18th week of pregnancy

Congratulations on reaching the 18th week of pregnancy! You are now in the middle of the second trimester and this is considered one of the most comfortable periods of pregnancy. You may feel that your body is adapting wonderfully to pregnancy, but you may also be experiencing some new symptoms. Let’s take a look at what to expect this week, both physically and emotionally.

A Short Summary for the 18th Week of Pregnancy

• Acceleration: This is the name given to your baby’s first tiny movements. If you haven’t felt a gentle nudge yet, be patient; you will soon feel those sweet wiggles.
• Exercises of the Baby: Your baby swallows, hiccups and turns around in the womb!
• Symptoms may fluctuate Symptoms such as round ligament pain, swelling and varicose veins may appear from time to time. By the way, your belly is probably too prominent to hide anymore.
• Important Ultrasound Appointment: Your 20-week ultrasound (aka an anatomical scan) should be scheduled in the next week or so. Get ready to see your baby on the screen!
• Time to sleep on your side: From week 18 onwards, you should avoid sleeping on your back. Your baby (and uterus) are growing enough to put pressure on the large blood vessels in your abdomen, which can reduce the amount of blood flow to your heart and cause dizziness or low blood pressure. Although it sounds scary, it can be completely avoided by sleeping on your side.
• Don’t Forget to Rest: At 18 weeks pregnant, your body and mind are going through a busy time, so make sure you give yourself time to take a break and relax.

Baby Development in the 18th Week of Pregnancy

What is your baby doing in the womb in the 18th week of pregnancy? Your baby is exercising its muscles and practicing various movements. Right now he is developing reflexes, from yawning and hiccupping to sucking and swallowing. He’s also turning, rolling, punching and kicking – and now that he’s big enough, you may be able to feel these movements!

Over the past few weeks, your baby’s hearing has begun to develop, and by week 18, he or she may begin to hear some sounds in the womb (such as the heartbeat). His ears have moved to the sides of his head, settling into their final positions; meanwhile, nerve and bone development is progressing in the inner and middle ear.

Do you want to find out the sex of your baby? Now you can find out with an ultrasound: The baby’s external genitalia are fully developed and the penis or clitoris can be seen on ultrasound (but some babies don’t cooperate on ultrasound!). If you are expecting a girl, the main organs of the reproductive system – the fallopian tubes and the uterus – are in place.

What Does an 18-Week Baby Look Like?

At 18 weeks pregnant, your baby is the size of a cucumber. It is about 15 centimeters long, weighs about 156 grams and continues to grow rapidly. This may be why you often feel hungry!

What does an 18-week-old baby look like in utero?

Your baby’s face and head are starting to take shape. The facial features and ears are coming into place – but you’ll have to wait a little longer to see whose eyes or nose they look like! Also, an 18-week-old fetus now has a working digestive system and is developing a thin layer of hair called lanugo, which covers its entire body.

How many months is 18 weeks pregnant?

18 weeks pregnant means you are four months pregnant. Since your pregnancy lasts 40 weeks in total, at 18 weeks you are almost halfway through!

18th Week of Pregnancy – Ultrasound

At 18 weeks pregnant, your detailed ultrasound appointment will take place in the coming weeks. A mid-pregnancy ultrasound (also known as an anatomical scan, second-level ultrasound or detailed ultrasound) is a detailed examination of the baby’s entire body. During this ultrasound, the baby is measured and checked for proper development. The development of the main organs is examined, the amniotic fluid, the position of the placenta and the baby’s heart rate are assessed to confirm the baby’s healthy development.

If you have twins, there is a membrane between the two fetuses that separates them. As the twins move in the womb, this membrane can shift slightly and you can see this during the ultrasound. If you are carrying twins or more, the anatomy of all the babies will be scanned at one appointment.

If you want to know the sex of your baby, the doctor can determine it with 95-100% accuracy, provided the baby is in a favorable position. However, some babies may not cooperate!

18th Week of Pregnancy Pregnancy Symptoms

As you prepare for your baby, you may also experience some unpleasant symptoms. Here are some common symptoms you may experience this week:

• Swollen feet and/or hands: Swelling is a common symptom of pregnancy. If you notice sudden or excessive swelling, notify your doctor immediately.
• Back Pains As your baby puts pressure on your body, you may experience back pain. It can also affect the posture of the pregnant woman, which can lead to back pain.
• Leg Cramps Cramps can be a sign of dehydration, so drink lots of water!
• Varicose veins: To get rid of these blue or purple veins, which become visible due to the extra pressure on the blood circulation, change your position often, elevate your legs, get plenty of exercise and avoid tight clothing.
• Sleep Problems: Your mind may be constantly active and your body increasingly disturbed, which can disrupt your sleep patterns.
• Nosebleeds Increased blood pressure can put pressure on the nasal vessels, leading to frequent nosebleeds. When you have a nosebleed, you can stop the bleeding by holding your nose tightly for 10-15 minutes; a cold compress can also help.
• Baby Kicks Whether you’re carrying twins, triplets or a single baby, you may feel the tiny wiggles turn into more pronounced kicks.

How Do You Feel in the 18th Week of Pregnancy?

If you’re feeling tired and achy, you’re not alone – the symptoms of the 18th week can be really exhausting! So make sure you eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. If you’re not experiencing common symptoms, you can use your energy to start preparing for the birth of your baby. Another thing to do is to take a look at your maternity clothes; your 18-week pregnant belly may be starting to show!

Mother’s abdomen in the 18th week of pregnancy

Your belly is expanding rapidly and this expansion brings with it many symptoms. For women with a normal body mass index, a weight gain of about 0.5-1 kg per week is recommended. If you are concerned about your weight gain, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor. Sudden or excessive weight gain or weight loss can be a sign of a problem.

If you are 18 weeks pregnant and still don’t have a prominent belly, don’t worry. Remember: Every pregnant body is different and your uterus may grow up and out of the pelvis at different times to other pregnant women.

Recommendations for the 18th week of pregnancy

Supportive Nutrition to Prevent Cramps: In addition to drinking plenty of water, you should also include the right foods in your diet to prevent cramps. Foods containing calcium, magnesium and potassium can be found in prenatal vitamins or fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pamper your feet: Your feet may swell due to the extra fluid you are carrying in your body to support the baby and gravity can make this difficult. To relax, you can rest your feet by elevating them above the level of your heart. If the swelling is excessive or you need to stand all the time, you can try using compression socks.

Do some stretches: You can do a few simple yoga-style stretches to relieve your aching back. By placing your hands and knees on the floor, keeping your back straight and getting into a cat position, you can roll your back upwards and gently pull your belly up. You can hold this position for a few seconds and then return to a flat position. Child’s pose is also a great option and very relaxing!

Get a Maternity Pillow: If you want a good night’s sleep, try using a pregnancy pillow. At 18 weeks pregnant, it provides a comfortable sleeping position for your belly by turning on its side and can also relieve back and hip pain.

Frequently Asked Questions: 18th Week Pregnancy Questions

We leave below some common questions you may have for the 18th week of pregnancy and their answers: