Baby Belly or Belly Fat?

MamanBee · April 2016

Hello all!

I am going through a little bit of a dilema. I didn't think I would but I am wondering. See, I am 5`4`` and pre-pregnancy was between 135-140. I am now a little over 143-144. I never had a flat tummy, but I was comfortable enough to wear more fitted clothing. Today I noticed that I can't seem to suck in my tummy like i usually do. I am 10 weeks. The thing is, is that my stomach is very squishy, not firm at all. Is it possible that this is a baby belly making it`s appearance, or is it more likely that I have put on a little but on my tummy fat. I appreciate any and all answers. I just don't want to get ahead of myself as this is my first and I have no idea what to expect.

Thank you!

srcr2011 · April 2016

It's bloat at this time. I said in another post, at 12 weeks, the uterus is the size of a grapefruit still tucked away behind the public bone starting to come up and out. If it's your first, you can probably expect to show a real baby bump at about 16-20 weeks. Until then it's bloat, sorry. I'm a couple days shy of 10 weeks, I'm on my 3rd baby, and in the morning I don't look pregnant at all, but by the evening, I look 4 months pregnant.

shevaCC · April 2016

srcr2011 said:

It's bloat at this time. I said in another post, at 12 weeks, the uterus is the size of a grapefruit still tucked away behind the public bone starting to come up and out. If it's your first, you can probably expect to show a real baby bump at about 16-20 weeks. Until then it's bloat, sorry. I'm a couple days shy of 10 weeks, I'm on my 3rd baby, and in the morning I don't look pregnant at all, but by the evening, I look 4 months pregnant.

Yup, this. I've actually lost a couple pounds since all food sounds terrible, but still have bloat I can't suck in by the end of the day.

Britt428 · April 2016

Yes to @shevaCC. I've lost a few pounds too and in the morning stomach is still flat but by the end of the day, sheesh, I've got some serious bloat even when I don't eat much.

MamanBee · April 2016

Thanks ladies! I appreciate your honesty. No need to get excited about a bump that isn't baby.

DunkinDecaf · April 2016

You're not alone! I'm letting myself be excited about my chubby blump. As far as I'm concerned, even if the extra tummy I've got going on isn't actually made of baby, it's still there (partly) because of baby!

serenaxo84 · April 2016

I'm also in the same boat. Second baby- my belly is sticking out more on the top and is pretty hard but I'm guessing from all the gas I let out last night it's just gas and bloat!

srcr2011 · April 2016

shevaCC said:h

srcr2011 said:

It's bloat at this time. I said in another post, at 12 weeks, the uterus is the size of a grapefruit still tucked away behind the public bone starting to come up and out. If it's your first, you can probably expect to show a real baby bump at about 16-20 weeks. Until then it's bloat, sorry. I'm a couple days shy of 10 weeks, I'm on my 3rd baby, and in the morning I don't look pregnant at all, but by the evening, I look 4 months pregnant.

Yup, this. I've actually lost a couple pounds since all food sounds terrible, but still have bloat I can't suck in by the end of the day.

Me too, I've lost about 5, but you can never tell.

comealongponds · April 2016

I'm alllll bloat and bad food choices lol.

Little+Tiny · April 2016

I love my chubby bloat. I like to poke it out and pretend it's a big bump.

srcr2011 · April 2016

I'm most uncomfortable in the bloat to bump stage. Where you don't look pregnant, just look as if you gained weight, the in between maternity and non maternity clothes.

SpiritYell0905 · April 2016

I don't feel bloated. But goodness is my stomach huge right now. I've always carried my weight in my belly unfortunately but I guess I thought since I wouldn't be drinking my beloved beer that I would lose some of that. Not the case. I'm huge right now and by the end of the day my work pants are just digging into me. Bad food choices and being too exhausted to exercise are, I'm sure, to blame.

hollowway · April 2016

How far along are you? (I'm mobile and can't see siggy)... around 8/9 weeks your uterus starts to rise over the pubic bone, so it's totally possible that your baby belly is starting to effect your waiste line.

srcr2011 · April 2016

I'll just leave this here...

srcr2011 · April 2016

aquasocks · April 2016

MamanBee said:

Thanks ladies! I appreciate your honesty. No need to get excited about a bump that isn't baby.

I say get excited girl. You're growing a person

therealvday · April 2016

My thoughts exactly! I feel huge. My stomach has always been flat (#humblebrag) but lately it sticks out so much. DH says I'm crazy but I can see it with my own eyes! And pants are feeling a little bit tighter. I'm going to agree that it's bloat since I can't actually be showing yet but still. And I have to be in a bikini in less than 2 weeks. Shit.

MamanBee · April 2016

You ladies are awesome! Made me smile. I guess I shall embrace this extra bit of me as it's from the wee one inside

muybueno · April 2016

I'm 0% bothered when people get excited about their bump/blump/belly fat/big ass lunch pooch. I don't give care what's making your belly protrude. If you're excited about your pregnancy, cool.

In my first pregnancy, I remember showing off my 16-week "belly" to a STM and she was like "oh it's so cute!" Looking back at pictures, there was nothing there. But good on her for letting me be excited.

It's all related to pregnancy, whether it's the extra milkshake you had because baby needed it or bloat from hormones. Don't spend a ton of time analyzing the cause, just enjoy.

TrulyBlessed22 · April 2016

I agree 100% @muybueno

If it puts a smile on your face then just enjoy it. I know my "belly" is all bloat right now and its size ebbs and flows throughout the day (further proving it's bloat) but as some others have said it's because of the baby that this is happening because I can assure you that no amount of eating or period bloat would get me this size belly at any point so it makes me smile. My pants are tighter and I can only suck it in but so much and I'm happy with my Blump!

whaat · April 2016

I mean, to each their own. Some of us (me) get excited about our blumps, and others are excited at the opportunity to be uterus-size truthers. Everybody's happy!

nancydamien · April 2016

I'm just 9 weeks now and this is the 2nd time around for me. I am 5'1" and 115 lbs. (Pre-pregnancy). I knew right away before the test and I am already in maternity clothes. Enjoy every minute! I also think that some of it is from not even trying to suck it in anymore, and all the bloating (which I never have with my periods).

XmomX · April 2016

I have an obvious belly at 9 weeks, people who know me will know that I am pregnant by looking at me (I am normally very slender). This is my second and comparing pictures to my last pregnancy I didn't look like this until 14 weeks. Now I know my kid is the size of an olive and what not but I am not convinced its ALL bloat (definitely mostly I am sure, though I didn't get bloat with my first). I think there is something to be said for showing earlier the second time around. Even if it is bloat if there wasn't a baby growing inside of me the belly wouldn't be there so yeah...pregnancy belly either way in my opinion.

srcr2011 · April 2016

I know I'm not going to change the minds of the several bloated "showing already", but if you had an olive, grape, or walnut in your pocket, I doubt most people would be able to tell. Just saying. ..and yes second +time moms do show a little sooner because the uterus is like a balloon. The first time you blow it up, it takes a little more work vs the 2nd , 3rd,+times. Also 2+ moms feel the baby sooner because they know what to expect.

MrsDepo · April 2016

srcr2011 said:

I know I'm not going to change the minds of the several bloated "showing already", but if you had an olive, grape, or walnut in your pocket, I doubt most people would be able to tell. Just saying. ..and yes second +time moms do show a little sooner because the uterus is like a balloon. The first time you blow it up, it takes a little more work vs the 2nd , 3rd,+times. Also 2+ moms feel the baby sooner because they know what to expect.

I'm sure most of the people that are "showing" know that it's bloat and not uterus yet. Also, while the baby is the size of a grape, the uterus is much larger, which is pushing other organs up and out some. So on top of the bloat, you can definitely have a belly that is larger than pre pregnancy, even while not gaining weight.

I'm personally of the belief that while no uterus is making it's way out from behind the pelvis for quite a few weeks, I can appreciate that baby is making some change in my body, and I will continue to take weekly bump pics (as I have done since my BFP). I probably won't show anyone until I'm further along but I love looking at what Squish is already doing to me.

srcr2011 · April 2016

MrsDepo said:

srcr2011 said:

I know I'm not going to change the minds of the several bloated "showing already", but if you had an olive, grape, or walnut in your pocket, I doubt most people would be able to tell. Just saying. ..and yes second +time moms do show a little sooner because the uterus is like a balloon. The first time you blow it up, it takes a little more work vs the 2nd , 3rd,+times. Also 2+ moms feel the baby sooner because they know what to expect.

I'm sure most of the people that are "showing" know that it's bloat and not uterus yet. Also, while the baby is the size of a grape, the uterus is much larger, which is pushing other organs up and out some. So on top of the bloat, you can definitely have a belly that is larger than pre pregnancy, even while not gaining weight.

I'm personally of the belief that while no uterus is making it's way out from behind the pelvis for quite a few weeks, I can appreciate that baby is making some change in my body, and I will continue to take weekly bump pics (as I have done since my BFP). I probably won't show anyone until I'm further along but I love looking at what Squish is already doing to me.

Oh I agree with you. I'm happy with my blump. And I'm not denying the fact that my olive size baby is causing the bloat. All I'm trying to say is that, that is what is showing - bloat and not baby.

aquasocks · April 2016

Everyone is different. It's nice when people can be respectful and not name call or mock other people for how their body is handling pregnancy.

2amgoodbyes · April 2016

I showed my bloated belly to DH yesterday, showing how I couldn't even zip up my pants anymore. He got a cute smile on his face, because to him, its a sign of the pregnancy progressing, even if its not strictly the baby pushing my belly out.

Knottie1458416769 · April 2016

This is our first and yet I needed new pants at week 6. The bloat has gotten better by now but I'm not bothered by it. Totally excited that our (bigger) baby bump will coincide with the summer months - can't wait for our maternity photo shoot in a pretty dress! That and I'm generally obsessed with family pics.

BmcD2016 · April 2016

If my husband can proud of a food baby, I can be proud of pregnant bloaty bump. Though it comes and goes for me.

TwandaFTG · April 2016

You will know it is a bump when you feel the bump and how uncomfortable when you lay on your stomach. You can actually feel it then. I was laying on my stomach yesterday and remembered the feeling I got during my pregnancy with my son. It is really cool but right now the blump is king.

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