Did your body barely change in pregnancy or should I expect the worst?

[reafl]

I’m 27 weeks pregnant and in the last week I’ve had a bump properly emerge and sleeping is a bit achy. When I say bump has emerged, I still don’t look pregnant in most clothes

I had a very slim frame and apart from some sickness early on ive been ok. I’m suddenly panicking that I’m going to balloon and my body will go to shit. I’m wishing away the next few weeks as I’m genuinely scared that I’m going to be a physical mess soon. I know this isn’t a ‘problem’ im just feeling emotional today.

It varies for everyone, but I'd say that if you're still quite small at 27 weeks you won't be ballooning drastically anytime soon.

Buy some bio oil and start smothering that on just in case.

I was same as you for the 1st, barely looked pregnant until around 28/30 weeks. Basically looked like I'd eaten too much roast dinner and that was it. Did get bigger in the last few weeks though but I was one of the extremely lucky ones and had only 1-2 stretch marks. (bio oil is your friend)

However with the 3rd I ballooned pretty much from the get go and those 1-2 stretch marks suddenly gained an entire family, and their extended family, and their friends for good measure.

Try not to worry. It can only be what it will be, but I understand the feeling emotional about it.

Everyone is different and I think a lot of it is genetic.

I had twins and I'm still a size 8. No stretch marks and boobs still fairly pert despite breastfeeding for 2.5 years. My DM kept her figure really well after pregnancy as well.

Just eat well but don't 'eat for two' Exercise in a trimester appropriate manner and try not to worry too much about it.

Everyone is different when it comes to the impact of pregnancy on the body. but let me tell you my story as it might make you feel better. I had a huge baby last year and ended up with a badly weakened pelvic floor from pregnancy and birth. I despaired and thought my body would never be the same again. I was two sizes larger than my pre-baby figure for about four months after the birth. Fast forward 11 months, I am back in all my pre-baby clothes and the pelvic floor has healed brilliantly with a spot of NHS physio and is unlikely to give me any trouble. I did a lot of pram walks and little bit of postnatal pilates, which was bloody brilliant. now I feel pretty much back to normal. And I'm pushing 40!!! Pregnancy and birth are hard on the body but that doesn't mean they are going to trash it. I hope this doesn't sound smug because that is honestly not my intention, I just wanted to share my story as an illustration that things can and so work out just fine. Don't let anyone one scare you with horror stories and keep up with those pelvic floor exercises. The overwhelming likelihood is that you will be fine and your body won't be radically altered from its pre baby state. Just be patient with yourself in the months after the birth.

I stayed a size 6 before during and after my pregnancy with DD. I ate a balanced diet whilst allowing cravings, treat days, lazy days etc. Exercised according to what was and felt safe and comfortable. Careful after birth to not eat lazy food and make time to make and eat wholesome food.

It really is different for everyone. I was humongous just before giving birth but back in my pre-pregnancy clothes within a fortnight. My Mum was so slim she barely even looked pregnant.
Eat sensibly - you only need extra calories in your last trimester, and only about 100 a day more. Keep active. Our bodies are amazing.

I was back to my pre-pregnancy size within a couple of weeks of giving birth (not due to any efforts on my part, it just happened). There's no reason why your body should be vastly different post birth.

I didn't look pregnant from behind, even at the very end. Baby was 9lbs 1oz and I had extra water. I actually lost 9kgs over the pregnancy. Yes, my body is different now but I expected a lot worse. I've always had a poor relationship with my body but I grew to love it and be very proud of it.

And dropped a dress size!

Sorry OP, my body was permanently damaged from pregnancy. I gained 2.5st and two weeks after giving birth I was within 7lb of my original weight. Made no difference, my stomach was still fucked with stretch marks and I have permanent pain as a result of the stretching, plus an apron of skin. Then the milk came in one breast only, so that one grew and never went back, so I’m stuck with two differently sized breasts. If my child didn’t need me I’d kill myself because I’m hideous.

Oh @Dadaya you sound so low have you spoken to your GP

Pp are correct everyone is different

I hardly gained any weight and zero stretch marks and am same size I was before pregnancy of not smaller however my boobs are definitely less pert but fine in my bra/ day to day you just never know

i used palmers body lotion for stretch marks as a preventative and like I said never got any

You sound similar to me in that I didn't look pregnant/get a bump until quite late on, and am generally slim.
I didn't do anything special, but was back in pre-pregnancy clothes as soon as DD was born - as in, the same day. Same for DD2 although I got a bump earlier in pregnancy.
Clearly I didn't do anything to get into those clothes, I think it's probably just chance. Although I didn't get any cravings so that made it easier to stay healthy during pregnancy I guess.

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and I finished work for Mat leave today. One of my colleagues said he had no idea I was even pregnant 😂. Iv gained less than a stone and am still in most of my normal clothing. I carry very high so my bump doesn't stick out much.

It would be very unusual to notice no changes at all after pregnancy.

I didn't put on much weight & have no stretchmarks. I can wear clothes from before quite comfortably but my shape is different - slightly smaller, softer boobs, slightly thicker waist, slightly smaller hips.

Why is the appearance of a pregnant body making you feel bad?

Have you ever had an eating disorder? Your language indicates a preoccupation with control and fear of losing it. Do you associate a slim figure with success or is it bound up with your self image?

Would it help to see a visibly pregnant body as a sign of strength? Growing an entire new human and seeing him or her safely into the world is something of a superpower, no?

Is strength something you value or do you value appearance more?

I had two whopping babies & after my first I was 2st heavier for two years. I made no effort to lose weight. I was very sleep deprived & loved eating chocolate...

Didn't put any extra weight on second time & was straight back to previous weight that week.

Started eating well & working out 6m pp & have lost that extra 2st from first pregnancy, plus extra.

I weight less than pre children, but my body is completely different. I carry weight differently, I'm covered in stretch marks but happy.

I had two babies in just under 3yrs. I don't criticise myself half as much as I did pre children, I'm more appreciative of what my body is capable of!

I gained 4 stone (11st-16st) and my body is pretty much the same as before I got pregnant. I got a few additional stretch marks but no saggy skin despite a 9lb 9 baby, although my legs are a bit more jiggly now. Boobs, well, they have definitely seen better days after 2.5 years of breastfeeding but never mind. I too didnt have much of a bump until 33 weeks either.

I gained 22kg both times and i was freaked out but it went back pretty much the same.

I got to 32 weeks before I suddenly started to get stretchmarks. It was strange because I never gained much weight and used all the lotions and creams recommended so I think I'm just unlucky. I had my baby 3 weeks ago and I'm only 4lbs off my normal weight now so other than the stretchmarks, I don't think my body is that different. I absolutely hated the way I looked whilst pregnant though, no matter how many times people complimented me. I've always been a bit neurotic about my weight so watching my body change so quickly was a total shock.

Its all worth it though as soon as you meet your baby.

I am tiny (8stone) and put on 4 stone during my first pregnancy, I was shocked as I didn't look big anywhere else, just a hugeee bump and had a biggish baby, but my body sprung back to before almost immediately, after the water retention went. No stretch marks, and my hips went back to the same size, was back in size 8 jeans as soon as csection scar had healed. With my second, I had a much smaller bump, but I got stretch marks, and my stomach has never gone back to normal. The skin is "crinkly" and I have a small "pouch" of skin that hangs over my csection scars, despite being very slim, and it really effects my confidence. Just don't think you can predict it really. Maybe because my pregnancies were quite close together that I didn't spring back second time around! Bio oil definitely helps with stretch marks though x

Bearly noticeable with my first, to the extent when I said goodbye some people at work (not in direct team) as I wouldn't see them for a while, they asked what kind of leave, as aparently didn't know I was pregnant.

In contrast, I was the size of a house with my second. Main difference was the way babies where lying. No.1 was text book head down from early on, no.2 was transverse.

Everyone is different.I had my first child at 24 and I was the same weight (8st 3)/dress size (8-10)/shape at my 6 week post natal check up as I had been at my 6 week ante natal check up. No stretch marks and I didn't look any different.I was 9st7 when I became pregnant with my second at 31. I lost nearly a stone during pregnancy due to HG. My stomach didn't ping back to pre pregnancy flatness the second time round but a lot of that was because I had an EMCS. Otherwise, I was my original size within a few weeks. Still no stretchmarks.No lasting changes otherwise but other people's stories won't help. Eat healthily and do what you're already doing and your post birth body will be what it will be

Everyone is different, and your mum might be your best indicator of how much your body will be impacted. My mum, my sister and I had no belly stretch marks from multiple pregnancies (I did get stretch marks on my breasts after my milk came in, don't know about my mum or sister as I've never asked!). I definitely think there's a genetic component to how stretchy your skin will be.

I also gained about 20kg with each pregnancy but I was very tiny, probably underweight before. I lost the weight instantly with the first pregnancy and over about six months with the second.

But no one escapes pregnancy completely unscathed! It's completely normal that such a huge, taxing event will leave marks. It's okay, although I know there can be a sense of loss there.

It's genetics I think, I've had three babies and don't have a single stretch mark, although my stomach is a bit shrivelled. I had them all within 4.5 years though so not much time to bounce back!

I put four stone on with my first pregnancy, it was pure indulgence and my own fault really, i totally panicked about it but I lost all the weight by his first birthday. I was a bit more restrained with the other two because I didn't want to make it hard for myself in the end.

I weigh less now than I did before I had my kids and am in better shape, but I've never been overweight and am tall and do a lot of exercise. I do think genes help though because my mum never had stretch marks either.

Your body doesn't necessarily have to be negatively affected by having a baby but there's a lot you can't control - birth injuries, c-section impact on stomach muscles etc and even if you end up looking different it is usually worth it (barring extreme cases obviously).

there’s a website called the shape of a mother which explores this very topic and many womens various experiences . Might be helpful
best of luck with the pregnancy its a beautiful thing bringing a child into thr world regardless of whatever changes do or do not occurr