BABYCENTRE UPDATES...18 WEEKS

Hello deqno!
18 weeks pregnant

Your baby is twice as big as he was last month but he still weighs only about 190g (6.7oz). Meanwhile, most of the weight you've gained is from amniotic fluid, placenta and water retention. Although things may seem calm on the surface, your little one is kicking, flexing, reaching, rolling, and even sucking his thumb now. If you haven't felt him move yet, you will in the next few weeks. His hearing is now functioning and he will be listening to your heartbeat.

How your baby's growing

This week, you officially begin your fifth month of pregnancy. Your baby may have reached 15 cm from crown to rump by now, and he can both feel and hear. Admittedly at the moment, all he can hear is your heartbeat and the flow of your digestive system but soon he'll be able to detect noise outside the womb and identify your voice.

How your life's changing

You're just a week away from the half-way mark. Pregnancy care is much more relaxed than it used to be, but don't chew over things alone if you're feeling anxious. Our Most Frequently Asked Questions on antenatal health, pregnancy complications, and labour and birth may reassure you but don't hesitate to ring your doctor if you're still worried.

However, in the next few weeks you'll probably be having second trimester scans to check your baby's organs. Seeing your baby curled up inside you - or kicking or rolling - is immensely moving so take your husband with you if you can.

Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now. Treat yourself to a new pair of shoes also in a bigger size, as your feet will swell along with your body. And pick a low heel for extra stability as your bump grows.