Week 18

You’re now 4 months pregnant, only 5 more to go. Your baby is the size of a sweet potato, and those little flutters you feel in your belly could be their movements. Find out more about your baby’s development this week.

At 18 weeks pregnant and measuring roughly 18cm, your baby is growing fast. They are settling into a daily routine and have begun to develop a sleeping habit, their own individual set of unique fingerprints are starting to form and, if you’re expecting a boy, his genitals will become much more distinct and easier to see on a scan.

Dizzy spells are common at week 18 pregnancy. They occur because the volume of your blood increases during pregnancy, which means your heart has to work harder to cope with the extra volume. Your growing uterus may begin to put pressure on some of your blood vessels, which can also leave you feeling faint.

Use your common sense; frequent rest, a healthy diet and remembering to eat little and often throughout the day will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Take extra care not to get up too quickly and try to stick to slow-release nutrients such as those found in oats or fruit and vegetables, rather than a simple sugar hit.

If you’re experiencing what feels like butterflies in your stomach, it may well be your baby moving. it usually starts to happen between weeks 16 and 20 of pregnancy – although those little flutters won’t develop into full kicks until your baby is much bigger.

Click here to read about dizziness in pregnancy >>

Feeling any other unfamiliar sensations? Pregnancy comes with many side-effects. Our Careline team is available to put your mind at rest. Call them between the hours of 9am and 6pm Saturday to Thursday.