When Do Baby Bumps Start Showing in Pregnancy?

Medically Reviewed on12/7/2021

Is it normal to show at 10 weeks?

怀孕的前12周称为冷杉st trimester. When a baby bump starts to show is different for everyone, but for most women the baby will fill the whole uterus and can start to protrude by 12 weeks.
怀孕的前12周称为冷杉st trimester. When a baby bump starts to show is different for everyone, but for most women the baby will fill the whole uterus and can start to protrude by 12 weeks.

The first 12 weeks ofpregnancyare called thefirst trimester. In most cases, your baby isn’t very big, and you won’t have a baby bump during this time, though your clothes might feel tight.

Generally, by 12 weeks, your baby will fill your whole uterus and can start to protrude. As your baby grows, they will fill up more and more of your uterus and begin to push it out. It is common to have a clearly visible baby bump by 18 to 20 weeks.

When your baby bump shows can be different for everyone. Some women show earlier than others. This can happen if this is a laterpregnancyor if you’re carrying multiplebabies.

Second or later pregnancy

During your pregnancy, your abdomen muscles stretch and separate around your growing stomach. They can become weak and don’t always return to their normal position, which means you might start showing earlier. This means in a second pregnancy or later, you might show earlier.

Multiples pregnancy

With more babies, extra placentas, and extra fluid in your uterus, your uterus will fill quickly and might lead to showing pregnancy earlier. You also gain weight faster in your first trimester with twins or more babies.

Other reasons

A baby bump showing when you are 10 weekspregnantcan be related to your body weight and hormones. Your hormones surge to maintain pregnancy. Extra hormones can lead to swollen, tender breasts and stomachbloating. While it might look like an early baby bump, it could be bloating. If you have a small waist, you might also show earlier.

When does a baby bump grow the most?

Your body changes a lot during pregnancy, but the most growth happens from thesecond trimesterto the end of your pregnancy. During this time, your baby’s weight will multiply more than seven times. They also get longer, too.

From weeks 13 to 28, your baby grows from about 6 inches and 4 ounces to roughly 14 inches and 4 pounds. In your last trimester, from week 28 to 40, your baby grows to about 18 to 20 inches and 7 pounds.

Why are you not showing?

There are different reasons for not showing early on.

First pregnancy

If this is your first pregnancy, it might take longer for your baby bump to show. Generally, you’ll start to show in the second trimester, though, so it isn’t something to worry about.

体重

If you haveobesityor a lot ofbelly fat,your baby bump might not show until the end of your pregnancy. For some women with obesity, your belly shape might shift, but you might not have a baby bump.

Uterus position

Some people have a tilted uterus, called a retroverted uterus, that’s tipped slightly backwards toward your rectum instead of your belly. This is normal and doesn’t usually cause any problems, but it can mean you don’t show earlier on. By the 14th or 16th week of your pregnancy, it normally will tilt down as your baby grows and prepares for birth.

Small baby size

A small baby bump can also indicate small for gestational age. During your pregnancy, your doctor ormidwifewill measure your abdomen. This is called measuring the fundal height, or the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus.

24周后,你的宫高应该对齐with your pregnancy week, give or take 2 centimeters. If your fundal height is small, your doctor might say your baby is small for gestational age. This can happen if you’re a smaller person.

A small fundal height can also be a sign that your baby is having growth problems. This can happen if you don't gain enough weight during pregnancy. This condition is called intrauterine growth restriction, and it can also be caused by other problems, including:

  • Chromosome problems
  • Placenta problems
  • Disease during your pregnancy
  • Twin or multiple baby pregnancy

没有足够的amniotic fluidcan also cause a smaller baby bump. Your fundal height doesn’t always mean there’s a problem, though. Your doctor or midwife might use fundal height simply as a guideline to monitor your pregnancy.

Considerations

Your body changes a lot during pregnancy. While some changes are common, everyone’s body is different. You might show quickly, while someone else might take longer. You might havestretch markswhile someone else might not. If you’re concerned about your body and health, talk to your maternity doctor.

SLIDESHOW

16 Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy: Could You Be Pregnant?See Slideshow
Medically Reviewed on12/7/2021
References
SOURCES:

Cleveland Clinic: "Fetal Development: Stages of Growth."

JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE: "The First Trimester," "The Second Trimester," "Twin Pregnancy: Answers from an Expert."

Mayo Clinic: "Fundal height," "What's the significance of a fundal height measurement?"

Merck Manual Consumer Version: "Stages of Development of the Fetus."

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Cases - Reviews: "Incarcerated Retroverted Uterus Manually Replaced in 24 Week Pregnancy."

Office on Women's Health: "Twins, triplets, and other multiples."

Public Health England Start 4 Life: "Week-by-week guide to pregnancy: Week 18 — your second trimester."

Revista Brasileira de Fisioterapia: "Prevalence of diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles immediately postpartum: comparison between primiparae and multiparae."

University of California San Francisco Health: "Overview Obstetrics & Gynecology Pregnancy."