Am I Really Showing Already?

Updated on July 01, 2008
H.D. asks from Van Nuys, CA
29 answers

I am only 5 weeks pregnant and I feel like I am already showing. My belly grows throughout the day and at night is when I can really tell. I am pregnant with my fourth child but is it possible to ALREADY be showing? Has anyone else experienced this?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Wow thank you so much for everyone encouraging words. It really helps to know what my body is really doing. I dont have an apt. for two weeks still but i dont think it is twins I think it is just my body reacting to other symptoms and memory. I feel SO much better though after hearing everyone's thoughts. Thank you again. and I am still thinking PINK.
: )H.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello There,

I am a mother of two, and no you are not crazy. With both of my pregnancies I started showing early. With the first, I was showing by about 5 or 6 weeks. With the second, not only was I showing by the time I was 6 weeks, but I was already in need of maternity clothes! Hang in there. Congratulations. I'm thinking pink for you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

yes it is. you grow faster after each pregnancy. my dr even thought I was having twins --- I looked 5 months at like 8 weeks! Lets hope for a GIRL (just 1?)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi H.-

I dont have an answer for you about the showing part, but I just wanted to let you know that I, too, had 3 boys and then finally had my little princess. It could happen. I thought I was destined for only boys, but we were fooled. Good luck to you and I will be thinking pink!!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Congrats on your 4th pregnancy! I too have 3 boys and am waiting til after October to try for #4, but I was in prego pants by 8 weeks with my 3rd, so I would believe that you could be showing already. I know I won't be surprised this time around. It's more like a bloating, than a hard prego belly, yeah? Remember how painful your contracting uterus feels after each baby is born? And it get's worse with each baby? Well a nurse told me that our uterus is like a balloon and each time it get's big it's harder for it to shrink back to size. I assume it's also easy for the uterus to start growing since it's already done it 3 times before. That's how it was for me, hope this makes you feel better. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

This is normal. I have five children and the same thing happened to me! After several pregnancies, your body makes extra amniotic fluid so you show sooner. Your body has also stretched so many times that it stretches sooner than in previous pregnancies. The good thing for me was, that between the extra amniotic fluid and the baby's weight, I lost half the pregnancy weight when the baby was born.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I started showing about the same time with my second child. I had a little rounded belly at Christmas and I was only 5 wks along. Still seems kinda of weird yet I have the pictures to prove it.

I'm thinking pink for you. Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes, with my third so the doctor actually took a ultrsound to make sure I wasn't pregnant with twins because I was so big. I wasn't...just one baby boy. My others were boys too but I didn't show until much later. It is normal after you have been stretched before:) Enjoy your boys and let them feel when the baby starts moving:) Hope you don't have much morning sickness.
H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have 4 children and with each one I showed earlier. just show it off and embrace it!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My hips spread before I even confirmed my 4th pregnancy. I was in maternity clothes by 5 weeks. Don't worry, your body is just remembering well. I also had 4 in 5 years, so if your kids are close together, your body remembers even better. Also, don't panic if it is another boy, I have 4 and they are a blast. No drama and all fun. Good luck and happy pregnancy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Reno on

Wow, I feel the same way as you do! I also have 3 boys and pregnant with my fourth (also thinking pink for this one!). I am 4 1/2 months right now and am huge, I keep getting bigger and bigger and I feel more like I am fat than pregnant! I think it is possible to be showing by the 5th week, I was wearing maternity clothes by 5 or 6 weeks with my second child, and about 2 months with this one! Hang in there! ~ C. ~

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Santa Barbara on

It really is possible to start showing very early in pregnancy, especially if you have had other children. Every pregnancy is different, but you might want to have your OB check for twins as you are showing so early. (I am a mother of twins myself and showed very early with them.) Blessings on you and your new little one.
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Don't worry, this is normal. After haveing three babies already your muscles are stetched and not as strong as they used to be. It's ok.
Good luck with your fourth. I love having four children!!
B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi H.! I had to chuckle when reading your question. I had 3 daughters and prego with my 4th when my belly was showing in the first couple of weeks. I blamed it on being my 4th pregnacy, but when I went to the doctors I found out it was twins! Now I have 5 girls!! hee-hee. When the doctor measured me I was larger then I was suppose to be, I had an unltrasound and that is when we found out baby 4 turned into 4&5!Best of Luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Honolulu on

Oh yes!!:) I showed early with all of my pregnancies, including my first. Everyone is different and especially with your fourth child this would be expected more. As long as your baby is healthy and you are doing what you can to ensure that, that's what matters! AM

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from San Diego on

I have four children myself, and I showed earlier with each one. I don't think it is anything you need to worry about.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi H., you may appear to be showing because this is your forth pregancy, and your stomach inside has been stretched 3 times pryor, so now it will just extend naturally,because it is already conditioned for pregnancy. Just an opinion. And I am thinking pink, I had 2 boys befor I got my daughter. Mother hood is a blast. J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Haaa! I'm currently pregnant with my sixth baby and I swear I started showing as soon as I took the test :D In all seriousness, a lot of it depends on your body type, but the more pregnancies you have under your belt, the less muscle tone you likely have that's holding everything in. It's very typical to show earlier with each subsequent pregnancy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

When I was pregnant with my third, I swear my belly popped out the minute I peed on the stick!
I'll be thinking pink for you!
-M

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Yes, that happened to me with my 2nd pregnancy. As the other said, subsequent pregnancies "show" sooner. That is what I heard as well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.F.

answers from Boston on

Hi H.,
I started showing at five weeks with my second pregnancy. I am very narrow and small boned, but I was still surprised! Good luck on having a girl. If you want to have some fun, try to look up the Chinese lunar calendar for figuring out the sex of your child. It has been correct for me and everyone I know who has tried it. :) You just need to know your age and what month you conceived.
Good luck! S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Girl, your body knows what's coming, and is way ahead of the curve. Congratulations on your pregnancy and your growing family! I am sending you pink vibes. With my 3rd pregnancy, my body sure started acting pregnant right away. I had a dream that I was pregnant, and took a test the next day, and confirmed that I was about 4 1/2 weeks pregnant. I swear that my breasts were sore a couple days later and the exhaustion started right away. (I'm a bit heavier, so I couldn't tell if my stomach was bigger that early). Maybe it was knowing I was pregnant. Mind power is extraordinary... perhaps our brains know what's going to happen to our bodies, and therefore it happens sooner.

Good luck to you! We're contemplating #4, so you are an inspiration to me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.E.

answers from Honolulu on

Ive heard that with the more kids you have, the earlier you start to show. Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.D.

answers from Reno on

I went thru the same thing with my last baby!! I joked that I showed before I even knew he was coming LOL!! I will be thinking PINK for you, I had my girl first and then she was followed with three brothers :) Every house needs ONE girl and I am sure that is all that a house needs :) She is my angel and is growing into being my best friend, love her and I pray that this time you will get a girl!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear H.,

I have three "babies" - 19, 17, and 15. I don't know about you, but I am out of shape and felt like I showed as soon as I conceived my youngest. We went up north to see my cousin who was very surprised at how pregnant I looked (I was only 3 or 4 months along at the time). However, there is at least one problem that I know of where there isn't a baby, but a mass, and the "expectant mother" grows rapidly - so, my thought is that this is your 4th baby and everything is just stretched out and tired, but it can't hurt to go to the doctor and get measured and hormone levels checked, possibly an ultra-sound, just to be sure . . .

Best wishes for a wonderful, happy little girl!
B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Could it be twins? I started showing IMMEDIATELY with mine, and even though I was trying to keep it a secret at work, the hot dog vendor outside our office noticed and blabbed it to everyone!

best of luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Reno on

Well, let me tell you, with my first pregnancy my son I didn't show until I was like 5 months, but with my second pregnancy I started showing and needing maternity clothes at 1 month(about 4.5 weeks). My husband kept joking that I was having twins and the next week we went to the doctor and sure enough I was having twins. I couldn't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeppers, twins, twin girls and I was soooo huge by the time I delivered it was crazy. Good luck. I'm thinking pink for you!!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Reno on

On your fourth child you should be showing at five weeks. I was showing the day I took the pregnancy test with my third (and I'm still showing now that she's 16 months old.) :) Your muscles aren't what they used to be, and your uterus knows that it needs to start growing. My advice? Get the maternity clothes out now! Congrats! :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.A.

answers from Honolulu on

Hi H..... Congrats on this 4th pregnancy. I started showing very early with my last baby as well. I even went to the doctor about it cause I thought maybe I was having twins because by 5 weeks pregnant, My pants would no longer button or even zip. I was scared silly. My Doc told me that with every subsequent pregnancy after the first you will show a bit earlier than the last because the body remembers. In other words your stomach muscles have been stretch and they know where to go. So I was told not to worry and embrace it. Good luck on your 4th pregnancy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi H.,congrats to you with your 4th pregnancy.....but for your information your uterus will stay well hidden behind your pubic bone in the pelvic cavity until 12 weeks making it immposible to show at 5 weeks unless you are not sure about your LMP and might be more than what you think you are!!!!if you are sure that you are 5 weeks then what you feel and see is your body shape and contour affected by the fact that is your 4th pregnancy and your muscles/ligaments are more laxed with uterus growing taking up space,pushing and displacing abdominal organs upward.also don't forget that increase in hormones causing exesive bloating making you feel full in your abdominal area.In fairly thin women it is much more noticeable even with a full bladder or a large meal can change the abdominal contour.Hope this helps you to understand why some pregnant women feel they are showing in early pregnancy.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions