- 18th week of pregnancy - what happens in week 18 of pregnancy
- How your baby develops in the 18th week of pregnancy
- How you feel in the 18th week of pregnancy
- 18th week of pregnancy - symptoms and complaints
- What can be seen on the ultrasound in week 18?
- What you should look out for in week 18 of pregnancy
18th week of pregnancy - what happens in week 18 of pregnancy
Does it sometimes feel like time is flying by? You are now in week 18 of your pregnancy and have almost reached the halfway point. Your little belly dweller is becoming more and more active and if it hasn't already, it will certainly be in the next few weeks: You will feel your baby for the first time. In part 18 of our pregnancy calendar, you can find out what developments your child is going through in this 18th week of pregnancy, what symptoms may occur and what else is on the agenda.
How your baby develops in the 18th week of pregnancy
Your little wonder is now about 14 centimetres tall, which is the size of a sweet pepper. Its tiny feet measure around 2.7 centimetres. In addition, your unborn child already weighs around 180 grams. The little one is growing rapidly. The thin arms and legs are now growing much faster and the head a little slower than the rest of the body, which means that the proportions are gradually adjusting. However, the head still takes up about a third of the total body size.
Your baby's body is still very thin. Under the delicate skin, which previously looked quite wrinkled, fatty tissue is now gradually forming. Your baby needs this to be protected after birth. After all, it is much colder in the outside world than in the cosy, warm amniotic sac.
Lots of sleep and wild water ballet in between
The body grows, the organs mature - quite exhausting for your baby. That's why your little one needs plenty of rest. In this phase of pregnancy, it spends around 20 hours a day sleeping. However, it does not yet have a distinct day-night rhythm. During its waking phases, it is very active, exercises its muscles and diligently moves up and down in the amniotic sac. It doesn't even mind if the umbilical cord wraps around its little body from time to time.
Sensory perception continues to develop
The foetus's eyes are still closed and yet the retina can already react to bright light. For example, your baby will perceive a red glow if you sit with your stomach in the blazing sun.
Your baby's hearing will also be further sharpened. Your little one is already familiar with the sounds in its environment, such as the rushing of your blood, the bubbling of your digestion and the beating of your heart. Gradually, it will also begin to recognise sounds from the outside world. Some babies react to loud noises with strong movements - you may soon feel this.
The sense of taste also begins to develop and when your baby swallows amniotic fluid, it learns to recognise and love the sweet taste. Its sensory perception is extremely sensitive. In this week, your baby can taste as well as an adult. But this will get much better. Babies have more taste buds between the 5th and 7th month of pregnancy than at any later point in a person's life.
Millions of eggs have been produced in your daughter
It's hard to believe, but if you are expecting a girl, in week 18 of pregnancy she is already carrying the eggs that may one day develop into your grandchildren. Around 5 million primitive oocytes have formed in each ovary of a female foetus at this stage of pregnancy. By the time of birth, this number will have decreased to around one million and no more new eggs will be produced during the course of a woman's life. This means that the egg cell from which your baby has developed has already been produced while you were still in your mother's womb.
How you feel in the 18th week of pregnancy
Your pregnancy will now also be visible to other people, as your belly grows noticeably in week 18. The upper edge of the uterus can now be felt approximately between the pubic bone and your belly button. This growth is important to give your baby enough space. After all, the little gymnast wants to move in all directions. Perhaps you have already felt this?
Baby movements in week 18 - how do they feel?
It is one of the moments that mums-to-be particularly look forward to: feeling the baby for the first time. Many pregnant women experience this feeling of happiness around the 18th week of pregnancy. Some a little earlier, others a little later. Women who already have a child often notice the baby's movements a little earlier. On the one hand, this is because the uterine muscles are less tight and therefore more sensitive. On the other hand, their experience helps them to correctly interpret the sensations in the abdomen.
But what do the baby's first movements feel like? You will only feel the baby's first movements very gently. So don't expect any firm kicks. Many pregnant women describe the feeling as a slight tickling or bubbling. Some compare it to the fluttering of butterfly wings or the bursting of small air bubbles in the belly. Others compare it to the movements of the bowel. You can feel the bubbling above the pubic bone. In the region where you can feel the uterus. In any case, it is a magical moment: you can finally feel your baby and build an even closer relationship with him or her.
It is completely normal if you only feel the movements now and then at first. "Was that you, little one? Please do it again. Please, please!". You probably can't get enough of it. However, your little belly dweller still has a lot of space, which is why you won't notice every movement. What's more, your baby still sleeps a lot, especially when you are awake. Your movements will gently rock it to sleep when you walk. You have a good chance of feeling your baby in the evening when you move less and rest on the sofa or in bed.
Are you in the 18th week of pregnancy and haven't noticed any baby movements yet? Don't worry, it often takes a little longer, especially for first-time mothers. The position of the placenta also plays a role here. If it is located on the front side of the uterus, this is known as an anterior wall placenta. In this case, the placenta lies between your abdominal wall and your baby, which means that you will feel the baby's movements later and less intensely. Even if you have to wait a little longer, it is only a matter of time and you will certainly experience this magical feeling in the coming weeks.
18th week of pregnancy - symptoms and complaints
The first movements of the baby are probably the most beautiful symptom of pregnancy. In general, most pregnant women feel very comfortable in their skin during this phase. However, some discomfort can also occur in week 18 of pregnancy.
Many women notice a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. This pain is due to the growth of the uterus and the strain on the retaining ligaments. It is often felt to the right and left of the navel and can also extend down to the groin and back.
Due to the calming effect of the hormone progesterone, your bowels work more slowly - resulting in constipation. Try to drink plenty of fluids and eat enough fibre throughout the day. Going for a walk will also get your digestion going.
It is not uncommon for pregnant women to notice increased pigmentation of the skin. More freckles, pigmentation and liver spots suddenly appear, which can darken after extensive sunbathing. This is the result of the increased oestrogen level during pregnancy, which stimulates the production of the skin pigment melanin. Don't worry: these symptoms usually disappear again after the birth.
You shouldn't become a couch potato out of fear of the sun. Fresh air and UV rays are important for mum and baby. Our body needs the sun's rays to produce vitamin D. But how can you get enough of this sun vitamin and avoid excessive pigmentation at the same time? The best way is to apply a strong sunscreen to areas of skin that are prone to pronounced pigmentation. This includes the face, for example. Other areas of skin, such as the forearms, hands, lower legs and feet, can be left unprotected and exposed to the blue sky for around 10 minutes a day to cover your vitamin D requirements. Direct sunlight is generally unhealthy for the skin.
Would you like even more tips on pregnancy symptoms in the 2nd trimester and would you like to be accompanied by a midwife from any location? Then take a look at midwife Katharina's online courses and workshops. Our workshop "2nd trimester". Would you like more explanations about the entries in the Maternity passportthen our workshop "Maternity passport" can help you further. Perhaps your thoughts are now focussing more and more on the approaching birth. What are the stages of labour? What is the best way to deal with pain? Midwife Katharina will answer these and many other questions in our Online birth preparation course.
What can be seen on the ultrasound in week 18?
If you have a baby in the 18th week of pregnancy Ultrasoundyour gynaecologist will measure the crown-rump length. On average, a foetus measures around 14 centimetres in this week of pregnancy. However, slight deviations upwards or downwards are completely normal. The heart can be easily recognised and your doctor can check whether it is properly developed. The umbilical cord is also clearly visible. It becomes thicker and tighter to ensure that your growing baby is supplied with nutrients. As it is extremely tear-resistant, it is no problem if your baby grabs it and plays with it. The development of the internal organs and brain can now also be clearly seen on ultrasound.
What you should look out for in week 18 of pregnancy
A good time to go shopping
Are your trousers already pinching? Now that your belly is getting bigger, it's worth going on a little shopping trip and looking for maternity wear. Maternity trousers have a low waistband and often have an elasticated fabric band on top. This adapts to the growing baby bump and covers the skin of short tops. Also ideal: long tops, wrap dresses and loose-fitting tunics. Also highly recommended: comfortable bras without underwiring and with wide straps. Make your breasts comfortable. Bustiers adapt best to the growing breast shape. These give your growing breasts the support they need without irritating sensitive skin.
