Is swelling in my feet and hands at 18 weeks normal, or a warning sign?

Mild swelling can be common during pregnancy due to changes in blood circulation. Sudden or excessive swelling, especially with other symptoms, should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

How big is my baby at week 18?

At 18 weeks, your baby is growing rapidly and developing important features like movements, hearing, and body structures. The exact size can vary between pregnancies.

Is bloating and excess gas this bad at 18 weeks normal?

Yes, bloating and gas can continue during pregnancy because hormones can slow digestion. Eating smaller meals and including fibre-rich foods may support better digestion.

Can the baby hear me yet at 18 weeks?

Your baby’s hearing structures are developing during this stage, and sounds from inside and outside the womb gradually become more noticeable as pregnancy progresses.

Content verified by Dr. Shubhi Gupta

Second Trimester

Week 18

Weeks to go!

Your baby is about the size of a bell pepper. Yawning, hiccupping, and stretching have begun, and the anatomy scan is often scheduled around this time. Movements may feel like flutters or taps.

Weight

200g

Length

11.6 cm

Days Left

154

Your baby is now getting fat all over his or her body and its teeth have started to form. Your baby’s height is about 8 inches now and weights near about 6 inches. You will be having plenty of room inside your uterus now, hence your fetus can now get ample of room and space to develop and form new muscles. Your little bundle of joy might change his or her positions more frequently now, as he or she would be crossing the legs, reclining, sucking the thumb and turning somersaults inside you. Your baby would have his retinas become more and more light sensitive now, and if you flash a torch on your belly, your baby would be able to detect a glow – even though the baby’s eyelids are shut now. Looking around the size of a bell pepper by now, your baby would be busy flexing his or her arms and legs. Its blood vessels will become all the more visible through the thick skin and the ears will be finally placed in the real positions, even though they would be poking out of the head a bit. Your baby is soon going to develop a protective covering around his or nerves, which is also known a myelin – a covering that speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell. This process will continue to form till about a year after your cutie pie is born. If at all you are housing a girl inside you, she would be having her uterus and fallopian tubes formed by now and if it is a boy, he would be having genitals noticeable by now, which might or not be noticeable during the ultrasounds based on your baby’s positioning. During the 18th week of pregnancy, your baby learns to roll, kick, twist and punch his way around the womb. And as far as the biggest skill of the week is concerned, by now your baby would be mastering the art of yawning, along with hiccupping. A sensation you might soon feel enough! As a matter of fact, you might even catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn and all other fetal movement, during the ultrasound during this stage. How adorably cute is that? By the 18th week, your baby is developing its nervous system. His or her nerves are getting a sense of touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell. And talking of hearing, your baby is growing more and more acute, making him or her conscious of sound, which would directly mean you and your baby might be directly listening to each and other’s hiccups.

Expert Advice

Reviewed by: Continue to eat a nutritious diet which might include calcium and iron-rich foods, and foods high in folic acid, such as leafy greens and citrus fruits. If you crave sweets, eat fresh fruit instead of cakes or processed sweets. Avoid high-calorie and fried foods. Overweight women with a BMI of 30 or above run a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.” Dr.Birbala Rai, M.B.B.S., M.S. in Obstetrics & gynaecology, Senior Consultant at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi

“By the 18th week, your belly is growing quickly and you probably have an impressive baby bump. You might experience increased energy, but also bouts of exhaustion. When you feel tired, taking a short power nap. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common complaint among pregnant women which results in tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and arm. Body aches, such as back, groin, or thigh pain, may begin plaguing you in your second trimester. You can experience body aches. The increased weight of your baby can also put extra pressure on your pelvic bones. Hot or cold compresses or massage may help. Nighttime leg cramps are also common. Stay hydrated and stretch your legs before bed. This may help prevent cramps. Exercise during the day may also help.