Have some concerns about your pregnant belly looking smaller or larger on some days? Well, this is perfectly normal, just like how your bump size may fluctuate when you’re pregnant. In most cases, your pregnancy bump may appear smaller in the morning and bigger during the day.
Why Does My Pregnant Belly Look Smaller Some Days- Detailed Discussion
What really causes these changes like your pregnant belly getting smaller? There are many factors, including the size of your baby, months pregnant, baby’s position, and even your height. However, while having a small bump size is usual, sometimes it could be a reason for concern. Because of this, we recommend using a pregnancy tummy size chart to monitor your baby’s average growth rate.
So, can your pregnant belly get smaller? Yes it can. Read on to find out why your bump may appear smaller on some days or feel harder.
What does a small pregnant belly mean?
A small pregnant belly refers to the fluctuation of the size of a pregnant woman during her pregnancy journey. It is fine for your pregnant belly to look slightly different during your pregnancy journey.
Can your pregnant belly get smaller some days?
So, can your pregnant belly get smaller? Yes it can, due to various factors. Read on to find out why your bump may appear smaller on some days or feel harder.
Does Your Belly Size Fluctuate When Pregnant?
The simple answer is yes. Your belly size will definitely change throughout your pregnancy. This may depend on things like your muscle mass, body weight, months pregnant, height, and even the baby’s size.
However, in the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy, you might not notice any changes to your belly. For most first-time moms, the baby bump typically starts to show up in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Meanwhile, between the fourth and ninth months of your pregnancy, your belly size will change a lot. This is because your uterus will be expanding to create more room for your growing baby.
Having said that, below is a pregnancy tummy size chart to help you understand better how your belly size might fluctuate.
| Pregnancy Month/ Week | Belly size |
| First month (week 1 – 4) | ‣ No signs of a baby bump because the baby is not formed yet |
| Second month (week 5 – 8) | ‣ Baby bump still not showing since the fetus may be only an inch in size ‣ Belly might become a little firmer or tighter |
| Third month (week 9 – 13) | ‣ A tiny little bit of a bump may appear because the fetus is approximately 4-inches long ‣ Some women don’t notice any sort of baby bump |
| Fourth month (week 14 – 17) | ‣ Your bump will be almost noticeable ‣ The uterus will be about the size of a head of cabbage |
| Fifth month (week 18 – 21) | ‣ Your bump will start attracting the attention of other people because the baby will be about 7-inches long |
| Sixth month (week 22 – 26) | ‣ Baby bump will be unmistakable to everyone and may measure 23cm to 27cm in size ‣ Belly may appear small if it’s your first pregnancy |
| Seventh month (week 27 – 30) | ‣ Bump size becomes more pronounced. but the shape may vary from high to low ‣ Fundal height or belly may measure between 28cm and 32cm |
| Eighth month (week 31 – 35) | ‣ Belly size may increase or remain constant ‣ It may measure around 32cm to 36cm from the top of the uterus to your pubic bone |
| Ninth month (week 36 -40) | ‣ Your bump will be at the largest size and may look curvy ‣ Belly size or fundal height can be between 34cm and 41cm |
Why does my pregnant belly look smaller in the morning/ night?
Bloating, number of babies you had, your meal routine etc could be the reasons your pregnant belly might look smaller in the morning or night.
Some pregnant women report having a smaller belly in the morning than at night or on some days. Well, this is quite normal and below are some of the reasons you might experience this.
â—Ź Bloating
One of the reasons your healthy pregnancy bump may look smaller some days is because of bloating or swelling. When you eat a lot of food during the day, this can induce bloating. As a result, you might feel like your tummy is bigger and fuller throughout the day.
However, once you have a good night’s sleep, the bloating and even swelling may ease up. Because of this, you get to wake up in the morning when your stomach is empty and less bloated. Consequently, you might discover your bump is a little smaller than it was before you went to sleep.
● Number of pregnancies you’ve had
If you’ve had multiple pregnancies, this might explain why your belly might feel harder on some days. You see, after your previous pregnancy, your core muscles tend to stretch out significantly. This explains why first-time moms may have a smaller belly than their second-time counterparts.
But that’s not all. You are also more likely to notice your bump looking bigger throughout the day if it’s not your first pregnancy. However, once you lie down to take a good night’s rest, your core muscles also tend to shrink. And as a result, your pregnancy bump will appear smaller in size.
â—Ź Baby changing positions
It is perfectly normal for your baby to assume different positions in the uterus. Generally, it tends to move in response to stimuli, including sound, pain, and light. And depending on the position your baby is in, your pregnant belly getting smaller or looking smaller, or larger on different days.
For instance, if your baby moves to a transverse position, your bump will look slightly wider. Meanwhile, if the baby’s back is against your back, your belly might seem tinier and lumpier in shape. Also, once the baby moves in the head-down position, your bump may appear smoother and rounder in shape.
â—Ź Tight stomach muscles in the morning
During the day, your muscles tend to stretch a lot to support your growing baby. But after a long day, these muscles tend to relax once you rest for the night.
In other words, taking a good rest will make your stomach muscles to rejuvenate and tighten up. Consequently, your bump may look smaller earlier during the day.
● You haven’t taken a meal
Interestingly, what and when you eat can be another reason your pregnant belly looks smaller on some days. Sometimes, you might experience a lot of nausea that may last for a while. When this happens, it may become almost impossible to eat anything. This means your tummy is likely to remain empty for a long time, making your belly appear smaller.
However, if you indulge in so much food during the day, your stomach may swell because of indigestion. As a result, your belly will definitely look larger than normal. But once the swelling goes away, your bump will shrink a little bit.
● You haven’t taken a meal
Interestingly, what and when you eat can be another reason your pregnant belly looks smaller on some days. Sometimes, you might experience a lot of nausea that may last for a while. When this happens, it may become almost impossible to eat anything. This means your tummy is likely to remain empty for a long time, making your belly appear smaller.
However, if you indulge in so much food during the day, your stomach may swell because of indigestion. As a result, your belly will definitely look larger than normal. But once the swelling goes away, your bump will shrink a little bit.
Is It Normal to Pregnant Belly Getting Smaller?
If your pregnant belly looks smaller, it is perfectly normal in most cases. And in this section, we will explain what causes all this.
â—Ź Early weeks of pregnancy
If you are only weeks pregnant, you will most likely look the same as if you were not pregnant. This is because your fetus will be tiny in size, similar to a poppy seed. Therefore, your baby bump might stay small and unnoticeable until you are in your second trimester of pregnancy.
â—Ź First-time pregnancy
As a first-time mom, your pregnancy bump is likely to be smaller than that of a second-time mother. This happens because your abdominal muscles have not been stretched. In other words, your muscles will be tighter and more toned enough to hold the baby high and snug.
â—Ź Your height and body frame size
If you are a tall woman with a slender frame, your baby will have a lot of growing space. So, as your pregnant belly grows, your uterus will expand upwards instead of pushing outwards. As such, your pregnancy is not likely to show early as someone with a short torso. And if you have a slender body frame, your bump will even be much tinier.
â—Ź Baby size
Since pregnancies are different, you could either be having a small or big baby. Of course, if your baby is petite in size, your bump will also be small, especially if it’s your first-time pregnancy. One of the things that might affect your baby’s size is genetics. For instance, if you and your partner are averages in size, you’re likely to have a petite baby and a small bump.
â—Ź Your fitness level
While your bump may be bigger with your second, third, or fourth pregnancy, this may not always be true. This is especially if you are a very fit woman with defined and toned abs, plus a strong core.
After all, with a flat tummy and stronger abdominal muscles, your bump will not stick out early on. This is because your growing uterus will remain closer to the core of your body. So if you’re wondering ‘why pregnant belly looks smaller than last week’, you know the reason.
â—Ź Level of amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid tends to change in volume throughout your pregnancy as your pregnant belly grows. Generally, you should have more amniotic fluid during the second half of your pregnancy.
Because of this, your baby bump size may appear bigger. But in the last stage of pregnancy, your amniotic fluid might reduce and make your belly look relatively tiny.
When Pregnancy Belly Size Should Be A Concern
Amniotic fluid tends to change in volume throughout your pregnancy as your pregnant belly grows. Generally, you should have more amniotic fluid during the second half of your pregnancy.
Because of this, your baby bump size may appear bigger. But in the last stage of pregnancy, your amniotic fluid might reduce and make your belly look relatively tiny.
â—Ź A small or large bump pregnancy
If you notice your belly during pregnancy does not seem to grow at a normal rate, there might be a problem. You could possibly be suffering from oligohydramnios, which is having low amniotic fluid or high blood pressure. Fortunately, this is something your caregiver should diagnose at your prenatal appointments and can be treated.
Meanwhile, what if you realize that your bump is growing quickly compared to what the pregnancy tummy size chart indicates? If it’s not your first pregnancy, it could be normal. But if not, it could possibly mean you have excess amniotic fluid, a condition called polyhydramnios.
â—Ź High or low bump pregnancy
Carrying your bump too high or too low might get you concerned. However, it is normal to have a high belly if you have well-built and toned abdominal muscles. This also happens if you are a tall woman. Even so, it is good to have your healthcare provider monitor your belly’s size regularly.
With a low belly, you may have to deal with pelvic pain and pressure on your lower back. While this may cause a lot of discomfort as your pregnant belly grows, it should not be a reason for concern.
â—Ź Wide bump
Having a wide pregnancy bump means your baby is lying side to side or in a transverse position. This is perfectly normal. However, it can be a reason for concern if your baby fails to turn the head-down position during labor. In this case, you may need to birth your baby via cesarean section as opposed to vaginal delivery.
Does Pregnant Belly Size Indicate Baby Size?
Not necessarily. Your pregnancy bump cannot reveal how big or small your baby will be. Therefore, a compact baby bump does not automatically mean you will have a tiny baby. You might be having a mini baby belly just because it’s your first pregnancy.
And if you have a big bump, it is also not an indication you will have a big baby. Instead, a larger belly could be a sign of having weaker abdominal muscles or a shorter torso.
Generally, a caregiver will measure your abdomen just to gauge how your baby is growing based on the gestational age. In other words, they will not use the measurements to determine your baby’s size.
Wrapping Up
According to the pregnancy tummy size chart, your belly size is sure to fluctuate when pregnant. This happens as the baby continues to grow and your uterus keeps on expanding. However, in some cases, your belly might look smaller some days, like when you are bloated.
And if it’s your first-time pregnancy, your stomach may look relatively smaller during pregnancy. You may also experience a smaller belly if you’re tall, have low amniotic fluid, or are carrying a petite baby. All in all, if you feel your baby bump is not growing or it’s growing too quickly, you’ve reasons to be concerned. In this case, you might want to consult your OB/GYN.
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