18 weeks and barely showing

rachellaura86

This is my first pregnancy. I am really nervous that I am this far along and barely have a baby bump! I actually thought I was only 11-12 weeks. I went for my ultrasound on Thursday, where to my shock, I found out I was 18 weeks. They said that the baby looks healthy and everything looks normal. But I am kind of freaking myself out about the fact that my belly is currently almost non-existant! My pants are just getting a little tighter.

 I have a doctor's appointment Monday so I will definitely be asking then, but I was wondering if anyone out there can relate. I wasn't freaking out about this when I thought I was only 11-12 weeks. It's especially making me nervous because I have a friend who is 5 days behind me and her belly is getting big! I did find out I am having a girl, so I dont know if that makes a difference or not. I also do have a pretty thin frame and I think I've been eating pretty normally.

 Thanks in advance for any input!

rachelracoon

I am not as far along as you just yet, about 14 weeks, but I can tell you I am barely showing either. I still fit into all my clothes, even my jeans. I too, posted things asking other mommas and mommas-to-be if this is normal, as well as doing a little research online and in books. From what I have learned, it is TOTALLY normal to not be showing yet. Some women show at 6 weeks and some don't show till as late as 6 months! It all depends on the person. If this is your first baby, it might take a little longer to show, whereas your next pregnancy might be an earlier shower due to the "warm up" effect from your muscles being stretched previously! Also, things such as the strength of your abdominal muscles can affect it, the stronger they are the longer it might take for them to stretch and look like you've "popped". Another thing I was told is that taller women with longer torsos don't always show as early because there is more space lengthwise for your baby to go, if that makes sense. Personally I don't think people are accurate in saying thin, petite or skinny girls show later on. I am very skinny, but I am also very tall and have very strong abs AND this is my first pregnancy. I am not showing much yet, but I don't just write it off as "well, I'm small". I think that if you have a little excess weight to begin with it might make the baby bump less apparent but I don't think it's a simple as looking a person's size. 

Basically, everyone and every pregnancy is different. It can be based on a number of things but if your doctor says your baby is developing and healthy according to schedule, you shouldn't worry about how everything looks on the outside. Once we start getting a big belly and we are trying to find clothes to accommodate it I'm sure we will be laughing at ourselves for being so worried. Congrats on your little girl!!! 

00tedsgirl

I popped yesterday.  I went to put on my regular, pre-pg jeans and I couldn't zip them.  Up until that point I just looked like I had eaten a few too many cookies.  Every body is different.  You can google maternity pics at x weeks to see pics of different bellies at the same stage you are at.

Shelleybell

I have nothing and this is also my first pregnancy.  I was pretty thin pre-preg too.

MouseInLux

I have a friend who just gave birth. You could hardly tell she was pregnant until well into her third tri. I'm 17weeks now and look as pregnant as she did on her last day at work (8 weeks before she gave birth).

I think her long torso and the baby's position helped...her baby liked he back a lot! 

mofalt

Don't worry!  If the u/s was good and they said the baby was looking healthy and normal, then you are fine!  Also, they will most likely confirm this tomorrow.

With my first pregnancy I didn't even know I was pregnant until 20+ weeks!  I had actually lost weight and looked really thin because I was so sick.  Even then, my son was really healthy - he was taking everything he could from me.  Now, with this pregnancy I have really popped and look a lot bigger than I thought I would.  As everyone will tell you, all pregnancies are different.  You should put your mind at ease.

 

GL  

SarahP15

Everyone's body develops differently.  Until this week, no one (even friends) could tell I am pregnant.  I still fit into all my pre-pregnancy clothes and I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow.  At 18 weeks, I barely had a bump either.  As long as your ultrasound is good, try not to worry. 

shortbride27

I think everyone is just different.  If the doctors said everything is good, try not to over analyze the situation, there's no sense in worrying.

 

dairygirl19

Everyone's different. I'm 17 weeks today and I saw a friend last night who's almost 20. She looked way more pregnant than me. None of her regular clothes fit whereas I can still wear all my shirts and my pants with a bella band except jeans.

You're probably just one that will pop later like me. I was like 22 weeks the first time before it was really obvious I was pregnant.

laurakaz13

I was pretty skinny pre-preg and was not showing at all at 18 weeks.  It started to come quickly between 23-27 weeks. 

Pythia1022

I'm almost in my 3rd tri, and I STILL have to "stick it out" for pictures, and when I want to look pregnant in public! My baby has measured on track proportionately, but small the whole way through; my belly has been measuring small since day 1 as well. Every pregnancy is different, and even though I know it's frustrating, try not to worry too much! If your doctor isn't concerned, try to be patient. You'll probably wake up one day totally popped

UncleBen

I wouldn't worry.  I am 5'6", thin, but with longer legs and a shorter torso - I just really popped within the last week (I'm 18w today).  This is my second pregnancy as well, and from what I hear, you show much sooner on your second pregnancy. 

mary1313

Everyone is different. I didn't have a bump until last weekend (at about 19 weeks). I woke up on Saturday and all of the sudden, couldn't wear my regular jeans comfortably. The night before they fit fine. Crazy how it happens! I wouldn't worry if I were you.

ccorso

I am 21 weeks and barely showing. Don't stress!

cburitz

Pythia1022:

I'm almost in my 3rd tri, and I STILL have to "stick it out" for pictures, and when I want to look pregnant in public! My baby has measured on track proportionately, but small the whole way through; my belly has been measuring small since day 1 as well. Every pregnancy is different, and even though I know it's frustrating, try not to worry too much! If your doctor isn't concerned, try to be patient. You'll probably wake up one day totally popped

I love the name you chose for your little girl! It is really pretty!

OP- I am 16w2d right now and I have NO belly at all. When I tell people how far along I am, I get the side eye (like they don't believe me). My mom says she didn't "pop" with her first pregnancy until 6.5 months. Try to relax & enjoy shopping for pink!

Temp785382312506150

With my first pregnancy, I didn't really start to show until sometime between 20 and 22 weeks. It's nothing to worry about.

erbear

With #1, I was in non-maternity clothes until 28 weeks and didn' t show until close to 30. Normal, healthy baby.

ElleB*

I'm 21 weeks and STILL wearing my own jeans (albeit with a bellaband) and most of my own shirts. (Though I do have a little bump, finally). The funny thing is, the dr's say I (not the baby) am measuring a week or two ahead...it just isn't showing up as much of a bump. 

Don't worry about it too much, as long as your Dr is ok with how you look, you'll get the cute bump! 

cmw&tdm

You're fine, that's very common for first time moms.  You will probably be noticeably showing by 30 wks.  At least that's how it went the last two times for me.   

tokenhoser

Showing sounds like fun until you've got nothing to wear, your balance is off, you keep running into things with your belly, and your back starts to ache.

This is not something to worry about.

kjbarber86

I don't think you should be worried.  It's normal during the first pregnancy not to show for a while.  I only had a little bump at 18 weeks and now, at 23 weeks, there is a dramatic difference!  When comparing yourself to your friend, everyone woman and every woman's body is different.  I have a friend that's a few weeks ahead of me and she was showing much earlier than I was.  She was showing at 14 weeks and when i was 14 weeks, no one could even tell.  There are a lot of things that cause you to show sooner/later, I don't think the sex of the baby in one of them.  If you have a long torso, the baby will have more room to stretch out before you show.  If you have tight abs muscles, it will take longer for the bump to pop out.  Things like that.  Don't worry!  I'm sure you've heard that one day you'll wake up and be bigger than the day before--well it's completely true.  Just enjoy being small for now because it gets difficult doing things with a big belly! :-P

tchubirubi

You know, it is really amusing how pregnant women tend to feel concerned no matter what - if you show, you feel it's too much, or it's too early, if you don't show, you feel something has to be wrong... except I've seen people clearly showing as early as two months, and people that, on the very day they delivered, still looked five months at most (and that to those who knew they were pregs, cos those who didn't might just think they were a little rounder than usual...). I think the comments of other people greatly contribute to our natural pregnancy neurosis - really, you'd think people would know better than going "are you sure? you are so big/small!", right?

Anyway, just relax and enjoy - having your figure for longer must have its perks!

google123

i'm pg with twins and I still don't think I'm showing.  I was concerned too.  I look slightly fatter, but no noticeable baby bump.  Some bodies just hold it different.

nicky0891

im barley showing either but see i was a lil bigger wene i got pregnant so i think that could be why i just cant wait to pop lol good luck and godbless

forensicmama

Why are you nervous?! I didn't show at 18 weeks either. Wait until the end! You won't be able to get out of bed without help!!!

rachellaura86

Thank you SOOOOOO much for all of your insight! I am not nervous anymore. Will still mention something to the doc today, but I definitely am not feeling like something is wrong for not showing yet.

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