1st pregnancy don't judge

[ambermariee]

Hi, I'm 16 years old and I'm having my first baby I'm 16 weeks on Thursday. I'm very excited but very nervous because I don't know whats normal and whats not. I've had cramping no bleeding and my np says its normal everything is stretching. I've been taking prenatal vitamins since 4 weeks but heres where I get confused. I don't know if I'm showing or just gaining weight from eating. TMI but my nipples haven't changed I've just gone up a cup size thats it. nothing seems different. I've heard the heart beat ALOT. but idk, am I not going to be able to breast feed. is something bad going to happen i'm a mess from worrying so much. Everything has been perfect so far will it stay that way? PLZ HELP! any advice! how do I tell if Im gaining weight from baby of just gaining weight?

[l39]

No judging here. My sister had a child at 16 too and her daughter is lovely (all grown up now!)

I suspect you're in the US from your use of 'prenatal' and the time of your post? It's very early in the morning here.

Don't panic about putting on weight. As long as you're eating a reasonably healthy diet, you're supposed to be gaining. And at 16 weeks you're past the most dangerous time already for something happening to the baby.

It's normal to worry! We all do even at much more advanced ages!

[HuffwardlyRudge]

Congratulations

My breasts didn't change much until a few days after my babies were born and I breastfed with no problems.

[Longtalljosie]

I was only one cup size up at your stage - and tbh I'm not that much bigger now. I mentioned this to my midwife and she said I (and I guess you) will be one of those women for whom it all happens at the last minute.

Boob size hasn't really got that much to do with breastfeeding. You don't need a big pair for it.

I don't know if you're showing or not but I suspect you are - I remember my husband memorably saying when I was around 16 weeks - "you don't look pregnant, you just look like you've been at the pies!"

You do need to stop worrying about your weight though - it's an important time for your baby, and your weight will do what it will do. You'll lose it afterwards, but although it can be hard watching the scales go up, you have to remember it's all in a good cause.

That strong pulse you can feel in your tummy is probably your placenta, rather than the baby's heartbeat.

How much real life support have you got? Do your parents know you're pregnant? I'm sure they do but the fact you're worrying about so much stuff makes me wonder?

[littleboyblue]

It all sounds pretty normal. People gain weight in pregnancy differently. Some gain just on their belly where the baby is, some put on weight all over, both are normal and are nothing to worry about. A bit of cramping is also normal, because all your organs and insides have to move up into your chest to ive your baby enough room to grow, and she grows, she'll be stretching you, so it makes sense that it might be a bit uncomfortable at times.
My breasts too didn't change at all until after my babies were born, they didn't even really get any bigger, but about 3 days post-delivery, they were massive and full of milk.
Good luck and Congratulations

[Divvy]

I was your age when pregnant with my first. What I will say though, is that I hadnt stopped growing yet, and feet were a size bigger by the age of 18, and breasts went up another size also. Plus I grew another inch in height too!

so what you have going on here is your body is changing because you are growing a baby, but you are still growing yourself.

Your figure will be more womanly looking after you had your baby, and I mean that in a positive way.

Good luck.

[mamadiva]

Congratulations Amber!

I had my son when I was 19 and my mum had me when she was 16 and I love having a young mum, she's my best friend too

Agree with what everyone else has said you are still growing and every pregnancy is different so just because X happened to your friend then it does'nt mean it will happen to you too.

I don't think there is a way of distinguishing between weight gain and baby gain just eat healthily, eat enough and keep hydrated and you will be fine!

Most of all though take some time for you and try not to worry about things I know it's hard but it gets you nowhere, I spent a fair bit of my pregnancy worrying whether I would be good at this X and if Y would go wrong but all was well I now have a happy, healthy 3 year old and I would'nt change it for the world.

Everything just clicks into place once you've had a baby, somehow you just know what to do most of the time of course there are your days when you need help and advice we all do but instinct is a great thing!!!

Anyway I will stop going on now, I like to talk what can I say

Oh and just wanted to say by your post, I reckon you are going to be a wonderful mum you've already got to the protective stage

[ScorpiowithabigS]

Hi amber, i was 16 when i was pregnant with my first baby too. I'm now on my 4th . My boobs never increase in size until later on, i am very small in that department and still BF fine, don't worry. Try to relax and enjoy your pg, you are obviously finding it easy which is great! You have heard the heart, gaining a tummy is great news, no blood or cramps....sounds perfect to me!

At your stage in pregnancy its hard to tell re tummy and baby - but soon it will all pop out

Congratulations.

[Baisey]

With my first pregnancy my boobs didnt change until after I had my son, then they went HUGE. Dont worry about the weight gain it may look like you are "just getting fat" now but it will soon be a more established bump!
Congrats on the pregnancy!

[sockmonster]

Hi just to say what others have really, don't worry.

Re the boobs, mine barely changed during pregnancy and then 3 days after the birth... bang, serious inflation, which lasted a couple days, then they remained a little larger than usual while breastfeeding.

Good luck! Everything sounds normal

[Mamazon]

your body was already mid change prior to you getting pregnant. it doesn't matter if your gaining wieght through the preganancy or whether its just natural weight gain.

your boobs have probably changed a cup size simply because your a teenager and they would have anyway.

do you not have anyone in the real world that you are able to talk to about this sort of thing? you shouldn't be worrying about these little things and you are going to need as much support as you can get once baby arrives.
good luck

[sockmonster]

Re the weight gain I would say, please while you are pregnant and breastfeeding don't try to reduce your intake. Just remember that it is all for the benefit of your baby, who needs adequate and complete nutrition through you. I just looked a bit fat for ages into my pregnancy but then suddenly it became a discernable bump. It is the baby and is nothing to worry about, and it will go again afterwards.