There?s a big difference between knowing you?re pregnant and having that telltale baby bump show the world you?re pregnant. It?s not just about strangers offering you seats and smiles and you sporting a new maternity wardrobe; it?s about finally having your outside reflect what you know inside. Your growing belly becomes your own personal billboard, shouting your news without you having to say a word?which may not be ideal for some women who would prefer to keep their bumps a secret from family, friends and co-workers for a little while longer. But for other women, the appearance of that teeny bump is a huge relief. So the big question is, When do most pregnant women start showing"
For most first-time moms, the baby bump usually arrives when they?re 14 to 16 weeks pregnant, but you might notice a change sooner. ?At 12 weeks, your growing uterus can no longer hide inside your pelvis behind your pubic bone,? says Sherry Ross, an OB/GYN at Providence Saint John?s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. ?Instead, it starts to protrude into your abdomen.? For some women, that shift translates to a starter baby bump. ?I give my belly an A+ for being exactly on time, with the quintessential 12-week belly pop,? says Bailey Gaddis, a mom of one. Gaddis never experienced any classic first-trimester symptoms and was anxious to feel more connected to her pregnancy. ?I was so relieved when I started showing,? she says. ?Having a belly was the physical proof I needed.?
Other mom...