The pregnant belly: the center of the world 2026

Added to the feelings of pride and happiness about expecting a child are doubts about the changes that this part of your body is experiencing. The appearance of the abdomen depends on each pregnancy and each woman.

When does the belly start to show?

At least during the first three months of pregnancy, the uterus is hidden in the pelvis and does not yet appear in the abdomen. We will have to wait until the fifth month of pregnancy for the bottom of the uterus to reach the level of the navel and the tripe to be evident.

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In any case, it may be noticed sooner or later depending on the age, the woman's constitution (especially her weight before pregnancy) and whether or not it is her first pregnancy.

When you have been a mother before, the transverse rectus muscles of the walls of your abdomen (which go from the ribs to the famous linea alba) are given and are appreciated first. Furthermore, in women with a narrower pelvis, the fetus tends to fit in earlier, which gives the appearance of greater belly volume.

How does a pregnant woman's belly grow?

The situation of the gut varies throughout pregnancy depending on the position of the uterus. It begins to grow below the navel and progressively rises towards the chest.

During the first trimester it barely increases in volume and does not go beyond the pubis. It is between the fourth and fifth month when the waist disappears, the hips become rounded and the belly is located at the level of the navel.

In the sixth month it is two fingers above the navel and, in the eighth, when it reaches its maximum amplitude, it is located between the ribs. It will be from week 36 onwards when the uterus descends a little and with it the belly.

Does the size of the gut depend on the weight of the fetus?

The further along the pregnancy is, the larger the abdomen will be, but the size of the baby is not the only thing that influences the growth of the belly. A large belly can be due to excess gas or fat or simply a greater amount of amniotic fluid.

In addition, it may happen that women with a pronounced curvature of the spine have a more protruding abdomen, which gives the appearance of being more voluminous.

There are also mothers who worry because they have a small belly and think that the baby is not growing properly. And it doesn't have to be that way. The gynecologist suspects possible anomalies when the height of the uterus does not match the weeks of pregnancy, in which case what is measured is the size of the uterus, not the abdomen. They are then diagnosed by ultrasound fetal measurements.

Does its shape have to do with the sex of the baby?

It is common to hear grandmothers say that if the belly is pointed it will be a boy and if it is round it will be a girl. But it is nothing more than another myth about pregnancy. There is no relationship between the shape of the maternal abdomen and fetal sex.

The appearance will depend on whether the woman is primiparous or multiparous, her constitution, the shape of the uterus (some uteruses are longer and others wider, giving the belly a more rounded appearance) and, finally, the size of the fetus (if it is small, the belly is usually more pointed and if it grows larger, rounder).

Why do you feel small taps on your belly?

They are fetal movements. When they are rhythmic, it may be because the baby has hiccups. But there is no reason to worry, since it does not indicate any anomaly. Sometimes the woman's own heartbeat can also be felt, especially if she is resting on her back, due to the slight compression of the abdominal aorta. The mother herself usually distinguishes one stroke from another perfectly.

Does a dropped belly mean that you are already in labor?

It can mean many things and, among them, that the woman is in labor. At the end of pregnancy, the head of the fetus settles into the maternal pelvis and a decrease in uterine height occurs. That is why the woman notices that her belly has dropped, but it does not mean that childbirth is imminent.

When do the movements of the fetus begin to be noticed?

Fetal movements may begin to be noticed around the 16th or 18th week, although it varies greatly depending on the woman and the pregnancies she has had. An important factor to take into account is the location of the placenta.

When it is located on the anterior surface of the uterus, it acts as a pad between the fetus and the mother's abdominal wall that cushions the sensations of the future baby's movements. On the other hand, when it is located on the posterior surface, it is not an obstacle to noticing them and the mother perceives them sooner.

Advisors:Dr. José Luis Bartha, Head of Obstetrics Service at La Paz University Hospital.