Every pregnant woman has to deal with an expanding tummy. As the uterus grows, internal organs are moved around the internal abdominal space and skin stretches to accept the growth. Stretching skin and moving organs are not pleasant all the time, but the woman can rest assured everything will move back into its normal space after the baby is born.

The weight of it all

The weight of the baby is the hardest thing for most women to deal with. With an average weight gain of 25 pounds, some women feel all that weight is in the tummy. In all honesty, about 1/3 of the weight is typically associated with baby, the rest comes from the increasing fluid, blood and the weight of the placenta.

Supporting baby the right way

Wearing tight clothing is not the right way to support a growing tummy. There are tummy bands available that run under the belly and around the back to help lift the weight off the front of the body. These are effective in relieving much of the pain associated with abdominal weight. 

Clothing choices truly matter

Belly belts can be worn under any maternity clothing, but many women find loose fitting shirts and dresses to be the most comfortable. Weight from the baby is enough to deal with without having to constantly worry about irritated skin and tight waistbands.

Slow and steady wins the race

Weight gain is expected during pregnancy, but the rate at which weight is gained can mean all the difference in terms of pregnancy pain. Fast weight gain does not give the body time to adjust to pregnancy and can lead to serious health risks for the woman and her baby. It is also important to gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy. Being overweight or gaining a large amount of weight can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and high blood pressure.