How your baby bump grows and how to eternalize it

During pregnancy, your baby bump grows week by week. It takes some time before your pregnancy becomes visible, and every woman experiences this journey differently. You may be wondering: When will I start showing? And how does your baby bump develop throughout pregnancy?

In this article, we’ll explain how your baby bump grows and show you how to eternalize this extraordinary chapter with a handcrafted 3D pregnancy sculpture by le Bump. ✨

How your baby bump grows

Over the course of nine months, your body changes in incredible ways. Your baby grows from a single cell into a newborn weighing an average of 7 to 8 pounds (3 to 3.5 kg).

Although your belly gradually grows throughout pregnancy, you won’t necessarily notice a visible baby bump right away. Every pregnancy is unique, and factors such as your body type, genetics, abdominal muscles and the amount of amniotic fluid all influence how quickly your bump becomes visible.

When does your baby bump start to show?

Most women begin noticing a visible baby bump between 12 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. For some, it happens a little earlier, while others may not show until later.

So don’t worry if your bump isn’t very noticeable at 12 weeks—that’s completely normal.

In the early months, you may first notice a fuller lower abdomen. This isn’t just because your uterus is growing. Pregnancy hormones cause your intestines to shift, making room for your expanding uterus, which can make your lower belly appear rounder.

Baby bump growth week by week

Every pregnancy is different, but here’s a general idea of how your baby bump develops throughout each stage.

Weeks 1–12

During the first trimester, many women gain around 10% of their total pregnancy weight.

Some experience increased hunger, while others lose weight because of morning sickness. At this stage, your intestines begin making room for your growing uterus, which may cause your lower abdomen to become slightly rounder.

This is often the very beginning of your baby bump.

Weeks 13–20

During the second trimester, your baby bump starts becoming much more noticeable.

Around 15% of your total pregnancy weight gain usually occurs during this period. From about 13 weeks, many women begin showing a small bump, especially in the lower abdomen.

On average, women gain about one pound (0.5 kg) per week during this stage, although every pregnancy is different.

Weeks 21–30

This is when your baby bump really starts growing.

Around 50% of your total pregnancy weight gain often happens during these weeks. Your belly expands more rapidly, and your belly button may begin to pop out.

By this stage, it’s usually obvious to everyone that you’re pregnant.

Weeks 31–36

Your baby continues growing quickly, especially in weight.

Around 20% of your total pregnancy weight gain takes place during these weeks. As your baby grows larger, your belly becomes more beautifully defined.

This is also the perfect time to eternalize your pregnancy with a le Bump sculpture. 🤍

Weeks 37 until birth

During the final weeks of pregnancy, your baby continues to grow while your body prepares for labor.

You may gain another 5% of your total pregnancy weight, mainly because of your growing baby and the extra fluids your body retains.

When does your baby bump disappear?

Every woman’s postpartum journey is different.

Immediately after giving birth, you’ll lose the weight of your baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. However, it’s completely normal to still have a rounded belly for some time afterward.

The remaining weight consists mainly of stored fat, retained fluids and your uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy size.

For some women, this process takes just a few months. For others, it may take a year or even longer.

A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise can support recovery, and breastfeeding may help because it burns additional calories.

Eternalize your baby bump ✨

Pregnancy is one of the most extraordinary experiences you’ll ever have. Before you know it, your baby is in your arms and your baby bump has become a beautiful memory.

That’s why so many women choose to eternalize their pregnancy with a handcrafted 3D pregnancy sculpture.

At le Bump, we create a custom sculpture of your pregnant body using advanced 3D scanning technology. After your session, we carefully refine the digital model before hand-finishing your artwork in the material and finish of your choice.

Approximately 14 weeks later, your le Bump sculpture will be delivered to your home—a timeless work of art that allows you to relive this extraordinary chapter for years to come.

Explore our collections, and we’d love to welcome you to one of our studios. 💫