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Child development is 18 weeks. What happens to your body is sensation. weeks of pregnancy: how many months

The antenatal period is one of the most responsible in the life of any woman. At this time, the body of a pregnant woman experiences enormous stress on all systems and organs, because it is he who bears all the responsibility for the development of the fetus. During each week, the fetus goes through different stages of its development and, accordingly, the mother's feelings also change with them. That is why it is important to pay attention to each sensation, its intensity and severity, this can serve as a sure signal that something is wrong with the fetus, or, on the contrary, that everything is in order. In order to understand this issue and distinguish the norm from pathology, our article was written.

18 week of pregnancy is a period that corresponds to the second trimester and second week of 5 months or the 20th obstetric week. If you managed to hide your belly before, then exactly 18 weeks is the borderline when it will become very difficult to do, because your belly already takes up volume, which is comparable to a decent melon. A pleasant surprise for many mothers will be the sensations of the first movements of the child. It is worth noting the relative improvement in the condition of pregnant women, which is achieved due to the normalization of the endocrine system and the stabilization of the hormonal background.

Video - 18 weeks pregnant what happens in the abdomen, perturbations, screening, appetite, sports

Signs, symptoms, feelings of the mother and the mechanism of their occurrence

Active mass gain and intensive growth of the child, leading to the fact that the walls of the uterus are stretched and this gives her unpleasant sensations. By this time, the fundus of the uterus is already located near the navel, or rather, 1.5-2.5 cm above it. Due to its growth, all nearby organs are also displaced, or rather the intestines, stomach, liver and spleen. However, not everything is so bad, so let's start with a pleasant one.


1.Fetal movement

These are the sensations that often bring women only joy and do not wear any painful sensations. You should carefully monitor their frequency, strength, because often this is a rather important point, which may indicate the state of health of the fetus.

2.Pigmented spots

At this time, the first age spots may appear, which are located on the abdomen and their appearance is associated with the deposition of melanin. At the moment, the mechanism of their occurrence is not known, however, many scientists suggest that the cause is a violation of the endocrine system and against the background of metabolic disorders. The color of the spot can be completely different shades of brown. The size of the spot can also vary from a few centimeters to large areas of the skin.

3. Gain weight

It is worth noting that before pregnancy, the woman weighed 5-6 kg less than at 18 weeks. First of all, the body prepares itself to provide for the child. The metabolic rate of a pregnant woman exceeds that of a healthy person, because a developing body requires a fairly large amount of energy and nutrients. The reason for excessive weight gain may be an improvement in the pregnant woman's appetite, especially at night. Another reason may be multiple pregnancies, but you can find out about this after an ultrasound scan.

4) feeling of pressure in the navel

Often this sensation will be marked with an enlargement of the uterus, which leads to stretching of the skin, and the cause may also be the stretching of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall - the muscles of the press. Such sensations are noted mainly if the pregnant woman did not play sports and the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall are weak. These sensations can even be a little painful.

5) Stretch marks or stretch marks

They appear at first in the form of stripes, which can vary in color, mainly from crimson to purple. At week 18, the direction of the stripes is longitudinal, that is, from bottom to top. Their appearance is associated with the rapid stretching of the skin, that the skin does not have time to adapt to it. Two proteins, collagen and elastin, are responsible for the stretching and strength of the skin. Elastin provides stretching of the skin to maximum values, and collagen maintains the integrity of its structures. When the reserves of these proteins are depleted, elastin breaks in the hypodermis and this leads to the formation of a scar. The preceding stretch marks often begin as mild itching.

6 back pain

This sensation occurs in most women, but begins to actively manifest itself only at 18 weeks, when your child begins to gain weight. In addition, the action of hormones is aimed at relaxing the ligamentous apparatus in order to ensure adequate breathing of the pregnant woman and elasticity in the pelvic region, but in addition, they negatively affect the ligaments of the spine, which help to maintain the weight of the fetus. Also, during pregnancy, the posture of the expectant mother changes, which puts even more stress on the spine, especially on the lumbar region. In addition, in addition to the weight of the child, the pregnant woman also increases in body weight.

7 sleep disturbance

The main reasons that lead to sleep disturbance in pregnant women include an increase in the concentration of progesterone in the blood, an increase in the volume of the abdomen, pain in the back, discomfort in the navel, movement of the unborn child, etc. An increase in the baby's abdomen and weight leads to the fact that it is very difficult for a pregnant woman to find a comfortable sleeping position. This is facilitated by pain, movement and other sensations that can bring discomfort. Also, changes on the part of the nervous system cannot be ruled out, because every mother worries about her child, the course of childbirth, and some, even at 18 weeks, are not ready to get used to the idea that they will soon be mothers. All of these phenomena lead to constant stress, which can result in sleep disturbances.

8 heartburn and upper abdominal pain

Increase in the blood of the hormone progesterone relaxes the muscular layer of organs, in particular the stomach. There are valves between the stomach and the esophagus, as well as the duodenum, but their functioning directly depends on the functioning of muscle fibers. When a pregnant woman takes food, it passes through the esophagus and enters the stomach. In the stomach, special cells begin to secrete hydrochloric acid and a special enzyme - pepsin, which is responsible for the breakdown of protein. When acid is released, the pH of the medium decreases and these changes are fixed by receptors, which, thanks to the nervous system, cause the valves to close with the help of muscle fibers. This prevents acidic contents from entering the alkaline environment of the intestines or esophagus. In pregnant women, this mechanism is impaired, and often when overeating, the valve does not close completely or cannot hold a significant amount of food. Dysfunction of the valves and leads to heartburn and pain in the upper abdomen.

9.Cardiovascular changes

The fetus grows, which means that the load on the heart increases, because it must provide both the pregnant woman and the fetus with nutrients with oxygen. The first thing that is noted at such an early date is a decrease in blood pressure, but do not worry, this is normal. Thus, the heart adapts to the condition of the fetus and the increase in its demands every week. The efficiency of the heart due to these changes is significantly increased.

Description of fetal development

At 18 weeks of gestation, the fetus is actively developing, it is during this period that the peak in the rate of development of such systems as the musculoskeletal, nervous and endocrine systems falls. The child's growth by this time already reaches 13-14 cm, and its weight is up to 200 g.

1.Central nervous system

Myelin protein begins to form around the nerves, which are responsible for the speed of conduction of nerve impulses. However, it should be noted that this process does not end immediately after pregnancy, but continues for a year after it. The cerebral cortex is constantly developing, its area is increasing, furrows and convolutions acquire more and more distinct forms. The fetus is just finishing forming the blood-brain barrier, but the vascular system of the brain is already fully formed and can fully provide the brain with blood.

2.Endocrine system

The glands of the endocrine system are already at the stage of completion of the formation of their structure, due to which they begin to actively secrete hormones. The adrenal glands and thymus reach the greatest development. The release of hormones by the fetus is so intense that if the mother needs or lacks hormones, the fetus can completely compensate for this condition by releasing a sufficient amount of hormones for two. In such cases, doctors note an unhealthy tendency that such children eventually suffer from a disease of the same gland, which was under double stress during pregnancy.

3.Musculoskeletal system

The final stages in the development of the musculoskeletal system of the antenatal period are noted. The upper and lower extremities are especially distinguished by the degree of development, you can already see the formed phalanges of the fingers. It is at this stage of pregnancy with the help of ultrasound that you can see for the first time how a baby sucks a finger.

4.Sensory system

The eyes continue to develop, the nerve cells of the retina have reached the stage of development that allow them to distinguish light from darkness. The child does not yet distinguish colors. But he is able to distinguish sounds, which is possible thanks to the auditory ossicles in the middle ear, which finish their formation by this time.

5 skin

The skin of the fetus has not yet formed, it is distinguished by significant thinness and tenderness. It looks wrinkled, the vessels are visible through it, which adds a red tint to the color of the skin.

Diet

The main principles of rational nutrition for pregnant women with a period of 18 weeks are fragmentation and complexity. Eat at least 5-6 times, but in small portions, this will relieve you of heartburn, provide a higher efficiency of food and prevent you from gaining weight quickly. As for the complexity of nutrition, then you need to make sure that your food is balanced in proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Average indicators of energy requirements of pregnant women at 18 weeks - 2800-3000 kcal. The amount of protein in your food should be 3 times less than carbohydrates.

The nutritional advantage should be given to fruits, vegetables and root crops, because they are rich in fiber, which will save you from constipation. It is not recommended to consume a significant amount of sweets, the maximum amount of sugar that can be consumed per day is 40 g. It is recommended to drink water at the rate of 0.035 liters per kg of body weight.

You should consult with your doctor whether you should take vitamins and other dietary supplements that will provide you and the fetus with all the necessary substances and trace elements.

1 soreness in the navel

In case of soreness in the navel area, which can be attributed to weak muscles and skin stretching, you should consult a doctor. Indeed, in addition to this, the reason may be:

  • flatulence;
  • constipation;
  • intestinal infection;
  • umbilical hernia.

The presence of any of these diseases can negatively affect the course of pregnancy.

2.Stretching

In order to avoid the occurrence of stretch marks, it is worth additionally nourishing the skin. The first remedy that should be applied is a moisturizer. Secondly, a light massage of the abdominal skin will provide an increase in blood flow to the skin, which will enhance its nutrition and make it possible to accelerate the renewal of skin cells, which will make it more durable and elastic. Thirdly, control your weight, because obesity will only aggravate stretch marks. A generous diet will lead to fat deposition in the thighs, abdomen and chest, which will further overstretch the skin.

3 back pain

With back pain, you must also be on the alert, since in addition to pregnancy, such sensations can be caused by pyelonephritis, the threat of miscarriage and other diseases. It is recommended to regularly measure the temperature, also pay attention to the nature of the pain, if the pain is of a muscle type, then this is most likely due to the load on the muscles and ligaments of the back. Acute pain of severe intensity is a sign of illness. That is why you should regularly see a doctor and not hide all the sensations that bother you.

4 heartburn

You can completely get rid of such a feeling as heartburn by following just a few rules. The number of meals should be increased to 5-6 times a day, but its volume will decrease. This will save you from overeating, but it will also prevent you from starving. After eating, in no case should you go to bed right away, let alone sleep. During sleep, digestion slows down, and gastric contents with great pressure press on the valve, which is located between the stomach and the esophagus. It is not recommended to drink large amounts of liquid after meals, because by doing so you dilute hydrochloric acid and increase the duration of food digestion.

5. Communication with the child

As already written above, the child has already formed sensory organs, so it is worth starting to communicate with him from 18 weeks. Experts recommend reading fairy tales to them, talking, singing lullabies, you still have to do this over time. Many believe that classical music has a positive effect on the development of the fetus. It is worth noting that scientists have proven the connection between communication between mother and child during the antenatal period and the severity of mental abilities.

Ultrasound

At this time, another ultrasound examination awaits you, which will make it possible to assess the condition of the child. For the doctor, the main points are the location and condition of the umbilical cord. Next, they pay attention to the presence or absence of the most common developmental anomalies, firstly, on the part of the cardiovascular system, secondly, the growth and basic dimensions of the child are measured, to check the timeliness of its development, thirdly, the sex glands will be examined and will be able to determine gender of the child.

Ultrasound - 18 weeks ultrasound at 18 weeks of gestation

The second trimester has been going on for almost two months, during which time the child has grown significantly and your tummy stands out more and more clearly. Now is the quietest time when you need to replenish the supply of nutrients in the body, walk a lot, rest and actively communicate with the baby. During this period, many women can already feel the movements of the fetus, which fills the mother with trepidation and excitement. It is worth revising your diet by removing highly allergenic foods from it, since the embryo's immune system is already working and can react to them.

What happens to the body at 18 weeks

The 18th week of pregnancy is the fifth obstetric month, its second week, according to the calendar it is four and a half months. The second trimester of pregnancy is in full swing - the quietest time when health and general condition are usually the best. The woman's body has already acquired roundness, and grandiose events are taking place inside the body. In order not to gain extra pounds and not suffer from puffiness, you should be careful about your diet and drink, avoid highly salty and spicy foods, excess confectionery and flour products. The tummy this week is already clearly visible - it has grown significantly, has risen up and is clearly visible to everyone around. Due to the growth of the abdomen, the center of gravity shifts forward, which leads to a change in the curvature of the spine, its deflection in the lumbar region and deviation of the mother's shoulders. This gives pregnant women a special gait. In this period, it is important to choose comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as the right underwear - a bra with wide straps and no seams to support the chest and comfortable panties that do not squeeze the body. Also, many women will benefit from wearing a special support bandage that relieves pain in the back and legs.

Due to the large uterus on the back, it becomes uncomfortable to sleep, which requires new positions for rest and sleep, you can use special pillows for the lower back and legs.

Fetal development: weight, size and gender

Now the baby is actively growing and improving, this is already a fully formed little man, which has grown from the coccyx to the crown of the head by 14 cm (and completely reaches 20 cm), and gained almost 200 g of weight. While the growth of the uterus allows the baby to feel relatively free in the abdomen, he actively moves in the amniotic fluid - makes turns, somersaults, moves his legs and arms, nods his head, touches the umbilical cord, pushes against the walls of the uterus. Doctors believe that such active movements are very useful for the baby, due to them the area of ​​the motor cortex of the brain is actively developing and the musculoskeletal system of the fetus is being improved.

The kid is actively improving - his arms and legs are fully formed, and the legs are longer than the arms, the fingers and toes are actively divided into phalanges. The finger pads have acquired a unique fingerprint pattern. Children of both sexes have fully formed genitals - both external and internal. The child actively stores adipose tissue, brown fat is especially actively stored in the area of ​​the shoulder blades and the whole body, the formation of the brain is actively taking place. The development of the immune system of the fetus is actively developing, now the immune organs can actively produce immunoglobulins and interferons, which protect the fetus from viral and microbial infections. The rudiments of both milk and permanent teeth have already fully formed, and the permanent teeth are located above the milk ones and will appear in due time. The eyes, although they are formed, but still closed, can actively react to light. In addition, the baby's hearing is actively developed, he can perfectly distinguish the sounds of both the mother's body and the sounds coming from outside. Therefore, now it is useful to talk a lot with the baby, read fairy tales to him, put on classical music and avoid harsh frightening sounds. From such sounds, the child can freeze, worry.

Now you can accurately determine the sex of the baby using an ultrasound study, and prepare for the birth directly of either a girl or a boy. Also, during this period, many wives can already feel the first movements and movements of their baby. The child's bones actively store calcium, and if the mother lacks it, calcium will be extracted from the woman's teeth and bones, which will lead to dental problems and the need to visit the dentist.

The baby may develop a certain sleep and wakefulness regime, which often does not coincide with the mother's; often in the future, the mother will feel the fetal movement during the minutes of her rest. The baby can now sleep up to four hours in a row.

Feelings of a future mother

The main sensation in this period of pregnancy can be the first movements, which bring untold joy to the mother - they can be very light and unclear, similar to pouring water or barely perceptible jolts. Gradually, the movements will become more confident and strong. Usually, movements are felt in the period from 17 to 22 weeks, much depends on the complexion of the woman and the size of the crumbs, the amount of fatty tissue on the abdomen. If you have not yet felt the movements, you do not need to worry, soon you will feel them. Previously, the movements are felt by thin women and re-pregnant women. Usually, four to eight movements per hour can be recorded. If the movements are felt strongly and clearly, too often, this may be a sign of a lack of oxygen in the fetus. Then the child begins to move more actively in order to activate blood circulation and saturate the blood with oxygen. It is important for the mother to take care of the baby by taking frequent walks and breathing deeply and calmly. You can also do yoga or gymnastics for pregnant women, they will also help in the prevention of hypoxia.

The period of 18 weeks is quite calm in terms of sensations, with a normally proceeding pregnancy, the mother does not feel any discomfort, there may only be some inconveniences from the actively enlarging abdomen. You are not yet accustomed to the fact that it is, it is difficult for you to find a position for rest and sleep, since it is no longer possible to lie on your stomach, and your head may spin on your back. Sometimes mothers can touch the surrounding objects with their growing tummy, not yet accustomed to the new "dimensions" of their body.

Get used to resting more often on your left side, in this position, blood circulation is most active, the easiest way for the fetus and uterus to take is the correct position for childbirth. Learn to get out of bed through the side, you can't jump out of bed suddenly, it may darken in your eyes and dizzy. The woman's breasts in this period are not so sensitive, but the juices have increased and darkened, colostrum discharge from the yellowish nipples may occur. There is no need to worry, the breast is preparing to feed the baby in the future, and even if there is no colostrum until the very birth, this is also quite normal. Any manipulation of juices can lead to an increase in the tone of the uterus, so nothing needs to be done with the breast.

The condition of the uterus at 18 weeks of gestation

Due to the growth of the uterus, there may be some discomfort from the pressure of the fundus of the uterus on the navel from the inside. This is because by this time the fundus of the uterus has almost reached the level of the navel, it can be 2-3 cm below it. if you put your hand on your belly, you can feel the bottom of the uterus just below the navel, about two of your fingers. The queen has reached the size of a medium melon and continues to grow actively upward and outward. From the level of the pubis, the uterus has risen by about 18 cm, and protrudes forward, giving a distinct growth of the abdomen in a circle. With a weak abdominal wall and thinness, the occurrence of back pain, a prenatal bandage can be very useful from this time on, supporting the uterus in the correct position and relieving excessive pressure on the back and lower abdomen. Gymnastics exercises for pregnant women and comfortable clothes with shoes also help to cope with the discomfort. From this time on, it is recommended to periodically take the knee-elbow position to relieve the back and internal organs, especially for the kidneys, since the outflow of urine improves. And do not worry about the size of the abdomen - it depends on the strength of the abdominal muscles and the capacity of the pelvis, gradually the abdomen will grow more and more.

Ultrasound

In terms of 18 to 22 weeks, pregnant women are assigned a second scheduled ultrasound examination to determine the sex of the child, as well as studies of the main indicators reflecting the growth and development of the baby. This study aims to identify defects in the development of the fetus and gross malformations of internal organs. the doctor carefully examines the heart and kidneys of the fetus for their abnormalities, can determine the presumptive signs of Down syndrome or gross brain defects.

In addition, with ultrasound of the fetus, a detailed scan of the placenta takes place, its structure and umbilical cord with vessels are assessed, and the main indicators are assessed:

  • the circumference of the abdomen and the head of the fetus,
  • occipital-frontal size,
  • the size of the tubular bones of the thigh, lower leg, shoulder and forearm.

It is also possible to carry out a 3D ultrasound scan with photographs or recording the baby on a flash card.

Discharge from the genital tract

At this time, the discharge from the genital tract should be quite insignificant and uniform, light or milky in color, without impurities and unpleasant odor. They should not bring any discomfort to the expectant mother. In comparison with the previous weeks, their number may become slightly higher due to the action of hormones.

It is worth worrying if the amount of discharge becomes abundant, their color changes to yellow, gray, greenish or foamy, crumbly, itching and burning are formed, sexually transmitted diseases or thrush, bacterial vaginosis can be suspected. They are dangerous for pregnant women, so they need to be treated immediately. Brown discharge should become especially dangerous during pregnancy, which may indicate the presence of erosion or other pathologies of the cervix, or spotting, which may be a sign of placental abruption or abortion.

What tests to take

In the period of 18 weeks, a mandatory urine test is performed to exclude kidney pathologies, and if anemia is suspected, a general blood test is performed. In this period, if this has not been done earlier, a triple test can be performed to identify possible anomalies in the development of the fetus, chromosomal pathology and congenital malformations of the nervous system. For this purpose, a study in blood plasma is carried out:

  • hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level,
  • unconjugated estriol level,
  • the level of alpha-fetoprotein.

Pronounced deviations of these results from the norms in combination with ultrasound data make it possible to suspect the presence of hydrocephalus or malformations of the brain, Down syndrome and some other pathologies in the baby. But these data are not conclusive, and to confirm them, a geneticist's consultation and special invasive studies are needed. With the threat of gestosis or pregnancy complications, doctor visits will become more frequent, as will tests. The doctor will monitor the woman's weight, the increase in abdominal circumference, the height of the bottom of the uterus and pressure, general well-being.

Pain in the abdomen and lower back

In this period, there should be no special painful manifestations. Although there may be some discomfort in the form of stretching in the back and lower back, in the area of ​​the pelvic bones. This is due to an increase in the size of the uterus and tension of the ligaments, a change in the center of gravity. The load on the spine increases, and the body is forced to assume new static postures. Because of this, the muscles and ligaments can experience discomfort. To prevent these pains, you need to rest more often, monitor your posture, and wear comfortable shoes. Exercises to relieve the back and lower back, and wearing a bandage can be helpful.

Back and lower abdominal pain can be signs of a urinary tract or kidney infection, fever and pain when urinating. It is necessary to strictly control the process of urine separation. If the right side hurts, and the pain increases, this may be a sign of appendicitis, which is also possible in pregnant women. You need to immediately call an ambulance and conduct an examination. If the lower abdomen pulls, there are regular prolonged abdominal pain with contractions and tension of the uterus, with the appearance of brown smearing discharge, you need to immediately call an ambulance, this may be a sign of termination of pregnancy.

Colds and runny nose

Although the child's immune system is already working and can actively resist the effects of viruses and microbes, a pregnant woman still should not get sick, including colds. The presence of ARVI with high fever and poor general condition, runny nose and cough is especially dangerous. A severe cough can lead to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure and uterine tone, a runny nose can interfere with normal breathing and cause hypoxia. High fever can pose a threat to pregnancy, causing placental abruption or miscarriages. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, bed rest and treatment are needed, but only under the supervision of a doctor.

Mom's diet and weight

At 18 weeks, the mother's appetite is quite good and there is an active weight gain, as the child grows and the woman's body is restructured to suit his needs. In this period, you can add from 4 to 6 kg, although if the woman is slim, the increase may be more, and with a tendency to be overweight, less. From this time on, it is necessary to control the weight gain in order not to add too much - it will be difficult during childbirth. If the weight is much higher than the established norms, it is worth discussing with the doctor the use of a special diet or fasting days. It is forbidden to diet or unload on your own, this can harm your health and the child, since only the doctor will develop a diet taking into account the intake of all the necessary nutrients and vitamins to the fetus.

Nutrition during this period should be complete and varied, correct and healthy. It is worth excluding sweets and sugar, excess flour and confectionery from the diet, and limiting fatty and carbohydrate foods. Shown will be calcium-containing foods - dairy, nuts, as well as meat and fish, vegetables and fruits. You need to eat fractionally, in small portions, take additional vitamins if the food is not rich in them. It is worth limiting the consumption of salt and spices, they retain water and can provoke swelling.

Signs of a frozen pregnancy

Although this rarely happens at this time, sometimes there is such a pathology as the fading of pregnancy. In this case, the development of the fetus stops, and he dies in the womb. The fetus in this condition is not rejected by the woman's body, and the mother may be unaware of what has happened for a long time. This usually happens in the first trimester, and in the second critical periods 16-18 weeks of pregnancy will be considered. The main reasons for this are considered the presence of bad habits, infections, genetic pathology and the impact of external harmful factors.

It is not easy to identify such pathologies on your own - usually the first suspicions are the lack of abdominal growth and fetal movements, the appearance of aching abdominal pains and smearing discharge. The exact diagnosis is established according to ultrasound data, and requires further curettage of the uterus as soon as possible. In the future, long-term treatment and rehabilitation is required.

Sex

18 weeks of pregnancy is the heyday of a woman's sensuality, although sex may no longer be so diverse in terms of positions and intensity, but it will be filled with tenderness and new sensations. now the threats of termination of pregnancy have passed, the calm time has come and it is quite possible to make love as much as you want. The only thing is to avoid excessive depth of penetration and hard contacts, poses, with pressure on the abdomen. Otherwise, pleasant sensations and the release of pleasure hormones will benefit both the emotional tone of the woman and the baby. A ban on intimacy will be imposed if there is a threat of placental abruption, leakage of water or multiple pregnancies, cervical insufficiency.

Fruit weight217 grams

At the 18th week of pregnancy, the development of the brain continues: the number of nerve cells increases, the grooves and convolutions deepen. Myelin (a special sheath) begins to form around the nerves. It protects the nerves from damage and speeds up the transmission of impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the organs and tissues of the fetus.

The thymus (thymus gland) appears at the base of the baby's neck. It produces lymphocytes - cells of the immune system that will protect the fetus from "aggressors".

Photos at the 18th week of pregnancy

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Medical examination of the pregnant woman

Doctors:

  • The obstetrician-gynecologist's consultation is the fourth visit to the doctor. The next appointment with the gynecologist should take place at 22 weeks.

Analyzes:

  • General urinalysis - helps to identify kidney and bladder diseases.
  • Clinical blood test - it is needed to identify various diseases that can complicate the normal course of pregnancy.
  • The "triple test", if not done at 16 or 17 weeks, must be taken now.

Surveys:

  • Weight Measurement - Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can lead to complications.
  • Measurement of blood pressure - high blood pressure indicates the development of arterial hypertension and other complications of pregnancy.
  • Measurement of the standing height of the uterine fundus and abdominal circumference - the lag of their size from the average values ​​at this time indicates a violation of the course of pregnancy and requires additional examination.

Possible deviations from the norm

17-18 weeks of pregnancy

At 17-18 weeks of pregnancy, the belly of the expectant mother is already rounded, perhaps at this time she will be able to feel the baby's movements for the first time. If your blood pressure "jumps", as well as increased discharge of leucorrhoea from the vagina, do not worry ahead of time: this is a completely natural process.

17-18 weeks of pregnancy: What's in the tummy?

At 17 weeks, the baby's weight is about 140 grams. Through its thin skin, blood vessels shine through, and the whole body is covered with fluff (lanugo). The child has formed joints of the limbs, the bones begin to slowly harden. And the most interesting thing is that you can already take fingerprints from your baby, because a skin pattern has appeared on them!

In addition, the child already has a hint of a neck, and his chest prepares for spontaneous breathing, making the appropriate movements. The kid learned to swallow and suck his thumb. Deep in the gums, the rudiments of the teeth are laid.

By the 18th week of pregnancy, the size of the fetus reaches 22 cm, and the weight increases to 200 grams. The baby has an active heart, blood pressure becomes slightly higher, and blood flows through the body at an accelerated rate. This increases the amount of nutrients and oxygen in the blood and in the placenta. The constant movement of the baby develops his brain and muscles.

Well-being of the expectant mother

At the beginning of pregnancy, blood pressure drops. If you have increased it, it can be from a nervous breakdown, anxiety, fast walking, a sharp increase in weight, the appearance of protein in the urine, or from swelling of the extremities. Either way, you need to be as calm as possible.

Also, pregnant women often have anemia, which can cause premature birth. To avoid such a pregnancy outcome, reconsider your diet by increasing the amount of iron consumed in it to 30 mg.

If you are thin or have already given birth, at 17-18 weeks of pregnancy, you will finally feel how your baby is moving. A plump woman will feel more intense thrusts from a baby a little later: at the 22nd week. In general, he begins to move already in the second month of being in the stomach, but imperceptibly for the mother herself. Go for an ultrasound scan - there you will make sure that the baby is developing normally.

Pregnancy is characterized by white vaginal discharge. Follow basic hygiene to avoid catching an infection. If your discharge is yellow, gray, or greenish in color and has an unpleasant odor, see your doctor. The infection will not harm your child, but you should get treatment for your own health.

17-18 weeks is the period when the fetus begins to change rapidly, bones, skeleton, phalanges of the fingers are formed from cartilage tissue, the eyes open and the baby makes its first movements. Mom can feel them, this is a light and gentle excitement inside. From the beginning of the 5th month, it is recommended to reduce strength and frequent bending activities, such as hand washing over the bathtub or washing floors by hand.

If the baby's movements are active and frequent, this is a sign that he is missing something, as a rule, these are signs of hypoxia or anemia. Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen, so walks in the fresh air should be regular and, if possible, long, and being indoors, you need to constantly ventilate it. Anemia is a lack of iron and is quite common during pregnancy. You need to include in the diet more foods that contain a large amount of iron, these are apples, buckwheat, parsley, tomatoes, nuts and beef liver. A blood test can determine anemia.

Starting at 17 weeks pregnant, it is best to eliminate foods such as citrus fruits, chocolate, and coffee. Eating these foods during pregnancy can cause your baby to grow up to be allergic.

Also, from this moment, the mother's appetite increases, but you should not start eating for two. It is better to eat a little, but often.

Dizziness is common in the 5th month. This is due to the fact that the fetus is growing, and the heart of the expectant mother works harder.

In addition, the pressure of the uterus increases on the blood vessels. Therefore, when experiencing dizziness or darkening of consciousness, it is worth taking more rest. Low blood sugar also leads to dizziness, so it is worth increasing the amount of fruit in your diet.

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18 weeks pregnant

At the eighteenth week of pregnancy, outwardly, the baby is already almost like an adult, only a disproportionately large head gives it out. But the ratio of the length of the limbs will remain the same for life. A woman at this time may begin to be bothered by annoying colleagues who are drawn to touch her tummy. This belief causes negative emotions in many pregnant women. Remember, you shouldn't be nervous. Therefore, if this annoys you, do not hesitate and tell others about it.

Baby's condition

The child has already grown significantly, the size of the fetus is as follows: its weight reaches 200 g, and its height is about 25 cm. In just two weeks, the formation of all organs will be completed, and in the future they will only grow. Despite this, if the baby is born now, the chances of survival are zero. Therefore, take care of the baby, he still has a long way to go, which he must go with his mother.

In connection with active movements, almost all women have already felt the first tremors. But do not be alarmed if this is not the case. There is nothing wrong with that yet. And so that you are not tormented by doubts, visit the gynecologist once again, he will listen to the heart with a special stethoscope and report that everything is in order. The worries of the mother can negatively affect the blood supply to the uterus and baby.

In connection with the further development of the brain, the child has developed its own biorhythm, but, as a rule, it differs from the mother's. The intervals of sleep and wakefulness are replaced with a frequency of about 4-5 hours. In addition, the baby likes to doze during the day much more, when he is numbed by the uniform movements that occur while walking.

Photo of the fetus at the 18th week of pregnancy

Mom's well-being

Additional lobules continue to form in the mammary gland, which will be needed after the baby is born. Discharge from the nipple can increase in volume, in this case, special pads for the bra will help. You can already start preparing your breasts for future feeding. To do this, you need to pour cold water on it every day and perform a special massage. This will allow avoiding a large number of problems in the future. But be careful, incorrect actions can lead to an increase in the production of oxytocin and, as a result, hypertonicity of the uterus. Therefore, you must first consult with your doctor.

At the eighteenth week, a significantly enlarged belly can already cause a lot of inconvenience. Sometimes it is difficult for a woman to find a sleeping position. After all, now it is recommended to sleep only on its side, since it is in this position that the blood flow of neither mother nor baby is disturbed. Some people advise placing a pillow under one leg to reduce discomfort. To facilitate falling asleep, it is advisable to ventilate the room well before this.

In addition, night cramps of the lower leg muscles, characteristic of this period, can lead to insomnia. This may be due to a lack of calcium, which is actively spent on building the child's bone tissue, or impaired blood supply resulting from compression of the arteries in the pelvic region. To eliminate the first reason, it is necessary to include more cottage cheese and other dairy products in the diet. To eliminate the second reason, it is advisable to perform special exercises on a daily basis, which will reduce the pressure exerted by the enlarged uterus on the surrounding organs.

At this time, there is a danger of hormonal disorders in a woman. Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is associated with the production of hormones that block the action of insulin. It can be suspected if there is persistent dry mouth. And to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to take a blood test for fasting glucose levels.

  • The baby has formed all the senses, and he actively learns the world.
  • Almost all women already feel the movements, which are more often noticeable at night.
  • There is a danger of endocrine disorders, for example, pregnancy diabetes mellitus.
  • Don't be nervous and try to get more positive emotions.

Photo of belly at 18 weeks of gestation

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Feelings in the mother at 17 weeks

Almost half of the waiting period for the baby has passed, the expectant mother completely got used to the new role and realized her position, she constantly listens to herself and thinks about her baby with trepidation.

For many, week 17 is a favorable period when a woman feels good, full of strength and energy. Some have already felt the joy of the first movements of the baby.

It is worth noting that for most women, week 17 is accompanied by the following signs:

  • Late toxicosis. It is by week 17 that he can demonstrate his first symptoms. Its manifestations are not nausea and vomiting, but edema. At first they are hidden, but you may notice that some shoes are already uncomfortable for you, narrow shoes cannot be put on at all, the fingers become less mobile, and the rings are tight. And at the same time, you will begin to gain weight much faster than normal;
  • Good appetite and the risk of gaining excess weight... Overeating can have serious consequences. Frequent meals in small portions will help you to cope with the feeling of hunger;
  • Growing tummy. Many sensations at week 17 are associated with it. For some, the tummy became noticeable one or several weeks earlier, for some it was only now. In any case, now you are no doubt choosing special clothes for pregnant women, because in everyday clothes you are likely to be cramped and uncomfortable;
  • Changes in well-being... Now you may be amazed at the changes in your own perception of the world. Your body is now fully attuned to pregnancy, you feel calm and happy. Absent-mindedness, poor concentration are quite normal, you are absorbed in thoughts about the child and your feelings;
  • The chest is no longer so sensitive. Small, light colored bumps may appear in the nipple area. This phenomenon is called "Montgomery tubercles" and is the norm. An enhanced venous pattern may appear, do not worry, after the end of pregnancy and breastfeeding, this will go away by itself. Also, the nipples may darken, and a brown strip from the navel to the pubis may appear on the tummy. These are also quite natural changes associated with the expectation of a baby;
  • The heart works one and a half times more actively. This is to make it easier for the placenta to nourish the growing fetus. Also, be prepared for minor bleeding from the gums and nose. This may be due to the fact that your increased blood circulation increases the load on small blood vessels, including the capillaries in the sinuses and gums;
  • Sweating and vaginal secretions. At week 17, you may notice that sweat from the genital tract has increased. These are just hygienic problems, they are related to hormonal levels, and do not need any treatment. The only thing is, if this worries you very much, then you can subject these phenomena to hygienic correction;
  • Crazy, vivid dreams. Many expectant mothers have a variety of picturesque dreams. As a rule, they are associated with the upcoming birth or child. Such dreams sometimes seem so real that they occupy the thoughts of a woman in reality. According to experts, this may be due to the overstrain that your brain is experiencing at this stage. In addition, you get up more often at night, which is why you can remember more dreams than usual.

Studies show that babies can also experience rapid eye movement(in adults, a similar phenomenon indicates dreams).

Some scientists argue that babies can also dream related to their daily activities. Maybe the child is dreaming about how he hears your voice, stretches his legs or plays.

Fetal development at 17 weeks

Fetal weight becomes more than the weight of the placenta and is approximately 115-160 grams. Height already reaches 18-20 cm.

The placenta by week 17 is already fully formed, consists of tissues and a network of blood vessels. Through the placenta, the fetus receives all the nutrients necessary for development, and processed products are also excreted.

At 17 weeks, the following changes will occur with the fetus:

  • Fat will appear. This is a special, brown fat, which is a source of energy. It is deposited, as a rule, in the area between the shoulder blades and will burn out in the first days after childbirth. Otherwise, the baby's skin is still very thin, almost transparent, a little wrinkled. This can make the child seem very thin. But it is at 17 weeks that the fetus becomes more and more like a newborn.
  • The body of the fetus is covered with lanugo... This is vellus hair. As a rule, by the time of birth, lanugo completely disappears, although there are cases when a baby is born with a little fluff. It will disappear in the first days after childbirth;
  • Baby's heartbeat can be heard... With the help of an obstetric stethoscope, you can already hear how your baby's heart beats. The heartbeat reaches about 160 beats per minute, now the doctor will listen to your stomach at each visit;
  • The baby starts to hear... The seventeenth week is the period when the baby begins to discover the world of sounds. Noises surround him 24 hours a day, because the uterus is a rather loud place: the mother's heartbeat, the sounds of the intestines, the noise of her breathing, the hum of blood flow in the vessels. In addition, he can now hear various sounds from the outside. You can start communicating with your baby, because if you talk to him, he will remember your voice and will react to it immediately after giving birth;
  • Hand and head movements are coordinated, the child touches his face, sucks his fingers for hours, tries to listen to sounds from the outside. His eyes are not yet open, but undoubtedly his world has become much richer.

Photo and ultrasound of the fetus at the 17th week, a photo of the abdomen and a video about the development of the baby

Video: What happens in the seventeenth week of pregnancy?

Video: 3D ultrasound, 17th week of pregnancy

On the seventeenth week, it is imperative:

  • Monitor your weight... Appetite at this time can play out in earnest, so it is important sometimes to limit yourself. Be sure to weigh yourself. This should be done at least once a week, in the morning on an empty stomach and preferably in the same clothes. Write down changes in weight in a special notebook, so it will be easier for you not to miss a sharp jump in weight and monitor your changes;
  • Continue to monitor nutrition... Remember that overeating can have serious consequences. As mentioned above, hunger can be dealt with by eating frequent small meals. Avoid starchy foods and sweets in large quantities, fried, fatty, spicy and salty foods. Eliminate the use of coffee, strong tea, carbonated water, non-alcoholic beer. From time to time, of course, you can pamper yourself, but healthy eating should now be your obligatory habit;
  • Sex requires choosing a comfortable position.... At the moment, there are technical restrictions. Be extremely careful and careful;
  • Take care of comfortable shoes, it is better to exclude heels altogether, also try to choose shoes without laces, soon you probably will not be able to tie them yourself at all;
  • Do not take a hot bath, you do not need to take a steam bath either... Your heart is working much more actively now than it used to be, and it will not need any additional workload. It is unlikely that you will feel good. So give preference to a warm shower;
  • Monitor the condition of the urinary system... The kidneys of a pregnant woman literally work for wear and tear, since they now have to filter out from the blood not only the products of her vital activity, but also the baby's waste, which is excreted into the mother's blood through the placenta. Sometimes, pregnant women may experience stagnant urine, and this in turn can lead to a number of inflammatory diseases such as cystitis, bacteriuria, pyelonephritis, etc. To prevent the occurrence of any of these diseases, it is necessary to empty the bladder more often, not to drink very strong lingonberry broth and exclude salty and spicy foods from the diet.

With the end of the fifth month, the first half of pregnancy ends, and in honor of this event it would be nice to demand a gift from your beloved spouse - you deserve it! After all, your body had to work oh so much: all this time, not only emotional, but also physical restructuring took place.

What happens to the baby

The growth of the fetus continues. On 18 week it weighs about 230 g, by the end of the month - about 340 g, and its length is about 25 cm.If a girl grows up, then by this time primitive eggs have already formed in her ovaries - in fact, your future grandchildren and granddaughters.

The rudiments of permanent teeth have formed, which are located deeper than the rudiments of milk teeth, as well as the phalanges of the fingers and toes. An individual pattern has already appeared on the pads of the fingers, distinguishing one human being from another.

A generic lubricant is formed from the vellus hairs and skin cells. It is a cream-white substance that covers the folds and parts of the baby's body. Its purpose is to protect your baby's skin. Sometimes this lubricant lasts until the very birth, in which case it is wiped off with sterile wipes during the newborn's primary toilet.

And the baby, by the way, has become quite big. He often and quite actively reminds his mother of his existence. Learned to suck and swallow amniotic fluid. His eyes are opening a little! So now, dear future mommy, vigilant control is being established for you. Remember this, and do not commit rash acts.

The kid slowly learns to use everything that he has. So, for example, he is already able to react to loud external noises. Therefore, it is high time to take up the aesthetic education of the heir or heiress. Lullabies, fairy tales and simple words addressed to the child should be sung not only by the mother, but also by the father.

What's going on with mom

The changes have affected almost all systems of your body, and the load on the main organs has increased significantly. The body is intensively increasing the volume of circulating blood (it has increased by almost 500 ml, and by the end of pregnancy the blood should increase by a whole liter). This is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of oxygen not only for the mother, but also for the baby. And in order to pump such an amount of blood, additional efforts of the heart muscle are required. This is why the pumping function of the heart is increased by 20%.

The blood composition indices have also changed significantly. Because of the increased plasma volume compared to your red blood cell mass, you may have anemia (a drop in hemoglobin levels) or an elevated white blood cell count. However, these changes are due to the development of the fetus and nothing more, so if you feel great, then there is nothing to worry about.

TO 20 weeks the uterus rises higher and your belly begins to protrude slightly forward. Now this phenomenon will increase with the duration of pregnancy, and breathing difficulties will become the main problem. The internal organs of the abdominal cavity press the diaphragm upward, thereby slightly restricting the free movement of the lungs.

This is not a very pleasant sensation you will experience until the fetus sinks deeper into the small pelvis, which usually happens during the first pregnancy a few weeks before childbirth, and in subsequent pregnancies just before childbirth.

Your heart rate averages 80-90 beats per minute; blood pressure increased slightly. Sweating and vaginal secretion (discharge from the genital tract) may increase as a result of more than usual amount of fluid accumulated in the body. This phenomenon is not difficult to regulate with the help of hygiene products, and they do not pose any potential danger.

Possible dangers of the fifth month

A wonderful "vacation" in the middle of pregnancy is, alas, not for everyone. If you decide to become a mother immediately after an unsuccessful childbirth, miscarriage, if you had several abortions before this pregnancy, or the doctor determined you have a "baby" uterus - beware. Try to lie more, do only the lightest work around the house.

One of the reasons for miscarriage can be the so-called isthmic-cervical insufficiency of the cervix. The fact is that the cervix is ​​formed mainly by fibrous connective tissue. Dense musculature makes up about 15% of the mass of the cervix. At the height of the internal pharynx, the amount of muscle tissue reaches 30%, it concentrates and plays the role of a sphincter - a lock or door.

Damage to the muscular system, hormonal disorders can lead to breakage of this lock. The most common cause is recent curettage of the uterine cavity, cervical rupture during childbirth. Thus, if you have recently visited a gynecological clinic, it is not necessary to consider the cervix to be absolutely "reliable", since scar tissue appears in it, which cannot play the role of a sphincter.

The door of the uterus remains ajar, and as pregnancy grows, the fetal bladder protrudes into the dilated cervical canal, its membranes become infected, and a miscarriage occurs. For any ailment during this period, and even more so at elevated temperature, pain in the lower abdomen or vaginal discharge, be sure to consult your doctor.

During this period, many women experience frequent and painful urination, back pain, fever, and weakness. It's not that you got your feet wet or sat on the grass. The large uterus - and by this time it is at a height of 20 cm from the pubic bone - squeezes the bladder and the mouth of the ureters.

Stagnation of urine, and incomplete emptying of the renal pelvis create conditions for the development of infection. Bacteriuria develops and pyelonephritis of pregnancy may occur. If you suspect pyelonephritis, see your doctor immediately. this disease is dangerous not only for you, but also for the further growth and development of the fetus.

Now you can safely enjoy life - walking for a long time, doing physical exercises, even allowing yourself a short trip - visiting relatives or an educational excursion. Think of this period as a "vacation" - after all, very soon it will be physically impossible to make such voyages.

Sleeping and resting while lying down can be a bit uncomfortable as the uterus grows and requires more and more abdominal space. Try to find the optimal position by placing pillows under your feet, under your chest, etc. Give free rein to your imagination - only this will allow you to build the most effective structure from the "improvised means".

You can do pelvic tilts and rotations before getting into a horizontal position. Remember to urinate more often - a full bladder will only increase the discomfort.

If you have not yet thought about how to physically and psychologically prepare for childbirth, now is the time to do it. Now there is no shortage of courses for expectant mothers, but if you have not heard about them, be sure to ask your gynecologist.

Statistical studies carried out in Russia, the USA, and Japan unequivocally indicate that pregnant women who have undergone such training have much fewer complications during childbirth. Therefore, take the choice of courses very seriously and try not to miss classes without a good reason.

At this time, the appearance of the first stretch marks or striae on the skin is possible. They arise as a result of disruption of the activity of skin cells that produce collagen, as well as due to excessive and rapid growth of skin tension in the areas of greatest stretch of cells, namely, on the thighs, abdomen, buttocks and breasts.

Stretch marks are a problem that is easier to prevent than to deal with. Start using special tools.