancy bumps are as diverse as the babies they produce. Show
You start to show in pregnancy at 12 to 16 weeksIf it's your first pregnancy, you'll probably start to show between 12 to 16 weeks, around the start of your second trimester. But this initial bump is not from the baby. In fact, at 15 weeks, the average fetus is 4 inches long, or about as large as an orange. So that "baby bump" isn't from the baby's size, but rather the expansion of your uterus. "As the uterus gets bigger with a developing pregnancy, the loops of bowel which fill the abdomen are pushed upwards and out to the sides," says Meg Wilson, MBBS, an OB-GYN at London Gynaecology. What causes some to show early in pregnancy?There are a few factors that might affect when you start showing:
How doctors track baby bump progressionBy week 20, your doctor will start measuring your fundal length — that's the distance between the pubic bone and the top of the uterus. Typically, this number should correlate with your week of pregnancy. So, for example, if your fundal length is 25 centimeters, you should be in or near your 25th week of pregnancy. If, however, your fundal length is too high, it could indicate growth problems with the baby, like fetal macrosomia, which is when a baby is significantly too large. On the flip side, if your fundal length is too low it could mean restricted growth, which is when the baby isn't large enough. While not all small babies suffer from restricted growth, it's worth checking in with your maternal health practitioner if you are concerned. Insider's takeawayThere are several factors that affect when your baby bump will start to show during pregnancy. When it's your first pregnancy, it's common for your bump to start showing between 12 and 16 weeks. The initial baby bump is caused by the expansion of the uterus, rather than the size of the fetus. If you have a short abdomen, less body fat, are carrying multiple fetuses, or it's not your first pregnancy, then you are more likely to show early. Your doctor will begin measuring your fundal length by week 20. This measurement helps doctors track fetal growth.
Rebecca Cairns is a freelance writer for Insider. Read more Read less If it's your first pregnancy, or even if it isn't, you may be wondering when your bloated belly will turn into a baby bump, and your pregnancy will start to show. The short answer: It can be different for everyone, for a number of reasons. When do you start showing in pregnancy?First-time moms usually start showing sometime between 12 and 18 weeks. In a BabyCenter poll, most women expecting their first child said they started to show between 12 and 18 weeks, very closely followed by those who said that their bump emerged between 18 and 24 weeks. Every woman and every baby bump is different, and there isn't an exact time when you'll start "showing," which is what happens when your growing uterus begins to expand above the pubic bone. This usually starts when you're around 12 weeks pregnant; before then, the uterus remains within the pelvis and isn't usually visible. Even at 12 weeks of pregnancy, any “bump” you start to see in your abdomen is really just your bowels that used to be in your pelvis, now being pushed up higher in your belly. "Showing" starts as your abdomen looks fuller and you find yourself needing to unbutton your pants by the end of the day. From there, a distinctly uterus-shaped bump will appear in another few weeks or so. Several factors play a part in how and when you start showing:
Sometimes, you might think you're already showing early on in the first trimester, but it's more than likely just pregnancy bloating, a swelling that can make your pants fit tighter. Bloating is one of the early signs of pregnancy, along with gas and constipation. Should I be worried if I haven't started showing yet?If you haven't started showing and feel like you don't look pregnant yet, don't fret. There are a number of completely normal factors that may be contributing to how pregnant you look. Showing late doesn't automatically mean that your baby is too small. In the second trimester, your ob-gyn or midwife will start monitoring your fundal height to track your baby's growth, and if there's any reason for concern, they'll do an ultrasound to check on the progress. Babies who are smaller than expected for their gestational age will get frequent monitoring to make sure they're doing well. Which month will stomach get bigger in pregnancy?First-time mothers can expect a noticeable belly expansion between 12 and 16 weeks. Your pregnancy symptoms may include bloating and constipation, causing your waistband to feel tight even before 12 weeks. People who have been pregnant before tend to show earlier, as their abdominal wall has already stretched.
Does a pregnant belly show at 3 months?If it's your first pregnancy, you might not be showing yet at 3 months. Many women, especially if they have strong core muscles, won't start showing until 4 or even 5 months pregnant the first time around. On the other hand, if you are showing, that's cool, too. Every woman's body is different.
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