When do you start to show

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:

• Your body shape and size. Shorter women may start showing earlier than tall women, and thinner women may see a distinct baby bump before plus-size women do.
• Your core muscles. Women with weak core muscles may start showing earlier than those with a stronger core.
• The position of your uterus.
• Whether not this is your first pregnancy. Moms who've already been pregnant often start showing with their second pregnancy sooner, since their uterine and abdominal muscles have been stretched from an earlier pregnancy.

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.

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There are several factors that impact when a pregnancy becomes visible to the world. They include weight, age, and the number of babies being carried.

The number of pregnancies

For those who’ve been pregnant before, their baby belly can pop in the first trimester. Pregnancy tends to leave behind relaxed stomach muscles. People who have already had a child often show in either the first or early second trimester. 

Weight

Size also plays a role in when the pregnancy becomes noticeable. When does pregnancy show if there’s extra weight around the tummy? The belly may not get much bigger in the first or early second trimester. However, as the pregnancy progresses, the bump will become more apparent.

Each person has a unique torso length and carries weight a little differently. This also affects how the pregnant belly looks. Those with more body weight in general or specifically around the midsection may notice that their belly has a B shape rather than the standard D shape. This is not a cause for concern. The B-belly is common for plus-size pregnancies. Many times, later in the pregnancy, the belly will assume the more common D shape. If you are worried about how you’re carrying the baby, ask your health care provider if there’s any cause for concern.

People of every body type and size become pregnant, so it makes sense there’s not just one belly shape for everyone. If you’re researching images of pregnancy or standing in front of the mirror every day looking at your tummy, try to stop comparing yourself to others.

Age

For parents in their 30s or older, the baby bump can show earlier. When does a pregnancy start to show for older parents? Those who don’t have strong stomach muscles often show their pregnancy earlier. This is more typical in older people.

The shape of the uterus

The resting position of the uterus influences when a pregnancy becomes noticeable. People with a retroverted uterus (one that tilts toward the back) may show later. However, some people have an anteverted uterus (slants forward) and may show much earlier.

Diastasis recti

Diastasis recti is the separation of the muscles along the abdominal midline. During pregnancy, the growing uterus pushes against the abdominal muscles. Eventually, the two large bands of muscles meeting in the middle become separated. This is diastasis recti.

A bulge often appears where the muscles separate. This is perfectly normal. For people who have been pregnant before, diastasis recti is more likely. The same goes for those who’ve carried big babies or who are over 35 years old. 

Bloating

Bloating is a common side effect of the changes taking place in the body during pregnancy. Bloating can exaggerate the baby bump and may increase as the pregnancy progresses.

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. Burping and passing gas more frequently are often a result. Bloating related to gas buildup increases later in pregnancy because the growing uterus places more and more pressure on the abdominal cavity.

Incorrect due date

In some cases, 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. 

Other issues

In rare cases, more serious issues can cause a baby bump that is unusually large or small. If you have any concerns regarding the size of the baby bump, it’s always better to consult a health care provider to rule out any complications.

If someone is carrying twins or other multiples, they typically start showing in the first trimester. With two babies, the baby bump grows rapidly. Those carrying twins may seem a few months further along than those carrying single babies. The likelihood of conceiving twins is usually genetically predetermined. If someone is pregnant with twins, their odds of carrying multiples in the future goes up. There are a number of other factors that increase the chances of getting pregnant with twins, including in vitro fertilization.

When do pregnant women start to show? Some people start showing in the first or second trimester. Regardless of when they started showing, the baby bump is likely to pop up in the third trimester as the due date approaches. As the baby bump grows, it’s important to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy and get ready for the baby’s arrival into the world.

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