Is there any way to keep your stomach smaller during pregnancy?

Question

im 3 1/2 months pregnant and not showing yet but i was wondering if there were any ways people knew of to keep your stomach small during pregnancy like wrapping it or anything? im only 5'0 ft 110 lbs and im trying to keep it as small as possible since im petite, also if anyone knows of ways to prevent stretch marks b/c im native american and we are known to get terrible stretch marks :(

Answer 1

Attempting to "keep your stomach smaller" could result in birth defects. Our stomachs stretch to accomodate the baby and our internal organs.

Instead of focusing on your belly "size", focus on keeping your weight gain in check. Eat healthy, drink lots of water and exercise (walks, dancing, stuff like that).

Talk to your OB/Gyn, but I would guess that you need to gain around 20-30 lbs to have a healthy pregnancy.

As for shrinking your stomach after, and losing the weight, breastfeed! Breastfeeding burns tons of calories and has huge benefits for both your long term health, and the baby's. I didn't gain much weight during by pregnancy and was back to my old weight by my 6 week checkup. And I got to eat like a pig because the breastfeeding kept the weight falling off!

Stretch marks, regretfully, are more heredity than anything. I too am small (5'1" and used to be 110) and had visable stretch marks WHILE pregnant, but they disappeared afterwards. I used Cocoa butter lotion twice a day religiously and it seemed to help.

Congrats on the baby.

Answer 2

There is nothing you can do. That would be uncomfortable for you to wrap your stomach. There is so many cute maternity clothes these day. Be proud of what is growing inside of you. I weighed 110 pounds before I got pregnant and I loved having that belly!! Its hard to prevent stretch marks, but there are some creams out there that you can try. I didn't get any!! Just be comfortable with your self and you will be fine.

Answer 3

No way to control stomach, but try to avoid overeating and gaining more weight than necessary. My babies were almost too big and that is not healthy either, despite what everyone says.
Take your vitamins and don't eat for 2

Answer 4

why would u want to hide your wonderfull growing tummy?..Are u still in school? Or are u ashamed of your pregnancy?..I know not all pregnancies are planned....But this baby growing inside u needs a confident and strong mommy,...., there are many wonderful & hip maternity clothing lines out there now..but yourself some new hip clothes..and look pretty showing the tummy and the new baby God has sent your way....Do not wrap the baby! Not healthy for you NOR the baby! Oh & btw ifu decide to warp or put on smaller clothes...U WILL GET MORE stretch marks than if u wear loose....control fitting...comfy clothing....

Answer 5

Sorry-but it's going to happen. Regardless of how much cocoa butter and vitamin E oil you put on your skin, you'll end up getting stretch marks. Your stomach will get bigger and bigger and bigger. But that doesn't mean that you can't exercise. You can keep toned and petite while pregnant, but making your stomach smaller is just not going to happen-It's sad, I know... don't worry, at least you'll be motivated to get back to your old self afterwards! Take care!

Answer 6

hi hun, if u are a petite girl u will stay petite as long as u eat nutritiously, do moderate exercise and simply know there's a small life in you. im 32 wks and i felt the same way well not 2 wrap my tummy but its a bit weird to see ur belly grow its hard to remember it flat. but u will loose the weight quickly after the baby trust me! breastfeeding burns many calories too. u cant have a small stomach cuz thats where the baby has to grow. there are many lotions to keep u greased while none are 100% absolute the more u use the less dry u will be and less u will scratch. i read ur other questions, maybe u can talk 2 a counselor or ur dr about the concerns u have all the time in the world to lose after and running after a baby will surely burn it right away! example my friend had her baby 3 wks ago she gained a total of 37lbs and by doing nothing at all she lost all but 12 so far. she fit right back into her jeans and will just exercise a bit for the last 10. i know it can be frightening to see the scale grow with u but u are making a whole new person u have to change. lots of love pls feel free 2 mail me!

Answer 7

why would you want it smaller. that means the baby isnt growing right. and they have special creams to prevent and get rid of strecth marks. and if you want ur stomach to look smaller then dont wear anything yellow. yellow makes things look bigger than normal.wear black instead.

Answer 8

Please don't wrap your stomach! That can't be good for the baby! Be proud of your bump when you get it, it's your little miracle growing. It'll be flat again soon enough. I'm sure there are some good stretch mark creams out there too, ask at your chemist x

Answer 9

First please dont do anything to your belly, that baby needs unrestricted room to grow and be healthy. Besides if you restrict your stomach it will be very uncomfortable/painful and likely hurt the growing bundle of joy inside you.
That said to keep your weight under control and help to prevent stretch marks eat very healthy. Fruits, Vegetables, nuts,...and NO JUNK FOOD!!! Stay away from unhealthy fats and eat only healthy ones...you need your Omega 3's to help the baby grow, and dont forget your prenatal vitamin. Make sure you also have folic acid in the vitamin or take it separately its all for the babies brain. If you stick to a strict healthy diet and make sure you eat when your hungry DO NOT starve yourself...you shouldn't gain extra unnecessary weight.

You can try the lotions, like cocoa butter and those with elastin in them..they may help but most medical research suggests if your predisposed genetically you will get them...but again the healthier you eat the better for the weight gain and extra stretch marks.

Good Luck and best wishes!

Answer 10

I know that when I was pregnant with all of my kids, tight clothing would make me very sick and I would feel horrible requiring a change of clothing to a larger size. I would think that binding it would not only be unsafe for the baby but you as well considering you need to grow. You can be carefull with diet and excercise to stay at a healthy rate of growth but you will be as big as your baby needs you to be.
As for stretchmarks- I tried everything. I did vitamin E and cocobutter and every cream out there. Nothing worked. I tried drinking more fluids and watching weight. It all never mattered in the end, my mom had them bad and so did I.