Patient's question:
I got married last year. Recently, I've been experiencing lower abdominal pain, especially during my period. I'm very worried about it affecting my fertility, and I also feel extremely cold and afraid of the cold. How does a pregnant belly get bigger?Doctor's answer:
After pregnancy, the first change is the enlargement of the uterus. A normal non-pregnant uterus has dimensions of 7-8 cm in length, 4-5 cm in width, and 2-3 cm in thickness. After pregnancy, the uterus gradually enlarges, becomes softer, and takes on a spherical shape to accommodate the growth needs of the fetus.By the third month of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus extends beyond the pelvic cavity, and it can be felt above the symphysis pubis. At 12 weeks of pregnancy, the fundus of the uterus is at the level of two fingers above the symphysis pubis. By 16 weeks, it is midway between the navel and the symphysis pubis (10 cm above the symphysis pubis). At 20 weeks, the fundus of the uterus is at two fingers below the navel (16-17 cm above the symphysis pubis). By 24 weeks, it is level with the navel (19-20 cm above the symphysis pubis). At 28 weeks, it is three fingers above the navel (22-23 cm above the symphysis pubis). By 32 weeks, it is at the midpoint between the navel and the xiphoid process (24-25 cm above the symphysis pubis). At 36 weeks, it is two fingers below the xiphoid process (28-30 cm above the symphysis pubis). By 40 weeks, the uterus returns to the height it was at 8 months of pregnancy, but the abdominal circumference is larger than at 8 months.
At full term, the volume of the uterine cavity increases from 5 ml during non-pregnancy to 5,000 ml, expanding 1,000 times.