Your belly grows from the uterus pushing upwards, starting subtly with bloating in the first trimester as the uterus grows out of the pelvis, then becoming a noticeable, firm "bump" in the lower abdomen as the womb rises to meet the abdominal wall around the second trimester, often just above the pubic bone first. The lower belly area shows the earliest distinct pregnancy growth as the expanding uterus moves up from its pelvic hiding spot.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40)
Shape and size: The shape and size vary from person to person, but they will have an apparent pregnancy belly in their third trimester. The belly is completely stretched and may be wide, high, or low. Sometimes, you may not see a change in the shape, and it just looks big.
Cramping is one of the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, occurring approximately 1-2 weeks after conception. There will be pain, sharp pain, or cramping in the lower abdomen near the uterus, similar to menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
Seven weeks into pregnancy, or five weeks after conception, your baby's brain and face are growing. Depressions that will give rise to nostrils become visible. The start of the eyes' retinas form. Lower limb buds appear that will become legs.
Contrary to popular belief, the baby isn't always positioned on the right or left side of the womb. In fact, during most of the pregnancy, the baby is centrally positioned in the midline pelvic region within the uterus.
Most first-time moms will begin noticing a protruding baby bump in their second trimester. By 20 weeks of pregnancy, your uterus is no longer hidden down in your pelvis. It's likely that your uterus reaches your belly button now and is pushing against your abdominal wall creating a visible baby bump.
Ramzi theory
If your placenta is forming on the right side, you're having a boy, and if it's developing on the left side, you're having a girl. Experts don't consider the Ramzi method to be a reliable way of predicting your baby's sex.
"First-time mothers, especially those with good abdominal muscle tone, will often carry higher and show later, because the abdominal wall is not yet stretched out," says Dr. Oller. "Subsequent pregnancies usually show sooner and carry lower as the muscles have been previously stretched."
There's no perfect time to share your pregnancy—do what feels right for you. Many wait until after the first trimester. Miscarriage risk drops after 13 weeks, but it's also OK to tell trusted loved ones earlier for support.
Weight gain depends in part on your body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy. During your first 12 weeks—the first trimester—you may gain only 1 to 5 pounds or no weight at all.
It is very normal to experience soft tummy at 17 weeks of pregnancy. This seems to be a very common feedback among pregnant mummies during the first two trimester. It all depends on the size and position of the foetus. It will probably get hard as you get further along in your pregnancy.
Pregnancy hormones increase at 1 to 2 weeks and may cause related early symptoms, such as bloating, headaches, and fatigue. At 1 to 2 weeks, the body increases blood production, causing early signs of pregnancy, including frequent urination, fatigue, and low blood pressure.
Sore (and swollen) breasts: Your breasts can become tender to the touch during pregnancy. The soreness may be similar to the way your breasts feel before a period, only more so. Your areolas (the area around your nipple) might also begin to darken and enlarge.
What are the main differences between a pregnant belly and a belly due to weight gain? A pregnant belly is typically firmer, more focused in the front, and grows consistently over time. Weight gain tends to be softer, more distributed, and can fluctuate with diet and exercise.
During pregnancy, avoid raw/undercooked meats, seafood (sushi, smoked), and eggs to prevent bacteria/parasites; limit high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish) and caffeine; skip unpasteurized dairy, soft cheeses, deli meats (unless heated), pâté, raw sprouts, and all alcohol; and be cautious with sugary/fatty foods and excessive salt to protect your baby's development and your health.
For example, women who have chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, who become pregnant may be considered to have high-risk pregnancies—even if the condition is well controlled. Other factors, such as infections, injuries, and disorders of pregnancy, can also put a pregnancy at high risk.
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions that are 3 minutes apart, lasting 2 minutes each, for 1 hour (or sometimes cited as 3-1-1, meaning 3 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour). For subsequent pregnancies, the 5-1-1 Rule (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour) is often used, indicating labor is progressing more quickly.
Here are some key indicators of a healthy pregnancy:
Sabato says you could go ahead and tell them as early as you'd like. Around six to eight weeks, ultrasounds are conducted that can confirm there is a heartbeat and that the pregnancy is growing.
First-time moms usually start showing sometime between 12 and 18 weeks. In a BabyCenter poll, most women expecting their first child said they started to show between 12 and 18 weeks, very closely followed by those who said that their bump emerged between 18 and 24 weeks.
Today, science has confirmed that your baby's sex does not impact how your belly looks. Instead, baby bumps are shaped by factors like maternal anatomy, how many little ones you're carrying, and a baby's own size and position.
If you're between sizes or carrying multiples, consider sizing up. How many sizes up do you go in pregnancy? In most cases, you don't need to go up in sizes unless you've gained more weight than average or are expecting twins. Maternity clothes are designed with extra space in key areas like the belly and hips.
Cravings can occur at any point during your pregnancy. If you're going to have cravings, it's common for them to start in the first trimester around the fifth week. It is even possible you get cravings at 1-week pregnant!
Cravings - If you find yourself wanting something sweet, prepare for a little girl; salty and sour cravings would hint baby boy. Emotions - How you're consistently feeling during your pregnancy could be a clue as to what you're having; moody = girl, happy = boy.
The ovulation gender theory proposes that the side you ovulated on correlates to your baby's sex. Specifically, if you ovulate from your right side, you're more likely to have a boy, and from your left, a girl. Some moms in the What to Expect Community have found that this was true for them.