Nutrition & Wellness in Week 18 of Pregnancy

Wellness and Nutrition at 18 Weeks Pregnant

Around the 18th week of pregnancy, you probably are seeing your doctor for another prenatal visit.

• Your doctor will check your weight, blood pressure, urine, and other vitals.
• Your doctor might check your uterus and measure the height of your fundus between the 18th week of pregnancy and the 34th week.
• If you have felt your baby move, let your doctor know when quickening began.
• Knowing when your baby started moving and the frequency of his kicks can help your doctor do two things. Your doctor can better estimate your baby's fetal age and better estimate your due date.
• Depending on your medical history, age, and other information, your doctor might talk to you about amniocentesis around the 18th week of pregnancy, a test that checks for genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.

18 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Pictures

• During this month of pregnancy, you might have an ultrasound, sometimes called a sonogram. (You might already have had one.)
• These pictures of your baby let you see your baby's heart, head, brain, arms, legs, spine, genitalia, and other developing parts.
• By your 18th week of pregnancy, the ultrasound can reveal:
  • Whether you’re having a girl or a boy
  • Fetal age of your baby
  • Location of your placenta
  • Fetal position, movement, breathing, and heartbeat
  • Amount of amniotic fluid
  • Number of fetuses
  • Length of your cervix

Benefits of Ultrasound
Why measure your baby on an ultrasound?

• To estimate baby's true age. Ultrasound measurements can be more accurate than estimating the date of your last menstrual period to determine your baby's gestational age. (Women don't always remember the date of their last period, and cycles vary from woman to woman.) It's why your doctor might adjust your due date after an ultrasound.
• To check up on your baby's health. Your doctor can combine measurements of the baby's head, abdomen, and femur to estimate baby's weight and catch any problems before they become serious.