How many months into pregnancy does the belly start to show?

The time when the abdomen begins to enlarge after pregnancy varies from person to person, mainly influenced by factors such as the mother's body type, the number of fetuses, and whether it is a multiple pregnancy. Generally, for women with a normal body type carrying a single fetus, the uterus begins to extend beyond the pelvis and gradually expands into the abdominal cavity around 3 to 4 months of pregnancy. At this stage, the abdomen starts to show slight bulging, although it may not be very noticeable externally.

By 5 to 6 months of pregnancy, the fetus grows more rapidly, the uterus significantly enlarges, and the abdominal protrusion becomes more apparent, making the pregnancy visibly evident. For women who are slim, the abdomen may start showing earlier—possibly around 3 months into the pregnancy. Conversely, for women with a heavier build, the outward appearance of a larger abdomen may be delayed due to increased abdominal fat, becoming more noticeable at around 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. In multiple pregnancies, as the uterus requires more space, abdominal enlargement occurs earlier and is more pronounced; the belly may begin expanding as early as 2 to 3 months into the pregnancy, and the growth rate afterward is also faster. Additionally, the degree of abdominal muscle laxity also affects the appearance of the belly. For multiparous women (those who have given birth before), the abdominal muscles tend to be more relaxed, so the belly tends to enlarge earlier and more noticeably.