18 Weeks Pregnant : What to Expect
Reviewed by Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway, OB/GYN
During the 18th week of pregnancy, some women experience an increased appetite. Make sure that you try to eat healthy foods that are high in fiber. Take a look at our Pregnancy Health and Nutrition article to help you break down the five food groups and learn about foods that can either benefit or harm your baby. The most important thing right now is your baby, and everything you consume affects your baby’s development.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 18 Weeks
Your waistline is probably expanding greatly during this week. If you take two fingers and place them just below your belly, you can feel your uterus. It’s still the size of a cantaloupe, and is part of the reason why you’re starting to show. Some women have gained up to 13 pounds by the 18th week; however, every mom-to-be varies, so if you’ve gained more or less, talk with your doctor to ensure you are on a healthy track. You might notice increased trips to the restroom, so before you lie down or get comfortable, you might want to just make it a habit to use the restroom first. Some women 18 weeks pregnant may experience symptoms of dizzy or light-headedness. You can relieve dizziness by changing positions while standing, sitting down, and/or not moving too quickly. Stretch marks may become more prominent as your belly stretches, and itching may increase if rashes form. Indigestion, constipation, and heartburn are also problems some expecting mothers face during this point of the pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to find ways to relieve these symptoms.
Baby’s Development
As your baby’s bones ossify, or harden, the legs are affected first. The bones in the inner ears also harden and your baby’s hearing becomes much more prominent. You’ll find that your baby starts to kick and react to loud sounds as the part of the brain that sends and receives nerve signals develops. At 5 ½ inches long and weighing 5.25 ounces, your baby’s growth slows during this week, as well in the weeks to come. Instead, they are moving around, doing things such as crossing their legs, bending their limbs and joints, and doing somersaults. If you’re having a girl, during this week her uterus and fallopian tubes will form and move into the correct positions.
Pregnancy Week 18 Tips
If this is your first pregnancy and your anxiety levels are up due to waiting for movements or signals from your baby, try to relax. Most women do not feel their baby’s intentional movements until it’s a bit bigger. By strict definition, fetal movement is not expected until 23 weeks but many women feel it sooner. As the following weeks come and go, you will start to feel little kicks and turns as your baby becomes bigger and more active. Stretch marks are going to occur but using skin care products designed specifically for pregnant women may help. A good example is Palmers Cocoa Butter. Next is pregnancy at 19 weeks.
