Week 18 of pregnancy
What's Happening with Baby
Your baby is becoming more active and is developing distinct patterns, now having regular sleep and wake cycles throughout the day. You might even find that loud noises or your own movements can startle your baby awake. Their skin is now covered in lanugo, a soft, fine hair that helps protect their skin and keep them warm in the womb.
Your baby is now about 5 1/2 inches long (about the size of a sweet potato or a bell pepper) and weighs around 6 3/4 ounces. Facial features are becoming more defined as the eyes have moved to the front of the face, and delicate eyebrows and eyelashes are beginning to form. The ears are now in their final position, looking much more human.
What You Might Experience
As your baby grows, so does your uterus! It is now roughly the size of a coconut and can likely be felt about an inch and a half below your belly button. Around this time, some women, especially those in a second pregnancy, may start to feel the very first, subtle flutters of their baby's movements, often called "quickening." Don't worry if you haven't felt anything yet; it's very common not to feel movement for a few more weeks, especially for first-time moms.
You might also experience some dizziness when standing up too quickly due to changes in your circulation, or perhaps some mild backaches as your center of gravity shifts.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
This week may be very exciting, as it's often when the mid-pregnancy ultrasound (or anatomy scan) is scheduled. This is a detailed scan where you can "see" your baby's progress, and the technician will check on their development.
If you and your doctor have discussed an amniocentesis, this is typically the window of time (between weeks 16-18) when the procedure is performed.
Continue to focus on a balanced diet. It’s a good practice to include a portion of the cereal or grain group in all your meals, as this can help with the absorption of vegetable proteins. If you are a strict vegetarian, you can often substitute dairy products with fortified soy milk and other soy products to ensure you're getting the necessary nutrients.
Week 18 Photos
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