When we think about pregnancy we all picture that perfectly rounded baby bump. Pregnancy changes a woman’s figure, that’s a fact but why do we feel so conscious about having that perfect rounded shape? What is the reason for your stomach bulging on one side during pregnancy?
Why is my Stomach Bulging on One Side During Pregnancy?
Having a stomach bulge during pregnancy is more common than you think. The main cause of a lopsided bump is the position of your baby. Finding hard lumps big or small is usually a bum, head, or limbs. Your baby will frequently move as your pregnancy progresses and favor one side more than the other.
Stomach Bulging
Becoming pregnant is the most exciting yet terrifying time of a woman’s life. You are filled with immediate hopes and dreams for your unborn bean. You find yourself examining your body closely every week, comparing those most treasured selfies as your waistline expands. It’s not until then you realize your shape may not be what you expected. As anxiety and self conscious thoughts creep into your mind you search for answers as to why you have such a noticeable stomach bulge during pregnancy.
Why Is My Stomach Bulging on One Side During my Pregnancy?
There is no correct way your belly should look when you’re pregnant but the way we perceive ourselves can have a huge impact on our already fragile emotions. Your expanding waistline can appear at any moment.
I found that I had the ‘fat’ look during my first pregnancy. It lasted for ages before my bump actually popped but on my second my first trimester bloat resembled a six month bump and it became harder to hide till twelve weeks.
Needless to say, each pregnant bump is different whether you pop earlier than expected or just look bloated for longer. There is no telling what way you will carry until your baby grows.
The main reason for your stomach bulging on one side during pregnancy is of course your babies position. We are led to believe that to look the best in pregnancy our bump has to be the perfect circular shape. This isn’t always reality. You can find that depending on positioning and your own anatomy your belly can pull to one side.
Positioning
You have a little human in your belly, a real person with legs, arms, and a cute little butt. We know that this little person is showing us signs they are healthy with the abundance of circus tricks they perform. It is natural for your belly to shift shapes as your little one finds their comfy spot.
Whether it’s their head, bum, or back you may feel as if your bump bulges more on one side than the other. The good news is this may not last for long, once your baby moves your bump can regain its spherical form.
Your baby’s position may be more pronounced in your third trimester as your baby is getting closer to their weight when they are born. Having a term baby wriggling in your tummy can create some abnormal shapes on your belly.
Was that a hand? No a foot? Ahhh they’re sticking their bum right out!
These phrases can become your new normal. It’s strange to think that we all become so attached to such an alien-like process but it is all down to the positioning of your baby that can give you that undesired belly bulge.
Anatomy
When your baby’s position isn’t creating crazy shapes in your tummy you can point your belly bulge to your anatomy.
In grade school, we are taught that our anatomy is all relative andthat organs are in specific places. The truth is that not all of us have a naturally centered uterus. Depending on genetics your uterus may naturally fall on one side. This of course has no impact on your pregnancy apart from your bump positioning.
Stages of the Bump
To understand exactly what is going on in your body as your pregnancy progresses we can split each stage into three. You may understand that these three trimesters are usually determined by your weeks of gestation but do you actually understand what’s happening to your body at each stage?
To guide your understanding we have uncovered the happenings of your body at each stage.
First Trimester
The first trimester I find is always the most emotionally demanding. The worry that everything is ok, disbelief that you have had your big fat positive. Miscarriage is at the highest risk during this stage and to the outside world, you still look normal which is why many people don’t disclose their happy news until further along.
Typically your uterus is still tucked safely behind your pubic bone so you could feel concerned if you feel the left side of the stomach is bigger than the right during early pregnancy.
There are many reasons for this. It could be muscle memory from your previous pregnancy, your stature can play a part too. If you fall short in height then you can have the pregnancy bulge earlier than you expect. Of course, it goes without saying that pregnancy can mean weight gain so it can take a while for your weight to even out across your abdomen.
Second Trimester
From 13 weeks your abdomen will begin to take a pregnancy shape. At the beginning of this trimester, I felt as if I was still in between the ‘looking as if I gained weight phase’ and ‘I am actually growing a baby phase’ but as I progressed so did my bump!
Your uterus will now be making its way out and up as it supports your growing baby. By 20 weeks it is thought to sit just under your navel area and expands upward as your baby grows. It is exciting as generally you can feel those first movements in this trimester and you no longer look ‘fat’ it may now become clearer that you are hosting a little person.
Third Trimester
This trimester is the most fun! Well depending what way you look at it! Time to guess the body part. Your uterus is now at the highest point in pregnancy and you will expand outward rather than up at this point.
A belly that is protruding more on one side is as we have already discussed your baby! Time to play guess the body part!
My daughter had the habit of stretching her legs so much that I thought her bum was going to burst through my belly. This gave me a lovely heavy left hand side feeling. To look down I could clearly see she favored the left as my bump was more poignant.
The Post Pregnancy Stomach Bulge
There is nothing worse after having a child than looking at your deflated belly once stretched to capacity now a hollow slip of jell-o.
I am here to say … CUT THAT OUT NOW!
You have just birthed a whole human! Give yourself some slack!
To be honest, I was, maybe I still am, this mom. Longing for my pre pregnancy figure, comparing myself to other moms who seem to have snapped back!
I can promise you it has taken 9 months for your body to grow and care for your baby, it is only fair you give it a chance to regain its shape!
Some moms can suffer from post pregnancy stomach bulge. A condition called Diastasis Recti is when your abdominal muscles have split and have not recovered after pregnancy. Typically you should expect around 1 centimetre separation but any more could indicate Diastasis Recti. Having a larger separation means that you can have a belly bulge as your muscles are not keeping your stomach behind your abdominal wall.
Symptoms
If your post belly bulge is still considerably noticeable eight weeks after pregnancy then consult your doctor to check for muscle separation.
Other symptoms can include:
- Constipation
- Urinary incontinence
- Low back pain
- Abdominal soreness
How is it Treated?
If you suspect you are suffering from Diastasis Recti then seek a formal diagnosis from a doctor or physical therapist.
They will be able to guide you through simple and gentle exercises that can help you recover the muscles. It is important not to push boundaries whilst exercising as strenuous exercise will only exacerbate the separation further.
Wrapping Up
Having your stomach bulging on one side during pregnancy be it to the left or to the right, is totally normal.
In most cases, it’s just your baby finding its comfy spot. If you are concerned or feeling any pain with the positioning of your baby then chat with your doctor.
It is safe for you to poke at your bump too! If you notice a hard section protruding in your bump then it’s likely to be a little bum. If you give it a push you may notice your baby will respond by changing position or kicking back. Such a lovely way to start those first steps of bonding.
More to Read
- Gurgling Noises in Stomach During Pregnancy – Why & What to Do?
- Is My Baby Hungry When I’m Hungry During Pregnancy?
- It Feels Like Baby Is Shaking Inside Me! Is That Normal?
- Why Is My Pregnant Belly Soft When I Lay Down – What You Should Know
- Why Does My Pregnant Belly Look Smaller Some Days?
- Can You Crack Your Back While Pregnant – Is It Safe?
- Pregnant and Scared of Life Changing – Guide to Overcome
- Twitching in Stomach During Pregnancy – Why, & Should I Worry?
