The 18th week of pregnancy – in anticipation of the baby’s first movements

The 18th week of pregnancy – what month is it?

Week 18. That’s almost halfway through the pregnancy. The 5th is about to begin. A month in which the baby will continue to grow very intensively. From 18. of the week can be carried out midline ultrasound (USG). The mother-to-be can expect to know the sex of the baby, although a clear assessment is usually given by the doctor around the 19th-20thweek, when the fetus will have fully developed genital organs.

The body at 18 weeks of pregnancy – what does the belly of a future mother look like and what is happening in it?

W 18. A week of pregnancy, the bottom of the uterus almost reaches the navel, and the abdomen becomes more and more visible. The woman still manages to hide it under loose clothing, while in a while this will no longer be possible. It is worth realizing that in some ladies the abdomen may be smaller – as this is an individual issue. The baby’s weight at the moment is about 190 g, its length is 14 cm. The toddler resembles a bell pepper or pomegranate by its size.

At this stage, there is less and less space in the uterus, so the mother-to-be (multiparous) begins to feel the baby’s movements. Previously, she could only feel movements in the form of a gentle tickle, but with 18 weeks of pregnancy they become more intense: the toddler begins to kick and train flicks. It is also increasingly sensitive to the pressure of fetal waters. With a kick, he can show his displeasure with too much pressure (for example, caused by mom’s clothes). In addition, the toddler manifests a certain diurnal rhythm, which can be sensed by his movements – at certain times of the day he is extremely busy, and at other times he shows no activity, as he is probably sleeping.

What does the baby look like at 18 weeks of pregnancy?

Child in 18. Week of pregnancy has increasingly better developed senses. It can hear the heartbeat, bowel movements and even the flow of blood. His body is also developing dynamically. They are covered by a special fetal ointment, which has a protective function, and a mesquite (lanugo).

Under the skin (still quite slowly) fat is deposited. The baby’s skin is still translucent. The hands and feet are formed. Fingerprint lines appear on the fingers. During the ultrasound examination in 18. The week of pregnancy you can see the baby making faces.

The most important organs are still developing and it will take some time for them to completely form. Nevertheless, there is no reason to worry – they still have about 20 weeks to go, after all.

Child development – myelination and brain formation

The fetal brain is developing very dynamically. At the beginning of the 5th. month Around the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord is formed the so-called. fatty sheath (myelin). Through it, the conduction of nerve impulses is possible, translating into intelligence and a faster flow of information in the child’s brain. The formation of the entire nervous system will continue throughout the rest of the pregnancy and will not be completed until after the child’s first year.

How does the digestive system work during the 18th week of pregnancy?

In the digestive system, the pancreas and liver begin to work, meconium is formed – which is the first poop that indicates the work of the intestines. In addition, at this time the gallbladder begins to function. The bile that is produced in this organ is designed to digest nutrients.

The 18th week of the baby’s life and its heart

The baby’s heart is already very well formed, making it possible to identify any defects. This is especially important because modern medicine is able to eliminate a sizable portion of them already at the stage of pregnancy. Intrauterine correction includes many defects, such as aortic valve stenosis. With prenatal diagnosis and treatment, the number of later cardiac problems can be significantly reduced.

Baby’s urinary and genital tract with 18 weeks of pregnancy

A filled bladder can be seen during an ultrasound in almost all children. This is urine formed from amniotic fluid, which the baby swallows. The genital organs are still developing – in girls the uterus is forming, while in boys the prostate gland is forming.

Self-image of the mother-to-be at 18. week of pregnancy

Week 18. is the time when the mother-to-be should slowly think about buying maternity clothes. The belly is growing all the time, and the center of gravity is shifting, so the pregnant woman begins to experience spinal discomforts, such as lower back pain. The uterus rises higher and presses on the stomach, causing a woman to experience heartburn problems. Therefore, this is the last bell to give up strong coffee, tea, fried foods, sweets and sodas. It is also not uncommon to experience abdominal pain, a consequence of the uterus growing larger and stretching the ligaments that support it. This is a common occurrence especially in women who have a retroverted uterus.

The vaginal pH may change during this time. Therefore, there is a likelihood that various types of discharge will begin to appear. It is therefore necessary to maintain the highest possible level of hygiene to minimize the risk of infection.

During this period of pregnancy, the circulatory system of the mother-to-be undergoes many changes – the volume of blood increases and blood vessels dilate. Such a phenomenon can contribute to a decrease in blood pressure and consequently cause dizziness, which in most cases is completely normal and harmless.

How to take care of yourself at 18 weeks of pregnancy? Tips for moms-to-be

Many women wonder what to do to avoid gaining weight for the duration of pregnancy – especially since then they are accompanied by a wolfish appetite. It is important to remember that it is necessary to plan the daily menu thoughtfully in order to provide yourself and the baby with the necessary nutrients. Advanced overweight is not advisable both during pregnancy and after the birth of the child, so as far as possible, control the energy of meals and try not to lead to a caloric surplus. To do this, you can go for a consultation with a nutritionist who specializes in arranging diets for pregnant women.

Watch out for excess body fat! If the birth for some reason is realized by cesarean section, the healing of the surgical wound will be much worse.

At 18 weeks of pregnancy, it is not uncommon for a woman to experience back pain – especially lower back pain. For this reason, she should rest as much as possible in a reclining and semi-reclining position, while also doing a lot of walking and swimming or practicing strengthening and stretching exercises. The parent may also consider visiting a physical therapist who will select the appropriate physical activity individually for her and her abilities.

Most women struggle with swelling in their ankles and feet as early as 18 weeks. This is due to an altered metabolic economy – the body begins to store too much water. Various types of massages or lymphatic drainage can be helpful, as such treatments stimulate tissue metabolism. It’s also worth considering a change of footwear, as the shoes you’ve been wearing so far may be too tight, causing discomfort.

The fifth month of pregnancy is when clothes that are too tight can interfere with the baby. For this reason, it is recommended that you adjust your closet – clothes should be loose and, above all, comfortable . Proper hygiene is also essential – it should be maintained at the highest possible level.

If you are considering whether to enroll in a birthing school, wait with that decision. It is advisable to go to such classes in advance, for example. The 27th week of pregnancy, that is, in the second trimester, because then the woman already begins to feel much better than before.

 The 18th week of pregnancy – what tests to perform?

This stage of pregnancy is the ideal time to sign up for an ultrasound to assess fetal development. According to the recommendations of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, this examination should be performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, if a woman has the opportunity, it is worthwhile for her to think about the appointment beforehand. Such a check is to see if there are any birth defects in the child.

The doctor then assesses the approximate fetal weight, gestational age and position of the baby, and the analysis is performed:

• Head: skull, brain and face;
• Neck and chest: ribs, lungs, and heart;
• Abdominal cavity: digestive system, urinary system and sexual system;
• Skeletal system: spine, hand and foot bones.

In addition, a 4D ultrasound can also be performed, which shows the baby’s body surface, behavior, facial expressions and movements. Many women find this an amazing experience, which creates a deeper bond between mother and baby. Such an examination allows recording a visible image, which is sure to be a touching souvenir.

FAQ:

• What is the size and weight of the baby at 18 weeks of pregnancy?

As time goes by, the baby is getting bigger – its length at 18 weeks is 14 cm, while its weight is about 190 g. We can compare its size to a pomegranate fruit, a bell pepper, or even a soccer ball. The mother’s belly at 18 weeks of pregnancy becomes rounded and may already be noticeable by others.

• What symptoms are manifested by the 18th. week of pregnancy?

Back pain, dizziness and abdominal discomforts are typical symptoms that a mom-to-be can expect at 18 weeks of pregnancy. In addition, there may be swelling in the legs and ankles and memory deterioration, which are the result of changes in the circulatory system and hormonal chaos in the body.

• What should the diet look like at 18 weeks of pregnancy?

The diet should be rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help the child develop properly. It is very important to take care of the appropriate caloric content of the menu, because a large excess of body fat can pose a threat to the development of pregnancy