At 18 weeks pregnant, you are nearly halfway through second trimester. That’s another milestone to add to your list, mummies!
It may seem like it’s taken you forever to get to this point, and now things are speeding along full steam ahead
Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect with your baby and your body at 18 weeks.
Your Baby at 18 Weeks of Pregnancy
Your baby is growing rapidly, becoming more active and developing intricate new skills.
Measuring approximately 14–15 centimetres from crown to rump and weighing around 150–200 grams, your baby is now about the size of a capsicum.
Your little one is preparing more and more for their grand entrance (or rather, exit):
- Lung and skin preparation: Your baby’s lungs continue to mature, and he begins practising opening his mouth as if to cry. A protective layer of vernix, a thick white substance, forms on his skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid.
- Movements and expressions: Baby is becoming a little acrobat, capable of frowning, somersaults, and more! These complex movements are a joy to witness during an ultrasound.
- Facial features: His facial features are becoming more defined, and his ears have reached their final position, sticking out adorably.
- Hearing: The bones of the inner ear have formed, enabling him to hear more sounds. However, they will still be quite muffled, like if you’re swimming underwater.
- Skeletal growth: With around 200 bones already formed, his skeleton continues to harden. He will continue to develop more bones as he matures outside the womb.
Your baby’s heart, liver, and other visceral organs are rapidly growing, causing him to sit more upright.
As these milestones unfold, your bond deepens with every kick and movement.
Your Body at 18 Weeks of Pregnancy
Your body is also undergoing significant changes to accommodate your growing baby.
By now, the uterus has moved out of your pelvis, giving you some relief from frequent bathroom trips, but new challenges may emerge.
This is what you should prepare for now that you are 18 weeks pregnant:
- Shortness of breath: A combination of increased blood flow, fluid retention, and your expanding uterus can make you feel winded. As your uterus is now growing upwards, its pressing up on your diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe.
- Leg cramps: Often striking at night, these painful spasms in your lower legs can disrupt sleep. This is a result of changes in your blood circulation and your uterus pressing on certain sensitive nerves on your back. Gentle stretching or massages can help.
- Temperature changes: Sweating or feeling warmer than usual is common as your metabolism ramps up. You may feel hot even during cool weather.
- Heart palpitations: It’s normal to experience occasional pounding of the heart. This is again due to a 40% increase in your blood volume, which is forcing your heart to work twice as heart to pump blood.
- Anaemia: Your rising blood volume also increases your iron requirement. If you don’t get enough you may experience fatigue, headaches or dizziness.
To prevent pregnancy-related anaemia, be sure to monitor your iron intake. Ensure you get 30 mg of iron daily to meet pregnancy demands.
This is best done through whole foods like eggs, spinach, red meat, nuts and lentils.
However, if the doctor detects alarmingly low levels of iron in your blood, you may need to take supplements.
Take note that iron supplements do cause some minor side effects like constipation; so, stock up on pregnancy-safe stool softeners.
Travelling During Pregnancy
The second trimester marks an ideal time for pregnant women to start travelling again.
The risk of miscarriage is somewhat virtually non-existent and you are now experiencing a renewed burst of energy.
Most airlines allow pregnant women to fly as long as they are less than 36 weeks pregnant.
But before you start packing your suitcase, here are some things to keep in mind.
For long trips that require flight, wear thigh-high maternity support hose to promote circulation.
Pregnant women are at higher risk for blood clots or deep vein thrombosis.
So, be sure to walk around every few hours or if you can’t, flex your legs and do some seated leg exercises.
If you are travelling by car, be sure to make plenty of stops (once every two hours) so you can walk around and maybe get a snack.
Speaking of road trips, always wear a seatbelt correctly, with the strap below your belly and across your hips.
You may experience some motion sickness during your travels. So, be sure to consult your doctor about pregnancy-safe medication to deal with the nausea and dizziness.
Watch Out for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
UTIs or urinary tract infections are a common concern during pregnancy.
As your uterus grows, it puts more and more pressure on your bladder. This blocks the flow of urine, making your bladder an ideal environment for bacteria.
Pregnancy also slows down the immune system, making it easier for you to get infections, including UTIs.
Symptoms include frequent, urgent and painful urination, especially toward the end of passing urine.
If you notice these signs, consult your healthcare provider promptly to avoid complications.
They will usually prescribe pregnancy-safe antibiotics to deal with the infection.
The best ways to prevent UTIs from happening is maintain hygiene, not delaying urination when the feeling strikes, urinating immediately after intercourse, and avoiding tight underwear.
Take Precaution
At 18 weeks, your pregnancy is a beautiful blend of excitement and transformation.
Embrace the journey, care for yourself, and marvel at the miracle of life growing within you.
Each step brings you closer to meeting your baby, and the best is yet to come!
References
- Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Hachette Books.
- Kaye, P. (2021). Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. SPCK Publishing.
- Riley, L. (2006). You and Your Pregnancy: Your Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books.
- Shanahan, M. K. (2002). Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Da Capo Press.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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