Pregnancy Guide: 18th Week
Jan 07, 2007
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Anahita Pandole tells you what to look out for this week.
Your Body
As your appetite increases, so does your waistline! It is about time you went shopping for bigger, more comfortable clothes - specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.
During the second trimester, your blood pressure is probably a little lower than usual. This is because your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes. This is also the time when you develop cravings for a particular food type - from pickles and ice-cream to fish and chips! Remember that gaining weight earlier in the pregnancy can make carrying and delivering the baby more difficult.
Your Baby
Your baby is now about 125 to 140 mm long from head to toe and weighs about 150 grams. That is the size of a large orange.
If your baby is a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes have already developed. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable. Your baby's face looks human because the eyes have shifted to the front of the face and the ears have almost reached the sides of the head.
The bones are still malleable but are beginning to ossify as is the myelin - a protective covering around the nerves. Her immune system is functional and begins to produce antibodies. Your baby also begins to flex her arms and legs.
The bones are still malleable but are beginning to ossify as is the myelin - a protective covering around the nerves. Her immune system is functional and begins to produce antibodies. Your baby also begins to flex her arms and legs.
Get Tested
- Sonogram.
- Triple-screen blood test
- Dental Check. Gum disease can trigger premature labour.
It is okay if…
- You feel dizzy occasionally. It is probably because your blood pressure is a little lower than usual.
- Make sure not to get up suddenly when you are sitting or lying down.
Stay Fit
- Start Kegel exercises, which help strengthen the muscles supporting your urethra, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum.
- Sign up for a childbirth class with a local practitioner or hospital. These will help you prepare for the D-day.
Special Care Tips
- Avoid standing for extended periods of time; you feel fatigued. Also, while sitting, use a footstool to relieve leg pressure and promote blood circulation.
- Lie on your left side to reduce the pressure of the uterus on your pelvic veins. Place a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.
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