Changes During Pregnancy - Week 18

Mother

You may begin to feel your bump growing considerably. The increased weight of the growing uterus upsets your center of gravity. You may experience back aches and find yourself tending to trip. Opting for flat footwear is a good choice. Your doctor may advise you to do an ultrasound to check your baby's heart and other organs. This is referred to as the Routine Anomaly Scan. She will also check your baby's size, the position of the placenta and the umbilical cord. She may also recalculate your baby's due date.

Finding the ideal sleeping position may be a problem with your increased weight. Sleeping on your back or tummy are not recommended. The best position is lying on your left hand side. This avoids strain on the vena cava and maintains the optimal supply of nutrients to the baby. Use pregnancy pillows to make your sleeping experience as pleasant as possible.

Baby

Your baby begins to exhibit breathing motions as a part of preparing his lungs for breathing after delivery. As there is no air inside the uterus, he may have hiccups as he inhales his amniotic fluid. You may even feel them.

His vocal cords are fully developed and the placenta continues to provide the nourishment for his growth. His heart and muscles become stronger. He starts producing Myelin which serves as a protective cover for his nerves. His genitals are developed. His bones begin to harden and his eyes face forwards rather than sideways. He has developed reflexes like blinking. The fingers and toes have developed fingerprints and toeprints.