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Week 18

You may feel your baby move for the first time around now. If so, it may feel like a gentle fluttering sensation.

What's happening in my body?

You might be starting to feel a bit clumsier as your belly gets bigger. Your breasts may have gone up a size, too, particularly if it's your first pregnancy.

Your blood pressure is probably a bit lower than it was, so do not leap up from the sofa, or it could make you feel dizzy.

Your baby has been moving around for the past couple of months, but you might not have noticed. You may start feeling some movement now though – it feels like a bubbling or fluttering inside your belly.

You may also notice a line down your stomach, called the "linea nigra" (Latin for "black line"). This is normal skin pigmentation and nothing to worry about. It will probably vanish a few months after the birth.

Your anomaly scan

You'll be offered an anomaly scan at around 18 to 20 weeks.

This is a scan that looks at your baby in detail to see if there is anything unusual about their development and appearance. It can pick up a range of conditions, but not all of them.

The scan will not hurt you or your baby, but it may feel a bit uncomfortable as the sonographer may have to apply a bit of pressure on your stomach to get the best possible view.

Read more about why scans are offered and what they involve on the NCT website.

Is it a boy or a girl?

The sonographer may be able to tell you at this scan, but not everyone wants to know, and it's not always the hospital policy to reveal the sex of the baby.

If you do not want to know, tell them before you start of your scan appointment.

Free prescriptions and dental care

Did you know that prescriptions are free during pregnancy? NHS dental treatment is also free.

You just need a Maternity Exemption Certificate or card (MatEx). Ask your midwife, GP or health visitor for the application form FW8.

Your certificate will be valid for up to a year after your baby's due date or date of birth.

2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 18 weeks)

Hopefully you are feeling more energetic and able to manage your pregnancy symptoms now.

If you are struggling with day-to-day life, talk to your midwife or doctor, they are there to support you.

Your signs of pregnancy could include:

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 14.2cm long from head to bottom. That's approximately the size of a bell pepper.

Your baby's hearing, feeling, swallowing and sucking reflexes are developing this week.

They will also be doing a lot of wriggling around and moving their arms and legs.

Composite. One side shows a foetus attached to the placenta by the umbilical cord. The foetus is recognisable as a baby. Other side shows a person holding a bell pepper in one hand.
Your baby is about the size of a bell pepper

Action stations

Think about telling your work

You do not have to tell your employer for several more weeks, but as soon as you do, you will have maternity rights and can attend antenatal appointments during paid work time.

You can also ask for a risk assessment of your work place to ensure that you're working in a safe environment.

Start doing pelvic floor exercises

It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough.

Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a pee and then stopping midflow.

Visit Tommy's for more information on pelvic floor exercises.

Antenatal classes

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Even if you've had children before, antenatal classes are still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

Smoking, drinking and caffeine in pregnancy

Do your best to stop smoking and give up alcohol, and go easy on the tea, coffee and anything else with caffeine.

Ask your midwife or GP for support.

Vitamins in pregnancy

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D.

From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.

You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

Exercising in pregnancy

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant.

You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise – perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section).

Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

Healthy eating

There's no need to eat for 2. You just need to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. Have a look at our guide to healthy eating in pregnancy.

You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

COVID-19

You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on COVID-19:

To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:

More in week-by-week

Week 19

You might think that bubbling feeling in your tummy is wind, but it could be your baby moving. You'll soon be able to recognise their movements.

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