Whether you are a first-time mommy or not, pregnancy can be an exciting time.
The body goes through amazing changes as it prepares to bring a new life into the world.
Because of these changes, most women recognize rather quickly that they are pregnant.
Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about this experience.
As an expecting mom, you may feel eager to ask someone when did you start showing
when did others begin to notice
or how did you handle the attention?
Don’t worry yourself into a panic.
With the right information, you can handle your expectations, as well as the expectations of others.
When Did You Start Showing?
The first trimester is usually a whirlwind of emotions. There is the shock or excitement of learning the news of your pregnancy.
Then, comes the poorly named “morning sickness,” which, for some, lasts all day long.
Once a little time has passed, however, the anticipation of your little bundle of joy begins to really bubble.
First-time moms usually begin showing by the end of their first trimester, typically around the 12th week.
During this time, the uterus significantly expands to make room for your growing baby.
By the 4th month, or week 16, most new moms can really see a difference, even if it’s not time to break out the maternity clothes yet.
As you turn from side to side in the mirror, wondering when do first-time moms start showing, remember to take your baby’s growth into consideration.
A popular trend is using certain fruit to measure the size of your fetus.
There are several apps and websites that will correlate your baby’s gestational age to a similar sized fruit or vegetable.
For example, your baby is approximately the size of a lime around week 11.
This visual aid can be a helpful way to see how your baby’s growth will affect your individual shape.
On the other hand, this information does not take the placenta, increased blood flow, or fluids into account.
So, it is not an exact representation of how you should appear on the outside.
Special Circumstances
Everyone’s pregnancy is different.
Of course, the experiences are similar, but the timeline for physical changes (among other things) can vary.
This may be one reason women wonder when did you start showing?
However, it is important to acknowledge special circumstances that could affect your pregnancy.
Plus-sized mommies, for example, generally begin showing after they are well into their second trimester.
This is usually around the 15th or 16th week.
At this time, your stomach becomes more defined and even the most comfortable clothes are snug around the waist.
Moms who are slim or particularly athletic, on the other hand, may begin showing early.
This is especially true for those dedicated to maintaining their health routine throughout the pregnancy.
Another special circumstance is women expecting multiples.
If you are pregnant with 2 or more babies, you will likely start showing much earlier.
Even at the earliest stages of development, multiples require more room from mom.
This means the uterus must begin to expand earlier than a single pregnancy.
Women pregnant with multiples often notice their baby bump by week 10 or 11.
It is also common for pregnant women to show a little earlier if they have already experienced a full-term pregnancy.
Many people believe this is because you are more seasoned after your first child, so expecting moms are more aware of what’s going on with their bodies.
While this makes sense, another explanation is that your the uterus does not completely shrink back to its original size after the first baby.
Expecting moms who have already given birth will typically begin to show around the 11th week as well.
How To Respond To Others
Regardless of when you first notice your beloved baby bump, it is only a matter of time before others see it as well.
Unless you are asking every mom you know “when did you start showing?”, you may want to keep this experience to yourself for a while.
Even though you are fully aware of what’s going on with your body, it can be difficult to feel comfortable in your own skin.
Some expecting moms prefer to wait until they are further along because they have a history of miscarriage.
Nevertheless, family, friends, and co-workers will approach you.
This can be awkward and frustrating for those not ready to openly discuss their pregnancy.
Fortunately, there are ways to handle their curiosity and concerns without invading your privacy or hurting someone’s feelings.
When someone asks whether or not you’re pregnant, try changing the subject.
If they continue to push, say something polite and vague, like “wouldn’t that be something?”
There are some women who don’t mind sharing the news, but cringe at some of the other forms of attention pregnancy brings.
They don’t enjoy becoming the center of attention or having people touch their belly.
In this case, you can kindly ask people to treat you the way they always have.
For those who are a bit more bold, you could simply rub their bellies in return.
If nothing else, you might get a kick out of their reaction.
No matter how you handle the situation, you have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Additional information:
- Pregnancy Due Dates Calculator
- Belly size in pregnancy – does it matter?
- Stages of Pregnancy: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Trimester
- Twin Pregnancy
- What is a full-term pregnancy?
