Hi, this may sound funny but is it normal to have a big bump at 12weeks? Everybody else seems much smaller than me, I'm a bit worried I'm putting on weight too fast.

Many factors affect how big your bump may appear, including your age, your weight before conception and if you have had any previous pregnancies. Previous pregnancies can make you appear to have a bigger bump as second and third pregnancies show much earlier than the first. Think of blowing a balloon up, once it has been blown up it never quite goes back to its original shape.

Weight gain should start during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy but it can be different from woman to woman, body shape and weight can affect this as well as your lifestyle.

If you find your appetite has increased and you are gaining too much weight try having healthy snacks such as fruit and low fat yogurt in-between meals. Add bulk to meals with such things as salad and extra vegetables to help you to feel full without adding excessive calories and drink water regularly throughout the day. The foods to eliminate from the diet are those that are high in fat and/or sugar, e.g. cakes, biscuits, processed foods like pasties, sugary fizzy drinks and crisps.

Further advice about healthy eating can be found at www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/pregnancy

Light exercise such as walking or swimming is also beneficial to support appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, remember to start off gradually and build up slowly. Exercising with somebody else, a family member, a friend or a group is a good way to keep yourself and others motivated.

‘Eating for two' isn't recommended during pregnancy as the average woman does not need any extra calories for the first six months of pregnancy and only about 200 extra calories per day for the last three months. Two hundred calories is equivalent to two slices of wholemeal toast and margarine/butter; a jacket potato with an ounce of cheese; or one slice of cheese on toast.

If you feel that you need more information your midwife will be able to give you further support, she can also monitor your weight gain and offer further advice if needed. There is also more information on our Healthy Weight page.