As soon as your bump begins to show, your body seems to become public property. Friends, colleagues and relatives may be clambering round, desperate to get a feel of the bump, and comment on the size of it. In fact, you may find that strangers are also not shy about coming forward with their own personal opinions about your bump.
Does my bump look big in this?
If friends and relatives keep greeting you with cries of, “Oh my, are you sure you’re not having twins?!” it’s no wonder you’re starting to doubt yourself. If complete strangers are running up to you in the street to say, “You must be due any day now,” when you are only six months pregnant, you may be starting to worry about the size of your bump.
Is my bump too small?
Having a small bump is no picnic either, because people will want to comment on that just as much. From jaws hitting the ground when you say your due date (followed by “oh my, but your bump is so tiny,”), to questions from friends and family about whether you’re eating properly.
The right size
The important thing to remember, is that there is no right size for your bump. All women, and all pregnancies, are unique. Bump size can be influenced by lots of factors, including:
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the number of pregnancies – first pregnancies tend to be smaller bumps because tummy muscles are tighter
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the number of babies – women carrying multiples often have bigger bumps
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the amount of fluid – it’s not just baby in there, the amount of fluid in your uterus could also affect your bump size
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the baby’s position – you may notice that your bump changes shape each time your baby changes position
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your posture – your bump may look bigger or smaller if you stand in certain ways
Bump size: Does it matter?
In a word – no. The only thing that matters is your healthcare provider’s measurements of the baby. At each appointment, your healthcare provider will ask you to lie flat, so that she can check the position of the baby, and take a measurement. This helps your healthcare provider to monitor the baby’s growth. More detailed measurements will also be taken during any ultrasound scans.
There are a small number of conditions that can affect bump size. These conditions are rare, but your healthcare provider is trained to spot the symptoms. If your healthcare provider is concerned about the size of your bump, you will be offered further tests, such as an ultrasound to check the size of your baby.
If you are concerned about the size of your bump, speak to your healthcare provider for advice.
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.
