The abdominal area undergoes the most body changes during pregnancy. For this reason, there are many beliefs about the shape and size of the belly that generate doubts in the future mother.
The growth of the belly during pregnancy is undoubtedly the most important body change of this beautiful stage. Changing its shape and size is the tangible way to know that there is a being forming and growing within you. Read on for all the answers to the most common questions about the belly during pregnancy.
Find out what are the most common questions about the belly during pregnancy and their answers
It is normal for questions to arise about the evolution of the belly during pregnancy. When will it be noticed? What form will it take? Why is he scratching me? How to take care of your skin? Here we will answer 10 of the most frequently asked questions about the belly during pregnancy.
1. When does it start to be visible?
The moment when the belly begins to be visible is different in each pregnant woman. In general, the belly during pregnancy becomes evident from the second trimester, around weeks 12 and 13. However, some factors directly affect abdominal distension, and therefore, the moment when one can notice this change. These include:
If it is the first pregnancy, or if the pregnant woman has already been pregnant: it is noticed earlier in mothers who have given birth, because the abdominal muscles give way faster.
The size of the pelvis: if the pelvis is narrow, we tend to notice the belly earlier.
If the mother-to-be has little or a lot of body fat: this change is noticed later in women who have extra pounds.
Size and muscle tone of the maternal abdomen: in women with a thin waist, the belly is noticed faster because it will grow forward. If, on the other hand, the size is wide, it will grow on the sides and this will be noticed weeks later.
2. How is your growth?
The size of the belly goes hand in hand with the growth of the baby and also with the body constitution of the mother. As the uterus grows, the abdomen will be larger, from belly to chest. Let’s see how the growth by quarter goes:
First trimester: during this trimester, the growth of the belly is almost imperceptible because the uterus remains inside the pelvis. You may feel that your belly is a little swollen due to the increased blood supply and the formation of the placenta and baby. At the end of this trimester, you begin to notice that the waist widens and the abdomen is larger and more rounded.
Second trimester: During this trimester, pregnancy becomes evident. Growth is gradual and depends on factors such as the number of pregnancies of the mother, whether it is multiple pregnancies, and maternal muscle tone. In general, towards the end of this trimester, the belly is the size of a football, exceeding the line of the navel.
Third quarter: Belly growth during this quarter is rapid. Belly height tends to coincide with gestational age, that is, at 34 weeks it measures 34 cm. From the eighth month, the uterus is under the ribs and then descends in the last weeks, due to the baby’s embedding in the pelvis’s bones.
3. Can I know the sex of the baby with its shape?
One of the most ingrained popular beliefs about the belly during pregnancy is related to the shape it takes and the sex of the baby. If it is round, it is said that it will be a girl, and if it is sharp, a boy. However, there is no scientific basis to confirm this relationship.
The shape of the womb certainly depends on other aspects, such as the mother’s body constitution or the shape of the uterus. If the baby is tall and adopts a back-to-face position, the belly will appear more pointed. First of all, this important anatomical feature can only be confirmed by ultrasound or fetal DNA studies.
4. If my belly is very big, will my baby be too?
Belly size during pregnancy is usually not proportional to the size of the baby. A large belly during pregnancy can be the result of a large amount of amniotic fluid, abdominal fat, or abdominal distension due to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Problems with the spine, such as lumbar lordosis, lead to outward pressure from the abdomen and swelling of the belly. A baby can have a height and weight greater than the percentile in the womb, without the mother having a large belly.
5. When will I start feeling the baby in my womb?
You start to feel the baby in the belly between weeks 18 and 20. At first, you may perceive light movements in the lower abdomen, such as tickling or feeling butterflies in the belly. Later, as the space inside the uterus shrinks, its movements will be more abrupt, like kicks, and will be felt especially at night.
6. My belly seems lower: what does this mean?
In the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby settles inside the maternal pelvis to “prepare” his future exit. This adjustment gives the impression that the belly is lower.
However, this manifestation does not indicate that childbirth is imminent but that the baby is already in the right position to get out. Indeed, even if you have a low stomach, work can take a few days or even weeks to trigger.
7. A black line has been drawn on my belly, will it stay after childbirth?
This line is known as linea nigra. It is the result of a hormonal action on the skin, more precisely at the level of melanocytes, which will produce a greater amount of melanin. This will cause an increase in skin pigmentation and promote this type of spot. In general, the linea nigra disappears after the breastfeeding period.
8. Why is my belly itching?
The skin, during pregnancy, is affected by the action of hormones. This, along with stretching the skin of the belly, is usually the most common cause of itching during pregnancy. This symptom, although bothersome, is normal and usually worsens in the last weeks of pregnancy, becoming more intense at night.
It is recommended to avoid scratching. This triggers irritation, skin lesions, as well as the dreaded stretch marks on the belly. Proper hydration and the use of hypoallergenic moisturizers can prevent and calm this symptom.
9. What is the best way to sleep so as not to put pressure on my belly?
According to specialists, the right way to sleep during pregnancy is to lie on your left side, if possible, with a cushion between your legs. This position promotes blood flow to the uterus, fetus, and kidneys. It also avoids the pressure that the weight of the uterus can exert on the liver.
The position on the back exerts pressure on the inferior vena cava, affecting the free flow of blood to the uterus and lower limbs. Studies claim that the risk of fetal death from lack of oxygenation is higher when pregnant women rest in this position.
10. My belly hardens, is this normal?
Feeling that the belly becomes hard during pregnancy is a fairly common symptom. This is related to the following aspects:
Belly growth: When the uterus, abdominal muscles, and other tissues such as tendons and ligaments are stretched by the baby’s growth, they generate some resistance that can be perceived with a hardening of the belly and a slight discomfort in the belly.
Baby movements: When the baby has grown enough, his movements may become more abrupt, generating slight contractions.
Braxton Hicks contractions: these are false contractions that prepare the uterus, from the second trimester, at the time of delivery. When they appear, the belly becomes hard and, although they are usually painless, some women may feel slight discomfort, especially towards the end of pregnancy.
This symptom can also be associated with spontaneous abortions and gastrointestinal discomfort. It is important to observe whether it is accompanied by other manifestations such as sharp pain and bleeding. In this case, you should consult a specialist.
