What does my baby look like in week 18?
When your baby is born, you may hear about using white noise to help them sleep. The reason this is such a great trick is because they're used to noise - the womb is far from silent. At 18 weeks they can hear sounds all around them and might even respond to music or a loud noise.
Your pregnancy symptoms in week 18
When does my bump start to show?
Your waist will start to disappear as your womb moves up out of your pelvis and your bump is becoming more noticeable.
If you've been pregnant before, this may happen a bit sooner than for first-time mums.
Back pain and pregnancy
Your bump is growing and hormones are making your muscles and ligaments relax, which is not a good combination for your back.
If you suffer from backache these tips should help:
- Avoid heavy lifting if possible.
- You may find that a firm mattress or a massage helps.
- Exercising in water, having a pregnancy massage or back care classes may help ease the pain.
- If it’s very painful, ask your doctor or midwife to refer you to a physiotherapist.
Get our free guide to 10 common pregnancy complaints (and how to avoid them) straight to your inbox.
Feeling baby move
You might feel the odd movement as your baby practises kicking, and flexing his tiny limbs. It can be wonderfully reassuring to feel your baby wriggle about inside you but don't expect to feel it much at this stage.
Lots of women don't feel movement for a couple of weeks yet, especially in a first pregnancy. You may not even be sure if it's the baby at first - it can just feel like a fluttering in your stomach.
Read more about baby's movements.
What to do in week 18
How can I find antenatal classes near me?
Antenatal classes are a great way to prepare for the birth of your baby. And they’re sometimes a good way to meet other expectant families in your area.
Ask your midwife, health visitor or GP about NHS classes locally.
If my partner smokes is my baby at risk?
The risks of secondhand smoke are significant. Secondhand smoke is highly toxic, despite the fact that 80% of it is invisible and doesn’t smell.
No matter how careful your partner thinks they are being about keeping smoke away from you, you and your baby still get the harmful poisons. Opening windows and doors or smoking in another room will not make it safe.
If a smoker in your household quits smoking, the benefits to you and your baby are huge, similar to when you stop yourself.
Find out more about the effects of smoking in pregnancy.
Your next scan
You’ll have your second scan, known as the ‘fetal anomaly scan' between 18 and 21 weeks. The reason for this scan is to check the physical development of your baby.
The sonographer might also be able to tell the sex of your baby at this scan. If you'd prefer not to know whether you're having a boy or a girl, let them know so they don't accidentally tell you the gender!
“I didn’t find out what we were expecting in my first pregnancy. In some ways waiting was excruciating but it was so exciting not knowing. We found out with our second, but I think I preferred the element of surprise the first time!” Lucy, mum of two.
Read more about pregnancy ultrasound scans.
Pregnancy clothing
You might want to start adding some maternity clothes to your wardrobe if you haven't already done so. Trousers or skirts that are elasticated or loose around your tummy will be the most comfortable.
You don't need to spend a lot on maternity clothes as you won't need them for long. Lots of high street shops have affordable maternity ranges and you can also save money by:
- borrowing clothes from friends who have recently had babies
- looking on local forums or online auction sites
- browsing second-hand shops.
Sources
- Lennart Nilsson (2009) A Child is Born, Jonathan Cape
- NHS Choices (2013). You and your pregnancy at 17-20 weeks pregnant. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-weeks-17-18-19-20.aspx#close on 08.05.2015
- Backache in pregnancy, NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/backache-pregnant.aspx (Page last reviewed: 31/03/2017 Next review due: 31/03/2020).
- NHS Smokefree [accessed 28/04/2015] Secondhand smoke, http://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/why-quit/secondhand-smoke
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Reduced fetal movements, Green-top guideline 57, London RCOG, 2011
ℹLast reviewed on June 26th, 2018. Next review date June 26th, 2021.
Comments
17 weeks pregnant
By Midwife @Tommys on 10 Jan 2018 - 11:36
Hi Shawana
I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling with many worries and anxieties about this pregnancy. As we are a U.K based charity, we are more than happy to talk with you, but you will need to call us on 0800 0147800, as we are unable to call numbers to outside of the U.K due to the expense of these calls. Alternatively, if money to call us is also an issue, you can email us for free on [email protected] which comes through to our email inbox and we can talk via that instead. It is also a private email, rather than this message being on a public platform.
I really do hope that you get in touch with us as we will be happy to help you as best we can!
Sophie,Tommy's Midwife
Gas
By LinahA (not verified) on 9 Nov 2017 - 08:27
won't gas affect my baby,am 17wks.5 and have started to feel my baby move, last night I had a lot of gas in my stomach, I was scared because the I didn't feel any movements for the whole night ,I touched my bump and moved my hand but nothing,until morning when I woke up and touched and called my Angel and heard move,am very worried because my baby hides when I have gas,,,,her movements are soft and smooth but the gas is very strong,best wishes to other moms to be.
Gas
By Midwife @Tommys on 9 Nov 2017 - 10:55
Thank you for your comment. Congratulations on your pregnancy-I hope by now you have had your 1st scan, midwife booking appointments and have started your antenatal care
At this stage you may not feel your baby's movements every day and they may not feel very strong as the baby is still very small. However as the baby grows you will notice more regular and stronger movements; by 24 weeks you may be aware of a pattern developing . We would advise that you contact your maternity unit if you are worried about the movements at any time. You may find the following link helpful-
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy/symptom-checker/baby-fetal-movements.
Gas shouldn't affect your baby; it may be worth changing your diet if you think you are getting more gas than usual. Some raw vegetables or fruits cause problems for example. However if you are feeling unwell, or have other symptoms such as vomiting, severe stomach pains or diarrhea you should always seek urgent advice.
I have attached more information about stomach symptoms and healthy diet in the following links-
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/symptom-checker/stomach-pain-pregnancy
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-pregnancy/balanced-diet-pregnancy
Hope this helps
Take care
About pregnancy
By Anonymous (not verified) on 27 Oct 2017 - 21:09
Hi I am 18 weeks pregnant and this is my 3rd baby. I did experience baby movement in previous pregnancy but this time no. Also, I have diabetes . I visited the doctor in 6 weeks. After that I couldn't book an appointment with him. I was wondering if there is everything going good with my baby or Not??
Moreover, My tommy is getting bigger than it suppoused to be. I am gueshing if there is two banks are growing.
About pregnancy
By Midwife @Tommys on 30 Oct 2017 - 09:33
Hi, To reassure you, many women don't feel baby movements until after 20 weeks or even as late as 24 weeks for some. However, I would advise that you see a health professional as soon as you can in order to assess any concerns you may have and to give you good antenatal care. Do you have access to any care and support?
Pregnancy
By Anonymous (not verified) on 21 Aug 2017 - 23:24
I just finally go to go to the dr last week and she was upset cause I dint go in the early part of my pregnancy and this is my 4th child but I one child in 2017 and one in 2016 and they were both section and I had a child in 2012 she was section and now I'm having a child in 2018 to and I'm not sure how I'm going to have this one and the dr said she thinks I'm 18 to 20 weeks but shes not sure till I get the sonogram done next Friday
Pregnancy
By Midwife @Tommys on 24 Aug 2017 - 15:13
Hi, Thank you for your comment.
As you have had 3 previous sections all quite close together,you may be referred to consultant led care at the hospital, this is nothing to worry about it can be routine and they will be happy for you to see your midwives as well. Your GP just sounds concerned that if you are now 18-20 weeks then you have missed some of the screening tests that can be done at the beginning of pregnancy. It is your choice when to see the GP about a pregnancy but we would normally advice that you do go sooner so that you have access to the appropriate antenatal care and screening. Once you have your scan you will have a better idea of what gestation you are at in your pregnancy and then your maternity care will carry on from there . If you have any questions then please email the Tommy's midwives on [email protected] or you can call us Monday to Friday 9am-5pm on 08000147800. Take care Tommy's Midwives x
Severe abdominal pain
By Anonymous (not verified) on 12 Jul 2017 - 12:49
Am 18wks 3days and am having a severe pain in my abdomen /vagina . its as of something is turning up and down
Severe abdominal pain
By Midwife @Tommys on 13 Jul 2017 - 12:29
Hi Thank you for your comment.
With any severe abdominal pain in pregnancy we would advice that you seek medical advice as soon as you can. You need to call your local maternity unit so that you can be seen and assessed. It is difficult to know what this pain is, it could just be a urine infection or trapped wind but we cannot rule out anything more serious so please call the hospital so that they can seen you as soon as possible. Hope all is well, Tommy's midwives x
Headache problem
By Neha (not verified) on 19 Jun 2017 - 19:30
I am 17week pregnant now. And headache one of my big problem now. So I had saridon many times. Is it side effects my baby
Headache problem
By Midwife @Tommys on 20 Jun 2017 - 09:08
Hi Neha,
Headaches can be common in pregnancy and this is due to the pregnancy hormones. Make sure you are keeping well hydrated and eating little and often and getting plenty of rest. If you find they are constant or happening very frequently it may be an idea to see your Doctor for a check-up, they could also give you some other medication that could help.
Saridon is not a drug that we have in the UK but after checking it's components it is not safe to take during pregnancy due to the caffeine content.
As an alternative, Paracetamol is not known to be harmful in pregnancy and so is the pain killer of first choice. As with all medication and especially during pregnancy the least amount you can take is better. However if you do need to take it then you can take 2 tablets every 4-6 hours and no more than 8 in a 24 hour period.
It sounds like you have needed to take a lot of pain killers though so please go and get checked out by your Doctor anyway.
Best wishes,
Tommy's Midwives
I'm having my first baby girl she moving alot
By Anonymous (not verified) on 21 May 2017 - 06:55
I'm about 17 weeks pregnant with my baby girl my gosh she moves alot to say it's that normal
I'm having my first baby girl she moving alot
By Midwife @Tommys on 22 May 2017 - 10:39
Hello
There is no fixed amount of movement that we say is normal. We ask that you become aware of your own baby's pattern and over the next few weeks this will become clear for you. Most women enjoy feeling the movements so I hope you are too.
Whoops, I'm about 18 weeks
By Sara (not verified) on 27 Apr 2017 - 09:13
Whoops, I'm about 18 weeks and haven't booked in with my midwife yet, I forgot the scan was at 20 weeks. Oh well! Not feeling any movement and can hardly see any bump at all. This is my 6th pregnancy and 4th baby, with 2&3 I looked 6 months pregnant from about 6 weeks lol and felt movement quite early. I definitely have thoughts that maybe this pregnAncy is not viable, but we'll wait and see. Worrying does nothing to help either way, I suppose. Will embrace not having to worry about maternity clothes just yet :) :) X
Whoops, I'm about 18 weeks
By Midwife @Tommys on 27 Apr 2017 - 16:10
Hi, if you think you maybe pregnant then it would be important to check using a pregnancy test and if this is positive we would advise for you to see a midwife as soon as possible to check on your and your baby's well being. You can see your GP or self refer but it is important to access the antenatal care to ensure you and your baby's safety and well being.
18 weeks pregnant
By Neshanny (not verified) on 1 Apr 2017 - 20:41
im 18 weeks pregnant and haven't yet feel my baby move is that normal ?
18 weeks pregnant
By Midwife @Tommys on 3 Apr 2017 - 09:19
Hi Neshanny.
Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Some women wont feel their baby move until later on in their pregnancy, especially in their first pregnancy. It can anytime between 16 and 24 weeks that you will start to feel your baby move. So yes, this is normal.
Take care of yourself.
Is She Moving?
By Aydee (not verified) on 31 Mar 2017 - 21:46
Hey ladies im 18 weeks pregnant with my second child.. But my first never really moved... So i dont know what it feels like to feel them kick nor move... What does it Feel like?
Is she moving?
By Midwife @Tommys on 3 Apr 2017 - 09:22
Hi Aydee.
Feeling your baby move for the first time can occur anytime between 16-24 wks of pregnancy. It can feel like bubbles or butterflies in the earlier weeks until the movements become more obvious.
18 weeks
By Angel (not verified) on 10 Mar 2017 - 07:13
Excited to know what I'm havin !!!! Not sure if I feel any movement yet lol
18 weeks
By Queen (not verified) on 20 Mar 2017 - 15:06
I'm 18 weeks also but I have have been feeling movements for about a month or so now. My mom suggested I may be farther along than I think, but I swore I did my calculations correctly lol. This is my first pregnancy by the way. Congrats to you and your bundle.
18 weeks
By Midwife @Tommys on 20 Mar 2017 - 15:12
Hi Queen. Your dating scan would be fairly accurate, so I am sure your dates aren't wrong. It is possible to feel "bubbles" from 14 weeks, but often these go unnoticed until the movements become a little more definitive.But either way, this is normal! Congratulations!!!
I am 18wks with my second,
By Mackenzie (not verified) on 17 Jan 2018 - 17:00
I am 18wks with my second, and I started feeling little flutters at 13-14 weeks this time. I was small for my frame and they said that has alot to do with it. (Less abdominal wall to feel kicks through) i now feel movement almost every day and they are becoming stronger, and baby is active longer. Feeling movement, for me anyway is reassuring. You know baby is okay. I'm the next 6 weeks or so, you will start to feel a pattern developing, and by 24-25 weeks, counting kicks and feeling movement from the outside will be possible.
on my fourth child and this
By Midwife @Tommys on 27 Feb 2017 - 16:29
Hi there. Congratulations on your 4th pregnancy. You must remember that every pregnancy (and baby) is different and can affect your body and how you feel differently each time.
Feeling anxious is often a common part of pregnancy, but you can speak to your midwife about this and she/he can help to support you in any way you feel helpful - with more frequent appointments, or referral for more support and help eg counselling. Please don't be afraid to speak to your midwife openly, she/he will not judge you on anything that is said. Asking for help is always a positive step forwards.
Please feel free to call us on our pregnancy line too if you feel that a chat with one of us on the midwifery team would be useful for you.
on my fourth child and this
By Anonymous (not verified) on 27 Feb 2017 - 16:17
on my fourth child and this pregnancy is alot worse then the others im getting every symptom the anxiety just started ready for August 8th to come
BABY
By Soon to be mom ... (not verified) on 17 Jan 2017 - 04:50
It's so exciting to feel my baby move I can't wait to know what we're having...
Hoping for a boy
Yes,the very much useful
By Sara (not verified) on 26 Dec 2016 - 10:53
Yes,the very much useful
Pages