Not all pregnancy bellies are created equal. Baby bumps come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. With so many factors involved, it can safely be stated that no two pregnancy bellies are truly alike. But this leads to the question of why there are so many differences?
The answer lies in the size and shape of the woman who is carrying the child. Since no two people are exactly alike apart from identical twins, you should not expect the bump from carrying the child to be the same as others.
But pregnancy bellies indeed come in different types. What follows are the basic types of pregnancy bellies, how the shape of the bump affects your pregnancy, and if you should try to reduce it.
In This Article
Pregnancy Belly Types
Most women will develop a watermelon-shaped bump during pregnancy. However, there are plenty of exceptions which include the following.
- B or D Shape
- Booming
- Petite
- Sitting High or Low
And even within the types are sub-types, although it should be noted that virtually all pregnancy bellies are the same. The differences in shape are due to the skeletal and muscle structure of the woman combined with her height. But the baby plays a role as well. The shape of your baby will also be a determining factor in the bump you carry. Plus, how much weight you gain during pregnancy will have an effect.
B or D Shape:
Most women will have a D-shaped belly similar to that of a watermelon. But some will have a B-Shaped belly that is more like a pear. This is due to the position of the baby itself. If it is curled in the fetal position with the head down with its back towards your belly button, then it will often be D-shaped. B-shape comes from when the baby is a position with its back toward your spine.
High Belly:
There is a myth that carrying a high pregnancy belly means having a boy. But the sex of the baby has nothing to do with where it is carried. Instead, this has far more to do with the baby’s weight and where the placenta is located. A placenta that settles high in the body will push the baby upwards.
Low Belly:
There is a myth that carrying a low pregnancy belly means you will have a girl. However, like the high belly, the sex of the baby has nothing to do with where it is carried. This has far more to do with the baby’s size, which tends to be bigger and therefore is carried lower.
Slender:
A slender woman will often not gain as much weight during pregnancy. In fact, many skinny women will simply develop a little belly with seemingly no excess weight anywhere else.
Torso Size:
Generally speaking, the smaller the torso, the more the bump will protrude from the body. This is because there is less room to go up and down for women with short torsos. A woman with a short torso will tend to carry the extra weight around their bottom and hips. In contrast, a woman with a long torso will carry their excess weight towards the front.
Also, your pregnancy belly will be more prominent with children born after your first one. This is because the uterus has grown with the ligaments and abdominal muscles stretching in response. So, your subsequent pregnancy will showcase a bigger belly than your first.
How the Shape of Your Belly Affects Pregnancy?
According to KidslyMom, your overhang plus size be belly has nothing to do with the health of your pregnancy. In fact, the general shape of the belly itself plays little to no role at all. Whether you have a D or B-shaped belly, if you carry the baby high or low, or if you seem to gain little excess fat at all if you are slender, none of that really affects your pregnancy.
You should check in with your doctor at recommended times. The doctor can determine if something is wrong and work with you to deal with any issues. However, many women are concerned about the weight they might gain during pregnancy and if that will affect their health, the health of their child, or both.
Should You Try to Reduce It?
There is nothing you should do to reduce your pregnancy belly in relation to the baby you are carrying. However, if you have gained a lot of excess fat, then there are things you can do to reduce it healthily.
- Eat Well Balanced Meals
- Drink Plenty of Water
- Eat Plenty of Complex Carbohydrates
- Create a Walking Routine
- Breastfeed if Possible
You will gain weight due to the baby and most likely some normal extra fat. You should gain no more than five pounds during the first trimester and then one pound per week until birth. This means that you can expect to gain 25 to 30 pounds until the baby is born. You may gain a little more or less depending on several factors
Keep in mind that such factors are mostly centered around your body shape and size. Some women who are taller or naturally larger may gain 35 to 50 pounds and suffer no complications. In comparison, petite women may gain less than 25 pounds which work for them as well.
Gaining too much excess fat may lead to complications during your pregnancy. Such complications may include the following.
- Difficult Delivery, Possible Cesarean Birth
- Gestational Diabetes and/or Hypertension
- Obesity for Your Baby
- Preeclampsia
- Premature Birth
- Sleep Apnea
Walking is a great way to stay active, healthy and protect your baby. Do not exercise too much as this may affect your pregnancy. Choose a daily program of walking at a moderate pace to keep your muscles active.
Follow your doctor’s advice on staying healthy, which includes the types of food that you consume. Remember, if you stay active and regularly walk, having sweets on occasion is okay.
