'With your first baby, you might have a neat bump as the stomach muscles are tight,' says Bird. 'But the more children you have, the more lax your muscles become. Your bump may be more spread out or bigger because the muscles aren't holding in the baby so well so it can look bigger with subsequent births. '
If you believe the old wives' tales, a neat bump that sits high on the stomach means you're having a boy, while a low, rounded bump that spreads over the waist and hips is a girl. But experts say this is nonsense - a bump tells you far more about the woman than the weight or gender of her child.
Although your bump "dropping" or descending into your pelvis isn't a predictor of when labour will start, it is a sure sign that your body's getting ready. Your midwife will talk about your baby or your baby's head engaging or being engaged to describe the same thing.
The size of your pregnancy bump does not necessarily mean your baby is too large or too small or that your baby is not healthy and well. Baby bumps come in all different shapes and sizes. Remember that your midwife is there to listen to any concerns you have about pregnancy.
Every pregnancy is different. So try to ignore the opinions as best as you can, and don't worry! The size of your bump doesn't reflect the size of your little one.
Strong abdominal muscles mean a growing uterus is going to stay closer to the core of the body, Kirkham explained, making a bump appear smaller. On the other hand, if core muscles have been stretched out from a previous pregnancy, a second or third pregnancy baby bump may look larger.
What you see on the outside — the general size and shape of your belly — doesn't have much to do with your baby, their health, or their size. A healthy baby can grow regardless of how your belly looks.
It could be that there isn't much fluid around your baby. This may make your bump appear smaller, even if your baby is the right size. The position your baby's lying in, and your own height, shape and tummy muscles can all affect the measurement too.
More than 9 out of 10 babies born at term (37 to 40 weeks) weigh between 2.5kg and 4.5kg. If your baby weighs 4.5kg or more at birth, they are considered larger than normal.
First trimester (first day of LMP to 13 weeks and 6 days): The time when fertilization and major organ development occurs. Second trimester (14 weeks and 0 days to 27 weeks and 6 days): The time of rapid growth and development.
In first-time mothers, dropping usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks before delivery, but it can happen earlier. In women who have already had children, the baby may not drop until labor begins. You may or may not notice a change in the shape of your abdomen after dropping.
Some women may feel baby dropping as a sudden, noticeable movement. Others may not notice it happening at all. Some women may notice that their abdomen feels lighter after the baby has dropped. This might be because the baby is positioned lower in the pelvis, leaving more room in her middle.
-3 station: The baby has settled into a heads-down position—usually within weeks 32 to 36 (although it can happen as late as just as labor is beginning)—with the top of the head just above the pelvic bone. 0 station: The baby has descended to the point that the head has reached the bottom of the pelvis.
“The pregnant abdomen will sag somewhat, which to the lay person may look as if the woman is 'carrying low,'” Gaither says. When you lie down flat on your back or get into a plank position, your belly will appear almost pointy.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there's no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.
If there's any doubt — especially if baby looks like he or she will be over 10 pounds at birth — your doctor will probably recommend a c-section over a vaginal delivery. But there are also other factors that come into play when determining whether you'll be able to deliver vaginally or through a c-section.
It is very essential to track the baby's weight and height from the very first day to avoid any kind of complications in the future. The ideal weight of a newborn baby, who is born between 36-40 weeks, should be between 2.5 – 4.5 kg.
According to Guinness World Records, the heaviest baby on record was born in Aversa, Italy, in 1955. That baby boy was born weighing 22 pounds 8 ounces. Guinness World Records reports the heaviest baby born in the United States was 22 pounds in Seville, Ohio, in 1879.
BIGGER BUMP MEANS HIGHER RISK: It is true for short and obese women. "Bigger bumps can impact pregnant women who are short or obese. If a pregnant woman is short or is overweight and has a bigger baby bump, her smaller pelvis might develop complications during child birth,” says Dr Neema Sharma.
It's possible some women will experience the popping of their belly button in one pregnancy, and not in the next. Some women's belly buttons don't pop out. They stay the same, or they become flat. This all depends on your weight before pregnancy and how much you have gained or stretched during your pregnancy.
The reason for this is simple: If you've been down this pregnancy road before, then your stomach muscles tend to not be as tight as they were the first time, so they'll naturally stretch out a little faster. Keep these pre-pregnancy factors in mind when you're carrying your baby, and don't judge a baby by its cover!
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you're told the fetus measures ahead or behind schedule, try not to worry. It usually just means an ultrasound or further testing is needed. The fetus is more than likely developing perfectly.
Turns out, the phenomenon, known as cryptic pregnancy, isn't so uncommon (it happens often enough to be the basis of a reality show). And it really is possible for some women to go 40 weeks without having a clue they're carrying a kid.
The truth is, no-one can judge the size of your baby simply by looking at your belly – not even your doctor or midwife. As your body changes at each different stage of pregnancy, you can't compare yourself with other women. Remember, every pregnancy is unique.