Pregnancy is a beautiful thing! It’s amazing to see your body change and grow with the new life it carries inside you, but what most mums don’t know is when they start to show their baby bump.
When do you start showing in pregnancy? In my experience, I felt like I was showing quite early on in both my pregnancies – this could have been due to bloating (and I was very bloated) as a result of hormonal changes.
For some women, their pregnancy bumps are smaller that they can be easily hidden with baggy clothes without people noticing anything different about them. However, for others, even if they wear baggy clothes people can still tell there is something going on underneath all those layers, even early in their pregnancy.
This blog post talks about when does a mum typically start showing in pregnancy and why some expecting mums show earlier or later.
You may also like:
22 Exciting Ways To Announce Your Pregnancy To Loved Ones
Pregnancy Expectations Vs Reality (By Trimester)
When do you start showing with a first baby?
It’s very common for a mum-to-be’s bump to start showing in the beginning of the second trimester. Most pregnant women won’t even notice that they have a bump until about 12-16 weeks.
This obviously can vary from pregnant mum to pregnant mum. Like I said before, I felt like I was showing earlier than 12 weeks in my first and second pregnancy. But for most women, they will notice their bump in the early part of their second trimester.
Related Posts:
Positive Pregnancy Test, Now What?
28 Must Ask Questions At Your First Pregnancy Appointment
When do you start showing with a second baby?
If you have been pregnant before, your body will already be used to the physical changes it is experiencing during pregnancy. For this reason, your bump may start to show sooner than it did in your first pregnancy.
When will I start showing with twins?
More often than not, women who are expecting multiples will start showing earlier into their pregnancies. Women carrying twins will absolutely start showing at 12 weeks into their pregnancy, if not earlier. This is because the uterus stretches to accommodate two babies – which means an early bump.
Related Post: When To Tell Work You’re Pregnant (And Tips On How)
Why do some Women show earlier?
Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your second pregnancy, you may feel that you’re showing much sooner than other people you know. Maybe you’re putting on weight around 6 to 8 weeks — which in your mind is quite early. Some pregnant women swear they never show until later on in their pregnancies, but this is not the case for most women. It can be different depending on your physique and other reasons as mentioned below.
- As already mentioned above, if women have been pregnant before, their bump can show earlier than women who are pregnant with their first baby.
- Increasing progesterone hormones that cause bloating in the body can make the stomach appear bigger according to Good To Know. In addition, hormonal changes can cause constipation which can further increase the size of the abdomen.
- If your due date has been miscalculated, this could mean that you are further ahead or behind in your pregnancy and your belly could look bigger or smaller as a result.
- Your body size and shape can affect the size of the bump. Women who have toned abdominal muscles tend to show later.
- The size of your baby bump can also depend on your baby’s positioning in the uterus.
- Finally, as mentioned above, women carrying twins / multiple babies will show sooner than any other pregnant women.
Related Post: A List Of The Best Gender Reveal Ideas
What to do if you’re Pregnant but not showing
If you don’t feel like there is a noticeable bump, it could still be too soon to notice changes yet. However, if you’re concerned about whether or not you’re showing, talk to your midwife or doctor – they may be able to take measurements of your baby, check the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby.
Clothing tips for pregnancy bump
What’s more admirable than seeing a pregnancy bump? It’s beautiful and natural! However, if you’re not yet ready to reveal your bump to the world (as you may not have told everyone yet), try wearing loose clothing. Also, wearing dark colours can help to hide your bump and make you look slimmer.
As your pregnancy progresses and your stomach is getting bigger, it becomes more important to wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t press on your belly. During the later stages of my pregnancy, I found maternity leggings and tracksuit bottoms to be the most comfortable items for me.
Related Post: What Not To Put On Baby Registry: What To Consider Instead!
The final conclusion – when do you start showing when pregnant?
Pregnant women can be as different as the many shapes and sizes of their bellies. The bottom line is that every pregnant mum starts to show at some point. Some mums start showing earlier than others for lots of reasons. If you’re unsure about how your pregnancy is progressing for whatever reason, then speak to your midwife or doctor.
If you want your pregnancy bump to be remembered then why not preserve your adorable bump by using a pregnancy plaster cast. It can be really fun making a plaster cast of your bump and you get to keep it as an awesome keepsake too!
Not sure how to share the news of your pregnancy to people? Well this beautiful printable pregnancy announcement card can do the talking for you.
