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
Physiological pregnancy lasts 40 weeks and is divided into 3 trimesters, so a woman in the 18th week of pregnancy (17.1-18 weeks) is almost halfway through this special period and is increasingly looking forward to meeting the baby she carries 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 vary greatly. Women typically start to feel more energetic and in a better mood during the 18th week of pregnancy , making it the perfect time to start busy preparing the layette, furnishing the nursery, and shopping for 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.
During the 18th week of pregnancy, a baby's mechanoreceptors, responsible for sensing touch, pressure, and stretching, begin to mature rapidly. Therefore, if the expectant mother wears clothing that is too tight, the baby may demonstrate its 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 can bring additional discomfort. The growing baby in the uterus gradually shifts the center of gravity forward, resulting in changes in the curvature of the spine, including increased lumbar lordosis. This is why, during the 18th week of pregnancy, back pain becomes increasingly bothersome, especially during prolonged standing. Resting on your side, applying a cool or warm compress to a sore back, or getting a massage from a qualified physiotherapist can provide relief.
A pregnant woman's body also produces relaxin, a hormone responsible for the gradual loosening of ligaments and tendons, particularly in the pelvic area (which is intended to slowly prepare a woman's body for childbirth ). However, relaxin has a systemic effect, so during the 18th week of pregnancy, symptoms such as joint pain in the hands, spine, and feet may become more severe. If you experience swelling and foot pain, rest with your legs elevated as often as possible, take pleasantly cool foot baths, and wear comfortable, soft shoes with good 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
During the 18th week of pregnancy, it's also important to remember to stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables . It's important to eat nutritious meals for two, not just "for two." If you experience heartburn, avoid fatty, highly spiced foods, excess sugar, and eating right before bed.
18 weeks of pregnancy - where is the baby and what is its weight?
A fetus in its mother's womb already resembles a small human being. During pregnancy, we don't talk about an infant's 18th week , because in medical terms, the baby developing in the uterus is called a fetus. Unique fingerprints are beginning to form on its newly formed toes and fingers, and the baby's ears are registering and recognizing sounds from its immediate environment. Pregnancy – 18 weeks is a good time to speak directly to the baby in its mother's womb. This helps form a unique bond and allows the baby to become familiar with the soothing voices of not only its mother, but also its father and siblings.
In the fetal nervous system, myelin sheaths begin to grow on individual nerve fibers, which will ultimately form by the end of the first year of life. These sheaths are responsible for increasing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. The fetal digestive system is constantly maturing and perfecting its functions – the liver and pancreas begin to work intensively, and the meconium bud, the first stool, forms in the intestines. A baby's weight at 18 weeks of pregnancy is approximately 180-200 grams , and its body length is around 13-15 cm. During an ultrasound examination, the baby can be seen yawning, moving its lips, and occasionally smiling.
Where is the baby at 18 weeks of pregnancy? Because it still has plenty of space in the mother's belly, the fetus actively kicks, kicks, and turns during this period of pregnancy, so the baby's position in the uterus is variable. A pregnant woman slowly begins to feel fetal movements at 18 weeks, initially as a kind of tickling sensation in the abdomen, which eventually develops into clearly perceptible kicks. Women with a first pregnancy may begin to feel fetal movements slightly later than multiparous women.
What tests should be performed in the 18nd week of pregnancy?
Before the scheduled medical appointment, basic tests should be performed, such as a complete blood count and a urinalysis. During the 18-week appointment , the gynecologist will also conduct a general interview, assess the condition of the uterus and vaginal discharge, and determine the well-being of the expectant mother and fetus. Between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, a crucial diagnostic test, a second-trimester ultrasound, also known as a mid-term ultrasound, should be performed. This allows for an extremely detailed assessment of the fetal anatomy: head, neck, spine, chest (including diagnosis 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 during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
