Full term triplet pregnancy belly
Pregnant Belly Shape And Size: A Month-By-Month Guide
While you’ll notice a change in your breasts, the urge to start nesting, and maybe even pregnancy brain, to everyone else, the clearest sign that you’re expecting a little one is your pregnant belly!
Since you’re tuned in to all things baby right now, you’ve no doubt noticed the size and shape of your pregnant friends’ bellies and wondered about your own.
Just like our bodies, pregnant tummies come in all shapes and sizes, but you probably still have questions.
Should you be concerned about the size of your belly? What affects the size and shape? When will you start showing? And what sort of growth should you expect each trimester?
Newton Baby is here to answer those questions! First, let’s talk about whether or not the size of your pregnant belly is something to add to your list of things to worry about.
Does The Size Or Shape Of Your Pregnant Belly Matter?
What you see on the outside — the general size and shape of your belly — doesn’t have much to do with your baby, their health, or their size. A healthy baby can grow regardless of how your belly looks.
During your second trimester, your doctor will start taking fundal height measurements. This is a better way to tell whether your baby is big or small for their gestational age and can be an indicator of conditions like slow fetal growth or too much or too little amniotic fluid.
If you feel worried about the size or shape of your bump, by all means, talk with your doctor about it! They will check it out and put your mind at ease.
But for now, rest assured that no matter how your pregnant belly looks on the outside, as they say, “it’s what’s inside that counts.”
What Affects The Appearance Of Your Pregnant Belly?
Why do pregnant bellies look so different if babies develop the same on the inside? Several factors can affect how you carry your baby, when you start to show, and how big (or small) your belly looks.
Let’s talk about a few of them.
Your Muscle Tone
Yes, your pre-pregnancy six-pack (or lack thereof) does affect how your bump will look!
Having tight abs before you get pregnant might mean that you don’t show as quickly and that you carry your baby higher once the baby bump appears.
While abdominal muscle tone may affect the size and shape of your pregnant belly, remember you don’t need super-defined, fitness-model muscles to be healthy.
A gentle, safe exercise program during pregnancy is important, as is postpartum exercise.
Your Height
Whether you’re tall or short can affect your bump.
Tall pregnant women with long torsos tend to carry in front since the baby has room to push up, while short pregnant women tend to have a belly that pushes outward and is a bit more spread out.
Due to body shape and height, pregnant bellies can also create an optical illusion. Your bump might seem bigger or smaller than your friend’s bump when really they’re the same size.
How Many Pregnancies You’ve Had
If this isn’t your first rodeo, you might show a baby bump sooner than you did with your first pregnancy and carry a bit differently.
This is because, for second and third (and fourth and fifth!) pregnancies, your ligaments, muscles, and uterus are already a bit stretched out.
How Many Babies You’re Carrying
If you’re expecting more than one baby, your pregnant belly will grow differently to accommodate twins or triplets.
Don’t be surprised if you show earlier than expected or your tummy grows to be quite big!
Your Pregnant Belly Month By Month
Since pregnant moms have bellies of all shapes and sizes and grow at different rates, there’s no way to say exactly what’s “normal.”
But, in this section, we’ll give you an idea of what you’ll see and feel, the size of your uterus, and the size of your baby each trimester.
Months 1 Through 3 (First Trimester)
Your first trimester lasts through week 12, so it’s the first three months of your pregnancy. Keep in mind that pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, so you’re pregnant for closer to 10 months than nine.
What You’ll See
You may notice that your pants fit a bit differently, but some women don’t see any sort of baby bump during the first trimester!
As we mentioned, when you start showing depends on your body, whether you’ve had previous pregnancies, and how many babies you’re carrying.
Even if you feel a tiny bump, it’ll probably be a while before other people notice. If you think you are showing a bit at this stage, it could also be due to extra water or bloating.
The Size Of Your Baby
It makes sense that you don’t show much (or at all) during the first trimester because your baby is very tiny! Your baby goes from a fertilized egg at conception to being around three inches long by week 12.
The Size Of Your Uterus
Your uterus begins growing during the first trimester but can still stay snug inside your pelvis.
The American Pregnancy Association says that your pre-pregnancy uterus is the size of an orange, and by week 12 of gestation, “the uterus is the size of a grapefruit and starts to grow up and out of your pelvis, but still fits within it.”
Months 4 Through 7 (Second Trimester)
Your second trimester lasts a little over three months, from weeks 13 through 27, and is when your doctor will start taking fundal height measurements.
They’ll use a tape measure to check the length from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus. This gives your doctor an idea of whether your baby is small or large for their gestational age.
The fundal height is measured in centimeters, and after 24 weeks, this measurement is usually about the same as the week of pregnancy.
For example, if you’re 26 weeks pregnant, your fundal height measurement will be around 26 centimeters. If your measurement is off, it may only mean that your due date was calculated incorrectly.
Ask your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
What You’ll See
Sometime during the second trimester is when you’ll really start to notice your baby bump!
It will probably be visible to others at the beginning of the second trimester, and by the end of this trimester, your pregnant belly will likely be in full swing.
The Size Of Your Baby
Your baby does a lot of developing and growing during this trimester! They’ll go from around four inches long to 12 or 15 inches by the end.
The Size Of Your Uterus
With all the growing your baby is doing, how much does your uterus grow to accommodate them?
According to the American Pregnancy Association, “your uterus will grow to the size of a papaya. It no longer fits inside the pelvis. It will be situated midway between the navel and breasts.”
Months 8 Through 10 (Third Trimester)
Your third trimester is the home stretch! It begins at week 28 and lasts until 40 weeks, more or less, depending on when your baby decides to come.
What You’ll See
If you haven’t worn maternity clothes up to this point, the third trimester is when you’ll need them! Your pregnant belly will grow bigger by the day.
Some women look like they’re carrying a small basketball up to the day they go into labor, while others look like they’re about to pop during the whole trimester!
The Size Of Your Baby
During your third and last trimester, your baby grows to around 18 or 20 inches — how long they will be when you hold them for the first time!
The Size Of Your Uterus
This is as big as your uterus will get!
The American Pregnancy Association says, “The uterus will finish growing and be the size of a watermelon.
When you reach full term your uterus will extend from the pubic area to the bottom of your rib cage.”
There’s no doubt your uterus takes up a lot of room now! Because it pushes on your bladder, lungs, and stomach, you may have heartburn, shortness of breath, and find yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
Love Your Pregnant Belly
No matter the size or shape, whether you’re big or small, or carrying low or high, your pregnant belly is the perfect place for your baby to develop and grow!
Love your bump and get excited for your little one on the way.
Use our guide to get an idea of what your tummy might look like during each trimester and how big your baby and your uterus are. And when you near the end of your pregnancy, prepare your baby’s nursery with a Newton Baby Crib Mattress.
In no time at all, your baby will be out of your tummy and in your arms!
Triplet pregnancy belly | Parent24
30 May 2013
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Management of multiple pregnancy - clinic Family Doctor
Doctors
Clinic doctors
Multiple pregnancy is not only a great happiness, but also an increased burden on the body of the expectant mother.
Therefore, special standards apply for its management: more frequent visits to the gynecologist and an extended examination, other recommendations regarding lifestyle.
It is good if the management of multiple pregnancy begins with its early diagnosis. The sooner this fact is revealed, the higher the chances of drawing up the most successful management plan and timely implementation of measures to prevent possible complications. For patients who plan to conceive and are at risk for multiple pregnancies, it is extremely important to start monitoring immediately after a successful conception.
Why multiple pregnancy occurs
The probability of multiple pregnancy is significantly higher in some categories of patients:
- heredity;
- women planning to conceive after giving up hormonal contraceptives;
- women over 35;
- those who have congenital non-standard structural features of the uterus;
- expectant mothers who have taken advantage of the possibilities of modern reproductive technologies (IVF procedure, etc.
).
The number of fetuses can be any, as a rule, we are talking about twins or triplets. There are identical (fertilization of one egg, the birth of identical twins) and twin pregnancies. In the second case, two (or more) eggs are fertilized, as a result, different children are born. It is this case that is more often caused by the woman's age, interference in the reproductive processes (IVF, ovulation stimulation, the abolition of COCs). These factors lead to more active work of the ovaries, as a result of which several eggs mature in one menstrual cycle at once.
How and for how long is diagnosed
Early diagnosis is the key to a healthy, successful and full-term multiple pregnancy. The doctor can establish the fact of the presence of two or more fetuses for a short period of time, up to 5 weeks.
The basis for suspecting a larger number of fruits is an examination. The volume of the uterus will be larger than for the expected period.
Without fail, a woman takes an analysis for hCG in dynamics - the level of human chorionic gonadotropin, growing at a fast pace, is a sign of multiple pregnancy. Subsequently, during palpation, the doctor will determine the parts of several fetuses, and when listening to heart sounds, they will be observed in different parts of the abdomen.
Driving features
Conducting multiple pregnancy is carried out with special attention. Features of observation when carrying two or more babies are as follows:
- relatively more frequent visits to the obstetrician-gynecologist: 1 time in 14 days up to 30 weeks and every week until childbirth;
- the appointment of increased doses of vitamins, minerals;
- a more rigorous assessment of the dynamics of weight gain: an increase of no more than 25 kg is considered normal;
- drawing up a special plan for physical activity, its significant reduction from 20-25 weeks;
- more frequent ultrasound, which is associated with the need to assess the dynamics of fetal development and take measures in case of delay, as well as to prevent the threat of preterm birth.
It is important to assess the condition of the placenta in order to timely determine the compliance of its changes with the gestational age; - the appointment of drugs that prevent common complications (fetoplacental insufficiency, anemia, preeclampsia, etc.).
Recommendations and standards
There are special standards for the management of two, three and more pregnancies. Immediately after the diagnosis, the doctor will develop a regimen of physical activity and nutrition. This will ensure the high needs of the expectant mother in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, as well as maintain normal health in conditions of high stress on the spine.
Particular attention is paid to the functions of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys. Therefore, the patient more often gives urine tests, additional consultation with a cardiologist, nephrologist, urologist may be required.
The high risk of preterm birth obliges to monitor the slightest changes.
If the patient feels well and there are no complications, she is sent to the maternity hospital 2-3 weeks before the preliminary date of delivery. If we are talking about triplets, in 4 weeks.
At 30-34 weeks, the likelihood of preterm birth is especially high, which is associated with maximum tension and stretching of the uterus. In addition, shortening and partial opening of the cervix is often observed. The doctor will definitely recommend bed rest if necessary, which will increase the chances of carrying it to the due date. Drugs that relieve muscle spasm, as well as tocolytics, drugs that affect the contractile activity of the uterus, can be prescribed.
FPI or fetoplacental insufficiency is more often observed precisely when carrying several fetuses. Abnormal location of the placenta is also common. This obliges to regularly monitor the condition of the fetus and placenta: perform Doppler ultrasound, CTG. So, starting from the 30th week, it is better to do this once every 7 days until delivery.
An experienced specialist should evaluate the blood flow in each fetus individually. FPI can be prevented with the help of preventive drug therapy: drugs that improve uteroplacental, fetoplacental blood flow, antioxidants, metabolic drugs, etc.
Features of delivery
Delivery can be natural or by caesarean section. In the absence of pathologies and complications, the presence of two fetuses, favorable examination results, a natural option is allowed. Indications for operative delivery are as follows:
- clinically narrow pelvis;
- features of the presentation of one of the fetuses;
- transverse arrangement of one or both babies;
- signs of hypoxia in at least one fetus;
- pregnancy complications in the mother.
These indications are more often related to the planning of the operation. An emergency cesarean may be required after the onset of labor. The doctor makes a decision based on the situation.
In some cases, the first child is born naturally, and the second through surgery.
The presence of three or more babies is a direct indication for a planned operation. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of complications for both mother and children.
You can apply for a comprehensive pregnancy management service to experienced obstetrician-gynecologists at the Family Doctor clinic. Modern equipment with diagnostic equipment, highly qualified doctors, the ability to undergo all the necessary examinations in one place - all this is the standard for providing high-quality medical care to an expectant mother.
You can make an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Family Doctor clinic, a specialist in multiple pregnancy, by calling the contact center in Moscow +7 (495) 775 75 66 or through the online registration form.
Information verified and confirmed by an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Family Doctor clinic
Obstetrician-gynecologists
On medical recording
Gravchikova Tatyana Petrovna
Akusher-gynecologist, doctor of ultrasound diagnostics, leading specialist of the clinic
Clinic on Novoslobodskaya
On medical recording
Zakharova Irina Aleksandrovna
Obstetrician-gynecologist, doctor of Ultrazvuki diagnostics
Clinic for Novoslobodskaya
On medical records
Zekhareva Marina Mikhailovna
Oblain-gynecologist, Ultrasound diagnostic doctor, leading specialist of the clinic
Clinic on Ozerkovskaya
On the Medica Kokareva
Acom-Gynevere ultrasound diagnostics, leading specialist of the clinic
Clinic on Usacheva
About doctor Record
Kuzina Anastasia Vadimovna
Acusher-gynecologist, Ultrasound diagnostic doctor
Clinic at Baumanskaya
On medical recording
Rodyukova Anna Vadimovna
Akusher-gynecologist, Ulzosvoy diagnostic doctor
about Shevchenko.
obstetrician-gynecologist, ultrasound specialist
Novoslobodskaya Clinic
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Harbingers - childbirth is coming soon!
Wrestler Maria Vladimirovna
Obstetrician-gynecologist
MD GROUP Clinical Hospital, Mother and Child Clinic Savelovskaya
False contractions
They may appear after the 38th week of pregnancy. False contractions are similar to Braxton-Hicks contractions, which a woman could already feel starting from the second trimester of pregnancy (the uterus seems to stiffen for a few seconds - a couple of minutes, then the tension in it subsides). False contractions train the uterus before childbirth, they are irregular and painless, the intervals between them are not reduced. Real labor pains, on the contrary, are regular, their strength gradually increases, they become longer and more painful, and the intervals between them are reduced. That's when you can already say that the birth began for real.
In the meantime, false contractions are going on, it is not necessary to go to the maternity hospital - you can easily survive them at home.
Abdominal prolapse
Approximately two to three weeks before birth, the baby, in preparation for birth, presses the presenting part (usually the head) against the lower part of the uterus and pulls it down. As a result, the uterus moves lower into the pelvic region, its upper part ceases to put pressure on the internal organs of the chest and abdominal cavity. In the people it is called - the stomach dropped. As soon as the stomach drops, the expectant mother notices that it has become easier for her to breathe, but, on the contrary, it becomes more difficult to sit and walk. Heartburn and belching also disappear (after all, the uterus no longer presses on the diaphragm and stomach). But, having dropped down, the uterus begins to put pressure on the bladder - naturally, urination becomes more frequent.
For some, uterine prolapse causes a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and even slight pain in the area of the inguinal ligaments.
These sensations arise due to the fact that the child's head, moving down, irritates the nerve endings of the pelvic organs.
During the second and subsequent births, the belly drops later - right before the birth. It happens that this harbinger of childbirth is not at all.
Removal of the mucous plug
This is one of the main and obvious harbingers of childbirth. During pregnancy, the glands in the cervix produce a secret (it looks like a thick jelly and forms the so-called cork), which prevents various microorganisms from entering the uterine cavity. Before childbirth, under the influence of estrogens, the cervix softens, the cervical canal opens slightly and the cork can come out - the woman will see that there are mucus clots on the linen that look like jelly. Cork can be of different colors - white, transparent, yellowish-brown or pink-red. Often it is stained with blood - this is completely normal and may indicate that childbirth will occur within the next day.
The mucus plug can come out all at once (at once) or come out piecemeal throughout the day.
Weight loss
Approximately two weeks before delivery, weight loss may occur, usually by 0.5–2 kg. This happens because excess fluid is removed from the body and swelling decreases. If earlier during pregnancy, under the influence of the hormone progesterone, fluid in the body of a pregnant woman accumulated, now, before childbirth, the effect of progesterone decreases, but other female sex hormones - estrogens - begin to work hard, they remove excess fluid from the body of the expectant mother.
In addition, the expectant mother often notices that at the end of pregnancy it became easier for her to put on rings, gloves, shoes - this means that swelling on the hands and feet has decreased.
Changes in stool
Just before childbirth, hormones often act on the intestines too – they relax its muscles, as a result, stool disorder begins. Sometimes such frequent (up to 2-3 times a day) and even loose stools are mistaken for an intestinal infection.
But if there is no nausea, vomiting, discoloration and smell of feces, or any other symptoms of intoxication, you should not worry: this is one of the harbingers of the upcoming birth.
And on the eve of childbirth, you often don't feel like eating at all. All this is also the preparation of the body for natural childbirth.
Mood changes
Many women experience mood changes a few days before giving birth. The expectant mother gets tired quickly, she wants to have more rest, sleep, even some kind of apathy appears. This state is quite understandable - you need to gather strength to prepare for childbirth. Often, just before giving birth, a woman wants to retire, looking for a secluded place where you can hide and focus on yourself and your experiences.
What should I do if there are any signs of childbirth? Usually you don’t need to do anything, because the harbingers are completely natural, they just say that the body is rebuilding and preparing for the birth of a child.
