Butterflies in your stomach

How is your baby growing?

Now, in the 18th week of pregnancy, the umbilical cord is getting longer, tighter, and thicker so that it can adequately nourish your baby with all the nutrients. In addition, the lungs continue to develop and your baby's mammary glands are evolving. The internal reproductive organs have also formed. Hard to believe: in girls, the ovaries already have about five million eggs.  

The bones of the ear are becoming tighter and your baby can perceive sounds better and better. Are you already talking to them regularly? Your baby now sleeps a lot: about 20 hours a day. However, as they cannot yet distinguish between day and night and your movements calm and lull them, your baby is active just when you are resting.

How is your belly growing?

At 18 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is exercising enthusiastically. This is very important because it exercises the skeleton, muscles, and nervous system. Now, around the 18th week of pregnancy, some pregnant women notice for the first time a flutter, a push, or even a bulge in their belly: The baby's first movements - as gentle as the flutter of a butterfly's wings and as emotionally intense as an earthquake. It's just wonderful. But even if you don't feel anything, that's normal. It's difficult to distinguish the first movements from 'normal' bodily functions. In addition, some babies take until the 20th or 22nd week of pregnancy to become noticeable.  

What makes you grow as a family?

Heartburn may now occur, sometimes immediately after meals, but sometimes when you are lying down. Avoid fatty foods and do not lie down immediately after eating. It is also better to eat small meals throughout the day rather than just three large meals.  

Mom Christine shares her experience with heartburn: 

Some pregnant women have such severe heartburn that they cannot sleep. Their throat is constantly irritated and, in the worst case, this can happen as early as the first weeks of pregnancy. At first, tips such as eating oatmeal or drinking large amounts of water can help, but at some point this becomes ridiculous. What helped me a lot were heartburn pills and (during labor) lemon inhalation.