Reaching the 18th week of your pregnancy is pretty much a milestone for any woman. If you are pregnant with twins and are thinking that your babies are halfway through the development already and all you have to do is wait for them to grow up, then you are in for a surprise. There are numerous changes that you will experience in this week and in the coming weeks…right from your appetite to various differences taking place within your body. Certain symptoms of pregnancy can make a minor return in the 18th week and a few new ones could emerge too, catching you off-guard if you aren’t prepared for them. You are halfway through your journey and it is suggested that you prepare for the rest in the best way possible.
Whether you have twins or multiples, their growth in your womb is its usual pace, and sometimes even faster than before. One of the major signs that will assure you that your children are growing in the right sense is their movement taking place inside you. The tumbling around within the womb will be strong enough for you to feel by yourself. The fluttering movements that you feel while you rest are a great sign that your little ones are getting stronger day by day and growing up as well.
In terms of the physical development of your twins or triplets, one of the key changes that take place is around their external surface. A lot of oil will begin to produce on their skin, it is termed as sebum oil and is a result of the sebaceous glands, which on stimulating cause this oil to be secreted in copious amounts. Along with it, there are numerous cells that work in replacing the previous skin that was covering your babies with a newer one. It takes care of the lush soft hair, called lanugo hair, which shed from the body of your babies. The cells, the hair, and the oil secretion all mix together and form a substance called as the vernix. It can be compared with the structure of a creamy cheese of sorts since it is white in colour and fluid in nature. This vernix surrounds the babies completely and prevents their skin from drying out. Furthermore, the temperature of these little ones needs regulation as well, which is achieved through the presence of this covering.
Apart from this, one of the crucial roles that the vernix fulfils comes around the end of the pregnancy. When the babies are on their way out and are passing through the birth canal, they need to combat with the friction through the passage as well as the sudden drop in temperature of the atmosphere. The vernix provides the lubrication which is necessary for supporting the progress of the babies via the canal as well as keeps the children warm until they are wrapped up by the nurses.
A woman who is pregnant with a single child will that their baby will have grown substantially around this time. The length of the child, again measured from the head to the butt, is roughly around 13 centimetres, while the weight increases rapidly to approximately 150 grams. However, if you are pregnant with twins or triplets, your babies will be small and may weigh less, but not by a large degree. Most of the babies will be as large as a bell pepper.
The changes in a woman’s body that occur around the 18th week of pregnancy are not quite different from those that have been going in the previous week or so. Most of them either reduce in intensity, while others might get stronger.
Yes, the 18th week of your pregnancy is no less than a happy time of the journey and one of the best phases of the second trimester. Even so, it is not free from pain, and you will just have to make peace with it as when you will finally hold your twins in your arms, everything will be worth it.
The region lying below your navel will begin to expand considerably, as your uterus increases in size with the growth of your babies. Your tummy would be as large as a big muskmelon, with those numerous babies pushing it to expand further. Touching the lower end of your tummy will help you feel your uterus easily.
When expecting twins or multiples, having an ultrasound scan during the 18th week of pregnancy can provide you with some more information about their growth. Primarily, if your doctor has detected your twins to be present in separate amniotic sacs, the current scan will show you something extraordinary. The constant movement of the babies can clearly depict the stretching of the twins in separate directions. Furthermore, most babies tend to yawn or even suck on their thumbs around this week.
Eating healthy foods the right quantities regularly will keep you and your baby healthy throughout. You need to up your iron intake around this week. Eat lots of iron-rich foods and also drink lots of water now and throughout your pregnancy.
You don’t need to do anything out of ordinary to take care of yourself the right way. But here are a few do’s and don’ts that you need to keep in mind.
Purchase a nice pillow that supports your head properly while you sleep on your side. You can also buy some nice sleeping gowns. And it is also high time to start shopping for your baby too.
The 18th week of pregnancy is much better and relaxed as compared to those weeks of the first trimester when nausea and morning sickness doesn’t leave your side. But that doesn’t mean you exhaust yourself during this time. Take rest as much as possible and prepare yourself mentally for the demands of the coming trimester. And if you have partner’s support during this time, rest assured as all will be fine.