Pregnancy is different for every mother. The early signs of pregnancy can show in many different ways and it's common to notice that you’re pregnant before your bump starts to show. You may notice that you have more or less of these early signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
The early signs of pregnancy can include:
- A missed or lighter period
- Morning sickness
- Feeling lethargic
- Unusual cravings, tastes and smells
- Sore breasts
- Urinating more than usual
Your symptoms can change during the course of your pregnancy and the growth of your baby can bring about later-stage pregnancy symptoms such as weight gain, back pain, stomach pain and last but not least your bump.
When does a baby bump start to show?
Your bump can start to show during weeks 13-16 of pregnancy. For some mothers, your bump will not show until week 20, which marks the start of your second trimester.
As your baby grows your bump will grow with it and naturally some babies will be bigger than others so don’t be shocked to see your bump earlier or later.
Early baby bump signs
Early baby bump signs may be that you start to feel bloated and you might need to urinate more often as more pressure is put on your bladder. You may choose to keep an eye on your profile and photograph the progress of your bump beginning to take shape.
Additional early bump signs include:
- Emotional changes
- Vaginal discharge
- Back and stomach pain
Understanding how your body is changing during each week of pregnancy can help you to feel more confident about the changes happening to your body.
Understanding fundal height
Fundal height is the vertical measurement of your belly. It's what your doctor or midwife will use to track your baby's foetal growth. Your belly will be measured from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus in order to find out this measurement.
Your healthcare provider will usually track foetal growth every couple of weeks to track your baby's growth and development. This usually happens during your second trimester, around week 24.
What happens as your baby starts to grow?
As your baby starts to grow so will the placenta and the amniotic sac which protects your baby.
Week by week, you should notice your bump getting bigger as your baby grows. Your uterus will also grow upwards and outwards to accommodate your baby. By week 20, your uterus will have grown up to your belly button, and this is when you can usually see your belly noticeably protruding. You should start to feel your baby move between weeks 16-24.
What can you find out during your second trimester
As you reach your second trimester (week 20). You can start to request more information about your baby during your scan. Not every hospital will reveal the sex of your baby at the 20-week scan so it’s always best to ask your sonographer first.
The NHS also has a due date calculator if you would like to work that out online.
Join the Lansinoh community
At Lansinoh, we are dedicated to providing the best products, support and advice for maternal health and breastfeeding. We have a free online midwife chat service available to contact should you have any questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding or giving birth.
