The moment you discover you’re pregnant, your thoughts and attention become focused on your belly. There’s something comforting about snuggling with your baby bump, even before it starts to appear. Plus, you're understandably eager to see when your little baby bump shows, to find out what signs to watch out for, and to learn how your body changes along the way as your pregnancy unfolds! That's why we've created this comprehensive weekly guide to baby bump development—read on to discover how your belly might grow and expand! Show When Does Your Baby Bump Start to Show?Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll experience normal changes throughout your body, as well as to your baby bump, and your healthcare provider can help you navigate your entire journey. As the first trimester ends and the second trimester begins, the size of the uterus has increased to the point that it no longer is completely within the pelvis. So, sometime from week 13 to week 16, or even later, is when a baby bump may start to show for many women. Keep in mind that every woman is different and every pregnancy is unique. Your baby bump may make its debut earlier or later, and that’s totally normal. Early Baby Bump SignsAs your baby bump starts to develop, it’s exciting to follow along! Here are a few early signs that your bump is about to show.
Pregnancy Belly Week by WeekWhile you're on the lookout for any signs of baby bump growth, your healthcare provider will monitor your progress at your regular prenatal checkups and make sure that you and your baby are staying healthy. At about week 20 of your pregnancy, the provider will start measuring the distance from the pubic bone to the top (fundus) of the uterus, which is called the fundal height measurement. Tracking fundal height gives the healthcare provider a way to assess your baby's size and growth rate. The measurement (in centimeters) roughly equals the week of pregnancy; in week 20, for instance, your fundal height may be about 18 to 22 centimeters. Here, we’ve set out guidelines for how your pregnant belly may grow and how your body might change week by week. You can also check out our pregnancy calendar for more details on the weeks, months, and trimesters of pregnancy. Weeks 1 to 4: The First MomentsYou won't spot any baby bump growth within the first weeks of pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will most likely calculate your due date from the start of your last menstrual period, which means that, depending on when you ovulate and when conception occurs, you may not actually be pregnant for the first week or two.
Maybe your first few weeks of pregnancy went by without much change, but you may start to finally “feel” pregnant during weeks 5 to 8. Around this time, it’s common to experience some typical pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness or fatigue, but you probably won't see a baby bump emerge.
Once you enter 9 weeks of pregnancy, you officially have a little fetus growing inside you! At this point, you may be wondering when your baby bump will start to show. Keep an eye out on your profile and see if you notice any slight weight gain or growth above your pelvis. By the time week 11 or 12 arrives, you may have gained around 1.5 to 4.5 pounds. But no need to worry if you’ve gained more or even lost weight. Everyone is different, and morning sickness and food aversions can impact early weight gains and losses.
At this time during your pregnancy, you've reached the second trimester. It's often considered the “honeymoon period” of pregnancy as many women feel their best during this trimester. You might notice that your baby bump is starting to show, as your baby is growing quickly. You may feel less worried and more confident now, given that the risk of pregnancy loss drops after the first three months. You might even be ready to start sharing the news! There are many creative ways to announce your pregnancy if and when you’re ready. At about 14 weeks, your baby's reproductive system is shaping up. But when it comes to a baby boy vs baby girl belly bump, there’s not much difference in terms of belly shape or growth. What can impact the shape or size of your baby bump is the weight and positioning of the fetus, not the gender. For example, if the fetal position is slightly sideways, your pregnancy belly may appear wider rather than longer.
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby will experience quite a bit of development, and you may see the same with your bump! You might even start to feel your baby move and kick—a joyful experience and a sign that all is well. At week 20, you’re basically at the halfway mark of your pregnancy. You can start to track your baby bump as your healthcare provider begins to monitor fetal development by taking fundal height measurements.
As you make your way through the second trimester, you might notice your baby bump expanding by the week! During this month, your baby is growing at a faster pace than before, and at the same time, your hormones are starting to level out.
You’re edging closer to the third trimester, the final stretch of your pregnancy! If you don’t think you have much of a pregnancy belly yet, that may change quickly. Your baby is developing rapidly at this point—most baby development (in terms of size) occurs in the final trimester—which can cause some body changes for you, too. You may feel more kicking and even experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which are often referred to as practice contractions or “false labor.” This is a good sign that your body is preparing for labor!
Your due date is inching closer, which makes this month quite exciting for you and your baby bump. The third trimester might bring about some new body changes, as your baby bump is expanding and putting more pressure here and there.
Your baby may arrive soon, and your baby bump probably gives it away. If you’re having multiples, expect your belly to be bigger, as it’s a snuggly home to more than one! Because of this growth, late-stage pregnancy can be a bit uncomfortable, but, soon enough, it’ll all be worth it. If the nesting urge didn’t get you last month, you may experience it more at this point in your pregnancy. Nesting is not just a myth, and it can help you alleviate any stress or anxious thoughts as that baby bump grows. For any physical discomforts, stretching and light exercise, like prenatal yoga, go a long way.
Although an “at term” pregnancy can last 40 or more weeks, passing 39 weeks of pregnancy is the official mark of a full-term pregnancy. If your little one prefers to stay in the coziness of your belly a bit longer, your healthcare provider will keep track of vital signs to make sure all is well. At this time, you probably need to rest and put your feet up, but you might also feel the urge to put any finishing touches on baby preparation, from decorating the nursery to shopping for all things baby. Downloading the Pampers Club app is a great way to get all the essentials (like diapers and wipes) and earn rewards for any purchases.
Tracking your baby bump by week can be an exciting part of your pregnancy journey. Knowing when your baby bump starts to show is part of the fun! If you’re just starting off, here's where you can get a rough idea about how far along you are in your pregnancy. There are plenty of ways to prepare for the experience of being pregnant, like learning how to cope with pregnancy fatigue or studying up on the ABCs of pregnancy pains. If you have yet to settle on a name for your little one, get inspired with our Baby Name Generator. |