This Woman Had An Enormous Bump When She Was 12 Weeks Pregnant. Then It Just Kept On Growing

A woman’s seemingly enormous baby bump at just 12 weeks pregnant has gone viral online — and now the Washington state mom-to-be is revealing that the cause of her unusually large stomach is a rare but serious pregnancy complication known as polyhydramnios.

The woman, identified only as Lauren, sparked widespread attention after posting a TikTok video showing her significantly distended belly. Many viewers mistakenly assumed she was at the end of her pregnancy or carrying multiple babies. In reality, Lauren was just entering her second trimester — and carrying only one child.

“I started showing early, but even I was shocked by how quickly my bump was growing,” she said in a follow-up video.

Lauren’s initial video, posted in late May, showed her bare stomach protruding far beyond what most expectant mothers experience in the early stages of pregnancy. The video quickly racked up more than 50 million views, with some users joking that a “full-grown man” must be inside her womb, while others guessed she was carrying quintuplets.

She later clarified in a follow-up that doctors had confirmed she was pregnant with a single child — but diagnosed with polyhydramnios, a rare condition that causes excess amniotic fluid to accumulate in the uterus.

Polyhydramnios occurs in about 1% of pregnancies and can range from mild to severe. It is often diagnosed during routine ultrasounds when amniotic fluid levels are found to be abnormally high. The condition can result from issues with the baby’s ability to swallow fluid, maternal diabetes, or in many cases, an unknown cause.

“It can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for both the mother and baby if not monitored closely,” said Dr. Elena Ramirez, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Seattle Grace Medical Center. “But with proper care, most women go on to have healthy deliveries.”

Symptoms can include rapid abdominal growth, shortness of breath, and preterm labor. In severe cases, treatment may involve amnioreduction — a procedure to remove excess fluid — or early delivery if the condition threatens the pregnancy.

Online, viewers were astonished by the dramatic difference between Lauren’s gestational age and the size of her bump.

“I looked like this at 39 weeks, not 12!” one commenter wrote.

Lauren used the attention to educate her audience. In additional videos, she shared updates on her doctor visits, the physical strain of her condition, and her efforts to stay calm amid mounting health anxieties.

“This isn’t just a ‘big baby bump’ for fun — it’s a medical condition I have to manage every day,” she explained.

Despite the risks, Lauren said doctors have assured her that her baby appears to be healthy and developing normally.

“They check on us every week, and so far, everything with the baby looks perfect,” she said. “It’s just me carrying a lot more fluid than expected.”

Lauren is now being monitored by a high-risk pregnancy team and expects to deliver in early November, slightly ahead of her original due date.

Lauren’s story is now helping raise awareness about polyhydramnios — a little-known condition that often goes undiagnosed until later in pregnancy. She says she hopes sharing her experience will help other women recognize the signs and advocate for themselves in prenatal care.

“Don’t let anyone tell you your body’s weird or wrong — if something feels off, talk to your doctor,” she urged.