Week 18 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 18

• Quickening refers to the early fluttery motions you experience. If you haven't felt a small jab yet, just be patient

• Baby is doing all kinds of feats in utero, including swallowing, hiccuping, and flipping!

• The symptoms will come and go. You may be having round ligament discomfort, oedema, and varicose veins. Meanwhile, that bump of yours is likely no longer in hidden mode

• Your all-important 20-week ultrasound (also known as an anatomy scan) should be scheduled within the next week or two! Get ready to see the baby on screen

• If you are in Week 18 of your pregnancy you are in the second trimester and in the fifth month

• 22 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 18

Your 18-week-old foetus is using their muscles and performing a variety of motions. Can you believe that an infant is yawning, hiccuping, sucking, and swallowing? They're also twisting, rolling, punching, and kicking, and they're prominent enough to feel!

Baby's hearing has been developing over the last several weeks, and at 18 weeks, the parts are in place for them to hear noises within the womb (such as your heartbeat). The ears, which had been gradually travelling to the sides of their head, are now fixed in place and protruding; in the meanwhile, more complicated nerve and bone growth is taking place in the middle and inner ear canal.

The baby's external genitalia are completely grown and visible by now.

The baby's face and head are developing. The facial features and ears are coming into shape, but you'll have to wait a bit to see whether they have your eyes or your partner's nose. An 18-week-old foetus also has a functional digestive system and a light layer of hair all over their body known as lanugo.

• Baby Weight- Around 190 grammes
• Baby Length- 5.6 inches long
• Baby Size- Comparable to cucumber or artichoke

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 18, your body experiences rapid changes. As your baby develops, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

• You may get leg cramps, but keeping hydrated can help
• There is a potential that you may get nasal bleeds during this period
• You may detect varicose veins growing, so elevate your legs and avoid tight shoes
• You may have difficulty sleeping or have interrupted sleep while your body prepares you for the early years of motherhood
• Your back may be aching. Hormones, your increasing tummy, and postural changes are to blame
• Water retention, or oedema, may cause your feet and hands to swell. Staying hydrated, reducing sodium consumption, and staying cool may all help. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns or develop severe or quick swelling
• As your baby's kicks get more powerful, you may feel uneasy, but this is a good sign, as it means the baby is developing

Body Changes This week

You may notice movements, including your baby twisting and turning or yawning.

With the expansion of your uterus and its valuable contents, you may experience backaches and muscular problems.

The hormone relaxin is to blame. It relaxes ligaments and loosens joints, which might alter your posture. With the increased weight, your back may start to suffer more than normal. Starting about 18 weeks pregnant, you should begin sleeping on your side rather than your back. That's because the baby (and your uterus) is growing large enough to push on huge veins at the back of your abdomen, reducing the quantity of blood flowing to your heart and making you feel lightheaded, or worse, decreasing your blood pressure. It sounds terrible, but it's completely avoidable by sleeping on your side. Your veins aren't the only things prone to pressure, you are as well! At this stage, there is a lot going on. Make sure you schedule time to take breaks and decompress.

18-Week Ultrasound

At 18 weeks pregnant, your major ultrasound is scheduled for the following several weeks. The mid-pregnancy ultrasound (also known as an anatomy scan or level two ultrasound) is a thorough examination of the baby's whole body. It's a very thorough look inside. Your foetus will be measured to ensure that their development is on track. Major organs will be assessed for optimal development. Amniotic fluid, placental location, and foetal heart rate will all be checked to ensure the baby's well-being.

If you're pregnant with twins, a membrane divides your two foetuses. As they squirm about in there, they will push fluid around and cause the membrane to shift somewhat, which you can definitely see on an ultrasound. Yes, if you are pregnant with twins (or other multiples), the anatomy of both (or all) infants will be scanned at the same session.

Your Baby Bump at Week 18

Your tummy is fast increasing, and the stretching and pressure it causes is what is generating those sensations.

Weight gain at this stage is advised to be up to 1 kg per week for women with a normal BMI, whether you are carrying one baby or twins. If you are concerned about your weight increase thus far, let your doctor know. Drastic or rapid weight increase or reduction may indicate an issue.

If you're 18 weeks pregnant and not showing much, everything is probably okay. Remember that every pregnant body is unique, and your uterus will develop and emerge from your pelvis at a somewhat different period than another pregnant woman's.

Tips for Week 18

Being 18 weeks pregnant is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. Here's some additional professional advice on how to transition to this new stage while keeping you and your baby safe.

• In addition to drinking enough water, you may avoid leg cramps by including essential nutrients in your daily diet. Make sure you're receiving enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium, either via your prenatal vitamins or from fresh fruits and vegetables
• Your feet may feel swollen due to the additional fluid you're carrying in your body to support the baby, and gravity isn't helping. You may find comfort by elevating your feet above heart level using pillows—another wonderful reason to relax and rest whenever possible! If you have a lot of oedema or are constantly on your feet, consider wearing compression socks
• Give your ailing back some TLC with a few basic yoga stretches that can relieve discomfort. Begin in a tabletop position on your hands and knees with a flat back, then circle your back upwards while gently pulling your stomach up in a cat stance. Hold for a few seconds before returning to the tabletop. Child's position is also great, and very soothing!
• Buy a pregnancy pillow
• If you want a nice night's sleep (and who doesn't?), consider buying a pregnancy pillow. It may help you sleep comfortably on your side to fit your tummy, as well as alleviate back and hip discomfort
• Consider doing prenatal exercises to manage back pain
• Stay active and continue with a healthy lifestyle

Checklist for Week 18

• Schedule or attend your anatomy scan
• Review your birth plan and preferences
• Read about what occurs during the mid-pregnancy ultrasound
• Research breast pumps
• Take advantage of this "honeymoon stage," schedule a date night, and enjoy intimacy with your partner
• Update your workout program to reflect your current needs

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 18 of Pregnancy

1. What are the best pregnant sleeping positions at this stage?
   In general, the ideal pregnancy sleep position is on your left side. However, it is critical to avoid lying on your back around the midway point of pregnancy in order to prevent compressing the vena cava, a major vein that transports blood to your heart and baby.
2. Can infants hear in the womb?
   At 18 weeks, your baby will be able to hear noises from your own body, such as your heartbeat, digestion, and blood flow. However, these sounds are just the beginning! Around 27 weeks, the baby will be able to hear sounds outside the womb, and its hearing skills will only improve. By the time a baby reaches full term, their hearing will be comparable to that of an adult, and they will be acquainted with the sound of your voice, any music you play on a regular basis, and any other noises that occur throughout your daily activities.