You ask yourself - the 18th week of pregnancy, which is the month and trimester? Should the belly be clearly visible in the 18th week of pregnancy? What ailments of this period of pregnancy do women most often complain about and how to deal with them? Where is the baby in the 18th week of pregnancy, or what is the position of the baby in the uterus? In this post, you will learn the answers to the questions most often bother pregnant women and their loved ones.
Pregnancy - 18 weeks, i.e. the halfway point of pregnancy is just around the corner
The physiological pregnancy lasts 40 weeks and is divided into 3 trimesters, so a woman in 18 weeks pregnant (17.1-18 tc) is almost halfway through this special period and looks forward to meeting the baby she is carrying in her belly.
She is now pregnant in the second trimester, when many troublesome ailments at the beginning of pregnancy gradually leave her, such as:
- nausea;
- odorous hypersensitivity;
- or constant sleepiness, though not always.
The occurrence and severity of pregnancy symptoms is very individual. Women in 18 weeks pregnant they usually start to have more energy and a better mood, which is why it is the perfect time to intensively prepare a layette, arrange a children's room and go to the shops in search of the perfect stroller.
Should the belly in the 18th week of pregnancy be clearly outlined?
As in the case of pregnancy complaints, the pace at which the pregnancy belly grows is individual and different for each woman. In the 18th week of pregnancy, it may not be clearly perceived by people from the closest environment, especially in the case of the first (women who are pregnant for the first time), tall or overweight women. At this time, it is worth starting to take care of your comfort and stock up on trousers with looser waist or clothing dedicated to pregnant women.
In a child in the 18th week of pregnancy, mechanoreceptors begin to mature intensively, responsible for the feeling of touch, pressure or stretching. Therefore, if the expectant mother wears too tight clothes, the child may manifest her dissatisfaction with such excessive pressure with intense "kicks".
It's worth remembering that a slowly growing belly at 18 weeks gestation is not a marker of abnormal uterine development - if your pregnancy doctor has found no abnormalities, you really shouldn't be concerned. The weight of a child at 18 weeks of pregnancy is not directly correlated with the size of a pregnant woman's belly.
What ailments in the 18th week of pregnancy can be expected and how to deal with them?
Although many women consider the second trimester to be the best time of their pregnancy, the 18th week may bring additional discomfort. A child growing in the uterus causes a gradual shift of the center of gravity forward, which results in changes in the curvature of the spine, e.g. increase in lumbar lordosis. This is why in 18 weeks of pregnancy back pain becomes more and more bothersome, especially when standing for a long time. Relief is provided by resting on your side, a cool or warm compress for a sore back or a massage from a qualified physiotherapist.
The body of a pregnant woman also produces relaxin - a hormone responsible for the gradual relaxation of ligaments and tendons, especially in the pelvic area (which is to slowly prepare the woman's body for childbirth).). However, as Relaxin has a systemic effect, symptoms such as pain in the joints of the hands, spine and feet may occur with increased intensity in the 18th week of pregnancy. In the event of swelling and pain in the feet, you should rest as often as possible with your legs elevated, use pleasantly cool foot baths and equip yourself with comfortable, soft shoes with good sole cushioning.
Physical activity and relief of back pain and joint pain
Regular physical activity such as swimming, gentle stretching or yoga for pregnant women is very helpful in preventing swelling and relieving back and joint pain. Before starting the exercises, it is worth asking your attending physician if there are any contraindications for engaging in this type of activity.
Don't forget about proper hydration and a healthy diet
In the 18th week of pregnancy, you should not forget about proper hydration and a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits. - it is worth eating nutritious meals for two, not in the amount "for two". In the case of heartburn, avoid fatty, spicy dishes, excess sugar and eating a meal immediately before going to bed.
18 weeks of pregnancy - where is the baby and what is its weight?
The fetus in its mother's belly looks like a little man. In the course of pregnancy, let's not talk about 18 weeks old babybecause in medical nomenclature a child developing in the womb is defined as a fetus. On the fingers of his shaped feet and hands, unique fingerprints begin to form, and the baby's ears register and recognize sounds from the immediate surroundings. Pregnancy - 18 weeks this is a good time to speak directly to the baby in your mother's womb. This helps to form a unique bond and enables the little one to familiarize with the calming voice of not only mum but also dad and siblings.
In the nervous system of the fetus, myelin sheaths begin to grow on individual nerve fibers, which will eventually form at the end of the first year of a child's life. They are responsible for increasing the conduction velocity of nerve impulses. The fetal digestive system is constantly maturing and improving its functions - the liver and pancreas begin to work intensively, and meconium, i.e. the first stool, is formed in the intestines. The weight of the child at 18 weeks of pregnancy is approx. 180-200 grams, and the length of his body oscillates between 13-15 cm. On ultrasound, you can see your baby yawning, moving his mouth and sometimes smiling.
Where is the baby at 18 weeks of pregnancy? Due to the fact that there is still a lot of space in the abdomen, the fetus actively kicks, kicks and turns during this period of pregnancy, therefore the position of the baby in the uterus is variable. The pregnant woman slowly begins to sense the fetal movements in the 18th week of pregnancy, at first as a kind of tickling in the abdomen, which after some time turns into clearly perceptible kicks. In their first pregnancy, women may begin to feel their fetuses moving slightly later than multiparous women.
What tests should be performed in the 18nd week of pregnancy?
Basic tests, such as complete blood counts and urinalysis, should be performed prior to a scheduled medical visit. When visiting 18 weeks pregnant The gynecologist will also conduct a general interview, assess the condition of the uterus, vaginal discharge and determine the well-being of the future mother and the fetus. Between 18 and 22 weeks of age, a very important diagnostic test should be performed, which is the second trimester USG, the so-called Half ultrasound. It allows for an extremely detailed assessment of the anatomy of the fetus: head, neck, spine, chest (including diagnostics for congenital heart defects), abdominal cavity and limbs.
On the basis of fetal measurements, the age of pregnancy is confirmed and the approximate weight of the fetus (EFW) is determined. During the half-day ultrasound, the gynecologist specializing in prenatal diagnostics will also assess the location of the placenta, the structure of the umbilical cord, the amount of amniotic fluid and will most likely inform the future mother about the child's sex (if the position of the fetus allows it during the examination.).
The gynecologist performing the examination on the ultrasound monitor will also show the future mother where the baby is in her uterus in the 18th week of pregnancy. It is worth making an appointment for this important ultrasound in advance so as not to miss the date of its implementation.
Consultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl - resident physician in the course of specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
