18th week of pregnancy: how the fetus develops and what happens in the body

By this time, many expectant mothers experience significant relief. Toxicosis has already completely retreated, the body has gotten used to pregnancy. Appetite gradually increases, and hair and skin return to normal.

18th week of pregnancy - sensations

However, standing or sitting for long periods of time can cause back pain. The reason for this is a shift in the center of gravity. An enlarged belly forces you to lean your body back a little to maintain balance. As a result, the load on the spine increases. But there are several methods to reduce pain or get rid of it altogether.

Try to keep your body active. Exercise physical education unless your doctor prohibits you from doing so. Swimming is especially good for keeping your body in shape. Wearing a special bandage for pregnant women also effectively reduces the load. To rest, lie on your side, thereby reducing the stress on your back.

In addition to your belly size, your leg size may increase. The reason for this phenomenon is swelling. There may also be some loss of vision. But don’t be afraid, after giving birth everything should be restored.

Be sure to eat well. The baby takes from your body the substances it needs for full development. Therefore, you should not skimp on food. Don't eat large portions. Just increase the number of meals. This way you can get rid of abdominal discomfort. You will not be bothered by heartburn, gas or constipation.

During this time, your weight should increase by 4-6 kilograms. By the shape of your belly you can understand what position your future baby is currently in. The enlarging uterus now occupies most of the abdominal cavity. This may cause some discomfort during sleep. To correct the situation a little, use a special device in the form of a pregnancy pillow.

If you still haven’t felt your baby’s first movement, perhaps this will happen at the eighteenth week. This is especially likely for women who are not pregnant with their first child.

18th week of pregnancy - what happens to the baby

The baby's growth process at the eighteenth week is slow. Now he has grown to about fourteen centimeters, and his weight has increased to 200 grams. He already definitely looks like a fully formed man in appearance. He has a more proportional body. The fingers have individual papillary lines. The face resembles the features of a newborn baby.

The baby is now more active. Although he has grown, there is enough space in the uterus, so he can move his limbs freely, roll over and somersault.

The main changes that occur with the child at this stage:

• The baby feels the difference between darkness and light, although his eyes are still closed.
• His bones are gradually becoming stronger.
• The baby's hearing improves. He can distinguish his mother's voice and is frightened by loud and sharp sounds.
• Gradually, the thickness of his fat layer increases.
• Nowadays the development of the nervous system is especially active. Therefore, the emotional state of the expectant mother is extremely important.
• This week the design of the genitals is completed. Therefore, it is now possible to determine gender using ultrasound quite accurately.
• The formation of the child’s immunity is finally completed.
• An ultrasound at this stage can show the baby’s active facial expressions. On the screen you can watch him smile or frown, yawn or suck his fingers.

18th week of pregnancy - what happens to mom

Now the uterus has already increased significantly. Its bottom is located almost at the level of the navel and puts pressure on this area from the inside. In this regard, a woman may feel some discomfort in the abdominal area. The size of the uterus has reached the size of an average melon and continues to increase further, growing upward and wider. This leads to the fact that it is almost impossible to hide the belly protruding forward.

At this time, a second ultrasound examination is usually prescribed. The doctor determines the sex of the child, evaluates the main indicators of fetal formation, its height and weight. Now the goal of this study is to identify possible malformations and defects in the development of the baby. In this case, the kidneys, heart, and brain are examined especially carefully. This study also determines the presence or absence of Down syndrome in the fetus.

In addition to the fetus itself, the condition of the placenta and umbilical cord is carefully analyzed. The doctor measures the circumference of the child's head, the size of his main bones, and the size of his tummy. If parents wish, they can conduct a three-dimensional ultrasound and record its progress and results on digital media as a keepsake.

In the normal course of pregnancy, there should be practically no pregnancy now discharge from the genitals of a woman. That small amount of discharge should be of normal consistency, light in color and without an unpleasant odor. If there is any deviation from this norm, you should immediately consult a doctor. This may indicate illness, infection, or a problem with the pregnancy. Particularly dangerous is bloody discharge, which may be a sign of placental abruption or incipient spontaneous interruption   pregnancy. Previous article