Pregnancy Symptoms
Fetal movements which feel like tiny flutters
For most women, the 18th week of pregnancy is the time they notice the first fetal movement, which may be in the form of a slight flutter, a slight bubble, or even a slight shifting type of feeling. If you do not experience this movement in the 18th week, do not worry, and remember that every pregnancy is different. If this is your first pregnancy, you can experience the first fetal movement anytime between the 18th and the 20th week.
Swollen feet
Some women may start experiencing swelling in their ankles and feet around this time, which is common during pregnancy. Sit in a comfortable position by keeping your feet elevated. Avoid sitting for long hours, drink plenty of water and walk around.
Clumsiness
Many factors like weight gain, growing tummy, and pregnancy stress and anxiety contribute to being clumsy during pregnancy. Many women realize that they are being uncoordinated during this time and tend to panic. There is nothing to worry about because clumsiness is typical during pregnancy. It will go down once you give birth.
Bleeding Gums
Oral problems are common during pregnancy, and many pregnant women experience bleeding gums and other gum problems. Hormonal changes can make your gums vulnerable to plaque, which in turn causes sore and bleeding gums. Take care of your oral health during pregnancy. Ask your doctor if the problem persists or gets worse with time.
Pregnancy brain/forgetfulness
It is common for some women to have brain fog during pregnancy. You struggle to remember things and tasks, and this is because pregnancy tends to shrink the grey matter present in the brain, thus affecting the cognitive abilities of the woman. Put alarms, and note down the tasks for the day. Do not try to multitask, focus on a single thing to cope with pregnancy brain.
Leg cramps
Most pregnant women experience leg cramps at some stage of the pregnancy or the other, while the 18th week is when they are more prominent. These pains can be quite troubling during the night. Staying hydrated, stretching, and taking supplements can help combat pregnancy aches and pains.
Varicose Veins
Women with an existing problem of varicose veins are at greater risk of having them during pregnancy. For some women, varicose veins can occur during pregnancy because of increased blood flow. Wear comfortable shoes, avoid wearing heels, keep up the physical activity, and sit with your feet in an elevated position to balance blood circulation.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks usually appear in nine out of ten pregnant women. You can see them on your thighs, breasts, and your tummy. You can not do much about stretch marks, but take good care of your skin. Stretch marks will disappear after delivery.
Bloating and gas
Bloating is one of the most common symptoms and will stay throughout the pregnancy. Try to change the way you eat, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Break your meals and eat frequently, and continue to exercise.
Baby's Development
Baby’s Length: 5.5 inches(14 cm)
Baby’s Weight: 167gms.
Your baby is now the size of a Capsicum. Your baby is filling out nicely and getting large enough so that soon you may start feeling those twists, rolls, kicks, and punches that they are busy perfecting inside the womb. Following are the development of your fetus this week.
A major development in this week is the production of myelin sheath- a protective membrane around the nerve cells. It facilitates the fast and efficient transmission of electrical impulses or messages between the nerve cells. Myelin also helps the nerves to form complex connections.
With those unique fingerprints on the little fingertips and toes of your baby, they are now truly one-of-a-kind!
This week the genitals also get more defined. If it’s a boy, its prostate gland is forming. And if it’s a girl, its uterus and fallopian tubes are already developed.
Your baby is growing well and soon enough you may be able to feel all those twists, turns, kicks, and punches that they are practicing inside. These movements will initially feel like little flutters and will soon grow more strong as the pregnancy progresses.
Another set of skills your baby is mastering this week is yawning and hiccupping. If you are lucky, you may even catch them yawning on an ultrasound scan! Take your spouse along so that both of you can share this thrilling experience.
Did you know your baby can hear sounds? Yes, they do!!! Their ears have arrived at their final position along the sides of the head. The tiny bones on the inside of the ears have also hardened by now. This allows them to hear sounds. One of the first sounds they hear inside is that of your heartbeat. Isn’t it amazing! They can also hear sounds of your digestive system and your own voice. According to research, this is what enables them to identify the sound of their mother once they are born. So all the more reason now for you to sing and talk to your baby bump.
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