A fetus continues to develop throughout the course of the pregnancy. What starts as a few cells coming together grows into a whole human with all its organs, limbs, and body parts. These changes take time and need to follow their natural pace for the baby to be fully developed at birth. Week 18 is close to the middle of the pregnancy. Not sure what developments happen during the 18th week? Read on to know all about it.
Your 18th week is close to the halfway mark of your pregnancy, which typically lasts about 40 weeks. You are in your fifth month, the second trimester of your pregnancy, during the 18th week. Your body will begin to change more quickly than it did in the last trimester. You may notice many changes every few days.
Remember, every pregnancy is different. So what another woman in her 18th week goes through may not be similar to your experience. If this is not your first pregnancy, this 18th week experience may differ from the 18th week of your previous pregnancy.
The baby is constantly growing and changing as well. Fetal development is crucial around this time, as the baby's size, limbs, and amniotic fluid levels will soon be measured to ensure your baby is developing well.
First, let's take a quick look at the changes you may notice in your body when in the 18th week of pregnancy.
Your baby bump will likely become more noticeable and start to show.
You may start feeling your baby's movements. For some, they may feel faint, while others may have to wait a few more weeks to notice the kicks.
Your blood pressure may be slightly lower than usual, which can sometimes make you feel lightheaded or dizzy if you get up too quickly.
Your appetite will improve after the morning sickness and food aversions of the first trimester. You may also feel hungrier now that the baby needs more nutrition.
Most women will gain weight and find it difficult to fit into their pre-pregnancy clothes, thus requiring larger-sized outfits.
A black line known as the linea nigra might start appearing vertically from the navel to the pubic bone.
Fetal development is a very critical component of any pregnancy. The baby's development can be broadly classified into the germinal stage, embryonic stage, and the fetal stage.
The germinal stage lasts until the fetus is 3 weeks old. You may not even be aware of the baby's existence yet. The next stage, the embryonic stage, runs from the 3rd to the 8th week of pregnancy. The changes are minimal and barely noticeable. The embryonic stage is followed by the fetal stage from week 9 till birth. It is during this stage that the baby develops into a fully formed human.
Baby Size and Weight – Your baby will be about 5.5 inches long. Yes, only so much! This explains why their movements are barely noticeable to you. Most babies will weigh about 200 grams at this stage.
Hair – The baby's body will now be covered in hair known as lanugo. Lanugo decreases as the baby grows.
Ossification – Ossification is the process by which bones become harder and take their proper shape. This week, the bones and muscles in areas like the ear, collarbone, and legs start to strengthen and settle in place.
Finger Print – Your baby's fingers and fingerprints are forming! Each person's fingerprints are unique, and they begin to develop in the womb at this stage.
Fetal Movements – Babies will start yawning around this time. If you're lucky, you may catch your little one yawning during your ultrasound scan!
Nervous System – Your baby's nerves are steadily growing now. A protective insulation known as the myelin sheath will form during this time. This layer continues to grow over their nerves until your baby's first birthday.
Genitals – For female babies, the fallopian tubes and uterus are now in place, while male babies' genitals need about two more weeks to develop fully. That's why a baby's gender can usually be determined only after the 20th week of pregnancy. However, finding out the baby’s gender before birth is a criminal offence in India.
Faint Kicks – Some mothers can feel their baby's kicks around this time. It will be very faint, like flutters. If you can't feel anything yet, don't worry, you will soon feel it in the next couple of weeks.
Digestion – Your baby's liver and pancreas start to function around this time. Their bowel will begin filling with a dark liquid known as the meconium – this is the first stool your baby will pass after birth.
Senses – Your baby's ears are almost fully formed. Very soon, they will start hearing your heartbeat and blood flow. Their eyes are also forming, and they can start to detect bright lights that pass through the placenta.
Your baby is developing rapidly, and now is an important time to focus on your nutrition. What you eat now will directly contribute to your baby's growth and development.
Focus on getting enough folate, iron, and calcium. As your baby's bones harden, you need to increase your calcium intake. Increasing your iron intake can help prevent anaemia, a common condition during this stage of pregnancy. Iron deficiency can also limit oxygen and nutrition, affecting fetal growth and development.
Moving around can become more difficult as your baby bump grows and your baby gets heavier. But do not use this as an excuse to reduce your activities. Staying active at this stage reduces the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension. It will also help limit unhealthy weight gain.
Throughout the 40 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is constantly growing, developing and changing. Do not worry, as each baby is unique and may grow faster or slower than average. There is no need to panic unnecessarily unless your doctor believes there is cause for concern. At week 18, you’re nearly halfway through your pregnancy and making remarkable progress! There are still more than 20 weeks for your baby to grow, develop, and get ready for the world. So, follow your doctor's advice, take care of yourself and enjoy your pregnancy.
The baby can be anywhere in the uterus at week 18. The baby is still too small and has plenty of room to move around. The baby is busy rolling, stretching and kicking. It will take a few more weeks for the baby to settle into a position, but this can change even after labour begins.
At the 18-week mark, a female baby’s uterus and fallopian tubes have formed, and for a male baby, the genitals usually need another week or two to complete development. So, one can determine the baby's gender based on what is visible during the scan. However, determining a baby's gender is illegal in India. Your doctor and radiologist performing the ultrasound are legally prohibited from revealing the baby's gender.
Your baby's movements are not yet strong enough to be felt easily. It may be another week or two before you can feel your baby moving without the help of machines. If you are eating well, gaining weight and aren’t facing any complications, your pregnancy is progressing well in all probability. If you’re considered high-risk or have had issues with past pregnancies, getting an early anomaly scan or a regular ultrasound can help ensure your baby is healthy and developing properly.
