Why Your Pregnant Belly Is Hard Sometimes (Causes By Trimester)
However, if you feel any abnormality at any point of your pregnancy, you should inform your OBGYN. He or she will assess you and determine whether this is a normal finding or if you require further evaluation.
Baby bump progression: When do you start showing in pregnancy?
Pregnancy can be both an exciting and nerve-racking time. Unless you’ve experienced it before, your body is changing in ways you didn’t know possible, and you now have a baby bump to contend with.
If you’ve recently fallen pregnant, you may be wondering when you will ‘pop’ and have a visible bump. This can vary significantly between women, so let’s look at the factors that may influence how soon you begin showing in pregnancy.
When do pregnant women usually start showing in pregnancy?
Typically, pregnant women start showing within a few months, however, this may take longer. You may also notice changes in your body well before others, as you’re likely watching your body much closer than anyone else.
Often, women will feel very different before they start to look different. This is due to the many changes that occur in your body in the first trimester [1]. Remember to take it easy on yourself, you’re growing a person, after all!
Women will usually start to show around the 16 to 20-week mark. However, not every woman will experience pregnancy in the same way and may not start showing until the end of the second trimester or even in the third trimester.
It’s not just your belly that will be growing. Your breasts will also begin to gradually increase in size during this time. Your skin may also be changing due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.
How does the number of pregnancies you’ve had affect when your baby bump starts showing?
A second pregnancy can feel different to your previous pregnancy, and you may even have other symptoms the second time around.
For example, when it comes to your bump, you might find that it becomes bigger sooner than the first pregnancy. This is because your uterus and stomach muscles have been stretched in this way before.
You may also feel the baby moving and kicking earlier than you did in your first pregnancy, though this is likely more so because you can more easily recognise the movements. You may also feel more exhausted if you also have to look after your first child while pregnant.
What factors influence when your baby bump starts showing?
Several factors will influence when you start to show. These include:
Body type
Women with a narrow body frame and little body fat tend to show sooner than those with curvier frames. There’s no one size or shape for a baby bump, but if you’re concerned about the size or any extra weight, it’s best to speak with your doctor.
Number of pregnancies
If you’ve been pregnant before, you might start to show sooner the second time than you did with your first baby, thanks to your relaxed stomach muscles.
Age
If you’re in your 30s or older, you may find that your baby bump shows earlier. You may also show earlier if you have weaker stomach muscles, which is more typical in older women.
Uterus shape
Where the uterus sits can determine when a baby bump will be more visible. You may show later if you have a retroverted uterus that tilts towards the back, or you may show earlier if you have an anteverted uterus that slants forward.
Diastasis recti
Diastasis recti is the separation of abdominal muscles. When you are pregnant, the uterus begins to push against the abdominal muscles, causing them to separate.
You may notice a slight bulge where the muscles have separated, which is normal. If you’ve had a baby before, diastasis recti is more common.
Bloating
Bloating is very common in pregnancy and can exaggerate the size of the growing belly. Our body needs to stay hydrated and healthy at the best of times and this also aids in reducing bloating.
Carrying multiples
If you are carrying twins or more than 2 babies, you will likely start showing sooner in the pregnancy, and your bump will continue to grow more quickly than women with single babies.
Why do some people start showing earlier?
One of the most common reasons you may start showing earlier than you’d expect to is bloating.
During pregnancy, your body retains more water thanks to an increase in hormones. So what may appear to be your baby bump could actually be bloating. Try to drink plenty of water, eat enough fibre, and eat smaller meals to help with the bloat.
As mentioned above, the way your uterus sits may also change how soon you begin showing.
Why is my belly so big at 6 weeks pregnant?
You may think your belly is growing fast simply because you can notice every change in your body. At 6 weeks, you’re unlikely to be able to see much of a bump just yet [2].
Bloating and cramping may be the reason behind this feeling, but it may also be due to stress. Try implementing some mindfulness and meditation to manage anxiety.
Can you start showing at 8 weeks?
You may start showing at 8 weeks, but if you’re not, that’s also normal [1]. When you’re at 8 weeks, your uterus is still expanding, but it will likely take a little while to start showing. At this point, your baby is about the size of a raspberry.
In the first 8 weeks, you will likely put on around 0.5 to 2kg, however, if you suffer from morning sickness, this may not occur [3].
You may not even start measuring your growing bump until the second trimester, so don’t worry too much about its size at this stage in the pregnancy.
What should baby bump progression look like?
Baby bump progression will vary from person to person. However, in general, your baby will likely be about the size of a lemon at 12 weeks, and you may start to notice your bump as the uterus grows.
At 16 weeks, your baby may be about the size of an avocado. By 20, it will be similar in size to a banana, and at 24 weeks, it’s similar to a rockmelon.
When you reach 28 weeks, your baby is the size of an eggplant; by the 35th week, it’s the size of a pineapple. As your due date approaches, your baby will be about the size of a watermelon. You will also have a lot of fluid and extra fat to nourish the baby, so your bump may look quite big at this point.
Throughout your pregnancy, you want to take good care of yourself and implement some self-care rituals into your day. Taking prenatal vitamins is one of the best ways to help you meet nutritional needs during pre-conception and pregnancy.
Kin’s Prenatal Vitamins have been formulated to include 12 highly bioavailable ingredients to help you meet those nutritional needs. The inclusion of methylated folate means that anyone can use it, even if you have trouble absorbing folic acid.
Unlike many traditional vitamins, Kin’s Prenatal Vitamins also include low-constipation iron for blood health, omega-3 for brain growth and choline for brain function — so you get all the good stuff and none of the nasty side effects.
What if you’re not showing but feel like you should be?
If you’re pregnant and not showing, it may be that the foetus is positioned in a way that is causing your body to appear the same as it was pre-pregnancy. It could also be that the way your body weight is distributed, you can’t see a prominent baby bump, even though you may expect to.
But remember, there’s no specific time that a mum-to-be is meant to start showing. Every woman is different in how they show, and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad if you aren’t showing as much as you thought you would.
If you’re worried, it’s best to speak with your OB-GYN.
Image credit: Getty Images
Why Your Pregnant Belly Is Hard Sometimes (Causes By Trimester)
A pregnant belly can feel hard during all phases of pregnancy and this is a normal sensation that can happen for many reasons. You can often identify what causes you belly to be hard by identifying and monitoring for other symptoms.
The most common causes include mild muscle stretching (which is common at the beginning of pregnancy), labor-related contractions or a possible miscarriage.
However, if you feel any abnormality at any point of your pregnancy, you should inform your OBGYN. He or she will assess you and determine whether this is a normal finding or if you require further evaluation.
Causes for a hard belly during pregnancy (sorted by trimester) are as follows:
During the first trimester
The first trimester covers the first week of pregnancy up until the thirteenth week. Causes of belly hardening during this time include:
1. Stretching abdominal muscles
With the growth of the uterus and development of the baby, the belly can start to feel firmer, even early on in pregnancy. Hardening is mostly due to excessive stretching of abdominal muscles. This generally happens around weeks 7 and 8.
It is normal for the lower abdomen to appear more swollen and harder than when you were not pregnant.
What to do: Because this is a normal finding, no specific treatment is required. If the hard belly sensation becomes very uncomfortable, you should report it to your OBGYN. Read more about reasons why you may feel abdominal pain during pregnancy.
2. Constipation
Constipation is another very common problem that can affect women throughout the entire pregnancy. It happens due to the rapid hormonal changes that occur, particularly in the first trimester, which slow down intestinal flow. Slower intestinal flow can result in increased gas formation, which can make the belly bloated and harder. Learn more about symptoms of constipation during pregnancy.
In addition, some women use iron supplements during pregnancy, which can also make stool much harder.
What to do: To reduce discomfort associated with constipation, you should ensure adequate hydration throughout the day. Your diet should be rich in fiber, and you should incorporate foods like vegetables, fruit with the peel on and whole grains into your meals. Check out safe ways you can relieve gas during pregnancy.
3. Miscarriage
A hard belly in the first trimester can also be a sign of a miscarriage, which most commonly occurs before week 12. However, you will also notice other symptoms, like intense lower back pain and vaginal bleeding with clots. Get an understanding of the classic symptoms of a miscarriage and when to seek medical attention.
What to do: If you suspect you are having a miscarriage, proceed immediately to the hospital. The doctor will order an ultrasound to assess the baby and your placenta. Get a better understanding about what can cause a miscarriage and how it is treated.
During the second trimester
The second semester covers weeks 14 to 27. The most common causes for a hard belly during this period are:
1. Round ligament inflammation
At this point of pregnancy, abdominal muscles and ligaments are continuing to stretch, causing the belly to feel even harder. As a result of belly growth, many women experience inflammation of the round ligament, which causes constant pain on the inside of the belly. The pain can also radiate to the groin.
What to do: To relieve round ligament pain, you should rest and avoid being in the same position for prolonged periods. Lying on your side with your belly supported by a pillow may also help with the pain.
2. Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as prodromal labor contractions, can emerge after week 20. These contractions help to train the muscles and prepare for actual labor. When these contractions occur, they will make the entire belly feel hard. They generally last for about 2 minutes.
What to do: Braxton Hicks contractions are completely normal, and therefore, no specific treatment is needed. If they are very uncomfortable, inform your OBGYN.
During the third trimester
The third trimester represents the last 3 months of pregnancy. In addition to continuing to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, round ligament pain and constipation during this time, there is another very important reason why your belly may become hard: labor contractions.
Generally, labor contractions are very similar to Braxton Hicks, but as time goes on, labor contractions will become more intense with less rest periods in between each one. It is normal for the woman’s water to rupture if she is having contractions.
What to do: If you think you are in labor, proceed immediately to the hospital for your contractions to be assessed. Your cervix will also be inspected for dilation, which will confirm if it is time for the baby to be born. The integrity of your mucus plug will also be assessed if it is still in place.
When to go to the doctor
You should see your doctor or OBGYN if you also have:
- Intense pain when your belly hardens
- A suspicion that you are in labor – read more about signs of labor
- A fever
- Vaginal bleeding
- Felt less movement from your baby
In any case, if you suspect that something is wrong, you should bring your concerns to your OBGYN. If you are unable to reach them, you should go to the emergency room or labor and delivery unit immediately.
