As soon as the expectant mother learns that conception has occurred, she begins to listen to her new condition. And although at first no changes in appearance occur, the more the baby grows in the womb, the more obvious the woman’s new status becomes.
Of course, both mother and loved ones are interested in knowing at what month or week of pregnancy the belly begins to grow. After all, this indicator indirectly indicates whether the baby is developing correctly and whether everything is okay with him.
How the belly grows during pregnancy
For all girls, the belly increases in different ways, and that is why in this matter you should not rely on the experience of any friends and acquaintances.
The dynamics of an increase in volume can tell the attending physician about many features of a woman’s body, because the most important reproductive organ of the female body, the uterus, is responsible for this process. The enlargement of this organ is primarily associated with the development of the embryo.
In the classic course of pregnancy, the uterus should significantly exceed its pre-pregnancy weight (approximately 10 times), increase in size, a denser vascular network should develop in it, and amniotic fluid should appear.
Oxygen is supplied to the embryo through the blood ; if the belly is small, then the fetus does not have enough oxygen, it begins to experience hypoxia (oxygen starvation), this condition is dangerous for the embryo.
If the tendency for an enlarged abdomen is not within the normal range, this may indicate abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid and sometimes even an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous for a woman’s life. Such a pregnancy, as a rule, does not lead to the formation of a fetus.
In this pregnancy, the fetus begins to develop outside the uterus , often in the fallopian tubes. The reason may be that the egg did not come out of the tube and did not attach to the placenta.
An important indicator of an ectopic pregnancy is that in this case the size of the woman’s abdomen increases, not corresponding to normal values. Therefore, in the presence of an ectopic pregnancy, an abortion is usually performed.
Additional questions
How can you tell by the condition and appearance of your belly whether everything is normal with your pregnancy and baby? Let's consider the most popular questions that concern future parents.
What does a red belly mean during pregnancy?
There are several reasons that cause redness in the abdomen:
- an allergic reaction is the most common situation. The immune system is weakened by the double burden on the body and those factors that previously did not cause intolerance can provoke redness. For example, household chemicals, food, drinks. What should I do? Contact a specialist - if no pathologies are identified, the doctor will prescribe a course of antihistamines;
- Miliaria - in addition to redness, it is accompanied by increased sweating and itching. Occurs when wearing a bandage, clothing made of synthetic fabrics, or failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. Eliminate irritating factors, treat problem areas with chamomile, calendula or a solution of salicylic alcohol;
- malfunction of internal organs - most often the liver and gall bladder manifest themselves this way. The organs cannot cope with the high load, the outflow of bile is difficult and causes local redness.
Why is my stomach cold?
In 90% of cases, this phenomenon is a consequence of a physiological nature and is considered the norm. Main reasons:
- a woman’s psychological reaction to a new condition for her;
- low body temperature;
- excess weight.
Why does your stomach throb during pregnancy?
Pulsating movements are provoked by the following factors:
- the baby moves, hiccups;
- the inferior vena cava is compressed;
- uterine tone;
- risk of miscarriage;
- training contractions;
- ectopic pregnancy in the first weeks of its course.
If the pulsation occurs rarely and briefly, there is no need to worry. When the situation repeats, there is a risk of fetal hypoxia.
Why is the belly smaller during pregnancy in the morning than in the evening?
This is absolutely normal. Fluctuations in weight do not exceed 400 grams. By evening, all body systems are not working at full capacity - food is digested slowly. Gas formation and bloating are activated. In the morning everything goes away and the stomach seems smaller.
Causes of veins appearing on the abdomen
The presence of varicose veins provokes the appearance of veins on the abdomen. This is facilitated by:
- The uterus grows, pressing on the vena cava. The outflow of blood is disrupted;
- the vessel and veins are stretched - weak ones burst. As a result, spider veins appear;
- to saturate the fetus with blood, its volume increases by 40%. The veins have a double burden;
- internal organs shift, intra-abdominal pressure increases;
- The hormonal balance changes - progesterone and estrogen make the blood vessels thinner.
Why is the stomach low?
The main factors that provoke prolapse of the abdomen, doctors include:
- the structure of a woman’s body;
- low placenta previa;
- undeveloped abdominal muscles;
- second and subsequent pregnancies;
- the beginning of labor.
What should the belly look like before giving birth?
You can understand that the body is preparing for childbirth by the following signs:
- the stomach protrudes forward, its shape resembles a pear;
- its position falls below the level of the hip bone;
- the number of stretch marks is increasing;
- to the touch - elastic.
How fast does the belly grow during pregnancy?
All representatives of the fair sex are very individual, but there is fairly reliable statistical data indicating that a visually noticeable increase in volume occurs at 4-5 months of pregnancy .
So, at 12 weeks, the fetus has a length of 5-6 cm with a weight of only about 30 g. And at 16 weeks, the fetus reaches a size of approximately 12 cm, and its weight can reach 100 g.
Also, if an ultrasound is performed for a short period of time, then it is possible to notice that the fetus will occupy almost the entire internal cavity of the uterus, and amniotic fluid will be practically absent. At a later date, the fetal fluid will occupy significant space.
When does the belly start to grow during pregnancy?
The process of abdominal enlargement depends on:
- hereditary predisposition;
- body weight;
- presentation of the embryo inside the uterus;
- location of the uterus inside the body;
- digestive characteristics.
So, for example, if the fetus in the uterus is placed in close proximity to the spine, then the abdomen may become visible a little later. It is also worth considering that many people experience increased gas production during pregnancy.
Remember that it is impossible to determine the exact date at which week of pregnancy the belly begins to grow.
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When does the belly start to grow during the first pregnancy?
Often during pregnancy for the first time, the belly grows slowly. Growth becomes visible by 14-16 weeks. This phenomenon depends on the fact that during the first pregnancy the abdominal muscles are strong and elastic, they are able to hide the fetus for a sufficient time.
Also, in primiparous women, the abdomen has a characteristic ovoid shape. Under the chest, the belly is more convex and pointed towards the top. This is also explained by the elasticity of the muscles.
To make sure at what week of pregnancy your belly begins to grow, keep a diary and visit your doctor regularly.
How to measure correctly
If you want to control the rate of belly growth yourself, start measuring at 12 weeks. Always do this with the same measuring tape. But remember: the numbers you receive will differ from those that the doctor writes in your chart. It's all because of your lack of experience.
Before measuring your abdominal circumference and fundus height, go to the toilet. The bladder should be empty. If it is full, it slightly raises the uterus. This introduces an error into the obtained result.
When does the belly start to grow during the second pregnancy?
During a second pregnancy, the belly appears much earlier than during a first pregnancy. This can often be explained by the fact that the muscles are weakened, they are less elastic than before childbirth.
Also, with repeated pregnancy, the belly takes on a saggy shape. It is significantly different from the abdomen of a first-time mother. Such a belly is located one palm below the chest and one palm above the pubis.
Such shape and location are determined by weakened abdominal muscles, the condition of the uterus and some other factors.
Also, if a second pregnancy occurs a short period of time after the previous one, then the abdominal muscles will not be able to fully recover and the stomach will look a little saggy.
Fetal sizes at different stages of pregnancy
Everyone understands that as the child grows, the belly of the expectant mother also increases, but this does not always happen proportionately. For example, one woman may have the same size belly at 6 months of pregnancy as another woman literally before giving birth. Children may vary slightly in weight. This happens mainly due to the position of the child: one occupies all the space in the mother’s abdominal cavity, the second frees it up due to the more stretched abdominal skin.
When does the belly start to grow during pregnancy with twins?
If a woman is pregnant with twins, then her position may become noticeable as early as 4 weeks of fruiting . But such a rapid increase in the abdomen can also confirm polyhydramnios, a large fetus or chorionepithelioma.
Chorionepithelioma is a neoplasm that develops from placental tissue. It is a formation consisting of small bubbles.
Abdominal growth during pregnancy by month
The growth of the abdomen occurs gradually. The most important influence on this process is the growth of the uterus.
Before pregnancy, the uterus of a nulliparous woman weighs no more than 100 g, and by the end of pregnancy it can reach 1000 g. Also, the volume of the uterus increases up to 500 times.
In parallel with the increase in period, the amount of fetal fluid increases. During the early period, the fetus occupies almost the entire uterine cavity, the amount of fetal fluid is very small.
The size of the uterus corresponds to the size of a chicken egg in the first month of pregnancy, all the space in it is occupied by the fertilized egg, and there is practically no amniotic fluid. Pregnancy at such a short stage is visually invisible.
The fertilized egg measures 22 mm at 2-2.5 months. And the uterus reaches the size of a goose egg, the amount of amniotic fluid becomes 30 ml. Some pregnant women may notice an increase in volume at this stage.
By three months, the length of the fetus can be up to 7 cm. The weight can be up to 25 g. The size of the uterus is approximately equal to the size of the head of a newborn baby, and the volume of amniotic fluid becomes equal to 0.1 liters. The fundus of the uterus can be palpated through the abdominal wall during this period; it rises to the edge of the symphysis pubis.
It is impossible to know for sure at what week of pregnancy the belly begins to grow. It is only possible to approximately calculate this individually for you.
By four months, the length of the fetus can reach up to 12 cm , weight - 100 g. The fundus of the uterus will rise, now it will be located at an equal distance from the navel and the pubic eminence. The volume of fetal fluid will increase to 0.4 l. The abdomen is quite clearly visible during this period of pregnancy.
By five months, the fetus can reach 26 cm and weigh up to 0.3 kg. The embryo is already developing genitals, and it is possible to determine the sex of the unborn child quite reliably. The fundus of the uterus continues to rise; now its level will be approximately 2 fingers above the navel.
By six months, the length of the fetus can reach 30 cm with a weight of 680 g. The fundus of the uterus will rise to the level of the navel. The woman’s belly is already quite visible, since the weight of the fetus reaches a fairly large level. The waist also increases by about 20 cm.
At 28-30 weeks (7 months), the uterine fundus rises 3 fingers above the navel, the weight of the fetus can be 1.2 kg with a corresponding length of 35 cm. At this stage, the abdomen is quite noticeable.
By thirty-two weeks, the fundus of the uterus will be located at an equal distance between the navel and the xiphoid process (the shortest and narrowest part of the sternum). The length of the fetus can be 42 cm with a corresponding weight of 1.7 kg.
At 37-38 weeks, the abdomen acquires its greatest volume. The fundus of the uterus rises to the costal arches and the xiphoid process. The volume of fetal fluid is 1-1.5 liters and at that time it is maximum.
By forty weeks, as a rule, the fundus of the uterus descends and is established between the navel and the xiphoid process at the same distance. During this period, the volume of fetal fluid decreases sharply , from approximately 1.5 liters to 0.8 liters. If a woman carries a child to term, the volume of fetal fluid may be less than 0.8 liters.
The body weight of a full-term baby at the time of birth is not less than 2.6 kg and not more than 5 kg, and the body length should be from 48 to 54 cm.
Be careful! It is necessary to very carefully monitor the process of abdominal growth and all accompanying processes, since a belly that is too small or too large can indicate various pathologies.
If the abdomen is smaller than normal, this may indicate fetal malnutrition. A phenomenon in which embryonic growth is delayed. Also, slow volume growth trends may indicate low water levels.
Causes of oligohydramnios:
- hypertension;
- gestosis;
- diseases of the embryonic excretory system;
- inflammatory processes;
- other factors.
Also, inconsistency with the parameters may indicate uterus pathologies . If the position of the embryo is transverse, then the abdomen may be smaller in size than normal. With such a presentation of the embryo, natural birth is impossible.
If the stomach is larger than normal, this may indicate polyhydramnios. The usual volume of fetal fluid is approximately 2000 ml, and the volume during polyhydramnios can reach even 12 liters. This pathology most often occurs due to diabetes mellitus.
But a large size can also indicate multiple births, but it is worth considering that such a pregnancy is quite dangerous. The risk of all kinds of complications increases. The abdomen may enlarge quickly if a large fetus develops.
Belly Size Chart
Abdominal circumference is measured at every routine examination by a gynecologist, starting from the second trimester of pregnancy. The measuring tape is applied at the level of the umbilical fossa, on the opposite side - to the middle of the lower back.
The pregnant woman first empties her bladder and takes a horizontal position on the couch. The legs are extended. Normally, the increase is 2-3 cm every two weeks.
How the belly grows during pregnancy week by week (photo with average indicators of abdominal circumference):
How the belly grows during pregnancy. Table of normal indicators
The obtained indicators are indicative in nature. These data alone are not enough for assessment. After making additional measurements, the weight of the fetus is calculated. For these purposes, a special tool is used, similar to a compass with a scale in centimeters.
The doctor places one leg of the compass on the lower arch of the fetal head, the other on the location of the VDM, where the buttocks are located. This segment, from the crown to the feet, represents 1/2 of the length of the fetus.
The result obtained is multiplied by 2. Then 3-5 cm are subtracted, taking into account the complexion of the pregnant woman and the thickness of the abdominal walls. Using these calculations, the length of the fetus is determined. By dividing the available number by 5, the gestational age is obtained.
Weight gain during singleton pregnancy:
- the average weight of the fetus is 3000-3300 g;
- placenta – 450-500 g;
- amniotic fluid – 800-900 g;
- intercellular fluid – 1350-2000 g;
- uterus – 1350 g;
- blood volume – 1800 g;
- nutrients, fat, other maternal tissues – 3600 g.
Total: total weight gain will be close to 13 kg. In the first trimester, a woman gains approximately 170 g each month. In the second - 500-560 g. In the third - 660-670 g.
In case of multiple pregnancy, a gain of 17-24 kg is considered an increase within the normal range. By week 20, an average of 9-13 kg is gained. By the beginning of the third trimester - 13.5-20 kg. By week 37 – 14-24 kg.
There are recommendations according to which a woman in nine months, depending on her body mass index (BMI), should gain:
- With low weight – 13-18 kg.
- Normal – 12-16 kg.
- Excess – 7-11.5 kg.
- For obesity – 6.8 kg.
- In case of multiple pregnancy, add 2-5 kg to the required indicators.
Factors influencing abdominal growth during pregnancy
Increase in size of the uterus (uterus)
The size of the reproductive organ increases throughout pregnancy. Before pregnancy, the weight of the uterus corresponds to no more than 100 g, and by the end of pregnancy it increases to 1 kg. The internal cavity can expand up to 500 times.
The uterus is pear-shaped at the beginning of pregnancy, and by three months it increases up to 3 times in size and becomes more rounded.
Already in the third trimester, the uterus becomes ovoid. Over the entire period of fruiting, a dense network of vessels develops in the uterus and the oxygen regime increases.
Embryo growth process
Throughout the entire gestation period, the embryo is constantly growing. Body weight and length are constantly increasing. All systems develop in it, especially the circulatory system.
Interesting fact! A pregnant woman does not feel the presence of the fetus inside her until it begins to change position and push.
Increased amount of amniotic fluid
During pregnancy, the amount of fetal fluid in the uterus constantly increases. Their presence is extremely important for the development of the embryo.
In case of anomalies, such as polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios, the course of pregnancy should be carefully monitored . This is necessary in order to prevent possible developmental pathologies.
Weight gain
Many pregnant women gain noticeable weight. And this affects the size of the belly. The more a woman gains weight, the larger her belly will be.
Presentation – position of the embryo in the uterus (uterus)
If the fertilized egg is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, then the abdomen will be larger compared to the position of the fertilized egg, which is attached closer to the spine.
Hereditary indicators
Heredity has a great influence on the process of bearing a child.
If a woman’s relatives noticed the appearance of her belly later, then most likely the woman herself will notice the growth of her belly too late.
Body type
Height, elasticity and strength of muscles, body weight have a significant impact on abdominal enlargement.
Strong and elastic abdominal muscles are able to hide pregnancy for a long time.
Stretch marks during pregnancy
Just as the belly grows week by week during pregnancy (a close-up photo of the belly can be spoiled by an unpleasant surprise), so the skin undergoes changes. Stretch marks (striae) are arched stripes of pink, red or bluish-purple color.
Appears in women with insufficiently elastic and dry skin. They form in places of greatest tension: the abdomen, mammary glands and thighs. At the end of pregnancy, the scars take on the appearance of shiny white stripes.
Causes:
- heredity;
- changes in hormonal levels;
- strong stretching of the skin.
Risk factors:
- multiple pregnancy;
- large child;
- sudden weight gain;
- excess weight;
- weak abdominal muscles;
- polyhydramnios;
- diabetes.
Once stretch marks appear, you can’t get rid of them. The only thing that can be taken is: preventive measures to avoid skin stretching; make the resulting scars less noticeable.
Prevention:
- Using moisturizing and nourishing cosmetics, oils or creams for stretch marks starting from the first month of pregnancy.
- From time to time, carry out the procedure of exfoliating dead skin particles using a scrub.
- Cold and hot shower. This method is not suitable when there is a threat of miscarriage.
- Good nutrition and weight control.
- Drinking drinking water in sufficient quantities.
- Physical exercises for pregnant women and walks in the fresh air.
- Wearing a bandage and a special support bra.
