What Baby Looks Like in Womb at 18 Weeks

Week 18 – your second trimester

You may feel your baby move for the showtime fourth dimension around now. If yous are feeling something now, information technology may experience similar a gentle fluttering sensation.

What's happening in my body?

You lot might exist starting to feel a bit clumsier as your belly gets bigger. Your breasts may accept gone up a size, too, specially if information technology'due south your first pregnancy. Your blood pressure is probably a bit lower than it was, and so exercise not leap up from the sofa, or it could make you lot feel dizzy.

Your baby has been moving around for the by couple of months, but you probably will not take noticed. You lot may beginning feeling some movement at present though – it feels like a bubbling or fluttering within your belly.

Yous may also notice a line down your stomach, chosen the linea nigra (Latin for "black line"). This is normal skin pigmentation and nothing to worry about. It will probably vanish a few months after the birth.

Your anomaly scan

Yous'll exist offered an anomaly scan at effectually 18 to 20 weeks. This is a scan that looks at your baby in item to meet if there is anything unusual about their development and appearance. Information technology can selection up a range of conditions, but not all of them.

The scan will non hurt you or your infant, but it may feel a bit uncomfortable as the sonographer may have to employ a bit of pressure on your stomach to get the all-time possible view.

Read more well-nigh why scans are offered and what they involve on the NCT website.

Is it a male child or a daughter?

The sonographer may exist able to tell you at this browse, but not anybody wants to know, and it'southward not always the hospital policy to reveal the sex activity of the infant. If y'all do not want to know, tell them before y'all start of your scan date.

Free prescriptions and dental care

Did you lot know that prescriptions are free during pregnancy? NHS dental treatment is as well gratis. You simply need a Maternity Exemption Document or card (MatEx). Ask your midwife, GP or health visitor for the application form FW8. Your certificate volition be valid for upwardly to a year later on your infant's due appointment or date of nativity.

Second trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 18 weeks)

Hopefully yous are feeling more energetic and able to manage your pregnancy symptoms now. If you are struggling with twenty-four hours-to-mean solar day life, talk to your midwife or doctor, they are in that location to support you.

Your signs of pregnancy could include:

• stretch marks
• tiredness and sleeping problems
• swollen and haemorrhage gums
• pains on the side of your abdomen, acquired past your expanding womb (known every bit "circular ligament pains")
• headaches
• nosebleeds
• bloating and constipation
• indigestion and heartburn
• sore breasts
• leg cramps
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections
• darkened skin on your face or dark-brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair
• symptoms from earlier weeks, such as morning sickness, weird pregnancy cravings, a heightened sense of smell, mood swings, a white milky pregnancy belch from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical communication for any bleeding)

Tommy's, the baby charity, has a farther list of common symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your babe, or foetus, is around 14.2cm long from head to bottom, and weighs around 190g. That's approximately the size and weight of a sweet red pepper.

Your baby'southward hearing, feeling, swallowing and sucking reflexes are developing this week. They will also be doing a lot of wriggling around and moving their artillery and legs.

Activity stations

Many women volition tell their employer after they've had their outset pregnancy scan at effectually 12 weeks. Once you tell your employer, you have maternity rights and tin attend antenatal appointments during paid work time. You can also ask for a take a chance assessment of your workplace to ensure that y'all're working in a condom environment.

It's a skilful time to tone up those muscles "downwards under". Gentle exercises tin can help to prevent leakage when yous laugh, sneeze or coughing. Go the muscles going past pretending that you lot're having a wee and stopping midflow. Visit Tommy's for more than ideas.

Nosotros can usually get enough vitamin D from sunlight, but betwixt October and March it's best to accept a vitamin D supplement every mean solar day. But 10 micrograms is all you demand (information technology'south the same for grown-ups and kids). It's worth checking if y'all're entitled to gratis vitamins.

It's recommended that pregnant women practise 150 minutes of practise throughout the week. You lot could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps accept a brisk walk exterior. Check out Sport England'south #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy department). Listen to your trunk and do what feels right for you.

Don't eat for two! Eat for you. You don't need whatever extra calories until the third trimester, which starts in week 28. Endeavor to eat healthily, with enough of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. Yous may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

What Baby Looks Like in Womb at 18 Weeks

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/2nd-trimester/week-18/

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