If you’re pregnant and on baby-bump watch, know this: There are clues to help you figure out when you will start to show. Show There’s a big difference between knowing you’re pregnant and having that telltale baby bump show the world you’re pregnant. It’s not just about strangers offering you seats and smiles and you sporting a new maternity wardrobe; it’s about finally having your outside reflect what you know inside. Your growing belly becomes your own personal billboard, shouting your news without you having to say a word—which may not be ideal for some women who would prefer to keep their bumps a secret from family, friends and co-workers for a little while longer. But for other women, the appearance of that teeny bump is a huge relief. So the big question is, When do most pregnant women start showing? For most first-time moms, the baby bump usually arrives when they’re 14 to 16 weeks pregnant, but you might notice a change sooner. “At 12 weeks, your growing uterus can no longer hide inside your pelvis behind your pubic bone,” says Sherry Ross, an OB/GYN at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “Instead, it starts to protrude into your abdomen.” For some women, that shift translates to a starter baby bump. “I give my belly an A+ for being exactly on time, with the quintessential 12-week belly pop,” says Bailey Gaddis, a mom of one. Gaddis never experienced any classic first-trimester symptoms and was anxious to feel more connected to her pregnancy. “I was so relieved when I started showing,” she says. “Having a belly was the physical proof I needed.” Other moms-to-be have to wait for that assurance to come, which can be agonizing. “I didn’t show until well after the 20-week mark with my first baby,” recalls Elisabeth Thomas, a mother of two. “I was already worried about everything, and the fact that I didn’t show until more than halfway through my pregnancy was very concerning.” Even though Thomas’s doctor reassured her that her baby was healthy, she couldn’t help but compare herself to other pregnant women and their seemingly perfect baby bumps. “People were always commenting that they couldn’t even tell I was pregnant,” says Thomas. “I suppose that was meant to be a compliment, but it just stoked my anxiety. I’d fast forward to the worst-case scenario.” “As long as an ultrasound has determined that your baby is growing normally, there is absolutely nothing to worry about,” says Ross. Despite her anxiety, Thomas’s baby boy was born perfectly healthy. The important thing to remember is that no two pregnancies or baby bumps are the same. With her second pregnancy, Thomas’s belly popped at 15 weeks. And taking longer to show isn’t necessarily an indication of a problem. “While we know when women typically start to show, it’s actually impossible to predict with any certainty,” says Ross. “Every woman shows differently.” That said, there are some clues to help you figure out when you will start showing. According to Ross, here are the biggest baby-bump influencers. 6 factors that affect when you start showing1. Your weight Pregnancy weight gain: How much is normal? 2. Your height Taller women tend to have longer midsections and disperse their pregnancy weight more than shorter women. If you’re on the shorter side, there’s less room up and down your body, so your uterus will protrude sooner. 3. Your abdominal strength 4. The position of your uterus 5. The number of pregnancies you’ve had 6. Carrying multiples Read more: Do you start showing at 10 weeks?Your 10 weeks pregnant belly
In other words, at 10 weeks pregnant, you may be just starting to show. That's because your ever-growing uterus is now somewhat larger than a grapefruit. But don't worry if you can't quite see your bump at 10 weeks yet — you will soon enough.
Can I start showing at 8 weeks?8 weeks pregnant belly
At week 8, you're still not showing yet. Most first-time pregnancies don't show until around week 12. If you've had previous pregnancies you may show earlier as a result of stretching of the muscles in your uterus and belly. Until then, enjoy your svelte figure.
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