Your mental image of a pregnant body may include a sweet, round bump.
But if you ask a lot of women who have given birth, they’ll tell you that they felt bloated and huge all over and that bumps come in all different sizes and forms.
No matter what body size you were before becoming pregnant, every baby bump is different in terms of when it appears and how it appears.
Your ideal, perfectly rounded pregnancy bump can come true or be very different from what you really get.
What if, though, your bump actually resembles two pregnant bumps?
A band across your belly is there cause for concern? Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “B belly pregnancy,” but what exactly does that entail?
Read on to discover more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Even while you may have great aspirations for the smoothest pregnancy ever and the cutest baby bump ever, things don’t always turn out the way you plan.
✅ You’re not the only one if you do develop a bump that resembles the letter B.
✅ During your pregnancy, your bump may change shape, but even if it doesn’t, you don’t necessarily need to worry about repairing it.
✅ Although B-belly pregnancies are not unusual, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor if something looks off.
✅ In times of discomfort, keep in mind that while you will only have a baby bump for a few short months, your child will live with you for many years to come.
What does a pregnant B belly look like?
When pregnant, a belly seems like it has a crease or belt in the middle, dividing it into a top and bottom portion that resembles the uppercase letter “B. “Your larger pregnancy breasts are not the top of the B, which is important to remember! If this were true, almost all pregnancies would result in a B belly.
The less common D belly form, which looks like a capital “D,” and doesn’t have a separating feature, is different from a B belly shape. The B belly is sometimes referred to as a double belly pregnancy.
What brings on a “B belly”?
Pregnancy B bellies can have a variety of causes. B bellies are more common in overweight individuals but are achievable with any body type. This is because a wide range of individual factors, like your height, weight, and bone and muscle structure, all affect how you carry a pregnancy bump.
Pregnancy-related factors that could affect the B belly shape include:
Your fascial condition
Fascial health is a fancy way of expressing that the connective tissues under your skin contribute to the form of your belly. A sedentary lifestyle, dehydration, bad posture, an imbalanced diet, stress, and injured muscles can all harm your fascia. Additionally, they could be divided by previous pregnancies or just be designed that way.
You should stretch frequently, drink lots of water, and even add yoga or cardio to your workout regimen to keep your fascia in the greatest possible shape throughout your pregnancy.
Your height and weight
A body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 for a woman denotes overweight, while a BMI of 30 for a woman indicates obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although it’s not a given, women who were heavier before becoming pregnant are more likely to have a B belly.
Since where weight is carried varies depending on the individual, body shape will also be important.
Earlier pregnancies of yours
When a woman becomes pregnant again after her first delivery, she frequently notices that her stomach muscles seem a little looser and that her form expands a little quicker.
In particular, if the pregnancies are close together or your body has not recovered to its pre-pregnancy shape before becoming pregnant again, these factors can cause a B belly during pregnancy.
Standard belly shape
Even if a woman has never given birth before, she is more likely to develop a B belly if she has an apron belly or carries more weight in her stomach than, for instance, her hips or thighs.
Are there any issues with a B belly?
Your doctor shouldn’t be alarmed by a B belly on its own. However, if weight is one of the contributing factors to the form, there may be other health issues your doctor wants to address.
Health issues
Those who are heavier run a higher risk of developing: Pregnancy-related diabetes Gestational diabetes may need to be managed during pregnancy by diet or medication in addition to increasing the risk of cesarean birth.
Hypertension or preeclampsia. Damage to important organs including the liver and kidneys as well as edema might arise from this.
Stillbirth and miscarriage.
Back discomfort during pregnancy.
Additionally, the baby of a mother with a higher BMI is more susceptible to certain issues, such as:
Greater size at birth, which could cause harm or cause difficulties during delivery.
Preterm birth may result in issues with the heart, lungs, brain, and gastrointestinal tract.
Because being overweight or underweight increases the likelihood of having a baby, it’s critical to manage your weight gain and spread it throughout your pregnancy.
The CDC recommends that an overweight woman gain 15 to 25 pounds if she is only having one child. A pregnant woman with obesity should try to gain between 11 and 20 pounds during her pregnancy.
What might this appear like throughout a pregnancy? You should gain between two and four pounds during the first trimester. After that, a decent target is to gain half a pound every week for the balance of the pregnancy.
Emotionally troubled
Having a different belly shape than anticipated during pregnancy may also cause mental issues. Anyone can experience this, regardless of the size or form of their tummy. You can find solace in the knowledge that any spectrum of feelings is normal and that you are not alone, no matter how you are feeling.
You might need to use coping mechanisms like visualization and friendship support if people make crude or inappropriate remarks about your stomach. Recognize that each pregnant body is unique and that yours is working hard to sustain and develop your fetus. During your pregnancy, don’t forget to be your own best supporter! Celebrate your pregnancy’s milestones and endeavor to enjoy your pregnancy whenever you can.
What should you do to treat a B belly when pregnant?
Fortunately, if you have a B belly throughout pregnancy, you don’t need to worry about doing anything in particular. Although it may not be the shape you were expecting, it is normal and doesn’t need to be adjusted.
Keep in mind that as your pregnancy progresses, your belly shape may vary. All bellies change in size and shape from the first to the third trimester. Some women claim that as their weight fluctuated and was corrected throughout their pregnancies, the “B” shape diminished or even changed into a “D” shape.
You might want extra comfort and support because back pain can be a problem during pregnancy (depending on the reason for your B belly and other circumstances). In this situation, belly bands might be helpful. They can also help your B-shaped tummy look smoother.
Additionally, you might want to look for a pair of supportive maternity leggings that complement your growing belly. You may enjoy your pregnancy by finding maternity clothes that fit well and make you feel good.