Welcome to Week 18!! Are you feeling sporadic baby kicks yet? Now is about the time that a lot of expectant mothers do! If you aren't yet, you will be soon. Oh boy, those sweet little kicks are instant joy inducers! Baby is about 5.5 inches long (crown to rump) and 6.7 ounces, about the size of a sweet potato. Still so itty bitty, but getting stronger by the day!
At this point, you are probably starting to feel that growing bump's affect on your body--even in just the slightest ways. Your uterus is now about the size of a cantaloupe; those things aren't the biggest fruit, but they are definitely not tiny! If you find the right spot, you will be able to feel it. What?! Yep. Try it!
Obviously, a larger uterus puts more stress on your back. Though it may not be overwhelming, your back is probably very ready to relax at the end of the day! Speaking of relaxing, that hormone called relaxin is till coursing through your body. It is making your ligaments and tendons relax. Unfortunately for many mamas, this strain and discomfort only grows throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Become friends with long, warm baths, and find ways to sit back and keep your feet elevated off the floor!
Guess what....baby is yawning this week! Ahhhh, so sweet right? Good thing you're allllmost half way to seeing those yawns on the outside! If you are lucky, you might get to see a little yawn when you have your anatomy scan in the next couple of weeks. Oh, and maybe a hiccup too. Baby has been working on all sorts of tricks lately!
Baby's little nervous system is developing at a rapid pace now! Myelin (a protective covering) is now forming and covering her nerves. This myelin is vital for a body to carry 'messages' to and from the brain in the neurons. Cranial (brain) nerves that process basic senses are forming more complex connections as well. Your little one is becoming more aware every day!
Shop for a car seat and a stroller while you have the energy and agility to. Both of those decisions are big and important, so you don't want to do it last minute in a rush. It can be somewhat overwhelming to sift through all of that information--there are hundreds of products on the market! Check out our car seat and stroller buying resource guides to help relieve some of that stress!