Baby Development
The Week 18 edition:
Your baby is looking more and more like a little human! Especially with their ears popping out of their head. Your baby has set patterns of sleep and can yawn now! The lungs are growing at just the right place. By this time the sex organs are prominent and visible in an ultrasound. Your baby is of the size of a bell pepper weighing 191 grams and is 13.97 cm in height.
Here is a comprehensive list of everything your baby has been up to this week:
- Your baby’s limbs are growing to be in proportion to the rest of the body.
- The lungs are developing rapidly with the bronchioles being formed now.
- The sensitivity of the skin is retained by vernix.
- Your baby may start sucking its thumb in the womb.
Mother
Track your growth at Week 18:
The top of your uterus is about ½ inch below your belly button. If your legs are cramping, then your body needs more Magnesium, Epsom salt soaks can help and so can Magnesium oil massages before bedtime, This is the right time to start the childbirth module on the Veira Life platform to start preparing for birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and beyond. Focus on eating fresh and healthy. Skin can get hyperpigmented and you may develop dark spots or the skin around your mouth, around your eyes may get darker. Your nipples get darker. Don’t worry, it will disappear after birth. You may notice a dark line from the top of your pubic bone to your navel forming. It is called linea nigra or pregnancy line. Though it is more commonly noticed after 20 weeks, it is believed that it helps your baby after birth to find the breasts. Dark nipples help the same way too!
This is the best time to consider taking a vacation to indulge yourself. With second trimester boost in energy levels, plan a getaway with your partner, friends and/or family.
Here is a list of symptoms you may see this week:
- Skin discolouration may occur.
- You may get constipated, eat small amounts of food all throughout the day and drink at least 3 L of water.
- If your nose feels stuffy, practice the yogic practice of “anulom vilom”.
- Last but not the least, as a result of the growing belly, your lower abdomen may feel taut with the growth of your baby.
