How soon did you ladies begin to show??

I am 7wks pregnant w/ #3 and I look like I am 4 months already. I don't fit any of my clothes. I am wondering if I should buy maternity clothes or big women clothes, like Lane Bryant or Ashley Stewart. I never was this big so soon with my boys. It's so weird. Nothing fits, grant it I was not a size 4 before I got pregnant, but OMG, my stomach is getting pretty large. I have to unbutton my pants when I sit down, or the pressure from my jeans is really uncomfortable. Has anyone ever started showing this soon?

[pixijal]

I bought 'regular' clothes that were a couple of sizes larger than my normal size, and it paid off since I was able to wear them postpartum as well!!!

[mommy2angelita]

I am 14 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and look like I am 5 months!  I wasn't this big with my 1st until I was 5 or 6 months. YIKES! lol

[misseltoe]

It's very common to show, and to show a lot, with pregnancy #2, #3, etc.  You were probably lucky that you didn't start showing so soon with #2.  

I would go straight to maternity clothes.  The good news is that for a lot of women that get that big that fast the growth slows down, but for some they just keep growing at the same rate.  You aren't going to get any smaller so I would just buy maternity clothes and be comfortable.

But if you do buy bigger clothes you can always wear them immediately after you have the baby.  I just bought maternity clothes (wore my regular clothes for as long as possible -- which was until 19 weeks -- I only had one pair of pants that fit and two shirts but I didn't want to buy new clothes) and now wish I had clothes in a size or two bigger for right after I have the baby.  I'm not wanting to wear maternity clothes after she's born as I don't want to look anymore pregnant than I have to after I have my baby.

[AnnieBrooke]

It also depends a lot on what you are wearing.  I was wearing a long tunic over long pants, and everyone was saying I didn't look pregnant.  Next day, a sweater with ribbed bottom hem over pants, and everyone was exclaiming at how pregnant I looked.  I think it has a lot to do with that tucking-back-in-under-the-tummy thing, makes your pregnant tum stand out.

As for buying larger lady clothes, yeah, they will be useful for you post-partum, IF it is the same kind of temperature.  I wouldn't buy winter clothes in a larger size if I was going to be post-partum in the summer, for example.  I look at my lightweight summer maternity pants now and although they would still fit, I just laugh, there is no way to wear white cotton pants at this time of year in Oregon.

I actually wore my smallest maternity pants (a brown no-wale corduroy pair that look kind of like velvet) before I was pregnant, so I assume I can wear them after the little guy comes too without looking like I am in maternity clothes.

Have fun!  There are some really, really great maternity clothes prices on eBay.

Annie

[mattsturle]

4th pregnancy that made it this long. last 3 ended in mc. but i am 15w4d and look 5 months. I started to show at about 8 weeks.

[gml24]

Definitely.  This is my second pregnancy, and at about 8 weeks I couldn't button any of my jeans b/c it was so uncomfortable.  My shirts kept fitting for a couple more months though, so I just got a bunch of yoga pants to last until I got maternity clothes.

[amndap]

this is my first child and i started showing at 3 months. i couldn't fit into anything i owned and gained 15 pounds! i wore a size zero before pregnancy.i am now 21 weeks and people are suprised when i say im due in march! my friend is the same way and she is about the same size i was.my dr says it could have alot to do with gas build up, it pushes out your belly.

[Crritter]

Makes me feel so good to read this!  I'm on baby #2 and with my first one didn't show or need maternity clothes till just before 7 months.  I'm at 18 weeks 1 day and will need to get into maternity clothes soon.  Around 9 weeks I couldn't button my pants either, but didn't look pregnant.  Today my belly popped at work, my boss kept staring at me, she freaked out and told me I didn't even look pregnant today when I came in and by the end of the day I looked pretty big.  I've been wearing sweaters too, but am definitely at the point where I need to find something a bit more comfy.  I still haven't gained weight yet, but so look it.

[kcooper]

This is my 5th pregnancy, 2 miscarriages and 2 boys, but I actually lost weight before gaining due to morning sickness and a stomach bug.  I am now 19 weeks and 4 days, I lost 7 lbs. at the begining of the pregnancy and then gained exactly 7 back, so technically I haven't put on any weight this time and we're half way there...lol  I think in the past month I have really popped out in my tummy, it seemed like over night I could start wearing maternity clothes and looking pregnant, it happened really fast.  It's also amazing how much maternity clothes accent that you are pregnant vs. regular clothes, but that is what I like about them.  It's exciting and I'm proud to show the changes, pregnancy is beautiful.

[neparker]

This is my 4th pregnancy.  One DS, one DD and one MC just recently.

I have two pairs of pants left that fit me, but that's because they are low risers, I have another pair that I can wear with the top unbottoned, and another that I can't wear at all because my theighs are bigger, already.  I'm only 8 weeks 4 days.

As of my shirts, I can squeeze into them, I have a lot of quarter sleeve button downs, so I'm ok.  I don't like to wear my tighter shirts because they show I havae a stomach, and no one knows I'm pregnant yet... I just look fat.

I'm hoping that by the end of this month, when I tell family/friends I'm pregnant, that I'll be more comfortable wearing my tighter shirts, and as of my pants, I'll just make do with what I have.  I wouldn't buy materinity yet, try without buttoning them up all the way, wear a longer shirt.

[HOPING TO BE]

thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is my first pregnancy and i am 11w3d and someone today told me i was starting to show i felt mortified now i don't feel so bad knowing that it can be normal. i haven't really gained weight yet so i know it ain't that unless they are seeing things....lol

[mumwith#4]

I am on baby #4 as most of you probably know by now (as if the name doesn't suggest it!) and I always look small throughout all my pregnancies. I am nearly 18 weeks but probably look closer to 15 compared with other women. I am very slim so although it sticks out - I still get people commenting on how 'small' I look! Have no doubt though - all my babies weigh in over 9lbs so looks can be deceiving!!!

[LuV tOtS]

I started to get chubby with both my kids by the second month of pregnancy and officially started to show at 4 months. So it is all individual. Good luck!