18 weeks in months means you are on the verge of month 5. This week, the baby at 18 weeks pregnancy has made remarkable growth. Know it all by reading on.
Baby Development:
Your baby is now size of a bell pepper
The 18-week fetus is the size of bell pepper. The baby’s reflexes like hearing, swallowing, and sucking are developing. Your baby is listening to your heartbeat and the blood gushing around it. Many moms start singing lullabies and start speaking to their baby at this stage. Protective layer around the nervous system has started developing. 18 weeks pregnant baby position in the womb might be favourable to detect the sex of the child. The 18 week ultrasound shows 18 weeks pregnant baby position, its body movements and yawning!
Body Changes
An 18 weeks pregnant belly is noticeable as the uterus has moved up and grown the size of a sweet potato to accommodate the growing baby. You might feel the uterus just below your navel. Your breasts have grown a size or two. Increased blood supply might reveal visible veins which are normal. Blood vessels have expanded due to increased blood flow which results in blood pressure drop.
Find your due date/Calculating your due date:
Unless you've been tracking your ovulation, for a health practitioner to exactly know when you ovulated and conceived is hard to say. Most women ovulate about two weeks after the first day of their period. So, to calculate a standard timing, most health practitioners calculate the due date from the first day of your last menstrual period.
18 weeks pregnant symptoms:
Here are a few number of common symptoms a woman may notice throughout her Pregnancy Symptoms Week 18.- Inflamed and bleeding gums
- Stretch marks & itchy abdomen
- Dizziness
- Swollen hands and feet
- Headaches
- Stuffy nose
- Bloating and constipation
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Leg cramps & backaches
- Darkened facial skin called 'mask of pregnancy'
- Thicker and shinier hair
- A heightened sense of smell
- Mood swings
Light cramps at 18 weeks pregnant are common but anything severe or vaginal bleeding must be reported to the doctor immediately.
Tips for You This Week
You can support your body to prepare for pregnancy by following the tips below:Always stand slowly after prolonged sitting or sleeping position as the blood pressure of the body is low at this stage. Try sleeping on your left side with a pillow between your knees and ankles. Sleep on a firm mattress. Avoid heavy lifting. Take prenatal vitamins. Wear loose fit breathable clothing to tackle the hot flushes. Stay away from skin or hair treatments involving harsh chemicals. Visit a dentist if you are experiencing bleeding gums. Stay away from X-rays.