No bump just a whole load of flab

[CaringForPod]

Hello,

Anyone else in the same boat? I'm 16+4 and as yet there is no bump, just so much flab. I had a bit of a belly before (despite being quite fit - bike to/from work, swim and gym). Now it's like an untamed beast. I'm only 5'3" so it's really obvious.

Maybe I notice a lot more as I suffered from anorexia for many years, but have been a healthy weight for a couple of years (even at my lowest weight the belly was still there!). I just want to hear how other people cope with this as I really don't want to get into any old bad habits during the pregnancy.

Thanks a million

x

It gets better - and then you'll have a lovely bump.

Stick with the healthy eating and ensuring you give yourself enough so that your body can take what it needs for the baby.

I know this can be a bit hard in practise, as I have actually cried when getting dressed as had "nothing to wear" but it will be worth it to have a healthy baby.

My bump arrived after my 20 week scan, but a girl I work with had hers at 3 months.

Best thing I have done is avoid all tops which hugged my stomach and made use of the fashion for leggings and loose tops. Mixing loose tops with my maternity trousers - as were more comfortable than wearing normal trousers - made me feel better.

It still bothers me a bit, but feeling the baby move makes it feel worthwhile - putting up with a body shape which is considerably different from my "normal" one.

Only other thing to consider is once baby arrives, you still need to ensure you are keeping a close eye on your health (which extends to healthy eating) as you will be responsible for this wonderful person you created!

look after yourself x

Thanks Oneof8. I never thought I'd be in this position, ie able to have a baby, but here I am! For the most part I'm fine, it's just hard at the moment as I just look fat rather than pregnant. But I know it'll all be worth it and then I'll lose the weight sensibly when I'm able. My lovely husband makes sure I'm looked after, even if I try my hardest not to be sometimes! x

Yes- this can be a tricky stage. You don't look pregnant- the weight is all around your middle,sides,bum-not sticking out front.

Remember your body is actually laying down a little fat and is also retaining water, extra blood etc. to cope with the pregnancy.

It is a tricky time- nothing fits but you feel a fraud wearing maternity clothes- they won't really fir either/ I reckon by 20 weeks your bump will be evident.

Enjoy!

Thanks Spinaroo. I'm counting down the days until I'm 20 weeks. I bought my first pair of maternity jeans today as I just seem to be spilling over my normal ones (nice). I'd feel a bit better about it if there were a bump, but what can you do? The gut will out...

I'm just the same! I am 18 weeks today and my belly is huge and lumpy

I had a belly before I was pg but had managed to lose 3 stone before getting pg, now people who know me but not necessarily know im pregnant must just look at me and think, she lost all that weight and now look at her!

Bring on the bump!!! I can't wait.

I know how you feel Natzer. It's really starting to get me down. I feel the same about other people - they must look at me and think wow, she's really let herself go. I just worry that the flab is here to stay. It's the wobbles and the lumps that I can't stand, here's hoping for that elusive bump!

I know how you feel too! I am 19 weeks tomorrow. For the past three or four weeks I have felt a bit miffed (even tearful) when I caught sight of myself in the mirror to see that my waist had disappeared. I was so unused to this but knew I would just have to wait it out because limiting my food intake would not be in the best interests of the baby. However, two days ago my bump suddenly popped out almost overnight. It is solid in a way that it was not before and I now look undeniably pregnant. Here's hoping we all embrace our changing bodies and keep healthy. We are not alone :)

I'm so glad it's not just me. I'm 15+3 and I just feel fat. I have had similar past issues and I'm doing my best to not fall into bad habits which is especially hard as I'm still sick most days (not on purpose). The stupid thing on the news today saying that pregnant women eat too much didn't help. If I don't eat enough I have a migraine type headache and retch a lot. Also if I don't eat regularly I get really nauseous and end up being sick.

It makes me feel worse that I can't run 10km anymore I can only do 5's and as it's getting icy I'll have to not cycle to work :(

Ah ha, I am not the only one! Am only 9 weeks, but with my second and my abs seem to have just given up. My solution is to stop sucking it in - just plop it out and pretend it's a real bump

Luckily no one has prodded it yet and had their hand swallowed by the flab!

MrsN, you are really healthy! I read that it is important to be able to relax your abs and that constantly pulling in your bump can cause pressure on the uterus and compress the baby. Let's all relax

Thanks everyone, it's great to know that I'm not alone in feeling this way. To be honest, I'm finding this whole pregnancy thing quite hard mentally (anxiety issues, body image issues etc). I know I'll be more at ease once the fabled bump has appeared. The midwife told me to go see a doctor, but since I'm already on various tablets I don't want them to shove more down me, which I'm pretty sure is what their response will be.

Thanks again for the support, thinking of you all and hoping for the rapid appearance of bumps.

xx

I was exactly the same - lost my waist at about 10 weeks, then was really flabby right the way through till last week (17 weeks) when my bump just popped out. It's still a bit flabby when I'm sitting (belly rolls!) but when I'm standing I've got a nice little well-defined bump, which is much more solid than it was.

hello

just wanted to say I was identical to you - then got to 22 weeks and it just EXPLODED out. Lovely solid bump!

Now at 34, it is ginormous and rock solid.

So don't worry, this horrible bit won't last long!

Hi I'm 17 weeks and in totally the same boat, wasn't slim to start with but also not that fat now just feel like a whale and actually getting a bit upset that I might never get to have a proper bump, although you are all giving me some hope!