When do you typically start showing in pregnancy

There isn't a set stage when mums-to-be begin to show a pregnant belly. Every woman is different. If you're a first-time mum, you'll probably notice your waist starts to be a bit thicker around 11 weeks, but other people won't see any difference just yet. At about 13 weeks, you may see a small bump. If you're already a mum, you may start showing sooner. This is because the muscles in your womb (uterus) and belly may be stretched from your previous pregnancy.

In the early days of pregnancy, your womb is the shape of a pear. Over the first 12 weeks, it gradually becomes more rounded, until it is about the size of a grapefruit. This is when your bump may begin to form.

This early growth of your bump is only partly caused by your growing baby. Before 11 weeks, your baby is still an embryo. He doesn't need much room yet! Your womb thickens out to support your tiny baby, which is why you may feel a bit bigger round your middle.

However, there are all sorts of factors that may influence when you can start shopping for maternity clothes.

Your age can influence when you start to look pregnant. Older mums often start showing earlier than young mums. This is because younger women are more likely to have stronger stomach muscles, which can disguise their bumps.

If your belly is expanding sooner than expected, it could be due to:

If you're showing later than expected, try not to fret. You may have a retroverted womb. This means that your womb tilts more towards the back than the front. This won't affect how your baby grows. The backward tilt is usually corrected around 17 weeks, as your expanding womb moves out of your pelvis and into your abdomen.

If there's any reason for concern about the size of your bump, your midwife will arrange for an ultrasound scan to make sure you've been given the right due date, and to ensure your baby is about the right size for your stage of pregnancy.

Check out our beautiful bumps slideshow to see other proud mums and their bumps.

Now you're pregnant, you might be eagerly wondering when your baby bump will start showing, especially if the happy news has now been shared with family and friends and you’re no longer worried about having to potentially hide any signs of your baby.

And while the likes of morning sickness isn’t a particularly nice side effect of pregnancy, your growing bump is an exciting process to watch, and a physical sign your little baby is cooking away nicely in your tummy.

If you’re wondering when you can expect to start showing, we spoke to midwife Louise Broadbridge from Let's Talk Birth and Baby to find out more...

“The appearance of your baby bump can be an exciting part of pregnancy as it gives justification to the last weeks of maybe feeling a little ropey,” says Louise. “However, every woman is different and will see these changes take place at different times. In first pregnancies, your bump may be a little slower to the party and can be expected between 12 and 16 weeks.”

It may surprise you to learn that when you’ve already had a baby, you could see your bump sooner than the first-time round. “It is possible you may notice a little bump sooner than in your first pregnancy. This is generally due to the muscles and ligaments having expanded once before and is nothing to worry about,” reassures Louise.

If you're pregnant with more than one baby, you can expect to see that baby bump of yours sooner rather than later. “It is likely that, as your uterus is having to expand more to accommodate your babies, that you show before the end of your first trimester. All part and parcel of hosting a little party in there!” says Louise.

It’s easy to compare your bump to other women who are due around the same time as you, but there could be plenty of reasons for this, so try not to get bogged down by it. “Every woman is different and so it makes sense that all bumps are not created the same! Women with very strong abdominal muscles may not see a bump until later on in pregnancy due to the uterus being held closer to the body," explains Louise. Equally second and subsequent pregnancies can show sooner as the muscles have already stretched before.”

The size you were pre-pregnancy can have an impact of when you start to show too as if you carry extra weight around your stomach, this may mean your bump is hidden in the early stages of your pregnancy. It's worth checking in with female family members who have had babies too as genes can also play a part in when you start to look pregnant too. Ask the female relatives on your mum's side about when their baby bumps appeared as this could give you some indication of when you can expect to see yours too.

“Try not to worry if your bump isn’t showing yet. The position of your uterus can make it easy for your bump to be hidden away and in just the same way can make it easy for it to be seen earlier,” reassures Louise. “It is only later in the second trimester that the growth of your bump will be monitored.” Try to be patient but if you're fretting, speak to your midwife. Remember they will already be monitoring your bump at your appointments and will act accordingly.

Baby bump progression is different for every mum-to-be but as a general rule, your baby will be roughly two inches - which is about the size of a small plum when you are 12 weeks pregnant. As you hit week 16, she or he will be the size of an avocado and as you approach week 24, you’ll be able to really notice the difference as your baby will be almost a foot long now, your baby is about the same length as an ear of corn. And as that due date approaches, your baby could end up being as big as a watermelon!

• Read next: your pregnancy week by week

When you find out you are pregnant, one of the questions at the top of your mind is likely to be when you will start showing. You might be excited about being pregnant and be looking forward to the changes it will make to your body.

On the other hand, you might be apprehensive about gaining weight and having a pregnant shape, or having your condition be apparent to others. Either way, you'll want to know when to anticipate this milestone of pregnancy.

Each pregnant person will start to show (or look pregnant) at a different time. And the point at which someone shows can vary from one pregnancy to the next.

Some people will notice changes in their abdomen as early as the end of the first trimester. For others, the changing shape of their belly won't be noticeable until later.

• A "baby bump" most commonly appears from weeks 12 to 16 of pregnancy.
• If it is not your first pregnancy, you will likely start showing sooner than you did during your first pregnancy.
• Some people do not appear noticeably pregnant until they are well into the third trimester.

You might be vigilant about looking for changes early in your pregnancy. You might feel that you look more pregnant at the end of the day (after you've had dinner and your abdominal muscles are relaxed).

If you experience bloating or constipation that you did not have before you become pregnant, this can also contribute to the changing size and shape of your belly.

Generally, your uterus won't expand above your pelvis enough to cause a visible bump until the second trimester of pregnancy.

Changes during the first trimester probably won't be enough to warrant maternity clothes just yet. However, it depends on what you already have in your wardrobe. You might choose clothes that you already have that are comfortable and fit your changing shape.

When you reach the second trimester of pregnancy, the changes might be enough that you decide to start shopping for maternity clothes that are a better fit for your body's needs.

"Showing" during pregnancy occurs at different intervals for people. It can be hard not to compare pregnant bellies, but it's best to avoid comparing your pregnancy to someone else's.

While it is not an exhaustive list, these are a few reasons that will influence when a pregnant person will start showing.

• Having prior pregnancies
• History of abdominal surgery
• How many babies you're carrying 
• Your baby's position
• Your body type and weight

A person who has been pregnant before will likely show more quickly in the second pregnancy (and subsequent pregnancies) compared to someone who is pregnant for the first time.

Your pregnancy weight gain will also alter your body's shape. You will want to take your pre-pregnancy weight status (slim, average, or overweight) into account when trying to predict when you will start to show. If you have a very slim build, a baby bump might be more obvious. If you were overweight or obese before you become pregnant, you might be worried that you won't show at all.

Many pregnant people feel the need to be out of regular clothes and into maternity clothes (or at the very least, larger, looser-fitting clothes) by the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.

In addition to an expanding belly, the changes to your breasts during pregnancy will affect how your bra fits.

Changes to your shape during pregnancy are natural. It's recommended that you track your weight gain at the beginning and continue to do so regularly throughout your pregnancy. Your doctor can help you get a sense of how much weight you need to gain and give you advice on the healthiest way to do so.

Even beyond your pregnancy weight gain, there are other reasons diet and physical activity are important for an overall healthy pregnancy. Eating a balanced diet helps ensure that you are nourished and getting as much exercise as your doctor says is OK for you is good for your body and mind.