Your Baby
 

Your baby is undergoing incredible changes and now resembles a tiny human. At this stage, your baby can weigh up to 8 ounces. Inside, bowel development continues, and the first bowel movement, known as meconium, is forming. Typically, this won’t be passed until after birth. The fingers and toes are getting pads, and soon, unique fingerprints will start to form. If you're having a boy, the prostate gland is also developing during this week.

You might notice small, rhythmic movements in your belly. These are similar to exercises for the fetus, and you might recognize them as tiny hiccups.

Your Body

Dizziness and lightheadedness might continue this week. These symptoms are due to an increase in blood volume, which can cause a lag in your cardiovascular system. Some find that walking with a cane helps maintain balance.

At the Prenatal Visit

It's common to have an ultrasound scheduled between the 18th and 20th week if you haven't had one already. During this ultrasound, you might find out your baby's gender, and measurements of the arms, legs, head, and abdomen will be taken to estimate fetal age and provide a more accurate delivery date. Know that ultrasounds are safe for your baby. For the best results, you’ll need a full bladder, which brings the uterus closer to the surface of the skin.

Your Partner
 

Emotional mood swings are normal during pregnancy, and you can offer crucial support by providing a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. The hormonal changes combined with physical transformations can feel overwhelming, so your understanding and patience are invaluable.

Tips for This Week

Finding out your baby's sex is exciting, but remember that ultrasound technology, while highly accurate, isn’t perfect. Only procedures like an amniocentesis can determine sex with 100% certainty based on chromosomes. Ultrasound guesses can be over 99% accurate but are never completely foolproof.