18-Weeks-Pregnant

This should be an exciting week for you. You've probably already found that every new twinge and symptom brings with it a reminder you are really going to have a baby. But of all the pregnancy signs, there is none more convincing than when you become aware of your baby moving. This is commonly around the 18th week for first time mothers and a little earlier for those who've had a baby before.

Until now, the amniotic fluid has been acting as a buffer for your baby's activity and the nerve endings in the wall of your uterus have not been directly in contact with the baby, it's been too small. Now that your baby is large enough to be stimulating those nerve pathways, your brain will register that there is something moving around in there.

Is that my baby I can feel?

It's hard to describe exactly how your baby's first movements will feel to you. Many women say it is like the lightest of flutters, or a small bubble of excitement in their belly. Others say it feel like wind moving, though less painful. There are all sorts of words used to describe it - a tickle, a whisper or something similar to the sensation of being in an elevator when your heart is in your mouth, just lower down. You will probably find that you become more conscious of your baby's movements when you are lying down or sitting still and not distracted by other things. It is impossible to not smile when you first become aware of them; it's just one of those life affirming moments.

Remember though, every baby will develop their own pattern or movements and every mother will have her own unique experience of her baby's movements. It is very common to be unsure in the early days of feeling movements and you may question if it is all in your imagination. Try to be patient as you wait and see. You will soon be left in no doubt that what you are feeling is your baby.

Your physical changes this week

• At 18 weeks pregnant, you should be able to feel the top of your uterus way between your pubic bone and your navel. It will feel like a firm, muscular ridge which doesn t yield when you press gently down. When you go for your ante-natal appointments, the size of your uterus will be checked by your midwife or doctor every time. This is because it provides an ideal way to measure the growth of your baby and compare its size against your dates.
• Your uterus is about the size of a rockmelon, so it's no wonder that you are feeling a dense, heavy feeling in your pelvis. Pick one up next time you're at the fruit shop and feel the weight of it. You're entitled to feeling a little worn out by the end of the day.
• If you have put on a fair amount of weight, you may be starting to get stretch marks. Most women do develop these during pregnancy and not a lot can be done to avoid them. Excess weight gain is one risk factor, as is a family history and maternal age. Rub some emollient cream into your tummy each day, but avoid spending a lot of money on creams which claim to stop them developing. They don t tend to work.
• Think that noisy snorer is your partner? You may want to reconsider. This is the time a lot of pregnant women start snoring, much to their horror. Blame those congested mucous membranes and your nasal stuffiness. Sleeping on a couple of pillows can help, as can lying on your side. For some women, saline nasal sprays are useful. They help to liquefy nasal secretions and remoisturise the nasal passages if dryness if a problem.
• Where's the food? This week you could really find your appetite increases. Until now, the baby has been growing quickly, though for the next couple of weeks its growth will plateau slightly. Stock the fridge and pantry with lots of healthy foods which will help support you both. Look for low GI (Glycaemic Index) foods which take longer to digest and will satisfy your hunger for longer periods of time.
• Your heart is working extra hard to pump your blood. Your total circulating blood volume has increased so much that your heart needs to work almost 50 percent harder in pumping blood around your body. If you are still smoking at this point, do yourself and your baby a big favour and give up.