18 weeks pregnant: how the fetus develops and what happens in the body

By this time, many expectant mothers are experiencing significant relief. Toxicosis already completely receded, the body got used to pregnancy. Appetite gradually increases, and hair and skin return to normal.

18 week of pregnancy - sensations

However, prolonged standing or sitting can provoke back pain. The reason for this is the shift in the center of gravity. The enlarged abdomen forces the body to lean 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. Engage physical education unless your doctor tells you to. Swimming is especially good for keeping the body in shape. Wearing a special maternity bandage also effectively reduces the stress. Lie on your side to rest, thus reducing the strain on your back.

In addition to the size of your belly, your leg size may increase. The reason for this is swelling. Some decrease in vision is also possible. But do not be afraid, after childbirth everything should be restored.

Be sure to eat well. The kid takes from your body the substances it needs for full development. Therefore, you should not save on food. Do not eat in large portions. Just increase the number of meals. This can help relieve abdominal discomfort. You won't be bothered by heartburn, gas, or constipation.

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

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

18 weeks pregnant - what happens to the baby

The growth process of a baby at the eighteenth week is slow. Now it has grown to about fourteen centimeters, and its weight has increased to 200 grams. He already looks exactly like a fully formed externally human. He has a more proportional body. There are individual papillary lines on the fingers. The face resembles the features of a newborn baby.

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

The main changes taking place with the child during this period:

• The kid can feel the difference between darkness and light, although his eyes are still closed.
• His bones are gradually getting stronger.
• The crumbs are improving their hearing. He can distinguish his mother's voice and is frightened by loud and harsh sounds.
• Gradually, the thickness of the fat layer increases.
• Now the development of the nervous system is especially active. Therefore, the emotional state of the expectant mother is extremely important.
• This week the genitals are finalizing. Therefore, now it is possible to determine the gender with the help of ultrasound quite accurately.
• The formation of the child's immunity is finally completed.
• Ultrasound at this time can show the active facial expressions of the baby. On the screen, you can watch him smiling or frowning, yawning or sucking his fingers.

18 weeks pregnant - what's going on with mom

Now the uterus has already increased significantly. Its bottom is located almost at the level of the navel and presses on this area from the inside. In this regard, a woman may feel some discomfort in the abdomen. The size of the uterus has reached the size of an average melon and continues to grow further, expanding upward and in breadth. 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, assesses the main indicators of the formation of the fetus, its height and weight. Now the purpose of this study is to identify possible defects and defects in the development of the baby. In this case, the kidneys, heart, and brain are especially carefully examined. Also, this study determines the presence or absence of Down syndrome in the fetus.

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

In the normal course of pregnancy, there should now be practically no secretions from the genitals of a woman. That small amount of discharge should be of normal consistency, light in color and without an unpleasant odor. In case of any deviation from this norm, an urgent need to consult a doctor. This could indicate an illness, infection, or a pregnancy problem. Bloody discharge is especially dangerous, which can be a sign of placental abruption or the beginning spontaneous interruption pregnancy.