18 weeks pregnant

What's happening this week...

Your baby

By now, your baby is around 14cm long and can suck his or her thumb. Your little one’s bones are getting stronger so they can kick, roll and flex their little arms and legs.

The sex of your baby was determined from the moment your egg was fertilized, but by now it should be apparent on an 18 week pregnant ultrasound picture as its sex organs are already developing. Baby girls will already be developing eggs in their ovaries.

You

Pregnant at 18 weeks, you may be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat when the midwife examines you.

Your tummy may now be quite round as your uterus has increased in size. The target weight gain for the second trimester is no more than 5.5kg – 9kg (12-19lb), if you’ve had trouble with morning sickness and didn’t gain much weight then you may need to increase your calorie intake – see your doctor if you’re not sure. Learn more about eating healthily during pregnancy.

If you’re experiencing heartburn try a couple of simple tips to increase your comfort, like eating smaller meals or having a peppermint or camomile tea. Read more about heartburn during pregnancy.

What to think about

You will now be able to have the foetal anomaly scan, which is usually available between 18 – 21 weeks. It won’t be able to show every problem, but it’s a good indicator if there’s anything wrong with your baby’s brain, kidneys, digestive tract or heart. Check with your midwife to see what is available to you.

In your scan it’s likely that you’ll be able to find out whether you’re having a boy or a girl. Even though it’s not 100 per cent accurate, some hospitals or clinics will tell you. Ask your doctor or midwife what their policy is and before you find out it might be an idea to check with your partner if they want to leave the sex a surprise.

It’s time to book yourself into some antenatal classes. These won’t start until the last few months of pregnancy, but they fill up quickly. If you’re single, don’t avoid the classes; get a friend or family member to go with you. If you’re not comfortable with that – why not try to find a class for single expectant mums? This might be useful to meet mums-to-be in similar positions. Find out more about antenatal classes.

Keep an eye on your blood pressure. If it’s slightly high because of rushing around or anxiety, try to take things easy and find the time to relax.

What’s happening at 19 weeks pregnant?
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Comments

i'm 18 weeks an 2days,

Submitted by sashasian on Sat, 04/02/2012 - 20:50.

i'm 18 weeks an 2days, yesterday morning i felt actual kicks low down in my tummy my boyfriend felt them too we are very excited, find out what where having the 18th cant wait!! :)

18 weeks and feeling tickles

Submitted by suzylou1976 on Mon, 30/01/2012 - 10:19.

I'm 18 weeks and 4 days and for the last few days have started feeling ittle tickles and bubbles in the lower part of my tummy, all very exciting, Had some brown discharge this morning and some cramps which was scary but the midwife said there's nothing to worry about as it sounds like the pain is growing pains and to expect my bump to have a growth spurt in the next few days....I don't know about anyone else but it's just one constant worry and the baby's not even here yet!!!!xx

I'm 17 weeks 5 days. I find

Submitted by carrieJeal on Thu, 26/01/2012 - 07:36.

I'm 17 weeks 5 days. I find on the 10th feb if its a boy or girl. I can't wait! 2 weeks before I found out I was pregnant I was diognosed with polycystic ovaries and was about to start treatment. Could not be happier right now! Xx

aliciajemson

Submitted by mamacharlene on Tue, 17/01/2012 - 16:45.

to aliciajemson, i hope you are ok hun, it sounds horrible to just say that to you, i have never experienced that before, i hope whatever you have chosen to do, it was your decision and you werent pushed into anything you didnt want to be. xx

i am 18 wks and am expecting

Submitted by cakeycake on Sat, 14/01/2012 - 08:10.

i am 18 wks and am expecting a girl, i feel baby move quite alot this is my 3rd so i have been felling flutters for a few wks. just feeling very big at this stage.

i'm 18w + 3days i did feel

Submitted by lindseybrains87 on Fri, 13/01/2012 - 18:06.

i'm 18w + 3days i did feel movement a few days ago but nothing since been to midwife n everything ok were not finding awt wat where avin just wanna see him/her again on screen x

I'm 18w + 1day and i do feel

Submitted by AshleyJ on Wed, 04/01/2012 - 15:35.

I'm 18w + 1day and i do feel the movements but will only find out the sex on the 18th (wish the next 2 weeks wud hurry up tho) lol

18+1 feeling lots of

Submitted by chantellexxxxx on Tue, 27/12/2011 - 21:32.

18+1 feeling lots of movements and big kicks now :) find out the sex on 9th Jan can't wait! x

im now 17weeks and 5days,iv

Submitted by Logan2012 on Thu, 15/12/2011 - 17:23.

im now 17weeks and 5days,iv felt tiny movements but not major ones,i find out what im having on the 4th of january:D

i had a gender scan at 16wks

Submitted by aliciajemson on Tue, 13/12/2011 - 20:17.

i had a gender scan at 16wks its a girl was told to go hozi as baby had a swollen heart and fluid in her chest im now 18+2 and my midwife or hozi arnt intrested and they keep telling me to have an abortion has any1 else had this problem im worried to death x

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