A symptom often associated with pregnancy is the size of the belly. But did you know that a bloated belly is not always a sign of pregnancy? For this to actually be a symptom of pregnancy, the woman must be sure that she is pregnant, since a bloated and hard belly can happen for many other reasons.
Just like white creamy discharge (with a moisturizing cream-like texture), a bloated belly can happen due to the presence of progesterone1. This hormone rises considerably as soon as ovulation happens. As a result, women can begin to experience several symptoms related to this increase. Many of them—if not all—are very similar to pregnancy symptoms. If you are trying to conceive and want to closely track your menstrual cycle and confirm when ovulation occurs, use a mobile APP that tracks your cycle based on the information you enter. One example is the Paula APP. There is also the ovulation test, which indicates when ovulation is near, occurring, or has already passed.
Bloating Due to Increased Progesterone
It is not uncommon to hear women claim they are pregnant just based on the symptoms, even before a missed period. Many of these symptoms happen due to the rise of progesterone, including abdominal bloating that occurs at certain points in the cycle.
IMPORTANT: A bloated belly can be a symptom of several other factors such as PMS, bloating due to gas accumulation, or even overeating.
Since progesterone is a hormone that makes a woman’s body relax, everything ends up working more slowly2. The gastrointestinal tract slows down, there is an accumulation of gas, constipation, and water retention: all this contributes to a bloated belly. However, none of this guarantees pregnancy. This can simply mean that there are increased amounts of hormones circulating in the body. Therefore, a bloated belly can be a sign of pregnancy or not, but a woman should wait until a missed period before taking a test to clear up this doubt. If you are already late, take a pregnancy test to confirm. The recommended ones are pregnancy tests with good sensitivity, such as those of 10mIU. With them, it is possible to confirm pregnancy up to 3 days before a missed period.
When Does Abdominal Bloating Indicate Pregnancy?
Most women in early pregnancy may notice changes in the lower abdomen, 3 fingers below the navel. The lower tummy, as people say, can become more noticeable. Clothes might get tighter in this area and women may feel discomfort when moving, such as sitting down, standing up, or may even have stronger cramps.
The problem is, a bloated belly can also be a symptom of PMS. When a woman’s body is preparing for menstruation, she might retain fluid, causing the abdomen to protrude more. That’s why we say bloating might be a sign of pregnancy, but only when the delay is greater than one week. Before that, it may only be post-ovulation symptoms, the effect of progesterone, estrogen, or hormones in general.
Intestinal Gas and Constipation
Whether pregnant or not, women may also have a bloated belly because of excessive gas. Constipation is also a cause of bloating and is a common complaint in doctor’s offices. Bloating may appear more often in the evening, with women suddenly noticing a bigger belly than they had in the morning.
Fluid Retention
It is very common to experience bloating due to fluid retention, and we must remember that the fetus is still very small and not yet visible. The real pregnancy belly will usually only appear after the 12th week of pregnancy. In the morning, the bloating may go down, even in confirmed pregnancies by beta HCG testing and also ultrasound.
Bloating Along With Menstruation
When bloating comes with a strong period, even before testing, it may simply mean the woman ovulated and had a large accumulation of endometrial blood. Be very careful before assuming that a bloated belly means pregnancy. Bloating can certainly happen during pregnancy, but before this, other factors should be ruled out. If in doubt, take a pregnancy test after your missed period.
Questions from Readers:
How to distinguish a bloated belly from a pregnancy belly?
A bloated belly can be a symptom of many factors such as PMS, gas, or even constipation, and it’s unlikely you would identify pregnancy just by the appearance or condition of the belly. It’s only possible to notice pregnancy by the abdominal size after a few months. A pregnancy belly starts to grow from the lower part of the abdomen and spreads throughout the whole area.
What if the belly is hard and bloated?
Gas issues generally make the belly feel quite hard and the abdomen is extended, very bloated. Normally, by using appropriate medications3 this sensation goes away quickly. In case of intense pain, look for urgent care.
Important Tip: As mentioned above, highly sensitive tests, those of 10mIU, are crucial for those suspecting pregnancy. That’s why we recommend Famivita tests. You can find packs of 2 or 5 strips here.
See also: First Days of Pregnancy – What Are the Early Symptoms?
