Pregnancy Week by Week: How Your Baby Grows

My Baby

Baby size

Pregnancy development

My Baby: Week 18

Size

14.2 cm

Weight

190.0 g

Mummy, I am the size of a sweet potato now. Has your tummy grown in size as well? With the increased amniotic fluid level, my "home" in your uterus has become larger and I am getting more active.

Popular questions for moms-to-be

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Pregnancy Care

Keep the backache away by sitting upright or performing light exercises such as prenatal yoga.
Sleep on your side (preferably left side) as it allows for maximum blood flow and nutrients to the placenta and enhances kidney function.
If you notice your hands and feet swell often, place them at a height to drain out excess fluids. Also, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
If worry is causing you to lose sleep, try out a few relaxing breathing techniques before you hit the sack for a good night's rest!
You may experience dry and itchy skin, so use a good moisturiser to keep the scratching at bay.
To prevent leg cramps, try to stretch your calf muscles before bed and stay hydrated

Pregnancy Symptoms

You are ravenous. Your baby’s rapid growth is probably making you hungry every few hours.
Your hands and feet are swollen. This pregnancy symptom can be bothersome, but it is common.
As your baby grows rapidly, there’s a lot of pressure on your back, leading to a backache.
Due to increased pressure on the veins of your nose, you may experience nosebleeds.
You may also be experiencing leg cramps, so stay hydrated.
You might be experiencing heartburn, indigestion and/or constipation.
You may have started to feel your baby's movements in the womb.
Stretch marks may have started to appear.
You might experience swollen, irritated and bleeding gums due to elevated pregnancy hormones.

Your Baby's Development

Your little one is moving, and wow! As your baby rolls, tumbles, and flexes his/her limbs in your womb, get ready to feel stronger kicks and nudges.
He/she can now yawn--so you may catch a glimpse of this during an ultrasound.
Because your baby's hearing is well-developed, sudden and loud noises may even startle him/her.
If you're carrying a boy, his penis will have now formed distinctly. If you’re carrying a girl, her vagina, womb (uterus) and fallopian tubes are in place.

Recipe of the day

Malunggay Tea

Beverages for breastfeedingBeverages for confinementBeverages for pregnancy

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Foods to avoid

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Activities To Avoid

Can I get Brazilian hair treatment? ❌>
Hi Preggy mummy! Maybe lay off the Brazilian treatment first for now as the chemicals used for this may be harmful to your baby. Just wait until after your pregnancy.
Can I get a massage using essential oils? ❌>
Hi mummy! It's not a good idea to get massaged with essential oils. You can still get prenatal massages but maybe pure essential oils should not be used first.

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Activities To Do

Can I grow plants? ✅>
Yes you can grow flowers, mummy! The ones that help purify the air are the best ones!
Can I get henna hair colour treatment? ✅>
Hi mum-to-be! Just like with henna tattoos, make sure that the type of henna used is natural and safe for pregnancy.

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Foods to eat

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