18 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms And Baby Development

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How Many Months Pregnant Are You At 18 Weeks?

At 18 weeks, you are in thesecond trimesterand four-and-a-half months pregnant. Your energy levels can be slightly higher now, and you may start to feel your baby’s first moves.

Here, MomJunction explains more about fetal development and the changes that you experience in this week.

How Big Is The Baby At 18 Weeks?

At 18 weeks, babies are as big as a bell pepper and usually measure around 5.6in (14.2cm) in length and weigh around 6.7oz (190g) (1).Your baby’s growth continues with the development of different parts of the body.

Baby’s Development At 18 Weeks

Here is how the baby’s body is developing in this week:

Body parts	Developmental stage
Skin	Is wrinkled and coated with a waxy substance called vernix. Fine hair called lanugo is also visible.
Ear	Bones of the middle ear and nerve endings from the brain are developing, so your baby might begin hearing (2).
Eyes	The retina is developing. It can respond to a beam of light.
Bones	Begin to harden in the clavicles and legs.
Nerves	Gets covered with a tissue coating called myelin (3).
Fingers	Unique fingerprints are formed.
Lungs	Breathing passages are being developed to form the bronchial tree (4).
Nails	Finger and toenails are developed to the tip (5).
Mouth	Swallowing and sucking movements start. Some babies can also get hiccups.
Liver and pancreas	Produce secretions (6).
Genitals	Can be seen through an ultrasound scan.

Fetal Movement In The 18th Week Of Pregnancy

The fetal movement can usually be felt between the 18th and 20th week (7). The movements might feel like a flutter, swish, or roll. Most women may not be able to identify the baby’s movements, also called quickening, and may mistake it for gas.As the baby grows, it becomes more active, and the movements inside are more prominent.

With the baby growing and possibly moving, you will also experience certain changes in your body at this time.

Symptoms You Will Experience In The 18th Week Of Pregnancy

The common pregnancy symptoms that you may experience during the 18th week are:

1. Weight gain:An average weight gain of one to two pounds per week during the second trimester of pregnancy is considered safe, as recommended by the American Pregnancy Association (APA) (8).However, in case of women who have BMI less than 18.5 and greater than 24.9, the recommended weight gain rates usually range in between 0.5 to one pound.

BMI	>18.5 (underweight)	18.5 – 24.9 (normal weight)	25 – 29.9 (overweight)	30 and higher (obese)
Weight /week	1 ½ pound	1 pound	⅔ pound	½ pound

2. Frequent urination:The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, which increases the frequency of urination.

3. Constipation:TheprogesteroneⁱXA female hormone responsible for menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeedinghormone relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract. The food thus remains in the tract for a longer time so that maximum nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.Due to less movement of the intestines, constipation may occur.

4. Dizziness:The increasing size of the uterus compresses the blood vessels and limits the blood flow to the brain, causing fatigue or lightheadedness.Sometimes staying hungry for a long time can also contribute to lightheadedness. Make sure that you eat properly and drink water to keep the body hydrated.

5. Backache:The growing uterus shifts the body’s center of gravity, exerting pressure on the lower back, causing backache.

6. Stuffy nose:Hormonal changes can result in more blood flow to the mucous membranes, making them swell and soften, causingstuffy noseand congestion. Increased pressure on the veins in the nostrils can lead to nosebleeds.

7. Leg cramps:The growing uterus causes compression of the blood vessels leading to leg cramps, usually experienced at night.

8. Heartburn:The gastric fluids are pushed upwards to the esophagus as the stomach is pushed towards the diaphragm by the growing uterus.

9. Trouble sleeping:With the backaches, hip pain, and leg cramps, you may have trouble sleeping. Using a pillow around the stomach and between the legs can offer some relief.

10. Edema:Water retention in the body can cause swelling of the feet and hands.

11. Varicose veins:多余的血液流向身体的下部ads to swelling of the nerves in your legs, also called varicose veins.

Besides these, you may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as morning sickness and weird pregnancy cravings. Overall, physical and emotional changes in the body at this time give away that you are pregnant. Read about them next.

Changes In The Body At 18 Weeks

Physical changes

• Enlarged breast:The breasts become swollen and tender, as the body prepares them for breastfeeding.

• Growing belly:The tummy protrudes, and you can feelthe uterusbetween the pubic bone and the navel.

• Linea nigra:The line,going down from the naval to the pubis,gets darker due to pigmentation.

• Stretch marks:The growing uterus stretches the skin, creatingstretch markson the belly.

• Shinier hair:Change in hormonal levels reduces hair fall. The hair looks fuller and shinier.

Emotional changes

• Mood swings, due to hormonal changes.

• Weird dreams, due to pregnancy-related fears and anticipations.

• Anxiety

The 18th week is more or less a safe zone for you and your baby, with few chances of a miscarriage. However, it cannot be entirely ruled out.

Is There Any Risk Of Miscarriage At 18 Weeks?

At the 18th week of pregnancy, miscarriage is rare but the chances cannot be overlooked.

• About 1 to 5% of pregnancy losses occur between the 13th and 19th week of gestation.

• 有24%的可能性在sec怀孕的损失ond trimester because of the chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomies 13, 18, and 21, sex chromosome polysomies, and monosomy X (Turner syndrome).

• Structural abnormalities also cause pregnancy loss. It may be due to theamniotic band syndromeⁱXA congenital disorder when the fibrous bands of the amniotic sac entangle around the body parts of the developing fetus,neural tube defectsⁱXSevere birth abnormalities of the central nervous system that develop early during pregnancy, maternal exposure toteratogensⁱXToxic substances, fetal exposure to which may cause congenital abnormalities in the babyor uncontrolled maternal diabetes at the time of conception.

• Cervical insufficiency with painless cervical dilation, maternal history ofthrombosisⁱXFormation of one or more blood clots in the blood vessels, maternal hypertension, and physical abuse can alsolead to miscarriageduring the second trimester.

• Miscarriage can happen due to an infection such asbacterial vaginosis. If miscarriage occurs, you may need to stay longer in the hospital for adilation and curettageⁱXA procedure where the cervix is dilated and the uterine tissue is scraped with a sharp instrument for diagnosis or treatment(D&C) procedure.

Other causes of miscarriage include:

• Immunity issues

• Maternal hormonal abnormalities

• Stress

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Erratic lifestyle

Signs Of Miscarriage At 18 Weeks

Common symptoms of a miscarriage in this week are:

• Intense pain along with cramps.

• Vaginal bleeding. The intensity of bleeding can vary for different women.

• In some cases, a miscarriage may take place without any signs and can be confirmed only during an ultrasound scan. That is called a missed miscarriage.

如果你担心这可能是流产or are feeling highly uncomfortable, go to your doctor immediately.

When To Call The Doctor

If you experience the following symptoms then make sure to call your obstetrician right away (10):

• 发烧(100。4 degrees or higher)

• Pelvic pain other than cramping

• Less urination or dark colored urine

• Severe vomiting

• Feeling unconscious

If there are no signs of a miscarriage, schedule a regular OB/GYN visit.

Your OB/GYN Visit

Your prenatal visit this week will include:

• Weight check

• Blood pressure

• Measure the height of the fundus

• Ultrasound scan:The second-trimester ultrasound screening, also called an anomaly scan, is done around this week. A level II sonogram may be offered to have a close look at the baby’s organ developments. It also gives information about the placental appearance and position, as well as the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus.

• Maternal serum screening (MSS test):It is a blood test done at 15 and 20 weeks +6 days. The second trimester MSS test helps in determining the risk ofDown syndromeⁱXChromosomal disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in intellectual impairment and short stature,Edward syndromeⁱXA chromosomal condition characterized by anomalies in several body parts and delayed growth due to an extra copy of chromosome 18and neural tube defects likespina bifidaⁱXA congenital disorder where the spinal cord doesn't fully develop, leading to physical and neurological complicationsin the fetus. It is a part of triple or quad screen test used to determine the risk of abnormalities in the fetus.

• Alpha-fetoprotein test:It determines the amount ofalpha-fetoproteinⁱXA protein produced by the fetus’s liver, abnormal levels of which may indicate birth defects or genetic disordersin the mother’s blood. It is done to assess the risk of neural tube defects and chromosomal disorders in the fetus.

If everything is normal, continue following a healthy lifestyle and diet. Next, we have a few tips to help you with that.

Tips To Follow

Here are a few tips to follow for a healthy pregnancy:

• Follow a good lifestyle and eat home cooked food.

• Don’t give in to your cravings and overindulge in unhealthy foods.

• Stay hydrated.

• Eat small meals at regular intervals to manage morning sickness

• 包括谷物(如谷类、面包、意大利面、和里克e), vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products, meat, and beans in your meal.

• Engage in moderate physical activities like walking. Staying active during pregnancy boosts your energy levels and may help ease labor.

• Quit smoking, illicit drugs, and drinking alcohol as it can affect the growth of the fetus.

• Maintain oral hygiene.

• Keep stress at bay.

• Wear loose, breathable maternity clothes that support your baby bump and comfortable slippers or shoes.

• Get enough rest.

• Do not skip your scheduled prenatal care visits and take your prenatal vitamins regularly.

• Do not take any medication without the doctor’s permission.

• Do not sit with legs crossed and avoid any faulty postures as it can cause a backache.

• Avoid fatty and oily foods to prevent heartburn.

• Consume more fiber to reduce constipation.

• If your work requires you to sit for a long time in one position, try to get up often and walk around a little every one hour.

• Spend more time with family and friends.

Also,

• Research about the best childbirth classes in your area.

• Do not miss any of the appointments with the doctor.

• Book appointment with a dentist for an oral checkup.

• Start reading pregnancy books and engage in activities that keep you happy.

Your partner can support you with these things and more. Keep reading to know how he can help you.

Tips For Dad-To-Be

Here’s what your partner can do:

• Share the responsibilities of the household chores.

• 创造一个舒适的环境。

• Accompany you to all the prenatal visits.

• Plan for maternal shopping.

• Give you a good neck and foot massage when you need one.

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