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You’re 18 weeks pregnant, Mom! Have you felt baby move yet? If not, expect those flutters any day now. Here’s what else is happening.
How Big is Baby?
Your wee one has tacked on a half-inch since last week. Baby is measuring about 5 ½ inches long this week.
What’s New with Baby?
If you’re having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes have formed and are in position. A boy? His external genitalia are well developed and can probably be seen at your next ultrasound (assuming he cooperates!). At 18 weeks, your baby’s ears are fully formed, their eyes are beginning to move, and they have teeny-tiny fingernails. Baby can swallow, and fluid can be seen in their stomach. Neural connections in the brain are maturing and baby can yawn, suck, and make a fist. You might even see them show off these skills at an ultrasound!
What’s New with Mom?
Call it growing pains. Many of the common discomforts at 18 weeks are due to your growing uterus, which is now just below your belly button. You may experience round ligament pain, which results from the stretching of the round ligament that supports the uterus and runs through the groin. Other symptoms might include swelling of the feet, backaches, leg cramps, varicose veins, and difficulty sleeping.
Fun Fact
Did you know your build impacts when you’ll first feel those baby kicks? Slimmer women are more likely to feel baby’s movement sooner, as well as women with laxer uterine muscles. This is why second-time moms (or beyond) tend to feel baby move earlier.
What to Know About the Anatomy Scan
Of all appointments moms-to-be look forward to most, this one probably tops the list. At your anatomy scan, an ultrasound typically done between 18 and 22 weeks, you’ll get an opportunity to get your best look yet at your little one. And perhaps most exciting, you’ll likely learn the sex of your baby—if you want to know, of course!
But this second trimester ultrasound is more than just a chance to find out if you’re having a boy or girl. It’s an important and in-depth look at your growing baby. “An anatomy scan is an ultrasound that is meant to examine critical fetal structures and verify they are present and normal,” Dr. Christina Herrera, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Christina Herrera, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in imaging and placental pathology related to pregnancy complications such as hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
This will likely be your longest ultrasound during your pregnancy. Expect to spend 30 to 60 minutes while the sonographer does a complete scan of the baby. Your sonographer will look at baby’s organs and body parts and take measurements to ensure they are growing at the right pace for gestational age. They’ll look at baby’s head, face, neck, brain, spine and umbilical cord. They’ll do an in-depth assessment of baby’s organs, including the stomach, kidneys, bladder and all four chambers of the heart. And of course, they’ll point out baby’s legs, hands and feet.
They’ll also check the location of the placenta as well as the presence and amount of amniotic fluid.
The anatomy scan can also detect certain congenital defects. “If there is a concern on a standard anatomy scan, you most likely will be referred for a detailed obstetric ultrasound examination and consultation with a high-risk OB, termed a maternal-fetal medicine specialist,” says Herrera. “If the concern is with your baby’s heart, referral may be made specifically for fetal echocardiography. If an anomaly is confirmed, further counseling, testing, or additional referral may be warranted.”
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild editor Amanda Collins Bernier with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
