Low belly in pregnancy: what does it mean?
The position of the belly is influenced by various factors such as the growth of the baby. The position, the characteristics of the mother…
Low belly in pregnancy: what does it mean?
All families tend to talk about the lower belly in pregnancy when there is a pregnant woman in the conversation! It is inevitable to see her and not think about what could happen. Especially in the arrival of the future baby, which usually represents so many illusions in families.
However, it is important to note the relationship between having a low belly and the due date. Or even the presence of abnormalities in the baby is very inexact. For this reason, we will tell you in the following lines what is the real reason for having a low belly during pregnancy and what to expect from it. Keep reading!
What does it mean to have a low belly during pregnancy?
As its name suggests, the low belly means that the largest part of the womb is slightly tilted downwards. Beyond a simple consequence of gravity, the low belly is the result of multiple factors (fetal and maternal) that are completely natural
Many people associate the fact of having a low belly with other factors, especially the arrival of labor or some problems with the development of the baby. The truth is that, although the size and shape of the belly speak about the baby’s situation, this is not an exact measurement
What factors influence this?
There are multiple factors capable of affecting the shape and position of the mother’s belly. The most obvious are those related to the fetus or future baby, including the presence of multiple gestations. The position of the baby (if it is longitudinal, transverse, or breech), and its specific size.
Also, some characteristics of the mother can influence it, depending on her texture. The appearance of the belly could be different.
In short, having a low belly is the consequence of multiple natural factors that are not directly related to the imminent arrival of childbirth or problems in the baby, as you will see below.
What does it mean to have a low belly during pregnancy?
As the pregnancy progresses, all the factors that we have mentioned cause the appearance of the maternal belly to change little by little. This causes its “fall” for logical reasons since the uterus grows from the pelvic cavity upwards. And little by little its largest and heaviest part descends.
Of course, the more the belly grows, the closer the due date will be, however, this is not a reliable fact that should be followed with closed eyes. Only adequate prenatal control could predict the probable date of delivery. As well as the alterations in the development of future babies.
How can I know if there are problems with my baby?
As we have mentioned, prenatal control is the most important tool. In these consultations, the doctor will assess the size and position of the belly, usually by measuring the uterine height.
This method consists of placing a tape measure in the exact position and, depending on the results and their relation to gestational age. It is possible to relate this to the proper growth of the baby. This is an old method and not as exact, but it is still used because of its ease.
The most accurate method to determine the quality of intrauterine development is obstetric ultrasound. With this, the doctor could more accurately determine the position of the baby and the gestational age, the latter being something important to estimate the probable date of delivery. In fact, this technique is more effective than simply looking at a low tummy.
We know how exciting it can be to look at the mother’s belly and think about the future, it doesn’t hurt anyone! However, it is important to know that there are many myths about it. And that the most important thing is to entrust these valuable facts about pregnancy to specialists in this field.
Therefore, the duty of a responsible mother is never to neglect her prenatal care. Initially, she may be with a midwife, but there are critical moments in pregnancy when she should see an obstetrics specialist. This is more important in those patients at high risk. Such as in cases of gestational hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or other diseases.
