Development Week 18

Sleeping may start beginning to be uncomfortable now that you are 18 weeks pregnant. You may want to try using pillows to prop yourself up and find a comfortable sleeping position. This week is a good week to begin your search for a pediatrician or other health care provider for your child. Schedule visits to meet with potential doctors to discuss issues such as appointment availability, immunization scheduling and when to call in an emergency.

Baby Changes
Your baby will now be about 5.6 inches (14.2cm) in length and nearly 7 ounces (190 grams) in weight. The bones are still hardening and the finger prints will begin forming shortly as the finger and toe pads are now formed. The bones of the inner ear and the nerve endings from the brain have developed enough so that your baby will hear sounds such as your heartbeat and blood moving through the umbilical cord. She may even be startled by loud noises. Your baby's eyes are developing, too - the retinas may be able to detect the beam of a flashlight if you hold it to your uterus. Your baby is also now able to swallow and she may swallow up to a liter of amniotic fluid throughout the day.

Select a week of development to read detailed information:

Week 1	Week 11	Week 21	Week 31
Week 2	Week 12	Week 22	Week 32
Week 3	Week 13	Week 23	Week 33
Week 4	Week 14	Week 24	Week 34
Week 5	Week 15	Week 25	Week 35
Week 6	Week 16	Week 26	Week 36
Week 7	Week 17	Week 27	Week 37
Week 8	Week 18	Week 28	Week 38
Week 9	Week 19	Week 29	Week 39
Week 10	Week 20	Week 30	Week 40

Talk with other women in the middle of their second trimester in the forum