Erm...WHERE do bumps start!?

[Skeppers]

I know that sounds stupid- I mean I have SEEN pregnant women, I've just never BEEN one. I would've assumed that, as all the growing is happening in your lower abdominal area, that's where the 'bump' would be. However a lot of the 'bump pics' I've seen of people around the same stage as me (12 wks) the bump starts more in the tummy area, below the boobs and then sort of arcs down. The reason I'm asking is that I've gained a definite and significant growth in my tummy/midriff area- I haven't changed my eating habits at all, as in I'm not eating significantly more- and I'm trying to reassure myself that it's 'bump' rather than flab!! But I can't see how that works because all the growing is happening in the uterus which is much further down...

The bump starts from around the pubic section (so, you'll start to puff out around and below where your belly button is). The uterus stays within the pubic bone until aporox 12w, then starts to outgrow and reaches above the pelvic brim.

As your uterus ('fundus'/'fundal height') grows, the bump will rise up and grow out; by the final trimester, the fundus will reach just into the base of your rib cage.

Don't bother comparing bump sizes, is my best advice I was small with my first baby - people at work who didn't already know I was pg didn't figure it out, even by the time I was 6m pg! I had a small, neat bump and still produced a perfect 7lb 5oz baby

Good luck!

Bloating is so common early on, it might just be, urm, wind.

Hmm. I am naturally quite farty (one of my many attractive and feminine qualities) so maybe it is wind and I just haven't noticed?

Thanks for the info! Thought it should be around the pubic area. I didn't think I was that bad at biology! I am a bit overweight so think it may be more difficult to distinguish the bump from the blubber...

It's different for everyone.

Early pregnancy bloating can cause 'higher' bumps. My bump started low with DS, but with this one I have just thickened around my middle and have the arc thing you describe. Very unflattering.

I'm very odd and have had "fat ribs" since long before my lower or mid abdomen started moving outwards. The area directly below my boobs/bra got harder and more prominent at about 16 weeks, whereas my lower abdomen didn't start getting harder and more prominent until about 24 weeks. At nearly 27 weeks my mid abdomen area is still softer than the rest and still curved inwards, so I don't really look like I have a proper bump, just look fat :( My bras are the same in the cup but the band has about 3-4 inches added with an extender, so my ribs are definitely fat! How odd.

I'm the same. My ribs directly under my boobs started pushing out around 10 weeks and that area is really prominent now, 18wks. I guess we are all different.

I just sort of pop out and have no chance of hiding it...especially this time as I was overweight when I caught. . Even the lollipop lady had guessed by the time I was six weeks.

As the bump grows upwards from the pelvic area it displaces fat and organs upwards which adds to the thickening of the waistline early on. I Found a really difficult time clothing wise as my older things were tight but maternity clothes were too big.

The most interesting thing about pregnancy yoga is hanging out with twelve ladies due around the same time. Every single bump is utterly different. It's fascinating. I went barrel-like and my stomach muscles barely separated but ds was wedged very uncomfortably in my ribs and pelvis. My friend looked like she had a basketball up her jumper. Some were high uo, others low down. Some women bloated, others didn't.

My mum said with me she looked like she'd had a big meal, and she's very skinny.

I found there were two stages to bump growth - first of all your womb grows within your pelvis and squishes your intestines and stuff upwards, making your waist bigger (and your digestion slower). You can lovingly stroke that bump if you want, but it's mostly poo. You will be too big for normal clothes but too small for maternity clothes. Then as you get further into the second trimester you start to grow a actual baby bump which grows upwards from your pelvic bone. You will still look a bit like you've just over-eaten, until it grows above your navel (about 20-something weeks). Then you will suddenly have that classic pregnant lady shape and people will start offering you seats/trying to rub your belly. Enjoy!

Behold: the wonder of pregnancy www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/you/the-exhibit/your-beginning/make-room-for-baby/interactive/

I feel (and look) as if all of my innards have jumped upwards to get away from my advancing uterus
I'm a bit constipated at times too, so by the end of the day I look about 5 months pregnant! I'm less than 10 weeks, yet to have dating scan. I think I'm going to be MASSIVE

You can lovingly stroke that bump if you want, but it's mostly poo.

I have often felt a sense of quiet pride and wonder towards my poo...strokes belly absent-mindedly

By the way MrsMogginsMinge that video is AWESOME! Thanks for the link, it was really helpful! (and kind of gross, which is also cool)

I always find it funny when women are lovingly stroking their "bump" very early on, when they're really just stroking bloat and poop