5 Weeks Pregnant and Showing??!!

Updated on June 13, 2011
L.M. asks from Arlington, VA
12 answers

Hi Ladies,
I'll be 5 weeks pregnant with our 2nd baby tomorrow, and I swear I've started to show a little bit already! I'm definitely not ready to share the news at work yet- I was hoping to wait till at least 12 weeks. I'm very petite and naturally thin so anything extra really shows up on me. I was looking like I was due at 6 months last time and had people asking if I was having multiples!
Have any of you felt like your belly was already growing this early? Any good fashion tips? My pants are getting uncomfortable after lunch now. Should I go ahead and tell people at work to avoid the "is she or isn't she" whispers? My office is very family friendly so this wouldn't be a problem- I'm more worried about telling them this early in case of a miscarriage. I've never had any, thank goodness, but worry anyhow.
Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks Ladies for all the tips, I really enjoyed hearing your stories too! I'm so glad to hear that it's normal to start to round out so early in subsequent pregnancies. My sister lent me a bunch of her clothes that are a size up from what I normally wear and some blazers, so I'm mixing those with some of my looser tops and even some maternity tops. I also found my old bella band from baby #1. I feel so much more confident (and comfortable) this week than I was last week trying to squeeze into my old clothes! Thanks to my new wardrobe, I think I have a few more weeks before I need to announce the good news :)

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm petite myself and showed early on too. Some really good suggestions already. My add is wearing a peasant top or a top that's fitted around the breast and flowy underneath. You can't tell who's prego when people where flowy tops like that.

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R.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Congratulations on your pregnancy! It's possible you are already seeing some changes in your body. Fluid retention from hormone changes of early pregnancy can make women's tummy look a little round early on. Also, after your first pregnancy women tend to "show" earlier due to less muscle tone of the abs. Personally, I'd wait until at least 8-9 weeks when you've either heard the heartbeat or seen it on ultrasound. Miscarriage is so much less likely if all is well after 8 weeks gestation. However, if you think you would welcome the sympathy of your co-workers should a miscarriage occur, go ahead on share your delightful news. Happy for you! Nurse midwife Mom of 3

3 moms found this helpful

C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I showed at 5 weeks ;o)

2 moms found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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S.H.

answers from Richmond on

I wore A LOT of black shirts when I was PG w/#2 - very slimming!

1 mom found this helpful

D.M.

answers from Sioux City on

I'm also on my second child and was showing by eight weeks. I got told that it wasn't baby weight yet but bloating but who knows if that's true. I am now currently 14.5 weeks today and look like I could be five months or so along. If you want to hold off on telling then do. You don't have to bc you look a bit bigger now. Maybe they will think you put on weight lately.
Congrats by the way! :)
I wanted to add that with my first (no joke) that I didn't show until I was six months but I knew I wouldn't be as lucky this time!

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K.E.

answers from Jacksonville on

I started a belly early each time...I'm like you, thin and look HUGE from the beginning because there is nothing else there! :)

I wore baggy shirts for the first 12 weeks and no one really noticed or asked. I just loosened my pants a bit by not buttoning them or using a safety pin to extend the waist. I had quite a few baggy sweaters that got me through those weeks! :)

I'm sure you can find some loose fitting tops and long tops to help "cover up" for a few more weeks.

:) Congrats.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Luckily it's summer in Northern VA - get some of those cute sundresses that are tighter around the bust and then flow out from there. I know there are a lot of cute tops out there like that too. If it was me, and I was in an office like you describe, I'd almost just want to tell everyone. If you miscarry there is a chance you'll miss a couple of days at work. I don't know, maybe you don't want others to know the reason? Congrats on your pregnancy!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I started showing right away with my 3rd, 4th and 5th. I don't remember the second because that was 16 years ago...LOL

1 mom found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi L.~

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am 6 weeks right now myself and the only people who know are my husband, and all you ladies on this site! I am with you in that I don't plan to tell people about the pregnancy until my "showing" necessitates me telling... and for the same reason as you... just because of the miscarriage issue, but like you, I've never had one, but you just never know.

I have heard a lot of ladies saying that they showed a lot earlier with their second pregnancies, due at least in part to the fact that the body has already experienced the stretching from pregnancy, and basically goes there a lot easier the second time! I'm not sure of the science behind that assertion, but I've heard it said a lot...

Personally, I don't feel like I'm showing yet, but I have a bit of a belly to begin with, so I don't think people will think it odd for me to have a little abdominal protrusion! LOL They probably won't think much of it at first. But if I were you, I might just try to wear some looser fitting tops for a bit, maybe until you get a little closer to your second trimester, pushing it as far as possible, then tell... kind of split the difference between telling them now, and waiting until 12 weeks...

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Yep, I showed that early with pregnancy #2. At six weeks I had two coworkers asking a friend if I was pregnant. I just put on my maternity pants right away (you need to be comfortable, right?), and wore baggy shirts. Still, at 7 weeks another person guessed. We announced at 8 weeks since it was pretty darn obvious.

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

I think it's very common for subsequent pregnancies to show earlier. I didn't show until I was 4-5 months along with my first. I showed by 8 weeks with my second and 6 weeks with my third. You can buy a Bella band to wear with your regular pants until you're ready for maternity clothes. They also work well after you have the baby and can't fit into your regular pants yet. Congrats!

1 mom found this helpful
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