Pregnancy week by week · trimester 2
🫑 18 weeks pregnant: your baby is about the size of a sweet pepper
At 18 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a sweet pepper, and the ears are settling into place. Your anomaly scan may be coming up.
Your baby this week
Your baby is roughly the size of a sweet pepper, about 14cm long. The ears are now in their final position on the sides of the head, and hearing is developing, so loud noises may make your baby jump. A protective layer called myelin is beginning to form around the nerves, which will help messages travel faster. Your baby may yawn, hiccup, and stretch. If you are having a girl, her womb and ovaries are already in place.
You this week
You may begin to feel flutters of movement, or still nothing at all, and both are normal at this stage. Backache, leg cramps at night and swollen feet at the end of the day can start. Your appetite may be up, and so may your heart rate. Some mums feel lightheaded if they lie flat on their backs, so lying on your side may be comfier. Feeling a little nervous ahead of the anomaly scan is natural.
Kind things to do this week
- Stretch your calves before bed to help with leg cramps.
- Put your feet up at the end of the day if they feel puffy.
- Plan childcare or time off for your anomaly scan so you can relax on the day.
Appointments around now
Your anomaly scan (sometimes called the 20 week scan) is usually offered between 18 and 21 weeks. It looks in detail at your baby's bones, heart, brain, spinal cord, face, kidneys and tummy.
Questions to ask your midwife
- What happens if the scan finds something that needs a closer look?
- Is there anything I should do before the scan?
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Contact your midwife or maternity unit if you have any bleeding, tummy pain that does not settle, or fluid leaking from your vagina. They would always rather hear from you.
OBubba from bump to baby
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OBubba is free through pregnancy, with a weekly update, kick counting and contraction timing. On the day your baby arrives, the same app becomes your baby tracker.
Questions
What is the 20 week scan?
It is the anomaly scan, offered between 18 and 21 weeks. A sonographer looks closely at how your baby is developing. It is your choice whether to have it.
Why do I get leg cramps at night in pregnancy?
Leg cramps are common in the second half of pregnancy. Gentle stretching, staying active and keeping hydrated can help.
Not sure how far along you are? Use the due date calculator.
Sources
OBubba gives general information. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Your midwife and maternity unit are always the right people to ask, any time of day or night.