Pregnancy symptoms can begin to show as early as one to two weeks after conception, with common early signs like missed periods, breast changes, nausea, fatigue, and frequent urination. However, the physical "baby bump" typically starts to show around the end of the first trimester to the beginning of the second trimester, usually between 12 to 20 weeks. For many women, the baby bump becomes noticeable between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Factors such as whether it is a first or subsequent pregnancy, body type, and muscle tone can affect when a woman begins to physically show.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
- Symptoms like tiredness, nausea ("morning sickness"), breast tenderness, and frequent urination often start within the first few weeks after conception, sometimes even before a missed period is noticed.
When You Start to Show Physically
- Physical showing, or the appearance of the baby bump, usually starts between weeks 12 and 20 of pregnancy.
- First-time mothers may show later, while second or subsequent pregnancies may show earlier due to stretched abdominal muscles.
- Body type, age, number of previous pregnancies, and uterine position can influence when the bump is noticeable.
- Women with higher BMI or a larger torso may show later, sometimes not until the second trimester or even later.
Thus, early pregnancy symptoms can be noticed very soon after conception, but visibly showing is typically a few months into pregnancy, often during the second trimester.