I'm 5'5" and at 4 weeks pregnant was 198lbs. My baby bump appeared overnight at 12 weeks and 3 days, but didn't start becoming obvious to others until week 16 or 17. By week 18 I had done away with my normal wardrobe and swapped to maternity clothes. This is my fifth baby and my stomach muscles were already shot, but if this is your first baby you'll still have stomach muscles and may not 'show' for several more weeks.

I also started my pregnancy in the 240's and I am now 20 wks and have gained about 2 lbs. Don't think anyone would even know I was pregnant unless, I shared. I too am excited about showing off my "belly", I just hope others can tell the difference and not think I am just getting fatter! LOL

At 5'5" and just under 200 lbs I had my 16 week check up today and my OB said, "Oh, you've popped!" so I guess he can tell.

Saturday I wore capris and a t and nobody noticed. Sunday I wore a dress (a baby doll style so half of all women seem to look pregnant in those things anyway) --and saw some of the same people-- and everyone could tell. Again, hard to know if they're being polite / excited or if they really can tell. My husband says it changes day to day for him--and I'd agree with that.

Re: weight. My OB said today 10-15 lbs would be good, but that as long as I'm eating healthy and exercising that is what matters more than the number.

This is my first pregnancy too. I was 215 (5'7) and I could tell at 9 weeks or so. My pants were getting tighter. Everyone else couldn't tell until about 14 weeks. I'm already in Maternity clothes now and I'm 17 weeks. My OB says 15 to 20 lbs max. I've gained 6 so far.

ALLIH621- you do look small for 32 weeks, thats pretty good you only gained 19 pounds so far, my goal is to try to keep my weight gain at 15 pounds, I am now 16 weeks and I have lost 1 pound, so far I haven't realLy been gaining, but I know the weight will start coming on soon, hopefully no more than 1/4 to 1/2 pound a week ....

Thank you! I'm pretty happy that I don't have a belly that's much bigger, because that would only make me more uncomfortable the next 6-7 weeks - and July/August heat........not a good combination! So far, the only discomfort I have is sleeping (switching from side to side) and lower back pain when I first stand up after sitting for a while.

That is GREAT that you are 16 weeks and lost a pound! You are on the right track because most of the weight comes on at the end. Way to go!!! Just drink a ton of water and make sure baby is getting healthy food since it sounds like you may not be eating much. Does the baby get nurishment from stored fats the mother has if they don't get it from food? I guess I don't know the answer to that.

The one thing I tried to do throughout my pregnancy is eat small meals (snacks really) - healthy choices too. Then dinner was the only bigger meal I had, and even then I couldn't eat as much as I used to be able to eat. (for example - only half a chicken breast or half a pork chop, half a baked potato with broccoli or something like that).

I think the reason for my lack of appetite is two things: 1) heartburn daily - makes me not want to eat because everything gives me heartburn. 2) I think my stomach just doesn't have the same amount of room that is used to have, so I get full much faster.

I never had morning sickness - I only got sick maybe 6 or 7 times early on, and every time it was in the evening, and I think EVERY time was when I ate too much - the opposite of what they tell you (morning sickness is due to an empty stomach, right?). Anyways, that helped me get on track with eating smaller meals.

An ultrasound at 32 weeks showed that baby boy is doing good. They estimate his weight at 4.7 pounds. Friends have told me that will probably mean a 8 pound baby. I guess we will see in about 7 weeks!