Pregnancy week 18
Baby is now about 5 to 5.6 inches long (measured from baby's head to its buttocks - also called crown to rump length) -
the baby's weight is about 5.25 ozs (or 150 grams) and finally the very fast rate of growth is beginning to slow...
By week 18 of pregnancy, you have gained about 10 to 13 lbs - your uterus continues to grow and can still be felt just below
your bellybutton and its moving closer to your bellybutton - you are wearing pregnancy clothes all the time now, or if you aren't then
you should be.
In the eighteenth week of pregnancy you are probably experiencing back pain - your changing shape means you have to compensate for the weight of your tummy by placing pressure on your back - you might
consider buying a maternity girdle to help with backache - in week 18 your uterus continues to change shape and length and continues
to move upward into the abdomen and is closer to the bellybutton than in previous weeks - your internal organs such as intestines
move to make room - the uterus is connected to the pelvic wall by ligaments - the growth in the uterus and your changing shape and awkward movements can stretch the ligaments and cause some
discomfort - take things gently - you are more than likely finding it uncomfortable while sleeping as you can't lie on your stomach and find that you have to use a pregnancy pillow - also, lying on your back can cause
the uterus to lie on top of important blood vessels that circulate blood to the baby - its likely that you will find lying on your side is the most
comfortable position anyway.