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Missed periods. Pregnancy test result are positive. You couldn’t have been more excited to welcome your little one. Morning sickness, mood swings and hunger pangs – they’re all so impossible to ignore. But there’s one question that’s stuck in your mind and that is when do you start showing in pregnancy?
Well you know you are pregnant, but you don’t look pregnant, yet. Every woman is different, so is every pregnancy. Not all of them start to show at a magical number of weeks- some show sooner while some women show in their second trimester.
So before answering the question, when do you start showing in pregnancy, it is crucial to understand the factors that affect when you begin to show.
When do you Start Showing in Pregnancy? Factors That Affect Your Bump
Before knowing when you start showing in pregnancy, it’s important to understand what are the factors that affect it. There are various factors that affect when a baby bump becomes visible to the world. They include factors such as weight, number of babies being carried, age, and other issues.
1. Number Of Pregnancies - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
Have you been pregnant before? If yes, your baby bump can pop in the first trimester itself. Your earlier pregnancy had left behind relaxed stomach muscles. So you can show anytime between your first or early second trimester.
2. Age - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
Those who don’t have strong stomach muscles, often show earlier in their pregnancy. This is common if you are in your 30s or older.
3. Weight - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
When do you start showing in pregnancy if you have a little extra weight around your stomach? The bump may not get much bigger in the first or early second trimester. But as the pregnancy progresses, it will become more visible. So, when do you start showing in pregnancy if you’re overweight?
Every person has a different torso length and carries weight differently, which affects how the pregnant belly looks. For example, women with more bodyweight tend to have a B-shaped baby bump, instead of the standard D shape. Even though this is not a cause of concern, you have a talk with your doctor regarding how you carry your baby.
4. Shape Of The Uterus - - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
Not many people know this, but the shape of your uterus can impact when your pregnancy becomes noticeable. If your uterus slants forward, that is if you have an anteverted uterus, you may show much earlier. On the other hand, if you have a retroverted uterus (tilts towards the back), you may show later.
5. Diastasis Recti - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
Diastasis recti are the partial or complete separation of the rectus abdominis which meet at the midline of your stomach. During pregnancy, the growing uterus tends to push against the abdominal muscles. Ultimately, the two large bands of muscles meeting in the middle become separated. This is known as diastasis recti.
Often a bulge can be expected to appear where the muscles separate which is absolutely normal. For those who have been pregnant before the present, the diastasis recti can be expected to most likely occur. Similar to those who’ve carried big babies or are over 35 years old.
6. Bloating - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
With the added weight and pressure of the baby, other processes slow down, including digestion. This gives gas more time to build up and makes it harder to release it, causing bloating. Burping and passing gas more often is a result of it.
7. Incorrect Due Date - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
Sometimes, the predicted due date could be wrong. As the gestation period advances, ultrasounds and other methods are able to more accurately pinpoint the due date.
8. Other Issues - When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy
In rare cases, more serious issues can cause a baby bump that is unusually large or small. If there are any concerns with the size of the baby bump, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor to rule out any kind of complications.
When Do You Start Showing in Pregnancy? - Your First Pregnancy
Typically, though, you won’t develop a baby bump in your first trimester — particularly if it’s your first pregnancy. The first signs of your baby bump can be noticed in the early second trimester, between weeks 12 and 16.
If you’re a person of lower body weight with a smaller midsection, you’re most likely to show closer to week 12, and if your body weight is more, you might show close to week 16.
When Do You Start Showing in Pregnancy? - YourSeconnd Pregnancy
If you’ve been pregnant before, there’s a high chance that you can start showing earlier, that is, in your first trimester.
A previous pregnancy can stretch the stomach muscles and at times, these don’t return to their original size. The reason behind this is the changes resulting in a high chance bump appearing earlier.
When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy -With Twins?
You could also possibly start to show before the end of your first trimester if you’re expecting twins or carrying multiples. At times, a singleton might not show until 3 or 4 months. Whereas, you might show as early as 6 weeks because your uterus must grow to accommodate more than one baby.
When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy? - Your Baby Bump Progression
Baby bump progression also varies from person to person. As a common timeline, at about 12 weeks your baby will be about the size of a lemon. As your growing uterus keeps accommodating your little one, you’ll start to notice a small bump, although it may not be evident to others.
Towards week 16, your baby might be as big as an avocado. It’s towards weeks 20 and 24 that you start noticing visible changes as your baby is now the size of a banana and a cantaloupe respectively.
If your uterus is carrying just one fetus, the top of the uterus can usually be felt above the pubic bone at about 13–14 weeks. If you are carrying twins or higher-order multiples, this may happen earlier.
But you must remember that the progression of a baby bump is also not the same for every woman.
What If You're Not Showing But Feel Like IT?
There’s nothing to worry about if you’re showing late. The shape of your uterus is an important factor when it comes to your baby bump. Some women have a retroverted uterus, whereas some have an anteverted uterus. For women with a uterus that tilts towards the back (retroverted), the baby bump can show later. Conversely, if your uterus slants forward (anteverted), you may show towards the first trimester or early second trimester.
Also, remember that showing late doesn’t mean that your baby is too small. The size of a baby is only medically reviewed when you get to the second and third trimesters..
In case of any issues, your doctor will do an ultrasound to make sure you’re given the right date and the size and health of your baby. If your baby is smaller than expected for their gestational age, you’ll get frequent monitoring to make sure they’re doing well.
When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy Final conclusion:
“When do you start showing in pregnancy?” is a question that doesn’t have one answer for all pregnant women. Whether you’re carrying single, twins, or multiples, your body will go through noticeable change during pregnancy.
It is recommended to track your weight regularly during your periods. But beyond your pregnancy weight gain, there are other reasons diet and physical activity are important for an overall healthy pregnancy.
