Pregnancy Calendar Week 18
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
Changes in Your Baby
By pregnancy calendar week 18, your baby weighs nearly half a pound! Fat layers, which will comprise 75 percent of his/her birth weight, are continuing to develop.
At this point in your pregnancy, meconium, your baby's first bowel movement, is accumulating within the bowel. If your baby is a boy, his prostate gland is beginning to develop, and his testicles have started their descent from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. Additionally, pads are forming on your baby’s fingertips and toes.
During the eighteenth week of pregnancy, some women notice their baby is making jerky movements. This indicates your baby has the hiccups!
Your Body During Pregnancy Calendar Week 18
By pregnancy calendar week 18, many women experience feelings of dizziness. This is caused by postural hypotension, low blood pressure due to a change in position. It’s a common pregnancy symptom since your cardiovascular system now reacts slower than before.
By pregnancy calendar week 18, some women start to notice that their shoes feel tighter than normal. Pregnancy causes feet to swell because of extra fluid retention. The hormones that prepare your body for delivery can also cause your feet to spread by loosening up the joints. This problem usually disappears after the baby is born. However, you may need to purchase a slightly larger pair of shoes to wear for the remainder of your pregnancy.
If you wear hard contact lenses, you may notice that they no longer seem to fit properly. Fluid retention changes the curvature of your eyes. Pregnancy hormones can also contribute to eye dryness and a decrease in tear production. If possible, you may want to consider switching to glasses or soft contacts for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Other common pregnancy symptoms during the second trimester include indigestion, heartburn, breast tenderness, constipation, and occasional headaches. You may also notice Stretch Marks on your belly, breasts, or buttocks.
Treating Backaches During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the joints in your pelvis begin to loosen up to allow for easier delivery of your baby. However, this can also cause back pain. Many women aggravate the problem by standing with their shoulders back and neck arched in an attempt to compensate for the extra weight of the baby.
The best approach to dealing with back pain is prevention. Don’t wear high heels and try not to stand for long periods of time. To carry groceries or other heavy packages, bend at the knees and lift with your arms and legs. Sit in a supportive chair whenever possible. Avoid crossing your legs, since this causes you to tilt your pelvis too far forward.
Even if you’re not bothered by back pain during the day, you may notice discomfort when you’re trying to sleep. To get the rest you need, try sleeping on a firm mattress and using a maternity pillow to support your back. Since back pain is aggravated by stress, you may also wish to try a series of relaxing stretches and deep breathing exercises before bedtime.
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