Why do I look bigger than my weeks?

Abdominal distension is more common in pregnancies subsequent to the first ongoing. Abdominal distension will mean you will show sooner and friends will make the comment that you look more advanced than is the case.

Abdominal distension is due to laxity of abdominal wall muscles because of the first pregnancy stretching. It is also due to gaseous distension of bowel. In the first pregnancy it will occur in some women for the same reasons. Some women unfortunately have poor abdominal wall tone before they are pregnant, and so will have more abdominal distension in their first pregnancy than others.

Abdominal distension is worse towards the end of the day, and it is much less likely first thing in the morning.

What can be done?

The only way of minimising this problem is to adjust your diet with the aim to have less gas in your bowel. Try to avoid talking or drinking while eating. Avoid carbonated drinks. Have a higher protein and high roughage diet and drink plenty of water. Go for plenty of walks. All this will be of limited value though. Abdominal wall strengthening exercises, while an excellent idea before you are pregnant and after you are pregnant, will not help and are not recommended in pregnancy.