The 18th week of pregnancy for most pregnant women is full of discoveries and new sensations. Pregnancy is rapidly approaching its middle, and now a woman is enjoying her position, not yet experiencing severe fatigue or heaviness. Certain interesting changes await the pregnant woman and her baby this week. Let's talk about this in more detail.
How many months is it?
The start of week 18 is a full 17 weeks. 18 full weeks is already the nineteenth week of pregnancy. If a woman is at obstetric week 18, this means that conception took place 16 weeks ago.
The difference is due to the fact that between the embryonic period and the period adopted by obstetricians for the "gold" standard - exactly 2 weeks, which separate the beginning of menstruation from the subsequent ovulation. Obstetricians always count from the first day of menstruation before pregnancy.
14 weeks have passed since the delay, this is no less than 98 days. This is how much time a woman knows about her pregnancy and mentally tunes in for the upcoming motherhood. Obstetric week 17-18 is one of the most enjoyable and not burdensome periods in all nine months. Everything that is happening now with the baby and mother is gradually bringing them closer to an important event - the birth of a new family member.
Week 18 is the second trimester, exactly 4.5 obstetric months. There are only two weeks left until the "equator" - the middle of pregnancy.
Feelings of a future mother
By the age of 18 weeks, the woman had already fully adapted to her new position. She got used to the idea that her life will no longer be the same, that the upcoming changes will change all aspects of her. At the current time, the expectant mother carefully "listens" to herself in anticipation of new sensations, sometimes very painfully and suspiciously refers to the slightest ailments. Most often, this week, pregnant women have the following sensations.
Stomach
The belly is growing. Many expectant mothers already have a photo report, taking pictures of their tummy every week. Compared to the previous week, he rose somewhat and began to noticeably bulge forward. Now it is quite difficult to hide it even behind loose and loose clothing - when moving, walking, roundness becomes obvious.
It is even pleasant for women, because now they have a completely different attitude towards them - they are giving up space in transport, they try not to overload at work, and at home they are increasingly offering help in their usual household chores.
If a woman does not like such attention to a growing tummy for some reason, it is worth choosing bright accessories for clothes - scarves, beads, a hat, these details will focus on themselves, thereby the belly will cease to be an object of close examination of others.
Stirring fetus
The baby has been moving in the mother's womb for a very long time, but most pregnant women begin to feel his movements only now. This week, almost all women whose current pregnancy is their second or third in a row, already perfectly feel the activity of their crumbs. Their abdominal wall is more stretched after previous pregnancies, the abdomen grows somewhat faster and the sensitivity is higher. In addition, experienced mothers will never confuse the baby's movement with fermentation of intestinal gases.
Women who are expecting their first child can now be very anxious if they do not already feel the baby. There is absolutely nothing to worry about - primiparas usually begin to feel the movements of the baby closer to the 20th week of pregnancy. Previously, the dates were checked on them - as soon as the first-born began to stir, this means that half of the term has passed, and 20 weeks remain before delivery. Today, there are more accurate methods for assessing the timing - ultrasound, for example, and stirring is more a way to assess the condition of the baby.
If the movements have already begun to be felt, it is not yet necessary to count them, because light and barely noticeable touches of the baby to the inner walls of the uterus are still irregular, the baby is free, he can swim and move for a long time without touching the uterus at all. The location of the placenta also affects the sensation of movements. If it is on the front wall, the likelihood that movements will begin to be felt this week are not so great.
The movements themselves are still more reminiscent of the flutter of the wings of a butterfly, some women compare them with the movement of an aquarium fish. Perceptible shocks and kicks await the expectant mother a little later, when the free space in the uterus becomes much less than now.
Pain and discharge
The dynamic growth of the uterus cannot but affect the well-being of the expectant mother. At the 18th week of pregnancy, the uterus, which used to be the size of a goose egg, becomes comparable in size to a good melon, muscle fibers stretch and lengthen, and the ligamentous apparatus becomes more elastic. The baby grows, the amount of amniotic fluid increases, the placenta develops. All this creates a tangible load on the lower back, sacrum, back, legs.
That is why women from time to time pay attention to the fact that the lower back hurts, the back aches, the legs get very tired and "buzz" in the evening, there are lumbago and tingling in the uterus. These pains are not pronounced, they are physiological and do not need treatment.
However, if the lower back is cramping, the pain becomes stronger, abnormal discharge appears, this cannot be a variant of the norm: at the current time, such symptoms are a sign of a late threat of termination of pregnancy. The woman needs urgent medical attention.
The number of discharge at 18 weeks remains at the level of the previous weeks, their slight increase is possible. There should still be no blood, pink or brown discharge on the panty liner.
Normal discharge is now considered to be white, light, moderately yellowish with or without a slight sour odor. Green or gray discharge, foul-smelling, accompanied by itching, may now indicate the presence of an infection, including genital. And itching, coupled with white discharge, reminiscent of cottage cheese, indicates thrush.
Any discharge that differs from the norm is a reason for a visit to the doctor. Inflammation and infection must be treated as soon as possible.
Sleep and appetite
No sooner had the woman rejoiced that her sleep had begun to improve, then problems again arise - at 18 weeks it is difficult to choose a comfortable position for rest. It is uncomfortable to lie on your back - you are dizzy due to the fact that the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava. Technically, you can't lie on your stomach. There are two options left - the right and left sides.
A woman has to roll from side to side all night long, which entails frequent waking up, vivid and disturbing fragmentary dreams. A special pillow for pregnant women, shaped like a large banana or a bagel, will help to solve the problem at least partially. It reliably supports the tummy and allows you to throw your upper leg higher when lying on your side. It is this position that is most comfortable during pregnancy.
But now there are no problems with appetite: a woman has excellent appetite. Even those expectant mothers who, during the entire first trimester, could not eat normally due to toxicosis and vomiting, now eat with pleasure. Right now, it is important to prevent overeating, since appetite is very conducive to this. A woman needs to reconsider her diet, diet, and monitor weight gain.
Toxicosis
Most expectant mothers do not have unpleasant manifestations and symptoms now, they feel good and cheerful. Even if toxicosis was observed at the beginning of pregnancy, now its signs have receded, because the hormonal background in the woman's body is stabilizing. However, it's too early to relax, after all, right now late toxicosis or gestosis can begin, which manifests itself in edema.
If in the morning a woman notices that her lips and nose are swollen, the swelling of her face does not go away, the wedding ring does not come off, the usual worn-out shoes have become "small", and the elastic bands of the socks leave characteristic marks on her ankles, be sure to inform the doctor about this. These may be the first signs of gestosis, which is dangerous for the mother and baby.
It is much more difficult to recognize internal edema. They are visually invisible, and the doctor can only suspect them by excess weight gain, a sharp jump in weight upwards compared to the previous week, and also by the presence of protein in the urine. For this reason urine tests are very important now, recommended before each trip to the obstetrician-gynecologist. It is imperative to take it, as well as control your weight.
Common complaints
Among the most common complaints at the 18th week of pregnancy are headaches that are no longer associated with violent hormonal processes, as it was in the first trimester. Now persistent regular headaches can signal that a woman's blood pressure rises, which indirectly can also indicate the presence of late toxicosis - gestosis.
Headache pills are not the right decision when carrying a baby. It is best to see a doctor, donate blood and urine, and measure blood pressure so that a specialist can find the cause of the pain.
A runny nose at 18 weeks is not uncommon. If there are no other signs of a possible cold or infectious disease, then the runny nose is considered physiological, associated with pregnancy. It occurs due to mild swelling of the mucous membranes, including the respiratory tract.
Diarrhea, heartburn and constipation are frequent companions of the 18th week of pregnancy. The organs of the woman's digestive tract turn out to be somewhat displaced: they were pressed by the uterus, and now they have to work in extreme conditions. Frequent constipation is also associated with a relaxed, muscular intestinal wall. Constipation itself can cause another unpleasant complication - hemorrhoids. About half of expectant mothers complain about him in the second trimester.
Mood
At the 18th week of pregnancy, a woman is calmer, her behavior is measured, and her movements are leisurely. The gait has become "duck", and the facial expression is increasingly absent-minded and dreamy. The period of sudden mood swings has passed, because hormones are no longer "raging". Now in the body of the expectant mother, inhibition processes prevail. So the body itself is trying to protect the child, who already feels the mother's emotional "turns".
Many women are now experiencing a surge of strength, cheerfulness, optimism. At the same time, their desire to be loved, needed, and protected by a stronger person intensifies. These desires are instinctive, and men should understand this. A woman needs a sense of security to reproduce.
This week, one should refrain from stressful situations, from communicating with unpleasant and unfriendly people, the expectant mother now needs extremely positive emotions.
Changes in the body
In the mother's body, very intensive processes are taking place, which every day bring her closer to meeting the baby. Now pregnancy is obvious to everyone. The waist has increased by 3-5 centimeters, the breasts of many have increased by more than two sizes. Even in obese women, in whom the tummy begins to become noticeable later than in lean women, the bottom line of the uterus that has emerged into the abdominal cavity is now clearly distinguishable.
Uterus
The height of the standing of the fundus of the uterus this week already reaches 17-20 centimeters.
The uterus is located in the abdominal cavity, its upper border is probed 2 transverse fingers below the navel. Your baby's cozy haven is gradually changing its shape - now it is oval, as if it repeats the shape of the fetal bladder.
The length of the neck is normally in the range of 40-45 mm. A shorter neck may indicate isthmic-cervical insufficiency, which is a great threat to bearing a baby and requires mandatory medical intervention.
To imagine the rate at which the uterus grows, it is enough to know that it increases 500 times over all 9 months, and the length of the muscle fibers of this organ increases 5 times.
The height of the standing day of the uterus is now used as a diagnostic "marker" of the development of pregnancy - it is measured at every appointment in the consultation. Normally, the VSDM value should correspond to the period: at week 20 - 20 centimeters, at 25th - 25 centimeters.
A woman clearly feels the uterus, especially if it is toned. It is already quite realistic to feel the upper boundaries of the genital organ on your own.
Weight gain
Weekly control over the increase will help not only pay attention to errors in nutrition in time and revise the menu. Sharp jumps in weight will help to suspect symptoms of possible gestosis in time, which is very important for the further course of pregnancy. A woman is advised to weigh herself once a week on the same day with or without the same clothes in the morning after using the toilet.
Women with a weight that was normal or slightly underweight before pregnancy can now note that they have already gained more than 4.6 kilograms. And this will be a completely normal increase.
Ladies who had extra pounds at the time of registration, normally gain about 4 kilograms by week 18, and women suffering from one degree or another of obesity should add no more than 2.3 kilograms. If body weight is increasing at a more dynamic pace, you should discuss the reasons with your doctor and get advice from him for weight loss.
Chest
By the 18th week, the mammary glands of a woman have come a long way - they increased in size due to the growth of glandular tissue, their sensitivity changed, the areola could change their color.
Now the chest is less painful than it was in the first trimester, especially at the very beginning. The nipples become harder and may develop small “bumps” and bumps, as well as around the nipples. These are the Montgomery hillocks. They are constant companions of pregnancy and do not need any treatment.
Now a woman may begin to feel that the chest on the sides and bottom itches - this is how the skin is overstretched. If you do not take preventive measures, ugly stretch marks can form, which are almost impossible to eliminate conservatively.
Due to the large and lush breasts that have become, the center of gravity changes, a woman's back may begin to hurt in the area of the shoulder blades and slightly below. To prevent this, you need to wear the "correct" bra - with wide straps and good support cups.
Colostrum shedding at 18 weeks is not observed in everyone, most often in multiparous women who already have experience of breastfeeding, especially if not much time has passed between the past and current pregnancies.
Increased sweating
Many women notice that they sweat more this week. This is due to the increased work of the sweat glands. And there is absolutely no connection with the season. Of course, sweating is more evident in the summer, but in winter a woman will have to solve this problem. Fat women sweat more.
18 weeks pregnant is the time when you should pay more attention to your hygiene so that sweating does not become obvious to others.
In order not to aggravate the situation, you should not now wear clothes made of synthetic or semi-synthetic fabrics. Only natural fabrics will help the skin "breathe" without causing prickly heat and other dermatological problems.
Pigmentation
Week 18 ends the period when a woman may well develop excessive pigmentation. After this period, the production of melatonin pigment is normalized, and a woman can no longer be afraid that her face will suddenly bloom with bright freckles, and her hands and back will be covered with age spots. The next period of melatonin activation will occur only at the end of the third trimester.
In the meantime, the probability of increased pigmentation exists, and this should not be surprising. Such age spots are not dangerous, they will disappear on their own during the first months after childbirth.
Fetal development
In the 15 full embryonic weeks that the baby spent with you, he was able to achieve a lot: from a zygote, he turned into an embryo, and then became a fetus. Now the baby is about 20-22 centimeters tall and weighs from 160 to 215 grams. The size of the baby is comparable to the size of a ripe mango.
Appearance
The baby is gradually acquiring more and more human features. He no longer looks like the little alien that his mother might have seen him on the first ultrasound at the end of the first trimester. Now the fetus looks almost like a newborn. He is distinguished from a born toddler only by size and thinness.
It did not last long to be thin, the production of subcutaneous fat has already begun in the body of the crumbs. Very soon it will make the skin opaque, it will cease to be red and wrinkled, it will smooth out, touching roundness, dimples on the chin, chubby cheeks, and a tummy will appear.
The process of normalizing the proportions of the child's body continues this week. The head, which until recently was larger than all other parts of the body and made up about half of the entire area, now grows more slowly than the limbs and body. Due to this, the proportions begin to match. But ideal ratios are still far from it.
The whole body of the crumbs is covered with thin and delicate colorless hair - fluff, which is called "lanugo" in medicine. These hairs appeared a couple of weeks ago as a kind of proof of the work of the first hair follicles of the skin. Lanugo protects the baby from the rather aggressive effects of the aquatic environment in which he is.
The hairline is helped in this by the original lubricant, which the baby is now covered with. Gradually, he will get rid of lanugo, and by the end of pregnancy and from the continuous cover of original lubricant, only a few areas will remain - the most vulnerable zones: in the groin, in the folds at the bends of the joints of the arms and legs.
The baby's face has formed. Hereditary features are already distinguishable in it: the shape of the nose, chin, forehead height, eye shape. There are auricles. A rather impressive head of hair can flaunt on the head, and the face is already decorated with cilia and eyebrows. Phalanges, nails are formed on small fingers, there are fingerprints - the pattern on the pads is unique, inimitable, the second one cannot be found in the whole world.
Nervous system
The baby is getting better and better at controlling his hands and head. It is from these parts of the body that the central nervous system begins to take control of the body. This week, the baby can already quite purposefully reach for the umbilical cord, send his fists into his mouth, and turn the head to the right and left. Now the formation of the gray matter - the cerebral cortex - continues. There are already the first grooves and convolutions, and the baby continues to “grow wiser” every day.
Neural connections are formed without stopping and pauses, and first of all, the reflexes necessary for a person to survive are developed. The baby, despite the fact that he cannot yet survive outside the mother's womb, is already actively preparing for a future independent life: he already knows how to suck, swallow, a grasping reflex is developed, and there are also rudiments of the instinct of self-preservation.
Sense organs
Understanding exactly how the baby now perceives the world will help expectant mothers and fathers to establish contact with the baby now. The sense organs are responsible for perception. All of them are practically formed at the crumbs, but not all of them can be called active. For example, the ears are already there, but there is no full-fledged sound perception yet.
Until the 18th week, the baby heard only vibrations that generate the mother's voice and other sounds from the outside. Starting this week, the formation of his auditory ossicles is completed, and now the sounds become for him almost the same as for all other people. After another 2 weeks, the baby's inner ear will begin to fully function, and the baby will begin to hear.
Now he continues to pick up vibrations, from time to time his little ears "catch" new sounds, but his hearing is not perfect yet. This does not mean that you don't need to talk to the baby. Right now, according to the assurances of specialists in the field of perinatal psychology, children are in dire need of communication. They begin to hear the world, albeit not 100%, but they need to hear their mother's and father's voice. Children's songs, kind words, fairy tales, along with stroking the tummy, have a beneficial effect on the baby.
The retina of the baby's eyes by the 18th week becomes more sensitive. He already discerns light and darkness unmistakably, although his eyes remain closed. Thin eyelids transmit a certain amount of light waves, and this is easy to check: just shine a flashlight on the mother's tummy, and the baby immediately activates its movements.
At this time, tactile sensations are well developed. The crumb examines the space around him by touch, and the smells are not yet available to the crumb, because he, in the usual sense, still does not know how to breathe.
Muscle and bone
Muscle tissue grows very intensively, the process of bone hardening is in full swing. The baby's skull bones, as well as the large paired bones, have almost completed this process, the ribs are fully formed, now they reliably protect the organs of the chest. Joints are forming. The bones of the extremities grow most actively. Now the baby's legs have become longer than they were before, there is no longer such a pronounced disproportion.
The baby is actively "training" - he moves a lot and intensively. His muscles of the face and jaw are well developed. The kid uses this - he knows how to smile, frown, squint, curl his lips, yawn and even make displeased grimaces. Much of this is still happening involuntarily due to the "debugging" of nerve impulses.
Internal organs
The process of formation of all organs of the baby has been completed, now there is an intensive growth. The authorities are also mastering their basic responsibilities. The organs of the digestive system at the 18th week receive and process amniotic fluid, the baby swallows them in large quantities - up to 400 ml per day.
The intestine "learned" to contract, and the accumulation of original feces - meconium - begins in it. The baby will begin to empty the intestines after birth.
The kidneys produce urine, and the bladder stores it. The baby writes often, the composition of the amniotic fluid is updated, so the environment remains sterile. The baby's heart beats about twice as often as mom's: heart rate this week is in the range of 150-170 beats per minute.
Sex determination
If the gender of the baby is still a mystery to his future parents, now is the best time to find out. The baby is no longer so small that it was difficult to see his genitals, and not as large as in the third trimester, when he will have to take more compact poses and often close the genitals. Right now, the accuracy of sex determination is higher than ever in 9 months.
Children of different sexes now have different processes in the body. Girls have formed the uterus and fallopian tubes, the ovaries are already in the small pelvis. In some boys, from the 18th week, the testicles begin their long way down - first they have to descend into the pelvis from the abdominal cavity, and then into the scrotum. This process normally ends by the end of pregnancy.
Kid on ultrasound
Some of the expectant mothers may be referred for their second scheduled ultrasound this week. The screening study is carried out from 18 to 21 weeks. This "date" with the baby is very different from the first one, which took place at the end of the first trimester. Now the baby has grown up and is ready to please his mother with a demonstration of new skills. Now his CTE is no longer determined - the size, which was fundamental in the first third of the gestation period. But there are many new parameters that are called fetometric indicators.
One of the fundamental dimensions is the biparietal head size. It is used to judge the duration of pregnancy and the correct development of the baby. It is complemented by the second dimension - LZR - frontal-occipital.
At 18 weeks, such parameters of the baby's head are considered normal.
The lengths of paired bones are also important for assessing body growth. The thighs, humerus, lower leg and forearm bones are measured. Normally, this week is characterized by the following values:
The bones of the nose may or may not be measured - this issue is decided on an individual basis. If the first screening was questionable or unsatisfactory, and the woman refused invasive diagnostics, then the bones of the nose must be measured. Normally, at week 18, they are in the range of 5.4-6.0 mm.
Mandatory at this time is the study of the state of the placenta and umbilical cord. For the 18th week, such indicators are characteristic.
Dangers and risks at 18 weeks gestation
The main dangers associated with the risk of miscarriage are over. The threat is now virtually nonexistent. But this does not mean that a woman can stop paying attention to her health. Right now, it is important to listen to all changes in the body so as not to miss the development of possible complications.
There is still a risk of fetal freezing this week. The reasons that can lead to a tragedy are not fully known to specialists, it can be genetic pathologies, and the adverse effects of external factors, medication.
Sometimes the baby can stop developing and die, if earlier, in the first trimester, the mother had a viral infection. The consequences of a common cold are not so devastating, they are usually not the cause of intrauterine death of the child.
Non-developing pregnancy can only be confirmed by ultrasound. A woman can guess about her if she already felt the baby's movements, and then they completely disappeared. If the movements have not yet been felt, then the fact of pregnancy fading can be identified during a scheduled visit to the doctor.
Another common problem of this period is the detection of sludge suspension in the amniotic fluid. At a later date, it can be physiological, in fact, it is a desquamated epithelium of the baby, lanugo. Now, the water should be clear and clean.
The appearance of a suspension can be signs of placental abruption, intrauterine or genital infections. The woman will be prescribed an examination to identify the pathogen and appropriate treatment with antibiotics. At this time, a woman can be assigned antibiotics, the use of which is not prohibited during pregnancy - "Flemoxin", "Amoxicillin" and a number of others.
By the 18th week, a woman has a rather severely reduced immunity. It is suppressed from the first days of gestation by the hormone progesterone so that the forces of the immune system do not interfere with the development of the embryo. A decrease in immunity is a necessary measure, but it is also the reason that right now a woman is becoming the most vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
Now she should be extremely careful, not to visit crowded places unnecessarily, avoid traveling in crowded public transport, it is necessary to observe hygiene requirements and take vitamins.
If all the precautions did not help, and the expectant mother fell ill, she should definitely consult a doctor who will help to establish whether it is a cold or a viral ailment, and will also prescribe treatment with drugs allowed for pregnant women.
Viral infections themselves at this time no longer pose a great danger, because the placenta protects the baby, but here high fever can cause problems with uteroplacental blood flow. It is important to prevent this from happening.
Due to a decrease in immunity at 18 weeks, women often begin to experience problems with the urinary system: cystitis, exacerbation of pyelonephritis or nephritis - all this is a completely real risk. Frequent urination, accompanied by cuts, a small amount of urine, urine of an unusual color with a pungent odor - these are the symptoms that should force the expectant mother to go to the doctor without fail to get tested and receive an appointment.
It will be useful to recall the dangers of self-medication and treatment with folk remedies during pregnancy. Such experiments can be successful for the average adult, but for a woman who is expecting a child, they can end very sadly.
An interesting fact is that at the 18th week of pregnancy, almost all women have a slight decrease in visual acuity. This phenomenon is temporary, there is no need to worry, but expectant mothers who drive a car, work in high-tech industries, where accuracy and good vision are required, should be extremely careful.
Analyzes and examinations
This week begins the second prenatal screening aimed at determining the risk group for chromosomal abnormalities. Now, in addition to the markers of Down, Turner, Cornelia da Lange, Edwards, Patau syndromes, screening allows us to assess possible anomalies in the development of the baby's neural tube.
They can manifest themselves in microcephaly (a small volume of the brain), anencephaly (no brain at all), in spina bifida and a number of other gross defects, many of which are incompatible with life.
If the woman has not yet taken a blood test for the so-called "triple test" last week, then this test will be prescribed this week. In the blood of a pregnant woman, the concentration of hCG, free estriol and alpha-fetoprotein is determined. On ultrasound, the anatomy and fetometry of the fetus is assessed, the data are compared with the norms and the compliance of the child's development with the average standards for the current period is assessed.
Also this week, general blood and urine tests are prescribed if an obstetrician-gynecologist is scheduled to visit. If the visit is scheduled later, then you can pass these tests immediately before going to the doctor.
Recommendations for expectant mothers
At the 18th obstetric week, it is important to adhere to all basic recommendations: walk more in the fresh air away from busy city highways, monitor your weight, lead a healthy lifestyle, take the necessary tests on time and do not miss visits to the doctor. In addition, additional recommendations that are relevant for the current period may also be useful to a woman.
Nutrition
The general approach to organizing proper nutrition during pregnancy is to balance. The diet of the expectant mother should have enough proteins, fats and slow carbohydrates. You should eat at least 5-6 times a day, but the portion size should not be large.
The list of prohibited foods includes fatty meats, lard, smoked and salted fish, sausages and sausages, a large number of sweets, canned food and carbonated drinks. These foods, in addition to excess weight gain, can lead to increased digestive problems.
Colitis, flatulence, constipation and indigestion will appear less often or completely recede if a woman eats fresh and high-quality foods that do not contain a lot of dyes and other chemical additives. Now, during the period of active growth of the baby, products with a high calcium content are definitely needed: milk, cottage cheese, spinach, nuts, sea fish, fresh herbs.
In many pregnant women at 18 weeks, hemoglobin decreases due to an increase in the amount of circulating blood. To prevent the development of anemia, iron-rich foods should be introduced into the diet: apples, dried mushrooms, beef liver, blueberries, strawberries, rabbit meat, barley and buckwheat.
Raw vegetables and fruits will help avoid constipation, and homemade fruit drinks and freshly squeezed juices will saturate the body of the expectant mother with vitamins.
Medicines
Despite the fact that the placenta is now quite successfully coping with its barrier function, a woman should not take any medication without a doctor's permission. This is especially true for painkillers, anticonvulsants, antibiotics.
At 18 weeks pregnant women who have been shown taking "Utrozhestan" to maintain pregnancy usually stop hormonal therapy: "Utrozhestan" is no longer needed, the hormonal balance has returned to balance, and there is no more threat of miscarriage.
"Don't touch my belly!"
A woman's rounded belly arouses a keen interest in those around her. Some are not satisfied with just looking at the forms of a woman, and they strive to touch the belly. Most women don't like this.
You should not restrain your emotions, an outsider who decided to touch the belly needs to delicately and firmly express his disagreement with his actions. Don't let anyone touch you if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Nothing out of the ordinary in this, don't be afraid to sound tough.
Preparing for childbirth
No matter how strange it may sound, but now a woman should start preparing for the upcoming birth. Daily gymnastics will help maintain all muscle groups in good shape, this will facilitate the process of carrying a baby in the third trimester, when it becomes very large, and will also help to recover faster after childbirth. Already now a woman can and should get acquainted with the complex of the so-called "Kegel exercises".
These are some simple enough exercises to train your pelvic muscles. They are squeezed and unclenched. Regular exercise will help strengthen the pelvic floor, which will help to avoid late third trimester "troubles" such as physiological urinary incontinence, as well as significantly improve the quality of your sex life.
Such exercises are contraindicated in pregnant women with an obstetric pessary imposed on the cervix with surgical sutures. Before starting classes, all other women must definitely check with the doctor if she has any other contraindications.
You can learn how to do gymnastics for pregnant women, as well as learn how to train the pelvic muscles, in special courses for pregnant women. They work in every antenatal clinic and are free of charge. You can visit them either alone or together with your spouse, because he is also preparing for a new role for himself as a father.
Sex
Sexual relationships at 18 weeks take to the next level. Sensitivity increases, a sexual appetite appears, a woman can experience more vivid sensations from orgasm. There is no need to fear that contractions of the uterine muscles during apotheosis can harm the child. Orgasm improves the blood supply to muscles and ligaments, and has a positive effect on the emotional state of a woman.
Now, when the threat of miscarriage has been left behind, doctors can allow sexual intercourse even for those women who previously had a threat and sex was contraindicated for her.
It is unlikely that the moratorium will be lifted for women with cervical pathologies: a pessary or stitches on the cervix are a clear and non-negotiable contraindication for intimate relationships, since any tone of the uterus can cause stitches to erupt and terminate pregnancy.
Spouses should be careful. Deep penetration positions are now undesirable. Intimate lubricating gels can also harm the health of the expectant mother. Anal sex is not recommended now either. Correctly chosen postures, in which there will be no mechanical compression of the abdomen, are welcome.
Bandage and shoes
The changed gait, the load on the legs and back are no longer compatible with the model stiletto heels. A woman should pay more attention to safety and comfort. Therefore, it is worth switching to shoes with a flat sole or a small platform rise. From this time it is quite possible to start wearing a special orthopedic prenatal bandage.
There are several dozen models of such devices, which one to choose is up to the woman herself. To understand whether a pregnant woman will be comfortable in it, it is worth trying it on. Therefore, you should not order a bandage on the Internet, it is better to personally go to any orthopedic salon.
Before buying, it is advisable to consult with your doctor.
Reasons for calling an ambulance
There are situations in which you cannot hesitate. At 18 weeks, you should not wait for a visit to the doctor or feverishly search for advice on the Internet if a woman suddenly bleeds or has a weaker spotting. You should also immediately call an ambulance in the event that the water has moved away.
Hypertonicity is dangerous, which is combined with severe pain in the right and left sides; it is no longer difficult to determine the tone of the uterus for a pregnant woman at 18 weeks.
With severe vomiting, a woman also needs emergency help. The development of seizures, loss of consciousness are the reasons for calling an "ambulance". The expectant mother can easily solve all other problems with her attending physician in a regular planned or unscheduled mode.
Reviews
Many women who described their feelings at the 18th week of pregnancy on Internet platforms for communication of future parents emphasize that from this time it becomes very interesting to watch the belly - from it you can already understand what is the location of the baby in the womb. Those who already feel the movements note that every day the baby's light touches from the inside become more and more obvious.
Many have planned a long-awaited vacation for this week, so that before the third trimester and childbirth they have time to soak up the sun on the seashore. And some expectant mothers are already beginning to collect a dowry for the baby, because almost everyone already knows what gender the baby will soon be born.
The highlights of this week are also that many do not feel anything unpleasant and painful, and this makes it one of the easiest and simplest for the entire period of bearing the baby.
About what happens to the fetus and the expectant mother at the 18th week of pregnancy, see the next video.
