How does my baby grow at 18 weeks?

Your baby is now around 14.2cm long. Their ears have finally stopped moving and have reached their final position at the sides of the head. Their reproductive organs are now formed.

They will also do a lot of wriggling around now, moving their arms and legs.

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 18 weeks?

As your tummy gets bigger, you might feel a bit clumsier as you’re adjusting to this new weight. Low blood pressure caused by pregnancy can leave you feeling a bit dizzy if you stand up too quickly, so take it slowly.

Headaches can still be common, but if you experience severe headaches with visual or hearing disturbances, contact your doctor. If you’re looking to relieve headache pain, paracetamol is the safest option.

Headaches during pregnancy may be caused by tension. This tension is most likely a result of one of the following:

Feelings of stress. Stress may cause tension to rise from the neck and into the head.
Poor posture.
Not drinking enough water or skipping meals.

Too much or too little sleep
A particular food.
Caffeine withdrawal.

What can I do to prevent headaches?

Do what you can to limit stress. Find somewhere you can relax and put your feet up, both at home and at work. Yoga and meditation can also help.

Keep a regular sleep pattern. Make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. If you’re suffering from insomnia, speak to your doctor or midwife.

Make sure to eat healthily. Make sure that you include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet and drink lots of water. Some women find that eating a little often soothes headaches.

Exercise regularly. While exercising regularly will help to prevent headaches, it’s important that you don’t push yourself. A daily walk or some yoga will do the job!

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a natural remedy known to prevent and ease headaches. It’s also safe during pregnancy. If you’re interested in acupuncture, speak to your midwife or doctor.

Physiotherapy. If you suspect that your posture or tension in the neck is the primary cause of your headaches, a physiotherapist can teach you exercises to relieve tension.

But what can I do to treat headaches?

Paracetamol is the medicine of choice for pregnant women, but it’s best to take it for the shortest possible time.

You can also try a cold compress or cooling wrap on your forehead, a warm wheat bag at the base of your neck to ease tension, and having someone give you a shoulder and neck massage. Rubbing a little peppermint oil at the sides of your temples is another great remedy to relieve a headache.

Some medicines are considered unsafe for pregnant women, so if you’re at all unsure, speak to your doctor or midwife.

Which medicines can I take, and which should I avoid?

Aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, and any medicines containing caffeine are generally best avoided unless prescribed by your doctor.

Now, while headaches are certainly uncomfortable, know that they generally won’t harm your baby.

But are there any instances that warrant calling a doctor?

A severe headache could be a symptom of pre-eclampsia, a condition that must be monitored as soon as possible. If you experience a headache along with any of the following symptoms, speak to a doctor as soon as possible:

Blurry vision
Pain below the ribs
Vomiting.
A sudden increase in swelling in the face, hands, or feet

What else do I need to know about being 18 weeks pregnant?

As your baby starts moving around more frequently, you might notice a “flutter” in your stomach. It’s perfectly healthy and nothing to worry about, and the same goes for if you haven’t felt any movement yet—every pregnancy is unique!

You might find yourself getting heartburn more frequently. This is because your stomach is being pushed up, resulting in stomach acids reaching your gullet. Similarly, the muscles in your body are being relaxed by pregnancy hormones, which also affect your digestive system. This can result in occasional indigestion.

To reduce the chances of heartburn and indigestion, stick to six small meals per day rather than three large meals. After eating, try to stay upright for a while rather than lying down. If you’re experiencing symptoms at night, try cutting out snacks before bedtime.

The position of your placenta will be recorded at your 18- to 21-week ultrasound scan. This position is important because it can sometimes cause problems later on in pregnancy and during birth.

At this stage, the position will be described as one of the following:

Anterior: on the front wall of your womb

Posterior: on the back of the uterus

Fundal: in the top wall of the womb

Lateral: on the side of the uterus and described as right or

left lateral

If your placenta is anterior, so on the front wall of your womb, you may not feel the baby move as clearly. If you’re unsure, speak to your doctor or midwife, who can check things over.

What Does My Pregnancy Look Like at Eighteen Weeks?

Clumsiness, headaches and other common pregnancy symptoms at 18 weeks.