Pregnancy week 18 to week 21

Hey, mummies! How are you doing so far? Can’t wait to meet your newborn? Hold that thought first. Because we have so much more to discover about your baby development. What are we waiting for? Let’s explore together.

18th week of pregnancy

Baby's sex can be identified

Welcome to week 18 of pregnancy. During this week, your baby is as big as a cucumber. Your baby is measuring 14 cm and weighing in 0.14 – 0.18 kg. Your baby's sex can be identified when you went for an ultrasound. That high-tech will be able to tell whether you are having a girl or a boy. The accuracy of gender can be determined based on the baby’s position. So, parents might as well prepare a backup baby name. If it is a girl, their fallopian tubes and uterus are now where they need to be, whereas, if it is a boy, their little parts will be visible on an ultrasound. Soon, you will be able to have a clear picture of your baby's sex. Very soon!

Baby is very active now

Additionally, your baby is very active now. Most people start feeling the baby kick! You might feel the odd movement as your baby is practicing kicking and flexing his tiny limbs. For mummies, it might be a wonderful feeling and reassuring as your baby is wriggling inside but don’t expect too much at this stage. Lots of women may not even feel the movements, especially during the first pregnancy. You may not even be sure if it is true your baby is moving or just fluttering in your stomach. Don’t worry; you will start to feel them soon. Those kicking will make their way, soon!

19th week of pregnancy

Sensory development

Hey, mummies. This week, your baby is measuring 15 cm and weighs about 0.23 kg. Your baby is as big as a mango and you have 21 weeks to go. Keep going, mummies! Around this week, your baby will develop their sensory and baby’s brain starts to develop its receptors for five senses. Those five senses include sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. They are getting ready for the big world. Your baby also might be able to hear your voice when you talk. Second-skin starts to produce. Your baby starts to produce their second skin or called vernix caseosa. This vernix caseosa is made as a shield for your baby. It helps in preventing babies from wrinkling in the amniotic fluid. Vernix caseosa is made of oils secreted by the skin, dead cells and lanugo (shady hair). It may also help the baby make its way through the birth canal during delivery. Vernix caseosa will disappear by the time they are born but for preterm babies, they will be covered with a lot of vernix.

You may experience faintness or dizziness

Mummies may often hear about faintness that happens among pregnant mums. Don’t worry if it happens to you, you are not alone. You may experience faintness or dizziness because your growing uterus puts pressure on blood vessels. Your blood pressure tends to lower while you are pregnant. Plus, your baby is crowding your lungs, there is less oxygen for you! If you feel dizzy, stop whatever you are doing and lie down. Nevertheless, dehydration and hunger also contribute to dizziness. So, please take care of yourself, eat and drink regularly. If the dizziness continues, let your healthcare provider know. 

20th week of pregnancy

Mom may experience aches due to abdominal stretching.

Hello, welcome to your 20 weeks of pregnancy. At this week, your baby is as big as a sweet potato and measuring 16.5 cm and weighing in 0.28 kg. To all mothers out there, you have 20 weeks to go and keep fighting! Mom may feel pain due to abdominal stretching because of your growing uterus. Round ligament pain will cause discomfort on your lower belly. It is caused by your muscles stretching to keep up with your baby’s growth. Let your doctor know if the pain is concerning you but as long as it is not intense, these are just growing pains.

21st week of pregnancy

Baby’s taste bud starts to develop.

Hello, 21 weeks of pregnancy, mummies. This week, your baby is as big as a large banana. Your baby is measuring 27 cm and weighs 0.31 – 0.35 kg. You have 19 weeks to go until you meet your newborn! Your baby has developed taste buds and whatever you are eating now; there is a chance that your baby will taste it too. Your baby swallows a bit of amniotic fluid each day. Babies eat it not only for nutrition and hydration but also for practicing swallowing and digesting skills that they need when they have arrived. Researchers also found that, if the baby were exposed to this taste, they would be eager to eat the same taste after birth. Can’t wait to see your little one to eat? It won’t be that long.

Baby’s moving and sleeping

Your baby is now moving and sleeping in the womb and will develop, and in no time, they will start to feel cramped. Your baby is doing the turning, twisting and even somersault and that is what you may be feeling last night. You may think that your baby is not getting any shut-eye at all but your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn. The main point is, will you mummies get any good sleep at night.