Pregnant women typically start showing a visible baby bump between 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, which falls within the second trimester. Some women may start showing earlier, especially in second or subsequent pregnancies, as their abdominal muscles have already been stretched before. First-time mothers often show later because their abdominal muscles are tighter. Factors like body shape, weight, muscle tone, and how the uterus is positioned also affect when a baby bump appears. Before showing physically, many women begin experiencing early pregnancy symptoms like missed periods, nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, and frequent urination as early as 1 to 2 weeks after conception or within the first month of pregnancy.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Showing
- Missed period (often the first sign)
- Nausea (morning sickness)
- Tender and swollen breasts
- Fatigue
- Increased urination
When Physical Showing Starts
- Usually at 16-20 weeks (second trimester)
- Can be earlier in second or later pregnancies
- Influenced by muscle tone, body type, and uterus position
- Some may not show until later in pregnancy
This means that while signs of pregnancy can be felt very early, the visible "showing" of pregnancy generally begins around the middle of pregnancy.
