Features of tummy growth
Often, expectant mothers confuse the concept of “abdominal growth” and “uterine growth”, because the abdomen itself can increase for reasons independent of pregnancy: excess weight, overeating, and active growth of the uterus begins at 16 weeks, so a truly “pregnant” tummy begins to appear at 20 weeks of bearing a baby.
Many women want to know at what month of pregnancy the belly appears also in order to orientate themselves in updating their wardrobe. After all, girls always want to look beautiful and well-groomed, regardless of the state of pregnancy.
In addition, the growth of the tummy is not a constant value, which can change throughout the day and depends on the degree of saturation of the woman, the presence of fat, the amount of amniotic fluid and other factors. In addition, an early-onset belly is not always a cause for pride, since it may indicate certain problems with the tone of the uterus. Moreover, the rapid growth of the belly can provoke the appearance of stretch marks.
What affects the size of the tummy?
It is not possible to determine exactly when a baby bump will appear in a particular pregnant woman. However, there are a number of factors that in one way or another influence the degree of belly growth.
1. Sequence: it is believed that during the first pregnancy the tummy does not grow as quickly as during subsequent ones. This is explained by the lack of stretching of the abdominal muscles. The second and subsequent pregnancies are marked by large bellies precisely because the muscles have already undergone deformation and are more easily subjected to it again.
2. Features of physique and anatomy. Thus, women with a narrow pelvis can boast of a rapidly growing tummy. This is explained by the fact that the uterus can only grow forward and not be located inside the pelvis. In addition, it is easy to explain at what month of pregnancy the belly appears in thin women: without a doubt, they will become the owner of a noticeable belly earlier than others.
Since pre-pregnancy physique plays an important role in determining the rate of belly growth, it is quite simple to determine at what month of pregnancy a belly appears in obese women. As a rule, fullness is accompanied by the presence of a wide pelvis, the child is placed there and the growth of the uterus becomes noticeable much later. In addition, a woman’s overall large physique hides her growing belly for quite a long time.
3. Position of the child. If the baby is located closer to the back wall of the uterus, then the tummy grows more slowly and is not so noticeable until the 6th month.
4. The size of the unborn child and the number of babies in the uterus. Of course, a large baby in the tummy will be much more noticeable than a small one. Many experts, determining at what month of pregnancy the belly appears during twins, agree that the belly during such a pregnancy from the 11th week ceases to look like a singleton pregnancy. The rapid growth of babies increases the belly by the 28th week almost to the size of the prenatal belly of a normal pregnancy. By 32 weeks, the belly of a woman pregnant with twins reaches its maximum size.
However, experts note that regardless of the rate of abdominal growth in pregnant women, the main thing remains the harmonious development of the fetus and the mother’s care for the unborn baby. To avoid problems with pregnancy and ease the burden of carrying an already grown belly, it is advised to use a bandage in the last third of pregnancy and monitor your diet.
From the first days of pregnancy, expectant mothers pay attention to the slightest changes in their body - weight gain, enlargement of the mammary glands, the appearance of a belly, etc. In order not to miss a single nuance, they even take photos of their belly, which they then examine for a long time . Women carrying a baby (especially first-time mothers) often have questions: when does the belly start to grow, and at what time does it stop? It is impossible to give a definite answer to these questions, because certain circumstances influence the increase in the size of the abdomen.
At what stage does a pregnant woman's belly begin to grow?
In preparation for upcoming motherhood, some expectant mothers post photos at different times on social media pages, rejoicing in their new state. Others, as soon as the belly begins to appear, hide their position from prying eyes under robes. Many women believe that the tummy becomes rounder from the first months.
In the second trimester, the fetus begins to actively develop. The uterus has increased in size and can be easily palpated through the anterior wall of the peritoneum. From this period, the tummy grows on average 1 cm per week, while the uterus constantly rises. That is why the period when the belly appears during pregnancy is considered to be 16 obstetric weeks. Starting from the 19th week, the woman’s position becomes noticeable to prying eyes.
Sometimes the belly is visible to the expectant mother herself at the 12th week, and by the 16th it becomes noticeable to others. There are also cases where even at the 24th week it is invisible. Based on this, it is quite difficult to say exactly at what month of pregnancy the belly appears (see also: photo of the belly at 4 months of pregnancy). The change in its size is due to the following circumstances:
- fetal development (during pregnancy, its weight increases to 2.6–4 kg, height can be 46–57 cm);
- amniotic fluid - at the time of birth, its volume can be about 1.5 liters;
- increase in the weight of the uterus to almost 1 kg.
Average belly enlargement rates by week
How can I find out if the pregnancy is progressing normally and if there are any deviations in the size of the abdomen? There are average indicators that doctors rely on (presented in the table below).
Thus, if your belly has begun to grow, but its circumference is several centimeters larger or smaller than the norm indicated in the table, you should not worry. Additionally, you can take a photo of the abdomen, noting visual changes in volume. Pregnancy for every woman has its own characteristics; accordingly, any expectant mother may look completely different in appearance from other pregnant women.
Many women are interested in how their volume changes with each subsequent week, so they take weekly photos during pregnancy. Almost always, at the 7th month, the wardrobe of a woman who is preparing to become a mother becomes small for her. In order not to squeeze the fetus when the belly becomes visible during pregnancy, she purchases loose and comfortable clothes made from natural fabrics. If this is your second or third pregnancy, a wardrobe change will be required earlier.
Reasons for deviation from the norm
If the volume of the abdomen and the location of the uterus of a pregnant woman do not meet the established standards, there is still no need to worry. It is possible that the timing is incorrect. In this case, the doctor prescribes a more detailed examination (for example, ultrasound). Also, non-compliance with accepted parameters may indicate that the pregnancy is progressing with complications or pathologies.
Small sizes
Sometimes the size of the tummy and the height of the uterus are less than the average. If the timing is correct, this circumstance may indicate:
- Hypotrophy. This is a pathological condition in which the fetus noticeably lags behind in development. Due to developed placental insufficiency, the child’s intrauterine nutrition is disrupted. If this pathology is observed, even full-term babies are born weighing less than 2.5 kg. At the same time, newborns are thin and so weak that it is difficult for them to adapt to environmental conditions.
- Mom’s body is weakened because it has to work for two people. It is not surprising that it becomes an easy target for various diseases that indirectly affect size. For example, if a woman suffers from an inflammatory pathology or gestosis (late toxicosis), oligohydramnios may develop.
- A pregnant woman has too wide pelvic bones, in which case the uterus will first begin to grow to the sides and then forward. In this situation, pregnancy is not immediately visible. This is one of the common circumstances when the belly appears later.
- The child is positioned too low or across.
- Intrauterine fetal death.
The tummy is growing quickly and much more than the norm
If the belly grows too quickly during pregnancy and reaches a significant size, you should undergo an urgent examination. This measure is very important due to the fact that this may be a sign of the following conditions:
- Infectious diseases or malfunctions of the endocrine system (lead to the development of polyhydramnios).
- The baby is too large, especially for thin women. In this case, the belly will appear very quickly (it begins to be visible from the first months of gestation) and will be larger than the established sizes.
- If a woman is bearing not one child, but 2 or more. Pregnancy is noticeable to others from the 1st trimester, since even before 12 weeks the uterus protrudes above the pubic bone, not fitting into the pelvis, while the abdomen is high.
- Hydatidiform mole is a neoplasm in the placenta that looks like a cluster of microscopic blisters. This complication can lead to the death of the baby, so a woman in this condition requires special therapy.
- Sometimes expectant mothers eat a lot and gain extra pounds long before the start of the second trimester. In obese people, the volume of the abdomen increases much faster.
If the parameters are higher than normal, there is no need to panic and diagnose various diseases yourself. Only a doctor can determine the cause and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. Often it is enough to adjust the diet by limiting the consumption of fatty foods or confectionery products.
What factors influence growth?
The shape of the expectant mother changes from the beginning of pregnancy, becoming more feminine and rounder. At first, you may think that the appearance of a tummy is due to normal bloating. However, over time, the child will grow and the volume will increase, so the figure will take on new shapes. What is the main reason for belly growth during pregnancy? From what month should you update your wardrobe?
Increase in size of the uterus and growth of the embryo
The uterus enlarges throughout pregnancy. The initial weight is 50-70 g, but by the time of birth the weight of the muscular organ reaches 1 kg, its internal cavity increases on average up to 500 times. The embryo develops together with the uterus. Simultaneously with the growth of the baby, all organs and systems are formed. If the embryo is large, the belly rounds earlier.
Anatomical features, heredity
The characteristics of the course of pregnancy are directly influenced by heredity. The expectant mother can look at photos of older relatives taken during pregnancy. If the female line did not have a large belly that grew in the first months, she will probably also have a small belly, which will round out after 16 weeks.
The physique of the pregnant woman and her body weight also matter. It is generally accepted that women with short stature and a miniature figure have a noticeable tummy earlier than women with curvaceous figures.
If the expectant mother has wide hips, the tummy grows later, because the uterus first extends to the sides. In women with narrow hips, the uterus grows forward, as a result of which the belly is noticeable earlier.
Weight gain
Most pregnant women, having learned about their condition, begin to eat for two and lie on the couch all day long. When the belly appears, they perceive themselves as “sick”, refusing household chores and walks in the fresh air. As a result, body weight rapidly increases, and a layer of fat appears. In athletic and fit women, their bellies become rounder later.
Pregnancy order
When does the belly start to grow during the second pregnancy? During the first pregnancy, the belly grows imperceptibly, because the muscle tissue has not yet been stretched. If a woman is pregnant with her 2nd or 3rd baby, the abdominal muscles adapt to the rapid growth of the uterus, so during the second pregnancy the skin is more elastic and the belly grows faster.
Other factors
If the embryo is attached to the wall of the uterus in the spine area, the belly will not be too large. If it is towards the front wall, it will grow quickly and be of impressive size.
During multiple pregnancy, the belly is noticeably larger in size. This nuance is easy to explain - if you add up the weight of the children, the result will be greater than the weight of one child, which means the uterus protrudes more.
It is difficult to answer exactly the question of when the belly appears. This sign of pregnancy is influenced by a number of specific reasons and individual characteristics of the body. There is no need to do the calculations and worry on your own. A qualified gynecologist monitors the growth of the abdomen and, at the slightest suspicion of pathology, will take appropriate measures without harming the health of the pregnant woman.
Every pregnant woman wants others to notice her situation. Especially if this is the desired first pregnancy. Some people start buying clothes for themselves from the moment they find out about their interesting situation. Others spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, trying to see if their belly is already round or not. There is no clear answer to the question of when exactly the belly begins to grow.
Factors influencing the growth of the abdomen in a pregnant woman:
A woman may notice that her tummy begins to round out after 16 weeks. Of course, this will be invisible to others for now. During the second and subsequent pregnancies, the belly begins to become more noticeable a little earlier. This is due to the fact that the uterus and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall have previously been stretched.
If the expectant mother has a narrow pelvis, her tummy begins to be noticeable earlier than in mothers with wide hips. The uterus in such women cannot grow to the sides due to their anatomical features, so it begins to rise above the pubic bone.
An interesting position in thin people becomes visible faster than in fat ones.
For mothers who are expecting the birth of two babies at once, the belly becomes noticeable already in the third month of pregnancy.
An important factor is heredity. If on the maternal side all women had small bellies during pregnancy, then you should not expect a large belly.
After 16 weeks of pregnancy, most mothers begin to think about changing their wardrobe. There is no need to delay purchasing clothes. Wearing things that tighten the stomach is dangerous for the development of the fetus.
a month, do people around you begin to see your pregnant belly?
An interesting situation in women carrying their first baby becomes noticeable to others closer to the seventh month of pregnancy. For pregnant women a month earlier for the second time. Women go on maternity leave at 30 weeks. This is due to the fact that after this mark the belly begins to grow very quickly. If before this period the baby was developing in the womb, now its main task is to gain weight. Closer to the 36th week of pregnancy, a woman becomes pregnant due to her large belly, which puts pressure on the diaphragm. This discomfort will subside two weeks before delivery, at 38 weeks.
How do obstetricians-gynecologists measure the abdomen during pregnancy?
Starting from the 20th week of pregnancy, the obstetrician-gynecologist at the appointment will measure such an indicator as the height of the uterine fundus. Using it, doctors can determine whether the pregnancy and fetus are developing well. The height of the uterine fundus is measured from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterus. Starting from 24 weeks, this indicator should be equal to the gestational age in weeks. When the uterus descends before childbirth, it decreases and becomes equal to 32 cm.
Norms for the height of the uterine fundus:
16 weeks – 6 cm;
20 weeks – 11 - 12 cm;
24 weeks – 24 cm;
28 weeks – 28 cm;
32 weeks – 32 cm;
36 weeks - 34 - 36 cm;
38 weeks – 35 - 38 cm;
40 weeks – 32 cm.
It happens that the same woman has different abdominal sizes during several pregnancies. Doctors say that every pregnancy is unique. Consequently, there are no absolutely identical tummies.
After a woman finds out about her interesting situation, a large number of questions arise in her head. Some of them relate to your own health, while others relate to changes in appearance during pregnancy. Sometimes women don’t want strangers to know about their little secret. Therefore, they are concerned about the question of at what month of pregnancy the belly appears.
If before pregnancy a woman carefully monitored her appearance, visited gyms or exercised at home on an exercise bike, and also worked out her abs, then she may develop a belly much earlier than those girls who ignored physical exercise.
During pregnancy, certain factors influence the enlargement of the pregnant belly:
- The amount of amniotic fluid.
- Fetal growth.
- Growth of the uterus.
There is no clear answer to the question of when a pregnant belly appears, since in most cases this is an individual phenomenon. But most often, the first visible signs of pregnancy appear at 16 weeks. But some lucky women manage to hide their interesting position for up to 7 months; in rare cases, pregnancy is not visible even at 9 months.
There are often cases when a tummy appears already in the second month of gestation. Based on this, it should be understood that a pregnant belly can appear at absolutely any stage.
The following conditions affect the growth of the abdomen:
- During the first pregnancy, expectant mothers begin to notice the appearance of a belly much later than those who are about to have a second or subsequent birth. This is explained by the fact that firstborns have much stronger abdominal muscles than those who gave birth.
- Heredity plays an important role in the appearance of a tummy. Ask your mother and grandmother at what time they developed it, and expect it to appear in you around the same time.
- Small and thin girls develop a belly earlier than tall girls. The belly not only begins to appear faster, but also seems much larger than that of other pregnant women.
- Those who are tall, curvaceous, and have wide hips can walk around until they give birth without anyone knowing about their interesting position.
- The size and weight of the baby affects when the baby bump appears. The more the baby develops, the faster the belly appears in the expectant mother. Another important factor is the position of the fetus. If the baby is located closer to the spine, the belly will appear later than in those whose baby is attached to the front wall.
How to care for your belly during pregnancy
The second most important question after what month of pregnancy the belly appears is information on how to care for it to avoid stretch marks.
The occurrence of stretch marks largely depends on heredity and the elasticity of women's skin. If your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy, then you are unlikely to be able to avoid them. But you can still try to prevent their occurrence. To do this, you need to moisturize the skin on your stomach every day and wear a bandage after your tummy appears. It is advisable to actively engage in physical exercise before planning pregnancy so that the skin becomes firm and elastic.
If stretch marks appear, then you should not despair. After giving birth, after a certain amount of time, you can visit a cosmetology office and agree with a specialist about removing stretch marks using a laser.
But you should not ignore pain in the abdominal area. First, a pregnant woman needs to decide what exactly hurts her. In most cases, the abdominal muscles begin to ache due to an increase in its volume, as the muscles stretch during pregnancy. Often this discomfort goes away quite quickly.
If your stomach hurts, then the expectant mother should reconsider her diet and reduce the number of servings. If you have pulling pains in the lower abdomen, which are similar to menstrual discomfort, you should immediately consult a specialist, as such symptoms may be harbingers of premature birth, placental abruption, or indicate a miscarriage.
Often, the expectant mother is worried about bloating. This is explained by the fact that the growing uterus takes up more and more space, leaving less and less space for the organs of the digestive system. To get rid of bloating, it is advisable to reduce the amount of food consumed, as well as avoid foods that can cause bloating. Include bananas and dried fruits in your diet, and avoid carbonated drinks.
In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman may feel her stomach become hard. Such symptoms may indicate uterine tone, so it is necessary to tell the doctor about them during your next appointment at the antenatal clinic.
In the later stages, such a sign may indicate the onset of labor, so you should not be alarmed. It’s better to check whether you have packed everything for the maternity hospital, and then feel free to go there for your personal miracle. You can also use papaverine suppositories or drink nosh-pu, after which the tone goes away on its own.
Video: When the belly begins to grow in pregnant women
Thoughts about pregnancy often lead to the appearance in the subconscious of a picture depicting an expectant mother with a large belly, where the baby is comfortably located. Having decided to give birth to a second child, every woman is puzzled by how much earlier than the first time she will begin to experience corresponding changes in appearance, and when her belly begins to grow during the second pregnancy.
What explains a woman’s interest in the volume of her abdomen?
Such questions arise for several reasons:
- It is interesting when others find out that a woman is pregnant.
- By the time the tummy appears, you can judge whether the pregnancy is proceeding normally.
- Some people hope to find out the gender of their unborn child by the size and shape of their belly.
- Every woman wants to at least know approximately in what month she will need special clothing.
General features of carrying a second child
All this is very important for the expectant mother. You need to figure out what exactly affects the period when the belly begins to grow during the second pregnancy.
Photos of women expecting the long-awaited birth of a baby and being at the same stage show differences in volume. During the first pregnancy, on average, the abdominal enlargement occurs between the 16th and 18th weeks. Slender lovers of tight clothes are “declassified” immediately. But those around her may not be aware of changes in the position of a curvaceous woman until she goes on maternity leave, that is, almost until the 25th week. It turns out: despite the fact that the uterus enlarges in everyone according to the same laws, outwardly this manifests itself in different ways.
Why is my belly bigger the second time?
There are several other reasons that influence an increase in the abdominal circumference and, as a result, a change in a woman’s appearance:
Anatomical specifics of a woman giving birth repeatedly
All of the above is fair and objective. Yet the scenarios for the development of the first and second pregnancies are different. The first birth brings irreversible changes to the female body. This fact allows us to identify the reasons that influence changes in the circumference of a woman’s abdomen.
If you want to know when the belly begins to grow during a second pregnancy, you should not take into account the reviews of mothers who have already given birth again. Just like when carrying your first child, the timing of the appearance of a tummy can vary significantly for each pregnant woman. However, generally, during the second pregnancy, the belly will become noticeable earlier by about 4-6 weeks, that is, those around you will be able to rejoice at the woman’s changed position a month faster.
The reason for this is that the uterus does not return to its original state after the first birth, which is quite normal. Therefore, in thin women, the tummy will begin to be visible at 12 weeks. And let friends and relatives vying with each other based on its shape about the gender of the baby who is about to be born!
Location of the uterus
In addition, it is impossible to say unambiguously when the belly begins to grow during the second pregnancy (photos by week help to see a noticeable difference in the increase in volume).
But changes in the position of the abdomen will certainly affect the timing. The uterus will now be located much lower than in the first pregnancy. As mentioned above, during the first pregnancy, the muscles of the pelvic floor, abdominal wall and ligaments “suffered” greatly before and during the first birth, and no longer hold the stomach so vigorously. On the one hand, this makes things easier for the pregnant woman: she is less bothered by heartburn and nothing makes breathing difficult. On the other hand, the lower spine and pelvic bones suffer. A bandage can help here; you can buy it only on specialized websites or at a pharmacy. And only the one that the doctor recommends.
It’s different for everyone: reviews from pregnant women
When the belly begins to grow during the second pregnancy (feedback from women can be an invaluable source of information), many also note differences in the shape of the abdomen. They write on the forums that in general, for women with a narrow pelvis, the second time it sags more and looks flatter, and it drops much later. This discourages those who like to tell fortunes about the sex of the child based on the shape of the belly. None of them can imagine that in the round belly, which greatly increases the mother’s waist, it is not a girl who is comfortably developing, but, on the contrary, a male baby.
The mothers themselves claim that when they are pregnant for the second time, it is more difficult for them to hide their position, since the belly becomes noticeable earlier than the first time. This is confirmed by the women themselves. They admit that when the belly begins to grow during pregnancy, the second baby becomes the object of congratulations a whole month earlier.
Negative experience of a previous pregnancy
It happens that the previous pregnancy is interrupted, and the woman is unable to give birth to a baby. It is no coincidence that, worrying about the current baby, the mother, being in the early stages, will look forward to changes in her own appearance, and at the next appointment with the doctor she will ask when the belly begins to grow during the second pregnancy after a miscarriage. Typically, there are no differences in the volume and timing of the appearance of the abdomen depending on the outcome of previous pregnancies.
Mandatory visits to the gynecologist
Women try to figure out when the belly begins to grow during their second pregnancy. And their desires are not always connected with the desire to find out the gender of the child or to acquire appropriate clothing in time. The doctor is very interested in this information, whose attention should never be neglected by pregnant women. To give birth to a healthy baby, you need to regularly attend appointments with the gynecologist leading the pregnancy, where he will feel the tummy, measure it with a tape and a special device.
And all the signs outlined above will help him not in guessing the gender of the child, but in deciding how the pregnancy is progressing, whether there are any reasons for concern and a threat to the baby. This was the case the first time and this will be the case in all subsequent pregnancies. Every mother, regardless of whether this happens for the first or second time, must go through this period under the supervision of a doctor: take tests on time, follow a diet and physical activity.
A few words in conclusion
If the changes occurring in the uterus comply with accepted standards, neither the size nor the shape of the abdomen will in any way affect the health of the mother and her baby, and certainly not in any way affect his gender.
For parents looking forward to the birth of a baby, it doesn’t matter at all whether it’s a girl or a boy. And when the belly begins to grow during the second pregnancy with twins, there is definitely no limit to the happiness of expectant mothers and fathers. By the way, this happens quite early, and it won’t be difficult to guess why. And yet, the main thing for parents is to help every baby be born healthy and on time.
Waiting for a baby is one of the most anxious periods for women. Any information is important, such as the degree of uterine enlargement and imaging of pregnancy. Changes depend on the characteristics of the body, the weight of the expectant mother and other things. In addition, it matters whether the woman has given birth before.
At what week does the belly begin to grow during the first pregnancy?
When waiting for the birth of a baby, a pregnant girl’s belly increases due to several factors:
- amniotic fluid content;
- fetal development;
- growth of the uterus.
At what age does the belly begin to grow? This is a very sensitive issue. For some women, it increases already in the first months, while others manage to hide for a long period the fact that they are preparing for the birth of a child. Gynecologists believe that the belly should be visible after the 16th week of pregnancy. If an ultrasound determines twins, then roundness may begin to appear 3-4 weeks earlier.
A woman preparing to become a mother for the first time may develop a belly much later than those who are about to give birth to a second child. Size takes longer to increase due to muscles that actively resist stretching. In addition, the rate at which your belly grows may depend on other factors. Sometimes it becomes noticeable that a woman is going to become a mother, only in the later stages. Muscle stretching occurs much faster in those who have already gone through childbirth.
When does the belly start to grow in pregnant women with twins?
Another question of interest to expectant mothers concerns multiple pregnancies. Noticeable roundness, if two fertilized eggs were visible in the ultrasound photo, appears earlier. In this case, the volume of amniotic fluid increases faster, so changes occur about a month earlier. Pregnant twins already in the third trimester have a belly that is visible to the naked eye.
During a multiple pregnancy, the uterus enlarges several weeks earlier than when carrying one child. The mother's overall body weight also grows faster. However, a big belly does not necessarily mean that a woman will have twins. Sometimes this is a sign of incorrect calculation of the timing of pregnancy, a large fetus, or the formation of amniotic fluid in a significant amount. The position of the unborn baby also matters.
At what stage does the belly begin to grow during the second pregnancy?
It is believed that the baby of a mother who has become pregnant for the second time is slightly larger. The size of the tummy corresponds to this. Doctors confirm this fact. During the second pregnancy, the fetus grows in height and gains up to 500 grams more weight than when expecting the first child. The skin and muscles stretch faster, the navel twists, and already at four months the roundness is clearly visible.
Each woman's uterus grows individually. If the period of waiting for the first child remains invisible to others for a long time, then the second pregnancy becomes visible earlier. The abdominal muscles are already stretched after the first birth, so the process goes faster. It is important to take into account the physiology of the expectant mother, especially the structure of the pelvic bones. An expectant mother with a narrow pelvis “rounds up” faster during pregnancy than women with a wide skeleton.
At what stage of pregnancy does the belly begin to grow? Visual changes may not occur until the tenth week. After this, a slight roundness appears, growing every day. The most active period of fetal development begins in the thirteenth week. After the first pregnancy, the wall of the abdominal muscle is no longer as elastic as before, so it may seem that the “interesting position” appears visually faster.
For every woman, becoming a mother means making huge changes in her life. Therefore, they want to know everything about this, especially how the fetus should develop correctly, in what month does the belly appear in pregnant women? These questions are asked quite often, especially by those who are preparing to become mothers for the first time.
First, let’s explain the definition of “tummy.” In the first months of pregnancy, a woman’s belly may grow, the reason for this is poor nutrition or gas formation. In these first months, the uterus is not yet enlarged.
Pregnant women come to a point when they begin to think: “at what stage does the belly begin to grow?” Let's try to answer this question. The uterus begins to grow only at 16 weeks from the moment of conception. Therefore, the belly will be noticeable to other people only in the 20th week of pregnancy. If a woman plays sports, i.e. if she has developed abs, her tummy will become visible much later.
Also, the appearance of a belly depends on what type of pelvis the pregnant woman has. If the expectant mother’s pelvis is wide enough, her tummy will become visible only by the 4-5th month of pregnancy. In obese women, it will be possible to notice the “position” even later. In women who give birth for the second time, the belly may appear earlier. The number of embryos can also affect the size of the abdomen, namely, making it larger. This is the only thing that can really affect at what month the belly appears in pregnant women. If the expectant mother has triplets or twins, then the belly may be noticeable already in the first 3 months.
In general, the answer to the question of at what week of pregnancy the belly begins to grow will be as follows. If a woman has one fetus and its development is going well, then the belly should appear only at the 12th week of pregnancy. Already at week 16, your tummy will become noticeable not only to you.
And by the 27th week of pregnancy, the question is: at what stage does the belly begin to grow? - will not be relevant, since by this moment it will be impossible to hide your baby under blouses and other clothes.
At the same time, the expectant mother should be interested not only in what period the belly begins to grow, but also in how her baby should develop correctly.
At 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, the fertilized egg reaches a diameter of 22 mm.
At the time when it is necessary to register, namely, by 12 weeks, the length of the fetus will be seven centimeters, and its weight will reach 20-25 grams. At this time, when you come for an ultrasound, you can see that the fertilized egg has almost completely filled the uterine cavity.
By the 17th week of pregnancy, the fetus will reach a length of 12 cm, while its body weight will increase to 100 grams. By this time, the question of at what time the belly begins to grow disappears on its own, since all the worries associated with it are already behind us. The tummy has noticeably grown and become rounder.
By week 20, the length of the fetus will reach 25 cm with a weight of about 300 g. At 24 weeks, your baby will have time to grow significantly. By this time, its length will be almost 30 cm, and its weight will vary from 600 to 700 grams.
By week 28, the length of the fetus is usually 35 cm with a body weight of about 1.0-1.2 kg. At the 32nd week, body weight will increase to 1.5 kg with a fetal length of 40 cm.
At week 36, the baby is practically formed, and its indicators by this time will be as follows: weight - 2.5 kg, and length - about 48 cm.
However, it is impossible to say that these indicators are the same for everyone. They are quite individual, since the baby in the womb of each mother is formed in its own way. Therefore, the above data is very average, and your baby may reach large sizes or be slightly smaller due to individual characteristics.
The body weight of the fetus by the date of birth is usually 2.6-5.0 kg, and its length can reach 54 cm.
Thus, for the expectant mother it should be important: to carry the child for the entire required period and provide him with everything necessary for full growth and nutrition, but the tummy and its size are not the most important thing.