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 you're in your second or third trimester of pregnancy and you notice that sometimes your pregnant belly gets very hard, feels tight, and even causes mild discomfort, you're probably experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.
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.
It is important to call a doctor if home remedies do not relieve stomach tightening or if there are more than four contractions in an hour.
Contractions: Throughout the second half of your pregnancy you may have noticed your abdomen getting hard, then soft again, or you may feel like the baby is “balling up”. These irregular contractions may increase in frequency and intensity as your due date approaches. They may become very uncomfortable or even painful.
Also known as visceral fat, hard belly fat is more harmful then soft belly fat. A high concentration of visceral fat can increase your chance of developing chronic diseases. Because visceral fat is deposited between the internal organs, it packs the organs tightly, leaving no room to move.
During a contraction, the muscles tighten and the pain increases. If you put your hand on your abdomen, you'll feel it getting harder; when the muscles relax, the pain fades and you will feel the hardness ease.
Sudden or severe swelling in your face, hands or fingers. A severe headache or one that doesn't go away. Pain or cramping in your lower abdomen or severe back pain. Pain or burning when you urinate or decreased urine output.
Fetal movement can also mimic a contraction.
If its a contraction, the uterus will feel hard all over and tight to your pressed fingertips. If the uterus feels hard in some places and soft in others, your babys movements are probably causing the sensation.
Symptoms not to ignore when you're 36 weeks pregnant
You have a persistent headache or visual disturbance. If your feet/ankles/hands or face are unusually swollen. You experience vaginal bleeding. You have an unusual coloured discharge.
"In the morning, the stomach is empty and the digestive tract has digested all food from the night before, making the abdominal area and, thus, the baby bump, appear smaller than later on in the day, when we've ingested food – especially if it's a big meal," she explains.
This is probably because your baby has dropped or lightened in preparation for being born. (Not all babies do this; some don't drop until labor starts.) If you notice an overnight drop in your bump before the 37-week mark, talk to your practitioner, as it could indicate your body is getting ready for labor.
Your pregnant belly is unique and will change throughout your pregnancy depending on factors like your height, weight, pre-existing conditions, muscle mass, trimester, baby's size, and more.
Weeks 21 to 24: Faster Baby Growth
As you make your way through the second trimester, you might notice your baby bump expanding by the week! During this month, your baby is growing at a faster pace than before, and at the same time, your hormones are starting to level out.
In addition, your belly may feel soft or squishy, and you might also notice that your abdominal muscles are stretched and weak. Don't worry! In the coming weeks, they'll begin to strengthen again. Being patient and loving toward your body is essential, especially during this transitional period into motherhood.
A: It doesn't happen to everyone who's pregnant, but sometimes a growing fetus in the uterus puts so much pressure on your abdominal wall that your normally “innie” belly button becomes an “outie.” It typically happens in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, most commonly around 26 weeks.
Other ways to recognize labor:
The 5-1-1 Rule: The contractions come every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. Fluids and other signs: You might notice amniotic fluid from the sac that holds the baby. This doesn't always mean you're in labor, but could mean it's coming.
If it's hard in one place and soft in others, those are likely not contractions—it may just be the baby moving around. Also, if the contractions stop with a change in position or activity level or they subside and don't increase in frequency or intensity, they're likely Braxton Hicks.
A: It's normal for babies to have quiet periods in utero, and a temporary dip in activity could just mean that your baby is sleeping or he's low on energy because you haven't eaten in a while. However, if you sense an overall slowdown in movement, call your doctor.
PGP used to be known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). PGP is common, affecting 1 in 5 pregnant women, and can affect your mobility and quality of life. Pain when you are walking, climbing stairs and turning over in bed are common symptoms of PGP. However, early diagnosis and treatment can relieve your pain.
Fetal distress is diagnosed by monitoring the baby's heart rate. A slow heart rate, or unusual patterns in the heart rate, may signal fetal distress. Your doctor or midwife might pick up signs of fetal distress as they listen to your baby's heart during pregnancy.
Contractions (belly tightening) are the main sign of labor. They last from 30 to 60 seconds and might feel like period cramps at first. False labor pains (called "Braxton Hicks" contractions) can happen anytime in pregnancy, but are more common toward the end.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms before your 37th week of pregnancy, you may be experiencing preterm labor: Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual. Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down. Constant low, dull backache.
Real contractions start at the top of the uterus and, in a coordinated fashion, move through the middle of the uterus to the lower segment. Braxton Hicks contractions feel like a tightening of the abdomen and tend to be focused in one area. They don't always travel through the whole uterus.