At 18 weeks pregnant, your baby measures over 6 inches long and weighs more than 5 ounces — roughly the size of a bell pepper — and may already be developing unique fingerprints while beginning to kick, punch, and hiccup. Mothers can expect physical changes including backaches, leg cramps, low blood pressure, and swelling of the feet and ankles as the body accumulates fluid to support both mother and baby. Watermelon is highlighted as a particularly beneficial food at this stage, with research suggesting its lycopene content may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia by as much as 50%, while its potassium and magnesium help regulate fluid retention and prevent muscle cramps. Its high water content also makes it a practical, nutrient-rich option for easing common pregnancy symptoms such as heartburn, dehydration, and morning sickness.
- At week 18, the baby measures over 6 inches long and weighs more than 5 ounces, roughly the size of a bell pepper.
- By week 18, the baby has developed its own unique set of finger and toe prints.
- Most mothers begin feeling fetal movements such as kicking, punching, rolling, and twisting after the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Leg cramps, caused by unknown factors, commonly begin at week 18 and can be managed through calf stretching exercises.
- Lycopene found in watermelon is reported to reduce a pregnant woman's risk of pre-eclampsia by as high as 50%.
- Watermelon contains Vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as magnesium and potassium, all of which offer documented benefits during pregnancy.
- Potassium helps regulate water levels in the blood and may prevent swelling of the ankles and feet during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Diary Week 18
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 18
Being pregnant can be a wonderful but sometimes overwhelming journey. Every day is a new experience for pregnant women, especially for first-time Mums..although of course, each pregnancy is different.
During your 18th week of pregnancy, amongst other things, your baby is coming closer to movements that many mothers start to feel around the 20th week. Find out what you can expect at this time. By the way, did you know that watermelons can help ease some pregnancy symptoms? More about that below…
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 18: How Is Your Baby Growing?
Your baby is now over 6 inches long and more than 5 ounces in weight; around the size of a bell pepper.
Though most mothers start feeling their baby’s movements after the 20th week, you may begin feeling that your baby is kicking, punching, rolling and twisting inside your womb this week.
By this time, your baby now has its own set of finger and toe prints. He may also develop other skills, such as hiccupping and yawning.
What you can expect
This week, more and more people are noticing your changing figure. Most of them can now recognise that you are pregnant. While you might be enjoying the attention which many people give during this stage, you may also have to suffer from backaches. These happen due to the growing size of your baby and of course, the surge of pregnancy hormones inside your body.
However, inside your body, your cardiovascular system is affected by your pregnancy. You may experience low blood pressure. Bleeding gums, flatulence, heartburn and existence of varicose veins and stretch marks are still normal during this week.
Leg cramps begin to occur this week. You might just find yourself waking up in the middle of the night due to the shooting spasms in your right and left calf. The cause is still unknown but you can fend them off through calf stretching. By this time, your body continues to accumulate fluid to support you and your baby’s needs. This may result in the swelling of the feet and ankles.
Watermelons For Pregnancy Nutrition
In many cases, pregnancy brings about food aversions and cravings. However, make sure that you are getting nutrients from the food you take, which is best achieved by a varied, healthy fresh food intake. Even with the Irish weather not always being as sunny as we might like, there are many fruits that can contribute to a good diet, and one that not only does this but can relieve some of your symptoms is the watermelon.
Eating watermelon during pregnancy is both delicious and nutritious. Watermelons provide a number of nutrients which can help relieve some of the pregnancy symptoms women experience. According to research, watermelon helps in easing muscle cramps, dehydration, swelling, heartburn and morning sickness. Some women consider watermelon as an excellent solution to nausea. Due to its high water content, watermelon is a very beneficial fruit during pregnancy.
Watermelon is also said to be richer in lycopene compared to tomatoes. Lycopene’s are antioxidants that protect the body against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Also, these antioxidants are beneficial in increasing the skin’s SPFs as well as in boosting the body’s immunity against a wide range of infections. In pregnant women, lycopene plays a vital role in reducing their risk for pre-eclampsia by as high as 50%.
Watermelon is fortified with Vitamins A, B6 and C as well as magnesium and potassium which are known for their massive benefits to the human body. Potassium is said to be effective at regulating the amount of water in the blood, thereby preventing the swelling of the ankles and feet. When working together, potassium and magnesium are helpful in preventing muscle cramps which normally occur on the third trimester of pregnancy.
Watermelon also plays a vital role in the development of the baby’s nervous system, vision and the brain. On the other hand, Vitamins A and C are beneficial in the development of the baby’s immune system and bones. Apart from this, Vitamin C performs an important role in expediting the healing of wounds, promoting healthy gums and teeth as well as in preventing cellular damage. Meanwhile, Vitamin B6 helps in optimising brain functions.
Pregnancy Diary Week 18
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
How big is a baby at 18 weeks pregnant?
At 18 weeks, a baby is over 6 inches long and more than 5 ounces in weight, roughly the size of a bell pepper. By this stage, the baby has developed its own set of finger and toe prints.
Can you feel baby movements at 18 weeks pregnant?
Some mothers may begin feeling their baby kicking, punching, rolling, and twisting at 18 weeks, though most do not feel movement until after the 20th week. The baby may also begin hiccupping and yawning at this stage.
What physical symptoms are common at 18 weeks pregnant?
Common symptoms at 18 weeks include backaches, low blood pressure, bleeding gums, flatulence, heartburn, varicose veins, stretch marks, and swelling of the feet and ankles. Leg cramps also begin to occur during this week, often causing shooting spasms in the calf muscles at night.
How can you relieve leg cramps during pregnancy?
Leg cramps are a common symptom that begin around week 18 of pregnancy, and calf stretching can help fend them off. The exact cause of pregnancy-related leg cramps is not fully known.
Is watermelon good to eat during pregnancy?
Watermelon is considered both nutritious and beneficial during pregnancy, as research indicates it can help ease muscle cramps, dehydration, swelling, heartburn, and morning sickness. Its high water content makes it particularly valuable for pregnant women.
What nutrients does watermelon contain that benefit pregnant women?
Watermelon contains Vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as magnesium and potassium. Potassium helps regulate water in the blood to prevent swollen ankles and feet, while potassium and magnesium together can help prevent muscle cramps.
How does lycopene in watermelon help during pregnancy?
Watermelon is said to be richer in lycopene than tomatoes, and lycopene is an antioxidant that protects against cardiovascular disease and cancer. In pregnant women specifically, lycopene is reported to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia by as much as 50%.
What causes backaches at 18 weeks pregnant?
Backaches at 18 weeks are caused by the growing size of the baby combined with the surge of pregnancy hormones in the body. As the baby continues to grow, this pressure on the back typically increases.