I'll be 17 weeks pregnant on Sunday, and I'm not showing yet. I'm scared... help!?

Question

I've got a little bulge in my lower abdomen, and I've gained 7 pounds, bringing me up to 126. Someone told me today that I wasnt gaining enough weight and I should be showing a lot more already. Then she asked if I had felt the baby move yet and I said "No, not yet", and she said that "Thats not good. It might not be alive then because you arent gaining much weight and you should have felt it move by now." I dont have another Dr. appt for 2 1/2 more weeks. I'm trying not to freak out, but I'm scared now that I may have lost the baby even though I've been healthy. Any input or similar experiences?

Answer 1

You're fine. Most people don't feel the baby move until 20 to 22 weeks. And they aren't expecting you to gain much weight early on either. If this is your first child, you aren't going to show early on. I was about 7 months pregnant when I had to switch to maternity clothes for my first child.

Answer 2

Whoever told you that has absolutely no idea what they are talking about, and should know better than to say something like that to a pregnant woman.

It is very common to not really be showing at 4 months. I showed early, but I also gained a ton of weight while I was pregnant. My co-worker who is about 5 months along right now just looks like she's put on a bit of weight, and doesn't even look pregnant.

As far as feeling the baby move, don't worry about it too much. When I was pregnant, I didn't feel my son move until the 7th month. Before that I just had funny feelings, and didn't realize that the baby was moving. My friend who's due in September just last month felt the baby move for the first time.

If you can't shake your worry, then call and talk to the nurse at your doctor's office. She can either move your appointment up to relieve your fears, or maybe talking to someone at the doc's office will reassure you.

Answer 3

Tell this woman to mind her own business. I didn't fell movement until about 20 weeks, and I didn't really show until 7 months. She sounds like a piece of work, I wouldn't talk to her anymore. Some people enjoy others pain, and you don't need to deal with this. If you have had no bleeding or cramping, than I am sure you are fine. Everyone feels different things at different times. Feeling the baby move for the first time feels like gas bubbles in your tummy, so many people pass it off as just gas. Keep calm, and you'll be fine. Good luck.

PS I only gained 13 pounds my entire pregnancy with my second. She was 10 lbs. at birth. It was great, I got back into my pre-pregnancy jeans while still in the hospital.

Answer 4

I am 17 weeks too YAY! When are you due? Anyways, with my first baby I didn't show until I was about 25 weeks, then boom over night she was there. You are gaining the proper amount of weight. I have only gained 3lbs but I am a little over weight from having a baby in Jan., which I gained too much. I have a great web site that calculates how much weight you should gain by your size. Check it out, and congratulations!



In general terms, in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy 5 to 7 pounds is added.



In the middle trimester, 10 to 12 pounds is normal.



In the last trimester 12 to 15 pounds is added.



This allows for a weight gain over the full nine months of between 27 and 34 pounds.

Answer 5

It sounds like you and your baby are both totally fine. I'm currently 14.5 weeks pregnant and I'm not really showing yet, I havn't gained a single pound, and of course I'm not feeling the baby move yet. 17 weeks is actually the earliest most women feel the baby move; you won't feel the baby until later especally if this is your first baby.

I can hardly believe someone would say something so terrible to scare you like that! Call your Dr and ask for an ealier apt just to ease your mind; hearing the baby's heartbeat will be all you need to tell you he or she is doing just fine! :-)

I just wanted to add as well that I didn't show at all until 7-8 months with my first pregnancy and my Dr said that was totally normal as well.

Answer 6

Hey a few weeks ago i had asked that same question. I Checked out a book called "What to expect while you're expecting" and it answeres so many questions. It's fine if you're not showing yet. Most of the time it depends and how tiny you are or how big you are. All baby's grow differently. You should start showing most defenetly at close to 22 weeks. And as for the baby kicking most pregnant women don't even realize the baby kick when it is. It feels like a gas bubble popping or sometimes like you have the butterflies. Just talk to your Practioner. She or He which ever will reasure you that everythings just fine. And congradulations!!!

Answer 7

try not to worry but if you really are concerned then go and see your Dr even if its only a GP or go to the hospital just to ease you mind. don't wait that long.

Now you say your 17 weeks and your tummy is not very large at all. That would be so cool. I have seen women almost full term
and you ask them how far is she along and they will say something like 30 + weeks or so and looks like they will be giving
birth to a grapefruit or something like that. Very tiny when you see them after the birth you say where were you hiding that
(the baby) expecting to see that person with a tiny baby normally turns out to be around 7lbs or so.

Try not to worry some people just don't show like others do. I would say your lucky.I must tell you I carry large and there for have a harder time getting tummy back. carry small and there is less to get back. Good luck but see a Dr soon just to ease your
mind

Answer 8

I'm 25 weeks and I started to show around 19 or 20 weeks, I didn't even feel the baby move until around that time also, and you would KNOW if your baby died, it would be the worst pain in the world, and you don't need to gain any more weight, just wait it out for the doctors appointment, you'll be fine..Don't stress too much..you might have already felt the baby, but your so worried and stressed you didn't notice it..

Go to www.babycenter.com and sign up for it, it's a really awesome site.

Answer 9

Well, you have a very unsensitive friend! If you are unsure about the baby ANYTIME during your pregnancy you need to go to the ER. Your baby is most important! You may have lost some weight from vomitting. You are a small person and smaller people tend to gain weight slower. Just eat healthy and call your doctor if you are nervous about the baby's health. First movements can be felt between the 14th-26th week. Its harder to feel if you are a first time mom. So, quit worrying!!!! Good luck:)

Answer 10

the chances of you miscarring after 12 weeks drop dramatically and i am pregnant with my fourth and every one of mine I didn't gain a single pound until after 20-22 weeks with each. My first I didn't get a belly till 20 weeks and just woke up one day and there it was... a pregnant belly. Also with your first pregnancy you are not likely to feel that baby move until 18-22 weeks and even then you may not realize it is the baby because it will be so faint. I wouldn't worryu if I was you. remember if anything bad has happened then you will show signs of it by bright red period like bleeding. So try not to stress. You need to take this time to prepare for your newest family members arrival!! Good luck

Answer 11

relax your Dr. should have not said that kinda stuff. how rude. If he be she where really concerned that should have done an ultrasound. Most appointments also listen the the heart beat so I would call and make an appointment with a diff. Dr. Not every one shows to much belly when pregnant. with in the next month is when you will really feel him or her move. About the five month marker is when everything really hits home. You'll be able to tell then. trust me everything is perfect and the more stress you ad the worst you'll feel and stress isn't good for the baby or you. So just relax and enjoy the whole thing. By the way congrats and hope everything goes well for you guys.....