18 Weeks Pregnant – Pregnancy Symptoms and Baby Development

What’s new this week?

Your body

Haven’t you felt your baby wiggle yet? This could be the week! Many expectant mothers notice their child’s first movements — called acceleration — between their 16th and 20th week of pregnancy. Believe it or not, this was the first time women used to be sure they had kids! It may take some time to key in the sensation, especially if this is your first baby – so don’t worry if you don’t notice her kicks and squirms for several more weeks. Those first fetal movements often feel like gentle tapping or “butterflies” just above your pubic bone. In fact, they are subtle enough at this point to confuse them with gas or indigestion. But later on they become more regular or rhythmic enough that – wow! – they are an unmistakable and goosebump-inducing sign that your baby is really into it. (Be on the lookout for them after meals and at bedtime — occasions when many moms say their babies are particularly active.)

As your pregnancy progresses, those flutters will turn into full-fledged karate kicks and jabs. And as your baby tumbles around in it, you can watch the outside of your belly move and change shape. It’s a strange sensation to get used to, but also immensely amusing and reassuring.

DID YOU KNOW?

5-5½ inches

Height of your baby

5¼ ounces

Weight of your baby Gewicht

mango

Size of your baby

your baby

Until now, your baby’s bones were soft structures. But this week they begin the process of hardening or ossification. One of the first to get firmer is the bones in the legs and inner ear — and as the latter develops, something amazing happens. Further connections are made between the brain and ears and your baby will begin to hear! So dust off some of your old children’s books and start reading to her. It’s hard to know what might come through, but soft voices and music can’t hurt. By the time your baby is born, she will know – and respond to – the sound of your voice by heart. So cool! (Speaking of heart, that’s one of the first sounds she hears: the strong, steady thump of your beating.)

Your life right now

Around this week, many pregnant women suffer from severe back pain, even if they have not had back problems in the past and have not gained much weight yet. Back pain is very common during pregnancy. It’s even hard to find an expectant mother who hasn’t had it by the end of her life third trimester. You may notice anything from a light sting to a heavy sigh, especially after doing something strenuous like lifting or exercising, or when you get out of bed early in the morning and are still a little stiff. How could you be so nauseous so early in your pregnancy? Much of it probably has to do with the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which helps your joints and ligaments relax and become more elastic in preparation for labour. Your growing uterus also shifts your center of gravity forward, which can affect the joints around the pelvis and cause pain down your back. Also, less support from the ligaments can make it easier to put weight on your back. Applying heat — and that includes soaking in a nice, warm bath — can help relieve the pain (make sure the temperature isn’t too hot and avoid actual bubble baths). Good posture can also help, and while it may seem counterintuitive, certain exercises (according to your doctor’s guidelines) can also work wonders in keeping you strong and healthy. Also watch your diet, if excessive weight gain symptoms may worsen. If the pain is so bad that you feel like you need to take something for it, talk to your doctor to get her input on what your best options are. (Read here Diet tips to eat healthy during pregnancy)

Moms Like Me/ I wish I had known

“I keep a journal not only for my baby but for me to remember this special time in my life and what it was like to be pregnant! I strongly recommend it. Also, always talk to a “been there, done that” mom before buying a baby that isn’t absolutely necessary. I often bought stupid things for no purpose because of marketing and cute packaging, when we could really have used that money for more clothes and diapers. – amyh411