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.
NewMommy2Be-28 - 1.6 hours ago
I am thinking I am having a boy. My husband wants to name the baby allister jack if it is. I love the name but I am not happy with the fact that 'al' will be a nickname... I'm hoping 'a.j' would stick...
If its a girl i either like Nola Bell, or Camilla Grace :)
I'm so excited to find out what it is! I can feel the baby move more and its now setting in that I am gonna be a mommy :)
mammax3 - 2.5 hours ago
hi ladies had my check up today i have lost 8lbs probably because all i eat is vegies and fruit. baby's heartbeat 158bpm its was high last time too. my boys were 130bpm so i am hoping girl!!
aparrish - 2.9 hours ago
if we have a boy this time, then we agreed the 3rd we will keep a suprise. With this economy, we are just too broke to wait....if its a boy we have to start collecting hand-me-downs NOW and if its a girl then we're set, we'll just start collecting diapers and wipes
beeber - 7.3 hours ago
happyout - i was beginning to wonder that myself....i'm not finding out this time...looking forward to the surprise!!!
*avasmama* - 7.5 hours ago
mommynwifey please keep us updated, that sounds frightening! .......10 more days till I find out what I'm having!!
mommynwifey22 - 9.7 hours ago
~*Yeah I found out 4 weeks ago I was having a boy! Congrats to all who found out!!*~
mommynwifey22 - 9.9 hours ago
~*Hey ladies I need some prayers last night I had a mimi stroke Jackson is ok but unsure of what os going to happened! I will see doc next week and see what they want to do i'm only 23 years old and am scared to death! Please everyne keep us in your thoughts! Happy 4th everyone and I hope everyone has a great weekend!*~
Promised2 - 10 hours ago
Last day in week 18! 19 here I come! ;o)
Babythreeindecember - 10.1 hours ago
Yeah I think the boys may be outweighing the girls atm. I found out at week 16 I am having a boy. Which was nice after two girls.
karenmomof2 - 11.5 hours ago
I haven't been on here in a while. I have my ultra sound next week. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to find out the sex or not. But, all of you are making me really want to know!!
happy out - 12.3 hours ago
is anyone else not finding out what sex their baby/babies is?
love3joyus - 13.5 hours ago
Looks like boys are making a comeback lololol kont worry I lost track last week lolol
maureen_hel - 14.1 hours ago
Yay 6 more days untill I find out what I'm having!!!
tjwgems1980 - 15.5 hours ago
Hello all I'm new on here and just had my second high risk appointment. The ultrasound revealed I am having twin girls and they are developing well. I am greatful for this but I atleast wanted one boy I already have a two year old diva who will be three in Aug........
meeree1980 - 16.2 hours ago
Hi all am going to see my midwife soon am hoping to hear babies heartbeat, and that she agree's to the home birth. She might also be-able to offer some advice on my pubic bone. And speaking of births my rabbit has given birth this morning she doesn't seem to be bonding very well tho congrats georgina xxx
paytonand1more - 16.5 hours ago
oh my gosh I can't keep track of how many boys & girls...... we need a spead sheet on here lol
Promised2 - 22.5 hours ago
Congrats again mommies from team pink and blue!!
sugar plum - 1 days ago
Hi Everyone! SO... we can add one for Team Blue because we are having a BOY! Me and my husband are so excited.
paytonand1more - 1 days ago
congrats heathernicoal!!!!!!!
heathernicoal - 1 days ago
After a busy day of running around and not sleeping all night, I'm back to finally say I got the results. It's a BOY!!! I'm really excited. Everyone in the family has girls so it's nice to be the first to have a boy. Add me to the blue team!
nikki.e - 1 days ago
omg i cant believe im 18 weeks already! time is certainly flying by!! still havent felt any kicks yet. feel something sometimes but im not sure if its baby! the day i feel the first kick im gonna be sooo happy-will put the news on here straight away lol. we only find out the sex on the 21st-still so far away!! iv done those silly quizzes and they all say girl so we shall see. my family all think its a boy! i do not have a clue!!!! anyway, congrats to all on getting this far and hope u enjoy the rest of ur pregnancies!!
love3joyus - 1 days ago
yay I am so happy lololololl thank you
paytonand1more - 1 days ago
congrats jlh14 ....... another for the pinks :)
paytonand1more - 1 days ago
awwww love3joyus....... so happy for you, welcome to the blue side finally lol
love3joyus - 1 days ago
So We had our ultrasound today and I have joined team BLUE yes ladies after three girls we have our boy we are so excited cant get over it I almost teared up at the ultrasound lololololol
*avasmama* - 1 days ago
I gave up coffee when I got pg with my dd...but mostly because I was so nauseated by everything by the time I could drink coffee my body no longer needed it. I kept off caffiene all while nursing and this pg too. I do have an occasional iced tea or sip of my husbands soda...yum I love Iced tea in the summer.
sugar plum - 1 days ago
The studies on caffeine state to stay under 300mg a day of caffeine during pregnancy to remain in 'safe boundaries. (a can of coke has 40mg) SO if you want to have your coffee or soda, then it appears to be safe within those limits. I refrained from alcohol until last weekend when I had a glass of red wine with dinner. The doctor said the occasional drink was also ok, and not to worry about it. Our babies are much more resiliant then we think!
*avasmama* - 1 days ago
congrats! The girls are catching up, or maybe even ahead now! How exciting!! 11 more days till I find out eeeeeeee!!!!!!
jlh14 - 1 days ago
so we just went for our ultrasound this morning...and its a girl!!!!!!! Yay, cant wait to start shopping!!
We are pretty excited! My husband is a little disappointed as he REALLY wanted a boy, but oh well! He is just scared of all the men out there more than anything i think!!
Another girl in this sea of boys around here lately!:)
Mrs.Phamous - 1 days ago
Well ladies, I'm back at week 18! I'm feeling flutters, well they feel like air bubbles in a fish tank :) its soo amazing! Hope you all are feeling well! Congrats to those who found out genders this week! :)
onesharpefamily - 1 days ago
When I went and paid for the 4d u/s in Florida at 17 wks I drank 1can of Sprite before going that way I had some liquid in there and I think the sugar helped move him around. I think I'll do it again at our 21wk u/s
onesharpefamily - 1 days ago
I think the heart rate thing is just a myth. With my daughter she was always mid 150s. This baby is a boy and his heartrate has been in 150s also :)
ilovemypeanut - 1 days ago
when i went to my last u/s i really had to go to the rr... so when they asked for my sample I emptied it out all my bladder... ( not all in the cup though lol)and so we could not get profile picture. but the sonographer did tell me next time to keep some liquids in the bladder.
ilovemypeanut - 1 days ago
=) !!!!
I heard orange juice before the u/s helps and not to empty out your bladder completely
Promised2 - 1 days ago
mrssmith84 - Yea for team pink! Congrats!
newmommy20 - 2 days ago
Today is the big U/S... Pray that baby cooperates and shows me its stuff.. I am too excited!!! Any advice on how to make sure the baby is awake and moving?
mrssmith84 - 2 days ago
Had my u/s yesterday and it's a GIRL!! Can honestly say my husband and I were shocked but in a very good way. We have a little boy already so she'll have a big brother to watch over her, couldn't be happier!
metalstar83 - 2 days ago
I have had such a craving for Auntie Annie's soft pretzels lately. My husband was so sweet to drive me all the way to the mall just so he could buy me one :) How's everyone feeling? I've been having morning sickness again, I thought I was past it but it came back.
gabsheed - 2 days ago
aparrish--that sucks about your doctor. I guess they no longer teach bedside manners in medical school. I had to change my doctor also and I am not exactly hating my new docs but I am not jumping through hoops about them either. I hope it works out for you.
ilovemypeanut - 2 days ago
Rona, Sorry to hear that... I hope the next 18days go by fast for you. I will cross my fingers for your healthy little boy! =)
heathernicoal - 2 days ago
My ultrasound is in a few hours. I can hardly wait! Hope they can see what the baby is!
rona - 2 days ago
Sorry (ilovemypeanut)We are in the middle of moving to a bigger place to fit our 5 member family. I wont find out if im have a boy/girl untill july 20. I live in The Pas manitoba. It's 6 hours away from Winnipeg where we will find out. Our Dr. thinks another girl b/c the heart rate was 156/min. My boyfriend is hoping for a boy and I want a healthy baby.
NewMommy2Be-28 - 2 days ago
half way through week 18, 4 full days till i know what we are having!!!! I can feel the baby moce when i am laying down a certain way or if i sit a certain way. I am anemic now.. :( but not too bad! im looking forward to my monday appointment!! whooo!!
aparrish - 2 days ago
with my first pregnancy if I drank coffee, the baby would jump around like crazy, so I stopped....not because I thought it was bad, it just hurt after a while!
keeblermomz - 2 days ago
Week 18 as of yeste4rday for me..yay! almost half way....I still don't know what i'm having yet but i feeel the baby move mainky at night when i'm laying down but no much during the day..i have not bought naything yet for this baby took me 7 years to get pregnant this time this is my 3rd. Had some spotting at 6 weeks and 9 and 10 weeks.But everything turned out fine.What are the chances of me losing the baby now that i'm 18weeks,i wanna buy things but i'm still kinda nervous:(
love3joyus - 2 days ago
Sugar plum.. I was wondering about the coffee thing I was going to ask my doc my next visit I am going on a 14 hour driving trip next week an I will need some coffee
love3joyus - 2 days ago
Congrats to those who found out the gender this week.....my scan will be tommorrow yay....had a decent day although went grocery shopping picked up my 4 yr old to sit in the cart and picked up some water and carried groceries I think I did to much I feel horrible my hubby even yelled at me when he got home for lunch wierd though my last pregnancies I could do all of that and then some and feel okay.......so we thought of some names tell me what you think if its a boy tristan gauge or a girl Kirra Renee
sugar plum - 2 days ago
I drink coffee every day, and soda on the weekends, the doc said its fine, and will not have any ill effect on the baby as long as I dont drink it in excess.
johanne-raven-babybump - 2 days ago
Happy Canada day! And happy birthday to my daughter Raven!
The due date from members in week 18 is from Friday 27 November 2009 up to & including Thursday 3 December 2009. See the full timeline here
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