When Do You Start Showing In Pregnancy?
One of the first things that a mom to be will wonder when she finds out that she is pregnant is when that baby bump is going to appear.
You may want to know when you get to show off your bump or perhaps you want to keep the pregnancy a secret for a little longer.
You may even want to start preparing for purchasing maternity clothes. No matter what, this is a question that every expectant mom wants to know the answer to.
Unfortunately, there is not a definitive answer to this question. Every mother is different, and for this reason, every pregnancy is different.
This means that while one woman may start showing in as little as a few weeks, another mother may not show until she is well past four or five months. However, some factors may affect when your baby bump starts to appear.
First Time Moms
According to most physicians, most first time moms can expect to develop a baby bump anywhere from twelve to sixteen weeks. A woman who has been pregnant before may start to develop a baby bump even earlier than this.
First-time moms show later because their muscles have not been stretched out yet. A second or third-time mom will often show about a month or so earlier because their abdominal muscles and uterus were stretched out during their previous pregnancies.
Body Types
A woman’s body type can play a role in when their baby bump begins to show. A woman who is thinner will often show earlier.
A woman who has a bit more weight may not show until they are in their second trimester. A woman who has abdominal muscles that are very well defined may show later as well.
If you have a smaller frame, your baby bump may be more noticeable, whereas carrying extra weight may hide the bump for longer.
Age
Another factor that can affect when you begin to show is your age. A younger mom will typically show later in their pregnancy than an older mom. The reason for this is because a younger woman will often have stomach muscles that are stronger and tighter, allowing the baby to hide for a bit longer.
Ask Your Female Relatives
Ask your mom how far along she was when she started showing with you. This could give you a good idea of when you may start showing.
If you have a sister who has been or is pregnant, ask her when she started showing. Chances are that you are going to start showing about the same time as your female relatives did with their children.
Uterus Positioning
One factor that can also determine when you begin to show is the position of your uterus. If you have a retroverted uterus, which means your uterus tilts more towards your back, can cause you to start showing later during your pregnancy. If you have an anteverted uterus, which tilts forward, you may start to show earlier on during your pregnancy.
Bloating, Gas, and Constipation
Have you been feeling gassy? Maybe you are bloated or constipated? If you are having any of these types of digestive issues, it could expand your belly earlier than you expected. These symptoms are often confused with an emerging bump.
It is normal to be bloated and gassy during pregnancy. The reason for this is because of the increase in progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that helps to relax the smooth muscle tissues in the body, including throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Second Trimester
If you want an exact time frame of when you are going to show, count on showing by the second trimester as this is the typical time that most women begin to show.
The reason is that it is during the second trimester your organs will shift, and you will gain weight at about a pound or two each week. As mentioned, there is no exact time of when you will for sure show, but this is a good estimate.
Remember Everyone is Different
Think about the factors listed above and how they apply to you. This can help you determine when you may start showing. The most important thing to remember is that everyone is different and each pregnancy will be different.
If you have had a baby before, remember that this pregnancy could be different than the first. You may have a friend who is pregnant she could start showing in her 10th week and you may not even have a belly until you are closer to 15 or 16 weeks. All of this is okay!
Some other factors to remember. First, if you show later, it does not mean that your baby is going to be too small. If you have concerns about not showing or if you feel like you are beginning to show to early, you can always discuss your concerns with your doctor. Chances are that you do not have anything to worry about.
Finally, when it comes down to it, just be patient. Remember, your entire body is going through a massive change as you are growing another human inside of you. Your belly is going to grow at its own pace, and as long as you are doing a good job of taking care of yourself and your baby, you are doing a great job.
Most of all do not worry about when that baby bump will come as it will show up and allow you to show it off in due time.
References
http://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/how-your-baby-grows.aspx
http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/stages-of-pregnancy.html