18 weeks pregnant, no movement. 18 weeks pregnant: what happens at this time?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

18 week of pregnancy refers to the second trimester, the fifth month of pregnancy. In fact, it is not much different from, say, the 17th or 19th, yet this week is important in that a woman can feel the movements of her child.

What happens to a woman's body and a developing fetus?

So, 18 weeks pregnant: what happens to the woman and the unborn child? As a rule, at this time, a woman clearly begins to feel the movements of her baby. If you are 18 weeks pregnant and not moving, then this is not a serious cause for concern, especially if this is your first pregnancy. In fact, the unborn child begins to move from the moment the heart is launched, which does not stop its contractions until the very end of the life path. It's just that the little man is still so small that the expectant mother cannot hear his movements. Nevertheless, at the next appointment with a gynecologist, the first thing a pregnant woman should say is: “I am 18 weeks pregnant, I don’t feel any movement.”

General condition of woman and child

The second trimester of pregnancy is the most favorableperiod for both the baby and the mother. 18 weeks pregnant - what happens at this time? As a rule, morning toxicosis and ailments are a thing of the past, the woman feels great, her mood has already leveled off, her tummy is not very big yet, but it is already noticeable to others.

The length of the fruit reaches more than 14 cm, weight - about 200 g or even more. There is enough space for him in the uterus, the child moves in different directions, actively turns over, kicks. Such movements during ultrasound can even interfere with sex determination.

18 week of pregnancy: the feelings of the expectant mother

At this gestational age, there may be sensations of pulling pains in the abdomen when taking an uncomfortable position. You should not be afraid of this, this phenomenon occurs due to the rapidly growing uterus, which stretches the ligaments. A yellowish discharge may appear and, regrettably, constipation - due to the fetus pressing on the intestines. And, most importantly, there is a good appetite! A woman who is expecting a baby needs to balance her diet to ensure that her baby receives as many nutrients as possible, especially when it comes to the 18th week of pregnancy.

"I can't feel the baby move!" - another complaint? A reason to be wary, but you should not panic either, after all, everything is individual for everyone. Someone first feels the movements of the crumbs at week 15, and someone at the 22nd. A woman is rapidly gaining weight, this happens, in particular, due to the developinga fetus gaining weight and growth, an increase in the uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid. The mammary glands increase in size and prepare for the production of milk. The belly at the 18th week of pregnancy is already quite noticeable. Many want to touch this miracle of nature; whether to allow it or not is a matter of taste and desire of the mother herself.

Fetal development

Fetal development, 18th week of pregnancy - at this time the following events occur:

- the immune system is no longer so helpless, it produces substances that can fight viruses and infections;

- the baby has grown, its length can reach 20 cm, weight - from 150 to 250 g;

- adipose tissue appears, the skeletal system is strengthened, there are sprouts of molars;

- a baby at the 18th week of pregnancy can for the first time clearly inform the expectant mother of her existence in the form of movements;

- unique fingerprints formed, pens can grab each other;

- sexual organs have developed, you can determine the sex of the baby;

- a heart has formed, motor activity has increased;

- eyes can distinguish between light and dark;

- and, most interestingly, your baby is already able to hear his mother's voice; you can start singing and telling him bedtime stories.

18 weeks pregnant, no movement! Normal or Deviant?

The expectant mother can hear the first movements before going to bed, when she calms down. Thin women will feel tremors a little earlier than those who are overweight. If the pregnancy is the first, the feeling will appear a little later than with subsequent ones. Women say that joyful and expected kicks are similar to the movement of gases through the intestines or the slight tickling of butterfly wings, and anywhere in the abdomen. The baby is still very small, he has enough space in his tummy, and he somersaults in it, as he pleases. As the baby grows, the tremors become more and more distinct. Therefore, both active movements of the crumbs and their absence are the norm. But if a mother says to her relatives: “18 weeks pregnant, I don’t feel any movement,” she should calm down, the time for such a pleasant event is rather individual.

Necessary research at this time

A woman during this period visits her doctor at least once a month. At each visit, weighing, measuring blood pressure, listening to the fetal heartbeat, measuring the height of the fundus of the uterus. Urine is taken for analysis. A visit to specialized specialists is made according to indications for a particular woman and her condition.

Lifestyle and diet of a pregnant woman

Proper nutrition, being outdoors, doing gymnastics for pregnant women are all essential components of a he althy lifestyle. A woman's diet should be balanced. For the proper development of the baby, replenishing the need of the growing body for calcium and preventing osteoporosis in a woman, it is necessary to add milk, cottage cheese, sour-milk products to the diet, otherwisethe baby will take calcium from mom's reserves (usually teeth). Additionally, you should not use chemical preparations containing this element, everything should be in moderation. Products that contain high-grade proteins, meat and fish must be in the diet! To prevent constipation, it is necessary to consume as much fiber as possible, contained in fresh vegetables and fruits. A woman can receive vitamins both from natural products and from complexes for pregnant women prescribed by her gynecologist.

What dangers lie in wait for this period?

At all periods of gestation, their dangers may lie in wait. This week is no exception to the rule. The danger of a miscarriage does not leave the pregnant woman even now. The risk of its occurrence becomes higher due to the existing chronic or acquired diseases of the expectant mother. The threat of spontaneous abortion as a result of uncontrolled intake of medications is not excluded. The greatest danger is the discharge from the genital tract of a reddish hue, in this case, contacting a doctor should be immediate! Control the condition of the intestines.

Listen carefully to your feelings, to the movements of the baby, especially when it's 18 weeks pregnant. There is no movement of the crumbs, although before that you clearly felt his weak tremors? Lie down, relax, put your hand on your stomach and listen. If nothing happened, change the position of the body, move a little. Maybe,the baby is just sleeping, and if the baby was active before, then silence for a long time should alert. In this case, to exclude the possibility of a miscarriage, consult a doctor.

Instead of a conclusion

Probably the most important recommendations. The right mental attitude is the main thing that should be. First of all, understand for yourself what the state of a woman's body is - natural, she fulfills her destiny, laid down by nature - to endure and give birth to offspring. Therefore, everything that happens to your body is a normal process. Set yourself up only for the best, think more often about your baby, about how he will stretch out his tiny hands to you and say “mom”. Avoid stress. The baby already hears and feels everything. The nervous behavior of the mother, chronic fatigue and depression will lead to a disorder of the nervous system and a decrease in the protective properties of the child's immunity. It has been noticed that the baby is sensitive to the mood of the mother and, when the latter experiences, begins to move more actively.