26 weeks small bump

[cloud2021]

This is my first pregnancy, I am 26+5 weeks and apparently I have a very small belly…
I didn’t realise at first not knowing what to expect but everyone is telling me how small my bump is and that I don’t even look pregnant! Yesterday at my first NCT class I had the smallest bump and lot of women where few weeks before me, all first baby.
On my 20 weeks scan all was well, they didn’t tell me the percentile but all measurements were on chart.
Last week at 26 weeks the midwife measured my belly, she first said 24cm but then put it down on the book at 25cm and wasn’t concerned at all.
I am just frustrated about all the people who keep telling how small my bump is, as it makes me feel I am doing something wrong!
Anyone in the same situation?

Yep it’s all people are saying. It winds me up for two reasons.. one I feel like an elephant and very different to normal so people telling me I don’t look pregnant is really messing with my head. Second, it makes me worry I’m not doing a good enough job but no one seems worried so I’m keeping on.

If your bump was small, the midwife would have picked up on it and sent you for a growth scan. I was in for a growth scan over the weekend with a lot of small measuring babies (I was in for the opposite reason). How your bump looks depends on a lot of other factors and none of them mean you’re doing something wrong. My scan notes have the percentile, it’s somewhere down near the bottom on my notes so maybe have a look there.

Bumps come in all shapes and sizes, and you need to be prepared for the comments because they WILL come. I’m 34 weeks and tiny. If I had a pound for everyone who asked me if I’m sure there’s a baby in there

Oh and then I found out I do have a baby with slight growth problems, so now the comments do upset me a bit but as long as my baby is okay, I try not to get stressed

It's hard isn't it. I was told the same. I'm very tall though and a lot of my height is in my torso so baby had loads of room. Was never very massive, even by the end. Frustrating but baby is healthy so embrace it x

Everyone is different, if your midwife is happy then that's all you need to worry about. I was still in my normal clothes at 7 months. I was desperate to show a bump - I just looked like I'd put weight on

Thank you... glad I am not alone!! I am also desperate to show a proper bump... I am 5'7 and was on normal BMI before so I just think the bump is proportionate with my body... but I hate other people commenting on it! especially because they wouldn't dare telling me if I had a massive bump but they feel they have the right to say how tiny it is!

People carry differently. If your baby measured well at 20 weeks that is brilliant. Just hold onto that.

Otherwise, if you are getting really concerned, perhaps discuss it with the midwife, and ask for growth scans if she is concerned as well?

Not only are you reasonably tall but you could have a long torso.

Even though I'm very short I had a small neat bump with my first. Alas was HUGE with subsequent ones as my tummy muscles no longer held it all in.

People are just trying to make conversation and think they're being kind when they're saying it, even midwives comment on 'ohh what a neat bump'. I do occasionally reply 'yes, she's SGA, it's a bit of a worry' if I'm feeling snippy!

If your midwife isn't worried when she measures you, don't take any notice of anyone else. If the midwife is worried she'll act straight away.

You'll probably look back in a couple of months and think oh where has my near manageable bump gone, when you're trying to tie your laces or pick up a sock 😂 even a tiny baby bump gets in the way for me now.

I wouldn’t worry too much. I’m 26 weeks and still don’t look noticeably pregnant! I am tall and a size 16 so suspect that’s partly to do with it, but scans have been fine and midwives not concerned so I’m happy!

Conversely one of my colleagues is 28 weeks and her bump is enormous. She’s finding things more difficult that I am so I’m counting myself lucky that I’m not hindered by a huge bump at this point I think.

I had this throughout and it does get a bit irritating, but in reality everyone carries a pregnancy differently. So long as your midwife is happy try not to worry. I was still wearing non-maternity shorts and loose t-shirts at full term and could pass as not pregnant up to about 32 weeks if I wore loose clothing. At about 38 weeks my bump did start to protrude more and our daughter was born healthy at 40+5 weighing 7lb13oz. I have no idea how she fitted in there, she must have been rather squashed! Eat well and healthily and keep active, and don't worry about what others think. He/she will be doing just fine in there 😃

People are telling me I've got a small bump I'm 27'weeks and I was measured on the weekend when I was 26+4 and it's 28cm so its actually bigger! People will comment whether you've got a big or small bump it's relentless

I have regular growth scans because of high blood pressure. I have a small bump and the midwife keeps measuring me as being 2-3 weeks behind but my growth scans show a baby on 50-60th% so I wouldn’t worry about the size of the bump. If your midwife has any concerns you’ll be sent for a growth scan.