When will movies and TV shows finally show a realistic baby bump? This is the question I ask myself every time I see a pregnant character sporting a perfectly round bump. Newsflash: that's not what all pregnant bellies look like!
Thankfully, pregnant women are taking to social media and finally dispelling the myth that of the perfect baby bump. These photos show that bumps come in all shapes and sizes and I am here for these pics.
The linea nigra is that dark line that runs down the middle of the belly.
It can linger after giving birth as well and may never fully fade from a woman's body.
When was the last time you saw stretchmarks on a baby bump in the media? They're basically never shown, even though they are very common.
As in, this mama is fierce and has the stripes to prove it. I love it! Way to embrace your changing bodies, moms!
Especially if you are carrying multiples, it's common for your bump to change shape or be more of an elongated shape. It really depends on what position the baby (or babies) is in.
Some women "pop", some carry low, and others carry high — all of these baby bump shapes are normal and healthy.
Here's one mom's photo of her bumps at 31 weeks pregnant.
These two pictures show that even at the same stage in pregnancy, no two bumps will ever look exactly alike. This is also why you should never try to guess how far along someone is.
You'll save yourself and the expecting mom a lot of embarrassment.
Nothing freaks a pregnant woman out more than having strangers stroking her bump in public. Please keep your hands to yourself!
Those who remained highly active, or were previously into fitness can sometimes show a smaller bump, with visible ab muscles around the obliques.
This mama is six months along, and you wouldn't really be able to tell based on what we see in the media — but her belly, much like others, is common.
Model Belle Lucia received comments from trolls after she shared this pic taken just as she was entering her third trimester. Really, people?
Of course, these were done pre-pregnancy, but we don't see a lot of images of pregnant bellies with tattoos, even though many women have tattoos on their abdomen.
This mom-to-be looks pretty darn perfect to us, though.
Yes, even moms have belly button rings and many pregnant women keep theirs in as long as it is comfortable.
And that's totally okay. We love all bumps, all babies, and all belly buttons.
It's totally normal to feel like your belly button has been replaced with that button that pops when the turkey is done cooking.
I don't know why this is still taboo. It's just hair, y'all! Embrace it!
This is likely the only time in your life when you'll want to paint your belly. I say, go for it!
That doesn't change during pregnancy, it only becomes more pronounced!
They come in every shape and size imaginable and it's important that we start recognizing that.
These photos and the conversations they generate will help a lot of pregnant women feel more positive about their changing bodies.
Sure, it might make it difficult to sleep and getting kicked internally is a feeling that never stops being weird, but you will look back on these days fondly.
