Baby development

The development of the baby at 18 weeks of gestation, which is the end of the 4th month of pregnancy, is marked by movements more and more perceived inside the mother's belly. Although they are still very subtle, it may be possible to feel kicks and changes in position, reassuring the mother. Usually at this stage it is already possible to know if it is a boy or a girl through ultrasound.

The fetal development at 18 weeks of gestation is evidenced by its auditory development, where the mother's heartbeat and the noise caused by the passage of blood through the umbilical cord can already be heard. In a short time, you will be able to hear the mother's voice and the environment around her due to the rapid development of the brain, which is already beginning to decipher senses such as touch and hearing. Other important changes are:

Eyes are more sensitive to light, making the baby respond with active movements to stimuli coming from outside. The baby's chest already simulates the movement of breathing, but he still swallows only amniotic fluid. Fingerprints begin to develop through the accumulation of fat on the tips of the fingers and toes, which will later be transformed into wavy and unique lines. Large intestine and many digestive glands are developing more and more. The intestine begins to form meconium, which is the first stool. The fetus swallows the amniotic fluid, which will pass through the stomach and intestine, and is then combined with dead cells and secretions to form meconium.

Usually between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation, an ultrasound is performed to monitor the baby's growth and development in detail, check for possible malformations, assess the placenta and umbilical cord and confirm the baby's age.

If you still do not know if it is a boy or a girl, usually on ultrasound done this week, you can already identify because the female genital organ, the uterus, ovaries and uterine tubes are already in the right place.

Fetus size at 18 weeks

The size of the fetus at 18 weeks of gestation is about 13 centimeters and it weighs approximately 140 grams.

Pictures of the fetus at 18 weeks

Changes in women

The changes in the woman at 18 weeks of pregnancy are the positioning of the uterus 2 cm below the navel. Itching, pimples and spots on the skin, especially on the face, may appear. Regarding weight, the ideal is an increase of up to 5.5 kg at this stage, always depending on the weight at the beginning of pregnancy and the pregnant woman's physical type. Other changes that mark 18 weeks of gestation are:

Dizziness as the heart starts to work harder, there may be a drop in blood sugar and the presence of an increasing uterus can compress the veins, causing fainting. It is necessary to avoid getting up too fast, resting whenever possible, lying on the left side to facilitate circulation. Constant white discharge, which usually increases as the delivery approaches. If this discharge changes color, consistency, smell or irritation, you should inform your doctor as it may be an infection.

This is a good time to choose the maternity ward, prepare the layette and the baby's room because the pregnant woman feels better, without feeling sick, the risk of miscarriage is lower and the belly does not weigh much yet.

Your pregnancy by trimester

To make your life easier and you don't waste time looking, we have separated all the information you need for each trimester of pregnancy. What quarter are you in?