You are about to be a mother, and your excitement is through the roof. While symptoms like the dreaded morning sickness are too obvious to ignore, you might have some other questions. Most expectant mothers want to know when their pregnancy will be visible to others.
If you’re not ready to announce your pregnancy to the world, then don’t worry. It’s going to be a while before people start noticing. However, according to experts, every pregnancy is different. That means the baby bump will be visible early in some cases and slightly later in others.
Let’s dive deep into the factors that influence your bump timeline.
When Do You Start Showing During Your First Pregnancy?
The number of pregnancies you’ve had determines when your baby bump will show.
In most cases, your baby bump will not show in the first trimester of your first pregnancy. It’s only when you reach the second trimester will your baby bump start showing. This will most likely happen between weeks 12 and 16.
If you are a person of lower weight, chances are your baby bump will start showing closer to the 12th week. If you weigh more than the average person, then you will start showing around 16 weeks.
When Will You Start Showing During Your Second Pregnancy?
If you are not a first-time mom, don’t be surprised if your bump starts showing early. It is perfectly normal to develop a baby bump in the first trimester.
The muscles in your stomach get stretched during your first pregnancy. Sometimes, even after delivery, the muscles don’t return to their original size. This may be the reason why you may get a baby bump earlier than usual.
When Do You Start to Show When Carrying Twins?
If you are expecting twins, people might notice your baby bump in the first trimester. To accommodate more than one baby, the uterus will grow more, which in turn will affect the timeline of your bump. Compared to someone expecting a singleton, who may not show until the fourth month, you may notice a bump in the 6th week.
Why Do Some People Show Earlier?
Abominable bloating could be a reason why your baby bump shows earlier than expected. It’s nothing to worry about as the body retains more fluids when hormones increase. So, you may confuse your bloated belly with a baby bump.
To stop this from happening, drink plenty of water, eat more fiber, and eat smaller meals. Another important factor affecting the timeline of your baby bump is the uterus. If your uterus tilts towards your back, you will take longer to show. If your uterus tilts towards the front, you may show earlier.
Any confusion regarding your due date could also be a deciding factor.
Baby Bump Progression
Usually, your baby bump starts to show after 12 weeks of pregnancy. By week 20, you will start noticing some real change. As your due date approaches, then is when your belly really starts to show. It’s because your belly will grow to accommodate your growing baby. Remember, your body retains fat to nourish the baby.
Watching your stomach grow can be super exciting. However, it can also be awkward at times. When someone starts to show varies from body to body, so don’t think about it too much. Learn to love the way you look and accept your changing body.
By choosing the proper maternity fashion, you can still look your best. If you feel like it, exercise and release those much-needed endorphins. Self-care is essential and shouldn’t be ignored at any cost. If needed, consult a doctor.