Why is there a big belly in early pregnancy? Why does the belly grow quickly and become very large in early or late pregnancy?

From the first days of pregnancy, expectant mothers want their belly to grow faster, but sometimes its size exceeds expectations. A large belly during pregnancy can be both a sign of normality and an indication of abnormalities.

Big belly during pregnancy: reasons

The growth of the abdomen is due to an increase in volume amniotic fluid, uterus, as well as the growth of the fetus itself. The doctor should take systematic measurements starting from the 20th week of pregnancy. The shape of the abdomen is normally similar to an egg; in primiparous women, the tummy may be slightly raised and pointed upward, and in multiparous women, it may be lowered down.

A big belly during pregnancy may be a consequence of weight gain

Too much big belly may be in several cases:

• multiple pregnancy: a large belly in this case is normal;
• metabolic disorders in a pregnant woman, diabetes;
• severe swelling;
• significant weight gain;
• large fruit;
• polyhydramnios;
• tumor of the placental tissue and, as a consequence, enlargement of the uterus.

After the tests, the gynecologist will be able to identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment to normalize the patient’s condition.

• A big belly during pregnancy may be a consequence of illness endocrine system. The first step is to take a blood sugar test to rule out diabetes, and also conduct an ultrasound examination.
• Women who are overweight need to reconsider their diet, exclude high-calorie foods, try to consume more plant fiber, and do not forget about moderate physical activity: walking, yoga for pregnant women, swimming.
• To combat swelling, you need to reduce your fluid and salt intake, and if symptoms last, seek help from a doctor. Increased swelling in the second half of pregnancy can be a signal of gestosis, which is dangerous for the mother and child, even fatal.

Every pregnancy is different, so don't be nervous and compare yourself to other pregnant women. Estimate the size of the tummy expectant mother Only a gynecologist can.

A small belly during pregnancy worries the expectant mother. She begins to think that something is wrong with the baby and he is developing with disabilities. As you know, a pregnant woman’s belly normally grows in accordance with the timing of gestation. During this period, the uterus enlarges due to the growth of the fetus. The supporting ligaments also increase in size, and a new temporary organ appears in the woman’s body - the placenta.

Women who come to see a gynecologist at the antenatal clinic compare their belly with the bellies of other pregnant women and begin to worry excessively if it is small. A small belly during pregnancy is rare, but in most cases there is still no significant reason for concern.

Around the 5th month of pregnancy, the belly becomes noticeable to others. It gradually increases in size until the moment of birth.

The future mother's belly increases as the fetus grows:

• At 2-3 weeks from the moment of conception, the size of the embryo is 2-4 mm, the tummy is not yet noticeable during this period.
• By about 12 weeks, the fetus occupies all the available space in the uterine cavity. The weight of the embryo at this moment is up to 25 grams.
• The belly at 15 weeks of pregnancy may become noticeably rounder. The size of the fruit is 12 mm, and the weight is about 100-120 g.
• By 21 weeks, the size of the fetus reaches 24-26 cm, weight – 350-400 g. From this moment the period of most active growth of the fetus begins.
• Already at 24 weeks, the baby weighs about 500 grams and his height is 30 cm.
• From 36 weeks the fetus is considered full-term. Weight varies from 2 to 2.5 kg.
• At week 40, all formation processes are completed, and the mother’s body prepares for the most crucial moment - childbirth. The weight of the baby can be from 2 to 6.5 kg. These indicators are purely individual; in terms of development, low birth weight children are no different from larger babies.

The increase in the size of a pregnant woman's belly is associated not only with the rapid development of the fetus inside the uterus. Before pregnancy, the uterus weighs no more than 80 grams. During the process of fetal development, its weight increases 10-14 times; by the time of birth, the organ can weigh 1–1.2 kg.

The change in the size of a pregnant woman’s tummy is also associated with an increase in the volume of anatomical fluid.

Volume amniotic fluid is:

• at 3 months – no more than 30-50 ml;
• for 4 – 100 ml;
• 37 week – more than 1 liter;
• immediately before birth, the volumes are reduced - no more than 1 liter.

Even if the belly is small, the expectant mother needs to calm down and go for a consultation with a gynecologist. After an examination, the doctor will be able to determine the reason why the tummy is growing slowly.

Why do some pregnant women have a large belly, while others have a small one?

Doctors say that normally the uterus of a pregnant woman should increase by 15-16 obstetric week. At the 17th week of pregnancy, the belly becomes noticeable to others - for the mother this period is one of the most significant, she can feel the baby.

Signs of a lag in abdominal enlargement

There are no characteristic signs of a lag in abdominal enlargement; such a deviation manifests itself purely individually and is revealed during examination and measurements of the circumference. Often there is no reason to worry or panic. Danger may be present if the tummy does not grow and significant fetal movements are not felt.

Norms and deviations

Certain norms for the growth of a woman’s tummy during pregnancy still exist. The abdomen grows as the fetus develops in the uterine cavity, therefore significant deviations in the normal course of circumstances are simply impossible.

For example, at the end of the seventh month of pregnancy, the norm for abdominal circumference should not be less than 80 cm, but at the same time - no more than 90. By the fortieth week, the OB can be up to 100 centimeters; doctors may suspect the presence of malformations if the mother’s tummy has sharply decreased or increased. Such changes may be associated with an excess or deficiency of anatomical fluid - a deviation of this nature is a reason for emergency intervention.

Deviations in the coolant during pregnancy of five to seven cm may not indicate the presence of pathologies in the development of the baby. Gaining centimeters in the abdominal area is also associated with gaining kilograms during pregnancy. Significant deviations from the norm may be associated with severe toxicosis; during this period, women lose a lot of weight.

What to do if your belly doesn't grow?

Lack of abdominal volume cannot constitute a diagnosis indicating the presence of pathology in any week. There are no methods of prevention. Much depends on the influencing factor. For example, if oligohydramnios and hypertrophy are detected, measures must be taken to eliminate all risks. In other cases, a neat tummy does not prevent the mother from giving birth to an absolutely healthy baby.

A small belly may appear in a second pregnancy, even if it was there the first time. normal sizes. This condition often frightens the mother, but there is no need to worry, because each baby is individual and develops differently.

If your belly becomes smaller during pregnancy

If your belly has become significantly smaller during pregnancy, you should consult a gynecologist. Such a deviation may indicate hypertrophy or oligohydramnios. Such conditions require hospitalization and the woman's stay under observation.

Prevention

To avoid complications, a woman during pregnancy must:

• Register with the antenatal clinic in a timely manner.
• Come for scheduled examinations on the specified dates.
• Get an ultrasound every trimester of pregnancy.
• Take blood and urine tests.

These research methods will allow the doctor to timely detect abnormalities in a woman’s body and prevent dangerous consequences.

An unexpressed increase in abdominal size is often a cause for concern. Of course, such a deviation cannot be ignored, nor can one worry without reason. Ultrasonography- a reliable measure that helps make sure that everything is fine with the baby, so if you have any doubts, you should ask your gynecologist for a referral for an unscheduled ultrasound.

Only a timely visit to a specialist and careful attention to the changes occurring in her own body will help mommy promptly notice any pathological changes and eliminate them.

Useful video about belly growth during pregnancy

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It belonged to Xiao Yubo, a young Chinese woman. Already in the fifth month, her waist size was 175 cm, while the girl’s height was 167 cm. Such huge belly explained by the fact that the pregnant woman was expecting five babies at once.

This unique case, because quintuplets are born very, very rarely. There is one such pregnancy per three thousand ordinary ones. Before the Chinese woman, no one could boast of a belly volume that exceeded her height.

How and why the belly is measured during pregnancy

Doctors have strictly defined norms for abdominal growth in pregnant women. Every woman's belly and uterus actively grow during pregnancy. A pregnant woman's body can withstand enormous stress. As for Xiao Yubo, her workload was 5 times more than usual.

Doctors must measure the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the fundus of the uterus. The data obtained allow us to draw a conclusion about how pregnancy proceeds. These same indicators help determine the gestation period. External abdominal measurements are performed every week, starting from the 20th week. Its circumference is usually measured with a measuring tape at the level of the navel.

The shape of the abdomen also matters. For example, a spherical abdomen may indicate polyhydramnios, and its oval transverse shape indicates transverse presentation. If the pregnancy develops normally, then the pregnant woman's abdomen has a simple ovoid shape. The largest pregnant belly in the world- this is nonsense that does not fit into traditional medical norms.

Features of Xiao Yubo's pregnancy

Already in the fifth month of pregnancy, doctors concluded that the Chinese woman was expecting several babies. Her belly was too large, so experts came to the conclusion that the weight of each child would be close to the standard - 3 kg. Typically, in such pregnancies, newborns have a low weight - about 1.5-2 kg.

Today, polyhydramnios pregnancies proceed safely. Thanks to medical advances, a woman can immediately give birth to even five twins, avoiding any complications. Healthy babies are born. The reason for success lies in the early diagnosis of multiple pregnancies.

In order for the babies to gain enough weight before delivery, the mother must maintain proper nutrition. Her healthy diet contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, trace elements and vitamins in sufficient quantities. If a pregnant woman is expecting one child, then her weight gain should be about 12-14 kg over the entire period.
The added weight is distributed approximately like this:

Child weight - 3.5 kg;
placenta - 0.67 kg;
amniotic fluid - 0.8 kg;
enlarged uterus - 0.9 kg;
mammary glands - 0.45 kg;
woman's blood - 1.5 l;
maternal intracellular fluid - 1.4 l;
woman's fatty tissue - 3.25 kg.

The ideal indicator is considered to be 11.9 kg of increase if a woman has only one fetus. If the pregnancy is multiple, the minimum increase is 18 kg. How much weight did Xiao Yubo gain? Nothing is known about this. History hides how her pregnancy proceeded and how it ended.

Other world record holders

Before the Chinese woman, the largest belly of a pregnant woman in the world was recorded in Texas. Pregnant Nikem Chakvi gave birth to 8 children at once in 1998. All the babies weighed much less than expected, that is, they were premature. Seven children were healthy, but the eighth died a week later.

Pregnancy brought a lot of trouble to the woman. Labor began before term. Doctors say that if the pregnancy had lasted a little longer, it would have negatively affected the mother’s health. Her belly was simply huge, and after the third month she was forced to lie down constantly. Any careless movement could lead to a miscarriage. Gynecologists say that the waist size can be 200 cm if a woman is expecting 8 babies. But Nikem Chakvi’s indicators were slightly lower.

Even earlier, a large belly was discovered in American Bobbi Kaghei. She gave birth to 7 twins in 1997. Her birth was also premature. One of the children had cerebral paralysis. In 2004, Katya Gosselin gave birth to 6 children in the USA. The average weight of each of them was 2-3 kg. But her belly was not as voluminous as Xiao Yubo's. Therefore, the largest belly of a pregnant woman in the world was officially recorded in a Chinese woman.

Big belly during pregnancy4.33 /5 (86.67%) Votes: 3

At a certain time, a pregnant woman's belly begins to grow. This is caused by an increase in the size of the fetus, uterus and amniotic fluid volume. Each week there are certain norms for the abdominal circumference and the height of the uterine fundus, but the doctor begins to measure the abdomen only in the second half of pregnancy. This allows you to determine the absence or presence of possible pathologies and clarify the duration of pregnancy. What are the reasons for a big belly during pregnancy, and should you worry about it?

Causes of a big belly during pregnancy

The doctor measures the size of the abdomen from the 20th week of pregnancy. Special attention it also pays attention to the shape of the abdomen. Normally, it should be ovoid; in primiparous women, it should be slightly pointed upward. Multiparous women usually have a slightly saggy belly. If it has a spherical shape, this may indicate polyhydramnios, and with a transverse presentation of the fetus, the abdomen is oval. If a doctor diagnoses this pathology, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the pregnant woman, and in some cases it is necessary to resort to amniocentesis, that is, pumping out amniotic fluid.

The weight of the fetus is a very important indicator of its condition. Large sizes can be inherited by the baby, or may indicate a metabolic disorder of the expectant mother (including diabetes), so it is important to donate blood for sugar on time.

A pregnant woman may develop a large belly due to swelling or severe weight gain. It is important to eliminate these factors in order to normalize your weight. In the case of edema, it is important not to drink too much at night and reduce salt intake, but diuretics should be avoided. Swelling in the second half of pregnancy can indicate gestosis, a very dangerous condition that requires urgent treatment, so a visit to the doctor is essential. In advanced cases, gestosis can lead to coma and fetal loss.

Excess weight can significantly affect the development of the child and complicate the birth process. An overweight woman may give birth to a baby with skin diseases and a congenital tendency to obesity. Excessive fat layer can also appear in the fetus, which often leads to complications of the birth process and cervical injuries. Therefore, it is very important to monitor proper nutrition and comply proper diet. If your weight deviates from the norm, you can consult a doctor who will tell you how to change your diet for the better without harming the unborn child.

Less common is uterine enlargement caused by a tumor of the placental tissue, which usually leads to fetal death. But the largest bellies in pregnant women occur with multiple pregnancies, which require increased attention. In some cases, the issue is the large size of the fetus, but this is a purely individual indicator, since women with a small belly, but a small amount of amniotic fluid, also give birth to large babies.

Big belly during pregnancy: what to do?

It’s easy to understand the expectant mother’s desire to compare her belly with different standards, and no one forbids measuring it yourself. There are many signs associated with the size and shape of the abdomen that attract the attention of pregnant women. But you shouldn’t diagnose yourself, because every pregnancy is different from the others. A woman who is carrying a child should not be nervous, especially if there are no good reasons for it. Only a specialist who can determine the causes of a large belly during pregnancy can assess the condition of the fetus. If you trust your doctor and follow his recommendations, you can avoid many troubles.