So, you’ve just found out you’re expecting. One of the first things you may be wondering is, “when will I start showing?”

You may want to know when it will be necessary to tell your workplace, and maybe you want time to process this news before your family and friends begin to clue into the surprise. Or you could be trying to prepare yourself for the changes your body is going to go through.

Not to worry! Sit back and let this article walk you through some of the key factors that will determine when first-time moms start to show.

A Beginning Note...

There are a variety of factors that determine when you will begin to show, but first it’s important to realize that no matter how accurately you can apply these factors to yourself, there is no fool-proof way of pinning down the exact day or even week when you will begin to show your baby bump. Even non-pregnant bodies change from day to day and even from morning to night!

So, although it’s totally normal to be excited, apprehensive, or a little bit of both, be patient with yourself and your changing body. Be sure to show yourself lots of love during this time.

Get to Know Your Body!

That being said, what can you use to help you figure out when you will begin to show? Glad you asked! Many factors have to do with your unique body. Pay attention to your…

• Torso. If your torso is long, you have more room for the baby to grow inside before you begin to show. If you have a shorter torso, the baby may need to pop out a little earlier.
• Body Type. Your body type is another factor. Are you more curvy or slim? Top or bottom prominent? Some body types are prone to show earlier, and others later.
• Core Strength. Your core strength can affect your “showtime” too, based on your muscles’ ability to hold together for a longer or shorter time period.
• Uterus. Even the position of your uterus can be a factor! A uterus that points towards your belly button, known as an anteverted-positioned uterus, will typically show earlier than a uterus that points towards your lower back area, known as a retroverted-positioned uterus. You can ask your doctor or midwife for information on your uterus type when you go in for a visit next.
• Family History. And of course, as always, your DNA will play a factor - did your mom show early? What about your grandma, or your sister?

You can do a little self-research into these factors to put together a rough idea of when you might begin to show.1

Are You a First-Time Mom?

Another key factor that you will want to consider when answering this question is whether or not you have had a baby before.

The uterus is a muscle. It expands and grows with each baby it carries, and it also has muscle memory. A mother who has already carried a baby will have a uterus that has been stretched before, and has the muscle memory to go right back into carrying another baby.

For the uterus of a first-time mom, the whole process of expanding to accommodate a growing baby will be completely new. A “rookie” uterus typically causes first-time moms to show later than moms who have been pregnant before. As a first-time mom, you can expect to begin showing anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks.

If you have any sort of pregnancy tracker app downloaded on your phone it may be easier to see why it can take so long to show. I am currently a first-time mom in week 11 and my pregnancy tracking app, See Baby, is letting me know that my little one is roughly the size of a cherry tomato!

As a first time mom, I have to play the waiting game to see when my pregnancy will start to show. I help myself pass the time by consistently applying scrubs, lotions and oils to my belly because I know soon enough I will really start to show, and I want to be in the habit of nourishing my growing belly when it does start.

At the moment, I only show signs in the morning if I move side-to-side with my torso. I can see something slightly protrude that didn’t protrude before I was pregnant, but by the end of the day my belly does pop out more than normal (even more than a “food baby” belly would).2

Are You Carrying Multiples?

The other factor that makes a difference for when you will begin to show is whether you are carrying multiple babies or just one. Naturally, multiple babies need more space, which means your uterus has to grow much faster! As a first-time mom carrying multiples, you may begin to show before the end of your first trimester, and even as early as six weeks.

An ultrasound may be able to detect multiple babies as early as six weeks, but the earlier the ultrasound, the bigger the chance one of the babies is “hidden” from the ultrasound. You may want to wait until week 10 if you suspect multiple babies for a higher chance of the ultrasound confirming your suspicion.2

Personal Testimonies…

While all of these factors are good ways to gauge when you will begin to show, be reminded that these are not hard-and-fast ways to determine when you will show.

Personal testimonies confirm this. First-time mom Celia didn’t notice a change in her body until 14 weeks, and didn’t think others noticed any change in her body until 18 weeks.3

First-time mom Kat noticed her bump at 16 weeks, but said to her it just looked like she gained a little weight as opposed to being pregnant.4

However, Sarah , who carried twins in her first pregnancy, didn’t notice her baby bump until week 12, which would be later in the “typical” time range for first-timers carrying multiples.5

Personally, I began to notice a change in my belly around week seven, and it was almost always at night. Still, I would be considered “early to show” as a first-time mom.

“When Do First-Time Moms Get Baby Bumps?”

As you can see, there isn’t just one way to know when you will start showing. Even with all the ways you can “predict” when you will begin to start showing as a first-time mom, there is no way to determine when it will actually happen.

Hopefully, though, by outlining many of the key factors that contribute, you can roughly determine when you might start showing! Take a look at yourself in the mirror (hello beautiful!) and take notes on your body. Reach out to your mom, sister, or grandma (if you feel comfortable doing so and sharing the news) to find out what runs in your family. When you decide the time is right for you and your baby, get an ultrasound to take a peek at your baby and ask your doctor or midwife some questions about when your baby bump might appear.

Early pregnancy can bring a whole host of emotions and questions about the future. But don’t forget to enjoy the whole process of pregnancy, even the weeks where no one can tell but you!

(Psst! If you are planning a trip to the doctor or midwife soon, check out this She Might article, “6 Questions to Ask at Your First Prenatal Visits.”)

Sources:

1. Howland, Genevieve. 2020. “When Do You Start Showing? (Plus Why You Might Show Sooner).” Mama Natural. https://www.mamanatural.com/when-do-you-start-showing/.
2. Higuera, Valencia. 2020. “When Does Your Baby Bump Start to Show?” Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/when-do-you-start-to-show#later-pregnancies.
3. Celia M., email message to author, December 2020.
4. Kat G., email message to author, December 2020.
5. Sarah K., email message to author, December 2020.