Where is baby located at 18 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy: Week 18 | Huggies® US

It's hard to describe exactly how your baby's first movements will feel to you. Many women say it is like the lightest of flutters, or a small bubble of excitement in their belly. Others say it feels like gas, though less painful. There are all sorts of words used to describe it - a tickle, a whisper, or something like the sensation of being in an elevator when your heart is in your mouth, just lower down. You will probably find that you become more conscious of your baby's movements when you’re lying down or sitting still and not distracted by other things. It’s impossible to not smile when you first become aware of movements; it's just one of those life affirming moments.

Remember though, every baby will develop their own pattern of movements and every mother will have her own unique experience of her baby's movements. It’s very common to be unsure in the early days of feeling movements and you may question if it’s all in your imagination. Try to be patient as you wait and see. You will soon have no doubt that what you’re feeling is your baby!

At 18 weeks pregnant, you should be able to feel the top of your uterus between your pubic bone and your navel. It will feel like a firm, muscular ridge which doesn’t yield when you press gently down. When you go for your prenatal appointments, the size of your uterus will be checked by your provider every time. This measurement provides an ideal way to assess the growth of your baby and compare its size against your dates.

Your uterus is about the size of a cantaloupe, so it's no wonder that you are feeling a dense, heavy feeling in your pelvis. Pick one up next time you're at the grocery store and feel the weight of it. You're entitled to feeling a little worn out by the end of the day!

If you have put on a fair amount of weight, you may be starting to get stretch marks. Most women do develop these during pregnancy and not a lot can be done to avoid them. Excess weight gain is one risk factor, as is a family history. Rub some moisturizer onto your belly each day but avoid spending a lot of money on creams which claim to prevent stretch marks. They don’t tend to work.

Think that noisy snorer is your partner? You may want to think again. This is the time a lot of pregnant women start snoring, much to their horror. Blame those congested mucous membranes and your nasal stuffiness. Sleeping on a couple of pillows can help, as can lying on your side. For some women, saline nasal sprays are useful. They help to liquefy nasal secretions and moisturize the nasal passages if dryness if a problem.

Where's the food? This week you could really find your appetite increases. Until now, the baby has been growing quickly, though for the next couple of weeks its growth will plateau slightly. Stock the fridge and pantry with lots of healthy foods which will help support you both. Look for low GI (Glycemic Index) foods which take longer to digest and will satisfy your hunger for longer periods of time.

Your heart is working extra hard to pump your blood. Your total circulating blood volume has increased so much that your heart needs to work almost 50 percent harder in pumping blood around your body.

If you've been feeling a little ho hum about the whole pregnancy deal, this week you may start feeling a bit brighter. You’re likely to be feeling the first of many of your baby's movements and have a sense that your pregnancy is all very real.

You may feel as if you just want to keep the news of the baby's movements all to yourself for a while. A lot of women feel some silent, secret connection with their baby which they want to keep private. This is fine though you may want to let your partner know too, just to be fair.

If the thought of childbirth has seemed like some far off event, this week it may not seem so distant. Your expanding belly and the baby's movements combine to provide a constant reminder that at some stage, your baby will need to come out. Do allow yourself time to think about how you want your labor to proceed and what you can do to feel actively involved in your birth plan.

It's getting a little tight in your uterus. Your baby, the amniotic fluid, the placenta and membranes and the umbilical cord all must fit inside the uterus. Not to mention the extra space your baby takes up when rolling and kicking, stretching and turning. Fortunately, your uterus is a uniquely designed muscle which is able to expand and grow many times bigger than its original size and shape.

This week your baby could be sucking its thumb. Ultrasounds taken at 18 weeks have shown lots of babies have found their little thumbs by this stage and don’t want to let go. Some babies are born with blisters on their fingers and thumbs, from months of thumb sucking.

Your baby's bones are ossifying, meaning they're getting stronger and are less like cartilage. Watch your calcium intake and make sure you're getting enough dairy foods. Even if you're not a milk drinker make sure to get calcium in your diet with cheese, yogurt, fish with edible bones and even almonds. Green leafy vegetables also contain calcium.

If you’re still drinking a little alcohol, give it up entirely for your baby’s sake. There’s no guaranteed, safe level of alcohol for pregnant women to drink and the only 100 percent safe level is through abstaining altogether. Go for mineral or soda water or just plain water with a squeeze of lemon.

Most women have their screening ultrasound between the 18th and the 20th week of pregnancy. Make your appointment for a time when your partner can come as well so you're not on your own. Check when you make the appointment if you need to bring in your own USB to record the images - you don’t want to be caught short!

Start a list of questions for your pregnancy care provider. Pregnancy amnesia can make your memory, well, a distant memory. Keep a notebook for jotting down any questions or worries you have. Then all you have to do is remember to take the notebook with you to your appointments.

Stay tuned for Week 19.

The information of this article has been reviewed by nursing experts of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). The content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations/diagnosis or treatment. For more advice from AWHONN nurses, visit Healthy Mom&Baby at health5mom.org.

18 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly & More

• Community
• Getting Pregnant
• Pregnancy
• Baby Names
• Baby
• Toddler
• Child
• Health
• Family
• Courses
• Registry Builder
• Baby Products

Advertisement

1719

Highlights this week

Mid-pregnancy ultrasound

Get ready to see your baby! You'll have an ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks to check on your baby's health and development. It usually lasts 20 to 45 minutes.

Baby kicks

Are you feeling your baby move? If not, it may happen soon. The first movements often feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. They'll grow stronger and more frequent over time.

Great pregnancy snacks

In your second trimester, experts recommend getting about 340 extra calories a day. Eating healthy snacks between meals will help you meet this goal and keep your blood sugar level so you don't get too hungry.

Baby development at 18 weeks

Your baby's face

Your baby's ears, nose, and lips are all recognizable on an ultrasound. Eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair are formed, too!

Lungs branching out

In your baby's lungs, the smallest tubes (bronchioles) start to develop. At the end of these tiny tubes, respiratory sacs begin to appear. By the time your baby is born, these sacs will become enmeshed with tiny blood vessels that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to flow in and out.

Girl and boy parts

If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are visible now.

Your baby at 18 weeks

Tap the plus for more details

Your baby is about the size of a bell pepper

length

8.74

inches

head to toe

weight

7.87

ounces

Pregnancy symptoms during week 18

Increased appetite

Hungry? An increased appetite – and specific food cravings – are common at 18 weeks pregnant.  Pregnancy hunger is for good reason: Your body is working hard to support your baby, and that requires plenty of energy. Your meals are also fueling your body's pregnancy changes – which include a much higher blood volume, your growing breasts and uterus, and increased fat stores. To satisfy your hunger and maximize nutrition, eat a small meal or snack every three hours, and include foods that provide a mix of protein, fiber, and healthy (unsaturated) fat.

Dizziness

Your body is undergoing dramatic changes, and sometimes your cardiovascular and nervous systems don't adapt quickly enough. This can leave you feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or even make you faint. This can happen if you spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position. You're also more likely to feel dizzy if you have anemia, don't eat or drink enough, overdo it when you exercise, or get overheated. If you persistently feel lightheaded, or have frequent bouts of dizziness, let your healthcare provider know.

Swelling

It's normal to have swelling in your feet and ankles during pregnancy, as well as mild swelling in your hands and fingers. (If your rings are getting tight, take them off now!) Sometimes, sudden and severe swelling can signal a more serious issue. Call your provider if your swelling is sudden or excessive, you have more than moderate swelling of your hands or face, or you have other signs or symptoms of preeclampsia. Also, call if you have any signs of a blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Vaginal discharge

Throughout pregnancy, you may notice a lot more vaginal discharge than usual. That's because your body is producing more estrogen, which signals the vagina to produce more discharge. Healthy discharge is usually clear to milky white, thin to thick and mucus-like, and mild-smelling or odorless. Learn about the different types of discharge during pregnancy.

Leg cramps

Leg cramps during pregnancy are a bit of a mystery, though they're thought to be connected to swelling and the extra weight you're carrying, which requires your leg muscles to work harder. Whenever you have a leg cramp, stretch your calf muscles by straightening your leg and flexing your toe back towards your shins. After stretching, massage the muscle and/or apply heat, like a heating pad or a hot-water bottle. To prevent leg cramps, don't stand or sit with your legs crossed for too long; take a daily walk; drink enough water; take a warm bath before bed; and stretch your calf muscles, roll your ankles, and wiggle your toes throughout the day. Some women find that taking a magnesium supplement helps, too.

Don't see your symptom?

Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.

Your body at 18 weeks

Tap the plus for more details

Pregnancy checklist at 18 weeks pregnant

Think about your maternity leave

It's not too early to look into what you need to do to prepare for maternity leave. Find out what benefits you're eligible for and fill out all the paperwork you can in advance. You may also want to encourage your partner to research their options for paternity or parental leave.

Prepare your older children

If you already have a child, the new baby may rock their world even more than yours. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prepare your child for a sibling, depending on their age and interest level. Most important, be sure to spend one-on-one time with the future big sibling before your newest addition arrives.

Sign up for birth classes

Childbirth classes, which last anywhere from a day to a month or longer, are highly recommended to help you prepare for birth. You'll learn what to expect before, during, and after labor, plus techniques to help you manage labor pain. You can find classes in hospitals, through independent childbirth educators, and online.

Cope with stress

Along with making a new human, you're probably dealing with a bunch of physical symptoms and life changes right now. Who wouldn't be stressed? But while stress during pregnancy is normal, it can cause problems if it gets too powerful. Learn some good ways to cope with pregnancy stress, plus when to get help.

Eat iron-rich foods

You need extra iron during pregnancy (27 mg a day instead of 18 mg) especially in the second and third trimesters. You have a lot more blood than usual now, and you need iron in your blood to make the protein that delivers oxygen to the body. Iron also helps maintain a healthy immune system. Great sources of iron include meat, poultry, tuna, fortified cereal, edamame, legumes, tofu, and spinach. Other ways to make sure you're getting enough iron: Cook with a cast-iron pan, and have foods rich in vitamin C with your meals (this helps with iron absorption).

18 weeks pregnant bellies

Though you might feel like you'll be pregnant forever, you're about halfway through! Your belly is rapidly growing rounder and bigger. If you want to show off your pregnancy, look for shirts and maternity dresses with elastic ruching on the sides to frame your bump.

You may be feeling those first baby movements now, and you're probably gaining weight slowly and steadily, about a pound a week. Talk to your provider if you see any drastic changes in your weight, which can signal a problem.

Especially if you've struggled with your weight or an eating disorder, you may have a hard time accepting that it's okay to gain weight now. It's normal to feel anxious as the numbers on the scale go up. Try to keep in mind that gaining weight is important for a healthy pregnancy, and lean on your friends, family, and doctor or midwife for support.

This week's video

Marcella Gates

Marcella Gates is executive editor at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Advertisement | page continues below

17 weeks 19 weeks

what is happening, the development and location of the fetus, movement, sensations in the abdomen, ultrasound

What is happening in the body of a woman

Your new sensations at 18-19 weeks of pregnancy:

Now you feel the presence of the baby and activity every day , the uterus, increasing in size, continues to change the work of the gastrointestinal tract, causing heartburn and constipation1. Physical activity and fractional rational nutrition, which we discussed at 15 weeks 9, will help you overcome these problems.0008 4 ⁵ .

Your belly size at 18 weeks can vary. If you have an asthenic body type and have put on a little weight over the previous weeks, then it is not at all surprising if you have a small stomach2. The most important thing is not the size of the abdomen, but the feeling of more than ten series of movements during the day, because at the period of 18-19 weeks of pregnancy, the rhythm of movements begins to form in the fetus and within the next month your baby will come to the day-night regimen and during the night will less active ^{1 2 3} .

If suddenly you do not have any movements during this period, you should definitely consult a doctor. If during the last four to six hours the fetus does not show physical activity, then you should immediately contact a specialist doctor ^{1 2 3} .

It is important to note that in the case of the first pregnancy after 20 weeks you will feel the movements of the fetus, if it is the second, then you will feel the movements of the baby earlier ^{1 2 3} .

Women's health: What you need to know?

Monitor urine tests as pyelonephritis may start in the second trimester ¹ . Pay attention to your fasting blood sugar levels. Pregnant women tend to develop gestational diabetes mellitus and other disorders of carbohydrate metabolism ⁷ . Monitor your blood pressure ⁸ . If you have swelling in your legs, see your doctor. In urine tests, look for the presence of protein ⁸ . Pay attention to the level of platelets in the general blood test, since gestational thrombocytopenia often develops during pregnancy ¹ .

With an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge, changes in their color and smell, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor, these symptoms may be a manifestation of bacterial vaginosis, a condition that in general occurs quite often, and during pregnancy, violations of the microbial landscape of the vagina occur even more often ^{9 10} . In recent years, bacterial vaginosis has been considered as a process that triggers many pathological conditions and complications during pregnancy, so this problem cannot be ignored ¹⁰ . Remember that if any pathological symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

Fetal development at 18 weeks of gestation

Let's find out what happens to the baby at 18 weeks of gestation.

So, all organs and systems of your baby are already formed and functioning, but the work of organs and systems differs from their function after birth ¹ . The baby breathes with the glottis closed and the amniotic fluid does not enter the lungs, such a breathing mechanism contributes to normal blood flow and oxygen supply to all organs and systems ³ . The development of the fetus continues to improve and already from 18 weeks your baby makes blinking and more coordinated and clear movements, for example, sucking his thumb, crossing his legs, your baby already hears sounds very well, his auditory analyzer is fully formed, the visual analyzer also develops and the fetus begins to react to light ¹ . Your baby's skin is fully formed, it is still very thin with well translucent blood vessels, brown adipose tissue begins to accumulate under this thin skin, which has numerous useful properties, it is a source of energy and protection ¹ . In addition, the active development of the brain continues ¹ .

It should be noted that you feel the baby's movements well, as they become more and more varied ^{1 2 3} .

Fetal movements at 18 weeks of pregnancy are still unconscious in nature and are spontaneous muscle activity due to the work of the extensor muscles mainly and you feel them as separate short and frequent jerks ^{1 2 3} . If you still have a small belly, do not worry, because the fundus of the uterus is located 17-18 cm above the level of the pubic joint ¹ . And new sensations in the abdomen are due to the active movements of the child, it can affect the bladder, and then you will feel frequent urge to urinate ¹ .

18th week of pregnancy and the position of the fetus in the uterus

At this time, the position of the fetus in the uterus can be quite variable, your baby is still actively changing the position of his body, for example, he can turn his head up or down ^{1 2 3} .

The main features of the development of the fetus and changes in the body of a woman at a certain period of pregnancy

Indicator

Normal

Maternal weight gain:

Underweight before pregnancy

Up to 4.6 kg

At normal weight before pregnancy

Up to 4.0 kg

Overweight before pregnancy 9003 kg

The height of the bottom of the uterus

16-21 cm

Fruit weight

160-220 grams

Fruit growth

Examination at 18 weeks pregnancy

You continue to visit your doctor in female consultation , depending on your age and state of health, after 2-3 weeks, take a general blood test and a general urine test. Very soon, the time will come for the second ultrasound screening, and you will be able to see your grown-up baby, who already looks just like a real newborn.

Useful tips and recommendations in accordance with

Remember to take vitamins and trace elements during pregnancy, except for iodine, folic acid, calcium, one of the important vitamins is vitamin D, which must be taken during pregnancy ^{4 5 6} .

Frequent urination is also normal at 18 weeks of gestation. You should have regular urinalysis because the longer the time, the more likely you are to develop an ascending bacterial infection of the urinary system ^{1 2 3} . We have already said that the hormonal background and peculiarities of the blood supply at this time can provoke the appearance of difficult nasal breathing and snoring, the so-called rhinitis of pregnant women, so spend more time outdoors and maintain comfortable humidity in the room where you sleep ² .

And, of course, enjoy this period of life, try on new hobbies and hobbies, think about what activities you can keep after the birth of your baby, how to change your usual lifestyle and what moments you will especially enjoy.

Look and read the literature and those authors/speakers who cover the life of the family after the birth of a baby. Start studying the topics of development, nutrition of your future blood. In fact, in the "heading" of the future of motherhood there are a huge number of interesting topics for study, discussion and implementation in practice!

• 1. National guidance. Gynecology. 2nd edition, revised and enlarged. M., 2017. 446 p.
• 2. Guidelines for outpatient care in obstetrics and gynecology. Edited by V.N. Serov, G.T. Sukhikh, V.N. Prilepskaya, V.E. Radzinsky. 3rd edition, revised and enlarged. M., 2017. S. 545-550.
• 3. Obstetrics and gynecology. Clinical guidelines. - 3rd ed., rev. and additional / G.M. Savelyeva, V.N. Serov, G.T. Dry. – M.: GEOTARMEDIA. 2013. - 880 p.
• 4. National program for optimizing the feeding of children in the first year of life in the Russian Federation (4th edition, revised and supplemented) / Union of Pediatricians of Russia [et al.]. — M.: Pediatr, 2019. — 206 p.
• 5. National program Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents of the Russian Federation: modern approaches to correction / Union of Pediatricians of Russia [and others]. — M.: Pediatr, 2018. — 96 s.
• 6. Pigarova E.A., Rozhinskaya L.Ya, Belaya Zh.E., et al. Clinical guidelines of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency in adults // Problems of Endocrinology. - 2016. - T.62. —#4. - P.60-84.
• 7. Russian national consensus "Gestational diabetes mellitus: diagnosis, treatment, postpartum care" / Dedov II, Krasnopolsky VI, Sukhikh GT. On behalf of the working group//Diabetes mellitus. –2012. -No4. -S.4-10.
• 8. Adamyan L.V., Artymuk N.V., Bashmakova N.V., Belokrinitskaya T.E., Belomestnov S.R., Bratischev I.V., Vuchenovich Yu.D., Krasnopolsky V.I. , Kulikov A.V., Levit A.L., Nikitina N.A., Petrukhin V.A., Pyregov A.V., Serov V.N., Sidorova I.S., Filippov O.S., Khodzhaeva Z.S., Kholin A.M., Sheshko E.L., Shifman E.M., Shmakov R.G. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Preeclampsia. Eclampsia. Clinical guidelines (treatment protocol). M.: Ministry of Health of Russia; 2016.
• 9. Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases accompanied by pathological discharge from the genital tract of women. 2nd edition, corrected and enlarged. Expert Council of the ROAG. M., 2019.
• 10. Federal clinical guidelines RODVK and ROAG for the management of patients with bacterial vaginosis, 2015.

• PhD
• Pediatrician of the highest qualification category
• Assistant of the Department of Faculty Pediatrics with a Course of Children's Diseases of the Medical Faculty of the Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education Siberian State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia

• Associate Professor of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics
• Gastroenterologist
• Clinical pharmacologist

Others articles by the author

Pregnancy calendar 18 weeks - Miracle Doctor multidisciplinary clinic in Moscow The growth of the baby at 18 weeks is about 20 centimeters, and the weight is from 180 to 200 grams.

The fetal eyes are still closed, but the retina is already sensitive to light. If a woman exposes her belly to the sun's rays, then for the baby everything will turn into a soft pink light. Improving the organ of hearing helps the child's perception of sounds from the outside world. The child hears well: the part of the brain that is responsible for receiving auditory signals has already formed and works, the bones of the hearing aid, through which sound waves pass to the middle ear, have also become stronger. Already now you can tell him stories, sing songs and turn on classical music. The baby is used to the noise of the blood flow passing through the umbilical cord, to the rhythm of the mother's heart. But sudden sudden sounds can scare him, try to avoid them. The child responds to external influences by pushing the leg into the mother's stomach.

At the 18th week of pregnancy, adipose tissue is actively formed, capillaries will hide under it over time, which are still visible through the thin skin. Subcutaneous fat makes the skin smoother.

The baby's heart beats rhythmically. Developing endocrine glands: adrenal glands, thyroid gland, gonads, began to produce the first hormones. The pancreas began to produce digestive juice. The formation of kidneys is completed. Now they have taken the position intended for them by nature and are involved in metabolic processes, excreting urine. The baby swallows amniotic fluid, which is rich in proteins and carbohydrates that are useful for him. Proteins are required for the construction of cells of organs and tissues of the fetus, and carbohydrates are a source of energy. As a result of digestive processes in the intestines of the fetus, the formation of primary feces (meconium), stained with bile in a yellowish-brown color, occurred.

For primiparous mothers, the 18th week of pregnancy is very exciting, because it is at this time that a woman feels the first tremors and movement of the baby. Some future mothers, especially if they have gained extra weight during pregnancy, will feel the first movement of the fetus only next week.

The body of a woman acquires a pleasant roundness and becomes very attractive and desirable for her husband. Intimacy during the 18th week of pregnancy is not usually contraindicated, although it is best that they are approved by the doctor leading the pregnancy.

The negative aspects of this period of pregnancy can be called poor sleep caused by an uncomfortable body position.

Learn more

• 
  Baby rashes with white bumps
• 
  What is home birth
• 
  Chances of conceiving at 35
• 
  How to open child lock in lg tv without remote
• 
  Due in may
• 
  Hospital go bag pregnancy
• 
  How to help a child going through divorce
• 
  Back of thigh itching
• 
  When does increased hunger start in pregnancy
• 
  Blood test baby
• 
  Relieving heartburn during pregnancy