I wondered, as a plus size woman, how my belly would look pregnant while having a plus size pregnancy. As months passed by I watched my friends’ bellies pop and couldn’t help but to question: Where's my bump?
Where's My Bump?
I typed “plus size pregnancy belly pictures” into Google Images and saw women I could relate to with protruding pregnant bellies. This made me really hopeful since I wasn’t sure what my belly would look like as my pregnancy progressed. I surfed around the Internet and found an inspirational site called The Shape of a Mother.
On this site women of all shapes and sizes had imperfections just like mine.
After seeing pictures of women I could relate to I no longer questioned if I would look pregnant, I just wondered when it would happen. Every morning I’d look in the mirror and ask my husband, “Am I bigger yet?”
What woman would ever ask their husband such a question let alone be hopeful his answer was yes? My poor husband was tormented by these daily inquisitions. Thankfully he knew me well enough to always answer “yes” while displaying a loving smile.
While my husband continued to assure me of my increasing belly size, as the months passed my clothing (even though I still wore plus size maternity clothes) told the truth.
I was attending water aerobics with a pregnant friend, Angela, who had a due date a month ahead of mine.
Related: 7 Plus Size Pregnancy Exercise Tips
Within a few months, she needed to purchase a maternity swimsuit as her beautiful belly grew. I began receiving compliments from classmates when I was five months pregnant. Only instead of “congratulations” on my pregnancy, it was “Wow, you look great! How much have you lost?”
You’d think I’d be happy but all I could think was…where’s my bump???
Angela had always been a very supportive friend and never made me feel ashamed of being plus size. Jessi was another incredible friend who amazingly had a due date just a few days after mine.
Jessi and I had a weekly lunch date during our pregnancies. We would often do a belly show and tell in the restroom following our lunch dates. Sure enough, her gorgeous belly popped while mine just flopped.
My friends were getting the random public attention pregnant woman often pine for. Angela even told me about strangers touching her belly. I on the other hand never had strangers randomly come up and want to touch my belly.
I’d rub my pregnant belly all the time but people probably just thought I was hungry. It bothered me a little but all I really cared about was…where’s my bump!?!
Related: What's A B Belly?
I finally caught up to Jessi and Angela around the seventh month of my pregnancy. It was as if all of a sudden this gorgeous bump showed up overnight.
The moment I had anticipated finally happened: my bump had arrived!!!
I was so happy and absolutely loved my big round belly. I didn’t even mind the new stretch marks that came with its arrival (I really should have picked up some of this stretch mark cream, but oh well!).
Next time I’m pregnant I won’t question where my bump is but just look forward to when it finally shows up!
I’ve been amazed by all of the women on the Plus Mommy Facebook page who have posted their beautiful belly pictures. Some of these women embraced their bump from the beginning by getting maternity shots done. All of these women have inspired me!!!!
Below you’ll see a poll showing when plus size moms had noticeable bumps.
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Thank you for posting this. This pregnancy is #5 and I gained about 40 lbs a year after my 4th was born while dealing with health issues.. Ive worked so hard to release that weight and have had zero luck. I was surprised with another pregnancy… Ive worried and worried over the bump, because I look 6 months pregnant already. . and Im like 14 weeks haha. This made me cry and eased a burden. Thank you.
Oh, I’m so glad this article helped to ease your burden! Wishing you all the very best with your pregnancy Sara.
Did anyone feel the tummy or under the muffin tighten or harden at 9 weeks?
Slight changes for sure but if you have any concerns be sure to bring them up with your care provider.
This makes me feel so much better. I’m 17 weeks pregnant with my first child and I can kinda feel my bump if I press above my pelvis but since I’m overweight it isn’t visible. It’s been really hitting my self esteem to watch my other pregnant friends who have later due dates already start to show. I’m just super impatient but I want my bump so bad.
When did you actually startet to feel pregnant…
Thank you- I know we shouldn’t compare “bumps” – but I’m 20 weeks and been wondering this… when will I look pregnant and not just my usual chubby self. I felt changes to my stomach and shape- but it’s not really noticeable to others. I’m also trying so hard to stay in the recommended weight gain- so I’ve only gained about 7 pounds so far. Which, for me – is “HUGE” since before this I could go up and down 10 pounds in a week or 2 regularly. Thank you again.
Before getting pregnant I lost 30lbs. I’m now in my 2nd trimester (18 weeks) and I swear I have hunger pains constantly. Since pregnancy I’ve gained 18lbs back, but I DO NOT FEEL PREGNANT. I just feel fat. I’m at ease when I go to my appointments and I hear his heartbeat the doctors tell me he’s growing at the pace that he should. My plan is to get back into the gym (starting today). I just wanted to say thanks for the article because I keep look for the pregnant stomach and my do says it’ll come be patient.
It’s actually common for people to quickly regain weight if they lost a significant amount before pregnancy. No one talks about it – but so many people share the same experience when they open up about pre-pregnancy weight loss/gain. So know you’re not alone and that belly of yours will pop. Just takes time.
It’s so nice to read this and maybe I am late on the post. I am 7 weeks and gained ten pounds already but was on a big diet before this surprise pregnancy. I think I just gained the weight I lost but I feel sad about weight. I know I should not because I am growing something inside me. Weight is always such a big topic when I go to the dr!