Why is there a small belly in the fifth month of pregnancy? Reasons why there may be a small belly during pregnancy, diagnostic methods and reasons for contacting a doctor. Signs of lag in abdominal augmentation

If the belly grows slowly during pregnancy, the woman begins to worry. It seems to her that future baby will be born with deviations. You can dispel fears if you know what norms exist, what alarming symptoms can suggest the onset of pathology.

The size of the abdomen during pregnancy

The norms for the height of the bottom of the uterus and abdominal circumference

The waist begins to blur as the fetus grows. In the third week from the moment of conception, the size of the embryo is 3 mm. Such a state of it still cannot affect the change in figure.

By about the end of the second month, the placenta is already fully formed, the organs of all systems are laid in the fetus. The head is still tilted towards the chest, but barely distinguishable fingers are already appearing on the limbs. The outlines of the ears, nose and eyes are clearly visible. The body length is only two and a half centimeters, the embryo turns into a fetus, it occupies all the free space in the uterine cavity. Its weight is 25 grams. Externally, the existing changes are not yet visible.

By the fifteenth week, the fetus increases in size by about five times. He acquires a swallowing and sucking reflex, he has eyelashes and eyebrows, his kidneys are already working, bladder... The eyes become sensitive to light. The baby's height reaches 20 cm. On ultrasound, you can see his gender. The uterus corresponds to the parameters of a goose egg, therefore, in some women, the abdomen is noticeably rounded, everyone notices the changes. From this point on, the gynecologist begins to determine the circumference and write the data into the table.

At 21 weeks of gestation, the fetus is actively growing. It already weighs 400 grams. Development parameters are rapidly progressing. At 28 weeks, the fundus of the uterus is at the level of three fingers above the umbilical cavity. At 38 weeks, it reaches its maximum threshold - the costal arches.

The increase in waist volume depends not only on the development of the unborn child. This indicator is influenced by the increase in the amount of amniotic fluid. In the third month, it is only 50 ml, by the end of the third trimester it is already more than a liter.

Small belly reasons

In thin girls, the belly becomes noticeable earlier than in full ones.

In nulliparous girls, the first visible changes in the figure appear when the fetal movement is already clearly felt (at about the seventeenth week). For mothers expecting a second child, this happens three weeks earlier. In the first case, the muscular frame of the peritoneum has a higher tone, it is still able to resist the processes taking place inside the body, so a woman manages to hide her interesting position.

In the second pregnancy, the belly grows faster. The muscles supporting it become more extensible. The order of gestation is the next factor that can explain why different women at the same time, the size of the waist is different.

It is imperative to take into account the individual characteristics of the physique. Pregnancy is less noticeable in obese women than in thin women. short stature.

Genetic predisposition plays an important role in this issue. The girl's belly will appear at about the same time as her mother's.

The presentation of the fetus can also explain why some pregnant women have a small belly, while others have a large one. In women with anterior presentation, the described parameter is more pronounced. With a transverse fetal position, the interesting position will not be noticeable even at the beginning of the third trimester. Then the baby is able to roll over, and then the figure will change greatly.

Severe toxicosis in the early stages is another reason for an inconspicuous pregnancy. It is very exhausting, girls lose weight significantly. Poor nutrition in this condition leads to the fact that all the useful trace elements are taken by the fetus. Mom's body is depleted. Because of this, she becomes very miniature.

A rounded belly also appears late in those who are actively involved in sports.

All of these indicators are purely individual. There is no need to worry in advance and compare yourself with others. The main task of the expectant mother is to focus on her body and closely monitor changes in her condition.

Alarming symptoms

Only a gynecologist is able to identify the characteristic signs of a lag in an increase in the abdomen during the examination and planned measurements of the circumference. When data collations reveal a lack of progress, there is cause for concern. A similar phenomenon can indicate various pathological conditions:

1. Low water - a decrease in the volume of amniotic fluid. It is diagnosed at any stage of embryogenesis using ultrasound. Associated with increased perinatal mortality. The pathology is asymptomatic, only some women note the appearance of discomfort during fetal movement. In the absence of the required quantity amniotic fluid intrauterine growth retardation occurs. There are three degrees of severity. Determining the type of disease allows you to establish the feasibility of maintaining pregnancy. Ignoring the problem leads to the birth of children with underdeveloped lungs, with crooked legs, with a narrow chest, atresia of the digestive tract.
2. Fetal hypotrophy is a pathology in which the development of the baby occurs with a lag in the parameters corresponding to the norms of a given gestational age. If the disease occurs in the first trimester, a symmetrical form is diagnosed. With her, the organs of the unborn child are evenly reduced in size. This can happen for various reasons: chromosomal abnormality, intrauterine infection, malformations, maternal malnutrition, alcoholism, smoking. On the later dates asymmetric hypotrophy occurs. With her, the brain, the skeleton develops according to the time course, and the kidneys and liver "freeze". A woman cannot independently determine the diagnosis: the symptoms of the disease are blurry. The condition is detected only with regular observation by an obstetrician-gynecologist and undergoing a planned ultrasound scan.

Pathological causes of abdominal reduction during pregnancy, identified in time, can be corrected. Treatment is carried out in a hospital, the therapy regimen is drawn up taking into account the gestational period.

If oligohydramnios is combined with fetal hypoxia, an emergency decision is made. caesarean section... This is a compulsory measure: the child in the womb experiences severe suffering.

With a pathology that is not associated with underdeveloped kidneys in the fetus, a woman is recommended to drink plenty of fluids. It helps to increase the amniotic fluid rate by 30%.

Hypotrophy is treated comprehensively. Correction of the woman's nutrition is mandatory, she is assigned:

• vasodilator drugs - improve placental blood flow;
• tocolytics - relax the uterus;
• medicines that help eliminate oxygen deficiency.

If a girl carefully monitors her health, and the pregnancy is proceeding normally, a small belly is not a reason to worry. It doesn't matter how the expectant mother looks from the outside, the main thing is that the development of her baby corresponds to the deadline.

The main distinguishing feature of a woman in position is a growing tummy. Despite the visual appeal, this process is individual in nature. And, although there are accepted norms, not all expectant mothers fit into them. Many are faced with such a feature as the small size of the abdomen, which does not correspond to the established indicators. The first reaction of a woman in this situation is anxiety. And this is not surprising, because a small belly may indicate pathology. But is this always the case? Let's try to figure it out.

Before answering the question of why a small belly during pregnancy, you should familiarize yourself with the reasons for its growth. At first glance, this is easy to guess: the belly increases in size as the baby develops. But this is not the only reason. In the uterus, in addition to the placenta with the fetus, there is also amniotic fluid, the amount of which also affects the size. The uterus begins to change during the very early stages of pregnancy. It increases at an active rate, the amniotic fluid fills the space in it, and the child is gradually formed and grows.
Despite such an intensive process, from the moment of conception, the belly becomes noticeable only at 5 months. By this time, the fetus reaches 12 cm in length, and its weight is 100 g. At the initial stage, a woman may even lose weight in the abdomen. Many expectant mothers are currently suffering from toxicosis and cannot fully eat, which prevents optimal weight gain. Throughout the entire period of pregnancy, there is not only an increase in the uterus, but also a change in its shape. She may also slightly change her location. All these factors affect the size of the abdomen.

The norms of the size of the abdomen during pregnancy

At each stage of pregnancy, the belly must meet certain standards, deviations from which signal the existing violations. Let's get acquainted with them in more detail:

• at 4 weeks, the uterus is the same size as a hen's egg;
• at 8 weeks, the size of the uterus is similar to the size of a goose egg;
• the uterus at 12 weeks corresponds to the parameters of the head of a newborn baby. At this time, the doctor will begin to determine the girth of the abdomen;
• at 16 weeks, the uterus is located between the pubis and the navel, the abdomen becomes rounded;
• at week 19, the uterine fundus can be felt at a distance of two fingers from the navel in the lower direction. If there is a small belly at the 19th week of pregnancy, then you should not worry;
• at 24 weeks, the bottom of the uterus is located at the level of the navel;
• at 28 weeks, the uterus is at the level of 3 fingers above the navel;
• at 32 weeks, you can notice a smoothing of the navel. The uterine fundus is located between the navel and the xiphoid process;
• at 38 weeks, the uterus reaches its highest level - the costal arches;
• at 40 weeks, the uterus descends again, the navel comes forward.

Small belly during pregnancy: causes

One of the reasons is fetal malnutrition. At the same time, the child does not correspond in size to the gestational age. Hypotrophy occurs due to a violation of placental metabolism or malnutrition of the expectant mother. With this diagnosis, the birth weight of the child is less than 2500 kg.

Specialists distinguish several degrees of malnutrition:

1. The easiest is the first stage, when the fetus lags behind in development by 2 weeks or less.
2. The second stage is characterized by a lag of 4 weeks. If the backlog of the baby exceeds this indicator we can talk about the third stage of pathology.

The first degree does not pose a danger to the fetus, the second and third can cause abnormalities in the physical and mental development child. There are two forms of this anomaly:

• symmetrical;
• asymmetric.

In the first case, insufficient development is uniform. With an asymmetric form, certain organs lag behind in development.

The likelihood of malnutrition is due to several factors. Among the most common are the following:

• the presence of bad habits in a woman;
• various infections;
• gestosis (late toxicosis);
• chromosomal abnormalities;
• premature maturation of the placenta.

The risk group also includes expectant mothers, whose age does not reach 17 and exceeds 35 years. When this diagnosis is confirmed, treatment consists in eliminating the cause. A woman is prescribed drugs that improve uteroplacental blood circulation. A serious form of malnutrition requires inpatient treatment. If therapy does not give results, then this is an indication for a cesarean section.

A small belly is also observed with oligohydramnios. Its increase depends not only on the development of the fetus, but also on the amount of amniotic fluid. With a lack of amniotic fluid, the size of the abdomen is less than the required norm. The amount of water should increase as the gestation period increases. You can track this process by ultrasound examination... Low water refers to pathological conditions and occurs as a result of infectious diseases, hypertension, preeclampsia, placental insufficiency.

Low water can be triggered by several reasons:

1. Damage to the amniotic membranes leads to leakage of amniotic fluid. A rupture forms in the shell, through which water flows out regularly. Their loss is insignificant, therefore, subject to bed rest, the amount of fluid is restored to the required level and the ongoing process does not affect the formation of the child.
2. Low water can also be observed with pathology of development or infection of the membranes. When the placenta is unable to protect the fetus from infection, viruses enter the fetal bladder. As a result, toxic substances are produced that disrupt the functioning of the membranes.

Insufficient growth of the abdomen may be a consequence of the constitutional characteristics of the expectant mother. It has been observed that pregnancy is most evident in lean women. With a wide pelvis and a large physique, the stomach has the ability to hide, therefore it becomes less noticeable.

Another reason is the transverse position of the fetus in the uterus. A woman can notice this condition on her own. When the fetus is in this position, the abdomen drops lower and breathing becomes easier. The baby's head is not felt in the pelvic area. Up to 33 weeks, the size of the baby allows him to actively move in the uterus, and he can turn over. By the 34th week, the baby is growing up, and it becomes difficult to change position.
In this situation, special gymnastics can help. But you must first consult a doctor without fail, since gymnastic exercises have a number of contraindications. This may be the presence of scars on the uterus, preeclampsia, tumor formations, placenta previa. If it was not possible to change the position of the fetus on its own, this can be done in a hospital setting. During this process, specialists carry out monitoring using a cardiac monitor and ultrasound apparatus. The doctor gently moves the baby's head down. This procedure can be carried out only in the absence of contraindications, otherwise the delivery is carried out by cesarean section.

Small belly during pregnancy: signs

The doctor at each appointment measures the VVDM - the height of the fundus of the uterus and the circumference of the abdomen. Based on the results obtained, the gynecologist gets an idea of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe formation of the child. If there is no increase in these indicators or their decrease in comparison with the previous measurement is observed, this may signal any violations. In such cases, the doctor prescribes an unscheduled ultrasound examination to determine the cause of the insufficient size of the abdomen.
Measurements are taken while lying down. The girth is determined at the navel. To get an idea of ​​the VSMD, the doctor gropes the fundus of the uterus on the abdomen and from it measures the distance to the pubic articulation. Further, focusing on the established norms, the gynecologist concludes whether there are deviations.

What to do if your belly becomes smaller during pregnancy

Therapeutic measures depend on the reasons due to which the abdomen does not correspond in size to the norm. In case of fetal malnutrition or lack of water, the doctor may prescribe hospitalization, where the woman will undergo the necessary examination, receive appropriate treatment and stay under the close supervision of specialists. If the small size of the abdomen is a consequence of a woman's unbalanced nutrition, in this case it will be enough to normalize the diet, walk in the fresh air and eliminate all stress factors.
A woman can observe changes in size throughout the day. If the belly is smaller in the morning than in the evening during pregnancy, gas may be present. IN this period the body of the expectant mother produces a significant amount of the hormone progesterone. It relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, slows down digestion, which leads to an increase in gas.
To eliminate this problem, you need to revise the diet and exclude from it foods that provoke this condition. These are legumes, cabbage, grapes, fresh baked goods. It is necessary to limit the amount of consumed dairy products. This requirement is especially true for women who are lactose intolerant.
A sedentary lifestyle can also provoke gas formation. Daily walks lasting 20-30 minutes will help improve the condition. The work of the intestines is also influenced by the intake of medications.
Treatment for this condition involves stabilizing the nutritional system and doing moderate exercise. It will be useful for a woman expecting a baby to do swimming, aquafitness or yoga for pregnant women. If these measures do not give results, the doctor prescribes medication. It involves the reception drugs based on herbs - peppermint, fennel, dill, cumin. Also, adsorbents and drugs are prescribed that eliminate mucus bubbles in the intestines, in which the gas is located.
It should be remembered that a small belly does not always indicate deviations. Medicine knows many cases when healthy children with normal weight were born with a small tummy. It is not uncommon for large babies to appear in this situation. Therefore, if a woman regularly visits a gynecologist who monitors pregnancy, and he does not find any problems, there is no need to worry about small size belly.

Preventive measures

A timely examination, which includes a number of tests, will help to avoid complications. Twice a month you need to donate urine for a general analysis. Based on its results, the doctor will be able to get an idea of ​​the state of the woman's genitourinary system. General analysis blood will track the level of red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin. In addition, it is necessary to donate blood for biochemical examination and for the presence of various infections. Three times you need to pass ultrasound diagnostics... This allows the doctor to monitor the course of pregnancy, the formation of fetal organs and identify developmental pathologies.

Among the main factors that ensure the full formation of the baby, it is possible to single out the properly organized nutrition of a woman. After all, the lack of nutrients delays the development of the child, and the expectant mother can have a small belly at 30 weeks of pregnancy. The amount of substances, micro- and macroelements that the baby receives in utero depends on his health after birth. Due to physiological changes, experts recommend that a pregnant woman change her diet. As the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the stomach and intestines. Therefore, food should be taken in small portions, but more often - 4-5 times a day.

Doctors recommend eating meat, cereals, fish dishes until 13:00, and in the afternoon give preference to fermented milk and plant products. A woman can purchase a scale that will help monitor changes in body weight on a daily basis. The most intense growth of the fetus begins in the second trimester. From now on, the weight of the expectant mother should increase by 400 g every week. During the first trimester, a woman gains about 1500 g, during the second - 5 kg, and in the third trimester, her body weight increases by 4 kg. But these indicators may vary depending on individual characteristics. Underweight women should gain 2400 g in the first and second trimester, and 2000 g in the third. In total, the weight gained during pregnancy ranges from 10 to 14 kg.

In order for the placenta to function normally, and the child receives all the required nutrients, the female body must receive more calories, which are a source of energy. Also, for the normal formation of the fetus, nutrients are required. The formation of the placenta, antibodies, blood and amniotic fluid depends on the amount of protein. The deficiency of this element prevents the full formation of the child. Protein is divided into 2 types: vegetable and animal. It is found in fermented milk, fish and meat products, eggs, nuts, rice, legumes, and wheat. The daily norm of this element is 120 g.

Development nervous system the fetus depends on the amount of glucose, the source of which is carbohydrates. To provide the body with this element, you need to include potatoes, cabbage, pasta, bread, grapes, apples, honey in the diet. But in the consumption of carbohydrates, it is important to observe the measure, an excessive amount of them can provoke an allergic reaction in a child. The body of the expectant mother needs vegetable and animal fats, vitamins A, B, E, C, D, folic acid.

Conclusion

Insufficient abdominal enlargement can cause anxiety in any woman in position. It is impossible to ignore this condition, a small belly may be the result of deviations in the development of the baby. But you shouldn't worry too much either, because in most cases the reason is the individual characteristics of the expectant mother. Regular visits to the gynecologist, passing all the required examinations and following the doctor's recommendations will help to timely detect the violation, eliminate it and give birth to a healthy baby.

The main sign of the birth of a new life in the womb of a woman is an enlarging belly. At the same time, for some expectant mothers, it is neat and small, while for others, on the contrary, it grows very quickly, and by the end of pregnancy its circumference reaches too large values. There are times when patients complain that their abdomen has suddenly become small.

This situation cannot be ignored because it may be a consequence of the occurrence of any pathological process that threatens the life of the fetus. Why is there a small belly during pregnancy? Is this phenomenon dangerous, and in what cases is it necessary health care?

Why do some expectant mothers have a big belly, while others have a small one?

How quickly and to what size the expectant mother's tummy will grow depends on many factors:

1. The order of gestation. Since the muscles supporting the abdomen lose their elasticity while waiting for the baby, it increases much earlier in subsequent pregnancies than in the first.
2. Features of the physique. Overweight or overweight women tend to have a smaller tummy than expectant mothers who do not have weight problems.
3. Heredity. The nature of the course of pregnancy of a daughter and a mother often coincides, therefore, the timing of their belly appearance is approximately the same.
4. The speed of development and parameters of the child. The size and how quickly the tummy of the expectant mother grows directly depends on these factors. If the baby is small, most likely, the woman's “interesting position” will be subtle.
5. The location of the fetus in the womb. In patients with anterior presentation, the abdomen is usually much larger.
6. Poor diet of a pregnant woman.

The listed factors are individual in nature, and cannot be associated with the abnormal development of the fetus. The main task of a woman while waiting for a baby is to carry out the necessary examinations. Such a measure will make it possible to timely identify and eliminate pathologies that affect the preservation of the child's life.

The norms of the size of the abdomen at different stages of pregnancy

In the process of carrying a baby, starting from a 20-week period, the expectant mother regularly takes mandatory measurements of the abdominal circumference. In this case, in front of the control point, which is fixed by the measuring tape, is the navel, and in the back - the place of the lumbar deflection. There are norms for this indicator (presented in the table), which doctors are guided by when taking measurements.

However, such values ​​are considered to be arbitrary and imply a certain margin of error. It is permissible if the abdominal circumference of a pregnant woman differs from the standard indicators by 8-10 cm. Such a deviation is not evidence of any violations in the development of the child. As a rule, this happens due to inaccuracies made in determining the timing of gestation.

Causes of a small belly during pregnancy

If a woman's belly has decreased in size during pregnancy or was initially too small, it is imperative to find out the cause of this phenomenon. The main factors due to which the tummy of the expectant mother grows slowly include:

• Heredity. If the mother had a mild belly during the gestation process, it is highly likely that her daughter will also have a small belly.
• The Constitution. Signs of pregnancy in women of short stature and lean physique are rather weak.
• Severe toxicosis in the first trimester. This condition is very exhausting for expectant mothers. Due to a lack of appetite, they very often lose weight, which immediately affects the size of the abdomen, which can be completely invisible until the beginning of the third trimester.

• Intensity physical activity... In women who are actively involved in sports, the tummy during pregnancy is usually not very noticeable.
• Developed abdominal muscles of the expectant mother. The trained muscle tissue of the abdomen in the process of carrying a child makes it less noticeable.
• Incorrect position of the fetus in the womb. With a transverse presentation, the woman's tummy is insignificant. In this case, it seems that she just slightly recovered.
• Intrauterine growth retardation. As a result of infectious diseases suffered by the future woman in labor, in the presence of bad habits or pathologies of the placenta, the fetus grows poorly and gains weight, which primarily affects the size of the tummy, leading to its decrease or growth retardation.
• Low water. Lack of amniotic fluid is an alarming signal. This phenomenon presupposes compulsory medical intervention, because we can talk about intrauterine infection of the child.

Diagnostic methods for detecting or excluding pathologies

If a expectant mother it seems that her belly is too small, it is imperative to see a doctor. When this fact is confirmed, a number of diagnostic procedures will be prescribed to the patient to identify the cause of its occurrence. An experienced specialist can make a diagnosis based on external signs, but it will not be complete and requires mandatory clarification. The table provides information about the diagnostic methods that are used to identify factors that affect the growth of the abdomen during pregnancy.

What to do if the belly becomes smaller or does not grow during pregnancy

Expectant mothers don't need to worry if they find that their belly has stopped growing or has decreased in size. These phenomena do not always indicate the presence of pathology. This may be due to the fact that the fetus is too small or that the woman eats little. In any case, in order to dispel your doubts, you must definitely consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary examinations to identify or exclude pathology.

If, according to the results of diagnostic manipulations, no abnormalities in the patient's body and fetal development are detected, the attending physician will continue to monitor the process of bearing the child as planned. When the baby is diagnosed with malnutrition, the woman is admitted to a hospital. When diagnosing oligohydramnios, a stay in a medical facility is not required. Expectant tactics are used only in the case of a moderate course of pathology and the absence of clinical manifestations.

Hospitalization is indicated for a severe form of the pathological process, if the uterine tone is additionally increased, and also if the disease is diagnosed at 34 weeks of gestation and later. The presence of at least one of these factors is the reason for the placement of a woman in the department of the maternity hospital and her stay there until delivery.

If abnormalities in the development of the fetus are detected, a number of factors are taken into account when developing a therapy regimen: the condition of the baby, the degree of protein-energy and the severity of placental insufficiency. Therapeutic measures in this situation are based on taking drugs that normalize the blood supply to the child, as well as on the use of antihypoxic and membrane stabilizing drugs.

When should you see a doctor?

The following symptoms and phenomena require immediate medical advice:

• deviation of the size of the abdominal circumference from normal values ​​by more than 10 cm;
• deterioration of health;
• painful sensations in the abdomen;
• suspicious vaginal discharge;
• indomitable vomiting;
• Strong headache;
• dizziness;
• hyperthermic syndrome;
• lack of movement of the child;
• significant fluid retention in the body.

The listed symptoms, especially along with the slowed growth of the abdomen, may indicate the development of a pathological process that threatens the preservation of pregnancy. In some cases, not only health, but also the life of the child and the expectant mother depends on the speed of going to the doctor.

Reading 6 min. Views 5.7k. Posted on 02/14/2019

During pregnancy, the uterus is capable of stretching and enlarging several tens of times. After childbirth, the parameters of the genital organ return to their previous size.

The increase in the woman's abdomen occurs according to the growth of the uterus at a certain gestational age. Sometimes expectant mothers fear for the health of the baby, believing that the fetus is lagging behind in development. But in most cases, a small belly during pregnancy is not a cause for concern.

What affects the size of the abdomen

There are 2 groups of factors that determine the size of the abdomen during pregnancy: physiological and obstetric.

The physiological reasons for a miniature pregnant tummy include:

1. Features of the structure of the body... In expectant mothers with a wide pelvis, the belly grows more slowly than in women with a narrow pelvis. The development of the abdominal muscles also prevents the abdomen from growing quickly.
2. The mass of a woman's body. In obese women with fat deposits, it is difficult to recognize pregnancy by the parameters of the abdomen.
3. Small fruit... Usually with parents who do not differ tall, children are born with low weight and height.
4. Genetic predisposition. The growth of the woman's abdomen is observed at the same time as that of her mother.
5. Malnutrition starving expectant mother.
6. Severe toxicosis in the first weeks of pregnancy. In this case, the belly may appear only after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

If a woman is carrying a second or third child, then her belly will increase faster. This is due to a decrease in the elasticity of the abdominal muscles.

Among the obstetric reasons why the belly does not grow during pregnancy, the following are distinguished:

• embryonic hypotrophy;
• fading pregnancy;
• improper position of the child;
• lack of water.

If you think your belly is less than normal, consult a gynecologist. He will measure the parameters of the abdomen and find out the reason for possible deviations.

Hypotrophy

Slow intrauterine growth of the fetus requires fetometry - a method that allows you to obtain accurate data on the condition of the baby.

After identifying the cause of such a violation, gynecologists prescribe a number of medications to a woman, along with enriching the diet with meat, cereals, and dairy products.

The baby who is born in due date with hypotrophy, has lower characteristics of height and weight. With proper nutrition of the crumbs, physical parameters quickly normalize.

Fading pregnancy

The most dangerous cause small belly - when the fetus dies.

A similar situation is accompanied by the absence of movement of the child, the appearance of bloody discharge, and an increase in body temperature. If an anomaly is not detected in time, a woman may die.

Wrong position

Such localization of the fetus inside the uterus affects the diminutiveness of the abdomen. Doctors determine the incorrect position of the baby by means of ultrasound scanning and external palpation.

The transverse position does not pose a threat to the health of the child, but it can provoke a premature onset of labor. The tummy will be smaller and with a posterior presentation of the embryo.

Malnutrition

The size of the abdomen during pregnancy is much less than normal if a woman has a lack of amniotic fluid. With such a deficit, the volume of the intrauterine space is reduced. Normally, the amount of amniotic fluid is 1-1.5 liters by week 49.

Insignificant deviations that do not pose a threat to the health of the baby can only be determined by ultrasound scanning.

With a decrease in the volume of water by a third or more, the following occurs:

• a significant decrease in the parameters of the abdomen;
• the appearance of discomfort during the movements of the child;
• soreness in the lower abdomen;
• deterioration of health.

The more, the higher the risk of developing physical abnormalities in the fetus: curvature of the spinal column, torticollis, clubfoot. In addition, compression of the umbilical cord can occur, leading to the death of the baby.

Gestosis, arterial hypertension, infectious diseases, and placental insufficiency lead to insufficient synthesis of amniotic fluid. To determine low water, the ultrasound method is used.

Growth dynamics of the abdomen

The uterus begins to enlarge almost immediately after fertilization. The growth process is influenced by the growing embryo and the production of amniotic fluid, which fills the space of the organ.

Others will notice that you are "in position" at the 5th month of pregnancy, when the weight of the fetus reaches 100 g, and the length of its body is 12 cm.

A significant increase in the size of the uterus begins from the 6th week of pregnancy, when the organ is similar in parameters to a chicken egg.

Over time, the uterus grows:

• at 8 weeks it becomes 2 times larger;
• at week 10 - 3 times;
• at 12 weeks - 4 times;
• after 14 weeks, the uterus crosses the borders of the pelvis, it can be palpated.

The gynecologist is obliged to monitor the rates of increase and location of the uterus in order to know how the belly grows during pregnancy, whether there are any abnormalities in the development of the baby.

Doctors begin to measure the circumference at each turnout already in the 2nd trimester, for this they use a centimeter tape.

Based on the gestational period, the following abdominal circumference norms are differentiated:

• 2 weeks - up to 75 cm;
• 22 weeks - up to 78 cm;
• 24 weeks - up to 80 cm;
• 26 weeks - up to 82 cm;
• 28 weeks - up to 85 cm;
• 30 weeks - up to 87 cm;
• 32 weeks - up to 90 cm;
• 34 weeks - up to 92 cm;
• 36 weeks - up to 95 cm;
• 38 weeks - up to 98 cm;
• 40 weeks - up to 100 cm.

With the harmonious growth of the fetus, the abdomen should also constantly increase by 1 cm per week. Minor fluctuations in values ​​are allowed.

The doctor enters the received data into your exchange card, and constantly monitors the dynamics of growth. The standing height is also determined uterine fundus, which indicates the parameters of the abdomen: the higher the bottom of the uterus, the larger the abdominal circumference.

Specific norms for the height of the uterine fundus by weeks of pregnancy have been determined:

• 16 weeks - 7 cm;
• 20 weeks - 13 cm;
• 24 weeks - 24 cm;
• 28 weeks - 28 cm;
• 32 weeks - 30 cm;
• 36 weeks - 34 cm.

After 38 weeks, the uterus gradually drops to 28 cm, you may notice that the belly has become lower during pregnancy. This indicates the imminent beginning of the delivery process.

All values ​​are approximate, since every woman is different. The norms may deviate from the indicated values ​​by several centimeters.

If the difference in values ​​is more significant, the doctor will send you for an additional examination. There is no need to associate the slightest deviation with pathology. Your job is to inform your doctor about your concerns and stay calm.

The abdomen has sharply decreased - what to do?

The parameters of the "pregnant" belly can decrease during the day: become smaller in the morning than in the evening. This is due to increased gassing.

During the gestation of a child, a large concentration of progesterone is synthesized in the female body. The hormone helps to relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, which slows down the digestion of food, provoking an increase in gas.

To fix the problem, adjust your diet, exclude cabbage, pastries, legumes and grapes from your menu. Women with lactose intolerance need to limit their intake of dairy products.

Insufficient physical activity also leads to increased gassing. Extend daily walks and exercise in moderation. It will be useful for you to do yoga, swimming.

If the abdomen has significantly decreased, and in the evening it has not returned to its previous parameters, urgently visit a doctor. This condition can threaten the life and health of the baby.

Conclusion

The belly during pregnancy can be of various sizes and shapes, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the woman.

The doctor should monitor the dynamics of the growth of the uterus, only he is able to determine the presence of pathological conditions. Regular monitoring by a gynecologist will promptly identify possible dysfunction and eliminate it without health consequences.

What is the difference between an ordinary woman and a pregnant woman? Most will say that it is belly size. However, many are ready to argue with them, and this will also be correct, since the situation is not always noticeable.

Why do some have a big belly while others have a small belly during pregnancy?

No one will object that the body of each woman is individual, so the belly can grow in different ways. It is very important at this moment to monitor that there are no deviations from the norm.

A small belly during pregnancy can be for many reasons, for example, with abnormal development of the fetus, and perhaps this is the norm for a particular woman, and the baby will be born completely healthy.

During the first trimester, it may or may not be noticeable. If the mother has toxicosis, the stomach will grow only from the second trimester. Sometimes it happens that others do not even suspect that a woman is pregnant.

In any case, there is no reason for panic, you need to regularly undergo examinations and take tests to make sure that the bearing is proceeding as planned, even if you have a small belly during pregnancy.

How does the belly grow?

Basically, it still grows, this can be explained by the fact that the uterus grows, where the child develops. The uterus contains the fetus, the placenta, and for all this, enough space is needed so that the baby can develop correctly and feel comfortable. As the fetus and water increase, the volume of the body increases.

Fruit size

You can determine the size of the fetus using an ultrasound scan. Thanks to transvaginal ultrasound, it can be detected in the second or third week of development. Pregnancy begins to count from the 1st day of the past menstruation and is about six to seven weeks. At this point, the diameter of the fruit is 2-4 mm.

How does the fetus develop?

• At the 10th week, it can be noted that the diameter of the fetus fluctuates at the level of 2.2 cm.
• The 12th week is characterized by a fruit length of 6-7 cm, a weight of 20-25 g.
• The 16th week corresponds to a length of 12 cm, a body weight of 100 g.
• 20 weeks is characterized by a fruit length of 25-26 cm, weighing 280-300 g.
• At the 24th week - 30 cm and 600-680 g, respectively.
• 28 weeks - size 35 cm and weight 1-1.2 kg.
• 32 weeks - 40-42 cm and 1.5-1.7 kg.
• 36 weeks - 45-48 cm and 2.4-2.5 kg.

By the end of pregnancy, the length of the fetus is 48-49 cm, and the body weight is 2.6-5 kg.

pregnant

Throughout pregnancy, the uterus increases in size. In the first weeks, it is pear-shaped. At the end of the second month of pregnancy, it doubles and takes on a rounded shape, and at the beginning of the third trimester it becomes ovoid. If there is a small belly during pregnancy, it means that the uterus does not increase in accordance with the norms.

The mass of the uterus before pregnancy is 50-100 g, at the end - 1 kg.

Amniotic fluid

The volume of water increases unevenly. On the tenth week of gestation - 30 ml, on the 13-14th - 100 ml, on the 18th - 400 ml, and so on. The maximum volume in the 37-38th week is 1-1.5 liters. At the end of the term, it can decrease to 800 ml.

Why a small belly during pregnancy?

It can grow slowly for several reasons.

The size of the uterus may be smaller than expected due to lack of water. Many people believe that the belly grows only due to the fetus, however amniotic fluid play an important role in this process. With insufficient water, it looks less than expected. You can determine the water using ultrasound. As the gestation period increases, so does the volume of fluid. Low water is not the norm, it occurs with pathologies, for example, hypertension, infectious diseases, preeclampsia, and others. Therefore, if already there is a small belly it may well be.

The next reason is it arises from a violation of placental metabolism. Insufficient maternal nutrition can also lead to slow growth. Under these circumstances, the baby is born with a weight of 2.5 kg. However, even an ultrasound scan cannot accurately determine the weight of a child, so it can only be known for sure at birth, it can change by 500 g in both directions.

A woman's body constitution also plays a role. In miniature and slender mothers, the bulge is more noticeable than in women of large physique.

The fertilized egg can attach to the back wall of the uterus, in which case the child is located outside the box - across the pelvis. Under such conditions, the belly grows inward and does not protrude outward, then there will be a small belly during pregnancy, and it may not even be noticeable to outsiders.

Due to hereditary characteristics, it may also be smaller. If the parents are miniature, then the baby will most likely be small, so the belly may increase slightly.

If a woman has a well-trained abdominal press, then the muscles will retain their shape and tone, and the abdomen will not grow much.

Signs of lagging belly enlargement

At each visit to the gynecologist, measurements are made using a centimeter tape to measure the circumference of the abdomen, as well as the height of the bottom of the uterus. These measurements can tell the doctor a lot. If the indicators have not increased or even decreased, then this is the reason for an unscheduled ultrasound scan. It will especially alert the doctor if this small belly, combined with a decrease in indicators, may require other studies of the fetus.

What if the belly doesn't grow?

Lack of volume growth is not a diagnosis, whether it is a small belly at the 30th week of pregnancy or at the 21st. There are no methods of prevention, as in the case of diseases. It all depends on the factors that affect the increase in abdominal circumference. If oligohydramnios and malnutrition have been identified, measures should be taken to minimize the risks. In all other cases, you do not need to worry about this if you have a small belly during pregnancy (30 weeks), because even under such conditions healthy babies are growing.

The main thing is to visit a doctor regularly in order to identify any abnormalities in time, or just to make sure that the pregnancy is going well.

It happens that there is a small belly in the second pregnancy. That is, during the gestation of the woman's first child, he met all the parameters, and there was no reason for concern. Small belly ik during the second gestation can alert the mother, however, each baby is individual and develops in different ways.

Norms and deviations

Although the body of each woman is individual, nevertheless, norms were adopted that were approximately the same for everyone, deviations from which should become a signal of problems during gestation. A lot can be judged by the increase in the uterus.

At the 4th week, the uterus looks like a chicken egg. At 8 weeks, it grows and becomes the size of a goose egg. At the 12th week - like a baby's head, during this period the gynecologist probes it, and also measures the abdominal circumference. At the 16th week, the tummy is rounded, the uterus is located in the area between the pubis and the navel. At the 20th week, it becomes noticeable to others. 21 weeks pregnant - a small belly is not yet a reason for worry. 24th week - the uterus moves to the navel, and on the 28th it is above it. At 32 weeks, the navel begins to level out, the bottom of the uterus is felt between the xiphoid process and the navel. 38th week - The uterus is at its highest level near the ribs. At the 40th week, the navel protrudes, the bottom of the uterus drops, starting preparation for childbirth.

The circumference of the tummy is an important parameter that is measured from the lumbar deflection to the navel. The following parameters are considered normal: 32nd week - 85-90 cm, 36th - 90-95 cm, 40th - 95-100 cm.If there is still a small belly with and further), then the doctor must determine what the reason is hypotrophy or lack of water.

The uterus begins to grow almost from the very beginning of gestation, and if this does not happen, then there may be ectopic pregnancy... In this case, the fetus develops outside the uterus, in the tube.

With regular visits to the doctor, deviations from the norm will be instantly identified. If necessary, a pregnant woman can be admitted to a hospital for treatment; in this situation, the likelihood of having a healthy baby increases dramatically.

Pregnancy planning

If you are planning a child in advance, you must first pass all tests, cure all diseases before pregnancy, since any, even the most harmless infection, can cause complications. You also need to radically revise your diet, lead healthy image life, give up bad habits. If you follow all the rules, your baby will be born healthy, and in the future he will not have any problems.

Do not forget to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, take vitamin complexes - all this will help better growth baby.