Your Baby Bump Throughout Pregnancy

You won't spot any baby bump growth within the first weeks of pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will most likely calculate your due date from the start of your last menstrual period, which means that, depending on when you ovulate and when conception occurs, you may not actually be pregnant for the first week or two.

• No baby bump growth yet.

• After fertilization, during weeks 2 and 3, your body starts producing more pregnancy hormones, especially human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. This prompts your ovaries to keep releasing estrogen and progesterone. (Fun fact: Many home pregnancy tests work by detecting the hCG hormone!)

• It may take time to adjust to the rising hormone levels, and you might experience some mood swings.

• You may notice spotting after the embryo implants in your uterus.

Maybe your first few weeks of pregnancy went by without much change, but you may start to finally “feel” pregnant during weeks 5 to 8. Around this time, it’s common to experience some typical pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness or fatigue, but you probably won't see a baby bump emerge.

• No early pregnancy belly growth yet, but your uterus will probably be about the size of a pear. Throughout the course of your pregnancy, your uterus will expand to 500 percent of its original volume, so there’s plenty of time for that belly to grow!

• You may experience some early pregnancy symptoms, like nausea, heartburn, lethargy, and insomnia.

• Believe it or not, morning sickness can be considered an indication that your pregnancy is going well, so hang in there.

• Since every pregnancy is different, you may not experience any nausea, and everything will still progress as it should (lucky you!).

• As your uterus grows, it will start to put pressure on your bladder and might cause you to pee more often.

• There’s potential for baby bump growth, but probably nothing too significant. The biggest change that you may notice is weight gain, which is normal at this stage.

• Along with a growing pregnancy belly may come some early emotional changes, too. Adjusting to your new body shape typically takes time, especially when you start to store fat in your lower waist. This fat is needed for your pregnancy, but it can be emotionally challenging.

• Keep in mind that body image can impact the way you feel, and that it’s normal to have a lower libido. But it’s also normal to want to have sex while pregnant,too.

• Any standard early pregnancy symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, tend to peak during this time.

• You may see more consistent baby bump growth week by week this month, particularly starting in weeks 15 or 16. You may want to snap a pic each week to compare the difference and showcase your baby bump progression. And you may have to start shopping for some looser clothes as your belly expands!

• You might find that morning sickness and other uncomfortable symptoms start to lessen. And with higher energy levels, you may feel a little more productive.

• As your uterus grows, it will start to change position, sitting higher and more forward. You might begin to stand differently, which happens when your centre of gravity is shifting.

• A growing uterus also puts tension on muscles and ligaments, so some discomfort in your lower abdomen is normal. Your body is making room for your developing baby!

• Changes to your skin are also common during these weeks. Throughout your pregnancy, your body produces more melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin. Skin darkening can occur, including the linea nigra, a dark line that runs down your abdomen.

• Your uterus will expand all the way to your navel, so unless you are quite tall and your belly is stretched due to your height, you’ll most likely notice that growing baby bump!

• Tiny fluttering in your stomach that seem like “butterflies” may be your baby moving around! These little movements tend to become stronger and more regular as your pregnancy progresses.

• With an expanding uterus, you might feel off-centre or clumsy, and some back and lower abdomen pain is common.

• As your ligaments stretch to accommodate your pregnant belly as it grows, you might feel a sharper pain or cramp. This may last several minutes, and you may find some relief by changing position or by not moving at all. This stretching isn't harmful for you or your baby. Still, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider if you experience pain regularly or if you have any concerns about what you're feeling.

• More skin darkening may occur, including on your nipples and face.

• By week 18, your belly bump is certainly bigger as weight gain continues. Adding about one pound a week at this point is normal.

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.

• Your bump is likely developing along with your baby, as gaining about a pound a week is normal.

• Your mood swings might start to settle down, but you may also feel a little nervous as your pregnancy moves along or as you cope with body changes. It’s totally normal to have these feelings!

• Some aches and pains are quite common, especially in the lower back and abdomen.

• By the end of 28 weeks of pregnancy, your baby bump may measure around 28 centimetres, according to fundal height estimates.

• Even early in your third trimester, you might start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions. These are one way your body practices for labour, working your muscles to build strength.

• Your uterus will expand to the midpoint between your belly button and breasts. Although it may seem as if there’s no more room to grow, part of the beauty of pregnancy is watching your body do amazing things!

• Your baby might start to stretch and wiggle around a bit more, so you may feel some movement.

• No need to worry if you’re gaining weight. Not only is it normal, but it’s also important! Weight gain at this point is mostly from your developing baby, growing placenta, and increased fluids in your body.

• Your uterus continues to get bigger this month, moving up toward the bottom of your rib cage. You might experience more Braxton Hicks contractions.

• It’s common for some swelling to occur, especially swollen feet and hands, often accompanied by minor pain. Your hands may even develop carpal tunnel symptoms, such as numbness or tingling, which typically subside after any swelling goes down.

• This month, you might experience some of that “pregnancy glow” everyone talks about, particularly with your hair. This is when your hair cycle speeds up, and your mane may be fuller and thicker.

• It’s typical to experience some itchiness or redness on your abdomen or on other parts of your body. You may also notice some stretch marks developing on your breasts, stomach, or other areas.

• It’s common to feel anxious as you look ahead to giving birth and becoming a parent. This is when the nesting instinct could kick in. You may find that doing something practical to prepare for your little one's arrival can help ease any worries.

• Sometime soon, your baby will "drop" into position to prepare for delivery. You may notice your baby bump shifting downward.

• As your baby moves down toward the birth canal, you might even feel some relief in your upper abdomen, but there could be more pressure on your pelvis and bladder. If your baby doesn’t assume into the typical birthing position (head down, legs up), your bump could be a bit wider or top heavy!

• A top-heavy pregnancy belly is more common if your baby is breech (bottom or legs down and head up) in your belly.

• As your baby moves into position, you might also notice some relief in digestive symptoms such as heartburn or constipation.

• This month is an important weight-gaining period for your baby, so no need to worry if you see four or more extra pounds on the scale.

• You may discover some other changes appearing on your skin during these weeks, which can range from varicose veins or vascular spiders to dryness and itchiness on your stomach.

• Before you became pregnant, your little uterus weighed just about two ounces. Week by week, your body stretched, adjusted, and expanded to create a baby bump (room for your developing baby). At this time, your uterus probably weighs about 2.5 pounds!

• At 40 weeks, your uterus has finished its expansion—phew!

• You may notice your baby bump stretches all the way from the bottom of your rib cage to your pubic area.

• Weight gain slows down as you near labour, so you might notice that you haven’t gained weight this month, or even lost some weight.

• These final weeks can be challenging emotionally. You may feel tired of being pregnant or anxious for your baby to arrive. Keeping busy with a hobby or nesting are great distraction strategies. Remember, you’re almost there!