Your baby is growing

At 18 weeks, your baby is happily moving his hands and legs. He now weighs 7 ounces, and from head to rump, he is about 5 1⁄2 inches. Your baby’s ears stand out a little bit and are now in their final position. His skin is thin, which makes the blood vessels visible. Myelin, a protective covering is forming around his nerves. This will happen one year after birth. If it’s a girl child, her fallopian tubes and uterus get formed, and if it’s a boy, his genitals are more well defined.

Your life at 18 weeks

You will feel hungry more often, as your appetite will increase. Go for nutrient rich food and not fast food. Along with your appetite, your waistline will also grow. Therefore, wear clothes that will keep you comfortable and relaxed.

At 18 weeks, your BP will be lower that what it is and your Cardiovascular system undergoes changes. If you are lying or sitting, don’t get up too fast or you might feel rather dizzy.

When you want to lie down, do so sideways or partially tilted to one side. Here’s the compelling reason why. Lying flat will make your Uterus compress a major vien, resulting in decreased blood flow to the heart.

Go for an ultrasound. This will help check your baby’s growth, placenta and umbilical cord and scan for defects, if any. It will also ascertain your due date and if there is more than one baby.

At the ultrasound, you will be able to see your baby moving, even sucking his thumb. The warmth that fills your heart, will have nothing to do with the ultrasound test.