18 weeks and don't feel pregnant

[LilacMoonlight]

I'm 18+2 and still don't feel pregnant
I've had no symptoms this pregnancy whatsoever. It's my first baby.
I heard a quick heartbeat check at 14 weeks after severe cramping.
At my 12 week scan baby was measuring behind a bit ( 5 days)
Which just further adds to my worry. This is an ivf pregnancy and I've had pregnancy loss before which I think is the reason I'm so anxious combined with not feeling pregnant. I don't have a bump , just my usual bit of flab and really soft. Should it be soft and fatty still? I haven't felt anything. I'm less worried about movements as I know most women don't feel movements til after 18 weeks but I guess it's just the fact I don't have a bump. I don't work out much so don't have tight muscles. Everyone else I knew at this stage was showing an obvious bump . I keep feeling like something has happened to baby as I just don't get where is it. My midwife told me my uterus would have moved up out of pelvis at week 16 so I'm struggling to believe I'm pregnant as if baby is growing well shouldn't I feel a little bump by now. I'm really dreading my 20 week scan incase baby has passed away.

I felt exactly like this between the 14 week check and 22 weeks when I first felt movement. Also an IVF pregnancy following several losses and all was fine so just to give a hand hold as I understand how you are feeling. Pregnancy after IVF/loss is tough xx

Although it’s unusual, some people genuinely don’t have pregnancy symptoms.
In my first pregnancy I didn’t really have a bump at all until nearer 20 weeks - I was naturally quite lean so I’d have thought a bump would have shown earlier, but honestly you couldn’t tell for ages, and I had a healthy pregnancy.
Can you book an extra midwife appointment and talk to them about how you’re feeling / see if they hear a heartbeat? Alternatively could you book a private scan? I know they’re a bit expensive, but so so worth it for peace of mind.

Hi @LilacMoonlight !
I'm sorry to hear you're feeling worried. I think it's normal. I don't think it's unusual not to look pregnant at 18 weeks. I was already a bit blobby before so I've gotten rounder but it's not a pregnancy bump 😂 it's a question of too many sausage rolls Vs the baby tbh.

I think even if you had a bump you'd still be worried.

When is your 20 week scan?
If it's not for a while (think they can happen between 18-22 weeks?) can you afford a private one?

I’m 17+6 today IVF twin pregnancy and as you no symptoms or bump(just fat🤣)!
i completely understand how you feeling, it’s so stressful and constantly worry about everything!
Had lots of scans so far as im paranoid lol with one included today and both bubbas are growing well.
did you had your scan at exactly 12w? just asking as I had a private scan at around 14w and the babies were measuring 5days behind although on another scan at 16w they started measuring the head of the babies and we were spot on on dates. At some point the measurements are not accurate when measuring bodies as babies grow and curl up.

I didn't have a single pregnancy symptom in my whole pregnancy. I also didn't have a bump until very late on. At 30 weeks people were still asking if I was sure I was pregnant and I was a size 10 so it should have been obvious. Got a bit of a bump about 34 weeks but it measured way behind. Baby popped out perfectly cooked at 8lbs.

Bear in mind the people with symptoms are far more likely to post online about them than the many people who have minimal or no symptoms. Chances are all is well.**

If you're really worried would a private scan be an option?

Please try not to worry (easier said than done) but a lack of symptoms really doesn't indicate there's a problem. I never felt pregnant at all, until the last few weeks where I was heavy and uncomfortable.

With my first pregnancy I only had symptoms for about a week and didn't have a bump until after 20 weeks..that baby is now 15 years old so everything was fine🙂 everyone is different when it comes to pregnancy and all of my pregnancies have been different, just want to reassure you that having no bump is not a cause for concern, my own mum didn't have one all throughout with me and when she went into labour the midwives didn't believe she was even pregnant because she was so small 😂

I wasn't showing at 18 weeks, although granted I already had a rectangular figure. I also often didn't feel pregnant around that time. That got better when she started kicking more regularly around 26 weeks. Pregnancy feels weird and to me felt like a very doubtful time. I doubted my body and pregnancy so much. Everything was fine though, I hope yours will be too.

Symptoms mean nothing. I had full symptoms last time and my baby had died 4 weeks before.

This time round I didn’t feel pregnant in weeks 16-23, didn’t look pregnant until week 28/29. Im now nearly 35 weeks, the bump is huge, the movements are constant and little bean is doing well ❤️.

if you are worried book a private scan, your 20 week should be soon as well.