18 weeks pregnant • Pregnancy calendar •

Dates and numbers:
There are 151 days until your due date on April 22, 2009.
You are 129 days pregnant.
You are 4.2 months pregnant.
You are in your 5th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: July 16, 2008 to October 14, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: October 15, 2008 to January 27, 2009. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: January 28, 2009 to April 22, 2009. (28 - 40 weeks)

Thumb-sucking at 18 weeks....

By week 18 of your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5 to 5.5 inches long. Your baby continues to develop fat layers and weighs about 5.25 ounces. Your baby will continue to grow and develop, but the rapid growth will slow down for a little while. You will be able to feel your uterus just below your bellybutton. If you put your fingers sideways to measure, you can feel your uterus about two finger-widths below your bellybutton. At this point of your pregnancy, your uterus is approximately the size of a cantaloupe. Although weight gain varies from woman to woman, your total weight gain at this point should be 10 to 13 pounds.

At this time if you had an ultrasound, heart abnormalities can be detected. If the ultrasound technician detects abnormalities, further ultrasound exams may be ordered to follow the baby's development. There is still space available in your uterus and your baby will be active for periods at a time. Your baby may sit cross legged or turn somersaults.

Around this time, your baby becomes more sensitive to the outside world and shows her presence through powerful kicks and prods. The bones through which sound is passed to the inner ear have hardened and the parts of the brain that receives and processes nerve signals from the ears are developing. This means that your baby can hear now. Your baby will get used to familiar sounds, such as your heart beating, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord and other daily routine sounds. Your baby will become startled if he hears a loud sound.

If you have a stethoscope at home, you can now hear the baby's heartbeat yourself.

Comments on week 18

Comments 1-49 of about 3375 from week 18
67 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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newcitynewmom - 21 minutes ago
I've heard from everyone that the Medela pump is the only one worth buying. I put one on my registry, but I didn't know if someone would actually buy me a pump.

MomOfAlmost3AtHome - 24 minutes ago
You can totally nurse for a full year and work. I did it. I figure that, yes I do have to work, but I can at least do this much for my baby. Plus I figured if the baby was out of the home, they could really use the extra immunity that the breast milk provides. I would recommend that you invest in a good breast pump though. I used the Medela, it was spendy, but I think it paid for itself. Also make sure that your baby sitter knows that breast milk should never be microwave, because it kills some of the nutrients. Other than that, you can totally do it. Good Luck!

renata25 - 26 minutes ago
Hello everyone, I have a questions. When do you start feeling the kicks of the baby everyday. I am so frustruated of one week feeling her kick me every hour and this week nothing. I start worrying, and don't know what's going on?

dolo22 - 1.2 hours ago
I love my job and working is great! I just want to give the same to one kid as the other. I also worked up till they kicked me out. lol I couldn't wait to get back after I felt that my baby was secure. I understand what you mean. You do go crazy after a while of just baby all day.

newcitynewmom - 1.4 hours ago
I'm probably the only person that feels this way, but I love to work. I really do. I'm working until I go into labor and I can't wait to get back to work after the baby is born. Not that I don't want to spend time with my baby, but I really appreciate the adult stimulation I get from working. My brain would atrophy if I stayed home. Even working from home has been driving me a little crazy because I haven't had that 'water cooler' chatter.

dolo22 - 1.6 hours ago
I stayed home with my first but will have to work with this one. (sigh) I feel so guilty because I was able to nurse my daughter for a full year but I don't know what to do with this one. I want to nurse him as well. Pumping sounds like so much work! It makes me sad.

MomOfAlmost3AtHome - 1.8 hours ago
I hated going back to work after maternity leave. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Don't look forward to it too much.

kwbaby - 2 hours ago
I'm ready to be on maternity leave now. I'm sitting on my couch with a bowl of cereal and I want to just stay here and relax. I'm off to work now. Bleh. 5 more months...haha...I'll probably be so ready to go back to work after maternity leave.

MomOfAlmost3AtHome - 2.1 hours ago
annette927- I would try not to worry so much, I know that is hard to do. Was the spotting pink or red? Pink or brown is usually considered okay. I have spotted with this pregnancy when I didn't with the others. If it was red, was if after being intimate? That also happened to me a couple of weeks ago, my poor husband is afraid to touch me now. But my doctor said that your cervix has lots of extra blood flow and blood vessels right now, and if it gets bumped just right you can break a blood vessel. My doctor said that as long as it stopped and didn't last to long, things are probably just fine. I hope that wasn't tmi, and I hope it helps you feel better.

msaelim0810 - 2.2 hours ago
I gave into my craving for coffee today. lol It was decaf, but I think baby must still like the warmth of it since he was kicking like crazy. lol

dolo22 - 2.5 hours ago
annette927, you may just want to go in to get checked. Spotting in pregnancy should be considered at any time. Go in and get looked at asap! It probably is nothing but I want you to be reassured rather than curious.

SaraMil - 2.6 hours ago
My ultrasound was on the 19th and we found out it's a girl!!! : ) so far our name choices are lilah and ashlynn... but who knows next week i could change my mind : )

annette927 - 2.8 hours ago
Hi guys! I don't meant to give TMI, but I noticed some spotting last night and freaked out. I called my OBs office and spoke to the on-call and he assured me I shouldn't worry. I haven't seen anymore yet, but still a little nervous. Needing some reassurance from my 18 week sisters. :)

babyfarr - 2.8 hours ago
Idk but I think it may be harder to feel him because my uterus has moved higher.. and theres more fat cushion now.

babyfarr - 2.9 hours ago
hey ladies... millia I had started feeling my baby a couple of weeks ago, and last week I could feel him a lot throughout the day. The movements were really strong my husband even felt a couple. But lately its been harder to feel him. I barely felt him yesterday.

anisa - 3 hours ago
millia dont worry i dont feel much either ..

millia - 3.5 hours ago
I felt my baby kick at 16 weeks..and a few times since then..but i havent felt the little one for a few days now. i go for my U/S tuesday. But i am worrying that i should feel it more? is anyone else like this? a few people around me have lost their babies in the past few days and i think i may just be dwelling on that to much!

newcitynewmom - 4.2 hours ago
twins4me - I think that is a great way to make your older children feel more involved with the babies.

augustbaby07 - 4.2 hours ago
twins2009--I named my sister when I was young or was suposed too. I wanted to name her Samantha or Tabitha but my mom had someone 'OLDER AND WISER' talk me into Chelsea.

twins4me2009 - 5.8 hours ago
I've come to a conclusion! Evan(DH) and I are going to let Megan and Kole name our twins.. they each get to pick 1 name. the other two are too young.. they wont notice. Megan is soo thrilled she is looking up name books and stuff its funny! Kole said he has to think. Megan told him she'd read the name book to him so he can pick... this'll be interesting.. I am starting to wonder if letting an almost 4 yr old and 6 yr old name the twins isnt a mistake.. Evan and I told them we reserve the right to alter the name if we dont like it.. so that gives me a little security

BRii - 5.8 hours ago
its kinda crazie im baby is a 1/2 a pound and i have lost a pound.ha.just wanted to say that..lol...

anisa - 6 hours ago
congrats..and nice name

BRii - 6.4 hours ago
So im having a BOY.his name is CAMRYN LEE ;)

anisa - 7.2 hours ago
pregnant annie- are you feeling a lot of movement since you are 2 weeks ahead.

anisa - 11.3 hours ago
aboveex4- i also have a sweating problem. it is a first for me and it does smell ....why is this.....anyone know...

pregnant annie - 14.2 hours ago
and, they also upped my due date, i'm further along than they thought. kinda excited...but kinda disappointed, i'm so attached to you guys!! i'm stayin' here. i ain't goin' to wk 20!! i've become so familiar with ya's!! i hope ya'll are healthy, and enjoying your lil' tykes!! xoxo.

pregnant annie - 14.3 hours ago
New pictures up!! check 'em out!! comments!<3 hope all you lil' ladies are well!

amberllacy - 16.3 hours ago
My babies always measured bigger than what I actually was. I'm 5'9 and hubby is 6'7 so we have huge babies well I think they are. Boy was born 3 weeks early and was 8lb 10oz 22 in, lil girl 2 weeks early 9lb 1oz 23in! And on the vaccines, My son got his 15 mth and 18mth shots at the same time because that's how his ped. did it at the time and then with all the autism talk she changed it this time and my daughter got her 15 mth shots and we go back for the 18mth in Feb.

newcitynewmom - 16.4 hours ago
It seems like they really don't know much about autism. I saw a study that shows increased risks as the parents age, but even that info seems somewhat ambiguous.

jeagan - 16.8 hours ago
i have read that children in certain areas of the world don't get there first shots till after 2 years old and in these countries there is barely any autism and SIDS is less than 1%.

kerri22 - 19 hours ago
I agree with what has been said about the vaccines. I also work with children with autism and my husband works with vaccines. I know the trend is to not vaccinate your children. This is so dangerous! There has already been an increase in measles as a direct result of this. The one suggestion I can give is to be sure that any vaccinations you receive while pregnant or that you give to your baby are the single dose kind and not the multiple dose kind that contain the preservative thimerosol which contains mercury. (Most vaccines come this way these days, but not all. Sometimes you have to ask-I had to look around for my daughter's last flu shot, but if you request it they can get it or send you place that has it) Whether or not the mercury in some vaccines will ever be liked to autism I do not know, but either way it is still mercury, which can be dangerous. Hope this is helpful.

Kathren - 19 hours ago
Hello week 18. Was reading some of the posts about immunizations and I know that there is a growing amount of people who are not immunizing their children. I have two children already and my older son has had every vaccination up through age 10. My 17 month old has had all of his up to this point. With both of the pediatricians I have had, they never just gave one shot for the MMR vaccination. It was broken down into multiple doses. There are other vaccinations that are also broken down as well. The best advice I have is, if you are concerned about the current vaccines, when you go to interview the pediatricians you are chosing from, ask them their views on the vaccines that are out there and ask them how they are administered. I also would not stop at interviewing the first pediatrician you see. Having multiple opinions will help you in deciding whether immunizing your children is right for you and your child. For me, the benefits explained to me far outweighed the possible risks. So far, I have been very lucky and both my boys are happy and healthy. In fact, I am going to brag about my older son for a moment and say I had parent teacher conference at his school on Tuesday. He had 3 A's and 2 B's, and the teacher told us that it would have been straight A's if he had not turned in some of his homework assignments late. That is an ongoing battle I am having with him. But despite his forgetfulness with turning in his homework, I am one extremely proud momma, and he has told me he is going to make sure he doesn't turn in any more assignments late.

nurse ronea - 19.2 hours ago
pregnant annie- you might just be measuring bigger than the averege...meaning bigger baby. they told me the same thing but my date never changed. my kid is just bigger right now then the norm. i would expect that cause im 5'10 and my hubby is 6'3 ex college defensive linemen.

MomOfAlmost3AtHome - 19.5 hours ago
Did they give you an estimated due date? That would answer the question.

Pregnant Annie - 19.6 hours ago
So i had my 3d. Its def a boy! He kept grabbin at it, i wanted to yell -it aint goin anywhere! Lol. They said my baby measures 20 wks. So am i 18 wks cuz u add 2wks. Or 20?

mum4eva - 19.7 hours ago
No glowing happening on this end. :(

MomOfAlmost3AtHome - 20 hours ago
I have only gained one pound. I am definitely showing. I also eat fine. I think it's great that the baby is living off 'the fat of the land.' lol I have enough to spare.

babyfarr - 20.8 hours ago
ive gained 6 lbs

newcitynewmom - 20.8 hours ago
I've gained 8 lbs. It was 6 at my last appt 3 weeks ago. They seemed pleased by this at the doctor's office.

momemmy - 21 hours ago
How much has everyone gained so far? I feel huge but have only gained 5 pounds...am I on track? My doc hasn't discussed this with me.

momemmy - 21 hours ago
mom2bjessica and anisa - There are currently only theories linking Autism to vaccines and none of them have been proven. I work with children with Autism and some parents are reading into this theory. It really appears that the risk of your child becoming ill and having long term effects/death because of not receiving the vaccine greatly outweighs the risk of developing Autism (especially since no link has been proven). One common link that a few parents I know have found is that their kids with Autism have high levels of metals in their blood or extreme allergies for reasons unknown, but again, I don't think that there have been any studies on this issue either. Personally I say vaccinate your kids (I did my son and plan on it with #2). You are the parent though, and can decide what you think is best. The problem is that most schools won't enroll kids without proof of vaccines.

Mrs T - 21.3 hours ago
oh isnt pregnancy so much fun!! nasal congestion first thing in the morning with blood in it is fantastic.. the gassy feelings.. last night i thought i was having early onset of labour my stomach hurt that much my husband didnt know what to think then 3 mins later i race off to the toilet.. really attractive! lol. He keeps asking me why i wanted this again and why i would go back for more given the chance lol. he doesnt understand the lil person being built in there is always SO worth it...he's a first time dad. on a different note. i felt faint and dizzy at work yesterday coudlnt function i felt that off. then when i pulled myself together i drove home with a detour to a shop that had some gorgeous baby girl clothes in it. it felt good to buy things retail therapy really does work. i got home to a disgustingly messy house and couldnt relax like i was suppose to.. i cleaned for 3 hrs until the house smelt clean of bleach and lavender, sheets were all washed bed made, lounge and rest of house vacummed and mopped and my computer room now has a floor!! i did get to have that sleep i came home for and woke up to my hubby coming home from work early and my son walking in from school... i think i will enjoy being a stay at home mum when i can't work anymore (having 3 mths off after bub is born-financial reasons have to go back after 3 mths) Have a great day ladies.. :)

aboveex4 - 22 hours ago
I definately have gas...ughh and it gets painful too! I don't have zits anymore but those have been replaced with dry patchy skin on my face and arms. My big thing right now is SWEATING. It's not even hot here, the high is never above 50 degrees or so. I have never been a heavy sweater but the last few weeks I have had to resort to using my husbands deodorant. I tried all the 'clinical strength' stuff and it didn't work. I get wet and it smells ewwww. I have found my hubbys to work the best so yes, I'm wearing man deodorant lol I carry an extra one in my purse too...I was puting it on in the Dr.'s office the other day and my hsband was just looking at me like,' okkkkkkk we're puting deodorant on in the Dr.'s office'...lol I just hate feeling gross!

babyfarr - 22 hours ago
I think pregnancy makes me pale... before I even knew I was pregnant I looked at my tan one day and thought that it had faded away. It wasnt a fake tan it was from being at the lake everyday. But all of a sudden it was gone!

yeah-baby - 22.1 hours ago
oh and really pale - people asked me today if I was ok, they said I looked really run down! - I guess that means I am not glowing

yeah-baby - 22.1 hours ago
anisa - yep lots of gas, congested red nose and yep nice zits! Mostly on my back and shoulder, which is werid b/c they weren't there beofre. I guess my face would be worse! All they joys, I didn't have any m/s so I guess this is my payback - although m/s I am sure is way worse!

babyfarr - 22.2 hours ago
my nose hasnt started spreading yet.. why does that happen to us? anybody know?

anisa - 22.3 hours ago
my nose feels like its doubled in size it looks ridiculous..anyone have a fat nose or am i the only lucky one

jenn-ns - 22.4 hours ago
MomOfAlmost3AtHome ~ I have to wait until Dec. 3rd as well, for my next u/s. BIG day!! We'll go together!! haha. ;) These next 2 weeks will fly by, I'm sure!!

anisa - 22.4 hours ago
my hair is in a mess its grown out of its style so it looks so untidy.....i think i will go for a haircut maybe it will make me look pretty

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Members in week 18:

Aboveex4 - 18 Apr 2009
babyobrien - 18 Apr 2009
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hoizixbabe - 18 Apr 2009
Korrie - 18 Apr 2009
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The due date from members in week 18 is from Saturday 18 April 2009 up to & including Friday 24 April 2009. See the full timeline here

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